Subject: CRS Summary - Part 1/2
From: Kate_Wing@commerce.senate.gov (Kate Wing)
Fisheries and Marine Mammals: Most Recent Developments -- 11/21/97
Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division Congressional
Research Service
New info and changes since 11/14/97 are bracketed {...} New info and
changes since 11/20/97 are double bracketed {{...}}
Marine Fisheries
Destructive Fishing Practices Workshop. The Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Marine Resources Conservation Working Group has
scheduled a Workshop on the Impacts of Destructive Fishing Practices
on the Marine Environment for Dec. 16-18, 1997, in Hong Kong.
[Workshop brochure]
{FL Spear Fishing. On Nov. 18, 1997, FL Governor Lawton Chiles and
his Cabinet adopted regulations allowing spear fishermen to hunt
Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and dolphin (the fish, NOT the
marine mammal) beginning Jan. 1, 1998, but continued prohibitions
on spearing 28 other species, including snook, red drum, spotted
seatrout, weakfish, bonefish, tarpon, pompano, sharks, and
billfish.} [Assoc Press]
{Turtles and TX Shrimpers. In mid-November 1997, officials for a
coalition of 3 turtle protection groups wrote NMFS requesting a ban
on shrimp trawling in TX waters for the remainder of 1997, alleging
that 9 of 18 dead sea turtles found during early November 1997 had
been intentionally mutilated.} [Assoc Press]
Corals. On Nov. 14, 1997, studies by a Univ. of GA scientist,
reported in The Miami Herald, concluded that the number of areas
with diseased coral on FL Keys reefs increased by 276% in the past
year (25 stations in 1996 to 94 stations in 1997), while the number
of diseased coral species increased 211% during the same period (9
species in 1996; 28 species in 1997. {The specific diseases have
not all been identified conclusively, and their origin is
uncertain.} On Nov. 18, 1997, the Senior Ecologist Seminar Series,
sponsored by The Ecological Society of America, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, the Smithsonian Institution, and the
Environmental Protection Agency, will present "Multiple Stressors on
Floridian Coral Reefs: Lessons for a Sustainable Future" at the
American History Museum, Washington, DC. [Assoc Press, Reuters,
personal communication]
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting. The Aquatic Nuisance
Species Task Force is scheduled to hold its fall meeting on Nov.
13-14, 1997, in Riverdale, MD, to review and coordinate various
regional programs and measures to monitor and control introduced
(exotic) species. A field trip is tentatively scheduled for Nov.
14 to view Chesapeake Bay nonindigenous species and their impacts,
and to view ballast water tank management facilities. [personal
communication]
IFQ Meetings. The National Research Council's Committee to Review
Individual Fishing Quotas is scheduled to hold public meetings in
Seattle, WA, to take public comment on its review of IFQs on Nov.
12-13, 1997. [personal communication, Assoc Press]
U.S.-Mexico Maritime Boundary. On Nov. 13, 1997, U.S. President
Bill Clinton and Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo were scheduled to
meet in Washington, DC, to sign a 1978 agreement establishing the
maritime boundary between the United States and Mexico in Gulf of
Mexico and Pacific Ocean waters. [Reuters]
Red Snapper Ban. On Nov. 12, 1997, NMFS announced that, based on
harvest survey data, the recreational quota for Gulf of Mexico red
snapper harvest (4.469 million pounds) would be reached by Nov. 26,
1997. Thus, the recreational bag limit for this species would be
reduced to zero from Nov. 27 through the end of the year (Dec. 31,
1997). {NMFS requested that all Gulf states close the recreational
fishery for red snapper in state waters and prohibit the sale of red
snapper from state waters during the closure.} [NOAA press release,
Assoc Press]
Russian Trawler Detention. On Nov. 12, 1997, the Russian trawler
Chernyayevo was released after its owner agreed on Nov. 10 to pay
a $190,000 fine to settle a complaint concerning illegal fishing in
the Bering Sea. The trawler had been held in Kodiak, AK, since
August 1997. [Reuters]
Japanese-Chinese Fishery Agreement. On Nov. 11, 1997, Japanese and
Chinese officials signed a bilateral agreement on fisheries,
agreeing to establish a jointly controlled zone in the East China
Sea and discuss disputed areas at a later time before delineating
200-mile economic zones. Fishing quotas will be mutually set while
enforcement authority will be exercised by the nation in whose
waters the alleged violations occur. Taiwanese officials expressed
concern over this agreement in that it could exclude consideration
of Taiwanese claims to certain areas. [Dow Jones News]
Large Trawler Restrictions. {On Nov. 13, 1997, both the U.S.
Senate and House voted to approve the conference report (H.Rept.
105-405) on an amended H.R. 2267 (the Departments of Commerce,
Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1998), section 616 of which prohibits large
trawlers specifically in the Atlantic herring and mackerel fishery
during FY1998, and elsewhere in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone if
any such vessel's did not have a fishery endorsement on its
certificate of documentation as of Sept. 25, 1997.} [Assoc Press]
Summer Flounder Lawsuit. On Nov. 6, 1997, the state of CT
announced that it had filed suit in U.S. District Court against the
Secretary of Commerce over summer flounder (fluke) quotas. CT
alleges the federal government has not been responsive in
considering revisions to a controversial quota system, and asks the
Court to order the Secretary of Commerce to rule on a petition filed
earlier in 1997 by CT. [Reuters]
Zapata Acquisition. On Nov. 5, 1997, Zapata Corp.'s subsidiary,
Marine Genetics Corp. (Hammond, LA), announced its acquisition of
the U.S. fishing and producing assets of American Proteins Inc
(Cumming, GA). Marine Genetics also acquired the right to purchase
fish meal from American Proteins' Peruvian unit. American Proteins
Inc. operates a fishing business in Chesapeake Bay through its
Ampro Fisheries division. [Dow Jones News]
Horseshoe Crab Fishery. On Nov. 5, 1997, the Delaware Bay
Waterman's Association filed a lawsuit in the NJ Superior Court's
appellate division, in an effort to overturn the October 1997
decision by the NJ Marine Fisheries Council to promulgate new
regulations restricting the horseshoe crab fishery. The lawsuit
accuses the Council of procedural irregularities and of basing its
decision on insufficient information. [Assoc Press, ASMFC press
release]
Pacific Groundfish Catch Reductions. On Nov. 4, 1997, the Pacific
Fishery Management Council approved reduced 1998 catch quotas for
many groundfish species -- the lingcod annual quota was reduced 66%,
sablefish (blackcod) was reduced 40%, longspine thornyheads was
reduced 35%, Dover sole was reduced 19%, and widow rockfish
(snapper) was reduced 34%. Proposed regulations to implement these
quota changes were approved on Nov. 7, 1997. [Assoc Press]
NMFS Draft Research Plan. On Nov. 3, 1997, NMFS announced the
availability for public comment of its 43-page draft "Strategic Plan
for Fisheries Research" --
[http://kingfish.ssp.nmfs.gov/sfa/prorules.html]. This document
identifies major fisheries research goals and objectives related to
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. [NOAA
press release]
Italian Driftnets. On Oct. 30, 1997, Italian Agriculture and
Fisheries Minister Michele Pinto announced that the voluntary
reconversion plan for 3,500 Italian driftnet fishermen and 676
fishing vessels will begin to be implemented in the next few weeks.
A total of 400 billion lira in aid and compensation will be
available for the program. [Rome ANSA via Foreign Broadcast
Information Service]
EU Fish Conservation Measure. On Oct. 30, 1997, the European
Union's Fisheries Council agreed by a qualified majority to new
regulations to better protect juvenile fish. Beginning Jan. 1,
2000, the new regulations will require improved selectivity of
fishing gear to reduce bycatch, implement control measures to reduce
fish discards, limit certain gear in areas where juvenile fish are
abundant, and set minimum sizes for fish that may be caught or sold.
[Agence Europe via Reuters]
Bering Sea Protection. On Oct. 30, 1997, the World Wildlife Fund
(WWF) announced that it would spend $10 million protecting the
Bering Sea and four other North American ecoregions. The focus on
these five ecoregions was the result of a North American
Conservation Assessment of 116 ecoregions by WWF. [Assoc Press]
International Year of the Ocean. The House Resources Subcommittee
on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively
scheduled an oversight hearing on Oct. 30, 1997, on the
Administration's planned activities for the 1998 International Year
of the Ocean. [personal communication]
NOAA Corps Hearing. The Senate Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries has
tentatively scheduled a hearing on Oct. 29, 1997, on the future of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps and
on S. 877 proposing to disestablish the NOAA Corps. [personal
communication]
EU Suspends Nicaraguan Seafood Imports. On Oct. 28, 1997, the
Nicaraguan Economy Ministry announced that the European Union had
suspended imports of all Nicaraguan seafood for failure to meet
hygiene standards. [Reuters]
VA Oyster Transplant. On Oct. 28, 1997, the VA Marine Resources
Commission agreed to conduct a Nov. 25, 1997, public hearing on a
plan to harvest mature oysters from Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds this
winter and establish a reef elsewhere in Chesapeake Bay. This would
mimic a winter 1997 program wherein 2,300 bushels of oysters were
harvested and moved to a reef in the Great Wicomico River. [Assoc
Press]
Illegal Toothfish Fishery. On Oct. 28, 1997, these two vessels
arrived in Fremantle harbor under tow by the Royal Australian Navy.
At least some of the crew on these foreign vessels were reported to
be from Argentina. About 46 metric tons of Patagonian toothfish was
aboard the two vessels. On Nov. 14, 1997, an Australian court was
scheduled to hold a hearing for two Australian nationals charged
with illegal fishing in Antarctic waters with the Belize-registered
vessel. [Reuters]
Roanoke Striped Bass Recovery. In late October, 1997, the Atlantic
States Marine Fisheries Commission made a formal determination that
the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River striped bass population had
recovered to historic levels. Similar determinations were made in
1995 for the Chesapeake Bay and New England striped bass
populations. [Assoc Press]
Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
{{Yukon River Sonar Lawsuit. On Nov. 19, 1997, the AK Supreme
Court heard oral arguments on a lawsuit by western AK fishermen, who
allege that erroneous sonar fish counts by AK state biologists
undercounted returning salmon and led to the needless closure of the
1994 chum salmon season on the Yukon River. They further contend
that the closure caused hardship for those dependent upon the
subsistence and commercial harvest of Yukon River chum salmon.}}
[Assoc Press]
{PUD Salmon Restoration Costs. On Nov. 17, 1997, WA state public
utility district (PUD) representatives reported to the WA
Legislature's Salmon Restoration Task Force that PUDs expended
almost $50 million during 1996 on programs to improve salmon
management, production, and habitat. This estimate excludes
additional millions of dollars in foregone generating revenue as
well as that portion of the PUDs' payment to Bonneville Power
Administration that funds salmon restoration.} [WA PUD Assoc. press
release]
....
From: Kate_Wing@commerce.senate.gov (Kate Wing)
Salmon Price-Fixing Lawsuit. On Nov. 13, 1997, Anchorage (AK)
Superior Court Judge Peter Michalski set a 1999 trial date for the
billion dollar class action lawsuit involving more than 5,000
fishermen alleging price-fixing on Bristol Bay sockeye salmon by 7
Japanese seafood processing companies from 1989 through 1995.
[Assoc Press]
Elk Creek Dam Hearing. On Nov. 13, 1997, the House Agriculture
Committee held a field hearing in Medford, OR, to review the Army
Corps of Engineers proposal to provide fish passage through Elk
Creek Dam, near Medford, OR. [Assoc Press]
Tribal Salmon Restoration Programs. {On Nov. 13, 1997, the}
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, representing four
Columbia River tribes, filed a petition with the 9th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals, asking the court to review the Northwest Power
Planning Council's September 1997 recommendation that funding of
tribal salmon restoration programs, {including new hatchery
construction,} be halted pending further review. {On Nov. 21,
1997, tribal representatives are tentatively scheduled to meet with
the Northwest Power Planning Council in an effort to settle
conflicts that led to the lawsuit filing.} [Assoc Press, Dow Jones
News]
Chinook Salmon Lawsuit. On Nov. 6, 1997, a coalition of fishing
and conservation groups filed suit in U.S. District Court against
the federal government, seeking to force increased protection for
chinook salmon in WA, OR, and CA under the Endangered Species Act.
The lawsuit alleges that NMFS should have proposed protection for
chinook salmon by February 1996. [Assoc Press]
Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery. On Nov. 6, 1997, the U.S. Dept. of
Commerce issued a fishery disaster declaration (declared a
commercial fishery failure) for the Bristol Bay and Kuskokwim
regions of Alaska in response to requests by AK officials. This
declaration, authorized by section 312(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, allows federal aid to be
provided for fishermen who experienced low salmon harvests and low
prices this year. {On Nov. 13, 1997, both the U.S. Senate and
House voted to approve the conference report (H.Rept. 105-405) on
an amended H.R. 2267 (the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and
State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
1998), including $7 million for emergency disaster assistance for
AK's Bristol Bay and Kuskokwim regions.} [Assoc Press, Reuters, NOAA
press release]
Wild vs. Hatchery Fish? On Nov. 5, 1997, the Northwest Indian
Fisheries Commission and the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife reached
provisional agreement on a draft plan to protect wild salmon after
concurring that fishery managers can use broad judgment in
determining what is a wild fish and what is a hatchery fish.
Individual tribes would decide how much they might reduce hatchery
production and harvests. The agreement must be approved by
individual tribes and the WA Fish and Wildlife Commission. A public
hearing on the draft plan has been tentatively set for Nov. 21,
1997. [Assoc Press]
BC Salmon Assistance Protest. On Nov. 5, 1997, hundreds of BC
fishermen were reported to have gathered outside federal fisheries
offices in Vancouver and Victoria to protest what they considered
the Canadian federal government's inequitable treatment of the
salmon fleet compared to the Atlantic groundfish fleet. [Assoc
Press]
New Zealand Salmon Imports. On Oct. 31, 1997, New Zealand's
Ministry of Agriculture announced that it had concluded that it was
inappropriate to continue a ban on imports of uncooked wild Pacific
salmon from the United States. The risk analysis for this
determination remains open for public comment until Dec. 10, 1997.
[Dow Jones News]
FERC and Salmon Protection. On Oct. 30, 1997, the Senate Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Water and Power
held a hearing to review the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's
hydroelectric relicensing procedures. {On Nov. 17, 1997, a
coalition of 8 fishing and conservation groups filed a petition with
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, calling on FERC to address
alleged increasing threats to chinook salmon and steelhead trout
from ID Power Co. dams in the Snake River drainage. FERC has also
been requested, but has declined, to enter consultation with NMFS on
endangered and threatened species protection measures.} [Dow Jones
News, Assoc Press, Congr. Record]
Pacific Salmon Treaty. On Oct. 24, 1997, Canadian federal court
Justice Marc Nadon announced that he will rule next week on whether
AK's lawsuit against more than 200 fishermen involved in the July
1997 Prince Rupert, BC, blockade of the AK state ferry can proceed.
On Oct. 30, 1997, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy
and Fisheries Minister David Anderson met with special envoys
William Ruckelshaus and David Strangway. On Oct. 31, 1997, BC
Premier Glen Clark met with special envoys William Ruckelshaus and
David Strangway. On Nov. 3, 1997, Judge Marc Nadon of the Federal
Court of Canada ruled that Alaska must give the court proof that
fishermen were part of the July 1997 ferry blockade before
proceeding with the case. Under this ruling, all but 17 of the 200
fishermen named in Alaska's lawsuit were dropped from the suit.
Alaska has until Nov. 10 to inform the court on how it plans to
proceed. On Nov. 7, 1997, BC's United Fishermen and Allied Workers
announced that it would file a counter suit against AK, accusing AK
fishermen of conspiring to steal BC salmon. On Nov. 10, 1997, AK
identified additional defendants, through analysis of videotape, in
its lawsuit against BC fishermen participating in the July 1997
Prince Rupert blockade of an Alaskan state ferry. Canadian Court
Master John Hargrave allowed AK to name additional defendants and
left it to the pending trial to decide on the validity of AK efforts
to identify them. On Nov. 14, 1997, Canadian Minister of Fisheries
and Oceans David Anderson met in Seattle, WA, with the governors of
WA, OR, and AK to discuss Pacific salmon issues, {and to review an
interim report by both nations' special envoys on this issue. On
Nov. 18, 1997, AK officials announced that AK state ferries would
resume regular weekly ferry service to Prince Rupert, BC, on Dec.
4, 1997. This action was taken after AK authorities received
assurances of safe and unobstructed passage from Canadian and Prince
Rupert officials.} [Assoc Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News, Canadian
Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans press release]
Aquaculture and Aquaria
{{Aquarium Groundbreaking. On Nov. 20, 1997, officials held a
formal groundbreaking ceremony for a $40 million aquarium being
constructed in Newport, KY, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati,
OH. The aquarium is scheduled to open in Spring 1999.}} [Assoc
Press, Dow Jones News]
{Norwegian Salmon. On Nov. 14, 1997, EU Commissioner Hans van den
Broek met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek and
informed him that the European Commission had sent letters of
warning to 80 Norwegian salmon farmers who are alleged to have not
respected an agreement with the EU under which Norwegian salmon
exports were exempted from antidumping duties.} [Agence Europe via
Reuters]
Chilean Salmon. On Nov. 12, 1997, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce
preliminarily ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support
the levy of additional duties on imports of Chilean farmed salmon.
A final ruling on the petition for countervailing duties is likely
to be issued in late March 1998. A preliminary ruling on a
companion petition for antidumping duties is expected on Jan. 8,
1998. [Assoc Press, Salmon Trade Alliance press release]
Oil Spill Threatens CA Oyster Farms. In early November 1997, about
4,540 gallons of bunker fuel spilled into Humboldt Bay, CA, after a
Panamanian general cargo vessel accidently rammed a dock. By Nov.
11, 1997, oil reached local oyster beds, causing oyster farms to
cancel the harvest of 2.5 million oysters valued at about $288,000.
[Assoc Press]
SC Shrimp Virus. In early November 1997, tests confirmed taura
syndrome virus at the same SC shrimp farm where white spot syndrome
had been found two weeks earlier. [Assoc Press]
Shrimp Virus Meeting. On Nov. 3-4, 1997, sixteen international
scientists met in Sydney, Australia, to pool their knowledge of
shrimp viral diseases and to advance research for diagnosis and
prevention of these diseases. [Assoc Press]
EDF Aquaculture Report. On Oct. 30, 1997, the Environmental
Defense Fund (EDF) released a new 200-page report entitled "Murky
Waters: Environmental Effects of Aquaculture in the United States"
[http://kingfish.ssp.nmfs.gov/sfa/prorules.html www.edf.org/pubs/Reports/Aquaculture/]. This report
details alleged environmental degradation caused by aquaculture and
discusses strategies and technologies available to address these
concerns. [Assoc Press]
Foreign Shrimp Regulation. On Oct. 28, 1997, the SC Dept. of
Natural Resources Office of Fisheries Management held a public
hearing on proposed regulations to control the importation and
possession of foreign shrimp. The regulations respond to concerns
over repeated outbreaks of shrimp virus, and would create a shrimp
import permit program and a 25-day quarantine for imported shrimp.
[Assoc Press]
Freshwater Fisheries
Zebra Mussel Conference. On Nov. 18-20, 1997, a consortium of
federal and state agencies will hold a conference in Kansas City,
MO, to consider the risks zebra mussels pose to water supplies and
biological communities in western states. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service press release]
{Bull Trout. On Nov. 17, 1997, the ID Board of Health and Welfare
voted 5-1 to approve new water quality standards for bull trout
habitat developed by the ID Division of Environmental Quality.
However, critics suggest these standards may be rejected by the
federal Environmental Protection Agency, since they do not address
concerns raised by EPA earlier this year.} {{On Nov. 18-19, 1997,
the MT Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks joined with the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to sponsor a roundtable on
bull trout management options for Flathead Lake, where transplanted
lake trout threaten the native bull trout population.}} [Assoc
Press]
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting. The Aquatic Nuisance
Species Task Force is scheduled to hold its fall meeting on Nov.
13-14, 1997, in Riverdale, MD, to review and coordinate various
regional programs and measures to monitor and control introduced
(exotic) species. [personal communication]
Yaqui Catfish. On Nov. 13, 1997, about 350 threatened Yaqui
catfish were to be reintroduced into the wild in the headwaters of
Rio Yaqui, AZ, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This native
fish has not inhabited AZ waters in more than a century, and is part
of an international program to return 8 species of native fish to
the Rio Yaqui and replace non-native sport fish with native fish.
[Assoc Press]
FERC Hearing. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources'
Subcommittee on Water and Power has tentatively scheduled a hearing
on Oct. 30, 1997, to review the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission's hydroelectric relicensing procedures. [personal
communication]
Whirling Disease. On Oct. 29, 1997, the UT Div. of Wildlife
Resources head a public meeting to discuss solutions to the
containing the spread of whirling disease in UT. Critics have been
concerned about alleged slow government response to reports of this
disease at private fish farms. [Assoc Press]
Lac du Flambeau Chippewa Fishing Rights. On Oct. 28, 1997, the Lac
du Flambeau Chippewa voted 116-105 in a special referendum to
support a continuation of an April 1997 agreement whereby, in
exchange for $100,000 from the state of Wisconsin, the Chippewa
established restrictive spearfishing quotas that also provide
walleye for non-Indian sport anglers. [Assoc Press]
Emergency Brine Shrimp Closure. On Oct. 27, 1997, the Utah Div.
of Wildlife Resources ordered an emergency closure of the Great Salt
Lake brine shrimp egg harvest, due to threat of overharvesting and
the poor commercial quality of brine shrimp eggs. The harvesting
season normally runs from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31. About 90% of
the brine shrimp eggs are exported to prawn farms in Asia. [Assoc
Press]
....
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