] From: "Field, John"
NOTE: Part 3 of the CRS Friday Summary is not yet compiled and will be
sent out next week
Subject: Fisheries and Marine Mammals: Most Recent Developments -- 10/09/98
(updated daily)
New info and changes since 10/02/98 are bracketed {...}
New info and changes since 10/08/98 double bracketed {{...}}
Marine Fisheries
.
{APEC Oceans Conference. On Oct. 12-16, 1998, the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperative (APEC) is scheduled to convene an Oceans
Conference in Honolulu, HI.} [personal communication]
.
{South Korea-China Fishery Agreement. On Oct. 8-9, 1998, South
Korea and China were scheduled to hold a fifth round of working-level
discussions in Seoul on an agreement to coordinate extended fishery
jurisdiction. The agreement is anticipated to include exclusive and joint
fishing
areas in waters between the two nations.} [Korean Herald]
.
{{Providence Shipping Channel Dredge Dumping. On Oct. 8,
1998, the Army Corps of Engineers held a public hearing on a proposal to
dump most of 4.5 million cubic yards of material dredged from the Providence
shipping channel (RI) into a deep depression in Narragansett Bay off
Portsmouth's Hog Island, an area fishermen say is important lobster and
finfish habitat and would harm their harvest. The Corps is taking public
comment on the proposal until Nov. 20, 1998.}} [Assoc Press]
.
{New England Scallop Assessment. On Oct. 7, 1998, NMFS, Univ. of
MA scientists, and commercial fishermen reported initial results of
August-September 1998 joint surveys of scallop populations in areas of
Georges Bank closed to fishing since 1994. Recovery of scallop stocks,
although data have not been tabulated, was reported as very encouraging,
leading some to propose rotational harvesting of closed areas.} [Boston
Globe,
Assoc Press]
.
{European Tuna Harvests in the Pacific? On Oct. 7, 1998, the
Forum Fisheries Agency announced that the European Union has requested
licenses to allow 20 large purse seine vessels, primarily Spanish, to fish
for
tuna in the South Pacific, and that negotiations are underway in Brussels.
France is reported to be separately seeking licenses for French vessels to
operate in New Caledonian waters. In 1997, the FFA licensed 1,210 Asian
vessels and 35 U.S. vessels to fish for tuna in the South Pacific.} [Assoc
Press]
.
{Import Ban on Small Swordfish. On Oct. 6, 1998, NMFS
announced new proposals, in response to a request from President Clinton as
part of the Year of the Ocean initiative, to ban the sale and import of
swordfish
less than 33 pounds and require importers to certify that Atlantic swordfish
meet minimum size requirements. Seafood dealers would be required to
obtain permits allowing them to import swordfish. Implementation of this
proposal would respond to a 1995 recommendation of the International
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.} [NMFS press release]
.
{{Tuna Glut. In early October 1998, tuna canneries in Ilwaco, WA, Los
Angeles, CA, and San Diego, CA, began purchasing albacore tuna from west
coast fishermen who have been holding thousands of tons of tuna for months
seeking a market. A cannery in Newport, OR, is anticipated soon to also
begin purchasing tuna. Price reportedly may be as low as $900 per ton, after
foreign fishermen were paid as much as $1,960 per ton earlier this year.}}
[Assoc Press]
.
{Bering Sea Pollock Agreement? On Oct. 3, 1998, a draft
agreement was circulated among industry participants, including provisions
that 1) 9 of 45 factory trawlers leave the Bering Sea pollock fishery (5 or 6
of
these vessels could continue fishing elsewhere); 2) American Seafoods would
be paid $95 million ($20 million in federal funds with the remainder a
federal
loan to be repaid by shore-based processors) to eliminate these vessels from
the pollock fishery; 3) no anti-trust exemption would be granted shore-based
cooperatives; 4) all vessels in the fishery would have to be at least 75%
U.S.-owned by Oct. 1, 2001; and 5) the annual Bering Sea pollock quota
would be reallocated with 10% going to western AK villages, 45% to
shore-based processors, 36% to factory trawlers that both catch and process
pollock, and 9% to three floating processing vessels that buy fish from
smaller
catcher vessels.} [Assoc Press]
.
{Oyster Contamination. On Oct. 3, 1998, the TX Dept. of Health
reopened Galveston Bay to oyster harvesting, with the restriction that
oysters
be shucked and not sold for raw consumption. The TX Dept. of Health had
halted harvest on June 26, 1998, at the onset of an epidemic that eventually
totalled 416 cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in 13 states.} [Assoc
Press]
.
{Contaminated Shrimp Lawsuit. On Oct. 2, 1998, the Hilton
Hawaiian Village filed a lawsuit against an OR company accused of selling
shrimp contaminated with hepatitis A to the hotel. The hotel alleges it paid
a
substantial amount to settle claims from those who fell ill after the shrimp
were served at an American Bankers Association reception in October 1996.}
[Assoc Press]
.
Hurricane Damage to Coral. On Oct. 1, 1998, Center for Marine
Conservation (CMC) scientists were scheduled to conduct an initial
post-hurricane Georges assessment of coral reef conditions in the FL Keys
National Marine Sanctuary and the Western Sambos Ecological Reserve.
[CMC press release]
.
Russia-Japan Fishery Agreement. On Oct. 1, 1998, Japanese fishing
vessels gained access to disputed waters off the southern Russian-occupied
Kurile Islands under a Japanese-Russian agreement, concluded in February
1998 to curb poaching. Japan pays Russia for the right to harvest a certain
quota of fish from this area. [Dow Jones News]
.
Seaweed Harvesting. On Oct. 1, 1998, the NC Marine Fisheries
Commission voted 4-3 to support the efforts of a Beaufort, NC firm seeking to
defeat a proposal before the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council that
would prohibit the experimental harvesting of sargassum seaweed in federal
waters. This action reversed an August 1998 Commission decision to oppose
the seaweed harvesting. The sargassum is used to produce a line of
agricultural products. [Assoc Press]
.
Ocean Fund Grant Awards. On Oct. 1, 1998, The Ocean Fund (Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd.) announced the award of $537,000 in grants to 10
organizations working to protect the marine environment. Projects include
research on endangered fish and sea turtle populations, protection of coral
reefs, and various education projects, including teacher training in marine
science. [Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd press release]
.
Ecosystem Considerations in Fishery Management. On Sept.
30-Oct. 3, 1998, the University of Alaska Sea Grant Program sponsored a
major international symposium in Anchorage focusing on "Ecosystem
Considerations in Fisheries Management," including ways to advance fishery
management beyond single-species models now widely used. [AK Sea Grant
Program press release]
.
New Zealand Fishery Management Policy. On Sept. 30, 1998, an
independent panel reported to New Zealand Biosecurity Minister John Luxton,
recommending 1) serious consideration of reducing the proportion of
government fishery management and administrative costs recovered from
commercial fishing operators, 2) realignment of the roles of government and
fishery stakeholders, 3) implementation of transparent consultation and
decision-making processes, and 4) greater devolution of the responsibility
for
fishery management, including the Quota Management System, to fishery
stakeholders. [Dow Jones News]
.
Summer Flounder Quota. On Sept. 29, 1998, U.S. District Judge
Robert Doumar ruled that Secretary of Commerce failed to conduct an
economic impact study prior to setting the 1997 summer flounder quota, and
failed to make quota adjustments in a timely manner. The NMFS economic
analysis was faulted as failing to consider the effect on fishing
communities.
Subsequently, Judge Doumar, in his 41-page opinion, allocated an additional
400,000 pounds to NC's fall 1998 quota for summer flounder, and ordered that
this additional quota not be counted as an overage to reduce future quotas.
{{On Oct. 9, 1998, the NC Fisheries Association is scheduled to meet in
Washington, NC, to develop recommendations on when NC should reopen the
flounder fishery.}} [Assoc Press, Carteret County (NC) News-Times]
.
Seabird Protection. On Sept. 29, 1998, British Fisheries Minister
Elliot Morley announced that Britain is asking the European Commission to
propose an annual April-August ban on trawling for sandeels in a 30-40 mile
area off the British northeast coast to protect major seabird populations.
[Reuters]
.
Chesapeake Bay. In late September 1998, the MD Dept. of Natural
Resources announced the results of summer 1998 juvenile population index
assessments of certain finfish, with a rockfish (striped bass) juvenile index
value of almost 13 -- slightly above the 45-year average of 10.7. The
juvenile
index for American shad was 4.2, the highest value recorded since 1980, while
the index value for Atlantic croaker was 5.9, the highest value recorded
since
the mid-1970s. [Assoc Press]
.
Gulf Coast Fish Kill. On Sept. 23, 1998, TX Parks and Wildlife Dept.
biologists conducted an aerial survey in response to an extensive mortality
event involving hundreds of thousands of crabs, shrimp, redfish, trout,
flounder,and other species along the TX coast from Galveston to Beaumont
and eastward to LA's Atchafalaya and Mississippi River basins. This event
was blamed on a sudden influx of low oxygen waters flushed from coastal
marshes into bayous and bays by extensive rainfall from Tropical Storm
Frances and other storms. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram]
.
Longline Fishery. On Sept. 22, 1998, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans postponed
until further notice a hearing on H.R. 4500 (limiting U.S. Atlantic swordfish
longing fishing) previously scheduled for Sept. 24, 1998. On Oct. 9, 1998,
NMFS will hold, in New Bedford, MA, the first of a series of workshops for
longline vessel operators to be scheduled along the Atlantic coast on
management options in the pelagic longline fishery. In addition, information
is
to be provided on avoidance, handling, and release techniques for marine
mammals and sea turtles. [personal communication]
.
13th Annual International Coastal Cleanup. On Sept. 19, 1998,
about 300,000 volunteers in all 50 states and 90 countries worldwide are
projected to participate in a volunteer effort to remove trash and debris
from
beaches and waterways. [Dow Jones Newswire]
.
FAO Fisheries Statistics for 1997. On Sept. 18, 1998, the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported that global fish
production
was virtually unchanged in 1997 at 122 million metric tons. Japan imports
about 30% of the global trade in seafood. Shrimp and tuna are the main
seafood commodities traded on international markets, comprising 20% and
11%, respectively, of the total. [Reuters]
.
Japan-South Korea Fishery Agreement. Discussions on a new
bilateral Japan-South Korean fishery agreement resumed Sept. 17-18, 1998, in
Seoul, and continued on Sept. 23-24 in Tokyo. Sources reported that the
Parties have come close to agreement on a compromise, establishing
provisional joint fishing zones in disputed waters, a 3-year schedule for
equalizing catch quotas, and provisions for enforcement. On Sept. 25, 1998,
Japan and South Korea announced that they had reached a basic accord on a
new fisheries agreement; only minor details (e.g., number of vessels allowed
to fish in the provisional zones) remain to be agreed upon before a final
agreement is concluded. The new agreement is expected to be signed during
an Oct. 7-10, 1998 visit by South Korean President Kim Dae Jung to Japan.
On Oct. 2, 1998, North Korea condemned the fishery agreement as a
treacherous abandonment of national territory, announced they would not
recognize the agreement, and declared its provisional fishing zone null and
void. [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News, Reuters]
.
Honduras Seizes U.S. Fishing Vessel. On Sept. 17, 1998, the
Honduran coast guard boarded and seized the U.S. fishing vessel Gulf King
fishing under Nicaraguan permits in disputed waters along the
Honduras/Nicaragua border. Nicaragua protested the seizure to Honduras
officials. [Assoc Press]
.
Red Snapper in the Gulf. On Sept. 17, 1998, the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council voted 7-6 not to request NMFS to extend
recreational fishing for red snapper beyond Sept. 30, 1998. In mid-September
1998, NMFS preliminarily reported to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council on federal research finding that bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) in
shrimp trawls released between 30% and 70% of the incidental finfish bycatch
while releasing about 4% of shrimp caught. [Assoc Press, NOAA press
release]
.
HI Domestic Commercial Fishing Village. On Sept. 16, 1998, HI
Governor Ben Cayetano released $11.2 million to build the Domestic
Commercial Fishing Village at Honolulu Harbor and advertised for sealed,
competitive bids to consolidate HI's fish processing companies into a modern
and efficient commercial center. [Assoc Press]
.
Canadian Federal Response to Parliamentary Fisheries
Recommendations. In a Sept. 16, 1998 federal response to March 1998
recommendations by the Commons fisheries committee scheduled to be
formally released on Oct. 2, 1998, the federal government rejected a call to
remove senior Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans staff deemed responsible for
Atlantic fishing industry collapse, rejected a call to withdraw support for
foreign
turbot quotas off Newfoundland, rejected a recommendation to halt foreign
vessel charters to fish domestic quotas for Canadian processing plants, and
rejected a recommendation to cease issuing licenses to Japanese vessels
catching tuna and swordfish in Canadian waters. [Canadian Press]
.
Canadian Groundfish. On Sept. 16, 1998, Canadian Fisheries
Minister David Anderson outlined a 3-stage process for evaluating seal
consumption of cod stocks: 1) a December 1998 meeting of marine mammal
and fishery scientists to refine analytical methods; 2) incorporation of
refinements in the next round of cod assessments; and 3) synthesis of
knowledge of seal consumption and impacts on prey populations. [Canadian
Press]
.
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From: "Field, John"
Southern Bluefin Tuna. On Sept. 16, 1998, Japan released results of
its experimental fishing program (EFP) for southern bluefin tuna conducted
between July 10 and Aug. 31, 1998, with 65 vessels catching 1,363 metric
tons of bluefin tuna. On Sept. 22, 1998, the Australian Embassy in Tokyo
released a statement calling the Japanese EFP fundamentally flawed in
design, implementation, and analysis, resulting in no indication that
southern
bluefin tuna stocks were recovering or that increased catch could be
justified.
[Dow Jones News]
.
Japanese Tuna Fishermen. In mid-September 1998, the Federation
of Japan Tuna Fisheries Cooperative Association announced the results of an
April 1998 investigation into Japanese fishermen working aboard vessels
operating under flags of convenience to overfish Atlantic and Pacific tunas.
The study found 58 Japanese fishermen, including 39 who worked as captains
or chiefs of fishing operations, who had worked aboard vessels commonly
registered in Central American countries, such as Honduras, Belize, and
Panama, operating outside international agreements regulating tuna harvest.
As of January 1999, the Japanese Fishery Agency will seek to combat this
abuse by banning Japanese fishermen from working on ships under flags of
convenience and requiring Japanese fishermen to obtain government approval
before working aboard other foreign-registered tuna vessels. About 200 tuna
vessels are estimated to operate under flags of convenience, with more than
half owned by Taiwanese companies and to a lesser extent by South Korean
companies. [Yomiuri Shimbun]
.
Shark Cartilage Phase III Trials. On Sept. 15, 1998, AEterna
Laboratories Inc. (Montreal, Quebec) announced that it had been selected by
the U.S. National Cancer Institute to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a
liquid shark cartilage extract (angiogenesis inhibitor AE-941/Neovastat) in
the
treatment of cancer. In Phase III trails, this product will be administered
to
several hundred cancer patients in the United States and Canada, beginning in
early 1999. [AEterna Laboratories press release, Reuters]
.
RI Oil Spill Restoration Plan. On Sept. 15, 1998, NOAA released a
$28.3 million Draft Restoration Plan for resources harmed by the January 1996
North Cape (RI) oil spill. Projects are proposed to restock adult lobsters
($10.9 million), stock shellfish in coastal ponds ($3.8 million), protect
water
quality by acquiring land adjacent to salt ponds ($1.6 million), and restore
anadromous fish runs ($273,000). Additional funds provide for seabird
restoration. Public comment on the draft will be taken for 60 days, and a
final
plan is to be issued by January 1999. Restoration costs would be paid by
Eklof Marine Corp., owners of the North Cape. [NOAA press release, Assoc
Press]
.
Oceans Act Legislation. On Sept. 15, 1998, the House passed by
voice vote H.R. 3445 proposing to establish an oceans policy commission.
[personal communication]
.
Johnson's Seagrass Listed as Threatened. On Sept. 14, 1998,
NMFS published notice in the Federal Register of the listing of Johnson's
seagrass (Halophila johnsonii) in southeastern FL as a threatened species.
This is the first marine plant listed as threatened or endangered. [Fed.
Register, Assoc Press]
.
Sea Turtles. On Sept. 7, 1998, Japanese enforcement officials
detained five individuals attempting to smuggle shells of about 114 hawksbill
sea turtles (66 kilograms) into Nagoya, Japan from Singapore. [Dow Jones
News]
.
NAFO Meeting. On Sept. 6-18, 1998, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries
Organization (NAFO) held its 20th annual meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.
NAFO's Scientific Council recommended that all cod stocks continue under
moratoria in 1999, and that stocks of American plaice, redfish, capelin, and
witch flounder continue under moratoria in selected NAFO management areas.
NAFO's Fisheries Commission subsequently agreed to most of the
recommended moratoria. The Fisheries Commission agreed to 100%
observer coverage and use of satellite tracking devices for all vessels
fishing in
the NAFO regulatory area no later than Jan. 1, 2001. The Fisheries
Commission agreed on formats and procedures for collecting additional data
on all discards and incidental bycatch by observers. [NAFO press release]
.
Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
.
{Salmon Hearing. On Oct. 8, 1998, the Senate Environment and
Public Works Subcommittee on Drinking Water, Fisheries, and Wildlife is
scheduled to hold an oversight hearing on scientific and engineering issues
relating to Columbia/Snake River system salmon recovery.} [personal
communication]
.
{Delisting of Pacific Salmon. On Oct. 6, 1998, NMFS announced (63
Federal Register 53635) that a July 8, 1998 petition to delist all west coast
salmon from the endangered species list presented no substantial scientific
or
commercial information indicating that delisting was warranted.} [Fed.
Register]
.
{Seattle Funds Salmon Recovery. On Oct. 5, 1998, the King County
Council voted to appropriate $4.2 million to begin restoration and
preservation
of salmon habitat, including acquisition of land, riverbank planting, and
replacing culverts that block salmon passage. The County has identified $250
million in watershed projects to be completed during the next 20 years.}
[Assoc Press]
.
{Salmon Processing Technology. In early October 1998, the Board
of the AK Science and Technology Foundation awarded a $0.5 million grant to
TBRS Technology for further refinements on a machine created to remove all
bones from salmon and for development of a marketing plan.} [Assoc Press]
.
{Petroleum and Salmon. On Oct. 3, 1998, NMFS scientists reported
at a international conference in Anchorage, AK, that contaminants, especially
longer-lived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, from lingering oil after the
Exxon Valdez spill at concentrations as low as one part per billion will
continue to stunt pink salmon growth and cause other chronic problems for
generations. Exxon scientists disputed these findings.} [Reuters]
.
PATH Review. On Sept. 30, 1998, four scientists, chosen to
objectively review the Corps of Engineers Plan for Analyzing and Testing
Hypothesis (PATH) panel findings, released a 32-page report concluding that
breaching the four lower Snake River dams is key to saving spring chinook
salmon. Their report concludes that allowing the lower Snake River to flow
unimpeded would result in a 79% chance of restoring chinook populations
within 48 years as opposed to a 40% chance if current river conditions
continued. [Assoc Press]
.
Pacific Salmon Treaty. On Sept. 28, 1998, a report for the David
Suzuki Foundation (Vancouver, BC) was released, concluding that the
existing Pacific Salmon Treaty should be discarded, and a new
comprehensive agreement negotiated to emphasize the use of selective
fishing techniques necessary to protect stocks of Pacific salmon threatened
with extinction. [Reuters, Assoc Press]
.
WA Salmon Management. On Sept. 25, 1998, the WA Governor's
Salmon Recovery Office, released a working draft salmon recovery plan
"Extinction is Not an Option," calling for a statewide carrot-and-stick
approach
to protecting and restoring salmon habitat. This strategy would rely on
vigorous enforcement of existing environmental law as well as use of tax and
other financial incentives to encourage landowners to voluntarily protect and
restore habitat. An updated draft is to be prepared by December 1998, and be
used as a basis for action in the 1999 WA Legislature. The final document is
scheduled for completion in summer 1999. [Assoc Press]
.
Corps of Engineers FY1999 Salmon Funding. On Sept. 24, 1998,
the House and Senate conference committee on FY1999 energy and water
appropriations was reported to have agreed to provide $60 million for FY1999
Corps of Engineers fish recovery programs on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
In FY1998, about $95 million was appropriated. [Assoc Press]
.
BC Salmon Management. On Sept. 18, 1998, Canadian Fisheries
Minister David Anderson appointed former Fisheries Minister John Fraser as
chairman of the newly established Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation
Council and named 8 additional members to serve on the Council. This
independent body will report annually on the status of BC's salmon stocks and
conservation issues. On Sept. 29, 1998, the Peckford public inquiry issued
its findings, concluding that BC fishermen and businesses were badly hurt by
Canadian federal salmon regulations during the 1998 season, that the Pacific
salmon industry needs emergency assistance comparable to that provided
Atlantic maritime fishermen for dealing with the cod stock collapse, and that
all stakeholders formalize a process to develop a management plan for the
1999 sockeye salmon fishery. {{In early October 1998, BC Hydro announced
that it would spend C$7 million to enhance salmon habitat, including a C$5
million contribution to Fisheries Renewal BC, a government corporation
promoting jobs in the fishing industry and recovery of fish habitat from
logging
damage. The remaining $2 million will be spent on BC Hydro salmon
enhancement projects, including fish screens and salmon spawning
channels.}} [Assoc Press, Canadian Press]
.
Savage Rapids Dam. On Sept. 17, 1998, a subcommittee of the OR
Legislative Emergency Board voted 3-2 to endorse a proposal to appropriate
$450,000 from watershed enhancement funds to improve fish screens on the
Savage Rapids Dam as an interim measure pending dam removal. The full
Board voted 11-6 to approve this proposal for funding on Sept. 18, 1998.
Appropriate design for the screens remains to be determined. [Portland
Oregonian, Assoc Press]
.
Folsom Dam Temperature Control. On Sept. 15, 1998, the House
passed by voice vote H.R. 4079 proposing to authorize the construction of
temperature control devices at Folsom Dam, CA, to benefit the recovery of
fall-run chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the American River. [personal
communication]
.
AK Salmon Disaster. In mid-September 1998, the Small Business
Administration agreed to make available low-interest, long-term loans to
provide working capital for western AK fishermen. In mid- September 1998,
AK Governor Tony Knowles named six individuals to the task force to study
the causes of western AK fisheries disasters. In late September 1998, Health
and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala announced that $10 million in
emergency funds had been approved to provide heating oil for villages hurt by
the salmon disaster. On Sept. 30, 1998, the Assoc Press reported that
House and Senate conferees on the FY1999 Dept. of Agriculture
appropriations bill had agreed to a $50 million in assistance package for
western AK -- $18 million in disaster assistance, $15 million in economic
development projects, $7 million for salmon fishery research, and $10 million
in small business loans and funding to improve the competitiveness of AK
fishermen. [NOAA press release, Reuters, Assoc Press]
.
Salmon Meetings. On Sept. 13, 1998, Vice President Al Gore and
Council on Environmental Quality Chair Katie McGinty held a town hall
meeting on salmon in Seattle, WA, with the focus on the Administration's
efforts to work with local and state governments on salmon restoration. {On
Oct. 8-10, 1998, the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to
hold a Leadership Conference in Vancouver, BC, on the topic "Saving Salmon
in an Urban Setting -- The Science and Politics of Preserving the Puget Sound
Chinook."} [personal communication, NW Fishletter No. 67, Greater Seattle
Chamber of Commerce press release]
.
Columbia River Salmon Fishery. On Sept. 12, 1998, and in
response NMFS's Sept. 10th biological opinion, the Columbia River Compact
extended and adjusted fishing times. On Sept. 18, 1998, Columbia River
Compact managers announced that sport fishing for salmon in the mainstem
Columbia River would be prohibited beginning Sept. 21, 1998, after
determining that sport anglers had caught nearly twice as many wild Snake
River fall chinook salmon as had been predicted. Tribal salmon fishing
continues through Sept. 26, 1998, but no fishery is anticipated for
non-tribal
commercial salmon gillnetters. The sport fishery for steelhead trout remains
open. [Assoc Press, Portland Oregonian]
.
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From: "Field, John"
Aquaculture and Aquaria
.
{JSA Meeting. On Oct. 15, 1998, the federal Joint Subcommittee on
Aquaculture is scheduled to meet in Silver Spring, MD.} [personal
communication]
.
{Aquaculture Technology Exchange. In early October 1998, the
Univ. of Southern Mississippi announced that it had signed a 5-year
agreement with a Brazilian marine institute involving the sharing of U.S.
marine
aquaculture technology and fish health expertise in exchange for Brazilian
expertise on farming giant scallops in coastal areas.} [Assoc Press]
.
{Shrimp Virus in SC. In late September 1998, a shrimp viral disease,
white spot syndrome, was reported at at least two SC shrimp aquaculture
operations. The SC Dept. of Natural Resources has ordered infected farms
not to release any water or shrimp. Source of the viral infection is
undetermined.} [Assoc Press]
.
Second Orlando SeaWorld Park. In late September 1998, SeaWorld
filed plans with Orange County, FL, for the construction of a second marine
theme park near Orlando, FL. Scheduled to open in 2000, the 30-acre park is
reported to feature a dolphin area where visitors can swim with dolphins, a
coral reef area, a stingray exhibit, and other features. [Assoc Press]
.
Streptococcal Infection from Tilapia. On Sept. 26, 1998, scientists
reported to the 38th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and
Chemotherapy in San Diego, CA, that a new streptococcal infection is being
transmitted by puncture wounds from sharp dorsal spines during handling or
cleaning of tilapia. The bacteria, Streptococcus iniae, causes cellulitis at
the
wound site. At least 15 cases have been confirmed, most from consumers
patronizing Asian grocery stores where live tilapia are marketed. [Fox News]
.
Marion NFH. On Sept. 23, 1998, President Clinton signed S. 1883 into
law as P.L. 105-239, directing the Secretary of the Interior to convey Marion
National Fish Hatchery (NFH) and the Claude Harris National Aquacultural
Research Center to the State of Alabama. [personal communication]
.
BC Farmed Salmon Reproducing in the Wild? In mid-September
1998, BC fishery managers reported that a small number of juvenile Atlantic
salmon were found in mid-August 1998 in the Tsitka River on Vancouver
Island, allegedly the first verified evidence that these farmed fish may be
reproducing in the wild. Critics have questioned this report. [Assoc Press,
BC
Salmon Farmers Association press release]
.
Freshwater Fisheries
.
{MN and Chippewa Tribal Fishing Rights. On Dec. 2, 1998, the U.S.
Supreme Court will hear arguments on a dispute between MN and Chippewa
Mille Lacs and seven other Bands over whether aboriginal fishing and hunting
rights have been extinguished. The lower courts have ruled that the Chippewa
retain rights to certain natural resources.} [Assoc Press]
.
ANS Task Force Meeting. On Oct. 17-18, 1998, the Aquatic Nuisance
Species (ANS) Task Force will meet at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways
Experiment Station in Vicksburg, MS. Items on the agenda include
nonindigenous species in NEPA compliance, New Zealand mud snail control
proposal, green crab control proposal, national nonindigenous species
assessment proposal, and Alien Invasive Species Executive Order
implementation. [personal communication]
.
{{Canyon Ferry Walleye and Trout. In early October 1998, a fisheries
task force recommended that the MT Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP)
manage Canyon Ferry Lake to support both trout and unauthorized walleye.
Currently FWP manages Canyon Ferry Lake for trout, considering walleye an
illegally introduced species.}} [Assoc Press]
.
{Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake. In early October 1998, National
Park Service biologists reported that they had removed more than 7,000
nonindigenous lake trout from Yellowstone Lake thus far in 1998 -- more than
triple the combined take in the previous 3 years.} [Assoc Press]
.
{ANS Funding. On Oct. 5, 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
announced that the states of MI, MN, OH, and WI along with the Great Lakes
Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission received a combined total of $133,500 to
implement approved aquatic nuisance species (ANS) management plans --
the OH and MI state plans and a St. Croix River Basin interstate plan.} [U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service press release]
.
Whirling Disease. In late September 1998, WY Game and Fish Dept.
officials announced that whirling disease, a parasitic infection affecting
freshwater fish including cutthroat and rainbow trout, had been confirmed in
the Green River drainage for the first time. [Assoc Press]
.
{Housatonic River Cleanup. On Sept. 24, 1998, General Electric
(GE) agreed to a $200 million settlement of environmental claims for chemical
releases at its Pittsfield, MA, plant. The settlement addresses claims that
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other hazardous substances were
released form the plant causing injury to natural resources in the Housatonic
River downstream from the plant. In addition to contaminant cleanup, GE
agreed to pay $15 million in natural resource damages.} [personal
communication]
.
Zebra Mussels. {In mid-September 1998, several zebra mussels were
discovered during a routine inspection of a bait-and-tackle shop in Eustis,
FL.
The organisms were believed to have been accidently transported from Lake
Champlain, NY, and were confiscated and destroyed. Zebra mussels are not
known to be established in FL.} On Sept. 24, 1998, Univ. of Connecticut
scientists reported that, in mid-September 1998, the first zebra mussels had
been discovered in Connecticut, in East Twin Lake in Salisbury, CT. [Assoc
Press]
.
Licensed Anglers Decline. In late September 1998, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service released figures indicating the number of fishing licenses
sold
nationally declined from 29.9 million in 1996 to 29.3 million in 1997.
However,
the expenditures for these licenses and permits rose from $447 million in
1996
to $498.4 million in 1997. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service press release]
.
Great Lakes Fishery Restoration. On Sept. 23, 1998, the House
passed, by voice vote, H.R. 1481, as amended, amending the Great Lakes
Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990 to implement recommendations of a
1995 Great Lakes Fishery Restoration Study. [personal communication]
.
Pfiesteria? On Sept. 17, 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency
released a study of NC fishermen, with preliminary findings indicating that
fishermen exposed to Pfiesteria toxin developed problems (a 30% reduction in
sensitivity) detecting visual patterns. This is the first chronic effect
attributed
to Pfiesteria toxins. On Sept. 22, 1998, the National Sea Grant College
Program held a briefing on research progress on Pfiesteria at the National
Press Club, Washington, DC. {On Sept. 29, 1998, about 300,000 fish,
predominantly menhaden, were found dead on the New River, at the mouth of
French's Creek in Onslow County, near Jacksonville, NC. About half the fish
had lesions or sores.} On Sept. 30, 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
announced that a USGS scientist, speaking at the International Symposium
on Aquatic Animal Health in Baltimore, reported that 95% of the lesions
observed on menhaden in Chesapeake Bay appear attributable to a fungal
infection. The fungus appears to be a pathogenic species of Aphanomyces,
and has caused fish kills throughout the Indo-Pacific region. {On Oct. 4,
1998, several thousand additional dead menhaden were found on the New
River about 3 miles from the earlier kill site. In early October 1998, MD
Governor Parris Glendening announced that two units of the Univ. of MD would
receive a total of about $1.6 million in funding from the National Oceanic
and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Pfiesteria research. While the Center
for Marine Biotechnology would receive almost $1 million to study ways to
identify Pfiesteria and control or prevent future outbreaks, the Center for
Environmental Science would receive more than $600,000 to determine the
environmental conditions that trigger Pfiesteria outbreaks.} {{Scientists at
the
Univ. of NY - Stony Brook were awarded funding to study factors affecting
Pfiesteria growth. The MD and NY grants were part of $2.4 million awarded by
NOAA for harmful algal bloom research.}} {On Oct. 5, 1998, the National
Research Council announced the release of its report New Strategies for
America's Watersheds, suggesting that management agencies should focus
on entire watersheds when seeking to deal with issues such as Pfiesteria.}
{{On Oct. 19, 1998, a National Sea Grant College Program policy and science
forum on policy interactions and economic impacts of Pfiesteria is scheduled
at the National Press Club, Washington, DC.}} On Nov. 16, 1998, the Univ. of
MD's Center for Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy will hold a
conference on the "Economics of Policy Options for Nutrient Management and
Pfiesteria" at the Patuxent Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel, MD. [USGS
press
release, Assoc Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News, National Sea Grant
Program press release, NOAA press release]
.
MN Fish Kill. On Sept. 14, 1998, a canning plant in Montgomery, MN,
reported that about 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of silage juice spilled into Sand
Creek. Later in the week, hundreds of dead and dying carp, suckers,
bullhead, crappies, and bluegills were discovered in areas of the creek
nearly
devoid of dissolved oxygen. [Assoc Press]
.
Marine Mammals
.
{Manatee Mortality. On Oct. 7, 1998, FL Dept. of Environmental
Protection biologists announced that a total of 201 dead manatees had been
counted in the first 9 months of 1998. Biologists reportedly believe the
larger
death toll is related more to a growing manatee population than any new
threats to manatee survival.} [Assoc Press, Orlando Sentinel, Reuters]
.
{Anti-Whaling Report. On Oct. 2, 1998, the Humane Society of
Canada released a report outlining 25 scientific, legal, and humane reasons
why they believe killing of whales should end. The document reportedly
accuses Japanese interests of inflaming the controversy by providing support
to Native American groups.} [Humane Society of Canada press release]
.
Makah Whaling. A hearing on a lawsuit against the U.S. Dept. of
Commerce challenging the Makah whaling was scheduled for Sept. 17, 1998,
before federal Judge Burgess in Tacoma, WA. On Sept. 21, 1998, U.S.
District Judge Franklin Burgess (Tacoma, WA) dismissed the lawsuit and
ruled that the Makah gray whale hunt could proceed. The lawsuit by
Australian, British, and American animal rights groups, coastal tourboat
operators, kayakers, and U.S. Rep. Jack Metcalf had challenged how federal
agencies handled efforts to resume Makah whaling. On Sept. 29, 1998, Royal
Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans
personnel met in Port Angeles, WA, with officials from U.S. agencies to
discuss details relating to impending Makah whaling. {In early October 1998,
the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) filed a federal lawsuit
challenging U.S. Coast Guard regulations requiring all vessels to stay at
least
500 yards from the Makah whaling canoe and requested a restraining order to
halt whaling until the matter is resolved.} [Assoc Press, personal
communication]
.
Canadian Seals and Groundfish. On Sept. 16, 1998, Canadian
Fisheries Minister David Anderson outlined a 3-stage process for evaluating
seal consumption of cod stocks: 1) a December 1998 meeting of marine
mammal and fishery scientists to refine analytical methods; 2) incorporation
of
refinements in the next round of cod assessments; and 3) synthesis of
knowledge of seal consumption and impacts on prey populations. [Canadian
Press]
.
Harbor Porpoise Protection. On Sept. 16, 1998, NMFS published
proposed regulations changing when, where, and how gillnet fishermen may
fish in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, in an effort to reduce
incidental harbor porpoise mortality from 2,000 animals annually to 400
animals. Expanded use of acoustic "pingers" will be required in the Gulf of
Maine. [Assoc Press, NMFS press release]
.
Canadian Seal Industry. In mid-September 1998, the Canadian
Northwest Territory entity Qikqtaaluk Corp. (Baffin Island) signed a letter
of
intent with a Chinese corporation in New York City outlining development
strategies for marketing and exporting seal products to China. [Canadian
Press]
.
Norwegian Whaling. On Sept. 14, 1998, Norwegian officials rejected
an application from Iceland, filed in October 1997, requesting the Norwegian
export of as much as 100 metric tons of minke whale blubber. [High North
Alliance News, Reuters]
.
Whale Watching Vessel Accidently Kills Whale. On Sept. 12,
1998, a whalewatching vessel operating out of Barnstable, MA, accidently
struck and killed a 20-foot minke whale. Critics suggest excessive speed
may have contributed to this accident. [Assoc Press]
.
Items in this summary are excerpted from a variety of information
sources. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is not responsible
for the accuracy of the various news items.
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The International Conference on Integrated Fisheries Monitoring, 1-5 Feb
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