Subject: Fish Ecology- CRS Summary - Part 1/4
From: Kate Wing
Fisheries and Marine Mammals: Most Recent Developments -- 7/11/97
Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division
Congressional Research Service
New info and changes since 7/03/97 are bracketed {...}.
New info and changes since 7/10/97 are in CAPITAL LETTERS.
.
Marine Fisheries
.
NMFS Oversight Hearing. On July 24 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively
scheduled an oversight hearing to review the authority and decision-making
processes of NMFS's Northwest Region. [personal communication]
.
CITES Hearing. On July 17, 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively
scheduled an oversight hearing on the results of the recent meeting of CITES
(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora) Parties in Zimbabwe. [personal communication]
.
{NEW ENGLAND GROUNDFISH. ON JULY 10, 1997, THE NEW
ENGLAND FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL RECEIVED A REPORT
INDICATING THE FIRST SIGNS OF COD, HADDOCK, AND YELLOWTAIL
FLOUNDER STOCK RECOVERY ON GEORGES BANK. SIMILAR SIGNS
OF RECOVERY ARE NOT YET EVIDENT IN THE GULF OF MAINE.}
[ASSOC PRESS]
.
{Internet Seafood Exchange. On July 9, 1997, International Custom
Pack Inc., a shrimp processor, announced that it had reached an agreement
in principal to acquire Innovative Internet Marketing Systems Inc. (Anchorage,
AK; Seattle, WA; Boston, MA), with plans to launch an interactive worldwide
Fishmart Seafood Exchange on the Internet using Innovative Internet
Marketing System's on-line, real-time auction software. The Exchange will
allow buyers to bid on lots being auctioned by seafood producers and
processors.} [Dow Jones News, International Custom Pack press release]
.
{Red Tide Virus. On July 9, 1997, the Japanese Fisheries Agency
announced that it had succeeded in cultivating a Heterosigma akashiwo virus
(HAV) capable of killing the Heterosigma akashiwo plankton responsible for
certain red tides. Within 10 years, the Agency aims to cultivate large
quantities of HAV and be able to spread it on marine waters to selectively kill
only this red tide plankton.} [Dow Jones News]
.
{EUROPEAN FLEET RESTRUCTURING. ON JULY 9, 1997, THE EU
COUNCIL FORMALLY CONFIRMED, BY A QUALIFIED MAJORITY, ITS
DECISION ON THE NEW PHASE IN RESTRUCTURING EU FISHING
FLEETS. FOR THE PERIOD FROM JAN. 1, 1997, THROUGH DEC. 31,
2001, A REDUCTION IN FISHING EFFORT OF 30% WILL BE THE
OBJECTIVE FOR FISH STOCKS THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION AND
20% FOR OVEREXPLOITED STOCKS.} [AGENCE EUROPE VIA REUTERS]
.
{SMALL-SCALE FISHING ASSISTANCE. ON JULY 8, 1997, THE
EUROPEAN COMMISSION ANNOUNCED A PILOT PROGRAM TO FUND
PROJECTS TO ASSIST SMALL-SCALE COASTAL FISHING. THE
PROGRAM'S OBJECTIVES INCLUDE ENCOURAGING VOCATIONAL
TRAINING, REINFORCING REPRESENTATION STRUCTURES,
EXCHANGING EXPERIENCES BETWEEN FISHERMEN, AND PROMOTING
WOMEN FISHERMEN. TWO CALLS FOR PROPOSALS WILL BE MADE,
WITH A TOTAL BUDGET OF 4 MILLION ECUS.} [AGENCE EUROPE VIA
REUTERS]
.
{Bycatch Reduction Device Settlement. On July 8, 1997, U.S.
District Judge Anthony A. Alaimo announced a settlement in a federal lawsuit
against the GA Dept. of Natural Resources over regulations requiring
shrimpers to use bycatch reduction devices. Under the settlement, GA
shrimpers will be required to use bycatch reduction devices, but will be
allowed to test a different model to determine if shrimp loss can be reduced.}
[Assoc Press]
.
{Alien Ocean Premiere. On July 8, 1997, a 30-minute documentary,
Alien Ocean, on the problem of alien species introductions into U.S. harbors,
bays, and estuaries produced by the MD Sea Grant Program premiered at the
National Aquarium in Baltimore.} [MD Sea Grant Program press release]
.
{Ocean International Acquisition. On July 8, 1997, Corsaire
Snowboard Inc. (San Diego, CA) announced that it had signed a letter of intent
to acquire a controlling interest in Ocean International Production S.A. de C.V.
(Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico) for 4 million common shares. Ocean
International has contracts with 150 fishermen in the Sea of Cortez and
processes crab.} [Dow Jones News, Corsaire Snowboard press release]
.
{Taiwanese Investment in Alaska. On July 7, 1997, Taiwan's
Nationalist Party approved a loan of $16 million by it's Central Investment
Holding Company to be matched by $16 million from the Alaska Seafood
Center to build a seafood packing operation in Anchorage, AK. The $126
million project will also be funded by a $50 million low-interest loan from the
state of AK, $35 million in leased equipment, and $9 million in bank loans.}
[Dow Jones News]
.
{JAPAN-TAIWAN FISHERY ACCORD. ON JULY 4, 1997,
TAIWANESE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT JAPAN AND TAIWAN HAD
REACHED A TENTATIVE ACCORD ON FISHING IN DISPUTED WATERS
BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS, THAT WOULD ALLOW TAIWANESE
FISHERMEN TO FISH IN WATERS ADJACENT TO THE
TIAOYUTAI/SENKAKU ISLANDS.} [TAIPEI CHUNG-KUO SHIH-PAO VIA
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE]
.
{Japan-Russia Fishery Agreement. On July 4, 1997, Russia and
Japan negotiators meeting in Moscow were reported to have concluded a
preliminary fisheries accord on jurisdiction in waters surrounding four disputed
islands lying between the two nations. The accord seeks to provide for the
safety of Japanese boats fishing in this area. Talks will reconvene in
September 1997 in Tokyo to determine how much Japan will pay Russia for
access, what areas can be fished, and how much fish can be caught.} [Tokyo
Kyodo via Dow Jones News, Tokyo Asahi Shimbun via Foreign Broadcast
Information Service, Interfax]
.
Japanese Oil Spill. On July 2, 1997, the Panamanian-registered
tanker Diamond Grace ran aground on a shallow reef 22 miles south of Tokyo,
spilling about 390,000 gallons of light crude oil. Japanese authorities fear
oil
could reach coastal fishing areas north and east of the spill site. {On July
5-6,
1997, Japanese officials completed cleanup of the spilled oil, using almost 400
oil-skimming vessels. On July 5, 1997, fishermen resumed fishing on an
experimental basis.} [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]
.
Great American Fish Count. From July 1 through July 14, 1997,
volunteer divers and snorkelers will participate in a fish survey in four
National Marine Sanctuaries -- Flower Garden Banks, TX; FL Keys;
Channel Islands, CA; and Monterey Bay, CA. This activity is jointly
coordinated by NOAA's Marine Sanctuary program, the Marine
Conservation Network, the American Oceans Campaign, and the Reef
Environmental Education Foundation. [NOAA press release, Assoc Press]
.
Research Fish Kill? On June 30, 1997, NMFS captured a large school
of redfish by purse seine between East and West Ship Islands on MS's Gulf
Coast as part of a research program tagging redfish to estimate the species'
population. On July 1, 1997, recreational charter boats reported between 500
and 1,000 dead redfish in the area. NMFS scientists believe the mortality
occurred when redfish were held for a long period of time in the purse seine.
[Assoc Press]
.
Coast Guard Accident Report. On June 30, 1997, the U.S. Coast
Guard released a 44-page report on a Sept. 1996 fishing vessel collision with a
towed oil barge off Cape Ann, MA, wherein 3 fishermen died. The report
faulted the tugboat towing the barge for not slowing down or changing direction
as it traveled through an area crowded with tuna fishermen, and faulted the crew
of the fishing vessel for failing to post a lookout. Coast Guard
recommendations include hearings on revocation of the tugboat mate's
license, modification of fishing ground descriptions to include additional
cautions, and more stringent licensing for commercial fishermen. [Assoc
Press]
.
Norton Sound Crab Fishery. On June 30, 1997, AK Dept. of Fish and
Game officials announced that no fishermen had registered to fish in the
Norton Sound red king crab fishery beginning July 1, 1997. The quota for the
entire fishery was reduced from 340,000 pounds last year to 80,000 pounds
this year, based on the small legal crab population found in trawl surveys.
[Assoc Press]
.
Regional Council Appointments. On June 30, 1997, Secretary of
Commerce William A. Daley announced the appointment of 30 individuals to
various Regional Fishery Management Councils, including an Indian Tribal
representative to the Pacific Council, as enacted in P.L. 104-297. [Assoc
Press]
.
Heinz Acquisition. On June 30, 1997, H.J. Heinz Co. announced that
its affiliate, H.J. Heinz Co, Ltd. of London had acquired John West Foods
Limited (Liverpool, UK), a brand of canned tuna and fish, from the Anglo-Dutch
Unilever Group. Annual sales of John West brand products exceeds $250
million. [H.J. Heinz Co. press release]
.
South Korean Fish Import Quotas. On June 30, 1997, South Korea
will terminate its fish import quota system, leaving Japan as the only
developed nation using quotas to limit fish imports. [Dow Jones News]
.
Telephone Cable Lawsuit. On June 27, 1997, defense attorneys filed
a motion to delete reference to a Coast Guard report in a lawsuit brought by
Pacific Telecom Cable Inc. against an OR commercial seafood company
whose trawler was alleged to have severed an underwater telephone cable
linking Oregon with Japan on May 23, 1995. The lawsuit seeks damages of
more than $2 million. [Assoc Press]
.
Atlantic Herring and Mackerel Fishery Hearing. On June 26, 1997,
the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and
Oceans held a hearing on H.R. 1855, proposing a moratorium on the use of
large fishing vessels in the Atlantic herring and mackerel fisheries. [Federal
Register]
.
{Dumping and Dungeness Crabs. In late June 1997, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency gave permission for the Army Corps of
Engineers to dredge the lower Columbia River channel to permit larger ships to
move upstream. However, the U.S. Small Business Administration registered
concerns that the Corps 6- to 12-fold expansion of existing dredge spoil dump
sites could bury Dungeness crab and harm the fishery for this resource.}
[Assoc Press]
.
MA Sues Over Scup. In late June 1997, the state of MA filed suit in
U.S. District Court against the federal government, charging that a quota
system for scup (porgies) unfairly penalizes MA fishermen. Although MA
fishermen landed an estimated 3 million pounds of scup in 1996, new quotas
for 1997 would limit their harvest to 362,000 pounds. State managers claim
that previous landing data are poor and misleading since fishermen were not
required to report their catch. [Assoc Press]
.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. On June 25, 1997, NMFS announced that it
was postponing the closure of the southern area (from Delaware southward)
Angling category fishery for large school and small medium bluefin from June
27 to July 20, 1997. [NMFS announcement]
.
Jamaican Fishing Vessel Interception. On June 23, 1997, the
British warship HMS Liverpool, with a detachment of U.S. Coast Guard law
enforcement personnel aboard, intercepted and questioned the Jamaican
fishing vessel, Silver Dollar, about 1.5 miles inside Jamaican national waters.
Although the U.S. and Jamaican governments had signed an agreement on
May 7, 1997, allowing U.S. authorities to enter Jamaican waters to board
and/or search vessels with Jamaican government approval, the agreement had
not yet entered into force. ON JUNE 27, 1997, the Jamaican government
protested the incident to U.S. diplomats, demanding an apology and
compensation. {ON JULY 8, 1997, THE U.S. EMBASSY IN JAMAICA
ISSUED A STATEMENT ACCUSING THE JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT OF
PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOR, STATING THAT THE JAMAICAN VESSEL HAD
NOT BEEN DETAINED, BOARDED, OR SEARCHED.} [Dow Jones News,
Assoc Press]
.
Illegal Russian Seafood Exports. On June 20, 1997, officials of the
Russian Federal Border Service reported losses of more than $35 billion in
illegal seafood exports, occurring when Russian fishing vessels choose to sell
their catch at foreign ports rather than deliver to Russian processors.
[Interfax]
.
Bumble Bee Seafoods Sale. A June 19, 1997, hearing on the
proposed sale of Bumble Bee Seafoods Inc. by its parent Thai corporation,
Unicord PLC, to Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Inc. (Dallas, TX) through its
subsidiary, International Home Foods Inc. for $163 million has been set by the
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, San Diego, CA. On July 1, 1997, International Home
Foods, Inc. announced completion of the purchase of the canned seafood
business of Bumble Bee Seafoods, Inc. for $163 million cash and assumption
of certain liabilities. [Dow Jones News]
.
Van Camp Seafood Sale. On June 18, 1997, Mermaid Seafood Inc.
filed an objection to the proposed sale, alleging Van Camp with disposing of
assets and de facto restructuring of the debtor-creditor relationship without
filing a reorganization plan. A June 25, 1997, hearing on the proposed sale of
Van Camp Seafood Co., Inc. to Tri-Union Seafoods LLC for approx. $92 million has
been set by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, San Diego, CA. The Van Camp
sale motion states that Tri-Union will pay $8.5 million if, within 3 years of
sale
closing, Tri-Union merges with more than 50% of the securities or assets of
Bumble Bee Seafoods Inc. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court continued the June
25, 1997, hearing on the sale motion until July 9, 1997. {On July 8, 1997,
International Home Foods Inc. (the recent purchaser of Bumble Bee Seafoods)
offered $110 million for Van Camp Seafood Co. Inc.'s assets. The sale of Van
Camp to IHF would require Dept. of Justice approval due to concentration of
the canned tuna market. The Tri-Union Seafoods offer for Van Camp expires
on July 12, 1997.} [Dow Jones News]
.
AK Pollock Allocation. On June 18, 1997, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council heard extensive testimony on Bering Sea pollock
allocation, as the current 65%-35% split between offshore and onshore
processors expires in 1998, and the Council must decide how to allocate the
resource. [Assoc Press]
.
Oyster Research Funding. On June 18, 1997, the House voted 422-3
to pass H.R. 437, reauthorization of the National Sea Grant College Program
Act, including an amendment providing $3 million annually for research on
oyster diseases and oyster-related human health risks. [Assoc Press]
.
Fish and Drugs in Mexico. On June 18, 1997, Baja California Public
Magistrate Jorge Rubio reported that Mexican authorities detected more than
5.5 tons of marijuana concealed in shipments of frozen seafood on trucks and
ships during the past month, noting that drug traffickers appear to be
increasingly using the strong odors of shipments of fish and seafood to mask
the characteristic smell of marijuana being smuggled to the United States.
[Assoc Press]
.
CITES - Hawksbill Turtles. On June 18, 1997, delegates to the CITES
(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora) conference in Zimbabwe voted 53-39 on a Cuban proposal to downlist
hawksbill sea turtles around Cuba to allow commercial trade in turtle shells
with Japan. The measure failed, not having received the two-thirds majority
required. [Dow Jones News]
.
WTO and U.S. Shrimp Sanctions. On June 17, 1997, the World
Trade Organization's (WTO's) dispute panel on challenges to U.S. shrimp
sanctions heard testimony and received statements on the issue. A panel
report is anticipated in December 1997. [Assoc Press]
.
EU Bans Chinese Fresh Fish Imports. On June 17, 1997, the
European Commission banned imports of fresh fish products from China due
to detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in some products. In addition, all
imports from the Quindao Hongdao Fisheries Group were prohibited. These
decisions will be reexamined before Sept. 30, 1997. [Agence Europe via
Reuters]
.
AK Subsistence Halibut. On June 17, 1997, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council approved measures allowing western AK fishermen to
keep for personal consumption small halibut caught incidentally when fishing
for pollock, but postponed action on creating a statewide subsistence fishery
for halibut until February 1998. [Assoc Press]
.
El Nino Conditions. On June 17, 1997, NOAA reported that strong El
Nino conditions are developing in the tropical Pacific Ocean, similar to the
strong event of 1982-83. [Assoc Press, NOAA press release]
.
New England Seafood Cases. On June 17, 1997, the U.S. Coast
Guard seized two MA fishing vessels that had been caught fishing for scallops
in a closed area on Georges Bank on May 3, 1997; Their catch was
confiscated. NOAA plans to seek $330,000 in fines and permanent seizure of
both vessels and their operating licenses. {On July 2, 1997, the Coast Guard
boarded a RI vessel fishing in closed waters 130 miles off Provincetown, MA;
in addition, the vessel was fishing with an illegal net liner. The vessel's
catch
was seized and will be sold, with the proceeds held in escrow until the case is
decided. On July 6, 1997, the U.S. Coast Guard boarded a NY vessel fishing
in the Nantucket Lightship closed area 70 miles south of Cape Cod, MA; the
catch of butterfish and whiting was seized and will be sold, with the proceeds
held in escrow until the case is decided.} [U.S. Attorney's Office press
release, Assoc Press]
.
WA Overfishing Report. On June 16, 1997, the WA Dept. of Fish and
Wildlife released a report concluded that overfishing was the primary cause of
declining Puget Sound fish populations, including salmon, cod, rockfish, hake,
and pollock. The report recommends creation of a network of underwater
refuges where fishing would be prohibited. [Assoc Press]
.
Sea Turtle Lawsuit. On June 16, 1997, a coalition of environmental
groups filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, charging that the
U.S. government was not protecting sea turtles by taking actions that would
promote development of important sea turtle nesting beaches on barrier
islands adjacent to the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in FL. The lawsuit
seeks to block efforts that would make important sea turtle nesting beaches
available for development. [Coast Alliance press release]
.
Scallop Mislabeling. On June 16, 1997, U.S. District Judge Raymond
A. Jackson ordered a Gloucester Co., VA, seafood company to pay more than
$54,000 in fines to the government plus $15,000 to charity for failure to
disclose that scallops were treated with sodium tripolyphosphate. In addition,
two company executives were fined $25,000 each, and ordered to perform 150 hours
of community service. [Assoc Press]
.
Bonnet Carre Spillway Study. In mid-June 1997, the MS Dept. of
Marine Resources and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory announced that
they had received a $135,000 grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
study the effects of freshwater from the March-April 1997 opening of the
Bonnet Carre Spillway (MS River floodwaters) on oysters, finfish, shrimp, and
crabs. [Assoc Press]
.
Canadian DFO Controversy. In mid-June 1997, the Canadian Journal
of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences was reported to have published a
controversial 12-page paper by 3 Canadian scientists outlining alleged
problems within Canada's Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on
management of Atlantic cod and Pacific salmon. DFO officials deny article
contents and accuse the authors of selective use of material. An article in the
July 1997 issue of Canadian Geographic is reported to allege that the DFO
intervened to prevent Atlantic cod from being considered for listing as an
endangered species. [Assoc Press]
.
Bering Sea Illegal Fishing. On June 14, 1997, the seized Korean
trawler Cheog Yang Ho arrived in Kodiak, AK, under Coast Guard escort. On
June 18, 1997, the owners of the Cheog Yang Ho paid a $510,000 fine to the
U.S. Government to avoid forfeiture of vessel, gear, and 90-ton pollock catch;
the Korean trawler-processor vessel was released. On June 18, 1997, a U.S.
Coast Guard aircraft reported two Russian stern trawlers, the Sorskoye and
the Starodubskoye, fishing 1.2 and 1.4 miles inside U.S. waters in the Central
Bering Sea. On June 19, 1997, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mellon pursuing
the two Russian vessels was called back after following the vessels to within
about 20 miles of the Russian coast. The Russian Federation government will
be contacted to take enforcement action. On June 20, 1997, a U.S. Coast
Guard cutter spotted the Russian trawler, Sergeevka, fishing for pollock inside
U.S. waters in the Bering Sea. The Russian vessel fled to Russian waters
and was not detained by the Coast Guard. [Assoc Press, Reuters, U.S. Coast
Guard information release]
.
Majuro Fisheries Conference. On June 10-12, 1997, a multilateral
high level fisheries conference on highly migratory species (tuna) was held at
Majuro, Marshall Islands, and a "Majuro Declaration" on conservation and
management of central and western pacific tunas was adopted. [U.S. Coast
Guard information release]
.
High Seas Driftnet Fishing. On June 6, 1997, a U.S. merchant vessel
reported sighting several vessels suspected of fishing with driftnets about 900
miles northeast of Japan; the Japanese government was notified and a
Japanese Fishery Agency vessel was dispatched to investigate. On June 7,
1997, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed a fishing vessel, identified as Pu Yu
6026 of the Peoples Republic of China, using a 4-mile long driftnet about 750
miles northwest of Midway Island. The Coast Guard tracked the Chinese
vessel fleeing westward until June 17, and has asked Chinese authorities to
take enforcement action. On June 26, 1997, Canadian Air Force aircraft
reported sighting a vessel using driftnets in the North Pacific. On July 1,
1997, the Guam-based U.S. Coast Guard cutter Basswood intercepted a
130-foot fishing vessel, reportedly claiming Chinese registry, and has been
following the vessel while checking to verify its port of registry. {On July 7,
1997, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Basswood continued to pursue the 140-foot
Cao Yu 6025, first seen conducting illegal high seas driftnetting about 2,350
miles northwest of Honolulu, HI. Although refuted by China, the vessel is
registered to China and appears headed for its claimed homeport at Zhoushan
Dao Island. With registry refuted by China, the vessel is considered
"stateless" and subject to U.S. law. ON JULY 9, 1997, THE U.S. COAST
GUARD SEIZED AND BOARDED THE CAO YU 6025 70 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF KYUSHU ISLAND, JAPAN; THE VESSEL AND CREW
ARE BEING TAKEN TO GUAM FOR PROSECUTION. ABOARD THE
VESSEL WERE 12 MILES OF DRIFTNET AND 15,000 POUNDS OF FISH,
INCLUDING TUNA AND SHARKS.} [Assoc Press, U.S. Coast Guard
information release]
.
Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
.
NMFS Oversight Hearing. On July 24 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively
scheduled an oversight hearing to review the authority and decision-making
processes of NMFS's Northwest Region. [personal communication]
.
{KUSKOKWIM RIVER CHUM SALMON FISHERY. ON JULY 9, 1997,
AK DEPT. OF FISH AND GAME MANAGERS CLOSED THE KUSKOKWIM
RIVER TO COMMERCIAL AND SPORT FISHING FOR CHUM SALMON IN
RESPONSE TO LOW NUMBERS OF FISH; SUBSISTENCE FISHING WILL
CONTINUE.} [ASSOC PRESS]
.
{Upper Columbia River Basin Ecosystem Management Plan. On
July 9, 1997, officials of the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management,
and other federal agencies have scheduled a meeting at Boise State Univ. to
introduce draft environmental impact statements for the four-year, $35 million
Upper Columbia River Basin Ecosystem Management Project.} [Assoc Press]
.
{Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery. On July 4, 1997, the AK Dept. of Fish
and Game imposed an emergency closure of the Naknek-Kvichak district
fishery for sockeye; catches are poor and spawning escapement is low since
warm, dry weather has kept most of the fish offshore. The Togiak District
fishery was ordered to close early on July 9. IN EARLY JULY 1997, THE
UNIV. OF WASHINGTON'S FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE ISSUED A
REVISED FORECAST OF RETURNING BRISTOL BAY SOCKEYE STOCKS,
REDUCING THE ESTIMATED CATCH BY ABOUT 30% TO FEWER THAN 17
MILLION FISH.} [Assoc Press]
.
Russian Salmon Poaching. On July 3, 1997, investigators raided a
Hokkaido company on suspicion that it was sending Japanese fishermen to
Russia to catch salmon under Russian quotas for sale in Japan. [Dow Jones
News]
.
AK Subsistence Fishing. On June 26, 1997, the House Committee on
Appropriations approved and ordered reported a bill appropriating funds for the
Dept. of the Interior for fiscal year 1998, including a one-year moratorium on
federal assumption of subsistence fishery management in Alaska. [Assoc
Press]
.
ID Chinook Salmon Fishery. On June 26, 1997, the ID Fish and
Game Commission authorized the first chinook salmon sport fishery since
1964 on the South Fork of the Salmon River due to a surplus return of
hatchery fish. Fisherman will be able to fish a 6-mile stretch of the river
three
days a week from July 10-Aug 2. In addition, the Commission extended the
salmon sport fish season on the Little Salmon River through July 13. [Assoc
Press]
.
----
Aldo-Pier Solari , Fish.Res.Gr./ULP
H-page: http://segate.sunet.se/fish-ecology/aps/index.html
Oath: 'I will not fail those with whom I serve'
From: Kate Wing
{El Nino. In late June 1997, a network of as many as 35 salmon farms
on the west coast of British Columbia's Vancouver Island initiated a mackerel
observation program to report and track mackerel schools moving northward
on warmer El Nino currents. BC fisheries officials are contemplating directed
fisheries for mackerel to minimize mackerel predation on wild salmon.} [Dow
Jones News]
.
Russian Allocation of Salmon to Japan. On June 24, 1997, Russian
and Japanese fishery associations concluded an agreement providing that
Japan be granted a 26,000 metric ton harvest of salmon from Russian coastal
waters in exchange for $60 million and a commitment to cease driftnet fishing.
The Russian association anticipates using the income to promote fishery
science and development of 60 Russian salmon farms. [Interfax]
.
Salmon Tracking. In the June 19, 1997 issue of Nature, Dartmouth
College (NH) scientists reported that salmon could be matched to their
spawning drainage by comparing the unique strontium isotope composition
"signatures" of fish and drainage water. [Assoc Press]
.
BPA Salmon Expenditure Cap. On June 19, 1997, eight U.S.
Senators from the Pacific Northwest urged the Clinton Administration to open
discussions on extending the $435 million limit on salmon restoration
expenditures by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) beyond the year
2001, so as to assure rate stability and assist BPA in negotiating power
contracts extending beyond 2001. [Assoc Press]
.
NATURES Project. During June 1997, a collaborative NATURES
(NATUral Rearing Enhancement System) project by Long Live the Kings,
NMFS, WA state Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and the Weyerhaeuser Co.
released 100,000 juvenile fall chinook salmon in several batches in southwest
WA. These fish were specially reared to test if hatchery salmon can be
produced with wild-like fish characteristics capable of increasing their
survival
rate. [Dow Jones News]
.
AK Salmon Strike. In mid-June 1997, more than 40 Sand Point seine
and gillnet fishermen were reported to have joined Kodiak seiners in deciding
not to fish for salmon until they had a contract guaranteeing a market price in
advance of fishing. On June 16, 1997, about 65 members of the Chignik
Seiners Assoc. voted to join the protest and not fish until a price contract was
obtained. On June 22, 1997, the United Seiners Assoc. accepted an offer
guaranteeing a base price for delivered salmon, including a percentage of the
wholesale price that processors receive for the fish. [Assoc Press]
.
Klamath Water Agreement. In mid-June 1997, U.S. District Judge
Michael Hogan turned down the Klamath Water Users Assoc.'s request to
stop water releases at Link River Dam to benefit threatened salmon on the
lower Klamath River, but Judge Hogan scheduled a June 30, 1997 hearing to
listen to irrigators' concerns. [Assoc Press]
.
Pacific Salmon Treaty. In mid-June 1997, the Sierra Club Legal
Defense Fund, acting for the Neskonlith Band near Chase, BC, asked
Canadian Federal Court to halt sport fishing for coho salmon on BC's
Thompson River, charging that this population was in danger of extinction. On
June 17, 1997, Canadian Fisheries Minister David Anderson met with AK
Governor Tony Knowles and WA Governor Gary Locke to discuss salmon.
Anderson and Knowles held a joint press conference after their talks; they
stated their agreement on principles of conservation and fair allocation, and
proclaimed the salmon dispute "solvable." Both stated that equity
discussions by stakeholders should resume after this year's fishing is
completed. On June 18, 1997, U.S. and Canadian negotiators resumed
discussions in Vancouver, BC. Negotiations continued June 19, 1997, and
were scheduled for June 20. On June 20, 1997, negotiations were reported to
have again broken off after negotiations bogged down on issues of U.S. desire
for a reduced Canadian coho salmon catch and Canadian desire for a smaller
U.S. share of Fraser River sockeye salmon. On June 21, 1997, Canadian
negotiator Yves Fortier and associates flew to the G-7 Summit in Denver, Co,
for emergency consultations with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and
Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy on salmon. Chretien and President Clinton
were reported to have briefly discussed salmon while attending the G-7
Summit. On June 23, 1997, Canadian negotiators were reported to have
contacted U.S. negotiators responding to a U.S. offer, with a significant and
substantial change in the Canadian position. On June 23, 1997, the AK Dept.
of Fish and Game set a quota of {277,182 chinook} for this year's southeast
AK troll fishery. If caught, this quota would nearly double last year's harvest
of
140,000 fish. On June 25, 1997, United States negotiators informed their
Canadian counterparts that Canada's proposed division of the 1997 salmon
harvest was unacceptable. Canada had proposed a U.S. share of 17% for
Fraser River sockeye for the next four years with a decreased U.S. share of
15% for the subsequent four years; the United States desired a 20% share. In
addition, Canada would reduce its coho catch off Vancouver Island to 560,000
fish this year, and 1 million next year; the United States wanted a limit of no
more than 900,000 coho. U.S. negotiators had proposed creating a regime to
rebuild depleted coho salmon, restructuring of the U.S. fishing fleet to reduce
Fraser River sockeye catch, establishing a fund to conserve west coast
salmon stocks, and reducing the AK interception harvest. On June 26, 1997,
Canadian officials proposed binding arbitration to address Pacific Salmon
Treaty issues, which the United States believes would require amendment of
the treaty and consent by the U.S. Senate. The southeast AK salmon troll
fishery is scheduled to begin on July 1, 1997. Despite the lack of a treaty
agreement, U.S. And Canadian fishery managers plan to coordinate fishing
activity. On June 27, 1997, Canadian Fisheries Minister David Anderson
announced the 1997 unilateral Canadian salmon quota of 23.8 million salmon,
including 12 million sockeye, 8 million pink, and 3 million chum, and 85,000
chinook salmon. No commercial fishery for coho salmon is scheduled. The
United States requested that the Fraser River panel meet on June 30, 1997, to
coordinate management. The first portion of the Fraser River sockeye, the
early Stuart River fish), is projected to be a week late in arriving, with no
clear
indication of whether the fish are less than forecast or merely late. U.S.
fishermen agreed to postpone harvest of 100,000 early Stuart sockeye due to
the apparent initial weakness of the returning run, until the Fraser River panel
meets again on July 3, 1997. {On July 3, 1997, U.S. officials announced that
WA state fishermen would be allowed to begin fishing for early Stuart sockeye
bound for the Fraser River on July 5. Additional U.S. fishing periods were
scheduled daily for July 7-9, 1997. The total early Stuart run is estimated to
amount to about 1.1 million sockeye, with a spawning escapement of 500,000
desired. Of the 600,000 available for harvest, WA fishermen are anticipated to
be able to harvest about 86,000 fish. However, Canadians urge restraint until
the size of the actual return can be determined. From 1990-1996, Canada has
asked that the United States not harvest from the early Stuart run, and the
United States has agreed. On July 6, 1997, Canadian officials opened a
fishery restricted to certain Native fishermen, with additional broader
commercial openings scheduled through the week. At midnight on July 7,
1997, the AK Dept. of Fish and Game closed the southeast AK chinook
salmon troll fishery after about 120,000 chinook were estimated to have been
caught. This closure was earlier than anticipated due to high catch rates. On
July 8, 1997, U.S. managers announced that the WA state fishery for early
Stuart sockeye would close a day earlier than originally scheduled, due to
high catches by U.S. fishermen. After catches are tabulated, a decision will
be made on July 10 or 11 whether to allow additional fishing. On July 9, 1997,
Canadian officials raised concerns that AK seiners were targeting Canadian
sockeye salmon under the guise of fishing for AK pink salmon, which usually
do not return to spawn until late summer. ON JULY 9, 1997, CANADIAN
TRADE MINISTER SERGIO MARCHI DISCUSSED ASPECTS OF SALMON
NEGOTIATIONS WITH U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE CHARLENE
BARSHEFSKY. BC Premier Glen Clark appealED to WA residents for more
attention to conservation via an open letter published in major WA newspapers
ON JULY 10, 1997. On July 10, 1997, a BC fishing company filed suit against
the Canadian government in Vancouver, BC, court, alleging a conspiracy in
allowing Treaty negotiations to stall and in allocating harvest quota so as to
benefit seiners and large processors and discriminate against small salmon
trollers.} [Assoc Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News, Wall Street Journal,
personal communication]
.
Aquaculture and Aquaria
.
Fish as Pollutants. Beginning July 24, 1997, the WA state Pollution
Control Hearings Board has scheduled a 5-day hearing in Olympia, to
consider whether escaped salmon harm native fish and, if so, what options
might be considered. [Assoc Press]
.
Shrimp Virus. {In early July 1997, the state of SC ordered Edisto
Seafarms to kill a shipment of 4.1 million blue shrimp from Venezuela testing
positive for the taura syndrome virus, chlorinate three ponds, discharge no
water from the farm, and import no additional blue shrimp.} Between July 15
and July 23, 1997, three public hearings will be held on the NMFS/Joint
Subcommittee on Aquaculture report entitled "An Evaluation of Shrimp Virus
Impacts on Cultured Shrimp and on Wild Shrimp Populations in the Gulf of
Mexico and Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Coastal Waters," and public comment
will be received to help in the development of plans for an ecological risk
assessment on shrimp viruses. [Assoc Press, Federal Register]
.
Chilean Salmon Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions.
On July 1, 1997, attorneys for the Assoc. of Chilean Salmon Farmers asked
the Dept. of Commerce to reject petitions against farmed Chilean salmon,
alleging illegal subsidization of salmon exporters and undercutting of U.S.
prices, claiming that the petitioners do not represent the industry they seek to
protect, that Norwegian and Canadian salmon farmers would benefit most if
the duties were granted, and that Chilean boneless salmon fillets do not
compete with the petitioners' product. On July 2, 1997, the Dept. of
Commerce decided to formally open an investigation on charges that Chilean
salmon is being unfairly subsidized and dumped on the U.S. market. {A
preliminary International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing on the petitions and
determination of injury was held on July 3, 1997.} A preliminary decision by
the ITC is due by July 28, 1997. If the preliminary ruling {on injury to U.S.
producers} is positive, a Dept. of Commerce decision on subsidies is due by
Sept. 5, 1997, and on dumping by Nov. 19, 1997. {On July 8, 1997, Chilean
trade representatives announced that they will seek formal negotiations with
the U.S. Dept. of Commerce to resolve salmon trade concerns.} [Assoc. of
Chilean Salmon Farmers press release, Dow Jones News, Assoc Press]
.
Cormorant Predation Control. On June 23, 1997, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service published proposed regulations that would allow the
harassment and killing of double-crested cormorants to protect aquaculture
stocks. [Federal Register]
.
BC Salmon Aquaculture. On June 18, 1997, the Sierra Legal Defense
Fund on behalf of the David Suzuki Foundation, the Friends of Clayoquot
Sound and Greenpeace, is scheduled to release a report entitled "Containing
Disaster: Global Lessons on Salmon Aquaculture" that discusses negative
aspects of salmon farming. On June 30, 1997, the BC Salmon Farmers
Assoc. petitioned the Advertising Standards Council of BC to consider
whether an ad place by the David Suzuki Foundation in the June 24, 1997,
issue of the Times Colonist might contravene the Canadian Code of
Advertising Standards. The ad, headlined "Is Your Fish Dinner Laced With
Drugs?", alleges that antibiotics used in BC salmon farming lead to the
development of antibiotic-resistent microbes. An independent 8-month study,
the BC Salmon Aquaculture Review, is scheduled to be presented to the
provincial Cabinet in July 1997. [Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund press
release, BC Salmon Farmers Assoc. press release]
.
Freshwater Fisheries
.
{WHIRLING DISEASE. ON JULY 10, 1997, MT'S WHIRLING DISEASE
TASK FORCE RECEIVED A REPORT THAT WHIRLING DISEASE HAD
BEEN DETECTED IN AN ADDITIONAL MT RIVER DRAINAGE
(YELLOWSTONE RIVER) AND RECOMMENDED THAT MT BAN OR PLACE
MORE STRINGENT LIMITS ON RAINBOW TROUT FISHING IN WATERS
INFECTED BY WHIRLING DISEASE. MT'S FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS
COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION.}
[ASSOC PRESS]
.
{Native Yellowstone Fish. On July 8, 1997, the National Park Service
released an assessment of obstacles to restoration of westslope cutthroat
trout and FLUVIAL ARCTIC graying to Yellowstone National Park habitat.
Major obstacles, particularly competition from introduced rainbow, brown, and
brook trout, preclude immediate progress, with gradual replacement of exotic
fish in selected park waters proposed. THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
FOR ACTION IS TO UNDERTAKE SUPPRESSION OF NON-NATIVE FISH.}
[Assoc Press]
.
Russell Dam Pumpback. On July 1, 1997, the Army Corps of
Engineers released a report concluding that, at most, about 8 million fish or
0.5% of the fish in Lake Thurmond could be killed each year by nighttime
operation of the pumpback turbines at the Russell Dam hydroelectric plant on
the Savannah River, SC. The report concludes that threadfin shad would be
the species experiencing the greatest mortality, with possibly 7.6 million
killed. The SC Dept. of Natural Resources has 45 days to study the Corps
report. The State of SC and the National Wildlife Federation have sued the
Corps over proposed pumpback operations; U.S. District Judge Falcon
Hawkins will determine whether, and if so, how the pumpback program can
operate. [Assoc Press]
.
From: Kate Wing
Bull Trout. In late June 1997, the governors of MT and ID,
representatives of Native American tribes, and officials of Washington Water
Power signed an agreement to coordinate the development of a unified bull
trout recovery effort with WA Water Power's hydropower project relicensing on
the Lower Clark Fork River. Between July 1 and July 17, 1997, five public
hearings are scheduled on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed
listing Klamath River bull trout as endangered and Columbia River bull trout as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Public comments will be
taken until Aug. 12, 1997. {IN EARLY JULY 1997, THE ALLIANCE FOR THE
WILD ROCKIES AND FRIENDS OF THE WILD SWAN FILED A MOTION
FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT, PORTLAND, OR,
ASKING JUDGE ROBERT JONES TO RULE THAT THERE WAS NOT
ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SEPARATE BULL TROUT INTO FIVE DISTINCT
POPULATIONS. THE GROUPS HOPE TO PROTECT ALL BULL TROUT
RATHER THAN TWO POPULATIONS PROPOSED FOR ENDANGERED
SPECIES ACT LISTING.} [Assoc Press, Washington Water Power press
release]
.
Greenback Cutthroat Trout Restoration. On June 24, 1997, Interior
Secretary Bruce Babbitt announced a $97,000 grant under the "Bring Back
the Natives" program to the Uncompaghre-Gunnison National Forest, CO, for
fish passage work on Beaver Creek to aid recovery of native greenback
cutthroat trout. [Assoc Press]
.
Flaming Gorge Dam Spill. On June 21, 1997, the spillway at Flaming
Gorge Dam on the UT-WY border was used for the first time in more than a
decade after an outlet tube failed and the power plant flooded. Biologists
expressed concern that the warmer surface water discharge could harm
coldwater fish such as trout in the Green River below the Dam. [Assoc Press]
.
Zebra Mussel Funding. On June 18, 1997, the House voted 422-3 to
pass H.R. 437, reauthorization of the National Sea Grant College Program
Act, providing $2.8 million annually for zebra mussel research. [Assoc Press]
.
Chicago Waterways and Aquatic Nuisance Species. On June 18,
1997, the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species and the federal
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force have scheduled a tour of the Chicago
Waterways focusing on the round goby and other nonindigenous species
dispersal barrier initiatives to control the movement of aquatic nuisance
species between the Great Lakes basin and the Mississippi River drainage.
[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcement]
.
CITES Proposal - Sturgeons. In mid-June 1997, the delegates to the
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora) conference in Zimbabwe adopted a joint German and U.S.
proposal to list all sturgeons on CITES Appendix II. [Reuters]
.
Marine Mammals
.
CITES Hearing. On July 17, 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively
scheduled an oversight hearing on the results of the recent meeting of CITES
(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora) Parties in Zimbabwe. [personal communication]
.
Walrus Lawsuit. On June 27, 1997, the AK Supreme Court ruled
against a Native Alaskan couple charged with walrus hunting in the Walrus
Islands state game sanctuary during 1993. The Court ruled that state property
regulations could not be preempted by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act;
it was unconstitutional to supersede the state's right to regulate access and
ban the discharge of firearms, because it would amount to a government taking
without compensation. [Assoc Press]
.
Tuna-Dolphin Legislation. On June 26, 1997, the U.S. Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation marked-up and
ordered S. 39 reported as amended to allow the use of the 'dolphin-safe' label
if no dolphins are observed to have been killed or seriously injured during tuna
harvest. [Reuters]
.
Japanese Research Whaling. On June 25, 1997, officials of Japan's
Institute of Cetacean Research announced the terms of sale for 1,995 tons of
meat from 440 minke whales taken in the Southern Ocean between November
1996 and March 1997. This meat is to be sold primarily to processor of
canned foods, with projected revenue of 3.5 billion yen. Prime-quality meant
for general consumption would be sold wholesale for 3,840 yen per kilogram,
with the retail price to be three times the wholesale price. [Dow Jones News]
.
CITES - Whales. On June 16, 1997, CITES delegates rejected by a 47
to 64 vote a Japanese proposal to downlist eastern Pacific gray whales. On
June 17, 1997, CITES meeting delegates rejected additional proposals by Japan
and Norway to downlist several minke whale populations and allow international
trade in certain whale products. Norway's request on minke whales failed on a
secret ballot vote of 57-51, not having achieved the two-thirds majority
required. Delegates voted 45-65 by secret ballot to defeat Japanese proposal
on west Pacific minke whales and voted 53-59 by secret
ballot to defeat a Japanese proposal on Southern Ocean minke whales.
Subsequently, Japan withdrew a third proposal to downlist Bryde's whales in
the northwest Pacific. [Reuters, Dow Jones News, Assoc Press]
.
Captive Orcas Die. In mid-June 1997, two of the 5 orcas captured off
Taiji, Japan, on Feb. 7, 1997, died in captivity. On June 14, 1997, the
youngest male orca captured died at Nanki Shirahama Adventure World. On
June 17, 1997, a female orca at the same facility died; this whale was
pregnant when captured, but had a miscarriage in April 1997. [personal
communication]
.
Mortality Events. In mid-June 1997, nine dead dolphins washed ashore
on Delaware beaches, many of them newborn animals. Cause of the mortality
could not be immediately determined. Between late May and mid-June 1997,
17 adult harbor seals have been found dead on beaches in Marin County, CA.
The cause of death is undetermined. In late May and early June 1997, more
than 25 Dall's and harbor porpoises washed ashore dead in southern BC and
northern WA, with the cause of death undetermined. [Assoc Press, personal
communication]
.
Pirate Whaling? In mid-June 1997, NMFS requested an investigation
of reports that as many as 12 sperm whale carcasses were sighted in the
central Atlantic, 200 miles west of the Azores Islands, with large orange
buoys and radar reflectors/beacons nearby. The Portuguese government is
reportedly sending a naval vessel to investigate. Dead whales began to be
reported by yachts on May 13, 1997, and two possible whaling vessels
operating without lights were reported on May 27-28. [personal
communication]
....
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