Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 12:12:46 -0400
From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
AK Shellfish Case. On Apr. 11, 1997, the AK Supreme Court
unanimously held that the AK Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR)
had failed to identify discrete zones where shellfish farming
could occur in Southcentral and Southeast AK, and acted only on
the basis of administrative efficiency. A group of fishermen and
other marine users filed suit after the DNR designated all waters
of Southcentral and Southeast AK as districts where shellfish
farms could be started, contending that certain regions should
not be open for shellfish farms. The Court rejected claims that
the state's permitting regulations were flawed. [Assoc Press]
BC Salmon Farmers' Report. On Apr. 9, 1997, the British
Columbia Salmon Farmers Association released a draft
comprehensive review of salmon farming and called on the BC
government to lift the moratorium on new salmon farms, since the
draft was reported to have concluded that salmon farms don't
endanger wild salmon stocks. The final report is due in June
1997. [Assoc Press]
Gulf of Maine Aquarium. On Apr. 2, 1997, plans are reportedly
scheduled to be announced to the effect that the $42 million Gulf
of Maine Aquarium will be constructed at the site of the U.S.
Naval Reserve Pier in Portland, ME. [Assoc Press]
Freshwater Fisheries
{Red Lakes Commercial Fishery. On Apr. 19, 1997, the Red Lake
Band of Chippewa Fisheries Association voted to cancel its 1997
commercial fishing season on Upper and Lower Red Lakes, MN,
because of declining walleye, perch, and crappie populations.
The Red Lakes fishery is reported to be the only commercial U.S.
walleye fishery and largest Tribal fishery on the continent; this
is the first closure since 1929 when the Band began exercising
Treaty fishing rights.} [Assoc Press]
Lake Superior Commercial Fishing Buyout. On Apr. 17, 1997, the
WI Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules held a
hearing to receive testimony on funding for a 10-year, $1.5
million plan to compensate 11 fishermen for discontinuing
commercial fishing in Lake Superior. The state has contracted
with the fishermen for retirement, but these agreements would
terminate if funds for compensation are not available. [Assoc
Press]
{CITES Proposal - Freshwater Mussels. On Apr. 16, 1997, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it had submitted a
proposal to remove three species of freshwater mussels from CITES
(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wildlife Fauna and Flora) Appendix II.} [Federal Register]
{CITES Proposal - Sturgeons. On Apr. 16, 1997, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service announced that it would co-sponsor a German
proposal to list all sturgeons on CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and
Flora) Appendix II.} [Federal Register]
Constitutional Right to Fish. On Apr. 9, 1997, the Colorado
state Senate's Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and
Energy Committee approved SCR001 for consideration by the full
Senate. If approved by the legislature, this measure would place
a voter referendum on the Nov. 1998 statewide ballot asking if
hunting and fishing should be constitutionally protected rights.
[Assoc Press]
Alabama Sturgeon. On Apr. 8, 1997, the first Alabama sturgeon
was caught in the Alabama River for use in a $400,000 cooperative
state-federal captive breeding program to recover the species.
[Assoc Press]
Bull Trout. On Apr. 7, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service filed a brief informing Judge Jones that it will propose
listing Klamath River and Columbia River bull trout populations
as endangered or threatened species. [Assoc Press, NW Fishletter
No. 30]
Fishing Access. On Apr. 4, 1997, the Madison County (MT) Board
of Commissioners held a two-hour hearing and unanimously voted to
repeal a September 1995 ordinance prohibiting landowners from
constructing fences designed to hinder fisherman access on county
rights-of-way easements near bridges. After the ordinance was
originally enacted, five landowners filed suit against the
County, claiming the ordinance condemned a portion of their
property without providing compensation. These landowners said
they would drop their lawsuit if the ordinance was repealed.
[Assoc Press]
Chippewa Treaty Fishing. On Apr. 2, 1997, the MN Dept. of
Natural Resources held the first of 7 public information meetings
scheduled to explain Treaty fishing rights before the 8 Chippewa
bands begin spearfishing and gillnetting on Lake Mille Lacs and
28 other central MN lakes. On Apr. 7, 1997, MN Governor Arne
Carlson gave a statewide televised address during evening news
broadcasts to stress the importance of avoiding tension and
preventing violence in implementing treaty fishing rights. Both
the MN House and Senate have approved spending $6.5 million to
help with Treaty enforcement, but differ on from what account
these funds are to be taken. On Apr. 9, 1997, the 8th U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a stay on the exercise of Treaty
fishing rights by 8 Chippewa bands in east-central MN until the
Court had the opportunity to rule on the state of MN's appeal.
Arguments on the appeal are scheduled for June 1997. [Assoc
Press]
Fishing Access Purchase. On Mar. 31, 1997, NY Governor George
Pataki announced that NY will purchase $1 million worth of public
fishing access rights during the next fiscal year. The purchase
would be funded by money approved by voters in the 1996 Clean
Water-Clean Air Bond Act. [Assoc Press]
Marine Mammals
Polar Bear Hearing. The House Resources Committee has
tentatively scheduled a hearing for Apr. 30, 1997, on H.J.Res.
59, a joint resolution to disapprove a rule affecting polar bear
trophies from Canada issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. [personal communication]
{CITES Proposal - Walrus. On Apr. 16, 1997, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service announced that it would not submit a proposal to
list walrus on CITES (Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora) Appendix II.}
[Federal Register]
{Illegal Polar Bear Hide. On Apr. 14, 1997, an OR man was fined
$2,000, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, and
placed on probation for 3 years after pleading guilty in federal
District Court to illegally buying a polar bear hide. The
individual stated that he intended to use the hair to make flies
for fishing.} [Assoc Press]
Dolphin Interaction. On Apr. 10, 1997, Sea World of Florida
began a Dolphin Interaction Program, wherein eight participants
pay for a day of education about and interaction with dolphins.
[Sea World of Florida press release]
Tuna-Dolphin Legislation. On Apr. 9, 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held
a hearing on H.R. 408, amendments to the Marine Mammal
Protection Act to support the International Dolphin Conservation
Program. On Apr. 10, 1997, the House Resources Subcommittee on
Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans marked-up H.R. 408
and approved this measure for consideration by the full
Committee. On Apr. 16 1997, the House Resources Committee
marked-up H.R. 408 and ordered the bill reported. The Senate
Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries postponed a hearing
on S. 39, amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act relating
to the International Dolphin Conservation Program, scheduled for
Apr. 17, 1997. [personal communication, Congressional Record]
Mexican Whale and Dolphin Emergency. On Apr. 7, 1997, Mexican
environmental authorities reported that 162 dolphins found dead
on Gulf of California beaches earlier this year probably had been
killed by red tide toxins, discounting earlier reports that a
toxic spill or cyanide chemicals used by drug traffickers had
caused these deaths. [Assoc Press]
Atlantic Large Whale Protection. On Apr. 7, 1997, NMFS
published a proposed take reduction plan and implementing
regulations for northern right whales, humpback whales, fin
whales, and minke whales in the Federal Register that would
restrict fishing times in whale habitat off New England and the
mid-Atlantic in Cape Cod Bay, the Great South Channel, and
several other areas. In addition, fishing gear modification
would be required to allow whales to break free of gear in case
of incidental entanglement, and response and assistance for
entangled whales would be improved. Maine officials contend the
required gear modification will cost the lobster industry between
$40 million and $70 million. Public comments will be received
until May 15, 1997. [Assoc Press, Federal Register]
Whaling Protester. On Apr. 3, 1997, Dutch police arrested Paul
Watson on a Norwegian warrant issued by Interpol. Watson was
convicted in absentia in May 1994 for participating in sinking a
Norwegian whaling vessel. Watson is being held by Dutch
authorities while a Dutch court decides whether to extradite him
to Norway. {A court hearing on extradition to Norway is
tentatively scheduled for May 26, 1997. Lofoten Islands police
have announced that legal proceedings in Lofoten County Court are
scheduled against Watson in Norway on Sept. 1, 1997, relating to
alleged negligent navigation and collision with a Norwegian coast
guard vessel in the summer of 1994. Compensation for damages of
$120,000 with possible interest is sought by the Norwegian Navy
for this collision.} [Assoc Press, High North Alliance News]
Canadian Sealing. On Mar. 29, 1997, the International Fund for
Animal Welfare released a video claiming to show illegal hunting
of young, whitecoat seals by sealers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
in mid-March 1997. Federal authorities reported that some
white-looking seals can be older and technically not the younger,
whitecoat seals. [Assoc Press]
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