From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
Canadian Atlantic Groundfish. On Apr. 16, 1997, the Canadian
government announced that selected Atlantic cod stocks have
recovered sufficiently that a limited commercial fishing will be
allowed to resume. Details of this reopening were presented by
Fisheries Minister Fred Mifflin on Apr. 17, with limited fishing
to be allowed off the southern coast of Newfoundland (10,000
metric tons) and in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (6,000
metric tons). [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News, Reuters]
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. On Apr. 16, 1997, NMFS proposed to
increase general commercial category (from 531 metric tons (mt)
to 633 mt) and angling recreational category (from 222 mt to 265
mt) quotas for Atlantic bluefin tuna for the 1997 season. This
increase responds to a slight (33 mt) increase in the
international quota granted to the United States (unallocated
quota held in reserve by the U.S. was reduced to provide the
remainder of the harvest quota increases), and seeks to reflect
scientific monitoring requirements and recent changes in the
fishery. A series of 9 public hearings is scheduled along the
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts between Apr. 22 and May 8, 1997.
[Assoc Press, NMFS press release]
Glacier Bay Commercial Fishing. On Apr. 16, 1997, Glacier Bay
National Park (AK) officials published proposed regulations in
the Federal Register that would prohibit commercial fishing in
wilderness waters of the Park. Commercial fishing would still be
allowed in outer coastal areas. A 6-month public comment period
is provided. The proposal would phase-out commercial fishing
over a 15-year period in Glacier Bay proper with fishing
prohibited annually from May through September, but authorize
commercial fishing in outer marine waters of the Park.
Commercial fishing in wilderness waters would be prohibited
immediately upon publication of final regulations. [Assoc Press,
National Park Service press release, Reuters]
EU Fleet Restructuring. On Apr. 15, 1997, the EU's Fisheries
Council approved, by a 13-2 qualified majority vote (Britain and
France opposed), a new 5-year program to reduce catches of
endangered fish stocks by 30% while catches of overfished stocks
would be reduced 20% by the end of 2001. Individual EU Members
would retain flexibility in choosing whether to remove fishing
vessels from the fleet, reduce fishing vessel time at sea, or a
combination of both. Fishing vessels less than 12 meters in
length are exempt from the new restrictions. [Reuters, Agence
Europe via Reuters, Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]
Van Camp Sale. On Apr. 15, 1997, Van Camp Seafood Co. Inc.
announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell its
assets to Tri-Union Seafoods LLC, and that Van Camp had filed a
voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to facilitate the sale. {THE
SUBSIDIARY VCS SAMOA PACKING CO. ALSO FILED FOR CHAPTER 11.} Van
Camp markets "Chicken of the Sea" brand seafood. [Van Camp
Seafood press release via Dow Jones News]
Kodiak Seafood Plant Fire. In mid-April 1997, Tyson Seafoods
Group asked the Secretary of Commerce for permission to relocate
the floating processor vessel Arctic Enterprise, to Kodiak for
the early June pollock season to replace processing capacity lost
in an Apr. 3 fire. {In early May 1997, Tyson Seafoods officials
canceled their plans to relocate a floating processor vessel to
Kodiak for the June pollock season, saying their 15 Kodiak-based
vessels had found other temporary markets.} [Assoc Press]
National Undersea Research Center Proposals. In mid-April 1997,
the National Undersea Research Center (Univ. of NC, Wilmington)
announced a search for research proposals to fund in 1998.
Research priorities include fisheries oceanography and
recruitment processes, evaluation of ichthyofauna in the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), factors affecting
recruitment of conch and lobster within FKNMS, hardbottom reefs,
reef fish communities in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary,
and coral habitat in the Oculina Banks Research Reserve.
[National Undersea Research Center announcement]
Italian Driftnets. On Apr. 14-15, 1997, the EU Fisheries
Council was scheduled to consider a co-financing plan to convert
the Italian swordfish fishery away from driftnet use during the
1997-1999 period. The proposed plan would provide financial
incentives for fishermen and vessel owners to encourage them to
cease or modify their driftnet fishing. [Agence Europe via
Reuters]
Chesapeake Bay. On Apr. 14, 1997, Virginia Institute of Marine
Science researchers reported that the 1997 aerial survey of
Chesapeake Bay indicated a 6% increase (3,500 more acres) in area
covered by sea grasses, reversing a 2-year trend of declining
acreage. {On May 5, 1997, NOAA released the results of the first
Bay-wide blue crab stock assessment by 9 state and federal
scientists, concluding that Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population
has remained stable since the 1950s, despite increasing harvest.
While the blue crab stock is providing near maximum sustainable
yield, the fishery is severely overcapitalized and operates at
extremely low levels of economic efficiency. Since 1945, fishing
effort has increased five-fold.} [Assoc Press, NOAA press
release]
Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
{Umpqua River Cutthroat Trout. On May 7, 1997, a coalition of
fishing and environmental groups filed a lawsuit in U.S.
District Court (Portland, OR) against the U.S. Forest Service,
Bureau of Land Management, and NMFS, challenging NMFS's opinion
that the Northwest forest plan was adequate to protect endangered
Umpqua River cutthroat trout. The plaintiffs are asking for
specific measures to better protect this species.} [Assoc Press]
{Bristol Bay Price-Fixing Suit. On May 2, 1997, two seafood
processors agreed to pay $2 million to settle a 1995 $1 billion
class-action lawsuit alleging price-fixing in the Bristol Bay
salmon fishery from 1989 through 1995. Although 14 smaller
processors previously settled for about $500,000, about 40
defendants remain.} [Assoc Press]
Salmon Habitat Restoration. The May 1997 issue of Fisheries
published the results of a study by three Pacific Northwest
fishery scientists concluding that few in-stream habitat
enhancement projects have resulted in any long-term success for
the fish. To succeed, such efforts must be combined with
restoration of ecological processes within an entire watershed
including modification of upslope and riparian conditions, these
individuals suggest. [Fisheries]
Pacific Salmon Treaty. On Apr. 25, 1997, talks among Canadian
and U.S. fishermen and fishing industry representatives in
Juneau, AK, ended with negotiators agreeing to consider setting
catch quotas for two southern southeast AK salmon fisheries (one
seine and one gillnet) using "abundance-based management" wherein
harvest would reflect increases or decreases in pink, sockeye,
and chum salmon populations. Additional discussions are
scheduled for May 5-9, 1997, in Vancouver, BC. [Assoc Press]
Columbia River Spring Chinook. In late April 1997, state,
federal, and tribal biologists increased their projection of the
1997 Columbia-Snake River spring chinook salmon run from 68,000
to 90,000 fish, after almost 55,000 spring chinook were counted
passing Bonneville Dam as of Apr. 25, 1997. {ON MAY 8, 1997,
THE ID FISH AND GAME COMMISSION APPROVED A SPORT FISHERY ON
HATCHERY SPRING CHINOOK IN THE LITTLE SALMON (400 FISH) AND
CLEARWATER (500 FISH) RIVERS BEGINNING MAY 17 TO POSSIBLY AS LONG
AS JULY 6, BASED UPON INCREASED ADULT RETURNS. THIS IS THE FIRST
HATCHERY SPRING CHINOOK FISHERY IN ID SINCE 1993, BUT IT IS
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY NMFS.} [Assoc Press]
Fishing Community Diversification. On Apr. 24, 1997, officials
of the Ford Foundation announced a $2 million grant to create the
nation's first bank holding company dedicated to promoting
environmentally sound economic development, including economic
diversification in coastal communities suffering from salmon
season closures. The conservation group Ecotrust (Portland, OR)
will join with the Shore Bank Corp. (Chicago, IL) to form the
new holding company. The holding company will offer loans for
conservation-based development in coastal communities from
northern CA through Prince William Sound, AK. [Assoc Press]
AK Fishing Guides. On Apr. 23, 1997, the Kenai River (AK)
Special Management Area Advisory Committee held a hearing and
received testimony on whether to limit the number of sport
fishing guides on the river, charge guides higher license fees,
conduct a study of overcrowding in the river's sport fishery, or
take other action. On Apr. 30, 1997, the AK House approved a
bill that would authorize the state to regulate and license sport
fishing guides. [Assoc Press]
Clinton Administration Western Land Management Strategy. On Apr.
23, 1997, officials of the Clinton Administration announced
details of a draft $125 million-per-year land management
strategy, prepared by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management, to increase logging, create jobs, and better protect
fish in 7 western states. Land use restrictions near streams
inhabited by fish on more than 72 million acres of national
forest and other public lands would be broadened. This strategy
was the preferred alternative in a draft environmental impact
statement for the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management
Project. The draft strategy now begins a 120-day public comment
period. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
Nitrogen Supersaturation. On Apr. 18, 1997, the OR
Environmental Quality Commission granted a special permit
allowing water to be spilled at Columbia River hydroelectric
dams, as long as dissolved nitrogen levels do not exceed 120%.
{In early May 1997, nitrogen saturation levels were reported to
have reached 140% below John Day Dam on the Columbia River and
128% below Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River.} [Assoc Press]
Salmon Hatchery Criticism. On Apr. 17, 1997, officials of the
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission held a news
conference coincident with testimony before a House
Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the
Judiciary hearing, expressing concerns that Mitchell Act hatchery
funding in the Columbia River Basin has been discriminatory to
Indian fishing. [Assoc Press]
ESA Listing of Coho Salmon. On Apr. 17, 1997, The Oregonian
(Portland, OR) reported that it had obtained a copy of a draft
agreement between OR and the federal government wherein OR would
have the lead in salmon recovery efforts, with NMFS closely
watching OR's efforts to improve logging, grazing, and other
activities affecting water quality. NMFS would propose changes
in OR forestry regulations by Nov. 1, 1997, to achieve larger
streamside buffers and better landslide prevention measures. ESA
listing of coho salmon would be pursued if statutory changes to
OR law are not made by June 1, 1999. On Apr. 18, 1997, OR
officials presented an alternative plan that would have an
independent scientific panel review logging rule changes proposed
by NMFS. OR and NMFS signed a memorandum of agreement on Apr.
24, 1997. On Apr. 25, 1997, NMFS announced that northern CA and
southern OR coho salmon would be listed as "threatened" while
northern and central OR coastal coho salmon would not be listed
in response to the state of OR's negotiated recovery plan, but
identified as a "candidate" species for future consideration. On
Apr. 30, 1997, a coalition {of 25 environmental} and
sport/commercial fishermen's groups notified NMFS that they
intend to file suit on the decision not to list OR coastal coho
salmon under the Endangered Species Act. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
Juvenile Salmon Barging. In mid-April 1997, MT Governor Marc
Racicot informed NMFS that MT was withdrawing from the Salmon
Executive Committee, in the belief that upstream interests are
not receiving sufficient attention. MT will continue to work
through the Northwest Power Planning Council. [Assoc Press]
Salmon Recovery Appropriations Hearing. On Apr. 15, 1997, the
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development heard testimony from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power
Administration on plans and costs for salmon recovery in the
Columbia and Snake River basins. The Corps presented an estimate
that drawing down the 4 Lower Snake River dams would cost more
than $500 million and would require a specific authorization from
Congress. [Assoc Press, Congressional Record]
Canadian Salmon Fishery. On Apr. 15, 1997, British Columbia
Premier Glen Clark reported that an agreement had been reached
between the provincial BC government and the Canadian federal
government on shared management of salmon fisheries. Management
of the salmon fishery had been a federal responsibility; BC
desired a larger role. Details of the agreement were released on
Apr. 16. The agreement provides that both BC provincial and the
federal government will provide C$15 million for salmon habitat
restoration. In addition, a Canada-British Columbia Council of
Ministers will coordinate major salmon resource and habitat
issues, and a fisheries renewal advisory board will include
fishermen, industry groups, and communities to improve habitat.
{On May 2, 1997, BC Premier Glen Clark released a 38-page
discussion paper calling for renewed discussion with the federal
government to reduce duplication of government services and
outlining a sport fishing proposal with 3 goals for fisheries --
1) protection of fish stocks and habitat, 2) creating sustainable
fishery jobs and stable communities, and 3) enhancing BC's role
in fisheries solutions. On May 5, 1997, BC Premier Glen Clark
announced a C$1.5 million grant to a Community Fisheries
Development Centre to select and manage a range of
community-based fisheries initiatives over 3 years to support
displaced fishery workers and fund salmon habitat restoration
work.} [Assoc Press]
....
End of Part 2/3
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