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From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
{Irrigation Project Blocked. On May 16, 1997, NMFS ordered the
Army Corps of Engineers to deny a permit for the withdrawal of as
much as 196 million gallons of water daily from John Day
Reservoir for a consortium of farming families developing a
20,000-acre potato and vegetable operation near Boardman, OR.
This was the first major irrigation project limited by a 1995
NMFS policy of "no net loss of water" to protect threatened and
endangered salmon.} [Assoc Press, NMFS press release]
Tribes Abandon Salmon Policy Review Process. On May 15, 1997,
the Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce Tribes
announced that they no longer would participate in the executive
committee formed to consider dispute resolution concerning
federal salmon restoration policy. The Tribes expressed concerns
that federal policy decisions appeared to give limited
consideration to the tribes' position on the issues. [Assoc
Press]
Clinton Administration Western Land Management Strategy. On May
15, 1997, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on
Forests and Public Land Management held a joint hearing with the
House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health to
review the environmental impact statement for the Interior
Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project. Land use
restrictions near streams inhabited by fish on more than 72
million acres of national forest and other public lands would be
broadened, as part of the preferred alternative in this
statement. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
Pacific Salmon Treaty. On May 9, 1997, discussions among
stakeholders broke down amid reports of some progress on
southeast AK seine and gillnet fisheries. Treaty negotiators are
scheduled to meet on May 20-21, 1997, in Seattle, WA. {ON MAY
20, 1997, TREATY NEGOTIATIONS COLLAPSED AFTER U.S. NEGOTIATORS
INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT AGREE TO A SWAP OF A LOWER U.S.
SOCKEYE HARVEST FROM THE FRASER RIVER FOR A LOWER CANADIAN COHO
SALMON HARVEST OFF VANCOUVER ISLAND WITHOUT STATE AND TRIBAL
REVIEW OF THE PROPOSAL. ON MAY 21, 1997, CANADIAN OFFICIALS
ADVISED U.S. FISHERMEN THAT THEY WOULD ENFORCE REQUIREMENTS THAT
U.S. VESSELS REPORT BY RADIO WHEN ENTERING CANADIAN WATERS OR
FACE POSSIBLE BOARDING, INSPECTION, DETENTION, AND FINES.} [Assoc
Press, REUTERS]
License Plates for Salmon. On May 9, 1997, the OR House
Transportation Committee approved a license plate design showing
a salmon, with a portion of the funds from plate purchase to be
dedicated to salmon restoration. [Assoc Press]
{Salmon Barging. On May 8, 1997, the Army Corps of Engineers
began a week-long moratorium in collecting and barging juvenile
salmon and steelhead trout from above Lower Monumental and Little
Goose Dams on the Snake River for release below Bonneville Dam on
the Columbia. The moratorium had been requested by the fishery
agencies of WA, OR, and ID.} [Assoc Press]
Umpqua River Cutthroat Trout Lawsuit. 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]
Nitrogen Supersaturation. 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]
Canadian Salmon Fishery. 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]
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]
ESA Listing of Coho Salmon. 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]
AK Fishing Guides. On Apr. 30, 1997, the AK House approved a
bill that would authorize the state to regulate and license sport
fishing guides. [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]
Aquaculture and Aquaria
{AK ROE STRIPPING LAWSUIT. ON MAY 21, 1997, AK SUPERIOR COURT
JUDGE DAN HENSLEY HEARD ARGUMENTS ON WHETHER AK SALMON HATCHERIES
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STRIP ROE FROM RETURNING SALMON AND DUMP
THEIR CARCASSES. A 1996 LAWSUIT WAS FILED SEEKING TO HALT THIS
PRACTICE.} [ASSOC PRESS]
SC Shrimp Virus. In early May 1997, two SC scientists reported
to the SC Marine Advisory Committee that a virus similar to the
Asian white spot virus is present in many SC marine species and
widespread along the SC coast. Scientists are having difficulty
determining whether mortalities at shrimp farms are caused by the
Asian white spot virus or the similar virus. [Assoc Press]
Freshwater Fisheries
{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]
Sikes Act Hearing. On May 22, 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has
tentatively scheduled a joint hearing with the House Committee on
National Security on H.R. 374, proposing to amend the Sikes Act
to enhance fish and wildlife conservation and natural resource
management programs on military installations. [personal
communication]
{Westslope Cutthroat Trout ESA Petition. On May 20, 1997, a
coalition of MT, OR, and ID environmental groups announced that
they had filed a petition to list the westslope cutthroat trout
as a threatened species.} [Assoc Press]
{Michigan Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. On May 20,
1997, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials announced that
Michigan's "Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species State
Management Plan" had been approved by the federal Aquatic
Nuisance Species Task Force. MI is the second state to have a
management plan approved, and permits MI to request federal funds
for implementation.} [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service press
release, Assoc Press]
Marine Mammals
Hawaiian Whale Sanctuary. June 6, 1997, is the deadline by which
HI Governor Ben Cayetano must decide how much, if any, of a
proposed 1,680 square miles of state waters and submerged lands
should be included within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale
National Marine Sanctuary and managed under its federal
management plan. [Assoc Press]
Norwegian Whaling. A Dutch court hearing on the possible
extradition of Paul Watson 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. On May 2, 1997, Norway began its 1997 commercial
minke whale hunt for a quota of 580 animals. The season will end
on July 21, 1997. Individual vessels are limited to six weeks of
whaling, when an inspector is aboard. {On May 20, 1997, 28
Norwegian whalers and 4 whalemeat processing companies argued in
an appeal of a lower court denial on a $8.5 million lawsuit
against the Norwegian government in Oslo district court, claiming
they sustained considerable loss when the Norwegian government
failed to support the whaling industry between 1988 and 1993 and
did not permit commercial whaling.} [Assoc Press, High North
Alliance News, Dow Jones News]
{Captive Manatees Outside FL? On May 20, 1997, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service officials reported in the Fort Myers, FL,
News-Press that more than 50 manatees are in captivity in FL, and
that display facilities are overcrowded. Some manatees that are
not candidates for release may be made available to public
display facilities outside FL, if appropriate captive maintenance
standards can be met.} [Assoc Press]
{Dolphin Feeding Enforcement. On May 19, 1997, NMFS issued an
announcement reminding the public that it is illegal to feed or
swim with dolphins in the wild. NMFS personnel are holding news
conferences at various locations in FL where dolphin feeding has
become popular. NMFS has contracted with the FL Marine Patrol to
provide additional enforcement relating to dolphins during 1997
and, in 1998, NMFS expects to fund an additional 6 enforcement
officers for protected species enforcement, including dolphin
feeding and harassment.} [Assoc Press, NMFS press release]
Whalemeat Smuggling Report. On May 15, 1997, the British TRAFFIC
Network released a report entitled "Whale Meat Trade in East
Asia," which reported that whalemeat is smuggled illegally from
Japan and available on the menus of numerous restaurants in Hong
Kong. [Dow Jones News]
CA Sea Lion Deaths. On May 14-15, 1997, Mexican authorities
reported finding the carcasses of 14 CA seal lions on beaches
just south of the U.S.-Mexican border. The animals were clubbed
or shot and could have drifted south from U.S. waters. Earlier
this month, 5 sea lion carcasses washed ashore in the Tijuana
Slough National Wildlife Refuge, just north of the U.S.-Mexican
border. [Assoc Press]
Tuna-Dolphin Legislation. On May 14, 1997, the Senate Commerce
Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries held a hearing on S. 39,
amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act relating to the
International Dolphin Conservation Program. {H.R. 408 WAS
APPROVED BY the full House on May 21, 1997, BY A VOTE OF
262-166.} [Federal Register, personal communication]
CITES Downlisting of Certain Whales. In early May 1997, the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat recommended that 5 proposals
to downlist various whale stocks (minke whales in the northeast
and central north Atlantic, Southern Hemisphere, and Okhotsk
Sea-West Pacific; eastern Pacific grey whales; northwest Pacific
Bryde's whales) from Appendix I to Appendix II be accepted, based
on these populations not meeting the criteria for inclusion on
Appendix I. Downlisting to Appendix II could permit controlled
international trade in these species' products only if a 1979
CITES resolution recommending no permits for trade in whale
products protected by the International Whaling Commission were
repealed. Japan has proposed to appeal the 1979 CITES
resolution. [High North Alliance News, Dow Jones News]
Keiko's Recovery. On May 6, 1997, the Free Willy Keiko
Foundation announced that, by spring 1997, Keiko could be in a
fenced-off pen in the North Atlantic as the next step toward
release to the wild. Details of cost and potential sites are
under research and negotiation. [Assoc Press]
Japanese Scientific Whaling. On May 1, 1997, a fleet of 4
Japanese ships departed for the northwestern Pacific with the
objective of killing as many as 100 minke whales for research
purposes. Research is scheduled to be completed by the end of
July 1997. On May 12-16, 1997, the International Whaling
Commission's Scientific Committee is meeting behind closed doors
in Tokyo, Japan, to review Japan's scientific whaling program.
Results of this review will be presented at the IWC's annual
meeting in Monaco in October 1997. [Dow Jones News, Reuters]
Steller Sea Lion Listed as Endangered. On Apr. 30, 1997, NMFS
announced that it will list the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea
population of Steller sea lion as "endangered," as the population
continues to decline between 5% and 7% annually. A second
distinct, but stable, population of Steller sea lions, from
southeast AK through CA remains listed as "threatened." NMFS is
planning a workshop to design an experiment on assessing whether
fishing area closures might benefit Steller sea lions without
unnecessarily restricting commercial fishing. [Reuters, Assoc
Press, NOAA press release]
Polar Bear Trophies. The House Resources Committee held a
hearing on Apr. 30, 1997, on H.J.Res. 59, a joint resolution to
disapprove a rule affecting applications to import polar bear
trophies from Canada issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS). [Federal Register]
Atlantic Large Whale Protection. On Apr. 26, 1997, the Senate
Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries held a field
hearing in Portland, ME, on the proposed regulations. Four
public hearings will be held from Apr. 30-May 3 on fishing gear
modification regulations; additional public comment will be
received until May 15, 1997. On May 7, 1997, MA Dept. of
Environmental Affairs officials lifted an emergency ban on
fishing gear aimed at protecting northern right whales since
these whales appear to have left MA waters several weeks earlier
than normal this year. [Assoc Press, Federal Register]
....
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