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From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
Fisheries and Marine Mammals: Most Recent Developments -- 6/20/97
Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division Congressional
Research Service New info and changes since 6/13/97 are bracketed
{...}. New info and changes since 6/19/97 are in CAPITAL
LETTERS.
Marine Fisheries
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. [NOAA press
release]
Van Camp Seafood Sale. A June 25, 1997, hearing on the proposed
sale of Van Camp Seafood Co., Inc. to Tri-Union Seafoods LLC for
approx. $90 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. [Dow Jones News]
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. [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]
{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]
....
End of Part 1/4
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