From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
{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]
USDA Purchases of AK Salmon. On June 12, 1997, AK Governor Tony
Knowles announced that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture will buy
as much as $12 million worth of AK pink and chum salmon by
competitive bid for use in federal supplemental food programs.
[Reuters, Assoc Press]
Russia-Japan Salmon Poaching Agreement. On June 12, 1997,
private sector associations from Russia and Japan signed an
agreement to cooperate in fighting poaching of salmon and trout
from Russian waters. Russian officials will be stationed in
Japanese ports to check permits {of Russian fishermen} and
measure catch against quotas. Poaching has made it {difficult}
for Japanese fishery associations to predict import volumes,
causing volatile prices for salmon and trout. [Dow Jones News]
MT Legal Action. On June 11, 1997, the state of MT filed suit in
U.S. District Court against the Bureau of Reclamation and Army
Corps of Engineers seeking to have Hungry Horse and Libby Dams in
the Flathead and Kootenai drainages operated in compliance with
the Northwest Power Planning Council's 1994 Fish and Wildlife
Program that would limit drawdowns requested by NMFS for salmon
because of concerns that resident fish would be harmed. MT Gov.
Racicot also announced that the MT Dept. of Environmental
Quality will issue a notice of violation and an administrative
order directing the Bureau of Reclamation to operate Hungry Horse
Dam so as to minimize downstream effects on the Flathead River.
[NW Fishletter #36]
AK Salmon Seiners Strike. On June 9, 1997, more than 250 members
of the United Seiners Assoc. remained in port in Kodiak, AK,
after voting on June 7 to not fish until processors agree in
writing {in advance} on a price for salmon. Many Assoc. members
were reported to have not fished last year due to low prices. 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.} [Assoc Press]
Sacramento River Pumping Station. On June 3, 1997, a dedication
ceremony was scheduled to celebrate the relocated and modernized
M&T Pumping Station on the Sacramento River, south of Chico, CA.
For almost $5 million, the new station was equipped with fish
screens to protect migrating steelhead trout and salmon. [Ducks
Unlimited and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service press release]
Ms. Frizzle Award. On June 2, 1997, Scholastic, Inc., announced
that a third grade teacher from Portland, OR, was the recipient
of the Ms. Frizzle Award for creative excellence in science
teaching for a project entitled "Salmon in the Sink." Students
will work with the OR Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to build a
simulated river ecosystem and raise salmon fry for release.
[Scholastic, Inc. press release]
Drawdown Field Hearing. On May 31, 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Water and Power held a field hearing in Lewiston,
ID, on various proposals for drawing down Columbia and Snake
River hydroelectric dams. [Assoc Press]
Sea Bird Protection. On May 30, 1997, the WA Fish and Wildlife
Commission approved regulations designed to better protect diving
sea birds from entanglement in commercial salmon nets.
Commercial fishermen will be required to modify gear and restrict
fishing hours during the Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon
fishery in northern Puget Sound, WA. Regulations include gaps in
the tops of purse seine nets to allow birds to escape, rebuilt
nets with white twine in the upper 20 meshes for better
visibility by birds, night closures when birds are less easily
seen, and season closure when birds are abundant and salmon are
scarce. The regulations were developed through a cooperative
effort by commercial fishermen, environmental groups, fishing
gear suppliers, and state and federal fishery managers. [Assoc
Press]
Shasta Dam Temperature Control. On May 29, 1997, Interior
Secretary Bruce Babbitt dedicated an $80 million structure at
Shasta Dam to permit better temperature control of water released
from the dam to benefit chinook salmon downstream. Funds for the
structure were provided by the federal government, water users,
and the state of CA. [Reuters]
Columbia River Spring Chinook. By late May 1997, more than
16,000 chinook salmon had been counted passing Lower Granite Dam,
with about 16% being wild (not hatchery) fish. [Assoc Press]
Pacific Salmon Treaty. On May 23, 1997, BC Premier Glen Clark
gave 90 days notice of his intent to terminate the U.S. Navy's
lease on an underwater submarine and weapons test range at
Nanoose Bay, BC. On May 23, 1997, U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd
Axworthy about Pacific salmon negotiations; after these
discussions, the Canadian press reported that treaty negotiations
would resume on May 30, 1997. On May 25, 1997, the Canadian
government seized two U.S. vessels, the Janet G. and the
Nautilus, for not reporting by radio and stowing their fishing
gear, and on May 26, 1997, an additional U.S. vessel, the Four
Daughters, was seized. The U.S. operators of these vessels are
to appear in Canadian court on May 27, 1997. On May 27, 1997, BC
Provincial Court Judge Brian Saunderson imposed C$300 fines on
the three U.S. vessels seized for not stowing their fishing gear
and not contacting Canadian authorities before transit of
Canadian waters; Canadian prosecutors had asked for fines of
C$1,500 each. On May 27, 1997, Canadian fisheries enforcement
personnel seized a fourth U.S. fishing vessel, the Christina,
for non-compliance with Canadian regulations. Several hours
later, U.S. State Dept. officials notified the Canadian
government that the United States was postponing the resumption
of negotiations, previously scheduled for May 30, 1997. On May
27, 1997, BC Premier Glen Clark met with WA Governor Gary Locke
to discuss concerns with sharing a projected record return of
Fraser River sockeye salmon in 1997. U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright and Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy
were reported to have briefly discussed the salmon situation via
telephone on May 27, 1997, expressing mutual interest in resuming
negotiations. On May 28, 1997, the operator of the fourth U.S.
vessel seized, the Christina, was fined C$300 by the BC
Provincial Court and released. On May 28, 1997, United States'
officials appealed to Canada to resume suspended treaty
negotiations. On May 28, 1997, AK Senator Murkowski was reported
to have asked that the U.S. Coast Guard consider escorting U.S.
fishing vessels through Canadian waters to prevent vessel
seizures. On May 31, 1997, the Seattle Times reported that the
secret conclusions of early 1996 mediation by New Zealand
Ambassador Christopher Beeby were highly favorable to the
Canadian position on equitable sharing of Pacific salmon
harvests, and that Ambassador Beeby proposed an accounting
formula based on the wholesale value of domestic salmon landings
to establish which nation should curtail fishing or pay
compensation. On June 2, 1997, BC fishing groups, reportedly
with support of and funding from the BC provincial government,
announced the beginning of an advertizing campaign in major U.S.
and Canadian newspapers along the Pacific coast, expressing the
Canadian view of current salmon problems. On June 3, 1997,
Senator Stevens was reported to have stated that he will oppose
$100 million in U.S. funding for environmental cleanups at 4
former military facilities in Canada, including Distant Early
Warning sites, because of Canada's recent actions to revoke the
U.S. Navy lease at Canada's Nanoose Bay facility. BC Premier
Clark responded by threatening to cancel export of wolves and
grizzly bears to the United States for species restoration
programs. On June 5, 1997, Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd
Axworthy indicated that talks between U.S. and Canadian
negotiators could resume in mid-June. On June 11, 1997, Canada's
new Fisheries Minister, David Anderson, indicated a moderate
stance would be taken in an effort to achieve a resumption of
Treaty negotiations. {On June 13, 1997, U.S. State Dept.
officials announced that Canadian and U.S. negotiators were
scheduled to resume discussions in Vancouver, BC, on June 18,
1997. Canadian officials announced that a U.S. proposal
includes an agreement by the United States to contribute to a
conservation fund in compensation for Alaskan overfishing, and an
8-year compromise on Fraser River sockeye salmon. Enforcement of
Canadian transit regulations for U.S. fishing vessels will
continue. In mid-June 1997, the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fun,
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.} [Assoc
Aquaculture and Aquaria
{Salmon Aquaculture Report. 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.} [Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund press release]
{Chilean Salmon Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions.
On June 12, 1997, the Coalition for Fair Atlantic Salmon Trade
(FAST) -- salmon farmers from WA and ME -- filed antidumping and
countervailing duty petitions with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce
and the U.S. International Trade Commission against farmed
Chilean salmon, alleging illegal subsidization of salmon
exporters and undercutting of U.S. prices by as much as 40%. A
hearing on the petitions is tentatively scheduled for July 3,
1997.} [Assoc. of Chilean Salmon Farmers press release, Dow
Jones News]
Shrimp Virus. On June 11, 1997, NMFS on behalf of the Joint
Subcommittee on Aquaculture announced the release of a 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." Three public
hearings will be held (July 15-23, 1997) and public comment will
be received to help in the development of plans for an ecological
risk assessment on shrimp viruses. [Federal Register]
McLaks Off the Market. On May 31, 1997, two customers and two
employees became ill after eating McLaks salmon burgers in a
McDonald's restaurant in Loerenskog, Norway. As a precaution,
McDonald's subsequently withdrew McLaks salmon burgers from all
36 outlets in Norway until the source of the problem could be
identified. [Reuters]
Norwegian Salmon. On May 29, 1997, the European Commission
discussed but failed to agree on whether or not to impose
anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties amounting to 13.7% on farmed
Norwegian Atlantic salmon. On June 1, 1997, the European
Commission approved a compromise on Norwegian farmed salmon
imports. Instead of imposing antidumping duties, a five-year
agreement was negotiated to include a minimum price for the
salmon, an increase in the Norwegian export duty on this product
from 0.75% to 3%, and a limitation on the growth of exports to
the EU of about 10% per year. [Reuters, Agence Europe via
Reuters]
{Fish as Pollutants. In late May 1997, the WA state Pollution
Control Hearings Board declared Atlantic salmon escaping from
fish farms to be a "living pollutant" to be regulated similarly
to sewage and industrial waste. The Board has scheduled a 5-day
hearing in Olympia, beginning July 24, 1997, to consider whether
escaped salmon harm native fish and, if so, what options might be
considered.} [Assoc Press]
Freshwater Fisheries
{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. ON MID-JUNE 1997, THE DELEGATES TO
THE CITES (CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED
SPECIES OF WILDLIFE FAUNA AND FLORA) CONFERENCE IN ZIMBABWE
ADOPTED A JOINT GERMAN AND UNITED STATES PROPOSAL TO LIST ALL
STURGEONS ON CITES APPENDIX II.} [REUTERS]
Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans. On June 11, 1997, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced approval of OH's
Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan and the awarding of a
$25,000 grant to the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources to begin
the Plan's implementation. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
press release, Assoc Press]
Bull Trout. On June 10, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, under court order, proposed listing Klamath River bull
trout as endangered and Columbia River bull trout as threatened
under the Endangered Species Act. Five public hearings are
scheduled on the proposal between July 1 and July 17. Public
comments will be taken until Aug. 12, 1997. [Assoc Press]
Pocomoke River fish lesions. On June 10, 1997, MD Dept. of
Natural Resources officials expanded their study into the cause
of lesions on white perch, croakers, catfish, and carp in the
Pocomoke River drainage. The lesions were first reported about 9
months ago. Although some consider the fungus, Actinomyces sp.,
to be the cause of the lesions, researchers are seeking to
understand why these fish seem to be especially susceptible to
the fungus. {Others at NC State Univ. contend that Pfiesteria
piscicida is causing the Pocomoke River lesions.} [Assoc Press]
National Fishing Week. June 2-8, 1997 was celebrated across the
United States as National Fishing Week. At least 44 states and
the District of Columbia scheduled "Free Fishing Days" during
this week when residents could fish without having purchased a
license. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service press release]
....
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