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From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
Chesapeake Bay. On June 3, 1997, the state-federal Chesapeake
Bay Program released an interjurisdictional crab management plan
for Chesapeake Bay, focusing on restoration of seagrass beds to
provide habitat for juvenile crabs and continued improvement of
water quality by nutrient reduction. The coordinated plan was
developed with assistance from a Bi-State Blue Crab Advisory
Committee. [Assoc Press]
CITES Oversight Hearing. On June 3, 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has
tentatively scheduled an oversight hearing on the biennial
meeting of Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Zimbabwe later in
June. [personal communication]
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. On June 2, 1997, NMFS issued a final rule
dividing several Atlantic bluefin tuna recreational quotas into
north and south regional subquotas (53% north and 47% south) to
deal with changing fishery patterns; requiring annual permits;
and implementing minimum size requirements. In addition, the
regulations require self-reporting of bluefin tuna landed under
the Angling category. {On June 12, 1997, NMFS announced that the
Angling category fishery for school, large school, and small
medium Atlantic bluefin tuna would open June 13, 1997, but would
close in the southern area (from Delaware southward) late on June
27, 1997, for large school or small medium bluefin.} [NMFS
announcement]
Fishing Vessel Manufacturer Liability. On June 2, 1997, the U.S.
Supreme Court decided, by a 6-3 margin, that vessel manufacturers
may have expanded liability for defects in vessels they construct
to include damages to or loss of equipment added to the vessel
after purchase. [Assoc Press]
Fishing Industry Subsidies. On June 2, 1997, at the conclusion
of a two-day workshop on policy recommendations to ensure
sustainable fisheries, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the
United Nations Environment Program jointly called for a reduction
of more than $50 billion in subsidies estimated to be expended by
nations worldwide annually in excess of fish harvest revenues.
The organizations cited this as a major stimulus in encouraging
uncontrolled overcompetitive fishing that depletes fish stocks.
[Dow Jones News, Assoc Press]
Toothfish Overfishing. On May 30, 1997, the parties at the
Antarctic Treaty consultative meeting in Christchurch, NZ, called
upon China to sign the 1980 Convention on the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Recent information indicates
that as much as 100,000 metric tons of toothfish may be in
storage and the price for this product has collapsed. [Reuters,
Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]
Atlantic Swordfish Drift Gillnet Fishery Closure Extension. On
May 30, 1997, NMFS announced an extension of the emergency
closure of the Atlantic swordfish drift gillnet fishery for an
additional 180 days, through Nov. 26, 1997. The emergency
closure was extended after NMFS issued a biological opinion on
May 29, 1997, concluding that Atlantic swordfish, shark, and tuna
driftnet fisheries were likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of the North Atlantic right whale. [NMFS press
release]
Abalone Sting. On May 29, 1997, three CA residents were arrested
by CA fisheries enforcement officers culminating a year-long
investigation after searches revealed 1.25 tons of illegal
processed abalone, valued at more than $230,000. The individuals
were exporting the abalone to East Asian markets, and were
charged with felony conspiracy. [Santa Rosa (CA) Press Democrat]
New England Code of Conduct. On May 28, 1997, the New England
Fishery Management Council remitted a voluntary, non-binding Code
of Conduct to a Responsible Fishing Committee for further
discussion after the Council tabled a motion to accept the Code.
The proposed Code urges commercial fishermen to protect the
fishery resource, to ensure high-quality products, to advance
scientific knowledge, to keep abreast of technological
innovations, and to develop mutual respect and trust. [Assoc
Press]
Horseshoe Crab Harvest Ban. On May 28, 1997, NJ Governor
Christie Whitman authorized the NJ Dept. of Environmental
Protection to impose an immediate ban on horseshoe crab
harvesting. Gov. Whitman was expected to sign an emergency
order prohibiting the harvest of horseshoe crabs for 2 months to
protect migrating shorebirds. [Assoc Press]
Lobster Poaching. On May 28, 1997, the Maine Marine Patrol
confiscated 25 unmarked, large, offshore lobster traps near Mount
Desert Rock, allegedly set in ME waters illegally by out-of-state
vessels. More than 100 additional illegal traps were to have
been confiscated on May 29. [Assoc Press]
NC Commercial Fishery Moratorium. On May 27, 1997, the package
of fishery reform measures -- including a cap on the number of
commercial fishing licenses, increased commercial fishing license
fees, a reduction in membership of the Marine Fisheries
Commission from 17 to 9, strengthened fishery law enforcement,
restrictions on the type of net that could be fished, and a
mechanism for involving various environmental commissions in
drafting plans to improve fish habitat -- was approved by the NC
House's Finance Committee. On June 3, 1997, the NC House
tentatively approved the package of fishery reform measures by a
vote of 115-1. An amendment to ban trawling and seining in NC
sounds and estuaries was defeated by a vote of 94-21. On June
10, 1997, the House voted 116-1 on final approval for the package
of fishery reform measures. [Assoc Press]
PG&E Lawsuit Settlement. On May 27, 1997, Pacific Gas & Electric
Co. officials reached a $14 million settlement with the CA
Attorney General concerning alleged incomplete and misleading
PG&E data involving fish larvae mortality by their Diablo Canyon
plant's water cooling system, near San Luis Obispo, CA. Of the
settlement, $3.7 million will be used for environmental
protection and enhancement in the Morro Bay area, and $2.5
million will fund San Jose State Univ.'s mussel watch program.
[Assoc Press]
AK Tax Loan Program Terminating. On May 25, 1997, AK's state
loan program to assist commercial fishermen in paying off debts
to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service will terminate, having not
been extended by the State Legislature. Under this 3-year
program, about 220 fishermen obtained loans for IRS debts.
[Assoc Press]
AK Herring Fishery Vessel Seizures. In late May 1997, AK
fisheries enforcement officials seized 4 out-of-state commercial
herring vessels and charged their operators with illegally
fishing in a Norton Sound herring fishery. The Norton Sound
fishery is "super-exclusive": vessels fishing there are
ineligible to fish in other AK herring fisheries. The 4 seized
vessels are alleged to have participated in the Norton Sound
fishery as well as other AK herring fisheries this spring. AK
officials will seek forfeiture of the 4 fishing vessels in
addition to possible jail sentences and fines for the vessel
operators. [Assoc Press]
Cause of Shrimp Death? TX Parks and Wildlife Dept. biologists
are working to determine the cause of death of 1,174 adult white
shrimp at the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station, Flour Bluff,
TX, between May 14 and May 21, 1997. Biologists fear Asian
"white spot" disease may have been responsible, but are
conducting DNA tests to identify the cause. [Assoc Press]
....
End of Part 2/4
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