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From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
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]
{EPA's TBT Report. On May 30, 1997, the Environmental Protection
Agency sent its annual report to Congress on the status of
environmental monitoring for tributyltin (TBT), a pesticide used
in anti-fouling paint for ships. The report includes results of
research on TBT alternatives, and an evaluation of the
effectiveness of efforts to reduce the risks from TBT.} [EPA
press release]
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]
NC Commercial Fishery Moratorium. On June 3, 1997, the NC House
tentatively approved 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 -- 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]
Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
{ID CHINOOK SALMON FISHERY. ON JUNE 26, 1997, THE ID FISH AND
GAME COMMISSION AUTHORIZED THE FIRST CHINOOK SALMON SPORT FISHERY
SINCE 1964 ON THE SOUTH FORK OF THE SALMON RIVER DUE TO A SURPLUS
RETURN OF HATCHERY FISH. FISHERMAN WOULD BE ABLE TO FISH A
6-MILE STRETCH OF THE RIVER THREE DAYS A WEEK FROM JULY 10-AUG 2,
IF NMFS CONCURS. IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSION EXTENDED THE SALMON
SPORT FISH SEASON ON THE LITTLE SALMON RIVER THROUGH JULY 13.}
[ASSOC PRESS]
{Russian Allocation of Salmon to Japan. On June 24, 1997,
Russian and Japanese fishery associations concluded an agreement
providing that Japan be granted a 26,000 metric ton harvest of
salmon from Russian coastal waters in exchange for $60 million
and a commitment to cease driftnet fishing. The Russian
association anticipates using the income to promote fishery
science and development of 60 Russian salmon farms.} [Interfax]
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]
{NATURES Project. During June 1997, a collaborative NATURES
(NATUral Rearing Enhancement System) project by Long Live the
Kings, NMFS, WA state Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and the
Weyerhaeuser Co. released 100,000 juvenile fall chinook salmon
in several batches in southwest WA. These fish were specially
reared to test if hatchery salmon can be produced with wild-like
fish characteristics capable of increasing their survival rate.}
[Dow Jones News]
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 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. {On June 22,
1997, the United Seiners Assoc. accepted an offer guaranteeing a
base price for delivered salmon, including a percentage of the
wholesale price that processors receive for the fish.} [Assoc
Press]
{Klamath Water Agreement. On June 5, 1997, PacifiCorp and the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation adopted an agreement with gives the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation control over releases of water from
Upper Klamath Lake at Link River Dam to benefit threatened salmon
on the lower Klamath River. Subsequently the Klamath Water Users
Assoc. filed a lawsuit, asking the Court to issue a temporary
restraining order to block the agreement. In mid-June 1997, U.S.
District Judge Michael Hogan turned down the Association's
request to stop the water releases, but Judge Hogan scheduled a
June 30, 1997 hearing to listen to irrigators' concerns.} [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]
Pacific Salmon Treaty. 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. {On
June 20, 1997, negotiations were reported to have again broken
off after negotiations bogged down on issues of U.S. desire for
a reduced Canadian coho salmon catch and Canadian desire for a
smaller U.S. share of Fraser River sockeye salmon. On June 21,
1997, Canadian negotiator Yves Fortier and associates flew to the
G-7 Summit in Denver, Co, for emergency consultations with
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Foreign Minister Lloyd
Axworthy on salmon. Chretien and President Clinton were reported
to have briefly discussed salmon while attending the G-7 Summit.
On June 23, 1997, Canadian negotiators were reported to have
contacted U.S. negotiators responding to a U.S. offer, with a
significant and substantial change in the Canadian position. On
June 23, 1997, the AK Dept. of Fish and Game set a quota of MORE
THAN 277,000 chinook for this year's southeast AK troll fishery.
If caught, this quota would nearly double last year's harvest of
140,000 fish. On June 25, 1997, United States negotiators
informed their Canadian counterparts that Canada's proposed
division of the 1997 salmon harvest was unacceptable. Canada had
proposed a U.S. share of 17% for Fraser River sockeye for the
next four years with a decreased U.S. share of 15% for the
subsequent four years. In addition, Canada would reduce its coho
catch off Vancouver Island to 560,000 fish this year, and 1
million next year. U.S. NEGOTIATORS HAD PROPOSED CREATING A
REGIME TO REBUILD DEPLETED COHO SALMON, RESTRUCTURING OF THE U.S.
FLEET TO REDUCE FRASER RIVER SOCKEYE CATCH, ESTABLISHING A FUND
TO CONSERVE WEST COAST SALMON STOCKS, AND REDUCING THE AK
INTERCEPTION HARVEST. ON JUNE 26, 1997, CANADIAN OFFICIALS
PROPOSED BINDING ARBITRATION TO ADDRESS PACIFIC SALMON TREATY
ISSUES, WHICH THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES WOULD REQUIRE AMENDMENT
OF THE TREATY AND CONSENT BY THE U.S. SENATE. THE SOUTHEAST AK
SALMON TROLL FISHERY IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON JULY 1, 1997.
DESPITE THE LACK OF A TREATY AGREEMENT, U.S. AND CANADIAN
FISHERY MANAGERS PLAN TO COORDINATE FISHING ACTIVITY.} [Assoc
Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News, Wall Street Journal]
Aquaculture and Aquaria
{Cormorant Predation Control. On June 23, 1997, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service published proposed regulations that would
allow the harassment and killing of double-crested cormorants to
protect aquaculture stocks.} [Federal Register]
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]
....
End of Part 2/4
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Aldo-Pier Solari, Fisheries Res. Gr./ULP <[log in to unmask]>
home-page --> http://segate.sunet.se/fish-ecology/aps/index.html
Oath --> "I will not fail those with whom I serve"
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