From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
Eugene H. Buck, Senior Analyst Environment and Natural Resources
Policy Division Congressional Research Service
New info and changes since 5/30/97 are bracketed {...}. New info
and changes since 6/4/97 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]
{PORTUGUESE FISHERY PROTEST. ON JUNE 5, 1997, SHIPPING IN THE
HARBOR AT LISBON, PORTUGAL WAS DISRUPTED BY A PROTEST OF MORE
THAN 50 FISHING VESSELS AGAINST A NEW LAW PROHIBITING FISHING ON
SUNDAYS. ALTHOUGH FISHERMEN FEAR THIS LAW WILL HURT THEIR
PROFITS AND MAKE THEM LESS COMPETITIVE WITH SPANISH FISHERMEN,
THE NEW REQUIREMENT WAS ENACTED AS A MEANS TO HELP RESTORE
DEPLETED FISH POPULATIONS.} [DOW JONES NEWS]
{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 quotas in north and
south regional subquotas, 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.} [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]
{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]
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" with vessels fishing there being
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]
Panelists Named for NAS ITQ Study. On May 22, 1997, NOAA
announced the names of appointees to two 15-member panels (east
coast and west coast) to provide guidance to NMFS on public input
for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) study on individual
fishing quotas (ITQs). The panels will assist NMFS in evaluating
the NAS study and in preparing an NMFS response to that study.
[NOAA press release]
Striped Bass. On May 22, 1997, the House Resources Subcommittee
on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively
scheduled a markup on H.R. 1658, reauthorization and amendment
of the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act. [personal
communication]
Alaska Seafood Center. On May 20, 1997, the AK Industrial
Development and Export Authority approved $10 million in initial
financial assistance for Taiwanese development of a $120 million,
184,000 sq. foot AK Seafood Center in Anchorage, to produce 100
million pounds of prepared seafood product annually from raw
pollock, cod, salmon, halibut, and flatfish. [Reuters]
Whiting Harvest Agreement. On May 20, 1997, the U.S. Dept. of
Justice announced its approval for the Whiting Conservation
Cooperative (Alaska Ocean Seafood, American Seafoods, Glacier
Fish Co., and Tyson Seafood Group) to divide among themselves the
34% of the annual Pacific whiting harvest allocated to the
catcher-processor fleet as a group rather than compete in
harvesting this quota. [Assoc Press]
Quota Hopping. On May 20, 1997, British and EU officials began
discussions on how to address concerns for controlling "quota
hopping" wherein Spanish, Dutch, and other foreign fishermen have
legally obtained British commercial fishing licenses and thus
gained shares of British fish quotas. [Reuters]
Shark Cartilage Ineffective as Cancer Treatment. On May 19,
1997, results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the
American Society of Clinical Oncology in Denver, CO, concluded
that shark cartilage was inactive in patients with advanced
stages of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer. [Midwestern
Regional Medical Center press release]
Chilean Trawler Denial. On May 19, 1997, a Chilean court revoked
the license of the $65 million, 311-foot, Norwegian supertrawler,
American Monarch, that had sought access to hoki and blue whiting
stocks in waters off Chile. The vessel remains idle in Seattle,
WA. [Dow Jones News, Assoc Press]
Carbon Monoxide in Tuna? On May 19, 1997, Japanese Health and
Welfare Ministry officials announced that they had begun an
inquiry into the alleged injection of carbon monoxide into frozen
imported raw tuna to redden its flesh, thus potentially deceiving
consumers as to its freshness. [Dow Jones News]
Canadian Atlantic Groundfish. On May 19, 1997, Canada opened the
season for a limited cod fishery off Newfoundland. This is the
first commercial cod fishery in 4 years in this region. About
5,500 fishermen will harvest a 16,000 ton quota. [Assoc Press]
LA Oil Pipeline Spill. On May 16, 1997, an oil pipeline ruptured
near Lake Barre southwest of New Orleans, LA, spilling between
10,500 gallons and 16,800 gallons of medium-weight oil. LA
authorities will decide whether or not to permit shrimp trawling
in the area, depend upon how spill cleanup progresses. On May
19, 1997, Texaco officials increased the estimate of oil spilled
to as much as 210,000 gallons. Although no areas have been
closed to shrimp trawling, shrimpers were advised to avoid the
area near the spill. On May 19, 1997, LA health officials closed
the area to oyster harvesting. Consumers have been warned by LA
health officials not to eat seafood with a noticeable petroleum
odor or flavor. [Dow Jones News, Reuters, Assoc Press]
Developing El Nino. On May 15, 1997, NOAA announced that early
indications had been detected of, and models appeared to confirm,
a developing el nino condition in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
[NOAA press release]
NC Commercial Fishery Moratorium. On May 15, 1997, the NC House
Judiciary Committee 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. The proposal does not include license fees for
saltwater sport anglers. On May 27, 1997, the package of fishery
reform measures 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. A final vote on the package was scheduled
for June 4, 1997.} [Assoc Press]
Sexual Harassment Lawsuit. In mid-May 1997, a King County (WA)
Superior Court civil jury awarded a female crew member $300,000
in a sexual harassment lawsuit. The crew member had sought
damages for alleged sexual harassment during a 6-week voyage in
1992 as a fish processor aboard a factory trawler. The jury
concluded the company had been negligent in allowing an
environment of harassment and abuse aboard the trawler. [Assoc
Press]
Russian Fishery Enforcement. In mid-May 1997, Russian Interior
Minister Anatoly Kulikov announced his intention to create a
regional coordination center for fisheries enforcement in the
Russian Far East, uniting efforts of law enforcement bodies,
border guards, fishery protection services, regular army units,
and various information and intelligence services. [Interfax]
Toothfish Overfishing. In mid-May 1997, joint action to halt
toothfish overfishing was announced by France, South Africa,
Norway, Australia, and New Zealand at the conclusion of informal
talks in Christchurch, NZ. 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]
....
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