From: Kate Wing <[log in to unmask]>
Chilean Salmon Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions. On
July 1, 1997, attorneys for the Assoc. of Chilean Salmon Farmers
asked the Dept. of Commerce to reject petitions against farmed
Chilean salmon, alleging illegal subsidization of salmon exporters
and undercutting of U.S. prices, claiming that the petitioners do
not represent the industry they seek to protect, that Norwegian and
Canadian salmon farmers would benefit most if the duties were
granted, and that Chilean boneless salmon fillets do not compete
with the petitioners' product. On July 2, 1997, the Dept. of
Commerce decided to formally open an investigation on charges that
Chilean salmon is being unfairly subsidized and dumped on the U.S.
market. A preliminary International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing
on the petitions and determination of injury was held on July 3,
1997. A preliminary decision by the ITC is due by July 28, 1997.
If the preliminary ruling on injury to U.S. producers is positive,
a Dept. of Commerce decision on subsidies is due by Sept. 5, 1997,
and on dumping by Nov. 19, 1997. On July 8, 1997, Chilean trade
representatives announced that they will seek formal negotiations
with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce to resolve salmon trade concerns.
On July 24, 1997, the U.S. International Trade Commission concluded
its preliminary investigation and voted 3-0 that there is sufficient
evidence to indicate injury to U.S. industry from alleged subsidies
and dumping of Chilean salmon on the U.S. market. The Chilean
government has indicated that it might file a petition with the
World Trade Organization if U.S. penalties are imposed. [Assoc.
of Chilean Salmon Farmers press release, Dow Jones News, Assoc
Press]
Freshwater Fisheries
{Sacramento Delta Striped Bass. On July 29, 1997, the CA Dept. of
Fish and Game reported that this year's abundance index of young
striped bass in the Sacramento Delta and Suisun Bay was the lowest
recorded since the index was first calculated in 1959.} [Assoc
Press]
Sacramento Delta Striped Bass. On July 29, 1997, the CA Dept. of
Fish and Game reported that this year's abundance index of young
striped bass in the Sacramento Delta and Suisun Bay was the lowest
recorded since the index was first calculated in 1959. [Assoc
Press] {Edwards Dam Removal. On July 28, 1997, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission released a final environmental impact
statement, recommending complete removal of Edwards Dam on the
Kennebec River, ME. This is the first time that FERC has
recommended removal of an operating dam. Edwards Manufacturing Co.
and the City of Augusta, ME, sought a 40-year operating license from
FERC for the dam. Installation of a fish passage system at the dam
would be 1.7 times more expensive than retiring and removing the
dam.} [American Rivers press release, Assoc Press]
Fish Advisory Data. On July 23, 1997, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency released its 1996 summary of state-issued fish
consumption advisories, reporting that official advisories increased
26% over 1995, due largely to better monitoring and reporting.
Advisories were in effect for about 5% of the nation's total river
miles and 15% of the nation's total lake area. Five contaminants --
mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlordane, dioxins, and DDT --
were responsible for almost 95% of the 1996 fish consumption
advisories. [EPA press release]
FWS Director Nomination Hearing. On July 16, 1997, the Senate
Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the
nomination of Jamie Rappaport Clark to be Director of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Dept. of the Interior. [Congr. Record]
Walden Pond Fishing? In mid-July 1997, representatives of People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted a petition to
MA Governor William F. Weld, calling for a ban on fishing at Walden
Pond, northwest of Boston, as part of a PETA nationwide campaign
that will ask parks to ban fishing. [Assoc Press]
Whirling Disease. On July 10, 1997, MT's Whirling Disease Task
Force received a report that whirling disease had been detected in
an additional MT river drainage (Yellowstone River) and recommended
that MT ban or place more stringent limits on rainbow trout fishing
in waters infected by whirling disease. Mt's Fish, Wildlife, and
Parks Commission will receive a detailed report from the Task Force
on Aug. 8, 1997, and will consider Task Force recommendations.
[Assoc Press]
Native Yellowstone Fish. On July 8, 1997, the National Park Service
released an assessment of obstacles to restoration of westslope
cutthroat trout and fluvial arctic graying to Yellowstone National
Park habitat. Major obstacles, particularly competition from
introduced rainbow, brown, and brook trout, preclude immediate
progress, with gradual replacement of exotic fish in selected park
waters proposed. The preferred alternative for action is to
undertake suppression of non-native fish. [Assoc Press]
Russell Dam Pumpback. On July 1, 1997, the Army Corps of Engineers
released a report concluding that, at most, about 8 million fish or
0.5% of the fish in Lake Thurmond could be killed each year by
nighttime operation of the pumpback turbines at the Russell Dam
hydroelectric plant on the Savannah River, SC. The report concludes
that threadfin shad would be the species experiencing the greatest
mortality, with possibly 7.6 million killed. The SC Dept. of
Natural Resources has 45 days to study the Corps report. The State
of SC and the National Wildlife Federation have sued the Corps over
proposed pumpback operations; U.S. District Judge Falcon Hawkins
will determine whether, and if so, how the pumpback program can
operate. [Assoc Press]
Bull Trout. Between July 1 and July 17, 1997, five public hearings
are scheduled on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed
listing Klamath River bull trout as endangered and Columbia River
bull trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Public
comments will be taken until Aug. 12, 1997. In early July 1997,
the Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Friends of the Wild Swan filed
a motion for summary judgment in U.S. District Court, Portland, OR,
asking Judge Robert Jones to rule that there was not enough evidence
to separate bull trout into five distinct populations. The groups
hope to protect all bull trout rather than two specific populations
proposed for endangered species act listing. On July 22, 1997, EPA
officials approved modifications of ID's water quality guidelines,
including maximum water temperature, aimed at protecting spawning
and rearing habitat for bull trout. [Assoc Press, Washington Water
Power press release]
Marine Mammals
Norwegian Whaling. On July 25, 1997, Norway's whaling season
concluded with Norwegian whalers in 31 vessels reported to have
taken 503 whales of their 580-whale quota. This harvest is
estimated to have produced 730 tons of meat valued at about $2.9
million. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
Manatees. On July 22, 1997, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
officials announced increased patrolling of Brevard Co., FL's
manatee protection zone. Along with the FL Marine Patrol, the FWS
will enforce boating and recreation regulations, since
watercraft-related injuries (many of which were reported in Brevard
Co.) have contributed to 27 of FL's more than 110 manatee deaths so
far in 1997. On July 23, 1997, Univ. of Miami scientists reported
that papillomavirus had been found for the first time in two FL
manatees from different locations; this virus can cause benign skin
tumors. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
CITES Hearing. On July 17, 1997, the House Resources Subcommittee
on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held an oversight
hearing on the results of the recent meeting of CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Parties in Zimbabwe. [Congr. Record]
Atlantic Large Whale Protection Measures. On July 15, 1997, NMFS
announced details of a substantially revised 4-year Atlantic Large
Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce large whale entanglement in
lobster and gillnet fishing gear along the Atlantic coast.
Fishermen will be permitted to choose among a list of options for
modifying fishing gear to address entanglement concerns by Jan. 1,
1998. Comments on the plan will be accepted through Oct. 15, 1997,
with the rule taking effect on Nov. 15, 1997. Critical whale
habitat would be closed to certain gear during times of whale
concentration, but gear modifications would not be required for gear
fished in inshore coves and harbors. [NOAA press release, Assoc
Press]
Tuna-Dolphin Legislation. On July 14, 1997, the Senate Commerce
Committee reported S. 39 with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute, without a written report; S. 39 was placed on the Senate
Calendar under General Orders. {On July 25, 1997, the Senate
vitiated a call for a cloture vote on S. 39, and announced a
compromise agreement providing for lifting of import sanctions on
tuna, and modification of the dolphin-safe labeling if studies of
dolphin health and biology, to be completed by March 1999, cannot
prove that long-term harm is being done to dolphins by surrounding
them with tuna seines. On July 30, 1997, the U.S. Senate voted
99-0 to pass S. 39, incorporating compromise amendments to the
International Dolphin Conservation Program. This measure would end
import sanctions on non-dolphin-safe tuna, and could allow tuna
caught in purse seines where no dolphins are killed or seriously
injured to be labeled "dolphin-safe" if research cannot prove by
March 1999 that dolphins suffer long-term adverse effects from being
chased, herded, and surrounded by purse seines.} {{On July 31, 1997,
the U.S. House unanimously agreed to accept the Senate amended S.
39, and this measure was sent to the President.}} [Reuters, Congr.
Record, Assoc Press, Dow Jones News, Center for Marine Conservation
press release, Defenders of Wildlife press release]
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