Saving Seafood

Washington

VIDEO: Dr. Ray Hilborn on Federal Fisheries Management and Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) — September 17, 2013 — Last Wednesday, Dr. Ray Hilborn, of the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources during a hearing on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Following his testimony on Capitol Hill, in which he adhered to the Congressional hearing's five minute time limit, Dr. Hilborn sat down with Saving Seafood's Executive Director Bob Vanasse for an in-depth discussion of his recommendations, and to give his presentation in full.

Dr. Hilborn explains how an emphasis by fisheries managers on eliminating overfishing has led government agencies to ignore other important aspects of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which mandate the protection of fisheries resources alongside concerns for the socio-economic well being of fishermen and their communities.

Dr. Hilborn aruges that  that the U.S. has largely "solved" the problems surrounding overfishing and that underutilization of the resource should be of greater concern to fisheries managers.
 
The video begins with Dr. Hilborn's evaluation of U.S. fisheries policy under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, his recommendations for the reauthorization, and concludes with a question and answers.

Watch the full video here

VIDEO: Freaky ‘Giant’ Shrimp May Threaten US Ecosystem

September 15, 2013 — A foot-long invasive shrimp species could pose big problems for the US shrimping industry.
A foot-long invasive shrimp species could pose big problems for the US shrimping industry.

No one seems to know for sure how Asian tiger shrimp got here, but this particular crustacean has caught the attention of scientists and commercial fisheries. Unlike regular shrimp who are scavengers, the Asian variety is a predator that feeds on other sea creatures (such as other crabs, clams, and other shrimp), thereby raising the possibility of destabilizing the undersea environment. Perhaps more troubling, Asian tiger shrimp are apparently much more prone to disease than other crustaceans.

The Wall Street Journal suggests that the Asian species could interfere with commercial shrimpers in the Gulf of Mexico: “Adult tiger shrimp, whose native habitat stretches from southern Japan through Southeast Asia to South Africa, are known for distinctive black stripes, can grow to the length of a man’s arm and weigh as much as a pound. While the monster shrimp are just as edible as U.S. shrimp, marine scientists are trying to figure out whether they will upset local ecosystems and possibly supplant smaller brown and white shrimp, mainstays of the U.S. shrimping industry.”

Read the full story and watch the video at The Inquisitr 

 

OREGON: Hundreds throng to Hammond Marina for fishy fun and fare

September 16, 2013 — HAMMOND, Ore. — They came, they saw, they had fun with fish.

More than 1,000 people were on hand Saturday for the first day of the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival.

And none went away from the Hammond Marina disappointed, having had the opportunity to eat lots of fish, take part in competitions and meet fishing “celebrities.”

Among the latter were Capt. Rick and Donna Quashnick, of the fishing vessel Maverick. The couple, who appeared in the earliest seasons of Discovery Channel’s “The Deadliest Catch,” were on hand and people flocked to the boat throughout the day. They even conducted cooking demonstrations featuring tuna and crawdads, said Cyndi Mudge, one of the organizers.

“It was awesome to get a ride on the boat,” one visitor, Tina Protsman, posted on Facebook afterward.

Fans of “The Deadliest Catch,” which, while entertaining, has also helped the world learn about the perils of commercial fishers, waited in line throughout the day to meet visiting captains and crew, including Johnathan Hillstrand from the F/V Time Bandit and Bob Perkey from the F/V Seabrooke. Author Spike Walker, who now lives in his hometown of Yacolt, Wash., was also on hand. Walker’s much admired book “Working on the Edge,” about the dangers of commercial fishing in Alaska, helped spawn the TV show.

Read the full story at The Daily Astorian

ALASKA: Record Salmon Season Sparks Permit Buying Expansion

August 16, 2013 — Alaska’s record salmon season has permit brokers hopping as buyers seek to break into or expand their opportunities in many fisheries. 

Notably, brokers say there is “a lot of great buzz” at Bristol Bay, despite a lackluster sockeye fishery that saw the bulk of the red run come and go eight days early.

“Prior to the season the drift permits went for under $100,000, but we just sold one for $125,000,” said Doug Bowen of Alaska Boats and Permits in Homer. Most of the bump is due to optimism about the sockeye base price of $1.50/lb, a $.50 increase from last year.

Data from the state Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission show that Bristol Bay driftnet permit values have remained near or well over $100,000 since 2010, and increased steadily each year after dropping below $20,000 in 2002.

This summer also was a great one for salmon seiners, which has driven up interest in those fishing permits.

“These folks had good seasons and made some money. They’re going to be looking to expand their operations, pick up another permit, another boat or upgrade,” Bowen said.

Salmon seine permits at Southeast Alaska have the distinction of being the highest priced at more than $300,000.

Read the full story at The Fish Site 

 

 

Seafood Watch Removes Gulf of Mexico Commercial Red Snapper Fishery From “Red List”

AUSTIN, Texas — September 17, 2013 — The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program – the most well-known sustainable seafood program in the United States –announced this week that it has removed the Gulf of Mexico commercial red snapper fishery from its “Avoid” list and now classifies it as a “Good Alternative."

“The removal of red snapper from the “Avoid” list is an important step for red snapper fishermen in the Gulf,” said Tim Fitzgerald, Sustainable Seafood Director for Environmental Defense Fund’s Oceans Program.  “In addition to drawing new consumers to try Gulf red snapper, this recognition will open the fishery to new markets and major buyers that have made a commitment to sustainable seafood.”

The announcement by Seafood Watch comes as a result of major management changes to the commercial red snapper fishery over the past seven years.  Facing a dwindling stock after years of overfishing, a community of the Gulf’s small, family-owned commercial red snapper fishing operations, fishery managers, and conservationists worked together to design a new program for the fishery.

Read the full story at the Environmental Defense Fund

Massachusetts Working Waterfront Festival Friday Concert Features Music, Poetry and Stories from Fishing Communities

NEW BEDFORD, Mass., — September 17, 2013 — The following was released by the organizers of the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival

The Working Waterfront Festival presents a Festival Sampler, Friday, September 27th from 7:30-9:00 pm at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Theater. The ten dollar ticket helps support the free Festival. Seating is limited; tickets will be sold at the door, with advance tickets available through the Festival web site.

jon campbell.jpgDesigned to whet the appetite of festival goers, the evening will feature songs, stories and poetry presented by ten performers who hail from fishing communities in Newfoundland, New England, Alaska and the Chesapeake Bay: Anita Best (traditional songs and stories from Newfoundland), Calico Jack (music and poetry celebrating the people, places and history of the Chesapeake), Janice Marshall (parodies drawn from a life in the Maryland crab fishery), Daisy Nell & Captain Stan (traditional and original songs about the seafaring heritage of Essex, MA), Jon Campbell (original poetry and songs about commercial fishing and coastal communities), Jon Broderick, Jay Speakman, and Dave Densmore (poetry and songs about the Alaskan fishing industry). In addition, a retrospective slide show chronicling the first nine years of the event will be shown.

As always, the Festival brings together a unique array of music, storytelling, and poetry.  Performances include traditional sea chanteys and music reflecting the fishing industry’s ethnic diversity as well as songs, stories, and poetry about commercial fishing and the sea often performed by musicians who work in the industry.  In addition to the performers taking part in the Friday concert, the Festival line up includes: Sharks Come Cruisin’ (sea chantey punk), Joao Cerilo & Pilon Batuku (Cape Verdean funana and batuk), Ana Vinagre (Portuguese fado), SAMspill (Norwegian music), Souls of the Sea (folk-rock), New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus. Songwriters Michael Troyand Joanne Doherty, and poet Charlotte Enoksen will also perform. Performer bios and a full festival schedule are available on the festival web site.

The Working Waterfront Festival is a project of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern MA, a non-profit organization. The FREE festival, a family friendly, educational celebration of New England's commercial fishing industry, features live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen's contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, films, author readings, cooking demonstrations, kid's activities and more.  It all takes place on working piers and waterfront parks in New Bedford, MA, America's #1 fishing port, on the last full weekend in September. Navigate to us at www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org.

 

World Wildlife Fund Canada Launches Controversial ‘We Don’t Farm Like This’ Video

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) — September 17, 2013 — World Wildlife Fund Canada has launched a controversial video entitled "We Don't Farm Like This" which is currently available on YouTube. The animated video depicts wild animals being hooked on a line that snakes through a forest, and being caught up in a giant net pulled through the air and across the land. It also shows a giant land-based version of a fishing trawl destroying everything in its path. The video poses the question: "We don't farm like this, why do we fish like this?"

A number of commenters on the YouTube page have raised objections, including University of Washington professor of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Trevor A. Branch, who wrote "There is very little comparison between fishing and farming. Farming cattle involves the clear-cutting of forests like the Amazon, with loss of almost all species. Farming crops results in 100% habitat destruction and basically 100% loss of species. Fishing on the other hand leaves almost all species in place, some reduced in numbers. No comparison whatsoever."

The description of the video on YouTube states "Our oceans are in crisis because of unsustainable fishing practices and it's more important than ever to choose products from sustainable sources."  It urges viewers to choose Marine Stewardship Council certified sustainable seafood.

The video was produced by the John Street Agency in Toronto (+1 416-348-0048).  The credits list the creative directors as Angus Tucker (atucker@johnst.com), and Stephen Jurisic (sjurisic@johnst.com).  It is set to the song "Happy Go Lucky Me" by Paul Evans, released by Sony Music Publishing.


Watch the video here

ASMFC American Lobster Draft Addendum XXII Released for Public Comment

ARLINGTON, Va., — September 16, 2013 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has released Draft Addendum XXII to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster for public comment. The Draft Addendum presents additional options for management of the Southern New England lobster stock. These options, which were previously considered under Draft Addendum XXI, address the issue of single and aggregate ownership caps in Lobster Conservation Management Area 3 (offshore waters). Draft Addendum XXII makes two corrections (see Tables 2 and 3) to the options that were considered under Draft Addendum XXI in order to accurately reflect the trap reduction schedule. Draft Addendum XXII also adds one additional option for consideration under Section 3.2 (Aggregate Ownership Cap) that would allow a single company or individual who holds more than five times the single ownership cap prior to the selected control date, to increase each permit's allocation up to the approved trap cap.

The states will not be conducting public hearings on the Draft Addendum. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 17, 2013 and should be forwarded to Kate Taylor, Senior FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or ktaylor@asmfc.org (Subject line: Lobster Draft Addendum XXII).For more information, please contact Kate Taylor. 

          

NH Joins Lawsuit to Block ‘Onerous’ Fishing Regulations

September 16, 2013 — To protect the small businesses in New Hampshire’s fishing industry who create jobs and provide important contributions to the state’s economy, Governor Maggie Hassan and Attorney General Joseph Foster announced today that the State of New Hampshire has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and other U.S. officials challenging substantial new catch limits on many types of groundfish in New England. The regulations, Frameworks 48 and 50, were issued earlier this year by the Secretary of Commerce under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens).

“Fishing is a time-honored trade in New Hampshire, with small-boat fishermen relying on cod, haddock and other groundfish to support their livelihoods,” Governor Hassan said. “The onerous restrictions and reduced catch limits put forth by the federal government could have a dire effect on the economic viability of New Hampshire’s fishermen, placing one of our state’s oldest and most treasured industries at grave risk and undermining an important sector of our economy. Joining this lawsuit will help us stand up for the future of New Hampshire’s fishing industry by fighting back against these severe restrictions.”

The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this year by the State of Massachusetts, makes clear that the new regulations would have a “devastating impact” on families and small businesses throughout New England who earn their living through fishing by reducing the allowable catch for certain New England groundfish by 77 percent. The complaint claims that, in addition to threatening the extinction of the groundfishing industry, Frameworks 48 and 50 are in violation of Magnuson-Stevens.

Read the full story at the Hampton-NorthHampton Patch

Read the full press relase from the office of Governor Maggie Hassan