California Archives - Page 103 of 108

In Mexico, Fish Poachers Push Endangered Porpoises to Brink

March 1, 2016 — In 2013, Song Shen Zhen, a 75-year-old resident of Calexico, California, was attempting to re-enter the United States from Mexico when border patrol noticed a strange lump beneath the floor mats of his Dodge Attitude. The plastic bags beneath the mats contained not cocaine, but another valuable product: 27 swim bladders from the totoaba, a critically endangered fish whose air bladders, a Chinese delicacy with alleged medicinal value, fetch up to $20,000 apiece. Agents tracked Zhen to his house, where they discovered a makeshift factory containing another 214 bladders. Altogether, Zhen’s contraband was worth an estimated $3.6 million.

The robust black market is grim news for totoaba — but it’s an even greater catastrophe for vaquita, a diminutive porpoise that dwells solely in the northernmost reaches of the Gulf of California, the narrow body of water that extends between the Baja Peninsula and mainland Mexico. Since 1997, around 80 percent of the world’s vaquitas have perished as bycatch, many in gill nets operated by illegal totoaba fishermen.

Today, fewer than 100 vaquitas remain, earning it the dubious title of world’s most endangered marine mammal. Scientists fear the porpoise could vanish by 2018. “The possible extinction of the vaquita is the most important issue facing the marine mammal community right now,” says Barbara Taylor, a conservation biologist with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

The vaquita — “little cow” in Spanish — is a creature of superlatives. Not only is it the most imperiled cetacean, it is also the smallest, at less than five feet long from snout to tail, and the most geographically restricted: Its entire range could fit four times within Los Angeles’ city limits. Prominent black patches ring its eyes and trace its lips, giving Phocoena sinus a charming, panda-like appearance. The porpoise, which typically travels in pairs or small groups and communicates using rapid clicks, is famously cryptic; conservationists recently went two years without documenting a single sighting. Some Mexican fishermen insist the vaquita is already extinct, photographic evidence notwithstanding.

Read the full story at Yale Environment 360

San Diego tuna chief addresses Congress

March 1, 2016 — A leader in the San Diego tuna industry addressed U.S. Congress on Tuesday over fishing restrictions on the high seas that he said favor foreign boats.

American Tunaboat Association head Brian Hallman threw his support behind legislation that would potentially give U.S. boats a leg up in treaty negotiations for areas of the world’s largest ocean.

The U.S. fleet, many with ties or based in San Diego, has had a rough year so far, losing access to massive sections of the western and central Pacific Ocean.

Compliance in international waters — for things like how many days boats are allowed to fish for tuna in areas where there is no treaty — is governed by three multinational agreements.

The legislation, called the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, was introduced by congressional delegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).

Its basic function would give more people a chance to negotiate for fishing rights instead of just two people from the federal government.

Read the full story at The San Diego Union-Tribune

An Essential Part of the Magnuson-Stevens Act Reaches 20 Years

February 29, 20156 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

As we celebrate 40 years of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we reflect on how one revision to the Act has resulted in 20 years of protection for habitats that are vital to our nation’s fisheries. Join us this year in honoring the remarkable efforts and accomplishments through the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Program, which was mandated by Congress in 1996.

Healthy Fish Habitat is Truly Essential

Healthy habitat provides the foundation for productive fisheries and resilient coastal communities. Fish habitats provide homes to many of our important commercial and recreational species, and also protect our coastal communities by acting as buffers from storms and wave damage. These benefits are linked, because the areas where fish grow and thrive are often close to shore, where thousands of fishers work and millions of people live.

NOAA’s EFH mandate has charged us to seek out the best available science to understand how and why habitats are important to our species. To date, NOAA Fisheries and the regional fishery management councils have described habitats for more than 1,000 species.

Collaboration is Key

EFH has saved large amounts of both habitat and money. Together, NOAA Fisheries and the regional councils have succeeded in protecting more than 800 million acres of habitat. That’s the size of eight Californias! Plus, NOAA Fisheries has worked with state and federal agencies to improve the design, construction, and operation of hundreds of coastal and marine infrastructure projects. These collaborations have reduced habitat impacts and saved many millions of taxpayer dollars by inspiring greater attention to smart development that allows both ecosystems and economies to thrive.

Thankfully, a determined group of people made EFH a reality 20 years ago, and the future of sustainable fisheries will rely heavily on its continued success. In our reflections, we also have an opportunity to look forward, refine our approach, and make EFH even more effective. Today, we invite you to learn more and peruse stories of how EFH works—and works well.

Wildlife secrets revealed with advanced tracking devices

February 29, 2016 — BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Solar-powered trackers on wings have recorded California condors soaring to 15,000 feet, while locators attached to humpback whales have revealed 1,000-foot dives to underwater mountains. And GPS collars on Yellowstone grizzly bears are giving new insights into one of the most studied large carnivore populations in the world.

Technological advances in recent years have allowed what could be the most inquisitive Earth dweller of them all, humans, to invent ever more ingenious tracking devices to find out what their fellow inhabitants are up to.

“It’s a large field that’s developing very fast,” said Alex Zerbini, a research biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‘s National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle. “There are many types of tags being developed for many species of marine animals.”

Scientists say the trove of information thanks to ever smaller, tougher and more powerful tracking devices is leading to discoveries that could be used to make better wildlife and habitat management decisions.

The devices are also revealing the secret lives of hard-to-study animals.

For example, Zerbini said, scientists recently discovered humpback whales diving to underwater mountains on a regular basis, and also making the dives during migrations.

In Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area, more sophisticated tracking devices on grizzly bears are providing information, notably on their ability to find food, that could be a factor in whether Endangered Species Act protections are lifted.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at San Francisco Chronicle

West Coast Sardine Populations, Long Sinking, Look Even Worse in Forecast

February 26, 2016 — Sardines off the West Coast have continued on a steep decline, with populations this summer forecast to be down 93 percent from a 2007 peak, according to a draft assessment from the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The sardines are a key forage food for sea lions, salmon and many other species, as well as a source of income for commercial fishermen.

In some years, sardines have been worth from $10 million to more than $20 million annually to a West Coast fleet.

Last year, the sardine implosion was so severe that the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to call off the season that was scheduled to start in July for West Coast fleets, including those in Washington state.

This year, as the council meets this spring, it will have more bad news on sardines to review.

The stocks of sardines aged one year or older are forecast to be 64,422 metric tons, about a third lower than the 2015 assessment.

“Pacific sardines are an incredibly important economic and ecological ocean resource,” said Geoff Shester, a fishery scientist with Oceana, a marine conservation group. “Fishermen with lost income will suffer financially, and marine animals like California sea lion pups will face another year of fighting starvation.”

Albert Carter, of Ocean Gold Seafood in southwest Washington, said sardines are a significant part of the company business when populations are strong.

Carter, who serves on a Pacific Fishery Management Council advisory committee, said he has not had a chance to review the new sardine assessment. But he said if populations have continued to decline, he does not expect a 2016 season.

Read the full story at the Seattle Times

California DFW to Host Public Meeting on Ocean Salmon Fisheries

February 18, 2016 — SANTA ROSA, California — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites the public to attend its upcoming annual Ocean Salmon Information Meeting. A review of last year’s ocean salmon fisheries and spawning escapement will be presented, in addition to the outlook for this year’s sport and commercial ocean salmon fisheries.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, March 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Sonoma County Water Agency, 404 Aviation Blvd. in Santa Rosa (95403).

Anglers are encouraged to provide input on potential fishing seasons to a panel of California salmon scientists, managers and representatives who will be directly involved in the upcoming Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meetings in March and April.

Read the full release at San Diego Newscape

Dungeness crab season remains closed despite potential for partial open

February 17, 2016 — SAN FRANCISCO — Commercial crab fisheries will now remain closed until state officials lift the health advisory along the entire California coastline.

That decision was made on Wednesday. CDFW officials may open crab fisheries south of the border between Mendocino and Sonoma counties once the state Department of Public Health clears all of the crabs along that stretch of the coast for human consumption.

The commercial crab season has taken a huge financial hit, stalled since public health officials determined the crabs had high levels of domoic acid which is a neurotoxin.

The determination followed the strong recommendation by members of the Dungeness Crab Task Force, who urged state officials on Tuesday to keep the season closed until the health advisory was lifted coast-wide, or at a minimum, for an area south of Point Arena.

The commercial crab season has been stalled since public health officials determined the crabs had high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin.

But on Thursday, the CDFW said it would allow recreational crab fishing south of Point Reyes after health officials cleared the crabs for human consumption.

Read the full story at KRON4

Members of California Delegation Push for Federal Disaster Declaration in Crab Fisheries

February 16, 2016 — The following was released by the office of Congressman Jared Huffman

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressmembers Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Sam Farr (CA-20), Lois Capps (CA-24) and Mike Thompson (CA-05) sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker urging her to expeditiously review and grant Governor Jerry Brown’s request to declare a fishery resource disaster in the California Dungeness crab and rock crab fisheries.

An unprecedented toxic bloom of marine algae called Pseudo-nitzchia australis containing the neurotoxin domoic acid has caused the closure of the commercial season that was scheduled to open in November 2015.

“The closures of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery and the partial closure of the rock crab fishery are causing severe economic hardship in California’s fishing communities,” the legislators wrote. “These fisheries are crucial to the coastal economy of central and northern California – last year, revenue from the sales of Dungeness crabs alone was estimated at just below $60 million.”

Even though the California Department of Public Health lifted the advisory in areas south of Point Reyes yesterday and the Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering opening the commercial season next week, the closure of the fisheries has already resulted in economic losses for stakeholders. According to the Governor’s estimates, the direct economic impact for the commercial closure is at least $48.3 million for Dungeness crab and $376,000 for rock crab.

A copy of the letter may be found below:

February 16, 2016

Dear Secretary Pritzker:

Earlier this week, Governor Jerry Brown wrote to you to request that you declare a fishery resource disaster in the California Dungeness crab and rock crab fisheries under section 308(d) of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986, and a commercial fishery failure under section 312(a) of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. This declaration will allow our communities to receive desperately-needed aid. We write in support of the Governor’s request for a disaster declaration, and ask that you work with the state to quickly complete the review process.

The closures of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery and the partial closure of the rock crab fishery are causing severe economic hardship in California’s fishing communities. These fisheries are crucial to the coastal economy of central and northern California – last year, revenue from the sales of Dungeness crabs alone was estimated at just below $60 million.

The cause of the closure, an unprecedented toxic bloom of the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzchia australis, has led to elevated levels of the neurotoxin domoic acid, which persist in the crabs’ bodies and in the environment and can be transmitted to humans via the food supply. While we remain hopeful that the toxin levels will continue to fall, our fishermen and coastal communities have already missed out on the most lucrative sales of the year. Many of these fishermen may not be able to catch enough crab this year to make ends meet, and the coastal communities that rely on this important source of revenue are already suffering.

Although the recent lifting of the health advisory for Dungeness crab south of Point Reyes is encouraging, the closure of the fishery has already resulted in lasting negative social and economic effects to fishery stakeholders and coastal communities along the coast of California. The Governor of California estimates that the direct economic impact from the commercial closures to date is at least $48.3 million for Dungeness crab and $376,000 for rock crab, as well as untold losses to other sectors of the fishing industry such as processors and distributors.

Given the severe hardship our constituents are currently experiencing, we urge you to review the Governor’s request as expeditiously as possible. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jared Huffman, et al.

Read the press release from the Office of Congressman Jared Huffman

Dungeness crabbers likely to receive assistance

February 10, 2016 — Gov. Jerry Brown Tuesday informed U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker via a letter that the state of California was requesting federal declarations of a fishery disaster and commercial fishery failure in response to the continued presence of unsafe levels of domoic acid in Dungeness and rock crab across the state.

The governor’s request Tuesday initiates an evaluation of a federal fishery resource disaster under the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 and a commercial fishery failure under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976.

By declaring a federal disaster, affected fisheries would be able to receive economic assistance for losses incurred.

Typically a $90 million industry for the state annually, Brown estimated in his letter that the continued closures would cost $48 million in losses for Dungeness crab, and $376,000 for rock crab, based on estimated values of both species during the time period of November 2015 through June 2016.

Because the crabbing season is likely to remain delayed or closed for the remainder of the 2015-16 season, Brown predicts these estimates to only increase.

Mendocino County fisheries have also reported at least $4 million in losses, according to Tami Bartolomei, county Office of Emergency Services coordinator, who updated the Board of Supervisors during its Feb. 2 meeting. Bartolomei said she expected to keep receiving additional disaster economic worksheet claims from local fisheries that go to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

County supervisors that day authorized Bartolomei to send a letter to the state’s Office of Emergency Services requesting that Mendocino County be included on a list of other affected California counties for declaration considered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has since announced it was offering federal disaster loans to state small businesses that have suffered financial losses as a result of the crab ban. Mendocino County is among the dozens of counties on the SBA’s list of eligible areas.

North Coast Sen. Mike McGuire, also chairman of the state Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, will host another meeting Thursday as part of the 43rd annual Zeke Grader Fisheries Forum in Sacramento. The meeting was scheduled prior to Brown’s letter, and will also cover the governor’s request for crab disaster declaration.

Read the full story at the Daily Journal

California Seeks Federal Disaster Declarations for Commercial Crab Fishing

February 9, 2016 — In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. today requested federal declarations of a fishery disaster and a commercial fishery failure in response to the continued presence of unsafe levels of domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin, in Dungeness and rock crab fisheries across California and the corresponding closures of those fisheries.

‘Crabs are a vital component of California’s natural resources and provide significant aesthetic, recreational, commercial, cultural and economic benefits to our state,’ Governor Brown said in the letter to Secretary Pritzker. ‘Economic assistance will be critical for the well-being of our fishing industry and our state.’

In early November 2015, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), in consultation with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), recommended a closure based on unsafe levels of domoic acid found in crab tissue that was likely to pose a human health risk. Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish and other invertebrates. At high levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and death. At low levels, domoic acid can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness.

Read the full story at Noodls