Saving Seafood

Suppressed federal report shows how Trump water plan would endanger California salmon

August 22, 2019 — Federal officials suppressed a lengthy environmental document that details how one of California’s unique salmon runs would be imperiled by Trump administration plans to deliver more water to Central Valley farms.

The July 1 assessment, obtained by the Los Angeles Times, outlines how proposed changes in government water operations would harm several species protected by the Endangered Species Act, including perilously low populations of winter-run salmon, as well as steelhead trout and killer whales, which feed on salmon.

But the 1,123-page document was never released.

Read the full story at The Sacramento Bee

California king salmon rebounds after drought

August 22, 2019 — California fishermen are reporting one of the best salmon fishing seasons in years, thanks to heavy rain and snow that ended the state’s historic drought.

It’s a sharp reversal for chinook salmon, also known as king salmon. The iconic fish helps sustain many Pacific Coast fishing communities.

A marine scientist with California’s fish and wildlife agency says commercial catches have so far surpassed official preseason forecasts by roughly 50%.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at Business Insider

Longline fishing hampering shark migration

August 21, 2019 — Longline fisheries around the world are significantly affecting migrating shark populations, according to an international study featuring a University of Queensland researcher.

The study found that approximately a quarter of the studied sharks’ migratory paths fell under the footprint of longline fisheries, directly killing sharks and affecting their food supply.

Dr Bonnie Holmes, from UQ’s School of Biological Sciences, wanted to find out why shark numbers have been declining significantly over the past 20 years.

“We’re losing these incredible creatures, and we know so little about shark movements and what drives them,” she said.

“I joined an international research effort, using new technologies — like satellite tracking and big data analysis — to help answer some critical questions.”

Read the full story at Science Daily

Study finds fishermen who venture to new grounds benefit

August 21, 2019 — In 2009, excessive bycatch of endangered sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico prompted a five-month closure of the Gulf’s longline fishery. Boat captains unexpectedly found themselves locked out of prime fishing grounds, and were forced to look elsewhere to make a living.

As it turned out, some captains fared better than others in this endeavor. And their experience has implications for fishermen today who are adapting to changing environmental and regulatory conditions.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Warm, dry weather causing abnormalities in Bristol Bay’s salmon runs

August 21, 2019 — The world’s largest sockeye fishery, Bristol Bay, Alaska, clocked its second-largest harvest ever this season, with a haul of more than 43 million fish. The big catch, combined with a robust base price – most of the fishery’s major processors have posted an initial ex-vessel buying price at USD 1.35 (EUR 1.20) per pound – should make 2019 among the most lucrative years in the fishery’s history. This season’s historic catch comes after a string of abnormally large runs, including last season’s 62.3 million salmon, the largest in Bristol Bay’s history.

But despite a string of productive runs that have surpassed forecasts, some biologists and fishermen are concerned about warm, dry weather that has pumped up water temperatures in the region.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

FAO paper predicts impact of climate change on world’s fisheries, aquaculture

August 20, 2019 — Climate change will decrease the world fisheries’ overall maximum catch potential between 2.8% and 12.1% by 2050 based on different greenhouse gas emission scenarios, with the tropics, especially the South Pacific region, getting hit the hardest, says a team of technical experts organized by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

It’s not just the oceans either. As water becomes more scarce, inland fisheries will be undervalued. Pakistan, Iraq, Morocco and Spain are all highlighted as countries that are currently facing high stresses that are projected to become even higher in the future.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Blooms, beasts affected as Alaska records hottest month

August 19, 2019 — Alaska has been America’s canary in the coal mine for climate warming, and the yellow bird is swooning.

July was Alaska’s warmest month ever, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Sea ice melted. Bering Sea fish swam in above-normal temperatures. So did children in the coastal town of Nome. Wildfire season started early and stayed late. Thousands of walruses thronged to shore.

Unusual weather events like this could become more common with climate warming, said Brian Brettschneider, an associate climate researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ International Arctic Research Center. Alaska has seen “multiple decades-long increases” in temperature, he said.

Read the full story at the Associated Press

APPLICATIONS DUE THURSDAY, 8/22: October 2019 Workshop to Identify Research Priorities for Shifting Marine Species

August 19, 2019 — The following was released by Lenfest Ocean Program:

The shifting distribution of marine species is one of the most visible impacts of climate change on the world’s oceans. Scientists, fishermen and others on the East and West Coasts of the United States have observed range shifts that have disrupted species ecology, fishing patterns and management strategies. In every region of the US, fish populations are projected to shift further as ocean temperatures continue to warm.

Open Call for Participants

This fall, the Lenfest Ocean Program, in collaboration with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Biodiversity Funder’s Group, will host a three-day Ideas Lab workshop to bring together scientists, managers, stakeholders, and funders for a collaborative discussion about the future of fisheries in the face of climate change. The workshop, which will take place from October 21-23, 2019, in Washington, DC, will aim to generate research priorities and kickstart the funding of key research projects.

We are seeking individuals with local knowledge, scientific expertise, insights or specific perspectives who are interested in a collaborative, interdisciplinary Ideas Lab designed to generate priority research questions for funding consideration. An Ideas Lab is an intensive meeting that brings together multiple diverse perspectives to focus on finding innovative cross-disciplinary solutions to a critical problem.

Read the full release here

Mercury levels in seafood found to be affected by climate change and ecosystem shifts

August 15, 2019 — Mercury levels in seafood can shift as fish seek new sources of prey and as water temperatures warm due to climate change, according to a recent study.

The new study, published in Nature, illustrates that even as global human-driven mercury emissions are declining, warming oceans and shifting predator-prey relationships caused by human fishing practices could still be major drivers of mercury in seafood.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Applications Due August 22: October 2019 Workshop to Identify Research Priorities for Shifting Marine Species

August 14, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Call for Participants

The Lenfest Ocean Program, in collaboration with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Biodiversity Funder’s Group, is seeking applicants for a three-day Ideas Lab workshop to discuss the future of U.S. fisheries in the face of climate change, generate research priorities, and kickstart the funding of key research projects. Our geographic focus will be the continental United States.

  • Workshop dates: October 21-23, 2019
  • Location: Washington, DC
  • Application deadline: August 22, 2019

All travel, lodging, and meals will be paid for by the Lenfest Ocean Program.

Event Background and Eligibility

An Ideas Lab is an intensive meeting that brings together diverse perspectives to focus on crafting innovative cross-disciplinary solutions to a critical problem. This workshop will bring together state and federal managers and policymakers, stakeholders, scientists and funders with local knowledge, scientific expertise, insights or perspectives who are interested in developing priority research questions for funding consideration.

If you are interested in applying, please read the entire call on our website which includes additional background and eligibility requirements.

If you have questions about this opportunity, visit our website or email us.