Saving Seafood

Pogie ship buffer zone proposal moves forward. Here’s why some say it might harm Louisiana’s coast

June 2, 2021 — A Louisiana Senate committee on Tuesday advanced legislation to create a quarter-mile buffer between the state’s coastline and its largest commercial fishing industry.

The unanimous decision came after senators reduced the proposed fishing exclusion zone for menhaden by half, shrinking it from a half mile in the version already approved by the House to a quarter mile. The amended version of House Bill 535 attempts to mediate a growing conflict between the menhaden industry and and recreational fishers.

In recent years, charter boat captains and anglers say menhaden ships have been trawling their 1,500-foot nets closer to Louisiana’s shores. Along with conservation groups, they say this could harm the state’s already fragile coast and its habitat for popular game fish such as speckled trout and redfish.

Menhaden, also known as pogies or shad, are tiny, silver fish that serve a key role in the food chain for other wildlife, including those game fish. When caught commercially, the oil-rich fish is ground up into animal feed, health supplements and fertilizers.

Read the full story at NOLA.com

Menhaden Fisheries Coalition Members Oppose Latest Louisiana Fishing Ban Bill

May 28, 2021 — Menhaden Fisheries Coalition (MFC) members located in the Gulf of Mexico are pushing back against a proposed Louisiana state bill that would ban menhaden vessels from fishing within half a mile of the entire Louisiana coast, 1 mile off of specific areas, and 3 miles off of Grand Isle.

The MFC argues that the legislation, H.B. 535, “presents a threat to coastal Louisiana jobs, yet has no observed scientific or environmental justification.”

Read the full story at Seafood News

Dan Webster Brings Back the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act

May 26, 2021 — Last week, U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., introduced a bill for the U.S. Commerce Department to increase regulation on the international shark trade.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced the bill in the U.S. Senate at the end of last month.

Rubio has been pushing the “Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act” since 2018 and he reintroduced it this week.

The bill “would require any country that seeks to export shark, ray, and skate to the US to first demonstrate it has a system of science-based management to prevent overfishing and a prohibition on the practice of shark finning” and ensure other nations “must also receive certification from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that its fisheries management policies are on par with US practices” and modifies the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is co-sponsoring the bill. So are U.S. Sens. Mike Braun, R-Ind., and Bill Cassidy, R-La.

Read the full story at Florida Daily

Pogie ships would be forced farther from Louisiana coastline under bill OK’d by House

May 20, 2021 — After decades under lax regulation, the Louisiana House voted 67-28 Wednesday to require the state’s largest commercial fishery to cast its nets farther from the state’s fragile coastline.

Louisiana waters supplied 40% of the menhaden caught in 2019 across the United States, a catch worth tens of millions of dollars, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data. In a given year, the industry’s 180-foot-long vessels and 1,500-foot-long nets ensnare 700 million to 1 billion pounds of the tiny, dart-like silver fish off the state’s shores.

But if House Bill 535 becomes law, Louisiana would forbid menhaden trawling within a half mile of shore, to reduce coastal erosion and limit damage to shallow nurseries of popular game fish species such as redfish and speckled trout. The bill now goes to the Senate. (Here’s how the House voted.)

Menhaden, also known as pogies or shad, are a keystone species in marine ecosystems, providing food for a wide range of larger fish and birds. When caught commercially, the oil-rich fish is ground up into animal feed, health supplements and fertilizers.

In negotiating the latest bill’s text, menhaden industry representatives stood firmly behind a quarter-mile exclusion zone, stating reports from recreational anglers were hyperbolic. Omega Proteins owns two of the three menhaden reduction plants on the Gulf Coast; Daybrook Fisheries owns the other. Louisiana hosts one in Abbeville and one in Empire.

Omega Proteins’ public affairs manager, Ben Landry, said a half-mile exclusion could cut into the industry’s bottom line as almost one fifth of menhaden harvest occurs within a half mile of the coast. That means some could lose jobs.

“I’m not saying some of that won’t be made up outside of that half mile,” Landry said. “But I can’t promise you that. Who’s family around here could face a 20% cut and then be told, ‘Oh, that’s not going to impact you.'”

Read the full story at NOLA.com

LOUISIANA: An oysterman’s new worry: Will state’s coastal plan wash out his business?

May 18, 2021 — Sun-kissed lines frame Terry Shelley’s face like high tide stains a fishing dock. Today, those creases seem deepened by anger, but it’s the tone of his voice that gives it away.

Mr. Shelley has spent his entire working life as a commercial fisherman. Before he was a full-time oyster farmer and harvester, he spent the first part of his career harvesting shrimp and reef fish. He’s seen a lot, but not a pileup of challenges like now.

Back in September, Hurricane Zeta rumbled over small-town Port Sulphur, Louisiana, where the family’s oyster farm and processing center are based. The Shelleys lost half their cages, and they only managed to retrieve about half of that. Already by then, the COVID-19 pandemic had temporarily halted the supply lines Shelley Farms uses to sell its oysters.

Now, after losing most of his oyster crop last year, Mr. Shelley has another worry on his mind.

Louisiana coastal planners are pushing a $2 billion project proposal designed to fight back against the trend of persistent coastal erosion.

Read the full story at The Christian Science Monitor

Rubio, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Promote U.S. Shark Conservation as a Global Model of Sustainability

April 29, 2021 — The following was released by The Office of Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.):

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Mike Braun (R-IN) reintroduced the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act, legislation that recognizes the sustainable and economically valuable fishing practices of U.S. shark fishermen and promotes U.S. standards for shark conservation and humane harvest abroad. The bill was first introduced by Rubio in April 2018 and was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee in May 2018.

“Sharks play an important role in maintaining the health of ocean ecosystems and also benefit coastal economies via fishing, trade, and tourism,” Rubio said. “U.S. shark populations are growing as a result of years of sustainable management under our shark conservation and humane harvesting standards. This legislation would extend these successful standards to our global trade partners, helping to protect international shark populations and preserving the livelihoods of commercial fishermen in Florida, and other coastal states, who continue to fish in accordance with strong federal and state fisheries management laws.”

“Louisiana shark fishermen should not have to compete against those doing it illegally. This legislation protects these businesses,” Cassidy said. 

“In Florida, we know how important holding bad actors accountable is to responsible fisheries management and protecting Florida’s wildlife,” Scott said. “The Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act will help to address the global problem of shark finning and protect Florida’s commercial fishermen who abide by current state and federal laws.”

“Conserving our fish and wildlife populations for future generations of fishermen and hunters is so important, and I’m proud to support Senator Rubio’s bill that supports the sustainable and humane management of shark populations and promotes U.S. standards for shark conservation to our trading partners,” Braun said.

Specifically, the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act would

  • Create a shark conservation and trade fairness certification for nations wishing to import shark products to the U.S.;
  • Prohibit the importation of shark products originating from any nation without a certification, and the possession of such products in the U.S. with limited exceptions for law enforcement, subsistence harvest, education, conservation, or scientific research;
  • Update the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to reflect the U.S. commitment to promote international agreements that encourage the adoption of shark conservation and management measures and measures to prevent shark finning that are consistent with the International Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks;
  • Direct the Secretary of Commerce to include rays and skates into the seafood traceability program to ensure that shark products are not smuggled into the U.S. falsely labeled as rays and skates, two closely related groups.

Mississippi finalizes plans for $21M in fishery relief

April 23, 2021 — Mississippi is finalizing its plans for allocating $21 million in federal relief for fishing industries harmed by the 2019 opening of a Mississippi River spillway in Louisiana.

The money is supposed to go to businesses that were hurt by the spillway opening. It will also be used to improve oyster harvesting in Mississippi and seek ways to offset future openings of the Bonnet Carre Spillway north of New Orleans.

The spillway sends freshwater through Lake Pontchartrain and into the Mississippi Sound, which can kill oysters, shrimp and other marine species.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at Myarklamiss.com

Rep. Graves Statement on Today’s Gulf Fishery Management Council Red Snapper Decision

April 16, 2021 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA):

Congressman Garret Graves (R-South Louisiana) released the following statement today following the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s decision to ​delay implementing calibration of Gulf State’s allocation of red snapper until January 2023:

“The Gulf Council decision today is absolutely the right one and shows that they realize that it would be virtually impossible to explain to the public how in the world you could have the assessment that just came out – the latest assessment using the best science – showing that there is triple the Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, then in the same breath go and cut the amount of fishing days available to our recreational fishers. I’m glad that they listened to the message of our letter urging them toward this correct and defendable resource management decision.”

Background:

In March, Congressman Graves sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the NOAA Fisheries Acting Regional Administrator, and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to avoid an unnecessary recalibration. Read the letter.

LOUISIANA: Gulf of Mexico crabbers keeping an eye on nearby states in light of tight supply in early 2021

April 14, 2021 — Gulf of Mexico crabbers are navigating into uncertain waters as the spring of 2021 arrives, in a year that began with a dearth of product.

“There’s nothing since Christmas,” said long-time crab dock owner Trudy Luke of Houma, Louisiana, U.S.A., whose family members also regularly harvest blue crabs. “The demand is so high that docks are throwing money out there. I’ve got a fisherman here who usually brings in 100 55-pound pans. Today, he brought in 10.”

Read the full story at Seafood Source

‘Déjà vu for Louisiana’s fisheries’: Fishermen to receive federal aid to offset COVID-19 losses

April 5, 2021 — Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry will receive $12.5 million in federal aid to help offset financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s part of a $255 million package approved by Congress in December as part of a larger COVID relief and budget bill.

“Our priority is to award these funds as quickly as possible using existing processes established under the CARES Act,” Paul Doremus, acting assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, said in announcing the aid last week.

It’s the second round of money aimed at helping fishermen weather the downturn in business caused by the pandemic.

Last year, Louisiana received $14.8 million from the CARES Act, which included about $300 million to aid the fishing industry throughout the U.S.

Read the full story at Houma Today