Saving Seafood

NOAA Enforcement Continues the Fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing

June 8, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

This past weekend marked the fourth observance of the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing. This day was declared by the United Nations to raise awareness about IUU fishing and its threat to the sustainability of the world’s ocean resources. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement plays a pivotal role in tackling IUU fishing every day.

Combating IUU fishing is a top priority for the United States. IUU fishing damages economies, threatens marine resources, and harms U.S. fishing fleets and consumers. Through partnerships and collaborative efforts, we address IUU fishing by:

  • Conducting investigations targeting IUU fishing activities
  • Enforcing domestic laws and international treaties to ensure that fisheries resources are conserved and protected
  • Facilitating government-to-government exchanges to provide capacity, technical assistance, and training workshops that strengthen fisheries enforcement aimed at restricting IUU fishing activities

Training Inspectors, Increasing Compliance

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement has helped countries enhance their fisheries enforcement capacities to combat IUU fishing for more than a decade.

Illegal fishers count on poor communication among relevant authorities and seek to take advantage of gaps in interagency coordination. They rely on global enforcement entities to not share information with one another—allowing them to continue to carry out their lucrative behavior.

To address this problem, the Port State Measures Agreement was created. It is the first binding international agreement specifically designed to target IUU fishing and is an important tool for us. Currently, there are 69 parties to the Agreement, covering 93 countries and more than half of the world’s coastal nations.

The Agreement works to prevent vessels carrying IUU fish and fish products from landing their catch at ports around the world. It sets minimum standards for:

  • Screening foreign-flagged fishing and fishing support vessels prior to entering port
  • Conducting dockside inspections of foreign-flagged fishing and fishing support vessels
  • Training of inspectors and the reporting of inspections

We have developed domestic and international Port State Measures Inspector Training Programs that provide technical assistance to global partners. These trainings—the first of their kind—help reduce the amount of IUU fish and fish products being landed and exported from nations around the world. They focus on the operational implementation of the Agreement to help global partners better detect and intercept IUU fish and fish products before they enter global commerce.

Building partnerships to combat IUU fishing is a top priority. It is critically important to the success of the Agreement that all parties have the support and tools needed to implement its provisions. We continue to help partners with legislative framework and policy support, in addition to fisheries inspector and officer training. These trainings enhance partners’ monitoring, control, and surveillance systems to combat IUU fishing and the trade in IUU fish products. They also help implement the operational requirements of the Agreement and promote increased cooperation and information sharing between interagency partners.

Training and Technical Assistance Highlights

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement supports partners across the Asia-Pacific region and is expanding into Latin America and the Caribbean. This expansion follows the recent successes of our Inspector Training in Lima, Peru in January 2020, which brought together participants from Ecuador and Peru.

In Southeast Asia, we conducted our first Inspector Training-of-Trainers Workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia in fall 2019. We also co-facilitated a regional Port State Measures Inspector Training workshop for the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center with support from the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia. In total, nine SEAFDEC members participated—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—as well as India and Sri Lanka. In addition, we provided technical support to Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

We conducted joint monitoring, control, and surveillance assessments in The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, in 2019 and 2020. These assessments were supported through a project with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. We have since held multiple follow-up technical exchanges.

Lastly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked hard to pivot capacity-building efforts to a virtual landscape. In the near future, we will launch the first virtual edition of the Training Program. Through this innovative programming, we continue the fight against IUU fishing at home and abroad.

US “blue economy” contributed nearly USD 400 billion to GDP in 2019

June 8, 2021 — America’s maritime economy is firmly in the black, according to the first-ever ““blue economy” report from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

According to the report, released Tuesday, 8 June, the marine economy generated USD 397 billion (EUR 326 billion) to the United States’ gross domestic product in 2019. That sector grew at a 4.2 percent clip from 2018, nearly double the growth of the country’s entire GDP over the same timeframe.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

What Happens After Dam Removals

June 8, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Maine’s Penobscot River has more than 100 dams, many of which are aging and no longer serve their original purpose. Removing dams is becoming more common, with the purposes of addressing hazards posed by these aging dams, returning natural river flow and function, or both.

For Atlantic salmon and other species of sea-run fish, the last 200 years of dammed rivers and disconnected streams have, combined with historic fisheries and lower marine survival, spelled decline, and for Atlantic salmon, disaster. The storied Atlantic salmon runs had fish returning by the thousands to Northeast rivers. They are now limited to just a few rivers in Maine, with fewer than 2,000 fish returning each year. These runs are heavily reliant on hatchery-raised fish. The Penobscot River is home to the largest remaining population of endangered Atlantic salmon in the United States. Dams have been identified as one of the primary factors in the decline of Atlantic salmon.

Over the last decade, researchers have been studying whether removing two Penobscot River dams in 2012 and 2013 improved ecosystem conditions for salmon and other aquatic species. So far, results are promising.

Read the whole story on our website.

Read the full release here

Marine economy in 2019 outpaced U.S. economy overall

June 8, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA:

America’s marine economy contributed about $397 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2019 and grew faster than the nation’s economy as a whole, according to the most current results of the first official Marine Economy Satellite Account released today by two Department of Commerce agencies.

“America’s strong marine economy is absolutely vital for building back better,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “President Biden sees the immense value and potential of strengthening America’s blue economy, and this administration will continue to take actions to combat the climate crisis, conserve our oceans, and protect our coastal communities.”

“These statistics show how powerful America’s blue economy is as a driver of jobs, innovation and economic growth,” said Ben Friedman, acting NOAA administrator. “This information will assist our nation’s economic recovery by helping policymakers, industry advocates, and organizations track and accelerate investments in target markets.”

For these statistics, experts from NOAA and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) described 10 sectors representing businesses dependent on the nation’s oceans, coasts and Great Lakes between the years 2014 and 2019. Marine-related gross domestic product grew 4.2% from 2018 to 2019, faster than the 2.2% growth of the total U.S. gross domestic product as measured in inflation-adjusted dollars. Businesses included in the report also generated a total of $665.7 billion in sales and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2019.

The 10 sectors ranked by their sales are:

  • Tourism and recreation, including recreational fishing ($235 billion)
  • National defense and public administration ($180 billion)
  • Offshore minerals ($93 billion)
  • Transportation and warehousing ($64 billion)
  • Commercial Ship and boat building ($31 billion)
  • Living resources, including commercial fishing and aquaculture ($27 billion)
  • Utilities ($12 billion)
  • Research and education ($10.4 billion)
  • Construction ($7.0 billion)
  • Professional and technical services ($6.3 billion)

“These statistics are further proof that our waters are vital for America’s economy,” said Nicole LeBoeuf, acting director of NOAA’s National Ocean Service. “It is nearly impossible to go a single day without eating, wearing, or using items that come from or through our ports and coastal communities.”

Last year, NOAA and BEA released the Ocean Economy Prototype statistics which covered 2014-2018 and were the most comprehensive measurement of the marine economy at the time. This year’s statistics offer improved national estimates for ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes-related economic activity by major sector, accounting for inflation. The data, report and other materials are available at Marine Economy | US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and on NOAA’s Digital Coast website. Send any comments or questions to MarineEconomy@noaa.gov.

Guam Governor and Regulators Oppose NOAA coral critical habitat process

June 7, 2021 — Governor Leon Guerrero, the 36th Guam Legislature and the Guam Department of Agriculture (DOAG) submitted comments on May 26, 2021 in response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed rule to designate coral critical habitat around all of Guam’s territorial waters.

The proposed rule included a map that illustrated all of Guam’s shores to 40 meters (131 feet), excluding Department of Defense managed shores and waters, that would be designated as coral critical habitat. To those who protect natural resources, this sounds like a good idea, until it is understood what the designation entails.

A coral critical habitat designation would mean that every federal agency, or federally funded project, conducting work in that area would be required to consult with NOAA NMFS to have the work approved. Any project in Guam’s nearshore waters (except DOD areas) from shore up to 131 feet would require another layer of permitting bureaucracy.

NMFS stated this would not impact cultural or recreational fishing. DOAG disagreed. In comments submitted, the agency stated work is in progress to reinstall replacement Fish Aggregating Devices (FADS) and Shallow Water Mooring Buoys (SWMS). This is to specifically support the fishing community. With a critical habitat designation, the agency would be required to add an additional permitting clearance requirement to the process which would delay any installation.

Read the full story at PNC Guam

NOAA Fisheries Joins Orca Action Month with Events Throughout June

June 7, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

This month, NOAA Fisheries is helping orca fans everywhere learn about and help protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales (called orcas) and other killer whales in the Northwest. Join us for a month of interesting webinars, educational opportunities, and outdoor activities.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has again proclaimed June Orca Action Month, which is organized by Orca Network and the members of the Orca Salmon Alliance.

“This is a time to consider what Southern Residents mean to the Northwest, and the whole West Coast,” said Scott Rumsey, Deputy Regional Administrator of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. “We are fortunate to live in a place with these wild predators, and we have a responsibility to look out for them. Whether it’s reducing polluted stormwater by planting a rain garden, or saving energy by walking instead of driving, we all can contribute.”

Many events this year will be online, expanding their reach not only across the country but around the world. Whether you live in Puyallup or Paris, you can ask biologists questions about the latest orca science. You can also join in interactive exercises that will provide new insight in how our personal actions can contribute to orca recovery.

An in-person kick-off event on June 6 helps start the activities. They will include socially-distanced volunteer habitat restoration such as restoring stream habitat on Chico Creek in Kitsap County and at Bothell’s largest park, the former Wayne Golf Course. Weekend kayak tours will explore Elliott Bay and the Duwamish River with guest speakers explaining the threats facing Southern Resident orcas.

Read the full release here

Meet Jason Letort, Fisheries Methods & Equipment Specialist

June 7, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Where did you grow up?  

I’m a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Biloxi).

How did you come to work at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center? 

I was born in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and have been a lifelong resident of South Mississippi. I grew up with a passion for anything outdoors, especially fishing and shrimping with my family. I have been a member of the Gear Monitoring Team for 4 years. Before working for NOAA Fisheries, I supported NOAA Office of Marine & Aviation Operations as a contractor since 2008. I provided production oversight during the construction of the Fisheries Survey Vessels including the NOAA Ships Bell M. Shimada and Pisces. After that, I was acting Port Engineer for Pisces successfully executing major dockside and dry-dock repair periods. I addressed several critical casualties during the sailing season, ensuring the ship was available to complete her missions. While performing these duties, I interacted with a lot of people working for NOAA and quickly realized that NOAA Fisheries was the place for me! I was selected for the position and haven’t looked back.

What do you do at the Science Center?

As a member of the Gear Monitoring Team, I provide commercial shrimp fishermen and industry members with education, outreach, and training of Turtle Excluder Device rules and regulations. Our team provides law enforcement training to state and federal agencies. We also conduct courtesy TED inspections during “at sea” patrols and dockside in order to maintain compliance requirements. As a dive team member I participate in the testing of TED design, efficacy, and determining exclusion rate.

Read the full release here

Federal plan to save whales could mean big changes for lobster industry

June 7, 2021 — Federal officials recently released plans to all but eliminate risk to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, but Maine lobster industry leaders fear the plan will only shift the risk of the extinction from the whales to the lobstermen.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its final biological opinion May 27 – a requirement under the federal Endangered Species Act. This document becomes the basis of rule-making surrounding the specific species, in this case, the North Atlantic right whale.

Officials found that, provided they meet the reduction targets in the implementation framework, none of the 10 fisheries included in the document, among them the lobster fishery, were “likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the North Atlantic right whales.”

Patrice McCarron, director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, fears the industry can’t sustain that level of change.

“If you look at the changes we’ve made over the last 25 years, there’s not a lot left to give,” she said.

By the final phase, “I don’t see how we would even have a fishery. There’s not a lot of obvious ways we could do this and still have our fleet intact,” she said. “It’s really hugely concerning.”

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald

Notice to Fishermen: 2020 Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Cost Recovery Tag Fees

June 7, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We are announcing the 2020 cost recovery per-tag fees for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) program.

2020 Cost Recovery Cage Tag Fees

Atlantic Surfclam: $0.62 per tag

Ocean Quahog: $0.36 per tag

The fee for each cage tag is calculated based on the number of ITQ cage tags that were used to land surfclams or ocean quahogs during the 2019 fishing year, and the costs associated with operating the program in 2019. The fees are then multiplied by the number of tags used during the 2020 fishing year to determine the final bill amount. These cost recovery fees are separate from, and in addition to, the price ITQ permit holders currently pay to the tag vendor to obtain cage tags each year.

Quota shareholders will soon receive bills based on these tags fees and the number of their cage tags that were used to land surfclams or ocean quahogs during 2020. The initial quota shareholder who first received the allocation of cage tags is responsible for the fee even if the tag is leased, sold, or otherwise used by someone else.

For more information read our bulletin.

Read the full release here

U.S. Interagency Working Group Marks International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing

June 7, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Every day, the United States works with our partners across the world to confront illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. IUU fishing activities hurt law-abiding U.S. fishermen and their consumers, damage economies of developing coastal nations, and threaten marine resources. The global economic impact resulting from these activities is in the billions, or even tens of billions, of dollars each year. Furthermore, IUU fishing is sometimes linked to criminal activity, such as human trafficking, including forced labor, drug trafficking, smuggling, and other forms of transnational crime. Wherever it occurs, IUU fishing undermines global maritime rules-based order, which has been essential to global prosperity and development for the last 70 years.

June 5 marks the annual United Nations International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing. This day raises awareness of the impact of IUU fishing as one of the greatest threats to the sustainability of the world’s ocean resources. IUU fishing refers not only to illegal fishing activities, but also the often overlooked, but equally important U’s in IUU fishing activities. Unreported and unregulated fishing refers to fishing activities that are not reported, insufficiently regulated, or are misreported to relevant authorities. This hinders the ability for scientists to fully assess the health of fish stocks and endangers our food security.

Tackling all these issues requires particular, concerted action by different agencies and different operational and legal frameworks. It also includes a large net of coordination among regional fisheries management organizations, foreign governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Department of State recently began implementing a law which advances a “whole-of-government” strategy to fight IUU fishing.

The Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act (SAFE) Act was passed in December 2019. It directed twenty-one federal agencies to establish a central forum to coordinate and strengthen their efforts—the U.S. Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing. This Working Group set up mechanisms for agencies to:

  • Regularly share information and coordinate efforts
  • Strengthen maritime enforcement
  • Advance public-private partnerships
  • Provide technical assistance on IUU fishing

During its first year, member agencies developed an initial set of priorities and activities that included creating specific sub-working groups to collaborate on issues such as maritime intelligence, public-private partnerships, and human trafficking. The Working Group continues to conduct a series of outreach engagements with industry and the private sector. Moving forward, the Working Group will engage with various public and private stakeholders on building coordinated approaches in the priority regions where the Working Group has determined that IUU fishing issues are prevalent.

Combating IUU fishing is a top priority for the United States, and communication, collaboration and strategic coordination will be key in bringing about tangible results. The efforts of the Interagency Working Group now sit at the heart of our government’s coordination on tackling IUU fishing practices and setting the conditions where IUU fishing is neither accepted nor commonplace in the future. We are committed to continue working together on best practices and sharing results across agencies and partnerships to encourage their further adaptation and replication.

Read the full release here