Saving Seafood

Endangered orcas at risk from U.S. Navy, activists warn

August 3, 2020 — In the Pacific Northwest, an endangered community of killer whales has been on the decline for years due to a variety of factors, all related to human activity. Now, advocacy groups are warning of another looming threat which could further weaken the killer whale population: the U.S. Navy.

The Southern Resident killer whales are a small, close knit community of animals — more accurately known as orcas, the largest species of dolphins — which live primarily along the coast of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. When they were listed as endangered in 2005, there were 88 Southern Resident orcas — but now, due to declines in their favorite food, Chinook salmon, as well as other manmade threats like toxins, shipping traffic and warming waters due to climate change, their numbers have dwindled to 72.

That’s why a recent request from the U.S. Navy seeking authorization for 51 “takes” of killer whales in the region each year for the next seven years alarmed many environmental groups.

Read the full story at CBS News

Beavers Could Be A Key Species For Endangered Salmon Recovery In Oregon

July 21, 2020 — Recent guidance from the federal government is, for the first time, promoting the importance of beavers in the recovery of endangered salmon and steelhead in Oregon rivers.

A recently released biological opinion is encouraging landowners to use non-lethal means of dealing with beavers on private property.

“We know that they can provide important benefits that help support recovery of these fish that a lot of people are working toward,” says Michael Milstein, a spokesperson with the National Marine Fisheries Service. “But at the same time, it’s clear that they can cause conflict.”

The study advocates for private landowners to prioritize management tools like fencing when beavers dam culverts. It also asks that beavers be relocated rather than killed, and it sets an average limit of 13 removals of beaver sites per year across the state.

The biological opinion was prompted by a 2017 legal threat from environmental groups including the Center for Biological Diversity and Western Environmental Law Center over the killing of beavers and their role in creating fish habitat.

Read the full story at KLCC

Health & Economy: The Eat Oregon Seafood Initiative

July 14, 2020 — The #EatOregonSeafood initiative is intended to give the coastal seafood economies a boost as they recover from restaurant closures and other issues related to COVID-19.   

A rich source of lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B-12 and D, iron, and minerals like zinc and iodine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that non-vegetarian adults consume two, four-ounce servings of seafood per week.   

Amanda J. Gladics, Assistant Professor of Practice at Coastal Fisheries Extension at Oregon State University, says that just about “any seafood is good for you.”  

In addition to the health benefits of seafood, choosing Oregon-caught seafood supports small businesses and the regional economy. Additionally, many Oregon coast fishers use sustainable fishing methods.  

Read the full story at The Corvalis Advocate

OREGON: Newport restores water to commercial users

July 9, 2020 — “The good news is, we’re up and running again in Newport,” said Lori Steele, executive director of West Coast Seafood Processors. “It’s really good news.”

As part of the city of Newport’s declared water emergency, production at fish processing plants on the Bayfront had been halted. This action was taken because the city could not supply its industrial users with water, due to the unexpected fouling of membrane filters at the city’s water treatment plant.

“There were concerns that we were going to shut down longer than just through the holiday weekend,” Steele told the News-Times early Tuesday afternoon. “There were financial losses and disruption in the fishing community when this happened, but we got though it.”

Read the full story at the Newport News Times

OREGON: Pacific Seafood’s Warrenton plant hit with another coronavirus case

July 9, 2020 — A positive COVID-19 test has been reported from a new hire at the Pacific Seafood processing plant in Warrenton, Oregon.

The Oregon Health Authority plans to employ contact tracing and other measures in what Clatsop County leaders described as a “joint decision.” The Daily Astorian reported that there had been “several days of tensions” between the county, the health authority, and Pacific over how to deal with the case.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Technical Workgroup to hold online meeting August 6-7, 2020

July 8, 2020 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The online meeting will be held Thursday, August 6 through Friday, August 7, 2020; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time each day.  The meeting times are an estimate; the meeting will adjourn when business for the day is complete.

Please see the SONCC Workgroup online meeting notice on the Council’s website for purpose and participation details.

For further information:

  • Please contact Pacific Fishery Management Council staff officer Robin Ehlke at 503-820-2410; toll-free 1-866-806-7204

Attention Crabbers: Whales spotted off Oregon Coast

July 8, 2020 — The following was released by the West Coast Seafood Processors Association:

Due to recent sightings of humpback whale aggregations on the inshore whale survey transects between Newport and North Bend and fishermen’s reports of humpbacks in the 25- to 50-fathom area between Seal Rock and Coos Bay, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is recommending all gear be moved to shallower water, preferably inside 25 fathoms.

Already, Oregon crab gear from this year’s fishing season was found in June on a dead juvenile humpback whale off of Point Reyes, Calif.

It is in the industry’s best interest to avoid whale entanglements.

Fishermen should also observe best practices to avoid whales, especially during these months of higher ESA-listed humpback and blue whales off Oregon. Those best practices include:

  • Removing fishing gear not actively tended;
  • Use the minimum amount of scope necessary to compensate for tides, currents and weather;
  • Remove excess lines floating at the surface;
  • Maintain gear to ensure lines and buoys are in good working condition and clearly marked;
  • Remove all crab pots from the ocean by August 14;
  • Bring derelict gear to shore in-season; and
  • Consider participating in the post-season derelict gear program.

DeFazio Urges NOAA to Reinstate Observer Waiver for West Coast Seafood Industry

July 7, 2020 — Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., last week sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries, blasting its decision to reinstate the waiver for observer and catch monitor requirements for the Greater Atlantic Region without reinstating it for the West Coast Region.

“I am appalled that NOAA Fisheries seems to believe that those in the Pacific Coast fishing industry deserve less protection from COVID-19 than their New England counterparts,” DeFazio said in a press release. “The pandemic is far from over, and the economic and health risk of having additional personnel on board fishing vessels during this public health crisis outweighs the limited and temporary loss of data from waiving the observer requirements. I urge NOAA to reverse this wrong-headed decision and work to put proper preventative measures in place in the West Coast region to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Read the full story at Seafood News

In Career Protecting Fish, No Such Thing as a “No Win”

July 2, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In 2007 Ken Phippen watched the removal of Savage Rapids Dam get underway on Oregon’s Rogue River. It reopened more than 150 miles of habitat to protected salmon and steelhead. It was a monumental achievement for salmon conservation on the Rogue. Many hoped it would be only the first of several dams to come out.

The NOAA Fisheries Oregon Branch Chief turned to a colleague and said there was more work to do. Phippen also had his sights set on another outdated Rogue River Dam that impeded fish passage: Gold Ray.

“You’re dreaming, Ken,” his colleague said.

Maybe so, but by 2010 Gold Ray had come down too. In a matter of three years, four main Rogue River dams had come out. That largely returned the signature southern Oregon river to its wild state. It gave its prized Chinook and coho salmon—as well as other fish runs—free reign across more than 500 miles of their historic habitat.

It was the biggest series of dam removals in the western United States at that point. This was before the removal of even larger dams on the Elwha River in Washington shortly afterwards.

Rogue River salmon responded. Within a few weeks they were spawning again in gravel that had long been submerged behind a dam. Their numbers boomed, rejuvenating fisheries as well as the ecosystem of the legendary river.

Phippen is quick to give much of the credit to a strong coalition of conservation groups that also pressed for dam removal. He also credits colleagues in NOAA Fisheries’ Oregon Coast Branch based in Roseburg. Still, the success reflects Phippen’s attitude towards large, ambitious, and often bold undertakings: where there is a will, there is a way.

Read the full release here

Restoration Projects Could Be Key to COVID-19 Recovery for Oregon Coast

July 1, 2020 — Communities on the Oregon coast could see sorely needed investments from an infrastructure bill now in Congress.

Jean Flemma, director of the Ocean Defense Initiative, said COVID-19 has hit the economies of coastal communities hard, with many fishing-related businesses losing their markets.

“A lot of fishermen themselves have found that they are having a hard time making ends meet — making their boat payments, etc.,” she said, “and in addition, coastal tourism — hotels were shut down, restaurants have been shut down.”

The Moving Forward Act would create a $3 billion program to invest in coastal restoration projects. U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Peter DeFazio, both D-Ore., are sponsoring the bill. The House is expected to vote on the bill today.

Flemma said restoration work on Oregon’s coast would help restore streams, coastal wetlands and tidal areas that are crucial for the habitats of salmon and other fish species. She said the work would have immediate benefits for the habitat itself.

Read the full story at Public News Service