Saving Seafood

WEST COAST SALMON SEASON DATES SET

The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

April 14, 2016 — VANCOUVER, Wa. – The Pacific Fishery Management Council today adopted ocean salmon seasons that provide recreational and commercial opportunities coastwide. The adopted salmon fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington achieve conservation goals for a multitude of individual salmon stocks and provide for freshwater fisheries.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service for approval by May 1, 2016.

“It has been difficult for the Council, its advisors, fishery stakeholders and the public to balance fishing opportunities on harvestable Sacramento and Columbia River fall Chinook stocks with the severe conservation needs we are facing with many coho stocks and Sacramento River winter Chinook,” said Acting Council Executive Director Chuck Tracy. “But the Council has recommended commercial and recreational ocean salmon seasons in Washington, Oregon, and California this year that provide important protections for stocks of concern.”

“We have made the tough decisions and implemented fishery restrictions to give salmon stocks their best chance of rebounding from the effects of the drought and El Niño,” said Council Vice-Chair Herb Pollard.

Washington and Northern Oregon (North of Cape Falcon)

Fisheries north of Cape Falcon (near Nehalem in northern Oregon) depend largely on Columbia River Chinook and coho stocks. Columbia River fall Chinook returns are expected to return at high levels, and Columbia River coho are expected to return at reduced but moderate levels in 2016. However, coastal Washington and Puget Sound coho abundance is dramatically reduced from recent years, and some wild coho stocks are expected to return at very low levels. In response, the Council has been challenged with shaping fisheries to provide access to relatively abundant Chinook stocks while protecting natural coho populations.

North of Cape Falcon, there is an overall non-Indian total allowable catch of 70,000 Chinook coastwide (compared to 131,000 last year) and 18,900 marked hatchery coho in the area off the Columbia River (compared to 170,000 last year).

Recreational Fisheries

The recreational fishery north of Cape Falcon does not include a mark-selective Chinook season this year, but opens to all salmon on July 1 and ends in late August or when Chinook or coho quotas are reached. Recreational fisheries in all port areas will have access to 35,000 Chinook (compared to over 50,000 Chinook last year), but coho retention is only allowed in ocean areas off the Columbia River with a modest quota of 18,900 (compared to 150,800 last year). For details, please see the season descriptions on the Council website at www.pcouncil.org.

Commercial Fisheries

Tribal and non-Indian ocean commercial fisheries are designed to provide harvest opportunity on strong Chinook returns primarily destined for the Columbia River while avoiding coho stocks of concern. Coho retention is prohibited in all commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon this year.

Non-Indian ocean commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon include traditional, but reduced, Chinook seasons in the spring (May-June) and summer (July-August), and any coho caught in the commercial fishery must be released. The Chinook quota of 19,100 in the spring is approximately half of the 2015 quota, while the summer season Chinook quota is similar to last year at 23,400 Chinook.

Tribal ocean Chinook fisheries north of Cape Falcon are reduced from 2015 levels with a quota of 40,000 fish (compared to 60,000 last year).

California and Oregon South of Cape Falcon, Oregon

An expected abundance of roughly 300,000 Sacramento River fall Chinook (compared to 650,000 last year), combined with modest coho expectations for the Columbia River, will support recreational and commercial opportunities for ocean salmon fisheries off Oregon and much of California. The 2015 Columbia River coho abundance forecast in 2016 is over 500,000 fish (compared to over 800,000 last year) and will allow for recreational coho opportunities this summer.

The Klamath River fall Chinook abundance forecast for 2016 is substantially lower than recent years and the primary reason for fishery constraints in Oregon and California. Long running drought conditions, coupled with suboptimal ocean conditions, have raised serious concerns for Sacramento River winter Chinook salmon, which are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and have experienced very low survival as juveniles in 2014 and 2015. Fisheries south of Point Arena, California, particularly recreational fisheries in the greater Monterey Bay region, will continue to experience late-season reductions to minimize interactions with winter Chinook.

Recreational Fisheries

Recreational fisheries in California and southern Oregon are primarily focused on Chinook salmon and include openings in May, June, July, August, and the Labor Day weekend, in the Brookings/ Crescent City/Eureka area. Fisheries further south all opened on April 2 and will continue through November 13 in the Fort Bragg area, through October 31 in the San Francisco area, through July 15 from Pigeon Point to Point Sur, and through May 31 south of Point Sur.

Recreational fisheries off the central Oregon coast will allow Chinook retention from March 15 through October 31. Coho fisheries consist of a 26,000 mark-selective coho quota fishery in mid-summer from Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California border (compared to 55,000 last year) and a 7,500 non-mark selective coho quota fishery in September, open from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (compared to 12,500 last year).

Commercial Fisheries

Commercial fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, Oregon opened on April 8 and will run through October 31 with intermittent closures to reduce impacts on Klamath fall Chinook. Fisheries in the Humbug Mountain-to-California-border area willbe open April 8 through May, with Chinook quota fisheries in June (720) and July (200). Fisheries from the California border to Humboldt South Jetty will open on September 9 with a 1,000 Chinook quota (compared to 3,000 last year).

Between Horse Mountain and Point Arena (in the Fort Bragg area), commercial Chinook salmon fisheries will be open June 13 to 30, August 3 to 27, and September 1 to 30.

In the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco), the season will be open May 6 to 31, June 13 to 30, August 3 to 28, and during the month of September. From Pigeon Point to the Mexico border (Monterey), the Chinook season will be open in May and June. There will also be a season from Point Reyes to Point San Pedro, open October 3 to 7 and 10 to 14.

Management Process

The Council developed the management measures after several weeks spent reviewing three season alternatives. The review process included input by Federal and state fishery scientists and fishing industry members; public testimony, and three public hearings in coastal communities. The Council received additional scientific information and took public testimony before taking final action. The decision will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service for approval and implementation.

In addition, the coastal states will decide on compatible freshwater fishery regulations at their respective Commission hearings.

Council Role

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 for the purpose of managing fisheries 3-200 miles offshore of the United States of America coastline. The Pacific Council recommends management measures for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.

U.S. bans most Pacific sardine fishing after population crash

April 12, 2016 — Federal fishery managers have banned nearly all sardine fishing off the U.S. West Coast for the second straight year in a move hailed by conservation groups as key to protecting decimated California sea lion herds.

Pacific sardine populations have plunged by 90 percent since 2007, prompting the Pacific Fishery Management Council to vote Sunday to extend its prohibition on virtually all fishing of the small oily fish within 200 miles of the California, Oregon and Washington coasts.

The sardine collapse has rippled up the food chain and has been linked to deaths of sea lions and brown pelicans across the U.S. West Coast. Sea lion pups, emaciated and starving, have washed up on California beaches.

“Their mothers can’t find enough food, and have to search further and further for longer and longer periods of time,” said Ben Enticknap of Portland-based environmental advocacy group Oceana.

See the full story at Reuters

Head of NOAA, Kathryn Sullivan visits Pacific Council

The following was released by NOAA:

April 11, 2016 — VANCOUVER, WA. — Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), visited the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) meeting in Vancouver, Washington on Saturday, April 9, 2016  and addressed the Council, which is responsible for managing ocean fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California. Dr. Sullivan is a distinguished scientist, astronaut, and explorer.

Dr. Sullivan spoke on the 40th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or MSA, which forms the basis for marine fisheries management in the United States. “There’s no way to say the MSA has been anything other than a success in terms of net consequences for the resources. It’s not always an easy journey, but the MSA has put the U.S. at the forefront of sustainable and effective fisheries management.”

Dr. Sullivan had many positive things to say about the Pacific Council, which is one of eight regional fishery management councils around the country. “This Council in particular has exemplified the strong and productive role the Councils have played. The ethos that this Council brings, to what is admittedly still a difficult challenge, is very noteworthy. It’s a very constructive culture. Many times on this trip, members of the community and Council have gone out of their way to say good things about the NOAA team; to really acknowledge that there are human beings on the on the sides of the table here. My sense is that this Council does its work in a very constructive and effective fashion.”

Dr. Sullivan was finishing a 1,000-mile road trip along the West Coast. Along her way, Dr. Sullivan met with fishermen and fishing family members to talk about the groundfish trawl catch share program, electronic monitoring of fish catches, fishing observer costs, the effects of climate change, and the need to develop and maintain trust between fishing communities and fishery managers.

She also recognized the Council’s outgoing Executive Director, Dr. Don McIsaac, and presented him with a plaque honoring his career. “Don’s experience, Don’s personal character and manner gave him the tools and insights needed to guide the Council through a challenging time,” she said. “With his hand on the helm, overfished groundfish stocks were cut in half, the Council became a leader in electronic monitoring and ecosystem-based management, and Don was a key organizer of a national fisheries conference that helped chart a course for fisheries management in the future. The next Executive Director is clearly going to have big shoes to fill.”

Council Chair Dorothy Lowman said “Dr. Sullivan has both a breadth of knowledge and a passion for ocean resources and communities that depend on those resources. We are very fortunate to have her leadership at NOAA exploring how best to focus the agency’s resources to provide services to the public.”

The Pacific Council is one of eight regional councils established in 1976 by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and recommends Federal fisheries management actions off Washington, Oregon, and California.

Feds make West Coast ban on new forage fisheries official

April 5, 2016 — SEATTLE — Federal officials finalized rules Monday for a West Coast ban on catching forage fish, the small fish that larger species, seabirds and marine mammals depend on for food.

The ban on new commercial fisheries will protect little schooling fish that play a critical role in the marine food web but that are not actively fished or managed, the National Marine Fisheries Service said. It marks the first action under a new approach to fisheries management that considers how one species affects others in the ecosystem.

The ban does not affect existing fisheries for forage fish, such as sardines and anchovies. It covers species including Pacific sand lance, silversides and certain varieties of herring, smelt and squid. The restrictions apply to federal waters from 3 to 200 miles off Washington, Oregon and California, and do not affect fishing authorized by tribes.

Fishermen generally do not target forage fish in federal waters, and no West Coast fishing boats are known to be considering efforts do so.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at The Oregonian

Coast Guard suspends search for fisherman whose vessel capsized, sank off Oregon coast

CHARLESTON, Ore. (March 24, 2016) — The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a fisherman missing near Charleston, Oregon.

A 62-foot fishing trawler was carrying the fisherman and three other people when it capsized Wednesday, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The other three people aboard the vessel were rescued by someone who happened to be nearby when the vessel capsized, the Coast Guard said.

Authorities suspended their search at 7 p.m. Wednesday after 11 hours of attempting to find the fisherman, who was captaining the now-sunken vessel.

Read the full story at The Oregonian

Coastal salmon fishing shutdown being weighed by panel

March 17, 2016 — Olympia, Wash. — Regional fishery managers are considering the rare step of closing recreational and commercial salmon fishing off the coast of Washington and northern Oregon this summer due to a low number of returning coho salmon.

Butch Smith, owner of Coho Charters in Ilwaco, Washington, said a no-fishing option would be devastating to coastal communities, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

“Fishing is our lifeblood,” he said. “Fishing is our Boeing and our Microsoft.”

The Pacific Fishery Management Council is eyeing the shutdown as one of three alternatives as it sets fishing seasons off the Pacific coast. Two other options released Monday would permit some salmon fishing.

The last time salmon fishing was closed in the waters was 1994. It was severely curtailed in 2008.

The current proposal would close recreational and commercial non-tribal ocean fishing for chinook and coho salmon north of Cape Falcon, near Manzanita, Oregon.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at The New Jersey Herald

Studies aim to restore habitat of imperiled Northwest fish

February 8, 2016 — BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Scientists in the Pacific Northwest are studying more than a dozen watersheds to develop templates on habitat restoration that could be used in similar streams to bolster struggling fish populations.

The federal government lists 28 populations of salmon and steelhead on the West Coast that need protections due to low numbers despite spending millions of dollars every year on restoration efforts.

 The studies aim to make those efforts more successful. They focus on 17 watersheds in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California and British Columbia and examine the benefit of everything from dam removal to building artificial beaver dams in tributaries.

Creating templates for habitat restoration could save time and money by using strategies known to produce good results in similar habitats in the region, said George Pess, a research fisheries biologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“The overall goal is to learn enough to be smart about our restoration,” he said, noting that the studies will offer recommendations to private, tribal and government entities but won’t produce any legally binding regulations.

 

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Houston Chronicle

North Carolina Congressman Walter Jones Asks Corps for More Resources for Oregon, Hatteras Inlets

January 29, 2016 — The following was released by the Office of Congressman Walter B. Jones:

Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allocate additional funding to dredge Eastern North Carolina’s Oregon and Hatteras Inlets.  In a letter sent today, Congressman Jones reminded Army Corps of Engineers leadership of the chronically poor navigation conditions at both inlets.  He also pointed out that the amounts provided in the President’s fiscal year 2016 budget request – $2,000,000 for Oregon Inlet and $300,000 for Hatteras Inlet – are insufficient to keep the channels maintained at anything close to their authorized depths.  In fact, without supplemental funds, both channels may be in danger of closing to vessel traffic during the year.  

While Congress no longer has the ability to legislatively increase funding for specific projects because of an earmark ban imposed in 2011, Congress did attempt to address some of the waterway maintenance issues across the nation in the recently-passed Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations bill for the Corps.  In that bill, Congress created several unallocated pots of money for different project categories, and gave the Corps discretion in determining which projects to fund from these pots.  In his letter to the Corps, Congressman Jones argued that Oregon and Hatteras Inlets are the type of projects Congress had in mind when it provided the Corps with these additional resources. 

“Maintaining Oregon and Hatteras Inlets is vital to the Dare and Hyde County economy,” said Congressman Jones.  “Fishermen, recreational boaters and the Coast Guard must have reliable access through the inlets, and I will continue to do everything I can to fight for that cause.”

View a PDF of the letter

1 fisherman dead, 2 missing off Oregon Coast

January 20, 2016 (AP) — PORTLAND, Ore. — The captain of a boat that capsized more than a mile off the entrance to Coos Bay, Oregon, was able to make it to shore, while one fisherman died and two more were missing, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg said the commercial fishing vessel overturned at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. He said a good Samaritan took the captain to Air Station North Bend. His name and condition were not available.

“We just know that he was alive,” Klingenberg said.

The Coast Guard dispatched helicopter and boat crews, and found one body. Capt. Michael Trimpert, commander of the Coast Guard Sector North Bend, said the agency will saturate the search area in an effort to find the missing fishermen.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at CBS News

 

 

CALIFORNIA: No claws for fishermen this Christmas

December 23, 2015 — Most days at around 7 in the morning you can find local fishermen at Ketch Joanne’s Restaurant and Harbor Bar. They come to catch up over coffee.

The turnout varies from day to day along with the topics: Politics, local events and personal stories are all fair game. There is one conversation the group would prefer to leave alone and it involves a particular crustacean struck with a naturally occurring neurotoxin that is keeping it off Christmas dinner plates.

“We’ve got a group of guys being optimistic, thinking it’s going to open soon,” said longtime salmon and crab fisherman Jim Anderson, in reference to the Dungeness crab season. And then there are others, Anderson explained, who are more involved and believe this could be a much lengthier process.

“People are kind of edgy,” Anderson said. “Conversations have gotten away from crab.”

On a recent morning, a group of fishermen crowded around the table nearest to the restaurant’s front door. Sometimes they can fit 11 or 12 guys into the little booth, they say. Often, another group of the younger fishermen will set up at another table.

Read the full story at Half Moon Bay Review