Saving Seafood

Millions of Salmon in Norway Killed by Algae Bloom

May 24, 2019 — About eight million farmed salmon have suffocated in northern Norway over the past week as a result of persistent algae bloom, an industry body estimated on Thursday, a blight that some experts suggest has been aggravated by climate change.

Norway is a dominant producer of farmed salmon, and the economic impact of the bloom is significant.

A statement from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries estimated the amount of salmon lost at 11,600 metric tons, worth about 720 million kroner, or more than $82 million. An industry group, the Norwegian Seafood Council, suggested the total could be much higher.

“Preliminary numbers point to eight million dead fish — corresponding to 40,000 metric tons of salmon that won’t reach markets,” Dag Sorli, a spokesman for the council, said in an email on Thursday. He put the value of the losses at 2.2 billion kroner.

Read the full story at The New York Times

Washington Congressional Democrats Voice Opposition to Mining in Upper Skagit River Watershed

May 23, 2019 — The following was released by The Office of Senator Marie Cantwell (D-WA):

Today, nine members of the Washington congressional delegation, led by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voicing opposition to a proposed mine in the headwaters of the Upper Skagit River in British Columbia due to its potential impact on Washington state.

Those signing include: U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-1), Rick Larsen (WA-2), Derek Kilmer (WA-6), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Kim Schrier (WA-8), Adam Smith (WA-9), and Denny Heck (WA-10).

“We write in opposition to a proposed mining development in the Upper Skagit River Watershed in British Columbia, Canada,” the members of Congress wrote. “This proposed mine in the Skagit River headwaters could negatively impact Washington state’s tourism and recreation economy, the public health of citizens, and our state’s cultural and natural resources, including economically and ecologically valuable fish populations that are dependent upon the health of the transboundary watershed.”

Imperial Metals, a British Columbian mining company, has submitted a proposal to conduct exploratory copper and gold mining operations on unprotected land in the Upper Skagit River Watershed. However, copper is highly toxic to salmon, and concerns have been raised that heavy metals from mining could pollute the river, harming fisheries as far downstream as Puget Sound and threatening recreation on the Skagit River.

The “Treaty Between the United States and Canada Relating to the Skagit River and Ross Lake, and the Seven Mile Reservoir on the Pend d’Oreille River,” ratified on December 14, 1984, resolves disputes related to hydropower electric generation at the Ross Dam and includes the British Columbia-Seattle Agreement, which preceded the ratification of the Treaty.

In their letter, the members highlighted one primary component of the Treaty: the protection of wilderness, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities in the Skagit River Watershed – goals that are undermined by the mining proposal.

“Mining in the Upper Skagit River Watershed could be detrimental to the Endangered Species Act-threatened fish and other sensitive wildlife populations, such as salmon and orca. This watershed provides over 30 percent of the freshwater flowing into Puget Sound and supports a diverse fish and wildlife population that are of local, regional, and national importance, including the largest population of threatened steelhead and Chinook salmon in Puget Sound and the largest run of chum salmon in the contiguous United States,” the members continued.

The full text of the letter can be found below. 

May 22, 2019

Secretary Pompeo,

We write in opposition to a proposed mining development in the Upper Skagit River Watershed in British Columbia, Canada. This proposed mine in the Skagit River headwaters could negatively impact Washington state’s tourism and recreation economy, the public health of citizens, and our state’s cultural and natural resources, including economically and ecologically valuable fish populations that are dependent upon the health of the transboundary watershed.

The Skagit River flows from its headwaters in British Columbia through the North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Forest to Puget Sound. Imperial Metals Corporation has applied for a permit to conduct mineral exploration for up to five years in an area known as the “donut hole”—a vast acreage of unprotected land surrounded by the Skagit Valley Provincial Park and the E.C. Manning Provincial Park located at the headwaters of the Skagit River.

On December 14, 1984, the “Treaty Between the United States and Canada Relating to the Skagit River and Ross Lake, and the Seven Mile Reservoir on the Pend d’Oreille River” was ratified. The Treaty resolved disputes related to hydropower electric generation at the Ross Dam and included the British Columbia-Seattle Agreement, which preceded the ratification of the Treaty. A primary component of the Treaty and the Agreement is the protection of wilderness, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities in the Upper Skagit River Watershed. We believe that this proposed exploration undercuts the spirit of the Treaty and the Agreement.

Mining in the Upper Skagit River Watershed could be detrimental to the Endangered Species Act-threatened fish and other sensitive wildlife populations, such as salmon and orca. This watershed provides over 30 percent of the freshwater flowing into Puget Sound and supports a diverse fish and wildlife population that are of local, regional, and national importance, including the largest population of threatened steelhead and Chinook salmon in Puget Sound and the largest run of chum salmon in the contiguous United States.

Additionally, the proposal names copper—a metal highly toxic to the native salmon—as a targeted goal of this mining. The potential for releases of copper and other heavy metals would pollute waters downstream. This would pose a substantial human health risk to the State of Washington, City of Seattle, and the Tribes dependent upon this watershed. It also threatens Washington state’s outdoor recreation economy, which generates 201,000 jobs, $26.2 billion in consumer spending, and $7.6 billion in wages and salaries.

We believe mineral development in the Upper Skagit River Watershed undermines the intent of the Treaty and the Agreement and places in jeopardy the cooperation we have shared with Canada on the protection of the Watershed for 35 years. For these reasons and those outlined above, we call your attention to this imperative issue.

Read the full release here

Essential Fish Habitat Consultation Protects Crab and Salmon from Mining Operations in Alaska

May 23, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently released for public comment a General Permit for Floating Mining Operations in Alaska State Navigable Waters, including marine waters. The permit includes new measures to protect red king crab and salmon which migrate through Norton Sound and into rivers to spawn. NOAA Fisheries reviews public notices and offers expertise to the USACE for the conservation of living marine resources.

Floating mining operations use a dredge in nearshore waters to ‘vacuum’ up gravel and sand substrates which are then sifted to retain gold. The new protections restrict mining operations during certain spring and summer months when juvenile red king crab settle to the seafloor. Mining operations will also be restricted in waters deeper than 30 feet and within one nautical mile of stream mouths to avoid areas where salmon concentrate.

An Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation with NOAA Fisheries is required whenever a federal agency authorizes, funds, or undertakes activities in an area that will affect EFH. Together, the agency and NOAA determine how best to conduct the coastal activity while supporting fish habitat and minimizing or avoiding environmental damage. The science conducted through this consultation helped USACE make management decisions; balancing mining and fishery interests in the Norton Sound.

In recent years, researchers and scientists from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center used regular baseline sampling, analysis, monitoring, and new side-scan sonars technologies to inform studies on the benthic environment and red king crab in Norton Sound. Results showed that habitats deeper than 30 feet of water take more time to recover, while shallower habitats are routinely disturbed by natural events and recover quickly. Surveys also showed that crab larvae settle in nearshore substrates. These findings were used to better inform managers with the most recent science for the EFH consultation process.

NOAA Fisheries has provided USACE with EFH conservation recommendations relating to suction dredging operations in Norton Sound since 1999.

Read the full release here

Ghost nets still fishing in the deep waters of Puget Sound

May 21, 2019 — Lost and abandoned fishing nets, which have killed millions of sea creatures in Puget Sound, still lurk in deeper, darker waters, where they continue to catch fish and crabs.

But the quiet, unregulated killing has been quelled substantially since 2002, as divers have pulled up nearly 6,000 of these so-called “ghost nets.”

The challenge for the future is to find and quickly remove newly lost nets while going after the difficult-to-remove nets still fishing in more than 100 feet of water. Programs are moving forward on both fronts.

The massive removal of ghost nets over a 13-year period ultimately cost the state and federal governments about $11 million. But if the 5,809 nets had been left in place, they might still be catching and killing up to 12 million animals each year, based on studies that measured the catch rates of abandoned nets.

“The magnitude of this effort often gets overlooked when considering the restoration of Puget Sound,” said Ginny Broadhurst, executive director of the Salish Sea Institute. “We talk about the Nisqually and the Elwha, but (net removal) is among the most important restoration efforts.”

The Nisqually Delta Restoration Project restored nearly 1,000 acres of wetlands, and the removal of two dams on the Elwha River opened up nearly 70 miles of salmon-spawning habitat. But pulling out derelict nets produced an immediate, long-lasting and cost-effective outcome, argues Broadhurst, who was involved in the early days of net removal as director of the Northwest Straits Commission.

Many of the lost nets appear to have been fishing continually for 20 to 30 years or more after getting snagged on rocky outcroppings or submerged pilings during the heyday of commercial salmon fishing in the 1970s and ’80s, said Larry LeClair, a biologist and diver with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Read the full story at the Kitsap Sun

ALASKA: Corps corrects end date for Pebble project comment period

May 22, 2019 — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has corrected the closing date for the extended comment period for a draft environmental review of a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region.

The corps earlier this month said it was extending the comment period from 90 days to 120 days and said it would end June 29.

However, John Budnik, a spokesman for the corps, said by email Monday that a formal comment period cannot close on a weekend. He says the new close date is July 1.

Read the full story at the Associated Press

Opinion: Congress should continue investing in salmon recovery fund

May 17, 2019 — Sportfishing is a tie that binds. It can bridge the urban-rural divide, business and conservation interests, Republicans and Democrats. People everywhere love to fish.

But fishing is only possible when there are abundant fish in our rivers. That’s why we need Oregon’s members of Congress to make sure there is funding next year for the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund.

Congress established this recovery fund in 2000 to help support restoration of the streams, creeks, rivers, and wetlands that salmon and steelhead need to thrive. Salmon recovery is important to Oregon. More than half a million people fish in Oregon each year, spending $1.4 billion per year and sustaining nearly 13,000 jobs, according to the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association.

Read the full story at The Oregonian

PFMC: June 19-25, 2019 PFMC Meeting Notice and Agenda

May 16, 2019 — The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory bodies will meet June 19-25, 2019 in San Diego, California, to address issues related to groundfish, coastal pelagic species (CPS), salmon, Pacific halibut, highly migratory species, enforcement, habitat and administrative matters. The meeting of the Council and its advisory entities will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Mission Valley, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92108; telephone, 619-297-5466.

Please see the June 19-25, 2019 Council Meeting notice on the Council’s website for meeting detail, schedule of advisory body meetings, our new E-Portal for submitting public comments, and public comment deadlines.

Key agenda items for the meeting include Council considerations to:

  • Adopt Final Pacific mackerel Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Fisheries
  • Review Salmon Rebuilding Plans and Consider Adopting Final Plans for Sacramento River and Klamath River Fall Chinook and Preliminary Plans for Strait of Juan de Fuca, Queets River, and Snohomish River Coho for Public Review
  • Adopt Final Mitigation Measures for Seabird Interactions in Groundfish Fisheries Pursuant to the 2017 United States Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion
  • Initial Scoping of Issues and Adoption of a Process for Developing Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for 2021-2022 Fisheries
  • Adopt Final Groundfish Inseason Adjustments for 2019 as Necessary to Achieve but Not Exceed Annual Catch Limits and Other Management Objectives
  • Final Adoption of Criteria for Triggering Allocation Reviews

Amid aquaculture boom, report guides investors toward sustainability

May 9, 2019 — Aquaculture, the commercial farming of finfish like salmon, shellfish and seaweed, has exploded over the past 30 years, becoming a nearly $250-billion industry globally. More than half of all seafood now comes from farms, and that percentage is projected to rise if the human population expands, as expected, to 9.7 billion people over the next 30 years. However, environmental problems currently bedevil the aquaculture industry and a consensus on the most sustainable practices has yet to emerge.

A new report released May 8, “Towards a Blue Revolution,” aims to guide the private sector, NGOs and policymakers toward better aquaculture strategies that can both meet the growing global seafood demand and operate “in harmony with ocean ecosystems.”

“Transforming how we produce seafood through strategic investment in innovative, more sustainable production methods may ultimately represent the difference between a healthy, abundant, and profitable food system, and one that degrades the environment, destroys value, and fails to meet the growing food security challenge,” the report states.

Published by the Virginia-based environmental non-profit the Nature Conservancy and the New York-based impact investment firm Encourage Capital, the report urges the seafood industry to shift away from “business as usual” aquaculture practices. It argues that equally lucrative and more sustainable forms of aquaculture exist that investors would do well to nurture.

Read the full story at Mongabay

Salmon-eating sea lions targeted at Columbia River dam

May 6, 2019 — More California sea lions preying on imperiled salmon in the Columbia River below a hydroelectric project on the Oregon-Washington border are being killed under a revised policy, federal authorities said Friday.

The National Marine Fisheries Service made public reduced criteria for removing sea lions at Bonneville Dam about 145 miles (235 kilometers) from the Pacific Ocean.

The new guidelines that went into effect April 17 permit any California sea lion seen in the area on five occasions or seen eating a fish to be put on a list for lethal removal.

The former criteria required both those marks to be met. Officials say 10 sea lions have been killed so far this year, most as a result of the policy change.

Robert Anderson, the agency’s marine mammal program manager, said the Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force decided to make the change after dissatisfaction with current efforts. A study found the change could increase the number of sea lions killed by 66 percent.

Officials are authorized to remove 92 California sea lions annually from the area, but have never come close to that number. Meanwhile, billions of dollars have been spent in Idaho, Oregon and Washington to save 13 species of Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Read the full story at the Associated Press

They smell, bark and snatch pet dogs. Sea lions cause trouble at Northwest ports

May 3, 2019 — A big rebound in the sea lion population along the West Coast in recent years has created a constant battle to wrangle the protected animals. They’re smart and fun to watch from a safe distance, but also noisy, smelly and proving to be a headache for some coastal marinas.

“It’s a free zoo kind of, just don’t pet ’em!” observed Dennis Craig of Olympia while he watched a pier at Washington’s Westport marina nearly sink under the weight of dozens of burly bulls jostling and snoozing in the sun.

“You notice when the charters come in, they’ll swing wide just so people can get a closer look because, like I say, it’s entertaining,” Craig said.

The flip side of these flippered fish fiends can be seen in the mounting bill to the marina, including the cost of busted docks, broken electric stanchions and lost business.

“Nearly all of our net revenue was used to repair damage caused by sea lions this year, taking those funds away from infrastructure improvements and replacements that are critical to the marina facility and our users,” said Westport Marina business manager Molly Bold in an email.

Sea lions have blocked people from mooring their boats. In other cases, commercial fishermen have had to run through a sea lion gauntlet just to get onto their vessels. The sea lions even snatched a few pet dogs right off the piers, said Westport Aquarium co-owner Marc Myrsell, who volunteers to monitor the marine mammals.

Read the full story at KPBX