Saving Seafood

Concerns emerge that IOTC yellowfin tuna agreement could flop

July 28, 2021 — Uncertainty hangs over a June 2021 agreement by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to limit the total Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna catch to 401,000 metric tons (MT) after six members of the commission announced intentions to object to the resolution.

In a statement, the Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) said the move by Indonesia and Oman to formally object to the agreement reached during the 25th session of the IOTC, in addition to the subsequent objections of India, Iran, Madagascar, and Comoros mean the IOTC agreements “may be futile.”

Read the full story at Seafood Source

DNA lab test doesn’t detect tuna in Subway sandwiches

June 23, 2021 — After facing a class-action lawsuit claiming that Subway’s tuna sandwiches do not contain tuna and the restaurant chain cannot prove the fish is sustainable, a new DNA lab report shows there is no tuna in the company’s tuna sandwiches.

The New York Times set up an independent lab test of 60 inches of tuna sandwiches from three Subway restaurants in Los Angeles, California. The testing, which included a polymerase chain reaction test that searched for DNA of five different tuna species, detected no tuna in the sandwiches.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Subway Tuna Lawsuit Update: Plaintiffs Say Chain’s Sustainability Claims Are “False and Misleading”

June 22, 2021 — The Subway tuna lawsuit drama continues.

In January a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that the sandwich chain’s tuna sandwich is “made with anything but tuna.” Independent lab tests that were reportedly taken from multiple California Subway locations found that the tuna was a “mixture of concoctions that do not constitute tuna, yet have been blended together by defendants to imitate the appearance of tuna.” The two plaintiffs, Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin of Alameda County, were hoping to get their claim certified as class action, which would open the case up to others in California who bought tuna from Subway after January 21, 2017.

Read the full story at Seafood News

IOTC adopts resolution to rebuild yellowfin tuna stock, but NGOs question its effectiveness

June 14, 2021 — The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) agreed to reduce the total allowable catch for yellowfin tuna after months of pressure from non-governmental organizations and some commercial groups.

But according to environmental organizations, the effort has fallen short of ending overfishing, as five members of the commission objected to the rebuilding plan.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

IOTC pressed to take urgent action to end overfishing of yellowfin tuna

June 7, 2021 — The 25th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission begins Monday, 7 June, and  several stakeholders are demanding immediate action from the regional fisheries management organization to put an end to overfishing of yellowfin tuna in the region.

Several non-governmental organizations issued statements in advance of the meeting, saying the IOTC can no longer ignore its responsibility of putting in place an agreement that will save the  tuna stock, which has been deemed to be overfished.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

NGOs urge rebuilding plan for overfished yellowfin tuna stocks ahead of IOTC meeting

May 24, 2021 — Non-governmental organizations are calling on the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to adopt a plan for rebuilding the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stock and improve the management of fish aggregating devices (FADs) to reduce catches of juvenile tropical tunas.

The Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), in a statement last week, said that these measures should be adopted during the upcoming virtual IOTC session, scheduled to take place 7 to 11 June, 2021.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

ISSF adopts new measure to protect Indian Ocean yellowfin if IOTC fails to act

May 18, 2021 — The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has announced the adoption of a new conservation member for participating companies aimed at reducing the annual sourcing of Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna.

Called ISSF Conservation Measure 1.3 IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding, the measure will take effect if the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) doesn’t take action at its June 2021 meeting to safeguard the stock. The IOTC delayed any decision on the yellowfin stock in March, a move criticized by NGOs and seafood companies.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

As sushi buyers come back, Gulf of Mexico yellowfin producers foresee a good season ahead

May 14, 2021 — A series of strong storms roiling the Gulf of Mexico this winter and early spring – coupled with a slow reopening from COVID-19-related restrictions – has dampened yellowfin tuna production in the Southeast U.S., with boat prices hovering at about the same levels as this time last year.

David Maginnis, who runs Jensen Tuna in Houma, Louisiana – the gulf’s largest yellowfin producer – said boat prices for the premium quality No. 1 tuna average USD 6.50 (EUR 5.43) per pound, while the No. 2 fish are about USD 3.50 (EUR 2.87). According to the latest landings data provided by NMFS, fishermen have harvested 30.7 metric tons (67,584 pounds) between 1 January and 28 February — way down from the same period in 2020 when 76.7 metric tons (169,137 pounds) were harvested.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

South Atlantic Bite – Newsworthy Notes – May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Reminder! – Public Hearing Today for Shrimp Fishery Access Area along Northern Extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern
(Coral Amendment 10)
Today at 5:00 PM

The Council continues to seek public input on a proposed action to establish Shrimp Fishery Access Area in the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Coral HAPC off the east coast of Florida. Register now to attend the hearing via webinar and learn more about the proposed area. The Council will consider the amendment again during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting via webinar.

We’re Upgrading our Website –
Take this limited opportunity to help us better help you!

Looking for the number of black sea bass you can retain or perhaps a map showing the latest coordinates of MPAs off the NC coast? A calendar of upcoming meetings or a video presentation from a public hearing? You’ll find it all on the Council’s website at www.safmc.net.

We’re working to redesign the website to make it easier for you to navigate and provide you with the information you need. The web developers involved in the project have created a quick online activity to better understand how to group content on the website. Please complete the activity by Monday of next week.

Bullet and Frigate Mackerel Acknowledged for Important Role as Prey Species for Wahoo, Dolphin, Blue Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna

Little fish lead to bigger fish. Bluewater fishermen along the Atlantic coast targeting those really big fish understand the importance of prey to the overall well-being of those larger predators. At the request of the Council, Bullet and Frigate Mackerel, two important prey species are now included in the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan as ecosystem component species. NOAA Fisheries announced the Final Rule for Amendment 12 earlier this week. The Rule is effective June 9, 2021.

Learn more about the importance of Bullet and Frigate Mackerel and how this designation may help ensure healthy populations for the future.

New Discoveries and Management Decisions in Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program
Report to Congress highlights impressive discoveries, science-informed management decisions and more

Speak of coral reefs and most people imagine tropical waters in the Florida Keys or Hawaii. But deep-sea corals create habitat for countless species off of every coastal state in the country. In the past two years, NOAA and their partners have discovered the most expansive area of deep-sea coral reefs known to date off the U.S. Southeast coast.

These areas offer significant ecological value and support a number of U.S.-managed fishery species. The recently released Report to Congress showcases new accomplishments and scientific discoveries. Learn more about Deep-Sea Coral Habitat. Follow expeditions as they occur and see video and incredible images of areas that may be closer than you think!

Citizen Science Increasingly Informs Ocean Expertise – and Policy

A recent paper in BioScience that includes authors from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Pew, academia, and NOAA outlines marine citizen science projects that are contributing to conservation and management in the U.S. and elsewhere. Case studies include projects gathering data for fish species as well as others collecting information on sea grasses, coral reefs and other habitat.

This article from Pew highlights the Council’s Citizen Science Program as well as other citizen science efforts and increasing interest in promoting its use to conduct research projects that would not otherwise be possible.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Addition of Bullet Mackerel and Frigate Mackerel to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan of the Atlantic as Ecosystem Component Species

May 10, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic (Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 12). The final rule adds bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan and designates them as ecosystem component species. Ecosystem component species are those that do not require conservation and management, but are deemed important to include in a fishery management plan to achieve ecosystem management objectives. Bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel are documented as important prey species particularly for wahoo, dolphin (to a lesser extent), blue marlin, and yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Region.

When Rule Will Take Effect:

Regulations become effective June 9, 2021.

Summary of Changes:

  • The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council wants to consider ecosystem management approaches to fisheries management and advance ecosystem management objectives in the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.
  • Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 12 and the final rule could result in potential indirect benefits such as increased awareness among the fishing constituents, fishing communities, and fishery management agencies.
  • If landings for bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel were to greatly increase in the future to unsustainable levels, fisheries managers could be made aware of the changing stock status before the stocks are depleted which may have subsequent beneficial effects on populations of several economically important predatory fish species, including dolphin, wahoo, blue marlin, and yellowfin tuna.

Read the full release here