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Articles:    AGREEMENT YIELDS LONGLINE CLOSURE FOR UPCOMING COSTA RICA FISHING TOURNAMENT (CaptDQ)
Urgent- Australia Marlin Fishing Threatened- Your Comments Needed (CaptDQ)
Black Marlin travels over 1200 miles in less than 1/2 a year! (CaptDQ)
How You Can Help Conserve Billfish (CaptDQ)
From Minnows to Mammoths (CaptDQ)
Bimini to Cuba--19 months later (CaptDQ)
1200 Mile Journey (CaptDQ)
Tracking Recaptured Tagged Billfish (CaptDQ)
CBNC (CaptDQ)
Bluefins (CaptDQ)
· More -->
| AGREEMENT YIELDS LONGLINE CLOSURE FOR UPCOMING COSTA RICA FISHING TOURNAMENT
by: CaptDQ
2012-02-17 23:39:07 AGREEMENT YIELDS LONGLINE CLOSURE FOR UPCOMING COSTA RICA FISHING TOURNAMENT
by Staff on February 14, 2012 at 02:35PM
Puntarenas, Costa Rica: In a groundbreaking move and through a joint effort between The Billfish Foundation and the Presidential Challenge Charitable Foundation, commercial longlining will be closed in a 40-mile area during the upcoming Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica tournament, March 1-4, 2012.
Herbert Nanne, the TBF Conservation Director for Central America successfully proposed through the National Sportfishing Commission, where he is a member, an agreement to close the waters off Carrillo, Costa Rica during the Presidential Challenge tournament to INCOPESCA, the Costa Rican Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute whose duties include management of the nation’s fisheries, both commercial and recreational. The agreement establishes “a temporal exclusive zone for sport fishing only,” extending to the north and south of the tournament site at Playa Carrillo to include the waters up to 40 miles offshore. Commercial longlining will not be allowed in this exclusive zone during the tournament; additionally, it is expected that there will be at least one patrol boat on hand to monitor the closure.
“The recommendation was unanimously approved by the board at INCOPESCA,” Nanne reported. “Alvaro Moreno, who is the Coordinator of the National Sportfishing Commission negotiated the terms of the agreement and area of closure with other board members. He strongly believes in sportfishing as a way to continue developing the coastal provinces of Costa Rica. It is also important to mention that Martin Contreras, the commercial fishing representative from Guanacaste, backed up the closure because as he said, ‘Sportfishing is very important for my province in generation of jobs and dollars.’”
“This is truly a revolutionary move on the part of INCOPESCA,” says Joan Vernon, tournament director of the Presidential Challenge. “They recognize the importance of sport fishing tourism in Costa Rica and are willing to celebrate that importance through this closure. We hope that it’s only the first of many to come.”
Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation, continued by saying, “One of the primary issues we’re facing with billfish conservation in Costa Rica is that medium-sized commercial longline fishing operations primarily target mahi mahi and tuna and can fish within the first 40 miles from shore. In this area, incidental catches of sailfish is certainly a big problem.This is a very important closure because it sets the tone for future closures during sportfishing tournaments,” she says.
Herbert Nanne also added that the recent socio-economic study on the impact of sportfishing on Costa Rica’s economy, completed by the Economic Science Research Institute of the University of Costa Rica and funded by The Billfish Foundation, has shown to government institutions and to the general public the tremendous value of sportfishing in terms of both jobs and hard currency generation. This closure is a result of that changing mindset toward the importance of sportfishing.
“We have developed a very good line of communication with Luis Dobles, the President of INCOPESCA,” Nanne said. “And also of extreme importance to the sportfishing sector is the opening of the National Sportfishing Commission, since several members of this Commission are also members of the INCOPESCA board. We’re very hopeful for a bright future for sportfishing and conservation here in Costa Rica.”
Click on the following links to read the actual agreement in both English and Spanish.
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Articles: Protection plan deep-sea coral reefs considered (blueoceaneyez)
Medicine from Red Tide?? (blueoceaneyez)
MISSION COMPLETED (blueoceaneyez)
Aquarius Undersea Laboratory Wraps Up 2005 Mission Year with U.S. Navy Diving Pr (Dawg)
Aquarius Undersea Laboratory Wraps Up 2005 Mission Year with U.S. Navy Diving Pr (Dawg)
Lionfish adopt home away from home in Atlantic (Dawg)
UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS EX14 (Dawg)
UNDERSEA HABITAT BECOMES EXPERIMENTAL HOSPITAL FOR NEEMO 7 (Dawg)
| Protection plan deep-sea coral reefs considered
by: blueoceaneyez
2009-08-21 07:30:00 Protection plan deep-sea coral reefs considered
By BRIAN SKOLOFF (AP) – 3 days ago
FIFTY MILES OFF CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Deep beneath the crystalline blue surface of the Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern U.S. lies a virtual rain forest of coral reefs so expansive the network is believed to be the world's largest.
A 23,000-square-mile area stretching from North Carolina to Florida is just part of that entire reef tract now being proposed for protection from potential damage by deep-sea commercial fishing and energy exploration.
So far, it's been relatively untouched by man because of its largely unreachable depths, providing scientists a unique opportunity to protect an ecosystem before it's destroyed.
"Most of the time, science is trying to catch up with exploitation," said Steve Ross of the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Ross is leading a four-part research cruise that began Aug. 6 aimed at studying these deep sea environments, hoping to find new species of fish, crab and corals that could lead to scientific and medical discoveries.
Environmentalists say crab pots and bottom trawling for shrimp are the most immediate threats.
Margot Stiles, a marine scientist for Oceana, an international environmental advocacy group, said other deep water reefs off the U.S. have been severely damaged by trawlers.
"In this case, we have 23,000 square miles of known deep sea corals, and it's not too late to protect them," Stiles said. "This particular reef is to the deep sea what the Great Barrier Reef is for the world."
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is pushing the proposal to protect the region, about the size of West Virginia, in depths down to 2,500 feet and below, creating the largest deep water coral protected area off the Atlantic Coast.
Specifics on regulations and restrictions are still being reviewed, but if approved by the U.S. Commerce Secretary, the plan could take effect by next year.
"As far as we can tell, there's relatively little damage," Ross said. "That's very different from other parts of the world. In Scotland and Ireland ... there's been significant damage mostly from fishing and now those reefs are being protected."
While fishermen have for centuries dragged up corals from the deep sea, it wasn't until the early 1900s that scientists discovered these extensive cold-water reefs existed. And it wasn't until the 1970s that researchers were able to use submersibles and cameras to reach the sea floor to document them. It had long been thought coral reefs only formed in shallow, warm waters.
Deep water reefs and pinnacles are much more slow-growing and can take several million years to form. Ross said science is only now beginning to understand these underwater "frontier zones."
Out on the research ship, scientists gather corals, sponges and fish samples by sinking deep to the ocean floor in a four-man submersible about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. The team is comprised of researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida Atlantic University, the U.S. Geological Survey and others.
"We've barely seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of new species out here," Ross said. "We'll find out five or 10 years from now that we made an amazing discovery and we just didn't realize it ... A lot of our pharmaceuticals come from a tropical rainforest environment. The same people are looking for these in the deep sea, and there are expectations that there will be drugs made that could potentially provide cures for some types of cancer.
"There is just a great deal of concern that once these habitats are gone, the potential for realizing those discoveries are eliminated," Ross added.
The deep water reefs also are seen as indicators of the ocean's overall health; because they are so remote, it takes longer for phenomenon like climate change to affect them.
"Science is questions, it's not answers," said Liz Baird of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, cautioning that it may be years before researchers realize the full potential of the reefs.
Most in the fishing industry agree that protecting these reefs is good for business, said Steven Wilson, owner of International Oceanic Enterprises in Alabama. Wilson has been shrimping in the Atlantic for 30 years and has been working with officials preparing the protection plan.
While law enforcement says some fishermen will drop crab pots or drag nets near fragile corals to score big catches, regardless of the damage, Wilson said it's mostly accidental.
"We can't make any money trawling over coral. In fact, we lose money," he said, noting that it destroys the nets.
Woody Moore, a commercial fishermen out of Jacksonville, Fla., has been trawling for shrimp in the Atlantic for three decades and also has been helping develop the deep reef protection proposals.
Moore puts it simply: "We don't want any closures but you gotta give them something or they'll take it all. You gotta play the game."
SOURCE: AP inside UNC-Wilmington Alumni Newsletter read more... |
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Articles: Proposed Rule Alters How the National Environmental Policy Act Applies to Oceans (blueoceaneyez)
Center for Biological Diversity applauds resignation of Secretary of Interior Ga (Dawg)
STUDY FINDS ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IS A SUCCESS! (Dawg)
Anti-Endangered Species Bill in Senate (Dawg)
KILLER WHALES PROTECTED AS ENDANGERED (Dawg)
Judge Approves Settlement To Protect Atlantic White Marlin From Longline Fishing (Dawg)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GUTS ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (Dawg)
ASSAULT ON SCIENCE AT FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE PROVOKES SHARP CRITICISM BY MORE T (Dawg)
FLORIDA’S ENDANGERED CORAL REEFS TO BE PROTECTED UNDER ENDANGER (Dawg)
FLORIDA’S ENDANGERED CORAL REEFS TO BE PROTECTED UNDER ENDANGER (Dawg)
· More --> | Proposed Rule Alters How the National Environmental Policy Act Applies to Oceans
by: blueoceaneyez
2008-08-05 21:26:08 Proposed Rule Alters How the National Environmental
Policy Act Applies to Oceans;
Would Create a Bad Precedent, Stifle Public Participation
WASHINGTON— The Bush administration has proposed a new rule that threatens to hurt ocean resources and prevent the public from doing anything about it. In response, conservationists today urged the administration to withdraw its proposed procedures for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act when managing ocean fish, and to craft a new rule that will protect valuable natural resources while allowing for greater public participation in the environmental review process.
The National Environmental Policy Act, the nation’s preeminent conservation law, ensures that public officials make informed decisions about the environmental consequences of their actions by requiring thorough environmental assessments with public participation. This is the same law that helped to protect thousands of square miles of deep sea coral, reduced mortality of endangered sea turtles, and began the process of rebuilding depleted fish populations while ensuring robust public participation in federal fisheries management. But the Bush administration’s proposal, published on May 14, 2008, is full of loopholes and exclusions that would do little to protect the environment.
This NEPA proposal could create a bad precedent, affecting the application of NEPA to other aspects of the environment since it provides a roadmap for other federal agencies to modify their NEPA procedures.
“This proposal is a cynical attempt to shove the public out of its rightful role in protecting public resources,” said Andrea Treece, senior attorney in the Center for Biological Diversity’s Oceans program. “Fishing affects virtually every ecosystem and species in the sea, from the fish we eat, to whales we thrill to watch, sea turtles we strive to protect, and coral reefs that support local economies. Leaving the management of these national treasures to guesswork and backroom deals instead of sound science and public input is simply unacceptable.”
According to law, a NEPA review must include an analysis of a full suite of alternatives to the proposed action. This will help ensure that the broader impacts of a proposed action are examined and minimized. But, the Bush administration’s proposal not only undercuts and complicates the NEPA process, it also makes it even more difficult to conduct a proper and necessary environmental review.
“Overfishing, pollution, bycatch, and global warming are already putting a heavy strain on the habitats of several imperiled seabird species,” said Steve Kress, director of Audubon’s seabirds program. “More than ever, we need to make decisions based on good science. Instead, the federal government's weakening of environmental review protections will stack the odds in favor of industry and likely degrade habitat further.”
As written, the Bush administration’s proposed rule would undermine NEPA by severely limiting the public’s right to participate in fishery management decisions and even shutting out the public from future participation if they don’t weigh in during the initial round of public comments. It would also allow regional fishery management councils to control environmental reviews. Many of these councils are dominated by fishing interests and have mismanaged our oceans for decades. Additionally, the proposal gives fishery managers the power to make fishing decisions without adequately considering the impacts on other components of ocean ecosystems such as sea turtles, seals, corals, and other precious ocean life.
“The effectiveness of NEPA is due, in large part, to the fact that it provides a concrete method for concerned citizens to become involved in and to challenge government actions if they are not following the law,” said Caitlin Hills, National Forest program director for American Lands Alliance. “The government moves through the guidelines and procedures to implement the law and make decisions. This common sense ‘look before you leap’ requirement leads to better decisions and helps the government avoid making mistakes. This proposal weakens that process.”
The public can submit official comments on the proposal through August 12, 2008 by going to http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/MFCN/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24897. read more... |
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Articles: NAFO stalls on protecting the high seas from bottom trawling (blueoceaneyez)
| NAFO stalls on protecting the high seas from bottom trawling
by: blueoceaneyez
2008-09-26 19:57:27 NAFO stalls on protecting the high seas from bottom trawling
26 September 2008
At its 30th Annual Meeting held in Vigo, Spain this past week, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) addressed several issues important to long-term conservation of the marine environment, but failed to agree to protect areas of the deep-sea, which scientists had identified as vulnerable to the impact of bottom fishing.
The United Nations General Assembly (UN GA), in 2006, called on regional fisheries management organizations such as NAFO to establish regulations by 31 December 2008 to prevent damage to corals, sponges, seamounts and other vulnerable deep-sea marine habitats from bottom fishing on the high seas.
Among other measures, the UN GA called for closures of all areas to bottom fishing where vulnerable marine ecosystems are "known or likely" to occur unless regulations are in place prevent damage. NAFO did agree this week to partially close two additional seamount areas, although exploratory fishing is still allowed in 20% of the area.
However, NAFO failed to close six areas of the deep-sea identified by scientists as containing high concentrations of corals and other vulnerable species. Nor did NAFO agree to any regulations to prevent damage from continued bottom trawling in these areas, in spite of the UN GA resolution to do so.
NAFO did adopt an 'encounter' protocol that requires fishing vessels to move 2 nautical miles from an areas where they accidentally catch corals and sponges, but only if they catch more than 100 kilograms of coral or 1000 kilograms of sponges, quantities far higher than those recommended by NAFO's own working group of fisheries scientists and managers.
"These long lived, deep seas species deserve far greater protection," said Susanna Fuller of the Halifax based Ecology Action Centre. "NAFO countries have yet to deliver on the commitments they made at the UN in 2006, and agreed to at an Extraordinary Meeting of NAFO earlier this year".
Spain has the largest deep sea trawl fleet fishing in the NAFO area. The Spanish fishing industry has often argued that in historically fished areas, where trawling has already occurred, corals have already been destroyed and there is no point in closing any of these areas to bottom trawling because the corals are gone.
"NAFO scientists made some good progress this past year in mapping areas where there are corals and sponges and seamounts, using up to date scientific information," says Jennifer Ford, also of the Ecology Action Centre. "Yet when it comes to meaningful protection, there is resistance to closing areas anywhere where fishing has occurred over the past 20 years. If anything, it is urgent to protect what corals remain in order to prevent the complete destruction of these ecosystems."
"It seems fairly clear that NAFO is not going to meet the UN deadline although if there were a genuine will to do so, they could still meet again at the end of this year or early next year to put meaningful regulations in place before the 2009 fishing season," said Matthew Gianni of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.
"NAFO is making progress in shifting its approach to regulating deep-sea fisheries and deep sea habitats certainly in terms of procedures," said Susanna Fuller, "But the real shift will be when fishing nations realize that not every where is going to be open to fishing, and some areas will have to be closed to destructive fishing gear forever."
For more information:
Susanna Fuller, Marine Conservation Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre 902-446-4840 and until Sept 28th at +34 986 225 528 ext 301
Jennifer Ford, Sustainable Fisheries Scientist, Ecology Action Centre, 902-446-4840
Matt Gianni, Policy Advisor, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition + 31 646 16 88 99
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Articles: U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) (CaptDQ)
Salazar: Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale (blueoceaneyez)
Bureau of Land Management Finalizes Rules That Could Add Billions of Barrels of (blueoceaneyez)
Partners to Unveil a Special Exhibition “Hands Across The Ocean” on the National (blueoceaneyez)
Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 207 Attracts $487,297,676 in High Bids (blueoceaneyez)
Secretary Kempthorne to Open Western Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale This (blueoceaneyez)
Secretary Kempthorne Promotes “Little Mermaid” PSAs in Video Urging Clean-Up of (blueoceaneyez)
Interior Department Initiates New Five Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program for Oute (blueoceaneyez)
Regulations Proposed for Oil Program (blueoceaneyez)
Oil and Gas Report Offers Roadmap for Energy Relief (blueoceaneyez)
· More --> | U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA)
by: CaptDQ
2011-04-04 17:09:34 April 4, 2011
Dear BoatU.S. Member,
The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is developing future clean boating requirements for all recreational boats in the next few months, and they need to hear from you. During April, they are hosting weekly "webinars" to solicit boater input (April 6 - 6 pm, April 14 - 8 pm, April 22 - 10 am, and April 25 - 12 pm; all eastern time). I'm writing to encourage you to participate in one of these online events.
For more information on the webinars and to register in advance (which is required): MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "smtp.boatus.net" claiming to be http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/vessel/CBA/participate.cfm
A specific list of proposed requirements is not yet available. We do know that sewage will not be discussed or covered - it's part of a different law. EPA is looking at several broad categories of vessel discharges:
Antifouling paints and zincs
Graywater (from showers and sinks)
Bilge water (with concern about oil and grease, which is already illegal to discharge)
Cleaning products/maintenance practices
Disposal of garbage and fishing waste
Transport of invasive species
We need you to help EPA know that any new mandatory "management practices" must be based in science, and should be reasonable, practical, and economical. You should share with EPA the clean boating practices that you already employ, or that can be easily adopted within your boating. For ideas:
MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "smtp.boatus.net" claiming to be http://www.boatus.com/foundation/cleanwater/
For additional information on this topic from BoatU.S. go to:
MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "smtp.boatus.net" claiming to be www.boatus.com/gov/cba/
You may also submit questions, comments or concerns directly to CleanBoatingAct-HQ@EPA.GOV before June 2, 2011.
For more info from EPA:
MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "smtp.boatus.net" claiming to be http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/vessel/CBA/about.cfm
It is crucial that EPA hear from a variety of boaters on this topic. We hope you can tune into one of these sessions so that EPA can gain your perspective.
Many thanks for being a BoatU.S. Member!
Margaret Podlich
Vice President, BoatU.S. Government Affairs
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 x8363
MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "smtp.boatus.net" claiming to be BoatUS.com/Gov
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. If you prefer not to receive BoatU.S. Government Alert emails, click here to be removed. If you do not want to receive ANY emails from BoatU.S., click here. For all other questions, email Govtaffairs@BoatUS.com.
© 2011 Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St.
Alexandria, VA 22304
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Articles: MAY HOTSHEET (CaptDQ)
Fisheries Management in Federal Waters (CaptDQ)
Full Rule Text By Species (CaptDQ)
Hot Sheet - February 2012 (CaptDQ)
Boating Regulations (CaptDQ)
Manatees concentrated in Lee, Collier; area boaters cautioned (CaptDQ)
Miami-Dade County gets improved boating signs (CaptDQ)
Hot Topics in Marine Fisheries (CaptDQ)
Blue Crab Recreational Harvest Regulations (CaptDQ)
Some changes in 2012 Marine Regulations (CaptDQ)
· More --> | MAY HOTSHEET
by: CaptDQ
2012-05-04 00:55:31 Hot Sheet - MAY 2012
(Valid through May 31, 2012)
Issues covered in this posting:
Red Snapper, Commission Meeting, Marine Life Workshops, Season Updates, Events
Issue: Red Snapper
→Gulf of Mexico
Action: Proposed rule to increase quotas, set recreational season in federal waters
Information: NOAA Fisheries Service is reviewing public comment on a proposed rule that will increase the commercial and recreational red snapper quotas in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and set the 2012 recreational season to June 1 through July 10, a total of 40 days. This rule is expected to go into effect in May.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will decide whether or not to adopt a similar season at the May 2-3 Commission meeting in Crystal River.
Links for more information:
Gulf Red Snapper Information [MyFWC.com]
Southeast Fishery Bulletin [sero.nmfs.noaa.gov]
Back to top
Issue: MAY COMMISSION MEETING
Action: Marine Fisheries agenda items May 2, 2012
Information: The next FWC Commission meeting will take place May 2-3 at the Plantation Golf Resort and Spa, 9301 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River. The date for this meeting was originally schedule for April 25-26 but was moved. Marine Fisheries items will be presented May 2 and include Gulf of Mexico red snapper and federal council updates. Visit MyFWC.com for more information.
Links for more information:
FWC Commission Meeting Press Release [MyFWC.com]
FWC Commission Meeting Agenda [MyFWC.com]
Back to top
Issue: MARINE LIFE WORKSHOPS
Action: Workshops scheduled with focus on changes to sea anemone harvest
Information: Several workshops are planned to solicit public comment on possible changes to the Commission’s Marine Life rule (Chapter 68B-42, F.A.C.). Specifically, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be gathering public comments on a proposed harvest closure for the giant Caribbean sea anemone,Condylactis, due to industry concerns and observed declines in commercial landings.
The Commission will also be taking comments on various other topics for possible future rulemaking, including but not limited to regulatory changes for sea cucumbers and reef-building sabellariid tube worms and the removal of fish species like sand perch and unicorn filefish, which are not typically targeted by marine life collectors, from the list of species regulated under 68B-42, F.A.C.
Workshop dates and locations:
- April 23, 2012, 6-8 p.m. EDT, FWC South Regional Office, 8535 Northlake Boulevard,West Palm Beach
- April 24, 2012, 6-8 p.m. EDT, City of Key Colony Beach – City Hall Building, City Hall Auditorium, Mile Marker 53.5, 600 W. Ocean Drive,Key Colony Beach
- April 25, 2012, 6-8 p.m. EDT, Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue,Key West
- May 7, 2012, 5:45-7:45 p.m. EDT, Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Boulevard W,Bradenton
- May 8, 2012, 6-8 p.m. EDT (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT),
PLACE:Statewide telephone conference call. The public may access this workshop via voice-only phone line. Please RSVP to the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 850-487-0554 end_of_the_skype_highlighting to obtain instructions to join the meeting via the voice-only line.
Links for more information:
Marine Life Workshops Information [MyFWC.com]
Back to top
Issue: SEASON UPDATES
Action: Upcoming and continuing season openings and closures
Information: The following species have upcoming season openings/closures.
Other current recreational closures in state waters:
(May not include all harvest closures. View regulations online at MyFWC.com for more.)
Red snapper (Gulf) through May 31, 2012
Shrimp (Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler & Clay counties) through June 1, 2012
Bay scallop through June 30, 2012
Spiny lobster through Aug. 5 (will also open for the sport season, July 25-26)
Snook (Gulf) through Aug. 31, 2012
Links for more information:
Stone Crab Information [MyFWC.com]
Atlantic Grouper Information [MyFWC.com]
Gulf Grouper Information [MyFWC.com]
Gag Grouper Q&A [MyFWC.com]
Permit Information [MyFWC.com]
Back to top
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Articles: Game over: European Union Sinks Tuna Agreement Tuna Commission renders itself ir (blueoceaneyez)
Greenpeace publishes criteria for red-listed seafood (blueoceaneyez)
Greenpeace educates tuna industry on how to make more money (blueoceaneyez)
Greenpeace launches first public pirate fishing vessel ‘list of sh (Dawg)
Wake-up call for the world - Whales protection goes beyond IWC (Dawg)
Ten football pitches worth of ocean floor devastated every four seconds (Dawg)
Greenpeace stops pirate fishing vessels in European port (Dawg)
Top 10 Congressional Mis-Leaders (hoo_hunter)
Hurricane Katrina, one of the largest and strongest storms on record (hoo_hunter)
A Big Fight for a Small Fish (hoo_hunter)
· More --> | Game over: European Union Sinks Tuna Agreement Tuna Commission renders itself ir
by: blueoceaneyez
2008-11-25 04:32:49 Game over: European Union Sinks Tuna Agreement
Tuna Commission renders itself irrelevant in fight to save the bluefin tuna
Marrakech, Morocco — Greenpeace has called today's outcome of the 16th Annual Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) disastrous and shameful. ICCAT has rendered itself incapable of managing the recovery of bluefin tuna stocks in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic. This creates a vacuum, which must now be filled by other fora, including through the introduction of trade restrictions under the International Convention dealing with trade in endangered species (CITES).
The European Union, representing the majority of Mediterranean countries with interests in the bluefin tuna fishery, has bullied other parties in the meeting into agreeing to management proposals which completely fail to follow the advice of ICCAT's own scientific body to substantially reduce fishing and protect the species' spawning grounds.
Despite efforts by a number of concerned countries (1), they were unable to overcome the push by the EU to refuse to adopt measures which could save the species from collapse. In 2009, countries will be able to fish over 22,500 tonnes of bluefin tuna in the fishery, 7,500 tonnes over the level recommended by scientists to avoid the collapse of the population. The new management plan fails to protect the spawning population and merely shortens the purse seine fishing season, responsible for the bulk of illegal catches, by 10 days. The pressure from the European countries has been so strong that they have even managed to slow down the ´payback` for the illegal catches made in the region in 2007.
"The game is over – ICCAT has missed its last chance to save the bluefin tuna from stock collapse," said Sebastian Losada, Greenpeace Spain Oceans Campaigner, who has been attending the Marrakech meeting. "Bluefin tuna has become an endangered species because of ICCAT mismanagement. It's time to take the fishery out of their hands and look to Conventions like CITES to impose trade restrictions on the species."
"These past seven days have demonstrated that ICCAT is a farce – it has run a stock under its management into the ground and it is not even prepared to face the consequences. The meeting has been more akin to a bazaar than a state affair, with governments and industry ruthlessly bargaining for the last tuna," said Losada.
In 2006, following years of extremely high levels of pirate fishing, among others by European Union fishing vessels, ICCAT agreed a bluefin tuna "recovery plan" that set a 'Total Allowable Catch' of 29,500 tonnes for the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. ICCAT's own Scientific Committee recommended a sustainable limit of 15,000 tonnes. Since then the very same scientists have estimated that bluefin tuna catches were about 61,000 tonnes in 2007. (2)
Greenpeace has been calling for a closure of the fishery until a proper recovery plan is in place including at a very minimum a Total Allowed Catch (TAC) in line with the scientific advice, a seasonal closure covering the months of May, June and July and the establishment of marine reserves to protect the bluefin tuna spawning grounds. (3)
"The European Union and the main fishing countries such as Spain and France, which currently leads the Union of 27 Member States, should bear the brunt of the criticism for this shameful outcome," said Greenpeace International Oceans Campaigner François Provost. "They have again placed short term financial gain ahead of the long-term survival of the species, and of the livelihood of fishermen that depend on it. ICCAT´s own independent review panel was right – ICCAT´s management of the fishery is an international disgrace." (4)
Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of fully protected marine reserves covering 40% of our oceans as an essential way to protect our seas from the ravages of climate change, to restore the health of fish stocks and protect ocean life from habitat destruction and collapse read more... |
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 | IGFA · Total News: 51 · Total Reads: 11480 |
Articles: Upcoming IGFA Events (blueoceaneyez)
IGFA/Make a Difference host Special Anglers Tournament May 9 (blueoceaneyez)
Open House in May for IGFA Junior Angler Summer Camps (blueoceaneyez)
IGFA Spring Classes Schedule (blueoceaneyez)
Fields set for IGFA Offshore and Inshore World Championships (blueoceaneyez)
Mercury Marine Free Family Fishing Clinic at IGFA April 25 (blueoceaneyez)
Sixth Annual World Record Achievement Awards (blueoceaneyez)
IGFA School of Sportfishing - March (blueoceaneyez)
IGFA Conservation Awards (blueoceaneyez)
Trio to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at IGFA WRAA (blueoceaneyez)
· More --> | Upcoming IGFA Events
by: blueoceaneyez
2009-07-14 12:03:35 Upcoming IGFA Events:
July 18, 2009 -- Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. This free all day course is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida. It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam. The class is limited to 16 people with advance registration. For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.
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August 1, 2009 -- IGFA Observer Training Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. IGFA hosts the Observer Training Course (OTC) which trains participants in species identification, tackle rules, tackle regulations, boating etiquette and boating safety. Observers are used in national and international billfish tournament. For more information, please contact Jason Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or by email at jschratwieser@igfa.org
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Articles: Boat Breakdown and Search Provides Real-Life Tournament Drama (Dawg)
IBFN Announces 2006 Edition of Top Tournaments Report (Dawg)
Circle Hook Prize Scores High at Big Rock and Pirate's Cove (Dawg)
Katrina Triggers Fishery Disaster Declaration (hoo_hunter)
Batten Down the Hatches (hoo_hunter)
Captain Backs it in... 80 miles! (Dawg)
Tell the Fisheries Service Your Solution To Management! (Dawg)
Florida Swordfishing Surges (hoo_hunter)
Boy Survives Bump From Killer Whale (hoo_hunter)
Anglers Help With Tagging Sharks (hoo_hunter)
· More --> | Boat Breakdown and Search Provides Real-Life Tournament Drama
by: Dawg
2005-11-18 03:35:01
Boat Breakdown and Search Provides Real-Life Tournament Drama
CABO SAN LUCAS, BCS -- A photo taken from the start boat shows the Joana headed past Cabo's famous arch, ready to take part in the Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot. Little did the anglers -- Wayne Harmond, Brian Taylor, Robert Taylor and Larry Voldenc -- know it wasn't a tuna that would make them a big part of the seventh annual event.
On the afternoon of the first day of fishing, the captain of the Joana reported mechanical problems to Mike Packard, who was once again the staff member in charge of the radio as tournament control. Packard said the initial reports were confused, with one report indicating the boat would be able to make it in on the remaining engine.
By the time it was determined the boat was a single engine vessel and was adrift, all tournament boats had returned and it was night. Packard would remain in radio contact all night and the next day would notify competitors to keep an eye out for the Joana.
Compounding the situation was the fact the Joana carried no functioning navigational devices and could not report a position. A container ship reported it had passed the vessel the first night and provided coordinates, but when the Mexican Navy dispatched a launch and a helicopter to the numbers, the boat was nowhere in sight. Instead they found a panga full of drugs.
Meantime, Packard and other tournament boats kept up radio contact and encouragement, while at least one boat decided to actively search for the Joana. Chris Badsey's 45-foot Rampage Reelaxe had been plagued by boat problems before and during the tournament and he and his team, two-time money winners Steve and Dave Brackmann, were not in any of the daily jackpots. The line at the fuel dock early the second day meant they could only get half tanks of fuel and got a late start, but the fast vessel was soon leading the pack towards the Finger Bank.
"On the way up we heard the mayday call at 9:15 a.m. looking for the missing Mexican boat Joana with 6 people onboard" Badsey told WON. "I spoke with the guys and we made a decision to assist with the search and rescue immediately as I was in this same situation a year earlier without rescue for 36 hours at sea when the Mexican Navy never came to rescue us. Friends from California flying down had to charter a boat (and) run out to our last known coordinates, as all electronics were dead and we had no radio unlike Joana who did."
Badsey said he got an approximation of the Joana's position when he had a good radio signal and the Bottom Line, which was 88 nautical miles away, also had a strong signal. Badsey also noted the owner of the tournament boat Trauma sent out his private G5 plane to search.
Meanwhile Tuna Jackpot officials continued to press the Mexican Navy to search and the helicopter refueled and headed back out. Neither aircraft located the Joana. To make matters worse, Harmond, a diabetic, reported he was down to his last dose of medicine.
The Bottom Line had a fish aboard and requested that tournament officials allow them to search first and weigh after the 6 p.m. deadline. They were informed the rules of the tournament would be kept in place.
Low on fuel by 6 p.m., the Reelaxe turned back for the dock at troll speed, arriving at midnight. In the meantime, tournament officials and competitors had kept in contact with the Joana. Much effort was also put forth contacting both Mexican and U.S. Coast Guard officials.
Tournament director said the result was the Mexican Navy waived territorial jurisdiction and the Coast Guard launched rescue efforts that night, including a C-130 and a U.S. Navy vessel. One of the first things the Coast Guard did was issue a notice to mariners that included a grid that was the best estimate of the Joana's location.
Badsey decided to head back out and allowed Packard to come aboard the Reelaxe for the search effort.
"The Natural Stone and the Reelaxe were the only two boats that headed out," noted Packard. "Both captains felt this was something they had to do."
Packard said Badsey wasted no time getting to where he felt the Joana was located.
"About 12:35 a.m. we left the fuel dock, broke the lights of the marina and by the time we hit the end of Cape Rock we were doing 30 to 35 knots," said Packard. Packard said that despite heavy seas, the throttles weren't pulled back until the Joana was found.
"About 1:30 or 1:40 the navigator of the cruise ship Seven Seas had a conversation going with Joana and believed they had a visual on the vessel at that time," said Packard. "About 2 in the morning they confirmed that with us and about 2:15 the cruise ship came alongside the Joana. They put a tender in the water with supplies and a doctor for the diabetic aboard. It was about 4:15 when Reelaxe finally made contact with Joana."
With 6 to 8-foot seas still running, it was decided not to transfer the passengers and Reelaxe began to tow Joana. Then Natural Stone arrived and took over the tow duties and the 4 anglers transferred to Reelaxe.
"Chris Badsey decided he wanted to have brunch in Cabo," noted Packard. "We had been running 3 1/2 to 4 knots under tow, but we hammered the throttles down and proceeded to head back to Cabo at about 20 knots. We got in shortly before 2 p.m. to a very happy, proud welcome at N Dock with a lot of happy family members waiting.
"Thank God for once things turned out right." read more... |
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Articles: Job Announcement (blueoceaneyez)
Marine Fish Conservation Network Debuts New Website (blueoceaneyez)
NMFS Begins Rulemaking Process for Reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act (Dawg)
Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Amendment moves one step closer to co (Dawg)
Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorized! (Dawg)
Congress Must Step In to Stop Overfishing (Dawg)
Mismanagement of U.S. Fisheries Detailed in New Report (Dawg)
Press Statement from Lee Crockett, executive director of the Marine Fish Conserv (Dawg)
Feds Make Little Progress Increasing the Number of Healthy Fish (Dawg)
Habitat is Where the Heart Is (Dawg)
· More --> | Job Announcement
by: blueoceaneyez
2008-12-08 23:47:52
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Administrative and Fundraising Assistant
The Marine Fish Conservation Network (the Network) is seeking a dynamic individual to be the Administrative and Fund Raising Assistant in its Washington D.C. office. The Network is the largest national coalition of environmental organizations, commercial and recreational fishing associations, aquariums, and marine science groups solely dedicated to promoting the long-term sustainability of ocean fish. The Network uses its distinct voice and the best available science to educate policymakers, the fishing industry, and the public about the need for sound conservation and better management practices. This position offers a great opportunity to interact with local and national environmental organizations while gaining exposure to Capitol Hill policy making.
Knowledge/Skill Requirements
Candidates must be personable, energetic, dependable, and self motivated. He or she must demonstrate an attention to detail and be a team player. The candidate should possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and hold a Bachelor’s degree in any field related to marine conservation, or a demonstrated interest in the field. Candidate must also have experience in office administration and working experience with accounting software, QuickBooks. Accounting knowledge and experience with non-profit fundraising is a plus, but not necessary.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Administrative and Fundraising Assistant will work under the supervision of the Executive Director to: 1) assist with daily administrative duties; 2) manage basic financial operations such as bill payment, banking and vendor relations; and 3) coordinate and organize meetings. The Administrative and Fundraising Assistant will also support the Executive Director in his fundraising and his interactions with the Network Boards of Directors and Advisors
Salary and Benefits
Salary at 30k. Excellent benefits include two weeks vacation in the first year in addition to the week between Christmas and New Years, full health and dental, opportunity to gain visibility in the marine conservation community and exposure to Congressional policy making. Public transportation subsidy available. Office is located just minutes from Capitol Hill, two blocks away from the Eastern Market metro station, Washington, DC.
Please email or fax cover letter and resume to:
Bruce Stedman, Executive Director
Email: jobs@conservefish.org
Fax: (202) 543-5774
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Articles: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting January 16, 2008 (Dawg)
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Public Meetings December 10-14, 2007 (Dawg)
ASMFC Approves 2008 TALs for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish (Dawg)
Mid-Atlantic Council and its Committees to Meet; May 2-4 in Virginia Beach, VA (Dawg)
Council Meeting in Virginia Beach, VA: May 2-4, 2006 (Dawg)
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Amendment 15 (Dawg)
Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee (Dawg)
Council Approves Framework 6 for Summer Flounder (Dawg)
Council Supports Alternative 1 to Monkfish Framework 3 (Dawg)
SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN (Dawg)
· More --> | Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting January 16, 2008
by: Dawg
2008-01-10 07:58:20 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting January 16, 2008
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) will hold a public meeting regarding the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton, 407 Squire Rd., Revere, MA 02151; telephone: (781) 284-7200).
For additional information, please contact Daniel T. Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; 300 S. New Street, Room 2115, Dover, DE 19904, telephone: (302) 674-2331, extension 19. read more... |
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Articles: U.S. GETS TOUGH ON SHARK FINNING (blueoceaneyez)
LONGLINE AREA CLOSURES US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (Dawg)
COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED (Dawg)
CIRCLE HOOK RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 2008 (Dawg)
REVISED OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS (Dawg)
SAY NO TO LONGLINING IN THE CLOSED AREAS (Dawg)
TELL NMFS NOT TO SUSPEND CIRCLE HOOK RULE (Dawg)
NCMC TESTIFIES ON SETTING CATCH LIMITS IN AN ECOSYSTEMS CONTEXT (Dawg)
ATLANTIC MARLIN STOCKS SHOW IMPROVEMENT (Dawg)
INTERSTATE COMMISSION MOVES FORWARD WITH VIRGINIA'S PROPOSAL FOR MENHADEN CAP (Dawg)
· More --> | U.S. GETS TOUGH ON SHARK FINNING
by: blueoceaneyez
2008-06-27 19:52:44 U.S. GETS TOUGH ON SHARK FINNING
6/25/08 Yesterday, the National Marine Fisheries Service implemented strong conservation measures for severely depleted coastal sharks in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Stock assessments conducted in 2006 revealed that sandbar, porbeagle and dusky shark populations have been severely overfished, and rebuilding timeframes are projected at 66, 100 and 400 years, respectively. Thanks to numerous comments filed last winter by conservation and fishing groups, including NCMC and its members, a tough program to protect and restore these species is now in place.
Sandbar sharks are a popular target for commercial fisheries because their dorsal fins command high prices in the shark fin trade. Dusky sharks, which have been a prohibited species since 1998, are often caught as bycatch on bottom longlines set for sandbars, negating rebuilding efforts. The new regulations, known as Amendment 2 to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan, will impose a dramatic 80% cut in the commercial quota for sandbar sharks and all sandbar must be landed as part of a research program limited to 5-10 vessels carrying observers at all times. Porbeagle catch has also been cut to a fraction of previous levels, with the majority of the quota allocated to the recreational fishery.
The drastic cuts in allowable shark landings would mean little if these regulations could not be properly enforced. For this reason, the most significant change in Amendment 2 is a new requirement that all sharks be landed with fins naturally attached. The fins-on measure will facilitate identification of sharks at the dock and dealer, improve data collection and stock assessments, and will greatly aid authorities in enforcing the U.S. ban on shark finning. Previous rules permitted fins to be removed from the carcass before landing as long as they fit a fins-to-carcass ratio that was imprecise and open to abuse.
While Amendment 2 only applies to Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark fisheries, the fins-on measure likely influenced a recent amendment to the Shark Conservation Act, which if passed by Congress, will require fins to be attached to all sharks landed in the United States and its territories. The amendment was introduced by Congressman Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) and approved by the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee on June 11. The proposed legislation was then voted out of committee for a House vote, which has yet to be scheduled. Read more about the Shark Conservation Act and how you can help.
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Articles: Accelerating Loss of Ocean Species Threatens Human Well-Being (Dawg)
Scientists Uncover New Clues to Limb Formation (and Loss) in Some Sea Mammals (Dawg)
Swimming Robot Tests Theories About Locomotion in Existing and Extinct Animals (Dawg)
Lobsters Avoid Virus by Detecting Illness in Their Own Kind (Dawg)
Geologists Drill Into Fossil Magma Chamber Deep Under the Ocean (Dawg)
Crew Member on Antarctic Research Vessel Missing (Dawg)
Crew Member on Antarctic Research Vessel Missing (Dawg)
Scientists Discover Interplay Between Genes and Viruses in Tiny Ocean Plankton (Dawg)
Project Takes Fish Collection into the Digital Age (Dawg)
Bering Sea Ecosystem Responding to Changes in Arctic Climate (Dawg)
· More --> | Accelerating Loss of Ocean Species Threatens Human Well-Being
by: Dawg
2006-11-06 06:38:09
Accelerating Loss of Ocean Species Threatens Human Well-Being
Current trends project collapse of currently fished seafoods by 2050
An international group of ecologists and economists has shown that the loss of biodiversity is profoundly reducing the ocean's ability to produce seafood, resist diseases, filter pollutants and rebound from stresses such as overfishing and climate change. Their results are published in this week's issue of the journal Science.
The study reveals that every species lost causes a faster unraveling of the overall ecosystem. Conversely, every species recovered adds significantly to overall productivity and stability of the ecosystem and its ability to withstand stresses.
"Whether we looked at tide pools or studies over the entire world's ocean, we saw the same picture emerging," said lead author Boris Worm of Dalhousie University. "In losing species we lose the productivity and stability of entire ecosystems. I was shocked and disturbed by how consistent these trends are--beyond anything we suspected."
The 4-year analysis is the first to examine all existing data on ocean species and ecosystems, synthesizing historical, experimental, fisheries, and observational data sets to understand the importance of biodiversity at the global scale.
"The findings show the power of synthesizing data for generating a scientific basis for important natural resource decisions," said Henry Gholz, program director in the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Environmental Biology, which funded the research. The synthesis was done through the NSF-funded National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara, Calif.
The results reveal global trends that mirror what scientists have observed at smaller scales, and they prove that progressive biodiversity loss not only impairs the ability of oceans to feed a growing human population, but also sabotages the stability of marine environments and their ability to recover from stresses.
While the data show that ocean ecosystems still hold great ability to rebound, the current global trend projects the collapse of all species of wild seafood that are currently fished by the year 2050 (collapse is defined as 90 percent depletion).
Collapses are also hastened by the decline in overall health of the ecosystem, because the fish rely on the clean water, prey populations and diverse habitats that are linked to higher-diversity systems.
"Unless we fundamentally change the way we manage all the oceans species together, as working ecosystems, then this century is the last century of wild seafood," said co-author Steve Palumbi of Stanford University.
The impacts of species loss go beyond declines in seafood. Human health risks emerge as depleted coastal ecosystems become vulnerable to invasive species, disease outbreaks and harmful algal blooms.
Many of the economic activities along our coasts rely on diverse systems and the healthy waters they supply. "The ocean is a great recycler," said Palumbi, "It takes sewage and recycles it into nutrients, it scrubs toxins out of the water, and it produces food and turns carbon dioxide into food and oxygen." But in order to provide these services, the ocean needs all its working parts, the millions of plant and animal species that inhabit the sea."
The study analyzed 32 controlled experiments, observational studies from 48 marine protected areas, and global catch data from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization's database of all fish and invertebrates worldwide from 1950 to 2003. The scientists also looked at a 1000-year time series for 12 coastal regions, drawing on data from archives, fishery records, sediment cores and archeological data.
"We see an accelerating decline in coastal species over the past 1,000 years, resulting in the loss of biological filter capacity, nursery habitats, and healthy fisheries," said co-author Heike Lotze of Dalhousie University who led the historical analysis of Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, the Bay of Fundy, and the North Sea, among others.
Examination of protected areas worldwide shows that restoration of biodiversity increased productivity four-fold in terms of catch per unit effort and made ecosystems 21 percent less susceptible to environmental and human caused fluctuations on average.
"The data show us it's not too late," said Worm. "We can turn this around. But less than 1 percent of the global ocean is effectively protected right now. We won't see complete recovery in one year, but in many cases species come back more quickly than people anticipated -- in three to five to ten years. And where this has been done we see immediate economic benefits."
The buffering impact of species diversity also generates long term insurance values that must be incorporated into future economic valuation and management decisions. "Although there are short-term economic costs associated with preservation of marine biodiversity, over the long-term biodiversity conservation and economic development are complementary goals," said coauthor Ed Barbier, an economist from the University of Wyoming.
The authors conclude that restoring marine biodiversity through an ecosystem based management approach--including integrated fisheries management, pollution control, maintenance of essential habitats and creation of marine reserves--is essential to avoid serious threats to global food security, coastal water quality and ecosystem stability.
"This isn't predicted to happen, this is happening now," said co-author Nicola Beaumont, an ecological economist with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. "If biodiversity continues to decline, the marine environment will not be able to sustain our way of life. Indeed it may not be able to sustain our lives at all."
-NSF- read more... |
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Articles: NOAA seeks input on enforcement priorities (CaptDQ)
NOAA Fisheries Service advises mariners, right whales are on the move (CaptDQ)
ICCAT ANNUAL MEETING (CaptDQ)
NOAA finds bacterial infection as cause of death for five northern Gulf dolphins (CaptDQ)
NOAA, Partners: Growing Hypoxic Zones Reduce Habitat for Billfish and Tuna (CaptDQ)
Amberjack and Triggerfish (CaptDQ)
HOT TOPIC'S (CaptDQ)
HOT TOPIC'S (CaptDQ)
Commerce Secretary Announces Additional Reforms to Overhaul NOAA’s Law Enforceme (CaptDQ)
MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING (CaptDQ)
· More --> | NOAA seeks input on enforcement priorities
by: CaptDQ
2011-12-04 18:55:59 NOAA seeks input on enforcement priorities
| Contact: |
Lesli Bales-Sherrod
301-427-2300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301-427-2300 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 103
Christine Patrick
301-427-8030 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301-427-8030 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 8, 2011 |
Public comment period on draft list of priorities open through January 9
Today, NOAA released a draft of its enforcement priorities and invited the public to submit comments through January 9. These enforcement priorities are the latest step NOAA is taking to improve its enforcement program, and will help the agency emphasize compliance through better communication with fishermen. Other improvements in the last two years include new leadership, higher-level review of charging decisions, and a new penalty policy to ensure more consistent penalties nationwide.
“Fair and effective enforcement is essential to our ability to rebuild and protect the public’s fisheries and other natural resources, and to protect the many fishermen who play by the rules,” said Bruce Buckson, director of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement. “These priorities will help us focus our resources and strategically use our state and federal partnerships to provide the most benefit for marine resources and the American people.”
NOAA’s jurisdiction spans more than 300,000 square miles of open ocean and 85,000 miles of U.S. coastline, and the agency is charged with enforcing laws and regulations found predominately in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and the Lacey Act. NOAA will continue to encourage compliance with and enforce all marine statutes and regulations for which it is responsible. To help accomplish its mission, NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement operates joint enforcement agreements with 27 coastal states and territories, and partners with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The draft priorities were created collaboratively with the fishery management councils, interstate fishery commissions and interested stakeholders, including fishermen, representing public, private and nongovernmental organizations. The draft priorities are available online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/and http://www.gc.noaa.gov/enforce-office.html.
The national priorities focus on:
- Helping the fishing industry understand and follow regulations that support sustainable fish stocks and a sustainable fishing industry
- Implementing compliance and enforcement plans for catch share management
- Monitoring fish product imports for compliance with domestic and international laws and regulations
- Protecting marine resources in National Marine Sanctuaries
- Protecting marine mammal and endangered species by enforcing bycatch reduction, gear, and closed area regulations
- Supporting observer programs, which collect critical scientific data about fish stock status, bycatch, and fishery interactions with protected species
NOAA began working on enforcement priorities during the NOAA National Enforcement Summit in August 2010, which brought together more than 60 stakeholders from the commercial and recreational fishing industries, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal enforcement agencies. Following the summit, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and NOAA’s Office of General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation solicited further recommendations for priorities by reaching out to fishery management councils, interstate commissions and other stakeholders, inviting comments to be sent to the Special Agents in Charge of NOAA’s six enforcement divisions or to NOAA’s Office of General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation.
Comments on NOAA’s Enforcement Priorities may be submitted via email at enforcementpriorities@noaa.gov; via fax at 301-427-2055, attention Acting Deputy Director Tracy Dunn; or by sending hard copy to Acting Deputy Director Tracy Dunn c/o NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, 8484 Georgia Ave., Suite 415, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments will not be accepted by phone.
For a complete list of NOAA enforcement reforms, go to http://www.noaa.gov/lawenforcementupdates/.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitterand our other social media channels.
For more information:
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/
NOAA enforcement reforms: http://www.noaa.gov/lawenforcementupdates/.
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 | NOAA News · Total News: 528 · Total Reads: 104689 |
Articles: NOAA Reminder on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Regulations (CaptDQ)
Protected Species (CaptDQ)
Breaking News (CaptDQ)
ICCAT (CaptDQ)
Bycatch Reduction in HMS Fisheries (CaptDQ)
ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION (CaptDQ)
Regional Fishery Management Councils (CaptDQ)
NOAA releases first national bycatch report (CaptDQ)
NOAA, FDA Continue to Re-test Gulf Seafood and Post Results (CaptDQ)
Information for Anglers (CaptDQ)
· More --> | NOAA Reminder on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Regulations
by: CaptDQ
2011-12-04 18:39:32 NOAA Reminder on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Regulations
November 22, 2011 - Recently, a New England groundfish vessel
incidentally caught an 881-pound bluefin tuna in a trawl net.
 Recently, a New England groundfish vessel incidentally caught an 881-pound bluefin tuna in a trawl net. At the dock, an officer with the Massachusetts Environmental Police conducted a routine boarding of the vessel. Knowing that bluefin tuna are carefully monitored and regulated, the officer notified NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement that a bluefin tuna had been caught.At the dock, an officer with the Massachusetts Environmental Police conducted a routine boarding of the vessel. Knowing that bluefin tuna are carefully monitored and regulated, the officer notified NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement that a bluefin tuna had been caught.
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement examined whether the vessel’s permits allowed it to catch, retain or sell the fish. The vessel had an Atlantic Tunas General category permit, which allows it to catch bluefin tuna, but only by using handgear (such as rod and reel, handline, and harpoon). There is no permit that allows bluefin tuna to be caught with trawl nets, even incidentally. Therefore, the vessel could not legally retain or possess this bluefin tuna.
This was explained, and the fisherman was issued a written warning under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act. The fisherman voluntarily abandoned the fish to federal law enforcement agents.
If a bluefin tuna is caught with fishing gear that is not authorized, even incidentally, the bluefin tuna must be released and cannot be retained. This is important for the long-term sustainability of the species.
Atlantic bluefin tuna are vulnerable to overfishing because they are so valuable. The bluefin tuna now reproducing off the U.S. coast are between just 21 and 29 percent of their historic population in the 1970s, and because they are slow to mature and reproduce, rebuilding is a lengthy process.
Regulations are written and enforced to ensure there is no incentive to pursue or retain the fish beyond what is allowed under the Fishery Management Plan. The goals of the regulations are to help rebuild the stock and to protect the fishermen who target and depend on this fishery. It is important to carefully follow the regulations so U.S. fishermen can retain their share, and the associated jobs and profits, of this international resource.
Fishermen with questions about bluefin tuna regulations can contact Brad McHale in NOAA’s Office of Highly Migratory Species at (978) 281-9260 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (978) 281-9260 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by email at brad.mchale@noaa.gov. Fishermen with other questions about complying with fishing regulations can contact Don Frei in NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement at (978) 675-2198 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (978) 675-2198 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by email at don.frei@noaa.gov.
For more information about the Atlantic bluefin tuna, please visit our website. read more... |
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 | NTSB · Total News: 37 · Total Reads: 9795 |
Articles: CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP (Dawg)
SAFETY BOARD DETERMINES 2006 MASSACHUSETTS FERRY FIRE CAUSED BY DIESEL FUEL CONT (Dawg)
Capsizing of U.S. Small Passenger Vessel Lady D (Dawg)
NTSB ACTING CHAIRMAN ROSENKER ADDRESSES MARINE CONFERENCE, HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHI (Dawg)
NTSB ACTING CHAIRMAN ROSENKER ADDRESSES MARINE CONFERENCE, HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHI (Dawg)
NTSB DETERMINES IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FUEL-INJECTION LINE CAUSED FIRE ON A SMALL (Dawg)
NTSB DETERMINES IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FUEL-INJECTION LINE CAUSED FIRE ON A SMALL (Dawg)
Safety Recommendation M-06-5 through -9 (Dawg)
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the (Dawg)
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the National Associatio (Dawg)
· More --> | CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP
by: Dawg
2008-01-15 07:25:03 CREW MISTAKES CAUSED HEELING OF CROWN PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP
************************************************************
The National Transportation Safety Board today
determined that the probable cause of an accident involving
the cruise ship Crown Princess was the second officer's
incorrect wheel commands, executed first to counter an
unanticipated high rate of turn and then to counter the
vessel's heeling.
Contributing to the cause of the accident were the
captain's and staff captain's inappropriate inputs to the
vessel's integrated navigation system while it was traveling
at high speed in relatively shallow water, their failure to
stabilize the vessel's heading fluctuations before leaving
the bridge, and the inadequate training of crewmembers in
the use of integrated navigation systems.
"We see from this accident the importance of having
adequate training," said NTSB Mark V. Rosenker. "Had the
crew been better trained in the equipment they were using,
this accident may not have occurred, and implementing our
recommendations is one way to help ensure this."
On July 18, 2006, the cruise ship Crown Princess,
which had been in service about a month, departed Port
Canaveral, Florida, for Brooklyn, New York, its last port on
a 10-day round trip voyage to the Caribbean. About an hour
after departing, the vessel's automatic navigation system
caused the ship's heading to fluctuate around its intended
course. Alarmed by a perceived high rate of turn, the second
officer attempted to take corrective action that resulted in
the ship heeling to a maximum angle of about 24 degrees to
starboard. This caused people to be thrown about or struck
by unsecured objects, resulting in 14 serious and 284 minor
injuries to passengers and crewmembers. The vessel incurred
no damage to its structure but sustained considerable damage
to unsecured interior components, cabinets, and their
contents.
The report adopted by the Board today states that the
Crown Princess was operating at nearly full speed when the
second officer took the controls. Because of instabilities
in the automatic steering system, the officer faced the
problem of navigating a vessel that exhibited both
increasing course deviations and high rates of turn. The
second officer took manual control of the steering and
steered back and forth between port and starboard in
increasingly wider turns. Rather than remedying the problem,
the second officer's actions aggravated the situation,
resulting in a very large angle of heel. The captain quickly
returned to the bridge and brought the vessel under control
by centering the rudder and reducing speed. The Safety Board
concluded that the incident occurred because the second
officer initially turned the wheel to port, when he should
have turned it to starboard to counteract the turn.
The Safety Board also stated that the captain and
staff captain made errors with regard to the ship's
integrated navigation system. These errors included:
* Failure to recognize that the integrated navigation
system could be unpredictable at high speed in shallow
water.
* Failure to recognize that the rudder economy and
rudder limit settings on the integrated navigation
system were inappropriate for the vessel's speed and
operating conditions.
The Board concluded that these errors stemmed from
inadequate training and lack of familiarity with the
integrated navigation system.
As a result of its investigation, the Safety Board
made recommendations regarding integrated navigation system
training to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Cruise Lines
International Association, and to SAM Electronics and Sperry
Marine, manufacturers of integrated navigation systems.
A synopsis of the Board's report, including the
probable cause and recommendations, is available on the
NTSB's website, www.ntsb.gov, under "Board Meetings." The
Board's full report will be available on the website in
several weeks.
read more... |
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Articles: Pew, SeaWeb shrug off oil to target fishing (blueoceaneyez)
Scientists Confirm Second-Ever Case of Virgin Birth by Shark (blueoceaneyez)
MORE OCEANIC SHARKS ADDED TO THE IUCN RED LIST (Dawg)
MOST DEPLETED STOCKS NOT RECOVERING, RESEARCHERS SAY (Dawg)
U.S. SENATE STRENGTHENS FISHERIES PROTECTIONS (Dawg)
SCIENTISTS CALL FOR BAN ON SALE OF CORALS (Dawg)
NEW SPECIES OF HAMMERHEAD SHARK FOUND IN US WATERS (Dawg)
SAVING SHARKS WITH MAGNETS (Dawg)
DOLPHINS NAME THEMSELVES WITH SIGNATURE WHISTLES (Dawg)
CENSUS OF MARINE LIFE RESEARCHERS DISCOVER NEW CRAB (Dawg)
· More --> | Pew, SeaWeb shrug off oil to target fishing
by: blueoceaneyez
2010-02-13 11:36:37 Pew, SeaWeb shrug off oil to target fishing
by Nils E. Stolpe
The Pew Charitable Trusts have spent tens of millions of dollars on fisheries and ocean issues and even more on the news media in recent years. This flood of money has had a significant impact both on fisheries policy and on how our industry is depicted in print and on the air. While a large part of the Pew focus is supposed to be representing and increasing the public's interest in fisheries and ocean issues, is it also shifting that interest?
One of the more active efforts to influence public opinion on fisheries is spearheaded by SeaWeb. On its web site, SeaWeb describes itself as a "project designed to raise awareness of the world ocean and the life within it." Its primary funder is the Pew Charitable Trusts. Early in its existence, SeaWeb commissioned a public opinion survey to determine which ocean issues would best "engage the public interest."
The introduction to the results of the survey, which was conducted for SeaWeb by the Mellman Group, stated "Americans believe the ocean's problems stem from many sources, but oil companies are seen as a prime culprit: In fact, 81% of Americans believe that oil spills are a very serious problem. This is followed by chemical runoff from large corporate farms (75% very serious), improperly treated water from towns near the coast (69%), contaminated seafood (65%), and trash, oil, and chemical runoff from streets (65%)." Overfishing evidently wasn't considered "a very serious problem" and was lumped in with "the loss of critical species" to make the cut as a "meaningful indicator" of trouble.
But in an article on the poll in SeaWeb's November 1996 monthly update, the only specific threat to the oceans mentioned was overfishing. Along with three paragraphs of vague generalities was this statement: "71% (of respondents) agree that overfishing is threatening the health and stability of the marine environment." Nothing about oil spills, runoff, contaminated seafood, or any of the other "problems" identified in the survey, only overfishing. Is this engaging or is it redirecting the public interest?
Funding, MPAs
It seems that an almost universal groundswell of support has developed spontaneously for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as the solution to problems besetting our oceans and the creatures living in them. It seems as well that much of the focus of the MPA movement is protection from fishing. A widely circulated "scientific consensus statement" by the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) at the University of California at Santa Barbara basically concludes that MPAs and Marine Reserves are one of greatest developments of civilization since sliced bread. The statement, it explained, was the result of a two-and-a-half year effort by an international team of scientists. That effort included a research review and a joint meeting by the NCEAS scientists and other researchers on marine reserves convened by the Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea (COMPASS) in May of 1998. This sounds like the world of science at work the way it's supposed to work, with objective researchers reaching their own conclusions independently, then coming together behind a consensus position. But is it really?
COMPASS is funded by the Packard Foundation and SeaWeb is a COMPASS "partner." The chair of the COMPASS board of scientific experts received a Pew fellowship in 1992 and is also a member of the NCEAS international team of scientists that drafted the consensus statement. Six of the 15 scientists at the COMPASS meeting were Pew fellows, as were 25 of the 161 scientists who signed the statement. Marine reserves or MPAs were mentioned in the project descriptions, biographies, or bibliographies of 27 of the 58 Pew fellows named since 1996. One might easily conclude that they are strong supporters - if not promoters - of the concept. Few other researchers can maintain either the professional or public profiles that Pew fellows enjoy, thanks to the financial support - some $150,000 each - and connections the fellowships provide. (In addition to these Pew fellowships, the Pew Trusts and the Packard Foundation have spent more than $2 million in grants specifically promoting MPAs since 1998.)
But the Pew connections don't end there. In January of this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) named the finalists for its MPA Advisory Committee. The 26-member committee includes representatives of a number of organizations funded by Pew and Packard, including:
• Environmental Defense - $3.4 million from Pew and $1.2 million from Packard in the last five years;
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) - $5.5 million from Pew; • Center for Marine Conservation - $1.1 million from Pew, $1.6 million from Packard; and
• Conservation International - $400,000 from Packard.
A program officer from the Packard Foundation is also a MPA committee member, along with one commercial and one recreational fishing industry representative.
Groundswell? You bet. Spontaneous? Not hardly. Universal? How much of the universe can you influence with 10 or 20 million dollars, particularly the universe of marine and fisheries researchers, who have been dealing with declining research budgets for decades?
Pew and swordfish
Back in August 1997, Pew Environmental Program Director Joshua Reichert wrote in an op-ed article printed in the Philadelphia Inquirer "The root problem is not only the size of the quota, the length of the season, or the number of vessels involved. It is how the fish are caught. Use of longlines must be barred." In January 1998, SeaWeb announced the "Give Swordfish A Break" campaign, centered on a domestic consumer boycott of swordfish. In a 1998 article in the St. Petersburg Times (FL), titled "En Garde for Swordfish," reporter Bill Duryea detailed the SeaWeb strategy behind the "Give Swordfish A Break" campaign. "The first thing (SeaWeb Executive Director) Vikki Spruill did when she went looking for a fish to save did not have to do with fish at all," Duryea wrote.
Having decided that the most effective way to "engage the public interest" in ocean problems was through the food on their plate, Spruill, Duryea wrote, "needed a certain kind of fish. A poster fish, if you will. Shrimp and salmon rank at the top of the most popular seafoods, but half of the shrimp and salmon sold in the United States are farm-raised, tempering their status as overfished. Besides, shrimp lack a certain weightiness. 'We wanted something majestic,' said Spruill. Number 3 on the popularity list, according to Spruill, was swordfish, whose firm-fleshed steaks had become a mainstay of fashionable restaurants across the country."
Good mariners?
In April 1998, Pew Fellow, SeaWeb "spokesteam" member, and National Audubon Society's Living Oceans Program Director Carl Safina wrote an op-ed column in the New York Times attacking the swordfish industry and swordfish managers. "Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines, being good mariners, have announced that they will deftly steer clear of swordfish; they've canceled 20 tons of orders," Safina said. Interestingly, Safina's Living Oceans Program has been on the receiving end of a multi-million dollar grant program administered by The Ocean Fund, which was established by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Also worth noting, Royal Caribbean has been fined millions of dollars for various environmental violations. In a 1999 New York Times article, Steven P. Solow, chief of the environmental crimes section of the US Justice Department, was quoted as saying that "the fact that the Nordic Empress (a Royal Caribbean cruise ship) continued dumping after the guilty pleas showed that the company 'had a culture of crime.''' Good mariners, Dr. Safina?
Objective research?
In June 2000, Pew's Reichert was quoted again on longlining, this time in an article on leatherback turtles in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Reichert stated that longlining "is considered a very dirty method of fishing ... These boats pull up everything. They pull up birds, sharks, all kinds of fish and turtles."
On Aug. 1, 2000, NRDC and SeaWeb issued a press release titled "SeaWeb and NRDC Declare Victory for North Atlantic Swordfish" that "applauded groundbreaking action by the federal government to protect juvenile North Atlantic swordfish, one of the two principal goals of the Give Swordfish a Break Campaign" and announced the cessation of the consumer boycott. Industry spokesmen and managers are pretty unanimous in their belief that the Pew boycott inflicted a significant amount of economic damage on the domestic swordfish industry and the longliners in it, while doing nothing for swordfish conservation. The bottom line was that a lot of individuals and businesses in the US were severely hurt because they were in a fishery that millions of Pew dollars could turn into a "poster child" for a troubled ocean.
And, in spite of the Pew "victory," the oft-printed beliefs of Joshua Reichert will keep the Pew dollars flowing for a study by a researcher who apparently shares those beliefs and will keep the people and businesses in the fishery suffering. Last November, Duke University issued a press release announcing a Pew grant of $1.2 million to study longlining. In it, Larry Crowder, research team leader, was quoted as saying "pelagic longlining is one of the most lucrative and perhaps destructive fishing techniques. The recent and rapidly expanding fishery is inherently nonselective. In other words, the gear inadvertently kills both juvenile target species and non-target species, such as sea turtles, seabirds, marine mammals, and other fish." Sound familiar?
Putting it together
So back in 1996, the folks at SeaWeb commissioned a survey to help them get the public involved in the ocean. The introduction to the survey stated, "The poll is critically important to informing the campaign. The research has given us a strong sense of what will work to engage the public in this issue, but the public still requires educating before acknowledging a problem."
The report indicated that Americans would be most effectively engaged by focusing on their perceptions of what was contributing to the problems of the oceans - oil spills, chemical runoff from corporate farms, improperly treated wastewater, contaminated seafood, and non-point source pollution.
But were they given that opportunity? Not quite. Disregarding everything else, the Pew Ocean Update focused on overfishing. So did SeaWeb's programs. On its web site, SeaWeb's priority issues are listed as:
• Declines in swordfish, tuna;
• Trawling and longlines;
• Shrimp and salmon farming;
• Algal blooms;
• Marine sanctuaries and marine zoning;
• Shark finning;
• Florida Bay as the problem in microcosm (with an emphasis on estuaries); and
• Land-based toxic pollutants (as contrasted with oil spills).
Fishing - or overfishing - was accorded little attention in the public opinion survey relative to all the other threats. Yet today, fishing and aquaculture "problems" comprise at least half of SeaWeb's workload. Oil spills, which were identified as the number one problem in the poll and which seem to be going on at the same rate they were pre-Exxon Valdez, get virtually no attention at all.
It's obvious to anyone with any exposure to the print or broadcast media that the public's focus has shifted from "blame it all on the oil industry" to "blame it all on commercial fishing." Every major fishery is under stringent management and every fisherman is working with severe restrictions today, but that isn't enough for the organizations funded by Pew.
Perhaps more people should start asking "why?" read more... |
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Articles: NOAA'S CATCH SHARE POLICY SETS A TREACHEROUS COURSE (CaptDQ)
RFA set to March on Washington (blueoceaneyez)
NOAA Uses (blueoceaneyez)
ASMFC GAFFS RECREATIONAL SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERMEN (Dawg)
National Research Council (NRC) confirms flawed science (Dawg)
Federal Judge Approves Settlement in White Marlin Endangered Species Act Case (liquid_addiction)
A Little More Opportunity for Bluefin Anglers (Dawg)
RFA Seeks Conservation Measures for Atlantic Herring (Dawg)
RFA Joins Lawsuit to Prevent White Marlin Listing (Dawg)
RFA Files Motion in Federal Court to Prevent White Marlin Listing (Dawg)
· More --> | NOAA'S CATCH SHARE POLICY SETS A TREACHEROUS COURSE
by: CaptDQ
2010-11-16 22:42:15 NOAA'S CATCH SHARE POLICY SETS A TREACHEROUS COURSE
Coastal Community Expresses Concerns Over New Federal Fisheries Agenda
(11/5/2010) - Assistant Administrator of Fisheries Eric Schwaab this week announced that recreational anglers were being completely ignored by the administration. In the National Catch Share Policy release issued by NOAA Fisheries Service, Schwaab said angler opposition to privatizing our national oceans was being disregarded, and announced that NOAA Fisheries would not be listening to individual anglers anytime soon.
While NOAA's new federal policy of ignoring input from within the coastal communities was embraced by some members of the national fishing tackle industry, the new policy has raised serious concerns with grassroots political organizations and coastal legislators.
"I have expressed considerable concern over the impact that catch shares may have on the recreational sector," said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ). "I believe our priority should be improving the science and management of fisheries and that promoting another management tool until those issues have been fixed will only continue to hurt our coastal communities."
As a national grassroots political action organization representing the rights of saltwater anglers, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is extremely frustrated by NOAA's new direction. "Mr. Schwaab's take on this dangerous policy is laughable at best," said RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio. "Mr. Schwaab claimed to hear from the angling community, but I'm not sure where he was at the time he heard it, perhaps at some Environmental Defense Fund junket, certainly not anything that local anglers were invited to."
On Thursday, NOAA officially released their new national policy "encouraging the consideration and use of catch shares," a fisheries management scheme which Schwaab called "an effective tool for ending overfishing." According to Donofrio, catch shares will end overfishing primarily by eliminating fishermen. "When we testified before Congress about catch shares in April, we made it clear that our allied groups do not support catch shares in the recreational sector," Donofrio said. In testimony on behalf of RFA, Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA), Fishing Rights Alliance, United Boatmen, United Boatmen of New York, Maryland Saltwater Sportsmen's Association (MSSA), National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO), Southern Kingfish Association (SKA), Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF), New York Sportfishing Federation, and New York Fishing Tackle Trade Association, Donofrio told a congressional committee that the use of catch shares in the recreational fishing sector "would destroy the traditional open access structure and collapse the entrance of new participants in the fishery."
"All of the aforementioned groups, including the RFA, are adamantly opposed to any catch share program in the recreational fishing sector, in any way, shape or form," Donofrio testified, adding "This is a fact that cannot be compromised. We do not want any discussion on any program that compromises traditional open access of seasons, size limits and bag limits."
"I also believe that by specifically targeting local fishing businesses for catch shares will only continue to hinder growth in our coastal economies," Pallone said, adding "overly restrictive management of fisheries is already hurting coastal businesses and we need to pursue policies that promote growth in coastal communities which is why I introduced the Coastal Jobs Creation Act and the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act."
"We've fought too hard and for too long to keep this catch share policy out of our sector, we cannot let NOAA continue to ramrod this policy through Councils in direct contradiction to the wishes of our fishing community," Donofrio said. "Clearly our federal bureaucracy is not listening to the will of the people."
"At a time when our retailers are suffering from reduced participation due to the struggling economy, the last thing we need is a new federal policy designed purely to reduce angler effort," said MRAA President Phil Keeter. "We need more recreational fishermen, not less."
"Obviously you've got a public resource which should remain public, and no one should have to pay to access it," said SKA Director Jack Holmes. "It's been a tradition in America since before the Declaration of Independence was signed."
"MSSA remains adamantly opposed and wants no part of catch shares," said Dave Smith, President of the Maryland sportfishing group.
"When the draft Action Agenda was sent to us to review, I made it clear to Russ Dunn (NOAA National Policy Advisor for Recreational Fisheries) and Eric Schwaab that we did not want any catch share plan in the Gulf," said CCFG and NACO representative Capt. Bob Zales, II. "When we were asked to attend the Recreational Fishing Summit back in April we were told that business as usual from the past was over and there would be a new effort of cooperation between NOAA/NMFS and all recreational anglers. It is clear to me that we have been duped once again." Zales added that as a member of the federal Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC), he was "grossly offended" by references made to "pilot recreational catch share programs" which NOAA included in their Recreational Saltwater Fisheries Action Agenda released last week.
RFA says the NOAA Catch Share Policy is wrought with catch phrases and flimsy definitions, some of which are especially dangerous to future sportfishing opportunities, even non-commercial gamefish species. "We're extremely concerned about the impact the NOAA catch shares policy could have on Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries and offshore tournaments," Donofrio said, explaining how the final policy includes a catch share definition that unequivocally stops all fishing once limits are met. "The way it's written, this excessively restrictive definition could even prohibit catch and release fishing which is a major component of the nation's recreational billfish fisheries including sailfish and marlin."
Donofrio said the idea of individual catch share privileges and fish tags in mixed commercial/recreational fisheries like red snapper, sea bass and scup were bad enough before the policy was set. "We knew that assigning privilege and charging royalties for harvested species would eliminate the average center console angler, but now the fate of offshore access is completely thrown into question when you read the whole policy."
In an article by Richard Gaines of the Gloucester Times, RFA managing director Jim Hutchinson said "When you read this release and see how Mr. Schwaab is promoting catch shares through a $2.2 million funding initiative supported by Wal-Mart and Intel Corporation, it's hard to think how anyone in our recreational fishing industry can be anything other than outraged at this announcement."
"This is bureaucracy at its best, you have a federal law which mandates you fix the data problem, but instead of meeting the initiative in the allotted deadline, you host outreach sessions, reallocate funding toward new initiatives and send out press releases," Hutchinson told John Oswald of the Asbury Park Press.
"There's nothing palatable about this catch share manifesto, especially the way that NOAA is jamming it down our throats," Hutchinson said.
About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 888-JOIN-RFA end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit www.joinrfa.org. read more... |
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Articles: Public Outraged at Assault on Sea Turtle Protections (Dawg)
New Fishing Hooks Save Sea Turtles (Dawg)
Loggerhead Turtles Released at Sebastian Inlet State Park (Dawg)
Costa Rica Passes Long Awaited Fisheries Law (Dawg)
Prominent Scientists Join Call For UN Moratorium on Longline Fishing (Dawg)
Fishing Gear a Death Trap for Sea Turtles (Dawg)
"Last Journey for the Leatherback?" to be screened at NYC Conference (Dawg)
New Documentary Film Sounds Alarm About the Threat of Extinction to Sea Turtles (Dawg)
Commission Responds to Public Comments that More Action to Save Sea Turtles are (Dawg)
| Public Outraged at Assault on Sea Turtle Protections
by: Dawg
2006-03-03 04:16:33 Public Outraged at Assault on Sea Turtle Protections
Public Comments Favoring Protections Received by Government Number 2,200 to 1
Public comments received by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council about its March 9th final vote to allow drift gillnets, also known as "curtains of death," and longlines back into vast protected areas along the Pacific Coast expresses overwhelming public opposition to industry efforts to gut successful conservation measures that protected critically endangered leatherback sea turtles. By the close of the February 15th public comment period, the Council received comments at a ratio of about 2,200 to 1 not to proceed with the expansion of these two destructive fishing practices that injure and kill large numbers of sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds and valuable non-target fish. In addition, a unique coalition of ten recreational fishing, animal welfare and marine conservation groups with about 9 million members are working to oppose the measure.
"It's time for the Council and NOAA Fisheries to listen to the public and enforce their mandate to protect the public interest" said Robert Ovetz, Ph.D., Save the Leatherback Campaign Coordinator with the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, "And the public interest is keeping leatherback sea turtles and other marine species from going extinct and prevent overfishing."
The United Nations banned driftnets on the high seas in 1991 and the US has followed with recent closures to large areas in US waters including the time and area closures along the Pacific. Since 2001, areas north of Point Conception to an intersect with the Oregon coast have been closed to drift gillnet fishing from August 15th through November 15th in order to protect endangered leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles. During the past three years of this closure, this fishery, which targets swordfish with drift gillnet gear, has had no recorded takes of leatherback sea turtles. Longline fishing, which is also one of the main threats to leatherback sea turtles, was banned along the US West Coast in 2004.
Since 2002, 64 dolphins, whales, seals and sea lions have been killed by the drift gillnet fishery in the West Coast areas still open to gillnetting. Additionally, seabirds including Northern fulmars and Cassin's auklet have been injured or killed.
The proposed exemption would allow as many as two thirds of the remaining 36 drift-gillnet vessels and between 71 and 131 longline vessels into the closed areas.
"Drift-gillnet and longlines are subsidized unprofitable industries looking for a hand-out at the expense of endangered species like leatherback sea turtles, humpback whales and sharks. The public has spoken. It's time for the government to listen," added Ovetz.
Resources:
• The scientist letter can be found at:
http://www.seaturtles.org/pdf/___Scient.ltr.PFMC.final.pdf
• The NGO coalition letter can be found at:
http://www.seaturtles.org/pdf/_NGO.letter.2.final.pdf
• For information about the Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting go to: http://www.pcouncil.org/bb/2005/bb1105.html
• For a review copy of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project's new documentary film Last Journey for the Leatherback? contact Robert Ovetz, Ph.D.
For more information, contact:
Robert Ovetz, Ph.D.
(415) 488-0370 x 106
robert@seaturtles.org read more... |
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Articles: Chemical Analyses of Bluefin Tuna Earbones Reveal Two Discrete But Overlapping P (blueoceaneyez)
Farm-raised bluefin tuna spawn controversy (blueoceaneyez)
Blue Marlin Movements Tracked with Satellite Tags (Dawg)
Tag-A-Giant in Carolina January 2005 (Dawg)
TAG-A-Giant is officially over in North Carolina (Dawg)
| Chemical Analyses of Bluefin Tuna Earbones Reveal Two Discrete But Overlapping P
by: blueoceaneyez
2008-10-17 00:49:06 Chemical Analyses of Bluefin Tuna Earbones Reveal Two Discrete But Overlapping
Populations in the Atlantic: Findings Reported Today in Science
October 2008
BABYLON, NY -- Atlantic bluefin tuna are the largest and most sought-after of
all tunas, weighing as much as 1,500 pounds and capable of fetching $50,000 or more in
Asian markets where their flesh is a prized commodity. The Gold Rush for one bluefin is
a big reason why their numbers have declined precipitously since the 1950s. New
research findings reported in Science have critical implications for how bluefin tuna
fisheries are managed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
A team of international researchers led by Dr. Jay Rooker of Texas A&M
University at Galveston and Dr. David Secor of the University of Maryland, in
collaboration with Tag-A-Giant Foundation and Stanford University researcher Dr.
Barbara A. Block, adds a new chapter to this emerging story, providing critical insights
into the population structure and mixing of Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean
populations of bluefin tuna. The study comes at an important time as new assessments by
international scientists suggest that both western and eastern fisheries are unsustainable at
their current levels, and managers will convene in Marrakech, Morocco next month to
consider revisions to existing – but failing – rebuilding plans.
In the current study, titled, “Natal Homing and Connectivity in Atlantic Bluefin
Tuna Populations,” Rooker and fellow researchers examine the chemical composition of
the fish’s ear bone—the otolith—to identify individuals from western and eastern
Atlantic nurseries in the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean Sea, respectively. Chemical
signatures in the form of stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios served as a “birth
certificate” and were used by the researchers to determine the birthplace of adolescent
and adult bluefin tuna (2-20 years of age or more) on spawning and foraging grounds in
the Atlantic Ocean.
The study shows that trans-Atlantic movement and mixing of populations was
high, with over half of the juveniles collected in North American waters being of
Mediterranean origin. “North American fisheries for juvenile bluefin tuna appear to be
supported to a large degree by the Mediterranean population, and thus the condition of
this population will directly impact commercial and recreational fisheries for bluefin tuna
in U.S. waters,” according to Rooker.
“Our data coupled with archival and satellite tagging data clearly show that the
migratory patterns of bluefin tuna are more complex than previously assumed, and
information on mixing must be included in future assessments to ensure that rebuilding
efforts are successful.”
Despite the high level of mixing, the team also observed that over 99 percent of
adult bluefin tuna returned to their place of origin in the Gulf of Mexico to spawn, and
over 95% return was detected in the spawners from the Mediterranean Sea
“Rates of homing reported here are extremely high and comparable to Pacific
salmon, which are known to return to the streams in which they were initially spawned,
with very high frequency,” according to Block. “The new otolith chemistry findings fit
perfectly with previous electronic tagging and recent genetic data, which show that
distinct bluefin tuna populations mix across the foraging zones of the North Atlantic but
separate into distinct spawning areas. This has important implications for the
management of bluefin tuna in both the East and West Atlantic. We clearly have eastern
origin fish from the Mediterranean Sea in our U.S. fishery, and the Mediterranean fishers
must realize their excessive overfishing is negatively impacting our fishery. Furthermore,
we must quickly get a handle on the mixing in order to discern the number of bluefin that
remain in the Gulf of Mexico stock.”
The origin of commercially harvested bluefin tuna (commonly called “giants” and
weighing over 300 pounds) in northern New England and Canada were examined and
found to be nearly entirely of Gulf of Mexico origin. Results demonstrate that these
waters may represent critical foraging habitat of the smaller, more vulnerable population
that spawns in the Gulf of Mexico. Similarly, otolith samples isolated from the Gulf of
Mexico spawners indicate these fish were spawned in the region, which highlights the
importance of recovery and protection efforts for bluefin tuna in this region.
In addition to Rooker and Block, David Secor of the University of Maryland
Center for Environmental Science; Gregoria DeMetrio of the University of Bari (Italy);
Ryan Schlosser of Texas A&M University at Galveston; and John Neilson of the St.
Andrews Biological Station co-authored the article. The research was supported by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center,
the University of New Hampshire’s Large Pelagic Research Center, the Tag-A-Giant
Foundation, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation.
###
Contact: Jay Rooker at (409) 939-9828 or email at rookerj@tamug.edu; Barbara Block at
(831) 594-2071 or email bblock@stanford.edu; Keith Randall at (979) 845-4644 or email
at keith-randall@tamu.edu; Randy Kochevar at (831) 626-3632 or email at
rkochevar@hotmail.com. read more... |
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Articles: JOINT OCEAN COMMISSION INITIATIVE WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH’S REMARKS ON U.S. OCEA (blueoceaneyez)
Congress Takes Steps Toward Addressing Ocean Funding Crisis (blueoceaneyez)
Key Senators Agree to Take Action As Ocean Crisis Worsens (Dawg)
Statement of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative on President Bushâ€à (Dawg)
| JOINT OCEAN COMMISSION INITIATIVE WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH’S REMARKS ON U.S. OCEA
by: blueoceaneyez
2008-09-26 19:59:46
JOINT OCEAN COMMISSION INITIATIVE WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH’S
REMARKS ON U.S. OCEAN ACTION PLAN
September 2008 (Washington, D.C.) – On Friday, September 26, President Bush will
discuss the Administration’s progress implementing its U.S. Ocean Action Plan. The
Plan was released in December 2004, in response to reports issued by the U.S.
Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission.
In his remarks, we hope the President will highlight the major issues affecting ocean and
coastal communities and focus on key steps needed to address them, including
establishing a comprehensive national ocean policy, increasing investments in ocean
science, and securing the country’s economic and national security through U.S.
accession to the Law of the Sea Convention.
The Action Plan acknowledged the enormous economic and ecological value of our
oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, and proposed measures to address challenges
identified in the two reports. The Administration’s efforts to implement the Action Plan
over the last four years have been instrumental in elevating public and political
awareness of the challenges facing our oceans and have laid a foundation for the next
Administration to take an aggressive approach to curbing the continuing deterioration of
our oceans.
“Our oceans undeniably contribute an immeasurable amount to our country’s economy,
health, environment and well-being,” said the Honorable Leon Panetta, co-chair of the
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. “We depend upon, and are intrinsically connected to,
our oceans and coasts, yet they are in crisis due to climate change, pollution, overfishing
and contamination. I recognize the administration’s valuable efforts in this area, and
anticipate that the President will stress the need for increased attention and funding to
oceans moving forward.”
“We cannot overstate the crisis facing our oceans,” said Admiral James D. Watkins (U.S.
Navy, Ret.), co-chair of the Joint Initiative. “The impacts of climate change on coastal
economies and marine ecosystems are already occurring, as evidenced by record
melting of Arctic sea ice and the acidification of global ocean waters. These threats are
continuing to grow and must be addressed aggressively and immediately.”
While the progress made by President Bush and his Administration is a good start, it is
clear that much more effort is necessary to address the state of crisis facing our oceans.
It will require new management approaches that bring together resources and experts
from across the public and private sectors, additional funding to significantly improve our
understanding of the ocean’s role in climate change and its impact on our economy and
ecosystems, and a recommitment to advancing U.S. leadership in international ocean
policy. Without success in these areas, our oceans will continue to deteriorate and the
country’s safety, economy, environment and well-being will be jeopardized.
For more information on the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative and our work, please visit
www.jointoceancommission.org.
###
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Commission
on Ocean Policy and Pew Oceans Commission to catalyze ocean policy reform. The
Joint Initiative is guided by a ten-member task force, five from each commission, and led
by Admiral James D. Watkins (U.S. Navy, Ret.) and the Honorable Leon E. Panetta,
chairs of the U.S. Commission and Pew Commission, respectively. The primary goal of
the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is to accelerate the pace of change that results in
meaningful ocean policy reform.read more... |
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 | USCG · Total News: 880 · Total Reads: 174614 |
Articles: Coast Guard Cutter Confidence interdicts 1,100 pounds of marijuana (CaptDQ)
Coast Guard rescues 2 from capsized vessel in Panama City Pass (CaptDQ)
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Coast Guard searching for overdue boaters off Jacksonville coast (blueoceaneyez)
Loran C Termination - Feb 8 2010 (blueoceaneyez)
Coast Guard rescues three people after vessel capsizes (blueoceaneyez)
Coast Guard assisting in search for reportedly kidnapped 3-year-old boy (blueoceaneyez)
Florida Plane Crash Victims Found (blueoceaneyez)
Coast Guard Medevacs Person from Cruise Ship (blueoceaneyez)
3 Boaters Missing in Gulf - Texas- UPDATE!! (blueoceaneyez)
· More --> | Coast Guard Cutter Confidence interdicts 1,100 pounds of marijuana
by: CaptDQ
2012-02-17 23:10:40
February 17th, 2012 | Add a Comment
MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence intercepted a 28-foot vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics Feb. 9 in the Caribbean Sea.
The Confidence crew was patrolling south of Cuba, in international waters, when they spotted the go-fast, which led to the confiscation of approximately 1,100 pounds of marijuana and the detainment of six suspected smugglers.
As the Confidence’s boatcrew pursued the go-fast vessel, the suspected smugglers were witnessed jettisoning bales of marijuana into the water. A second boatcrew was launched to recover the evidence, resulting in the collection of 36 bales packed with illegal drugs.
Coast Guard cutter crews consistently train to respond to emergencies, search and rescue, and drug and migrant interdiction cases, all of which often occur without warning.
Confidence’s drug interdiction is one example of many that exhibits the Coast Guard’s efforts in stopping the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States. The Confidence is a 210-foot, medium-endurance cutter homeported in Port Canaveral, Fla. The Confidence crew primarily conducts counter-drug and undocumented migrant interdiction patrols in the Caribbean Sea.
Medium-endurance cutters like the Confidence are built for multi-week offshore patrols including operations requiring enhanced communications, and helicopter and pursuit boat operations, which provide a key capability for homeland security operations at sea.
read more... |
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