Saving Seafood

International & Trade

London 2012 Olympics commits to sustainable seafood

Organizers of the 2012 Olympic Games in London on Monday announced the more than 82 metric tons of seafood served during the games will be "demonstrably sustainable."

In its Food Vision, published 7 December, the organizers said all wild fish served will meet the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which includes Marine Stewardship Council certification and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) list of fish to eat.

Organizers will require sourcing of diverse species to reduce pressure on sensitive stocks, farmed fish raised to high standards of welfare and fed only with demonstrably sustainable feed and products that are ethically traded and sourced.

Read the complete story at Seafood Source.

Massachusetts Fisheries Director asks NMFS to modify Council decision

On December 2, 2009, Paul Diodati, the Director of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries wrote to NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Administrator Patricia Kurkul regarding "the furor created by the New England Fishery Management Council's recent decision to allocate far fewer days to the limited access sea scallop fishery…"

Director Diodati observed that the Council unintentionally failed to use Plan Development Team and Science and Statistical Committee advice. He asked Regional Administrator Kurkul to "take appropriate steps to account for the PDT and SSC analyses of uncertainty" and asked that the decision of the Council be adjusted to F = 0.24, placing the probability of overfishing at less than 20%.

Read Director Diodati's letter to Regional Administrator Kurkul.

Feds hope strategy boosts Gulf fishing

The federal government will push for the expansion of a controversial concept that gives commercial fishermen a guaranteed share of the overall catch as a tool for restoring depleted stocks in the Gulf of Mexico and other fisheries.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday the approach, known as “catch shares,” is a proven strategy that can make fishing safer and more profitable while rebuilding fish populations.

The federal push for catch shares arises from concerns that traditional methods, including seasonal limits and buyouts of fishing boats, have brought only marginal recovery of fish stocks. More than 20 percent of U.S. fisheries have not been rebuilt, despite a mandate from Congress three years ago to end overfishing of all species by 2011.

“The current tools we have aren’t getting the job done,” NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco said, “so we’re expanding the toolbox.”

The approach would let commercial fishing crews harvest their share of the catch when they can command higher prices, rather than competing in derby-style openings that often lead to market gluts and wasted fish. Scientists say that once given a fixed share of the catch, fishermen are less likely to overfish because they have a financial interest in seeing the species thrive.

Read the complete story at the Houston Chronicle.

OPINION: Fisherman Lee’s exit a powerful statement

Rockport fisherman Bill Lee's decision to bow out of the industry may not seem like the biggest commercial fishing news of the day, week, or year. It may, however, be the most telling.

The word that Lee, longtime captain of the Ocean Reporter and — perhaps more importantly, a fierce defender of fishermen's rights — has sold his permits and bowed out of the industry to cover a $19,000 settlement for a questionable National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration violation should cry out loud and clear to our federal legislators of the need for drastic changes in the way that NOAA and its enforcers do business.

He was one of the first to come forward and legitimately cry foul over the outrageous tactics used by Coast Guard enforcement agents on NOAA's behalf, a step that helped spawn an ongoing Inspector General's Office probe into heavy-handed tactics by NOAA and its National Marine Fisheries Services.

Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.

Opinion: 6 easy steps for NMFS to gain trust of fishermen by Jim Lovgren

Recently, a few representatives of the National Marine Fisheries Service have stated that they must work to regain the trust of the fishing industry.

Talk is cheap, actions are what matter. Here are a few suggestions that NMFS should take if its officials are serious about rebuilding trust between themselves and the fishing industry.

The most critical and easiest remedied involves the North East Fishery Science Center trawl surveys and stock assessments. Currently fish species stock assessments rely heavily upon trawl surveys, primarily conducted in the spring and the fall, using a three year moving average to estimate stock abundance.

If fishermen believe in the results of the stock assessments, they will certainly be more inclined to believe in the management measures implemented because of them. The overwhelming majority of recreational and commercial fishermen do not believe in the science NMFS presents because it does not come close to what they observe.

Since "Trawlgate," the NEFSC has taken a few positive steps to address this discrepancy through the Trawl Survey Advisory Panel. The new survey vessel, the H. Bigelowe, now uses an industry-designed net that fishermen may eventually have confidence in. Unfortunetely, the NEFSC has created large holes in the trawl survey data by a few of their actions.

Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.

NOAA releases draft national policy encouraging the use of catch shares

NOAA released today for public comment a draft national policy encouraging the use of catch shares, a fishery management tool that aims to end overfishing and rebuild and sustain fishing jobs and fishing communities. In doing so, NOAA recognized that catch shares are not a panacea or one-size-fits-all solution, but are a proven way to promote sustainable fishing when designed properly at the fishing community level.

The public may submit written comments until April 10. After reviewing and considering comments, NOAA will issue the final policy.

Read NOAA's release on the draft policy

Read and comment on the draft policy

Listen to the teleconference in which Dr. Lubchenco and NOAA colleagues discuss the draft policy with members of the media

February Fishermen’s March on Washington planned

The following press release was issued by the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen.

Recreational and commercial fishermen, support business owners, families, and community leaders will gather at the steps of our Nation’s Capitol on February 17, 2010 from noon to 3 PM to show congress a united front of the impacts caused by the unintended impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act as revised effective January, 2007 (RMSA). The overly restrictive management requirements created by the RMSA based on non scientific arbitrary deadlines are forcing anglers off the water, eliminating commercial fishing, preventing consumers from purchasing locally caught fresh seafood, destroying small family businesses, increasing unemployment, and adversely affecting coastal communities.

We fully support real science based management and the conservation of our marine resources while also being able to sustain recreational and commercial fishing activities, providing locally caught seafood, sustaining small family businesses, and supporting our coastal communities. Please stay tuned as the details are being developed and will be provided. Make your plans to join us for this historic event and work with us in a United effort from coast to coast.

CCGF urges all elected officials to work together and to join the efforts by the leaders of other coastal states for the best interests of our coastal communities and the Nation.

This effort is being coordinated by many organizations and individuals including but not limited to CCGF, RFA, FRA, United Boatmen of New York, United Boatmen of New Jersey, MSSA and more to be announced.

Massachusetts Legislators Preserve State Law on Buzzards Bay Protection

Five members of the Massachusetts delegation have announced that they have received a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who reported that the Coast Guard has “no present intention to initiate a legal challenge” against a Massachusetts law designed to prevent oil spills in Buzzards Bay.

Their release follows.

Secretary Napolitano’s action was in response to a joint letter from Senators John Kerry and Paul Kirk, along with Congressmen Barney Frank, James McGovern and William Delahunt, in which they argued that the federal government should not challenge theMassachusetts law.

“It’s common sense for an escort tug to accompany oil barges and it’s working effectively. Protecting the Bay from oil spills is paramount and I’m glad the Coast Guard will allow state law to continue to work as it was intended,” said Senator John Kerry.

Senator Kirk said “Buzzards Bay is one of the most treasured parts of our Massachusetts coastal waters. I commend Secretary Napolitano and the Coast Guard for their fair decision, which will enable us to have proper safeguards to prevent any future oil spill.”

“I am very grateful to Secretary Napolitano for responding to our concerns and agreeing not to try to block the Massachusetts state law regarding oil tankers in Buzzards Bay,” said Congressman Frank.  This is a welcome contrast from the policy of the Bush administration. Until the day arrives when double-hulled tankers are required, it is vital that we take the necessary steps to protect our natural resources.”

“The Southeastern Massachusetts Congressional delegation has done an outstanding job on this issue,” continued Frank, “and we will continue to work together to protect the bay. Specifically, we will remain in close contact with state officials to assure them that we will not yield to pressure for any changes that would prevent vigorous protection ofBuzzards Bay.”

“I applaud this decision and commend Congressman Frank for taking the lead in our ongoing efforts to protect Buzzards Bay,” said Congressman Delahunt. “The coastal waters of the Cape and Islands are among the most important and sensitive marine waters in the country and they deserve nothing but the highest level of protection and conservation.”

“I’m pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has decided to not pursue this matter in court,” Rep. McGovern said.  “It is essential that we maintain the highest standards to ensure the health of Buzzards Bay and the safety of South Coast residents.”

The Massachusetts state law requires special safeguards for single-hulled oil tankers navigating Buzzards Bay, including a provision requiring use of Massachusetts escort tugs, provided by the state.  The legislation was written in response to a major accident, which in 2003 spilled approximately 100,000 gallons of oil into Buzzards Bay.

Read the letter from the Massachusetts legislators.

Read the response from Secretary Napolitano.

Pew applauds NOAA for its conservation-minded catch shares policy

The Pew Environment Group issued this release in response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) release of its draft policy on the use of catch shares in federal fisheries.

WASHINGTON – Lee Crockett, director of Federal Fisheries Policy at the Pew Environment Group, today issued the following statement in response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) release of its draft policy on the use of catch shares in federal fisheries.  

“NOAA and its Catch Shares Task Force recognize that catch shares are not a one-size-fits-all fisheries solution and not all fisheries can or should be managed by them. In keeping with that determination, the draft NOAA policy released today encourages, rather than mandates, that catch shares be one of several possible management tools regional fishery management councils should consider when developing their plans.   

“Any catch shares program must be implemented in a way that strengthens conservation, supports local fishing communities and provides access for recreational anglers and diverse commercial fishing fleets.  

“Catch shares give fishermen exclusive access to, not ownership of, a portion of the catch. They have been praised as a way of achieving sustainable fish populations by giving fishermen an incentive to conserve the resource.  

“Indeed, when properly designed, catch shares can lead to substantial gains in fisheries by reducing capacity, increasing economic efficiency and ensuring sustainable catches. However, poor design can cause unintended economic hardship for many fishermen and their communities. 

“Regardless of the management approach, the important first step needed to end overfishing and rebuild depleted fish populations is to set annual limits, based on sound science, that determine the number of fish that can be caught sustainably. This should be coupled with timely and effective fishery monitoring to plan accurate catch limits in future years.  

“While NOAA should be commended for taking into account valid concerns from many stakeholders, it is important that  funding for catch shares programs not  lead to cuts in other important programs necessary to establish annual catch limits.”  

To read Pew’s white paper on catch shares, go to http://www.endoverfishing.org/DesignMatters.html.  

To read Pew’s comments to NOAA’s Catch Shares Task Force, go to http://endoverfishing.org/resources/CoalitionResponseNOAA.pdf.  

To read NOAA’s draft catch share policy, go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/domes_fish/catchshare/index.htm.  

The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization headquartered in the United States that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life. To learn more, go to www.endoverfishing.org.

Task force urges faster move to reform fishing

Facing a 2011 deadline to end overfishing in U.S. waters, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been working to expand the use of a management system designed to end the race for fish that has resulted in dozens of ocean species in trouble.

On Thursday, a task force handed the agency a set of recommendations to build support among fishermen and break through the bureaucracy that has held up wider adoption of catch shares. The system gives individual shares of the catch to fishermen, cooperatives or even communities, as well as responsibility not to overfish protected stocks. Each permit holder has a specific quota of fish they can catch, ending the race to gather as many fish as possible.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief Jane Lubchenco has pushed the system as part of a comprehensive national ocean policy endorsed by President Barack Obama. But it can take years for regional fishery management councils that set commercial fishing seasons to work through the process.

The Environmental Defense Fund praised the recommendations, saying that catch shares have restored fish populations while improving the livelihoods of fishermen.

Read the complete story by the AP at Google.