Tuna Fishermen have one last opportunity to make their case before the Status Review Team (SRT), comprised solely of NOAA and NMFS employees, makes a determination on listing bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act. The initial petition was submitted by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity, a group known for using the Endangered Species Act to achieve their goals.
NOAA determined in September that listing bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) might be warranted. As a result Atlantic bluefin tuna are now considered a candidate species and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must make a final determination by May 2011 as to whether a listing is warranted. If bluefin tuna were to be listed as “endangered”, all commercial and recreational fishing for bluefin would be prohibited. This prohibition would only affect US fishermen and would have no impact on other countries fishing for bluefin. Even scientists are amazed with the biological futility of an action designed to only affect US fishermen given the low mortality they cause on the species (US fishermen caught less than 5% of the bluefin in the Atlantic in 2009)
The petition was originally submitted by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity, a group known for using ESA to achieve their goals. NOAA had the opportunity to dismiss this frivolous attack on US bluefin fishermen but, as is consistent with their recent policy decisions in other areas, they chose to support the petition. The positive finding by NOAA is without merit and NOAA should have dismissed the petition. This is another stunning example of NOAA’s intent to destroy the US bluefin industry and to damage the domestic market for bluefin. A listing under ESA only hurts US fishermen whose quota share would be distributed to other countries along with the US jobs that go with it.
Currently the formal review process is underway. The Status Review Team (SRT), comprised solely of NOAA and NMFS employees, is tasked with compiling all available information on bluefin and conducting a threats assessment/extinction risk analysis. Their report will be handed over to NMFS for the final determination. Despite the overwhelming data to the contrary, there is great concern that Dr Lubchenco will once again try to forward her “preservation” agenda to destroy this fishery.
Fishermen have one last opportunity to have input in this process before the SRT makes its report to NMFS. The American Bluefin Tuna Association (ABTA) insisted that fishermen be allowed the opportunity to be heard and NMFS agreed. There are 5 “Listening Sessions” scheduled in January 2011 that will allow fishermen to educate the SRT as to their observations of the fish and their habits, as well as give their opinions of why the current available science may be flawed and insufficient.
It is important that fishermen attend at least one of the 5 listening sessions. It is critical that NMFS hears your comments and insights. The existing science is very weak and a thorough compilation of fishermen’s observations should be influential. ESA is the knock-out punch. Take it seriously and come speak your mind. Let Dr Lubchenco know your feelings about the health of your fishery.
If you plan to attend any of the meetings please contact Kim Damon-Randall at kimberly.damon-randall@noaa.gov or call her at 978-282-8485 in advance. It is necessary to RSVP due to security and space concerns.
Please visit the “Current Actions” section of the ABTA web site at http://www.theabta.com/CurrentActions.html to see “Listening Discussion Topics” and some other documents which will help fishermen understand the ESA process.
The meeting schedule is as follows: (each meeting begins at 10am):
Jan 5 – NMFS Lab in Sandy Hook, NJ
Jan 6 – Mariner's House in Boston, MA
Jan 7 – Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, ME
Jan 10- NMFS Lab in Pascagoula, MS
Jan 11- NMFS Lab in Beaufort, NC
NMFS has also arranged to have a Web Ex for each session. If you are interested in participating via Web Ex, please contact Kim with the date of the session you are interested in, and she will provide the Web Ex information. Finally, NMFS has reserved an operator assisted conference line for those wishing to call in. The number is 888-455-1634, and the operator will ask for a verbal pass code which is "bluefin tuna." The operator will ask for your name and affiliation and will help to facilitate those on the call to ensure that anyone wishing to ask a question or provide information has the opportunity to do so.
Also written comments can be sent to Kim via email (or regular mail at NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930) no later than close of business on January 18th.