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IN THIS ISSUE (CONTINUED):
CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE CUMULATIVE WEEKLY
SUMMARY OF FISHERIES AND MARINE MAMMAL NEWS
FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY
-- Current to the Week of 7/25/97 --
=======================================================
Russian Salmon Poaching. On July 3, 1997, investigators raided a
Hokkaido company on suspicion that it was sending Japanese fishermen to
Russia to catch salmon under Russian quotas for sale in Japan. [Dow Jones
News]
.
Pacific Salmon Treaty. The United States requested that the Fraser
River panel meet on June 30, 1997, to coordinate management. The first
portion of the Fraser River sockeye, the early Stuart River fish), is
projected
to be a week late in arriving, with no clear indication of whether the fish
are
less than forecast or merely late. U.S. fishermen agreed to postpone harvest
of
100,000 early Stuart sockeye due to the apparent initial weakness of the
returning run, until the Fraser River panel meets again on July 3, 1997. On
July 3, 1997, U.S. officials announced that WA state fishermen would be
allowed to begin fishing for early Stuart sockeye bound for the Fraser River
on
July 5. Additional U.S. fishing periods were scheduled daily for July 7-9,
1997. The total early Stuart run is estimated to amount to about 1.1 million
sockeye, with a spawning escapement of 500,000 desired. Of the 600,000
available for harvest, WA fishermen are anticipated to be able to harvest
about
86,000 fish. However, Canadians urge restraint until the size of the actual
return can be determined. From 1990-1996, Canada has asked that the
United States not harvest from the early Stuart run, and the United States
has
agreed. On July 6, 1997, Canadian officials opened a fishery restricted to
certain Native fishermen, with additional broader commercial openings
scheduled through the week. At midnight on July 7, 1997, the AK Dept. of
Fish and Game closed the southeast AK chinook salmon troll fishery after
about
120,000 chinook were estimated to have been caught. This closure was earlier
than anticipated due to high catch rates. On July 8, 1997, U.S. managers
announced that the WA state fishery for early Stuart sockeye would close a
day
earlier than originally scheduled, due to high catches by U.S. fishermen.
After catches are tabulated, a decision will be made on July 10 or 11 whether
to allow additional fishing. On July 9, 1997, Canadian officials raised
concerns that AK seiners were targeting Canadian sockeye salmon
under the guise of fishing for AK pink salmon, which usually do not return to
spawn until late summer. On July 9, 1997, Canadian Trade Minister Sergio
Marchi discussed aspects of salmon negotiations with U.S. Trade
Representative Charlene Barshefsky. BC Premier Glen Clark appealED to
WA residents for more attention to conservation via an open letter published
in
major WA newspapers on July 10, 1997. On July 10, 1997, a BC fishing
company filed suit against the Canadian government in Vancouver, BC, court,
alleging a conspiracy in allowing Treaty negotiations to stall and in
allocating
harvest quota so as to benefit seiners and large processors and discriminate
against small salmon trollers. On July 16, 1997, U.S. and tribal managers
decided, jointly with Canadian managers, not to reopen the fishery for early
Stuart sockeye from the Fraser River due to concerns that high siltation in
the
River may prevent significant numbers of salmon from reaching their spawning
areas. In earlier fisheries, U.S. fisherman caught about 108,000 early
Stuart
fish while Canadians harvested about 276,000. On July 16, 1997, BC Premier
Glen Clark was reported to have written to Canadian Prime Minister Jean
Chretien calling for a joint strategy to counter alleged targeting of BC
sockeye
by southeast AK purse seiners near Noyes Island. Canadian officials claim
AK fishermen have caught 350,000 Canadian sockeye in this fishery, rather
than the 120,000 agreed to. AK officials contend the sockeye catch has been
much smaller. {On July 18, 1997, U.S. officials admitted that southeast AK
fishermen had incidently caught a substantial number of sockeye salmon
when fishing for pink salmon, despite a limit of 120,000 sockeye, but stated
that they believe the United States is not in violation of the Treaty.
Canadian
officials are concerned with the possibility that southeast AK fishermen
could
catch as many as 1 million sockeye caught by Aug. 1. On July 18, 1997,
Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy sent a diplomatic letter to the
United States, demanding that AK fishermen immediately stop intercepting
Canadian sockeye salmon. On July 18, 1997, after dozens of BC fishing
boats blocked the AK fish tender Polar Lady carrying 100 tons of salmon to a
fish processing plant in Prince Rupert, BC, the tender returned to U.S.
waters.
On July 19, 1997, several hundred Canadian fishing boats surrounded the AK
ferry Malaspina in Prince Rupert, BC, blocking its departure for Ketchikan,
AK.
The blockade continued through July 21, despite a July 20 court order from a
Montreal judge that the fishing boats move and allow the ferry to depart;
about
300 ferry passengers were stranded. U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright sent a diplomatic letter to Canada, protesting the ferry blockade;
the
Canadian fishermen demand that Canadian Fisheries Minister David Anderson
intercede and resume Treaty negotiations. On July 20, 1997, a second ferry
bound for Prince Rupert was diverted to Bellingham, WA. On July 20, 1997,
four U.S. fishermen aboard two salmon gillnetters, the Lynde E and the
Wanda Mae, were arrested and their boats and catch seized for allegedly
fishing inside Canadian waters in the Juan de Fuca Strait near the mouth of
the Jordan River off the southern tip of Vancouver Island; in addition, their
gillnets reportedly were of a type that was illegal in Canada. On July 21,
1997, the captains of the two U.S. fishing vessels arrested were fined $4,000
each, with charges against their two deckhands stayed. Late on July 21,
1997 and after Canadian Fisheries Minister David Anderson assured fishermen
that he would make a renewed effort to resolve the dispute, Canadian
protesters allowed the AK ferry Malaspina to continue its journey north from
Prince Rupert, BC. AK has suspended ferry service to Prince Rupert
indefinitely, and AK's Attorney General is reported to have said that AK
intends to sue BC fishermen {{and the Canadian government in Vancouver,BC,
court for damages; the suit will likely be filed July 28. On July 22, 1997,
Prince Rupert's mayor sent a letter of apology to AK Governor Tony Knowles,
including assurances that efforts are being made to compensate AK for
losses.}} On July 23, 1997, Canadian and U.S. officials agreed to appoint
special envoys to renew Pacific salmon negotiations; these envoys will
maintain daily contact and report directly to Prime Minister Jean Chretien
and
President Bill Clinton. On July 23, 1997, the U.S. Senate voted 81-19 to
pass
S.Res. 109, expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the AK ferry
blockade in Prince Rupert, BC, and urging President Clinton to impose
economic sanctions if other ferries are blocked. On July 23, 1997, WA
officials announced that they were reopening the fishery for early Stuart
sockeye for one day on July 24, after the Pacific Salmon Commission
increased its estimate of the run size from 1.4 million fish to 1.8 million
fish. Thus far the U.S. has harvested 121,000 fish while Canadians have
harvested
322,000; U.S. managers agreed to Canada's revised request that 687,000 fish
(rather than the earlier 500,000 fish) be allowed to escape for spawning. On
July 24, 1997, AK managers did not reopen the southeast AK purse seine
salmon fishery in Management District 4 to allow sockeye salmon bound for
Canada's Nass River to pass.} {{On July 23, 1997, U.S. and Canadian
officials
were reported to have held an hour-long meeting characterized as a "good
discussion." On July 24, 1997, U.S. government officials announced that
former EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus was appointed by President
Clinton to serve as the U.S. special envoy.}} [Assoc Press, Reuters, Dow
Jones News, Wall Street Journal, personal communication]
.
AQUACULTURE AND AQUARIA
.
Fish as Pollutants. Beginning July 24, 1997, the WA state Pollution
Control Hearings Board has scheduled a 5-day hearing in Olympia, to
consider whether escaped salmon harm native fish and, if so, what options
might be considered. [Assoc Press]
.
{Farmed Salmon Escape. On July 18, 1997, 5 or 6 Atlantic salmon
net pens became caught and tore open during a move to avoid a Heterosigma
algae bloom, releasing an estimated 300,000 Atlantic salmon into Puget
Sound, near Manchester, WA.} [Assoc Press]
.
SC Aquarium Lawsuits. In mid-July 1997, the City of Charleston, SC,
filed suit against the company building the $62 million SC Aquarium for $1.56
million in disputed construction claims involving installation of a
pollution-control system. {In response, the construction company filed a
lawsuit in federal court alleging 5 counts for breach of trust and
negligence,
and seeking from $3 million to $4 million per count plus attorney fees.}
[Assoc
Press]
.
AK Salmon Hatchery Roe Stripping Lawsuit. On July 14, 1997, AK
Superior Court released a ruling by Judge Dan Hensley that the AK Dept. of
Fish and Game did nothing illegal by issuing temporary roe-stripping
regulations allowing pink and chum salmon hatcheries to discard salmon
carcasses in 1996. [Assoc Press]
.
Catfish and Dioxin. On July 7, 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) issued a nationwide dioxin order based on June 1997
concerns that certain animal feeds were contaminated with trace amounts of
dioxin after 2 feed mills in Arkansas reportedly used some
dioxin-contaminated anti-caking agent in formulating soybean-based catfish
food. As much as 40% of all catfish feed may have been contaminated. Under
the order, shipment of catfish products was to have been banned after
July 13 unless the products could be certified as not being tainted.
However,
FDA suspended this order for catfish as FDA officials and catfish farmers
began negotiating on an appropriate testing program for catfish and catfish
products. A nationwide FDA survey found dioxin levels ranging from 1.32 to
3.48 parts per trillion in six of 19 catfish fillets tested; FDA holds that
the
natural background level for dioxin is one part per trillion. On July 11,
1997,
the FDA and the catfish farming industry concluded an agreement for an
industry-wide catfish sampling and dioxin level testing program. On July 15,
1997, a multi-state testing program for catfish began, with funding provided
by
an association of catfish farmers, processors, and feed manufacturers. On
July 16, 1997, FDA issued a 4-page order limiting catfish shipments from MS,
AR, and LA where these fish may have been fed the contaminated feed,
effective midnight July 20. On July 17, 1997, FDA officials announced that
they would change the sampling and testing program for catfish, effective
July
20, to determine catfish feed regimes necessary to assure acceptable dioxin
levels. {On July 21, 1997, major catfish farms and processing plants
remained
open, processing fish that have passed FDA requirements, while they awaited
the
results of tests for dioxin in additional catfish. On July 22, 1997, test
results on hundreds of catfish from more than 100 farms were reported to
show that no catfish tested exceeded 1 part per trillion in dioxin.} [Assoc
Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News, The Catfish Institute press release]
.
Shrimp Virus. In early July 1997, the state of SC ordered Edisto
Seafarms to kill a shipment of 4.1 million blue shrimp from Venezuela testing
positive for the taura syndrome virus, chlorinate three ponds, discharge no
water from the farm, and import no additional blue shrimp. {Subsequently,
Edisto Seafarms filed suit against the state of SC seeking to limit the
demand
for shrimp destruction and won a Circuit Court ruling. On July 23, 1997,
however, the SC Supreme Court unanimously overturned the lower court
decision, clearing the way for destruction of 3 million shrimp.} Between
July
15 and July 23, 1997, four public hearings will be held on the NMFS/Joint
Subcommittee on Aquaculture report entitled "An Evaluation of Shrimp Virus
Impacts on Cultured Shrimp and on Wild Shrimp Populations in the Gulf of
Mexico and Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Coastal Waters," and public comment
will be received to help in the development of plans for an ecological risk
assessment on shrimp viruses. [Assoc Press, Federal Register]
.
Chilean Salmon Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions.
On July 1, 1997, attorneys for the Assoc. of Chilean Salmon Farmers asked
the Dept. of Commerce to reject petitions against farmed Chilean salmon,
alleging illegal subsidization of salmon exporters and undercutting of U.S.
prices, claiming that the petitioners do not represent the industry they seek
to
protect, that Norwegian and Canadian salmon farmers would benefit most if
the duties were granted, and that Chilean boneless salmon fillets do not
compete with the petitioners' product. On July 2, 1997, the Dept. of
Commerce
decided to formally open an investigation on charges that Chilean salmon is
being unfairly subsidized and dumped on the U.S. market. A preliminary
International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing on the petitions and
determination of injury was held on July 3, 1997. A preliminary decision by
the ITC is due by July 28, 1997. If the preliminary ruling on injury to U.S.
producers is positive, a Dept. of Commerce decision on subsidies is due by
Sept. 5, 1997, and on dumping by Nov. 19, 1997. On July 8, 1997, Chilean
trade representatives announced that they will seek formal negotiations with
the U.S. Dept. of Commerce to resolve salmon trade concerns. {{On July 24,
1997, the U.S. International Trade Commission concluded its preliminary
investigation and voted 3-0 that there is sufficient evidence to indicate
injury
to U.S. industry from alleged subsidies and dumping of Chilean salmon on the
U.S. market. The Chilean government has indicated that it might file a
petition
with the World Trade Organization if U.S. penalties are imposed.}} [Assoc. of
Chilean Salmon Farmers press release, Dow Jones News, Assoc Press]
.
BC Salmon Aquaculture. On June 30, 1997, the BC Salmon Farmers
Assoc. petitioned the Advertising Standards Council of BC to consider
whether an ad place by the David Suzuki Foundation in the June 24, 1997,
issue of the Times Colonist might contravene the Canadian Code of
Advertising Standards. The ad, headlined "Is Your Fish Dinner Laced With
Drugs?", alleges that antibiotics used in BC salmon farming lead to the
development of antibiotic-resistent microbes. An independent 8-month study,
the BC Salmon Aquaculture Review, is scheduled to be presented to the
provincial Cabinet in July 1997. [Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund press
release, BC Salmon Farmers Assoc. press release]
.
FRESHWATER FISHERIES
.
{Fish Advisory Data. On July 23, 1997, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency released its 1996 summary of state-issued fish
consumption advisories, reporting that official advisories increased 26% over
1995, due largely to better monitoring and reporting. Advisories were in
effect
for about 5% of the nation's total river miles and 15% of the nation's total
lake area. Five contaminants -- mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls,
chlordane,
dioxins, and DDT -- were responsible for almost 95% of the 1996 fish
consumption advisories.} [EPA press release]
.
FWS Director Nomination Hearing. On July 16, 1997, the Senate
Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the
nomination of Jamie Rappaport Clark to be Director of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Dept. of the Interior. [Congr. Record]
.
Walden Pond Fishing? In mid-July 1997, representatives of People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted a petition to MA Governor
William F. Weld, calling for a ban on fishing at Walden Pond, northwest of
Boston, as part of a PETA nationwide campaign that will ask parks to ban
fishing. [Assoc Press]
.
Whirling Disease. On July 10, 1997, MT's Whirling Disease Task
Force received a report that whirling disease had been detected in an
additional MT river drainage (Yellowstone River) and recommended that MT
ban or place more stringent limits on rainbow trout fishing in waters
infected
by whirling disease. Mt's Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission will receive
a
detailed report from the Task Force on Aug. 8, 1997, and will consider Task
Force recommendations. [Assoc Press]
.
Native Yellowstone Fish. On July 8, 1997, the National Park Service
released an assessment of obstacles to restoration of westslope cutthroat
trout and fluvial arctic graying to Yellowstone National Park habitat. Major
obstacles, particularly competition from introduced rainbow, brown, and brook
trout, preclude immediate progress, with gradual replacement of exotic fish
in
selected park waters proposed. The preferred alternative for action is to
undertake suppression of non-native fish. [Assoc Press]
.
Russell Dam Pumpback. On July 1, 1997, the Army Corps of
Engineers released a report concluding that, at most, about 8 million fish or
0.5% of the fish in Lake Thurmond could be killed each year by nighttime
operation of the pumpback turbines at the Russell Dam hydroelectric plant on
the Savannah River, SC. The report concludes that threadfin shad would be
the
species experiencing the greatest mortality, with possibly 7.6 million
killed.
The SC Dept. of Natural Resources has 45 days to study the Corps report. The
State of SC and the National Wildlife Federation have sued the Corps over
proposed pumpback operations; U.S. District Judge Falcon
Hawkins will determine whether, and if so, how the pumpback program can
operate. [Assoc Press]
.
Bull Trout. Between July 1 and July 17, 1997, five public hearings are
scheduled on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed listing Klamath
River bull trout as endangered and Columbia River bull trout as threatened
under the Endangered Species Act. Public comments will be taken until Aug.
12, 1997. In early July 1997, the Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Friends
of
the Wild Swan filed a motion for summary judgment in U.S. District Court,
Portland, OR, asking Judge Robert Jones to rule that there was not enough
evidence to separate bull trout into five distinct populations. The groups
hope
to protect all bull trout rather than two specific populations proposed for
endangered species act listing. {{On July 22, 1997, EPA officials approved
modifications of ID's water quality guidelines, including maximum water
temperature, aimed at protecting spawning and rearing habitat for bull
trout.}}
[Assoc Press, Washington Water Power press release]
.
MARINE MAMMALS
.
{{Norwegian Whaling. On July 25, 1997, Norway's whaling season
concluded with Norwegian whalers in 31 vessels reported to have taken 503
whales of their 580-whale quota. This harvest is estimated to have produced
730 tons of meat valued at about $2.9 million.}} [Assoc Press, Reuters]
.
{Manatees. On July 22, 1997, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
officials announced increased patrolling of Brevard Co., FL's manatee
protection zone. Along with the FL Marine Patrol, the FWS will enforce
boating and recreation regulations, since watercraft-related injuries (many
of
which were reported in Brevard Co.) have contributed to 27 of FL's more than
110 manatee deaths so far in 1997.} {{On July 23, 1997, Univ. of Miami
scientists reported that papillomavirus had been found for the first time in
two
FL manatees from different locations; this virus can cause benign skin
tumors.}} [Assoc Press, Reuters]
.
CITES Hearing. On July 17, 1997, the House Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held an
oversight hearing on the results of the recent meeting of CITES (Convention
on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Parties in
Zimbabwe. [Congr. Record]
.
Atlantic Large Whale Protection Measures. On July 15, 1997,
NMFS announced details of a substantially revised 4-year Atlantic Large
Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce large whale entanglement in lobster and
gillnet fishing gear along the Atlantic coast. Fishermen will be permitted
to
choose among a list of options for modifying fishing gear to address
entanglement concerns by Jan. 1, 1998. Comments on the plan will be
accepted through Oct. 15, 1997, with the rule taking effect on Nov. 15, 1997.
Critical whale habitat would be closed to certain gear during times of whale
concentration, but gear modifications would not be required for gear fished
in
inshore coves and harbors. [NOAA press release, Assoc Press]
.
Tuna-Dolphin Legislation. On June 26, 1997, the U.S. Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation marked-up and
ordered S. 39 reported as amended to allow the use of the 'dolphin-safe'
label
if no dolphins are observed to have been killed or seriously injured during
tuna
harvest. {On July 14, 1997, the Senate Commerce Committee reported S. 39
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, without a written report; S.
39 was placed on the Senate Calendar under General Orders.} [Reuters,
Congr. Record]
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This newsletter is intended to be a summary of information related to
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commercial and sportfishing industry as well as allied "fish folk" in various
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If you have news items or articles for this newsletter related to west
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--- Your Editor (Glen Spain)
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