CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
SUMMARY OF FISHERIES AND MARINE MAMMAL NEWS
FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR THE
MONTH OF AUGUST, 1997
[NOTE: This is the final August 1997 report and supersedes prior August
weekly reports. For convenience and to avoid duplication, FishLink will
be carrying only the monthly consolidated reports]
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BUT FIRST -- QUOTABLE QUOTES:
"I haven't committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law."
-- David Dinkins, New York City Mayor, answering accusations that he
failed to pay his taxes.
"They gave me a book of checks. They didn't ask for any deposits."
--Congressman Joe Early (D-Mass) at a press conference to
answer questions about the House Bank scandal.
"He didn't say that. He was reading what was given to him in a speech."
--Richard Darman, director of OMB, explaining why President Bush
wasn't following up on his campaign pledge that there would be no
loss of wetlands.
Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness
without action. --Benjamin Disraeli
If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man who has so much as to
be out of danger? --Thomas Henry Huxley
Whenever books are burned men also in the end are burned.
--Heinrich Heine Almansor
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CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE SUMMARY OF
FISHERIES AND MARINE MAMMAL NEWS FOR AUGUST, 1997
>From the Editor: The Congressional Research Service provides members of
Congress with summaries of all significant news stories or news items
about fishing and marine resources. These excellent summaries are
produced by CRS's Senior Analyst Gene Buck weekly and then compiled
into monthly summaries. Here are the most recent summaries of the
previous month's news items. These monthly summaries are carried as a
regular feature of this newsletter. We regret any cross postings.
Archived copies of the longer monthly summaries for February, 1994
through recent months are available at:
<http://www.lsu.edu:80/guests/sglegal/public_html/fishsum.html> .
Comments or corrections should be addressed to:
Gene Buck, Senior Analyst
Congressional Research Service
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540-7450
e-mail: <gbuck at crs.loc.gov>
Mr. Buck also makes the following request: "To further assist me in
providing a broad scope of information resources to Congress, I would
appreciate being added to any mailing lists of publications, news releases,
newsletters, etc. relevant to marine mammals and fisheries. Where there is a
subscription cost, a sample copy would provide a basis for deciding
whether or not a subscription could be justified. Thanks for your
assistance in this matter."
***********************************************************
Fisheries and Marine Mammals: Most Recent Developments -- 9/05/97
Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division Congressional
Research Service
New info and changes since 8/29/97 are bracketed {...}.
New info and changes since 9/4/97 are in double brackets {{...}}
MARINE FISHERIES
.
NMFS Oversight Hearings. The House Resources Subcommittee on
Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively scheduled an
oversight hearing to review NMFS management of the nation's fisheries for
Sept. 11, 1997. [personal communication, Congr. Record]
.
ICCAT Advisory Committee Regional Public Meetings. Between
Sept. 10 and Oct. 3, 1997, the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to
the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
(ICCAT) will hold a series of 6 regional public meetings along the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts to discuss relevant international and domestic issues and
receive public comment. [Federal Register]
.
Cyanide Fishing Report Briefing. On Sept. 9, 1997, the World
Resources Institute has scheduled a briefing in Washington, DC, on its new
report Sullied Seas: Strategies for Combating Cyanide Fishing in Southeast
Asia and Beyond. It documents efforts to launch a Cyanide Fishing Reform
Program by the Philippines government. [WRI announcement]
.
IFQ Meetings. The National Research Council's Committee to Review
Individual Fishing Quotas held public meetings in Anchorage, AK, to take
public comment on its review of IFQs on Sept. 4-5, 1997. A similar meeting
is planned for Seattle, WA, in mid-November 1997. [personal
communication, Assoc Press]
.
{{Mexican Oil Pollution Lawsuit. On Sept. 4, 1997, officials of the
Mexican Center for Environmental Law, Blue Tide, and Greenpeace of
Mexico held a news conference to announce that they had filed a lawsuit
against the government oil monopoly, Petroleos Mexicanos, for pollution
damages to a mangrove swamp and estuary at Laguna del Pom, off
Campeche Sound, arising from petroleum exploration and development. The
groups also seek to halt construction of a nitrogen compressing plant in
Cuidad del Carmen that would inject gas underground to increase petroleum
production.}} [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]
.
{{NJ Horseshoe Crab Case. On Sept. 4, 1997, the NJ Supreme Court
announced that it would accept the case alleging that Governor Christie
Whitman exceeded her authority by extending an emergency order limiting
horseshoe crab harvesting in Delaware Bay. In the process, the emergency
order limiting crabbing was retained, but no date has yet been set for the
Court hearing on the case.}} [Assoc Press]
.
{{Mercury in King Mackerel. On Sept. 4, 1997, LA state health dept.
officials renewed a warning to limit consumption of large king mackerel
caught in the Gulf of Mexico due to elevated mercury levels.}} [Assoc Press]
.
{Queen Conch Trial. On Sept. 2, 1997, five Hialeah, FL, individuals
were sentenced to 3 years probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of
community service for the May 1997 slaughter of 458 queen conchs,
destroying one of only three breeding aggregations in Biscayne National
Park, FL.} [Assoc Press]
.
{Spain Extends Fisheries Jurisdiction. On Aug. 27, 1997, Spain
extended its fisheries jurisdiction in the Mediterranean Sea from 12 miles to
a
maximum of 106 miles and a minimum of 20 miles to better limit abusive
fishing including driftnetting. This action was particularly targeted
against
100 vessels under flags of convenience from Panama and Sierra Leone
fishing tuna for the Japanese market.} [Madrid TVE Internacional Television
via Foreign Broadcast Information Service]
.
{U.S.-Russia Coast Guard Cooperation. On Aug. 27, 1997, a
delegation from the U.S. Coast Guard arrived in Kamchatka, Russia, to tour
Russian frontier guard operations and investigate opportunities for joint
operations to better protect fishery resources in the North Pacific and
Bering
Sea.} [ITAR-TASS via Foreign Broadcast Information Service]
.
Muckleshoot Fishing and Shellfish Production Site. On Aug. 27,
1997, an attorney for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe announced that the Tribe
had purchased a 95-acre tract on Vashon Island, WA, with almost a half mile
of waterfront for use as a fishing and shellfish production site. The tract
was
purchased for $2.5 million, derived as proceeds from the Tribe's casino,
bingo hall, smoke shop, and liquor store. [Assoc Press]
.
SC Marine Fisheries Reform. On Aug. 26, 1997, the SC Dept. of
Natural Resources began a series of public hearings on proposals to overhaul
state marine fisheries law. The proposals include authorizing the Dept. of
Natural Resources to set seasons, size and catch limits, and methods and
areas of fishing, which are currently established by the state legislature.
If
approved by the Dept. of Natural Resources Board, the proposal would go
to the state legislature in 1998. [Assoc Press]
.
Chesapeake Bay. On Aug. 26, 1997, the VA Marine Resources
Commission received a report on an experimental oyster reef in the Great
Wicomico River. This reef was built in December 1996 and stocked with
mature oysters taken from Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds, and now shows
oyster spat production between 18 and 260 times that observed on natural
reefs two years ago. [Assoc Press]
.
{Sea Urchin Mass. In late August 1997, FL Dept. of Environmental
Protection officials reported an "army" of sea urchins in a column a yard
wide and two miles long was systematically destroying sea grass in a
3-square-mile area about 8 miles offshore of Marathon, FL.} [Assoc Press]
.
Coral Reef Accident Report. In late August 1997, the U.S. Coast
Guard released a report on its investigation of the grounding of the
container
vessel Houston on a coral reef in the FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary on
Feb. 2, 1997. The report indicated the grounding was likely caused by
wayward course changes, crew failure to supervise novice sailors, and a
plotting mistake. [Assoc Press]
.
WA Oyster Warning. On Aug. 23, 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration issued a warning against eating live oysters from WA state,
which could have elevated Vibrio parahaemolyticus levels, due to warmer
waters. A total of 42 cases of illness have been reported in WA, 7 in OR, 22
in CA, and more than 100 cases in British Columbia -- all attributed to the
consumption of raw oysters.}} [Assoc Press]
.
Bluefin Tuna Import Sanctions. On Aug. 21, 1997, NMFS
announced that the United States would prohibit all imports of Atlantic
bluefin tuna caught by fishing vessels from Panama, Honduras, and Belize,
because these nations were determined to be fishing in a manner that
undermines the conservation efforts of the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ICCAT). The import ban against Honduras
and Belize would be immediately effective, while the ban against Panama
would be delayed until Jan. 1, 1998, to allow Panama an opportunity to
demonstrate that its fishing practices have been modified. All 24
ICCAT-member nations are expected to implement similar restrictions. No
bluefin tuna is currently imported by the United States from these 3
countries. [NOAA press release]
.
Marine Recreational Charter Boat Data Program. On Aug. 21,
1997, NMFS announced that it would spend nearly $500,000 during the next
year on a coordinated federal-state program to improve data collection from
the Gulf of Mexico charter boat industry. A Charter Boat Research Program
will commence in September 1997 to test data collection methods including
telephone survey and logbook survey efforts. [NOAA press release]
.
Bluefin Tuna Fines. On Aug. 20, 1997, NMFS announced that 6
individuals had been assessed $380,000 in fines and had their permits
suspended for violations of Atlantic bluefin tuna harvesting and marketing
regulations in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. [NOAA press release]
.
Toothfish Poaching. On Aug. 20, 1997, South African cabinet
ministers approved measures to increase joint navy and air force enforcement
efforts against Patagonian toothfish poaching within South Africa's economic
zone around the Prince Edward Islands near Antarctica. [Reuters]
.
Russian-Icelandic Fishery Agreement. In mid-August 1997, a
framework agreement was concluded in Moscow between Russia and
Iceland on fisheries cooperation. The agreement provides a framework for
negotiating reciprocal fishing rights in each others' waters as well as
purchase or lease of Russian Barents Sea fishing quotas by Icelandic
fishermen. The agreement encourages cooperation and establishment of
international companies and projects. [personal communication]
.
Russian Trawler Detention. On Aug. 15, 1997, the Russian trawler
Chernyayevo was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard in the northern Bering
Sea after allegedly being observed fishing within the U.S. Exclusive
Economic Zone. The Coast Guard has towed the trawler to Kodiak, AK,
and is investigating the incident. Russia has requested that the vessel be
released. [Interfax, Dow Jones News, Assoc Press, Reuters, ITAR-TASS via
Foreign Broadcast Information Service]
.
U.S.-Russian Bering Sea Discussions. On Aug. 12, 1997, another of
a series of discussions began in Washington, DC, between Russian and U.S.
officials on how to deal with problems with the maritime boundary
agreement in the Bering Sea concluded by the former Soviet Union but never
ratified by the Russian Duma. Russia objects to the terms of the agreement,
which they characterize as transferring fish-rich (150,000 metric tons of
annual harvest of pollock, herring, cod, halibut, and flounder, valued at
about
$300 million) areas to U.S. jurisdiction. [Interfax, Delovoy Mir via Foreign
Broadcast Information Service]
.
FAO Technical Working Groups. On Aug. 8, 1997, NMFS
announced the formation of 3 United Nations Food and Agricultural
Organization Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on 1) management of
fishing capacity, 2) reduction of incidental catch of seabirds in longline
fisheries, and 3) shark conservation and management. TWG work is
designed to lead to a formal FAO Consultation by all FAO Members and
preparation of draft action plans. [Federal Register]
.
El Nino. On Aug. 8, 1997, Chilean officials imposed a 30-day ban,
beginning Aug. 15, on anchovy fishing in 2 northern regions due to El Nino
effects.) [Dow Jones News]
.
Van Camp Seafood Sale. On Aug. 6, 1997, the sale of Van Camp
Seafood Co., Inc. to Tri-Union Seafoods, LLC was completed, with the
operations subsequently to be known as Chicken of the Sea International.
Company headquarters are to remain in San Diego, CA, and operation of a
cannery in American Samoa will continue. [Dow Jones News]
.
NC Commercial Fisheries Moratorium. On Aug. 6, 1997, the NC
Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amended package of fishery
reform measures, clearing this bill for consideration by the full Senate. On
Aug. 11, 1997, the NC Senate voted 45-0 to tentatively approve a package
of fishery reform measures. On Aug. 12, 1997, the NC Senate gave final
approval by a vote of 46-0. The NC House will reconsider the Senate
amended measure. [Assoc Press]
.
Regional Council Guidelines. On Aug. 5, 1997, NMFS announced
that it is seeking public comment on proposed guidelines on how Regional
Fishery Management Councils are to implement 1996 Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act amendments addressing
overfishing, stock rebuilding, and optimum yield. NMFS will receive
comments through Sept. 18, 1997. [NMFS press release]
.
Albacore Tuna Fishery. In early August 1997, Alaska vessels began
delivering albacore tuna to Kodiak processors from a fishery about 1,200
miles south of Kodiak. The unregulated high seas fishery was reported to
have grown from about 35 vessels in 1996 to about 200 vessels in 1997.
[Assoc Press]
.
Smoked Salmon Alert. In early August 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers not to purchase or eat
Royal Line brand smoked salmon imported from Denmark because it may be
contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the FDA, the U.S.
distributor of this product has refused to cooperate in providing information
or recalling the salmon. [Dow Jones News]
.
Shellfish Illness. In early August 1997, an outbreak of Vibrio
parahaemolyticus bacteria in undercooked and raw shellfish sold by
Vancouver, BC, restaurants resulted in 20 illnesses with one individual
hospitalized. [Assoc Press]
.
Korean Longliner Seized. On Aug. 4, 1997, the U.S. Magistrate's
Office in Honolulu issued a seizure warrant for the 137-foot Korean
longliner Shin Chang No. 502, docked in American Samoa for repairs. A
civil complaint for forfeiture of the vessel alleges this vessel entered and
fished in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone around Palmyra Island without
a permit 5 times in May and June, 1997. [Assoc Press]
.
EU Seafood Import Bans. On Aug. 4, 1997, the European
Commission announced temporary import bans on all fishery products from
Bangladesh, India, and Madagascar, for health and safety concerns; serious
deficiencies at processing facilities were discovered by EU inspectors.
These prohibitions will be reviewed by Nov. 30, 1997. On Aug. 7, 1997,
the proposed implementation date of Aug. 15 was scheduled to be
reviewed by EC veterinary experts. [Reuters]
.
U.S. Seafood Consumption. On Aug. 1, 1997, NMFS officials
announced that U.S. seafood consumption declined modestly to 14.8
pounds per person during 1996 from 15.0 pounds per person in 1995. The
0.2 pound per person decline was noted for canned seafood products.
Imported seafood comprised 57% of U.S. consumption during 1996, a 3%
increase from 1995. [NOAA press release]
.
WA Tribal Shellfish Harvest. On Aug. 1, 1997, Puyallup tribal officials
announced interest in subsistence and ceremonial harvesting butter clams
from beaches in the Titlow Beach marine reserve area, near Tacoma, WA,
because of the close proximity to the tribal community and ease of access.
[Assoc Press]
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END OF PART ONE -- GO TO PART TWO
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