FishNews July 28, 2008
WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
National -
Recreational Catch Down Slightly, Remains Second Highest Catch in Decade |
|
Marine recreational anglers caught more than 468 million fish in 2007, down slightly from last year’s historic high of 475 million fish, but still the second highest recreational catch total in the last ten years. The overall number of fish caught and kept also declined slightly, from 214 million to196 million fish, according to NOAA Fisheries Service.
The 2007 data demonstrates a widespread turn toward "catch and release" among recreational anglers. While anglers are catching about 27 percent more fish than a decade ago, they are also releasing more fish than they keep. Of the 468 million fish caught by anglers in 2007, 272 million or 58 percent were released alive. The percentage of fish released into the environment has increased steadily from about 51 percent in 1993.
Spotted seatrout was the most popular catch among marine recreational anglers. The species is caught in the Gulf of Mexico and the south Atlantic regions, which have the highest combined concentration of saltwater anglers in the nation. The top catches in other regions were lane snapper (Caribbean), striped bass (North Atlantic), Atlantic croaker (Mid-Atlantic), chub mackerel (Pacific), black rockfish ( Pacific Northwest), and bigeye scad (Western Pacific).
For additional information, please contact Forbes Darby, telephone (301) 713-2379.
|
| |
National -
NOAA Fisheries Service Seafood Consumption Figures Released for 2007 |
|
The average American ate 16.3 pounds of fish and shellfish in 2007, a one percent decline from the 2006 consumption figures of 16.5 pounds, according to a study by NOAA Fisheries Service. Americans consumed a total of 4.908 billion pounds of seafood in 2007, slightly less than the 4.944 billion pounds in 2006. The U.S. continues to be ranked the third largest consumer of fish and shellfish, behind China and Japan. Shrimp remained the top choice for seafood in the United States at 4.1 pounds per person, a slight decline of 0.3 pounds from 2006. Of the total of 16.3 pounds consumed per person, Americans ate 12.1 pounds of fresh and frozen finfish and shellfish, down 0.2 pounds from 2006. Canned seafood, primarily canned tuna, remained at 3.9 pounds per person. Americans consumed five pounds of fillets and steaks, down 0.2 pounds from 2006. These include Alaskan pollock, salmon, flounders, and cods. The remaining 0.3 pounds is cured seafood such as smoked salmon and dried cod.
The nation imports about 84 percent of its seafood, a steadily increasing proportion. Imports accounted for only 63 percent of U.S. seafood just a decade ago. "While NOAA works to end overfishing and rebuild wild fish stocks, the U.S. also needs more sustainable domestic aquaculture to help meet consumer demand for healthy seafood and narrow the foreign trade gap," said Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries Service. "The National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007, pending before Congress, would provide a clear permitting process for businesses and individuals to develop safe, sustainable aquaculture in U.S. federal waters."
At least half of the seafood imported to the U.S. is farmed. Aquaculture production in the rest of the world has expanded dramatically in the last 30 years and now supplies half of the world seafood demand, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. America’s aquaculture industry, though vibrant and diverse, currently meets only 5 to 7 percent of U.S. demand for seafood. Most of that is catfish. Marine products such as U.S. farmed oysters, clams, mussels and salmon supplies 1.5 percent of American seafood demand.
For additional information, please contact Monica Allen, telephone (301) 713-2370.
|
| |
Atlantic -
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Stock Assessment Available |
|
The annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species is now available online and provides a summary of the best available scientific information on the condition of highly migratory fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and fisheries being managed under Federal regulation. The SAFE Report is used as a reference in the evaluation and refinement of fisheries management practices. The report summarizes the best scientific data available for determining appropriate annual harvest levels; documents significant trends in the resource, marine ecosystems, and fisheries over time; and identifies associated bycatch and safety issues. These data may be used in the decision-making process for future regulations.
For additional information, please contact Craig Cockrell, telephone (301) 713-2347.
|
| |
Gulf of Mexico -
Predict Largest Gulf of Mexico "Dead Zone" on Record This Summer |
|
NOAA Fisheries Service has announced new management measures designed to rebuild overfished species and prevent overfishing of Atlantic sharks. These measures include: reductions in commercial fishing quotas, a requirement that commercial vessels maintain all fins on shark carcasses through offloading and the establishment of additional time/area closures for bottom longline Fisheries. The rule also makes changes to the authorized shark species for recreational fisheries. The new rule will affect all commercial and recreational shark fishermen and shark dealers on the Atlantic Coast. The new rule will be effective on July 24, 2008. Copies of the new Plan, called "Final Amendment 2 to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan" are available online.
For additional information, please contact Michael Clark, Karyl Brewster-Geisz, or LeAnn Southward Hogan at (301) 713-2347 or by fax at (301) 713-1917; or Jackie Wilson at (240) 338-3936.
|
| |
Northeast - "Dam Cam" to Capture Removal of New Hampshire’s Merrimack Village Dam |
|
For more than 260 years, the Merrimack Village Dam ( Merrimack, NH) served its purpose as a saw mill, gristmill and processing water for an old factory. Now way past its prime, and scheduled for demolition this week, the dam has one last role — that of movie star.
This week, as construction begins on the Merrimack Village Dam, NOAA — in partnership with Conservation Law Foundation and Gomez and Sullivan — will its first ever "dam cam," a wireless stream of photos and time-lapse video that will document the entire removal of the dam. Viewers will be able to watch  as backhoes and bulldozers to jackhammer and remove the dam’s wall of concrete and restore a free-flowing Souhegan River, a major tributary to the Merrimack River. Using technologies provided by EarthCam , Inc, the removal photos will be captured every 10 minutes, with a time-lapse film starting today through August 30. After the dam removal is complete, the camera will continue to capture footage for the following five months as the river heals.
The Merrimack Village Dam was one of a series of dams originally constructed in the 1730s to power industry in New Hampshire. Today, the dam is no longer in use and presents a public safety hazard liability for its owner. When the removal is complete, it will restore fish passage to more than 14 miles of the Souhegan River all the way to Milford, New Hampshire, providing extensive habitat for river herring, Atlantic salmon, American shad and American eel. Removal of the dam is also expected to provide an excellent stretch of class III whitewater for canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts.
The Merrimack Dam removal is part of NOAA’s Open Rivers Initiative, a national effort to restore the historic river habitat of migratory fish and other species that travel between ocean-coastal and upstream freshwater areas. Projects include removing derelict dams, culverts and other river barriers. Through the Open Rivers Initiative, NOAA outlines specific consensus steps developed by expert scientists, engineers, biologists and members of the local public, working together. Merrimack Village Dam is one of NOAA’s largest and difficult Open Rivers projects to date. |
| |
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fishery Management Environmental Review Workshop July 29, 2008
NOAA Fisheries Service has announced a public workshop to facilitate a detailed discussion of the proposed new environmental review procedures for fishery management actions. The workshop will be held on Tuesday July 29, 2008, at 8:30 am in the Potomac Room at the Silver Spring Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Hotel is a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro station and there is public parking nearby.
For further information please contact Steve Leathery, telephone (301) 713 2239.
National Seafood Cook-off August 2-3, 2008
The 5 th annual Great American Seafood Cook-off will take place in New Orleans. NOAA Fisheries Service, in partnership with the Louisiana Seafood Market Board, created the Cook-off to help the U.S. seafood industry by promoting sustainability of U.S. fisheries, and the healthfulness and safety of consuming domestic seafood. NOAA Fisheries Service will again be promoting FishWatch, which was initiated at last year’s Cook-off, at an exhibit booth adjacent to the cook-off stage. This year, as in previous years, a Video News Release will be produced and distributed by the event producer – the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board – and an hour-long documentary will also be developed by a Louisiana PBS station for distribution throughout the Public Broadcast System. NOAA Fisheries Service, Assistant Administrator Dr. Jim Balsiger, will also be attending on behalf of NOAA.
For more information, please contact Gordon Helm, telephone (301) 713-9502.
Pacific Fishery Management Council Halibut Managers Workshop Meeting August 7, 2008
The Halibut Managers Workgroup (HMW) will hold a work session to discuss implications of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) proposed catch apportionment methodology and to develop consensus on issues affecting Area 2A halibut fisheries prior to the IPHC workshop on catch apportionment. The HMW is not a committee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council); however, the Council has expressed interest in having a report from the HMW, and has offered to provide meeting space. The meeting is open to the public and will be held Thursday, August 7, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pacific Fishery Management Council Office, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220 .
For additional information, please contact Mr. Chuck Tracy, Salmon and Halibut Management Staff Officer, Pacific Fishery Management Council, Telephone, (503) 820-2280.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Meeting August 11-15, 2008
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene August 11 - 15, 2008 at the Hilton Key Largo, 97000 S. Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037 . The Council will receive public testimony on exempted fishing permits (EFPs), Amendments to the Reef Fish and Joint Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plans and will discuss the Reef Fish and Stone Crab/Spiny Lobster Plans, Marine Reserves and other topics. For copies of the agenda and specific discussion times, please visit the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council website.
For additional information, please contact Richard Leard, Deputy Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, telephone: (813) 348-1630.
FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS
For a list of only those actions open for public comment, try going to http://www.regulations.gov and scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal register online at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
NOAA FISHERIES ACTIONS
|
