Daily Archives: February 4, 2014
Tell the SAFMC how you want the snapper-grouper fishery managed!
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is developing a long-term “vision” for managing the snapper grouper fishery. Next week, beginning in South Carolina, the fishery council will begin a series of “port meetings” to seek input from commercial and recreational snapper-grouper fishermen, dealers, chefs and others who have a stake in the fishery as to how the fishery should be managed long-term. Read [email protected] 20:51
Fish News from American Samoa
DMWR surveys fishermen’s needs – The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources has recently completed a survey with fishermen Tri Marine officials here – Top officials of Tri Marine International arrived in the territory last night to inspect progress on the Samoa Tuna Processors plant at Atu’u. STP to open fresh/frozen fish facility soon – Samoa Tuna Processors hopes to complete its fresh and frozen fish facility next month. Low fish prices a concern for Tri Marine – They are also concerned about the current low prices for fish which is hurting fishing boats. Tri Marine International wants to make American Samoa the tuna hub of the Pacific. The new Samoa Tuna Processors plant at Atu’u will be equipped with modern equipment that is supposed to get rid of the fish odor that’s synonymous with canneries. 20:06
Examiner Editorial: Big Green lawyers have hijacked the Endangered Species Act
“Federal law allows tax-funded reimbursement of attorneys fees incurred by advocacy groups bringing environmental litigation.” Read more here 18:33
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Congressional Working Group releases final report & recommendations
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) Congressional Working Group, led by Representatives Doc Hastings (WA-04) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large), today released its final Report, Findings and Recommendations. The report concludes that “After more than 40 years, sensible, targeted reforms would not only improve the eroding credibility of the Act, but would ensure it is implemented more effectively for species and people.” Read [email protected] 18:12
Here’s the First Fish to Ever Be Taken Off the Endangered Species List
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — A tiny minnow that lives only in Oregon backwaters is the first fish ever taken off U.S. Endangered Species Act protection because it is no longer threatened with extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was to announce Tuesday that the Oregon chub was recovered, 21 years after it went on the endangered species list. The agency will monitor the fish for nine years to make sure populations continue to grow. Read more@theblaze 17:43
Giacalone Testifies before House Committie: “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”.
Today, Vito Giacalone (NSC Board Member and Policy Director) testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources on their draft legislation, “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”. Read his presentation here 17:00
Georgia asks the U.S. Supreme Court to stay out of the latest legal battle in its 24-year fight over water rights with neighboring Florida.
Georgia filed its response last week to Florida’s request for the high court to intervene in deciding how they share water that flows across the state line where the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers merge to form the Apalachicola River. Florida officials said in an October complaint their state needs immediate relief as growing water consumption by metro Atlanta threatens Florida’s oyster fishery. “Florida has brought its case against the wrong party, in the wrong court, and at the wrong time,” the Georgia lawyers wrote in their legal response. Read [email protected] 16:45
Dutch Harbor Pacific Cod Fishery to Open as Federal Season Closes
The Department of Fish and Game is closing the federal Pacific cod season in the Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands area for catcher vessels under 60 feet fishing with hook-and-line or pot gear. That means the parallel state-waters fishery for boats 58 feet and under fishing with pot gear is also closing. Both fisheries end at noon on Tuesday. Read more@kucb 16:36
The face and composition of Gloucester’s historic inner harbor could change dramatically
The contraction of the DPA (designated port area), first established in 1978 as a protection for fishing and fishing related businesses along the city’s waterfront, would have a domino effect that could provide the most substantial change in the city’s waterfront since it blossomed as America’s first seaport nearly 400 years ago. Read more@gdt 16:18
Editorial: Fishing rules bill in state’s House a good step forward – A new state bill filed jointly in the House by Democratic Reps. Ann-Margaret Ferrante of Gloucester and William Straus of Mattapoisett may not seem to be an earth-shaking measure when it comes to providing new legislative or regulatory help for Gloucester’s and other Massachusetts fishermen. Read more@gdt
PFMC Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee to Hold Meeting Via Webinar, Public Invited to Listen In
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recently announced two conference calls of its Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee (EFHRC). Please note, the online webinar is available to the public in “listen only mode”. Join the meeting by visiting this link: http://www.joinwebinar.com Enter the Webinar ID: 219-351-991 Please enter your name and email address (required) More info here 10:23
Cook Inlet Fishermen Want Federal Fisheries Oversight
The 300 driftnetters that belong to United Cook Inlet Drift Associaion, or UCIDA , say the state’s current Cook Inlet salmon management plan violates the Magnuson Stevens Act, and they are suing. Listen @alaskapublic.org 09:46
Only a Misunderstanding? He ain’t buyin’ it!
ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Joe Gill says his comments to Maryland Watermen’s Association president Robert Brown were misunderstood. But Brown isn’t convinced. “I know what he said. It wasn’t a misunderstanding.” said Brown. Read [email protected] 08:12
Feds enforcing Endangered Species Act keep data behind policies hidden from public
Federal agencies administering the Endangered Species Act often issue justifications for their actions that are filled with badly flawed or even fabricated data, according to a congressional report being released today. A related problem, according to the report, is that “most of the federal agencies that administer ESA are unable to make basic and legitimate data” underlying their policies and procedures available to the public, as required by law. Read more@washexaminer 07:32
