USGS Report Released: Seventy-five Years of Science—The U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center

Recently, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report titled Seventy-five Years of Science—The U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center (USGS Gen. Info. Product 149). The 54-page report available here, authored by Gary A. Wedemeyer, discusses the following:

[a]s of January 2010, 75 years have elapsed since Dr. Frederic Fish initiated the pioneering research program that would evolve into today’s Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC). Fish began his research working alone in the basement of the recently opened Fisheries Biological Laboratory on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. WFRC’s research began under the aegis of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and ends its first 75 years as part of the U.S. Geological Survey with a staff of more than 150 biologists and support personnel and a heritage of fundamental research that has made important contributions to our understanding of the biology and ecology of the economically important fish and fish populations of the Nation. Although the current staff may rarely stop to think about it, WFRC’s antecedents extend many years into the past and are intimately involved with the history of fisheries conservation in the Western United States. Thus, WFRC Director Lyman Thorsteinson asked me to write the story of this laboratory “while there are still a few of you around who were here for some of the earlier years” to document the rich history and culture of WFRC by recognizing its many famous scientists and their achievements. This historyalso would help document WFRC’s research ‘footprint’ in the Western United States and its strategic directions. Center Director Thorsteinson concluded that WFRC’s heritage told by an emeritus scientist also would add a texture of legitimacy based on personal knowledge that will all-to-soon be lost to the WFRC and to the USGS. The WFRC story is important for the future as well as for historical reasons. It describes how we got to the place we are today by documenting the origin, original mission, and our evolving role in response to the constantly changing technical information requirements of new environmental legislation and organizational decision-making. The WFRC research program owes its existence to the policy requirements of Federal conservation legislation originating with the construction of Grand Coulee Dam in 1933. The research program was shaped by laws enacted in subsequent years such as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1972), National Environmental Policy Act (1973), Endangered Species Act (1974), and Northwest Power Planning Act (1980), to name only a few. The WFRC has not been constrained by direct management or regulatory responsibility for a particular fishery (such as providing sustainable catch limits data to a resource management structure). Thus, WFRC has been able to concentrate on scientific pursuits and information needs required by contemporary environmental legislation. Over the years, we have pioneered in several important areas of fisheries research including the diagnoses and control of diseases in economically important fish, effects of environmental alterations on the physiological quality and survival of Pacific salmon released from federal mitigation hatcheries, applications in biotelemetry, and the bioenergetics of predator-prey interactions in the Columbia River. The WFRC of today is a widely distributed organization in the Western United States. Knowledge of the historical connections and accomplishments of our predecessors is important beyond the sense of pride and unity it instills in the WFRC family of today. For example, a discerning reader will note the evolution of WFRC’s research from a single disciplinary focus (early era—hatchery disease problems), to multiple disciplines (middle to late era—species, populations, habitats; threatened and endangered species), to the present era (multidisciplinary and with increasing process focus). For the benefit of the current WFRC staff, more emphasis has been placed on the early years rather than on the present day because people are quite naturally more familiar with the recent past than with the research done during the first decades of WFRC’s existence. By every rational measure, the WFRC has evolved into a fisheries research organization well positioned to provide the biological information needed to support the continued conservation and management of our Nation’s living aquatic natural resources. The high standard of excellence that connects WFRC’s past to our present research program provides a firm foundation on which to base the work yet to be done. In another 75 years, WFRC will undoubtedly be a very different place than it is today, but its evolution will be forever rooted in the story of the research and of the people related here. More about the diverse fisheries research projects WFRC scientists are conducting today is available at WFRC’s website: http://wfrc.usgs.gov/.

CRS Report Released: Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the public policy research arm of Congress, recently issued the report Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress (Apr. 25, 2013). The 96-page report authored by Ronald O'Rourke, discusses the following:

Summary

The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. On January 12, 2009, the George W. Bush Administration released a presidential directive, called National Security Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 (NSPD 66/HSPD 25), establishing a new U.S. policy for the Arctic region.

Record low extents of Arctic sea ice over the past decade have focused scientific and policy attention on links to global climate change and projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. These changes have potential consequences for weather in the United States, access to mineral and biological resources in the Arctic, the economies and cultures of peoples in the region, and national security.

The five Arctic coastal states—the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, and Denmark (of which Greenland is a territory)—are in the process of preparing Arctic territorial claims for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Russian claim to the enormous underwater Lomonosov Ridge, if accepted, would reportedly grant Russia nearly one-half of the Arctic area. There are also four other unresolved Arctic territorial disputes.

The diminishment of Arctic ice could lead in coming years to increased commercial shipping on two trans-Arctic sea routes—the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage. Current international guidelines for ships operating in Arctic waters are being updated.

Changes to the Arctic brought about by warming temperatures will likely allow more exploration for oil, gas, and minerals. Warming that causes permafrost to melt could pose challenges to onshore exploration activities. Increased oil and gas exploration and tourism (cruise ships) in the Arctic increase the risk of pollution in the region. Cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult than in other areas, primarily because effective strategies have yet to be developed.

Large commercial fisheries exist in the Arctic. The United States is currently meeting with other countries regarding the management of Arctic fish stocks. Changes in the Arctic could affect threatened and endangered species. Under the Endangered Species Act, the polar bear was listed as threatened on May 15, 2008. Arctic climate change is also expected to affect the economies, health, and cultures of Arctic indigenous peoples.

Two of the Coast Guard’s three polar icebreakers—Polar Star and Polar Sea—have exceeded their intended 30-year service lives, and Polar Sea is not operational. The possibility of increased sea traffic through Arctic waters raises an issue concerning Arctic search and rescue capabilities. On May 12, 2011, representatives from the member states of the Arctic Council signed an agreement on cooperation on aeronautical and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic.

The Arctic has increasingly become a subject of discussion among political leaders of the nations in the region. Although there is significant international cooperation on Arctic issues, the Arctic is also increasingly being viewed by some observers as a potential emerging security issue. In varying degrees, the Arctic coastal states have indicated a willingness to establish and maintain a military presence in the high north. U.S. military forces, particularly the Navy and Coast Guard, have begun to pay more attention to the region.

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012

In July, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) released its 2012 edition of the The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report.  The report which is released every two years is now available as a pdf from the FAO's website: http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e00.htm.  Older versions of the report, dating back to 1994 are available here: http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/sofia/en.

If you are looking for additional documents related to aquaculture and fisheries from this organization it may also be advisable to visit the FAO's Corporate Document Repository available here: http://www.fao.org/documents/en/docrep.jsp.  The Repository has links on the left-hand sidebar for a quick subject-matter sort of full-text articles and documents (including a link for Fisheries Aquaculture Management and Conservation).  In the alternative, the Repository offers an Advanced Search  feature (accessible on the top of the left-hand sidebar).  Readers should note that while the Advanced Search offers more options including dates, ISBN, language, country, etc. the keyword search should generally be avoided as it is not as refined as the subject-specific quick-links. 
In addition other publications and documents (including select full-text pdfs) are available from the FAO's Fisheries and Aquaculture Department including: Fisheries Technical Papers; Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries; Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries; Fisheries Circulars and Reports; International Plans of Action; and Yearbooks of Fishery Statistics.

Little Fish, Big Impact -- Lenfest Ocean Program

Little Fish, Big Impact an April 2012 report from the Lenfest Ocean Program of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University finds that;

From the Summary
"Forage fish are small to medium-sized species that include anchovies, herring, menhaden, and sardines. Direct catch of forage fish makes up more than one-third of the world’s marine fish catch and has contributed to the collapse of some forage fish populations. In the most comprehensive global analysis of forage fish management to date, the Task Force found that conventional management can be risky for forage fish because it does not adequately account for their wide population swings and high catchability. It also fails to capture the critical role of forage fish as food for marine mammals, seabirds, and commercially important fish such as tuna, salmon, and cod. The report recommends cutting catch rates in half in many ecosystems and doubling the minimum biomass of forage fish that must be left in the water, compared to conventional management targets. Even more stringent measures are advised when important biological information is missing."

SeaWeb’s 10th International Seafood Summit

SeaWeb's 10th International Seafood Summit to be held in Asia.

SeaWeb has announced the dates and location for the 10th annual Seafood Summit. SeaWeb’s Seafood Summit brings together global representatives from the seafood industry and conservation community for in-depth discussions, presentations and networking around the issue of sustainable seafood.

The goal of the Summit is to foster dialogue and partnerships that lead to a seafood marketplace that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. The Summit, which has traditionally been held in Europe and North America, will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year in Asia. In addition to the core program there will be a series of unique field trips and topical workshops before and after the Summit.

WHO: The Seafood Summit is attended by a diverse group of seafood industry professionals including producers, processors, distributors, buyers, retailers, chefs and restaurateurs, as well as other stakeholders such as conservation groups, policy makers, academics and the media. The Summit is the only event where all stakeholders come together around sustainable seafood.

WHEN: 6th – 8th September 2012

WHERE: The Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Recommendations from the 2nd Symposium on Fish Aggregating Devices 2011

 Recommendations from the 2nd Symposium on Fish Aggregating Devices 2011

From the Summary:

In the open ocean, tuna purse-seine operators profit from large pelagic fishes’ propensity to aggregate around drifting objects. They do so by fishing around FADs that have been deliberately set adrift for fishing purposes, and which are monitored by electronic tracking beacons. These drifting FADs (dFADs) are tools that have greatly increased catches of tuna around the globe. In fact, global catch of tuna from around dFADs accounts for about 43% of the 4.2 million tonnes of skipjack, bigeye, and yellowfin caught annually. However, the uncontrolled proliferation of dFADs deployed throughout the world’s oceans is a major concern of fisheries managers, environmentalists, and fishermen alike due to the impacts of dFAD fisheries on juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tuna, vulnerable sharks and sea turtle species, and the broader marine environment.

In November 2011, over 150 industry, science, and fisheries policy experts from 40 countries attended the International Symposium, “Tuna Fisheries and FADs,”* to discuss the challenges with FAD fisheries, and recommend best practices for responsible management of the world’s most prominent tuna fishing gear.

Symposium Conclusions:

•The unconstrained proliferation of dFADs has resulted in negative impacts on target and non-target species.

•Increased dFAD use has led to large increases in fishing mortality of juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tuna, which contributes to “growth overfishing”— the catching of too many fish before they reach a size at which maximum growth and productivity would be obtained from the stock.

•Bycatch levels for dFAD fisheries are high, and include catches of oceanic sharks, marine turtles, billfish and some pelagic bony fish.

Out of the Abyss: Transforming EU Rules to Protect the Deep Sea -- Pew

 Out of the Abyss: Transforming EU Rules to Protect the Deep Sea is a report by the Pew Research Center that summarises the current problems in the regulation of deep-sea fisheries in the northeast Atlantic by the EU, including weak catch and effort limits, lack of knowledge of the status of deep-sea fish stocks and the impact of fishing; incomplete deep-sea species coverage; deficient monitoring and control measures; significant data and reporting gaps; and a lack of sufficient measures to ensure sustainability and protect vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems such as cold-water coral reefs from the harmful impacts of bottom fisheries.

Various assessments have found that the EU’s deep-sea fisheries management regime for the northeast Atlantic is inadequate, poorly enforced, and inconsistent with EU and international principles, agreements and legal obligations for the sustainable management of fisheries. As a result, leading scientific authorities have concluded that the EU’s fisheries for deep-sea species in the northeast Atlantic are ‘outside safe biological limits’ and that deep-sea fishing should be significantly reduced or ended entirely.

Net Worth: The Economic Value of Fisheries Conservation - US FWS

This report from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service dated Fall 2011 highlights the $3.6 billion in annual contributions to the U.S. economy made by the Fisheries Program and
its many partners: states, tribes, NGOs and private organizations.

Council Revises 2012 Harvest Limits - Recommends Liberalization of Recreational Management Measures -- Mid Atlantic Fisheries Council

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries

Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board last week in Williamsburg, VA to set catch and harvest limits for summer flounder and scup. Although the Council had set limits for the 2012 fishing year in

August, the Council received updated stock assessments in October that indicated the previous recommendations for summer flounder and scup were too high. They also recommended recreational management measures for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass for 2012.

A Review of the New England Fishery Management Process -- NOAA

Released on April 26, 2011, this report "is the first phase of a regional assessment and management review focused on the relationships among the New England Fishery Management Council, NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Regional Office, and NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the external factors influencing the process. The results of the review, which were presented by Preston Pate at the New England Fishery Management Council Meeting, included recommendations to improve New England’s fishery management processes."

Implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act - NOAA

This testimony of Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and the Coast Guard, on March 8, 2011 states that the U.S. is making good progress toward meeting the mandate to end domestic overfishing.

“We know that nearly $31 billion in sales and as many as 500,000 jobs are lost because our fisheries are not performing as well as they would if all stocks were rebuilt... While we are turning a corner toward a brighter future for fishermen and fishing communities, many fishermen are struggling in part as a result of years of decline in fishing opportunity."

Looting the Seas: How Overfishing, Fraud, and Negligence Plundered the Majestic Bluefin Tuna -- ICIJ

This report from the International Consortium of Independent Journalists uncovers a supply chain that at every step was riddled with fraud, negligence, and criminal misconduct.

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress -- CRS

This Report from the Congressional Research Service, by Ronald O'Rourke, Coordinator
Specialist in Naval Affairs, dated October 15, 2010, finds that "the diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened concerns about the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region.

On January 12, 2009, the George W. Bush Administration released a presidential directive, called National Security Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 (NSPD 66/HSPD 25), establishing a new U.S. policy for the Arctic region. Record low extent of Arctic sea ice in 2007 focused scientific and policy attention on its linkage to global climate change, and to the implications of projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. The Arctic has been projected by several scientists to be perennially ice-free in the late summer by the late 2030s.

The five Arctic coastal states—the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, and Denmark (of which Greenland is a territory)—are in the process of preparing Arctic territorial claims for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Russian claim to the enormous underwater Lomonosov Ridge, if accepted, would reportedly grant Russia nearly one half of the Arctic area. There are also four other unresolved Arctic territorial disputes.

The diminishment of Arctic ice could lead in the coming years to increased commercial shipping on two trans-Arctic sea routes. Current international guidelines for ships operating in Arctic waters are being updated, with a targeted completion date of 2010. Changes to the Arctic brought about by warming temperatures will likely allow more exploration for oil, gas, and minerals.

Warming that causes permafrost to melt could pose challenges to onshore exploration activities. Increased oil and gas exploration and tourism (cruise ships) in the Arctic increase the risk of pollution in the region. Cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult than in other areas, primarily because effective strategies have yet to be developed. Large commercial fisheries exist in the Arctic.

The United States is currently meeting with other countries regarding the management of Arctic fish stocks. Changes in the Arctic could affect threatened and endangered species. Under the Endangered Species Act, the polar bear was listed as threatened on May 15,2008. Arctic climate change is also expected to affect the economies, subsistence, health, population, societies, and cultures of Arctic indigenous peoples."

"Looting the Seas" -- Pew Environmental Group

A special screening of a new documentary on the black market in bluefin tuna.

Please join the Pew Environment Group for a special screening of "Looting the Seas" on the plundering of the majestic bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean.

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists reporters Marina Walker Guevara and Kate Wilson, who led the seven-month investigation, will answer questions afterward.

Date: November 9, 2010 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Location:
The Pew Charitable Trusts
901 E Street, NW
10th Floor
Washington, DC 20004

Reception to follow.
Please RSVP to Maggie Germano, mgermano@pewtrusts.org, 202.540.6503

Deepwater Horizon Response Consolidated Fish and Wildlife Collection Report

This Report, dated October 2, 2010, covers the consolidated numbers reported through the report date from noon to noon. These are the consolidated numbers of collected fish and wildlife that have been reported to the Unified Area Command from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), incident area commands, rehabilitation centers and other authorized sources operating within the Deepwater Horizon/BP incident impact area.

2010 Dead Zone - One of the Largest Ever

This report from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consotium Dated August 2, 2010 finds that the area of hypoxia, or low oxygen, in the northern Gulf of Mexico west of the Mississippi River delta covered 20,000 square kilometers (7,722 square miles) of the bottom and extended far into Texas waters. The relative size is close to New Jersey. The critical value that defines hypoxia is 2 mg/L, or ppm, because trawlers cannot catch fish or shrimp on the bottom when oxygen falls lower. This summer’s hypoxic zone ("dead zone") is one of the largest measured since the team of researchers from Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and Louisiana State University began routine mapping in 1985.

Recent New York Environmental Legislation

Chapter 494 Bill No. A8687B Rosenthal (MS) -- Prohibits the sale and use of wheel weights containing lead.

Chapter 485 Bill No. A2294 Thiele -- Relates to the taking of fish for commercial purposes.

Chapter 483 Bill No. A924E DelMonte (MS) -- Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to promulgate standards authorizing hunting with a crossbow; repealer.

Chapter 449 Bill No. A11178A Paulin -- Relates to the disposition of abandoned animals.

Report of the resumed Review Conference on the Agreement for the

Report of the resumed Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks dated New York, 24-28 May 2010 covers the effectiveness of the Agreement in securing the conservation and management of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks by reviewing and assessing the adequacy of its provisions and, if necessary, proposing means of strengthening the substance and methods of implementation of those provisions in order better to address any continuing problems in the conservation and management of those stocks.

Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources in the Artic Management Area

This plan dated August 2009 prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce will prohibit the expansion of commercial fishing in federal Arctic waters until researchers gather sufficient information on fish and the Arctic marine environment to prevent adverse impacts of commercial harvesting activity on the ecosystem. The Arctic Fishery Management Plan will be implemented through regulations to be published in the Federal Register. Fisheries managers have identified Arctic cod, saffron cod, and snow crab as likely initial target species for commercial fishing in the region.

Investing in Our Future: The Economic Case for Rebuilding Mid-Atlantic Fish Populations

This report by the Pew Trust Environmental Group prepared by John M. Gates dated 2009 provides a new analysis of the potential economic benefits of rebuilding depleted fish populations in the Mid-Atlantic. The study estimates direct economic benefits by comparing status quo management scenarios with scenarios where populations would have been rebuilt by 2007.

For both commercial and recreational fishing sectors, rebuilding populations of black
sea bass, bluefish, butterfish and summer flounder by 2007 would have generated an
additional $570 million per year in perpetuity in direct economic benefits.