Recent Salmon and Fish news on December 22, 1997

On Dec. 18, 1997, OR officials released the state's steelhead trout strategy (officially the "steelhead supplement to the Oregon Plan for coho salmon"), relying on local watershed councils and encouraging landowners to voluntarily restore fish habitat, in an effort to forestall federal listing of additional steelhead trout populations as threatened or endangered species. NMFS is scheduled to decide the status of these steelhead populations by Feb. 9, 1998. A state legislative oversight committee approved $1.3 million to fund the steelhead strategy. [Assoc Press]

Atlantic Salmon Recovery.

On Dec. 15, 1997, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt endorsed the state of ME's 400-page conservation management plan for Atlantic salmon restoration in 7 watersheds and withdrew a petition to place the species on the federal list of endangered species. This endorsement was shared by NMFS. However, RESTORE: The North Woods, the group that had filed the petition, criticized the state's plan, and is considering legal challenge. ME's Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reportedly will require $3 million to $4 million to implement the state plan, while the total federal, state, and private costs over 6 years is projected to exceed $15 million. Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NMFS will annually review the state plan's effectiveness. [Dept. of the Interior press release, NOAA press release, Assoc Press]

Columbia River Water Rights.

On Dec. 9, 1997, the WA Dept. of Ecology held the first of 6 scheduled hearings in eastern WA on developing interim regulations to evaluate applications of new water rights on the Columbia River.

In 1992, WA imposed a moratorium on the issuance of new water rights for Columbia and Snake River water in response to the initial listing of several salmon populations as threatened or endangered. The WA Legislature lifted the moratorium for Columbia River water earlier this year, contingent on the implementation of amended regulations for water allocation and in-stream flow. [Assoc Press]

OR Waterway Protection.

In early December 1997, a coalition of 3 OR conservation groups petitioned the OR Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) to have 9 state rivers and 1 lake designated as outstanding resources waters for enhanced protection under the Clean Water Act. As part of the process, the OR Dept. of Environmental Quality will review the petitions and make a recommendation to the EQC; the EQC will then proposed waterbodies for statewide hearings and public comment. [Assoc Press]

WA Wild Salmon Policy.

On Dec. 5, 1997, the WA Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously adopted the state's Wild Salmonid Policy, establishing guidelines for protecting and restoring wild salmon stocks. None of the 20 western WA tribes involved in negotiations on the Policy has elected thus far to sign the Policy, but half are anticipated to be willing to sign within the next month after various details are settled.

In addition, the Commission adopted documents to be used in negotiating specific cooperative watershed agreements with tribes and local governments to improve management of salmon stocks. [Assoc Press]

Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout ESA Petition.

On Dec. 5, 1997, a coalition of conservation and sport fishing groups submitted a petition to NMFS requesting the declaration of sea-run cutthroat trout along the Pacific coast as endangered. Although NMFS responded that it is already reviewing this and other trout species with an initial decision anticipated by December 1998, the coalition chose to file a formal petition. [Assoc Press]

OR Salmon Poll.

In early December 1997, The Oregonian released the results of a telephone poll of 514 Oregonians, indicating that 85% thinks its important to preserve salmon runs; 38% would pay $5 or more per month to help salmon; while 29% of those in eastern, agricultural OR support removing Snake River dams, 41% of those in Portland and the Willamette Valley would support such an effort; 60% believe improving salmon runs should be a higher priority than other commercial uses of the rivers; and 60% feel salmon restoration funding has been ineffective. [Assoc Press]

Anti-Barging Campaign.

On Dec. 2, 1997, a coalition of seven ID conservation and sport fishing groups announced the launching of a new campaign to legislatively ban barging of juvenile salmon downstream around Columbia and Snake River dams. [Assoc Press]

Bristol Bay Salmon Fishery.

On Nov. 26, 1997, President Clinton signed P.L. 105-119 (the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998), including $7 million for emergency disaster assistance for AK's Bristol Bay and Kuskokwim regions. Dept. of Commerce officials were scheduled to visit Bristol Bay and the Kuskokwim Delta regions on Dec. 8-10, 1997, to determine how the $7 million federal disaster appropriation should be spent. [Assoc Press, Reuters, NOAA press release]

Coho Salmon Critical Habitat.

On Nov. 25, 1997, NMFS proposed the designation of critical habitat for two populations of threatened coho salmon in southern OR/northern CA, and along the central CA coast. No new regulations accompany critical habitat designation. No ocean areas were proposed for critical habitat designation. Three public hearings will be held on the proposal and comments will be received through Jan. 25, 1998. [Assoc Press, NOAA press release, Fed. Register]

AK Hatcheries and Roe-Stripping.

In late November 1997, a Legislative Audit report concluded that AK's loans of $109 million to nonprofit hatcheries are at sufficient risk that the state should consider legalizing limited roe- stripping to improve hatchery financial health. The report also suggests that the state's Division of Investments be given authority to modify loans to extend them beyond their current 30-year limit. [Assoc Press]

Malicious Prosecution.

In late November 1997, a former irrigation district employee was awarded $300,000 by a Umatilla County (OR) Circuit Court. The individual had filed a complaint alleging malicious prosecution after being acquitted of unlawful tampering with a fish screening device at an irrigation pump site.

In 1994, the OR Dept. of Fish and Wildlife had sued the individual for $5.5 million in damages for the 1992 deaths of 44,000 fall chinook salmon, which were drawn into irrigation pumps at the mouth of the Umatilla River. [Assoc Press]

Regional Salmon Recovery Panel?

On Nov. 24 and 26, 1997, federal, state, and tribal officials were tentatively scheduled to meet in an effort to develop a draft agreement on a new regional panel to replace the current federal panel (from which Montana and four tribes have withdrawn) that decides how to operate Columbia River dams for salmon recovery. The proposed regional panel would include state governors, leaders of 13 Indian tribes, and a federal representative. [Assoc Press]

Pacific Salmon Treaty.

On Nov. 23, 1997, U.S. President Bill Clinton and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien met to discuss salmon concerns while in Vancouver, BC, attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. On Nov. 27, 1997, the BC United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union reported that its lawyers believed that AK might seize as many as 3 BC fishing vessels in early December 1997, related to the AK lawsuit against BC fishermen for blockading an AK state ferry in July 1997, and that a show of solidarity for any "arrested" fishermen would be staged.

On Nov. 29, 1997, AK officials announced that, in light of the threatened show of solidarity, they were considering whether to cancel the resumption of state ferry service to Prince Rupert, BC, scheduled for Dec. 4, 1997.

On Dec. 1, 1997, an official of BC's United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union assured AK officials that BC fishermen have no intention of jeopardizing AK ferry service to Prince Rupert, BC, and will not blockade any AK ferry.

On Dec. 1, 1997, AK and Canadian authorities met to discuss options for compensating AK for losses during the July 1997 AK ferry blockade by BC fishermen.

On Dec. 2, 1997, AK Governor Knowles confirmed that AK state ferry service to Prince Rupert, BC, would resume on Dec. 4 as scheduled.

On Dec. 8, 1997, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the names of 274 fishermen and companies identified in the AK ferry blockade compensation lawsuit would remain, despite challenges by BC fishermen.

On Dec. 19, 1997, special envoys of Canada and the United States are scheduled to meet in Seattle, WA, to continue discussions.

BC officials have indicated that they will participate in these discussions. The special envoys are expected to report on their progress by the end of January 1998. [Assoc Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News, Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans press release]

Aquaculture

Norwegian Salmon.

On Dec. 18, 1997, the European Commission imposed a 4-month provisional antidumping duty of 0.32 ECUs per kilogram plus a provisional 3.8% ad valorem countervailing duty on salmon imported from 29 Norwegian salmon exporters that had previously been exempted from penalties. These companies had failed to maintain minimum prices for farmed Atlantic salmon agreed to in June 1997. [Dow Jones News, Reuters, Agence Europe via Reuters]

WA Salmon Farming.

In mid-December 1997, Global Aqua USA was ordered by the WA Dept. of Ecology to report on the July 18, 1997, accidental release of 300,000 Atlantic salmon when a towed net pen ripped, how it will prevent any more releases, and how the impact of this accidental release might be minimized. On Dec. 15, 1997, the WA Pollution Control Hearing Board was scheduled to begin hearings on proposals by environmental groups that net pen operations be more restrictively regulated. [Assoc Press]

Infectious Salmon Anemia.

On Dec. 11, 1997, New Brunswick's Fisheries Minister ordered the destruction of all farmed Atlantic salmon in affected cages in the Bay of Fundy, due to the discovery of infectious salmon anemia. At least 200,000 fish would have to be killed. At the same time, the Province offered interest-free loans and loan guarantees to affected operators. Of 80 licensed marine sites for salmon farming, 21 are in virus-infected bays. [Assoc Press]

AK Salmon Hatcheries and Roe-Stripping.

In late November 1997, a Legislative Audit report concluded that AK's loans of $109 million to nonprofit salmon hatcheries are at sufficient risk that the state should consider legalizing limited roe-stripping to improve hatchery financial health. The report also suggests that the state's Division of Investments be given authority to modify loans to extend them beyond their current 30-year limit. [Assoc Press]

Freshwater Fisheries

Edwards Dam.

On Nov. 25, 1997, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted 2-1 to deny a license renewal application for Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River, ME, and required the dam be removed at the operator's expense. This is the first time FERC has directed the removal of a dam when relicensing was requested. The dam owners were given one year in which to file a plan for dam removal. Edwards Manufacturing Co., the dam owners, indicated they would appeal the FERC ruling, and sue for reimbursement of dam removal costs. [Dow Jones News]

Quaker Neck Dam Removal.

On Dec. 17, 1997, Carolina Power and Light (CP&L) officials and invited federal officials held a ceremony to celebrate the voluntary demolition of CP&L's Quaker Neck Dam on the Neuse River. Dam removal will allow anadromous fish (e.g., striped bass, American shad) to use an additional 75 miles of historical spawning habitat in the Neuse River and 925 miles of tributary spawning areas. This projects is a joint effort initiated by the Coastal America partnership of federal, stat, and local agencies, and non-governmental organizations. [CP&L press release, NOAA press release]

Colorado Trout Stocking Critique.

On Dec. 11, 1997, Trout Unlimited released a study of the CO Div. of Wildlife's trout stocking program, "Fishing for Answers: Status and Trends for Coldwater Fisheries Management in Colorado," highlighting concerns for threats to native and wild trout populations. The report includes recommendations for improving the stewardship of CO fisheries. [Trout Unlimited press release]

Bull Trout.

On Dec. 8, 1997, federal District Court Judge Robert Jones ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to once again consider Endangered Species Act listing for bull trout throughout its range. Judge Jones found FWS arbitrary and capricious on 5 different issues, and declared FWS had acted improperly by using 1996 policy on the 1994 administrative record. [NW Fishletter No. 49]

Wallop-Breaux Extension.

On Dec. 1, 1997, President Clinton signed P.L. 105-130, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 1997, containing language that continues making a portion of motorboat fuel and small-engine gasoline taxes available to fund the Wallop-Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Program through the end of FY1998. This legislation also provides for retroactive transfer of these funds from Oct. 1, 1997. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service press release]

Whirling Disease.

In late November 1997, the CO Division of Wildlife estimated that it would cost the Division $8 million to fight whirling disease during the next fiscal year, and an additional $10 million may be required. These funds would be used to secure clean water at hatcheries, to install water treatment facilities, and to improve the condition of raceways and ponds. [Assoc Press]

Marine Fisheries

Essential Fish Habitat.

On Dec. 17, 1997, NMFS issued interim final regulations to assist Regional Fishery Management Councils in identifying and protecting essential fish habitat. Additional public comment will be accepted for 60 days. Regional Councils have until Oct. 11, 1998, to recommend modifications of federal or state actions that may adversely affect fish habitat. [Assoc Press, NOAA press release]

Fish Population Assessment Report.

On Dec. 9, 1997, the National Research Council issued a report, entitled "Improving Fish Stock Assessments," on the difficulties of conducting useful fish population assessments. This report was commissioned by NMFS in 1995. The report cautioned that data underlying current stock assessments are inadequate for precautionary management as required by the Magnuson Act, and recommended that an independent panel of experts conduct a complete review of how data are collected from commercial fisheries. [Assoc Press, NOAA press release]

Puget Sound PSP.

In early December 1997, the WA Dept. of Health reported continuing increases in levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in shellfish in southern Puget Sound -- an unusual occurrence this late in the year and in harvest areas seldom affected by PSP closures. [WA Dept. of Health press release]