ÿÿ A message from the 'aquacon' discussion list ÿÿ The following news summaries were compiled by Gene Buck, Senior Analyst in the Congressional Research Service. Capital letters denote new information that did not appear in previous summaries.
Please address general comments to the list rather than to me.
Cleve Steward Sustainable Fisheries Foundation csteward@wolfenet.com
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Umpqua River Cutthroat Trout.
On May 7, 1997, a coalition of fishing and environmental groups filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court (Portland, OR) against the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and NMFS, challenging NMFS's opinion that the Northwest forest plan was adequate to protect endangered Umpqua River cutthroat trout. The plaintiffs are asking for specific measures to better protect this species. [Assoc Press]
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On May 2, 1997, two seafood processors agreed to pay $2 million to settle a 1995 $1 billion class-action lawsuit alleging price-fixing in the Bristol Bay salmon fishery from 1989 through 1995. Although 14 smaller processors previously settled for about $500,000, about 40 defendants remain. [Assoc Press]
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The May 1997 issue of Fisheries published the results of a study by three Pacific Northwest fishery scientists concluding that few in-stream habitat enhancement projects have resulted in any long-term success for the fish. To succeed, such efforts must be combined with restoration of ecological processes within an entire watershed including modification of upslope and riparian conditions, these individuals suggest. [Fisheries]
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On Apr. 25, 1997, talks among Canadian and U.S. fishermen and fishing industry representatives in Juneau, AK, ended with negotiators agreeing to consider setting catch quotas for two southern southeast AK salmon fisheries (one seine and one gillnet) using "abundance-based management" wherein harvest would reflect increases or decreases in pink, sockeye, and chum salmon populations. Additional discussions are scheduled for May 5-9, 1997, in Vancouver, BC. [Assoc Press]
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In late April 1997, state, federal, and tribal biologists increased their projection of the 1997 Columbia-Snake River spring chinook salmon run from 68,000 to 90,000 fish, after almost 55,000 spring chinook were counted passing Bonneville Dam as of Apr. 25, 1997. ON MAY 8, 1997, THE ID FISH AND GAME COMMISSION APPROVED A SPORT FISHERY ON HATCHERY SPRING CHINOOK IN THE LITTLE SALMON (400 FISH) AND CLEARWATER (500 FISH) RIVERS BEGINNING MAY 17 TO POSSIBLY AS LONG AS JULY 6, BASED UPON INCREASED ADULT RETURNS. THIS IS THE FIRST HATCHERY SPRING CHINOOK FISHERY IN ID SINCE 1993, BUT IT IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY NMFS. [Assoc Press]
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On Apr. 24, 1997, officials of the Ford Foundation announced a $2 million grant to create the nation's first bank holding company dedicated to promoting environmentally sound economic development, including economic diversification in coastal communities suffering from salmon season closures. The conservation group Ecotrust (Portland, OR) will join with the Shore Bank Corp. (Chicago, IL) to form the new holding company. The holding company will offer loans for conservation-based development in coastal communities from northern CA through Prince William Sound, AK. [Assoc Press]
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On Apr. 23, 1997, the Kenai River (AK) Special Management Area Advisory Committee held a hearing and received testimony on whether to limit the number of sport fishing guides on the river, charge guides higher license fees, conduct a study of overcrowding in the river's sport fishery, or take other action. On Apr. 30, 1997, the AK House approved a bill that would authorize the state to regulate and license sport fishing guides [Assoc Press]
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On Apr. 23, 1997, officials of the Clinton Administration announced details of a draft $125 million-per-year land management strategy, prepared by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, to increase logging, create jobs, and better protect fish in 7 western states. Land use restrictions near streams inhabited by fish on more than 72 million acres of national forest and other public lands would be broadened. This strategy was the preferred alternative in a draft environmental impact statement for the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project. The draft strategy now begins a 120-day public comment period. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
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On Apr. 18, 1997, the OR Environmental Quality Commission granted a special permit allowing water to be spilled at Columbia River hydroelectric dams, as long as dissolved nitrogen levels do not exceed 120%. In early May 1997, nitrogen saturation levels were reported to have reached 140% below John Day Dam on the Columbia River and 128% below Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River. [Assoc Press] Back to top or Back to home page On Apr. 17, 1997, officials of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission held a news conference coincident with testimony before a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary hearing, expressing concerns that Mitchell Act hatchery funding in the Columbia River Basin has been discriminatory to Indian fishing. [Assoc Press] Back to top or Back to home page On Apr. 17, 1997, The Oregonian (Portland, OR) reported that it had obtained a copy of a draft agreement between OR and the federal government wherein OR would have the lead in salmon recovery efforts, with NMFS closely watching OR's efforts to improve logging, grazing, and other activities affecting water quality. NMFS would propose changes in OR forestry regulations by Nov. 1, 1997, to achieve larger streamside buffers and better landslide prevention measures. ESA listing of coho salmon would be pursued if statutory changes to OR law are not made by June 1, 1999. On Apr. 18, 1997, OR officials presented an alternative plan that would have an independent scientific panel review logging rule changes proposed by NMFS. OR and NMFS signed a memorandum of agreement on Apr. 24, 1997. On Apr. 25, 1997, NMFS announced that northern CA and southern OR coho salmon would be listed as "threatened" while northern and central OR coastal coho salmon would not be listed in response to the state of OR's negotiated recovery plan, but identified as a "candidate" species for future consideration. On Apr. 30, 1997, a coalition of 25 environmental and sport/commercial fishermen's groups notified NMFS that they intend to file suit on the decision not to list OR coastal coho salmon under the Endangered Species Act. [Assoc Press, Reuters] Back to top or Back to home page In mid-April 1997, MT Governor Marc Racicot informed NMFS that MT was withdrawing from the Salmon Executive Committee, in the belief that upstream interests are not receiving sufficient attention. MT will continue to work through the Northwest Power Planning Council. [Assoc Press] Back to top or Back to home page On Apr. 15, 1997, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development heard testimony from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration on plans and costs for salmon recovery in the Columbia and Snake River basins. The Corps presented an estimate that drawing down the 4 Lower Snake River dams would cost more than $500 million and would require a specific authorization from Congress. [Assoc Press, Congressional Record] Back to top or Back to home page On Apr. 15, 1997, British Columbia Premier Glen Clark reported that an agreement had been reached between the provincial BC government and the Canadian federal government on shared management of salmon fisheries. Management of the salmon fishery had been a federal responsibility; BC desired a larger role. Details of the agreement were released on Apr. 16. The agreement provides that both BC provincial and the federal government will provide C$15 million for salmon habitat restoration. In addition, a Canada-British Columbia Council of Ministers will coordinate major salmon resource and habitat issues, and a fisheries renewal advisory board will include fishermen, industry groups, and communities to improve habitat. On May 2, 1997, BC Premier Glen Clark released a 38-page discussion paper calling for renewed discussion with the federal government to reduce duplication of government services and outlining a sport fishing proposal with 3 goals for fisheries -- 1) protection of fish stocks and habitat, 2) creating sustainable fishery jobs and stable communities, and 3) enhancing BC's role in fisheries solutions. On May 5, 1997, BC Premier Glen Clark announced a C$1.5 million grant to a Community Fisheries Development Centre to select and manage a range of community-based fisheries initiatives over 3 years to support displaced fishery workers and fund salmon habitat restoration work. [Assoc Press] . Back to top or Back to home page On Apr. 14, 1997, the European Union's Anti-Dumping Committee met in Brussels to continue consideration of a 13.7% anti-dumping duty proposed by the European Commission for farmed Norwegian salmon. After investigation, the Commission concluded that Norwegian salmon had been sold below production costs and had received unlawful subsidies, causing injury to EU producers. [Agence Europe via Reuters]
Nitrogen Supersaturation.
Salmon Hatchery Criticism.
ESA Listing of Coho Salmon.
Juvenile Salmon Barging.
Salmon Recovery Appropriations Hearing.
Canadian Salmon Fishery.
Norwegian Salmon Anti-Dumping.