Recent Salmon and Fish news on June 29, 1998

The following weekly news summary was compiled by the Congressional Research Service from a variety of information sources. New info and changes since 6/19/98 are bracketed {...} New info and changes since 6/25/98 double bracketed {{...}}

Cleve Steward Sustainable Fisheries Foundation Tel. 425-670-3584

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast

{Irrigation Dam Removal.

On July 15, 1998, ceremonies are scheduled to mark the removal of Jackson Street Dam on Bear Creek, Medford, OR. This irrigation dam blocks chinook salmon access to 20 miles of spawning habitat and increases siltation in this Rogue River tributary. A $1.8 million irrigation diversion completed in 1996 facilitated dam removal.} [Assoc Press]

WA PUD Agreement.

A 50-year conservation agreement among the Douglas County Public Utility District (PUD), the Chelan County PUD, NMFS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and the Colville, Yakama, and Umatilla Tribes to aid salmon recovery is tentatively scheduled for signing on June 27, 1998. The agreement formalizes the completion of negotiation on a habitat conservation plan by the PUDs to guarantee that their three dams (Rock Island, Rocky Reach, and Wells) will have no net impact on migrating salmon and steelhead trout and that at least 91% of migrating juvenile salmon will survive downstream passage through each dam and reservoir. The PUDs intend to employ fish bypass systems and water spills, replacement of lost fish with hatchery fish, and improve fish habitat. Chelan County PUD will pay $35 million for habitat improvements, while Douglas County PUD will pay $10 million. [Assoc Press]

{Friant Dam Water Contracts.

On June 24, 1998, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, by a 3-0 margin, upheld and broadened a January 1997 District Court decision by Judge Lawrence Karlton and voided 14 forty-year agricultural water district contracts with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for Friant Dam water as well as ruled that new contracts are subject to environmental review and may be subject to CA state law requiring the release of sufficient water to protect downstream fish habitat. A coalition of 15 conservation and fishing groups had challenged (Natural Resources Defense Council v. Houston, 97-16030) these water contracts, renewed in the late 1980s before passage of the more stringent Central Valley Project Improvement Act in 1992, which at times dewatered as much as 20 miles of the San Joaquin River. The water districts currently are operating under provisional three-year water contracts. District Judge Karlton, Sacramento, CA, will now hold extensive hearings to determine how much water must be returned to the River.} [Assoc Press]

{Contaminated Salmon Roe Recall.

On June 20, 1998, the Hokkaido prefectural government (Japan) ordered a salmon roe producer to recall unsold portions of 9 tons of soy sauce-dipped salmon roe shipped to the Kanto region. Illnesses were traced to sushi shops where salmon roe was found to be contaminated with the O-157 strain of E. Coli bacteria.} [Dow Jones News]

CA Fish and Game Commission Meeting.

The CA Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to meet June 19, 1998, in Bridgeport, CA, to consider additional emergency regulations to restrict fishing and promote salmon and steelhead recovery, including year-round closures to all fishing in steelhead spawning and rearing areas, prohibition of all fishing in anadromous fish waters annually from Apr. 1 through the 4th Saturday in May to protect migrating juvenile steelhead trout, and a multitude of area-specific closures. [The Modesto Bee]

{BC Salmon Management.

On June 19, 1998, Canadian Fisheries Minister David Anderson announced that all salmon fishing would be banned this year in areas where coho salmon populations at risk are prevalent (red zones).

In other areas, regulations will minimize the accidental catch of coho salmon while allowing the harvest of other species. Mr Anderson stated that such strict regulations might be necessary for six years or two coho salmon life cycles.

On June 24, 1998, fishermen and government managers engaged in 10 hours of heated debate over the proposed 1998 fishing regulations at the annual meeting between fish managers and a commercial salmon advisory panel. Fishermen argued that the proposed fishing restrictions will decimate the commercial fishery.} [Assoc Press]

BPA Lawsuit.

On June 17, 1998, a coalition of 7 environmental groups served Bonneville Power Administration with a 60-day notice of intent to sue over concern that BPA's plans to pre-sell power to be delivered between 2001 and 2006 could harm salmon recovery efforts, including limiting options for significantly changing the hydropower system and selling power at below-market rates reducing potential funds available for salmon recovery. [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]

Corps of Engineers FY1999 Salmon Restoration Funding.

On June 16, 1998, The Oregonian reported that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development had approved more than a 90% reduction in Columbia River salmon restoration funding for the Corps of Engineers. The Subcommittee was reported as approving $7.76 million for studying the effects of drawing down water levels at John Day and lower Snake River dams in FY1999 as compared to the approximately $95 million provided for Corps salmon restoration programs in FY1998.

On June 16, 1998, the full House Committee on Appropriations approved the $87 million reduction in FY1999 salmon restoration funding for the Corps of Engineers. {In companion legislation, the Senate provided $95 million for the Corps of Engineers salmon recovery programs as well as $4 million to continue research and development of "fish-friendly" hydropower turbines.} [Assoc Press]

Canadian Salmon Assistance.

On June 11, 1998, the Canadian cabinet was reported as having approved spending at least an additional C$375 million to $400 million for assistance to the British Columbia salmon industry. {On June 19, 1998, Canadian fisheries officials announced a C$400 million assistance program for Canadian salmon fishermen, including a C$180 million buyback of fishing licenses to reduce the size of the fishing fleet, C$20 million for early retirement of displaced fishermen, C$100 million to help fishermen and communities adapt, and C$100 million earmarked for habitat restoration. On June 20, 1998, Canadian fisheries officials announced a C$2 million fund to promote salmon sportfishing in BC.} [Reuters, Assoc Press, Wall Street Journal, Sport Fishing Institute of BC press release]

BPA and Snake River Dam Breaching.

On June 11, 1998, the new BPA Administrator, Judi Johansen, was reported as stating that a decision needed to be made as soon as possible on whether or not to breach lower Snake River dams to benefit salmon recovery. [Assoc Press]

Milltown Hill Dam.

On June 5, 1998, the OR Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 5-1 to deny Douglas County's request for a waiver of state requirements to provide fish passage facilities for the proposed Milltown Hill Dam on Elk Creek in the Umpqua River drainage, near Yoncalla, OR.

On June 10, 1998, Douglas County, OR, commissioners voted to no longer pursue construction of the Milltown Hill Dam because the estimated $51.5 million for fish protection measures required to protect endangered sea-run cutthroat trout would more than double the cost of the $43 million project. [Assoc Press]

AK Salmon Marketing.

On June 5, 1998, AK Governor Tony Knowles announced that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture plans to purchase as much as $10 million worth of AK pink and chum salmon from the 1998 harvest, for distribution to schools, food banks, and other charitable institutions. {On June 19, 1998, AK Governor Tony Knowles signed a bill into law extending the life of the AK Seafood Marketing Institute for 5 years and authorizing the agency to use $5 million in taxes collected from fishermen and fish processors.} [Assoc Press, AK Office of the Governor press release]

Salmon and Global Warming.

On June 2, 1998, the Toronto Globe & Mail reported that an article in a forthcoming edition of the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science by a British Columbia scientist uses a climate model to predict that salmon may not be able to inhabit the North Pacific by the year 2050 due to higher seawater temperatures. [Toronto Globe & Mail]

OR Coho Salmon Management.

On June 1, 1998, U.S. Magistrate Janice M. Stewart released an opinion finding that NMFS was arbitrary and capricious when, in April 1997, it decided that OR's state salmon recovery plan was sufficient basis for deciding against listing wild coho salmon as an endangered or threatened species. Judge Stewart ordered NMFS to reconsider its decision by July 2, 1998. [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]

Salmon Poaching.

On June 1, 1998, U.S. Coast Guard personnel boarded the Tai Sheng 1,350 miles southwest of Attu Island, AK.

On June 2, 1998, the Coast Guard cutter Jarvis intercepted and boarded the Chinese driftnet fishing vessel Shan Yu 16, suspected of illegal driftnet fishing for salmon, about 700 miles north of Tokyo, Japan. The Shan Yu 16 and the Tai Sheng are being escorted by the Coast Guard to Shanghai, where vessels and evidence will be presented to Chinese enforcement officials.

On June 5, 1998, Coast Guard officials announced that the cutter Boutwell intercepted and boarded the Chinese driftnet vessel Shen Shun more than 1,300 miles south of Attu Island after a 5-day chase. The Coast Guard reported that it and Russian enforcement vessels have been tracking a total of 8 vessels suspected of illegal fishing in the North Pacific. {On June 25, 1998, AK Governor Tony Knowles met with President Clinton enroute to China to request additional assistance in keeping illegal Chinese driftnet vessels from poaching North Pacific salmon. President Clinton was reported as stating that he would bring up the subject with Chinese officials.} [Assoc Press, Reuters, Moscow NTV and Moscow ITAR-TASS via Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Anchorage Daily News]

Willamette River Habitat.

On May 29, 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey released the results of a $4 million study of 20 major American rivers, including the Willamette River, OR. Study results indicated that loss of habitat is a larger problem for fish in the Willamette River than is pollution, especially in agricultural and urban areas. Major habitat loss was attributed to straightening channels, cutting down streamside trees, and building berms and riprap on riverbanks. [Assoc Press]

Salmon River Sockeye.

On May 29, 1998, ID Dept. of Fish and Game officials announced that, so far, about 140,500 juvenile Salmon River sockeye salmon migrated downstream this year -- more than any other year this century. A return of about 250 adults is anticipated from this juvenile outmigration.

[Assoc Press]

WA Salmon Management.

On May 29, 1998, and as part of a supplemental budget proposal, King County (WA) Executive Ron Sims asked the County Council for $5 million in capital projects to restore salmon habitat and $2.5 million for staff to begin restoration work.

In mid-June 1998, WA Dept. of Ecology officials pledged $4 million in grants under a new state watershed-planning law for river management and salmon protection projects in 22 WA communities.

{In mid-June 1998, the WA Contract Loggers Assoc, the Northwest Forestry Assoc, Skamania County, and two private landowners filed suit in Thurston County Superior Court challenging WA regulations restricting timber harvesting in riparian areas to protect steelhead trout. The lawsuit argues that the WA Forest Practices Board acted illegally in adopting emergency regulations to protect steelhead trout.} [Assoc Press]

Pacific Salmon Treaty.

On May 29, 1998, President Clinton announced his intent to appoint W. Ron Allen as a member of the Pacific Salmon Commission. Mr.

Allen is Tribal Chairman/Executive Director of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe in WA state.

On June 2, 1998, negotiations were held in Seattle, WA, focusing on establishing southern allocations for the 1998 fishing season. Coho salmon, but not sockeye salmon, issues were discussed in detail, and discussions concluded with little progress.

On June 5, 1998, the BC's United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union issued a joint statement with the Council of Tourism Association of BC and Tourism Vancouver, with the Union agreeing not to target cruise ships to protest U.S. salmon harvest in exchange for the tourism industry's support for a renegotiated salmon treaty. {On June 18, 1998, the Wall Street Journal reported that successful conclusion of an interim agreement for catching and protecting salmon during the 1998 fishing season is anticipated.} {{On June 25, 1998, WA state and Canadian negotiators were reportedly close to finalizing a short-term plan for jointly managing Puget Sound, Strait of Georgia, and Fraser River fisheries for the 1998 season.

Under the proposed agreement, U.S. fishermen will be allowed to harvest more sockeye salmon in exchange for a decreased catch of Fraser River coho salmon, and benefits will accrue to Puget Sound chinook salmon.}} [Wall Street Journal, Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans press release, Assoc Press, Reuters, White House press release]

Aquaculture and Aquaria

Chilean Salmon.

On June 2, 1998, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce announced that three of five Chilean salmon farming operations investigated were determined to be "dumping" farmed Atlantic salmon on the U.S. market at below-market prices. Previously imposed anti-dumping duties would be increased on two of the Chilean operators, while the third would pay anti-dumping duties for the first time. A 5.19% anti-dumping duty will be imposed on all other operators.

However, no countervailing duties would be imposed. Before the anti-dumping duties can be imposed, the International Trade Commission will decide, by July 15, 1998, whether dumping actually has injured U.S. salmon producers. [Dow Jones News, United Salmon Assoc press release, Assoc Press, Reuters]

Norwegian Salmon.

On June 2, 1998, the European Commission imposed 4-month provisional anti-dumping and countervailing duties on farmed Atlantic salmon exported by 12 Norwegian companies that allegedly failed to comply with a June 1997 EU-Norway agreement on farmed salmon pricing. [Reuters]

Freshwater Fisheries

{Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Lawsuit.

On June 24, 1998, the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity (Tucson, AZ) filed a formal 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Dept. of Interior over alleged failure to adequately protect the Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Co and NM by not responding expeditiously to a Feb. 16, 1998 petition to list the species under the Endangered Species Act.} [Assoc Press]

Great Lakes Fisheries Hearing.

The House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has tentatively scheduled a hearing on H.R.

1481, proposing to amend the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990 to provide for implementation of recommendations in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' "Great Lakes Fishery Restoration Study Report," for June 18, 1998. [personal communication]

{{WA Fisheries Turmoil.

In mid-June 1998, WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Director Bern Shanks agreed to leave his position by September 1998, after months of turmoil including a projected budget shortfall expected to exceed $17 million by summer 1999 and termination of about 100 positions from the agency's payroll.

In the interim, Shanks is working on a long-term funding study for the agency.}} [Assoc Press]

Lead Sinker Ban.

On June 15, 1998, a NH legislative committee agreed to ban use of small (less than one ounce) lead fishing sinkers on all NH lakes and ponds in the year 2000, because of the concern that migratory loons die after swallowing discarded or lost lead sinkers. Small lead sinkers could still be used in rivers, streams, and saltwater, and larger sinkers could be used on lakes and ponds. [Assoc Press]

Gila Trout Introduction.

On June 15, 1998, U.S. Forest Service managers announced that a planned reintroduction of endangered Gila trout into two streams on the Gila National Forest, NM, had been indefinitely postponed after surveys indicated more nonnative fish in the target streams than previously reported. [Assoc Press]

NRFCC Biennial Report.

On June 12, 1998, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials announced the release of the first biennial report of the National Recreational Fisheries Coordination Council (NRFCC), established under the authority of President Clinton's 1995 Executive Order 12962 on Recreational Fisheries. This report summarizes actions taken by 6 federal departments and the Environmental Protection Agency to restore aquatic habitat and recreational fisheries. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service press release]

Pfiesteria?

On June 8, 1998, NC Dept. of Health officials announced that new state policy would result in area closures and ordering people off rivers when fish kills occur rather than the former policy of posting warnings. When 20% of any fish species develops sores, NC will ban fishing, swimming, and boating on stretches of affected waterways.

On June 10, 1998, MD officials announced a $1.3 million advertising campaign to promote Chesapeake Bay seafood, and to partially counter the estimated $127 million loss suffered by MD commercial fisheries, charterboat industry, recreational fish, and tourism after Pfiesteria-related fish kills occurred in the summer of 1997. Of the $1.3 million in promotional funding, the federal government is providing $0.8 million.

On June 12, 1998, the Clinton administration announced that federal managers will develop a National Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Monitoring Strategy to function as a coordinated response system in support of state and local efforts.

On June 18, 1998, DE Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officials announced that on May 19, 1998, they collected cells similar to Pfiesteria in water samples from unspecified DE coastal waters. [Assoc Press, White House press release]

Bull Trout.

On June 5, 1998, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt announced the listing of bull trout as a threatened species in Pacific northwest's Klamath River basin, OR, and in all of the Columbia River basin.

In addition, bull trout in the Jarbridge River area, ID and NV, in the Coastal-Puget Sound area, WA, and in the St. Mary-Belly River drainage near Glacier National Park were proposed for listing.

In mid-June 1998, a mature female lake trout was caught in the Swan River, one of the few MT drainages where bull trout are thriving. Lake trout are non-indigenous introduced species and can damage native species, such as bull trout, through competition for food and habitat.

[Assoc Press]

Fire Ants Kill Trout.

On June 2, 1998, the TX Parks and Wildlife Dept. concluded that the consumption of toxic, dead male fire ants was responsible for killing at least 23,000 rainbow trout planted in the Guadalupe River. Some of the trout had as many as 500 ants in their stomachs. [Assoc Press, Houston Chronicle]

AK Subsistence Fisheries.

On June 1, 1998, the AK Legislature adjourned its special session after failing by a vote of 24-16 to reach the two-thirds majority necessary to approve a compromise constitutional amendment to forestall federal management of AK's subsistence fisheries. A second special session may be called by the Governor in July 1998.

On June 12, 1998, AK Governor Tony Knowles vetoed House Bill 406, passed by the Legislature in early May and proposing to give subsistence preference to fishermen with a traditional and cultural dependence on fish, regardless of where they live.

[Assoc Press]

Dam Demolition.

On May 29, 1998, demolition of a 7-foot-high, 135-foot-wide dam on the Little River near Goldsboro, NC, is scheduled to commence. Removal of the dam, as contracted for by the NC Div. of Water Resources, will open 21 miles of the Little River and 33 miles of tributaries to migratory fish use.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the NC Div. of Marine Fisheries are financing dam removal under a program initiated by the Coastal America Foundation. [Assoc Press]