Recent Salmon and Fish news on July 20, 1998

A Coho

The following weekly news summary was compiled by the Congressional Research Service from a variety of information sources. New info and changes since 7/10/98 are bracketed {...} New info and changes since 7/16/98 double bracketed {{...}}

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

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
Dam Removals.
{Beer-Salmon Partnership.
AK Salmon Season.
WA PUD Agreement.
Pacific Salmon Treaty.
Steelhead Litigation Threatened.
Assistance for OR/WA Fishermen.
Snake River Fish Flows.
OR Coho Salmon Management.
Salmon Poaching.
Friant Dam Water Contracts.
BC Salmon Management.

Contaminated Salmon Roe Recall.
Aquaculture and Aquaria
{Chilean Salmon.
Thailand to Ban Inland Shrimp Farming.
{Haddock Hatchery Opens.
Aquatic Feeds Research.
Vitamin A Use Curtailed.
Freshwater Fisheries
AK Subsistence Fisheries.
Pfiesteria?
Lead Sinker Ban.
Competitive Bass Fishing.
Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Lawsuit.

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast

{{Timber/Salmon Lawsuit.

On July 15, 1998, the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance and Defenders of Wildlife served notice of intent to sue the Dept. of the Interior, Dept. of Commerce, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative over forest protection and timber trade concerns also threatening salmon.

These groups contend that the Softwood Lumber Agreement with Canada is fostering catastrophic deforestation in Canada under minimal environmental restrictions that, in turn, is adversely affecting forest ecosystems, including salmon.}} [Defenders of Wildlife press release]

Dam Removals.

{On July 14, 1998, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt participated in ceremonies to begin the removal of McPherrin Dam and a second dam on Butte Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River north of Sacramento, CA, to open 20 miles of stream to spring-run chinook salmon spawning. The total project cost is about $9.5 million.

On July 15, 1998, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt participated in ceremonies marking} 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, Dow Jones News, San Francisco Chronicle]

{Beer-Salmon Partnership.

On July 13, 1998, Big Rock Brewery Ltd. (Calgary, Alberta) announced its partnership with BC's Pacific Salmon Foundation, donating a portion of sales revenue from a specialty beer, Chinook Pale Ale, for local community programs benefitting salmon restoration.} [Big Rock Brewery/Pacific Salmon Foundation press release]

AK Salmon Season.

As of July 2, 1998, only about 2.5 million of a projected 30 million sockeye salmon had returned to AK's Bristol Bay drainages, suggesting a low return for the second year in a row. As of July 4, no fishing had yet been allowed in three of the five management districts and only about 1.9 million sockeye had been caught. As of July 6, 1998, commercial fishermen on the lower Yukon River had harvested only a third of the average catch of king (chinook) salmon, the lowest total catch since statehood in 1959.

On July 6, 1998, AK Governor Tony Knowles formed a cabinet-level task force to investigate the economic impact of poor salmon returns in the Kuskokwim River, Bristol Bay, and Yukon River. This task force is scheduled to tour {western AK from July 14-17, 1998, and will report to the governor by July 20. As of July 8, 1998, AK fishery managers reported the return of sockeye salmon to Bristol Bay was the lowest its ever been recorded; a total of about 4.6 million sockeye had been caught and the revised catch estimate was reduced from 21 million fish to 10.7 million fish.} [Assoc Press, Anchorage Daily News]

WA PUD Agreement.

On June 27, 1998, a 50-year habitat conservation plan 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, American Rivers, and the Colville, Yakama, and Umatilla Tribes to aid salmon recovery was signed in Wenatchee, WA. The agreement formalized the completion of negotiation on a habitat conservation plan by the PUDs to guarantee that their three mid-Columbia River dams (Rock Island, Rocky Reach, and Wells) will have no net impact on migrating salmon and steelhead trout -- a standard defined as meaning at least 91% of migrating salmon and 95% of downstream migrating juvenile salmon will survive passage through each dam and reservoir. The PUDs can choose how to meet these standards and intend to employ fish bypass systems, surface spillway improvements, diversion screens, and water spills, and to replace the 9% "unavoidable" loss of fish with hatchery fish (replace 7% loss), and fish habitat improvement (replace 2% loss). Chelan County PUD will pay $35 million for habitat improvements, while Douglas County PUD will pay $10 million. Total costs approaching $120 million are anticipated over the 50-year agreement period. [Assoc Press, Office of the Vice President press release, American Rivers press release, Dow Jones News, NOAA press release]

Pacific Salmon Treaty.

On June 26, 1998, WA state and Canadian officials announced a short-term plan for jointly managing Puget Sound, Strait of Georgia, and Fraser River fisheries for the 1998 season. Under the agreement, U.S. non-Indian fishermen will reduce their catch of Upper Thompson River coho salmon by 22% (400 fish), while Canadian fishermen will reduce their catch of Puget Sound chinook salmon by 50% (14,000 fish).

Discussions continue on sharing the Fraser River sockeye salmon harvest, with the current proposal offering U.S. fishermen 25% (about 1.24 million fish) of the Fraser River sockeye harvest (a total catch of 5.37 million fish) between July 26 and Aug. 23.

On June 29, 1998, BC salmon fishermen threatened to use their vessels to interrupt operations at the Canadian Maritime Experimental Test Range used by the U.S. Navy at Nanoose Bay, BC.

On June 30, 1998, the WA Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to adopt emergency rules proposed by the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to modify seasons and gear restrictions to provide for the 22% reduction in catch of Canadian coho salmon. About 15% reduction will occur in the commercial catch and 7% reduction in the sport catch.

On July 1, 1998, some BC commercial fishermen suggested that they might consider blocking the Alaska Highway in protest.

On July 2, 1998, BC commercial fishermen announced that they are abandoning plans to disrupt the Nanoose torpedo test range or blockade the Alaska Highway and will conduct more peaceful protests.

On July 3, 1998, Canadian and WA state officials announced a one-year interim agreement on sharing the Fraser River sockeye salmon harvest, with WA state fishermen limited to a five-week fishing season for a maximum of 24.9% of the total estimated allowable catch of 5.37 million fish.

On July 3, 1998, U.S. Dept. of State officials announced that the United States and Canada have agreed to prohibit commercial salmon fishing in disputed waters Dixon Entrance waters along the U.S.-Canadian maritime boundary between southeast AK and BC; discussions are scheduled to continue through July 8 on possible additional measures to address BC coho salmon concerns.

On July 9, 1998, U.S. and Canadian officials announced that discussions between Canada and Alaska on managing the 1998 salmon harvest had collapsed without an agreement on coho salmon. AK officials reported that AK's offer included a proposal to reduce by 75% to 80% the Noyes Island purse seine interception of sockeye salmon bound for BC's Nass and Skeena Rivers and a proposal to prohibit chum salmon fishing in Portland Canal due to conservation concerns. However, Canadian officials believed AK's proposals provided insufficient assurance that coho salmon interception would be reduced, and suggested that an independent objective expert be retained to review coho salmon science and management. {On July 14, 1998, AK Dept. of Fish and Game (ADF&G) officials announced that, in response to Canadian information, they were reducing AK fishing effort on sockeye salmon to increase protection for fish heading for BC's Skeena and Nass Rivers.

ADF&G did not reopen a Noyes Island purse seine fishery and reduced the fishing period in the Tree Point gillnet fishery.} {{On July 14, 1998, BC Premier Glen Clark released a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien asking for 1) direct intervention with President Clinton, 2) imposition of transit fees on U.S. salmon vessels transiting Canadian waters, and 3) federal participation in a C$300 million BC lawsuit against U.S. fishing.}} [Wall Street Journal, Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans press release, Assoc Press, Reuters, White House press release, ADF&G press release]

Steelhead Litigation Threatened.

In late June 1998, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund filed a notice of intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service for its decision not to list Oregon coastal, Klamath Mountain province, and northern California steelhead trout as endangered or threatened species. The basis for suit is the June 1, 1998, court decision requiring NMFS to reconsider its decision not to list OR coho salmon, considering only state conservation efforts currently in effect. [personal communication]

Assistance for OR/WA Fishermen.

In late June 1998, the U.S. Dept. of Labor announced $8.4 million in federal grants ($3.8 million to WA and $4.6 million to OR) to retrain timber, fishing, and other industry employees who are dislocated and have lost jobs. [Assoc Press]

Snake River Fish Flows.

In late June 1998, a committee of salmon managers set target flows at 70,000 cubic feet per second for Lower Granite Dam, and indicated that water was to be drawn first from ID's Brownlee Reservoir if needed to maintain flow. The ID Dept. of Fish and Game had recommended using water from Brownlee Reservoir first because its more rapid heating makes its water less desirable for use in late summer. [Assoc Press]

OR Coho Salmon Management.

In late June 1998, U.S. Magistrate Janice M. Stewart extended the deadline for NMFS's decision on coho salmon listing another month, until Aug. 3, 1998.

On July 2, 1998, Judge Stewart was scheduled to decide whether NMFS can delay the coho listing decision until the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on any appeal NMFS may file. On July 3, 1998, Judge Stewart denied OR's request for a stay of the Aug. 3 deadline for NMFS decision on listing pending an appeal. Subsequently, NMFS officials stated that they appeared to have little choice but to list OR coastal coho salmon as a threatened species. OR officials announced that they plan to ask the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals if it will stay the Aug. 3 deadline pending decision on an appeal. [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]

Salmon Poaching.

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, Anchorage Daily News]

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]

BC Salmon Management.

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.

On July 8, 1998, Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans managers announced the closing of the Fraser River and Georgia Strait to fishing to protect early Stuart River sockeye salmon, due to low water levels and high water temperatures. Preliminary counts indicate this population may be significantly lower this year than the 175,000 fish predicted earlier. {On July 13, 1998, DFO officials estimated that 15,000 sockeye salmon have been illegally caught from the Early Stuart run in the previous three weeks, with 51 illegal nets identified in the Fraser River.

Controversy has arisen over aboriginal rights to take fish for food and ceremonial purposes as opposed to federal conservation concerns.} {{On July 15, 1998, DFO officials announced additional closures to reduce the sport catch of Early Stuart run sockeye salmon, after Native protests.}} [Assoc Press, Canadian 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 produced Sept. 15, 1998, and shipped throughout Japan. More than 40 illnesses have been traced to sushi shops where salmon roe was found to be contaminated with the O-157 strain of E. Coli bacteria. During a meeting on June 25, 1998, the shareholders of the Japanese salmon roe producer decided to liquidate the company. [Dow Jones News]

Aquaculture and Aquaria

Shrimp Virus Workshop.

On July 28-29, 1998, the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture has scheduled a shrimp virus management workshop in New Orleans, LA, to develop options for managing the threat of shrimp viruses to cultured and wild stocks of shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico and Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Waters. [personal communication]

{Chilean Salmon.

On July 14, 1998, the U.S. International Trade Commission voted 2-1 that dumping of Chilean salmon had financially injured U.S. salmon producers, thus supporting anti-dumping sanctions, set at 5.19% for most of the Chilean salmon farming industry, recommended by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce.} [Dow Jones News, Assoc Press]

Thailand to Ban Inland Shrimp Farming.

On July 7, 1998, Thai cabinet officials approved a proposal to parliament prohibiting inland black tiger prawn/shrimp farming and ordering existing farms to cease operations, because of fears that saltwater shrimp ponds could contaminate groundwater and harm rice farming. [Reuters, Dow Jones News]

{Haddock Hatchery Opens.

In early July 1998, MA Institute of Technology's Sea Grant Program held a ceremony to open its urban haddock hatchery at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston Harbor, using recirculating technology to minimize the amount of harbor water required and provide control of water discharge.} [personal communication]

Aquatic Feeds Research.

In late June 1998, Hawaii's Oceanic Institute announced that it had received funding from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to develop a $3.2 million research and pilot aquatic feed factory on at the Univ. of HI-Hilo's agriculture farm in Panaewa. [Assoc Press]

Vitamin A Use Curtailed.

On June 24, 1998, the Indian Government ordered that imports of Vitamin A by shrimp farmers be curtailed to no more than 4.5 kilogram of Vitamin A for every metric ton of shrimp exported. Earlier Vitamin A imports amounted to about 27 kilograms per metric ton of shrimp exported. [The Economic Times/India]

Freshwater Fisheries

Fish Poisoning Conflict. CA Dept. of Fish and Game officials announced that they are scheduled to begin planting between 700,000 and 900,000 rainbow trout in Lake Davis in Plumas County on July 9, 1998. More than a million rainbow trout are scheduled to be planted by mid-July, 1998. All fish in Lake Davis were poisoned in October 1997 to kill non-native and illegally introduced northern pike. However, persistence of traces of piperonyl butoxide from chemicals used to poison fish prevents the resumed use of lake water for local drinking water. [Assoc Press]

AK Subsistence Fisheries.

On July 3, 1998, AK Governor Tony Knowles ordered the state legislature into a second special session on subsistence beginning July 20, 1998. If AK does not deal with this issue, the federal government will assume jurisdiction over subsistence fishing in December 1998. [personal communication, Assoc Press]

Pfiesteria?

On June 30-July 1, 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held a Pfiesteria Awareness Forum in Atlanta, GA, to prepare coastal states to respond to potentially harmful outbreaks of Pfiesteria-like organisms. {The July/August 1998 issue of the North Carolina Medical Journal contained an article by two NC Dept. of Health and Human Services scientists reporting no conclusive evidence of negative health effects from exposure to Pfiesteria. A report due to be published soon in The Lancet on MD studies reaches an opposite conclusion.} {{A reddish dinoflagellate bloom in Love Creek, DE, in early July 1998, was determined by NC State Univ. scientists to be non-toxic and something other than Pfiesteria.}} [EPA press release, Assoc Press]

Lead Sinker Ban.

On June 26, 1998, NH Governor Jeanne Shaheen signed HB 1196 into law, making NH the first state 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]

Competitive Bass Fishing.

On June 25, 1998, officials of Operation Bass announced that the seven-event 1999 Wal-Mart FLW professional bass fishing tour would offer a record in cash prizes totaling more than $3.97 million, with the first place angler in the Tour Championship winning $250,000.[Operation Bass press release]

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]