Recent Salmon and Fish news on August 11, 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 7/31/98 are bracketed {...} New info and changes since 8/6/98 double bracketed {{...}} Cleve Steward, Sustainable Fisheries Foundation, Tel. 425-670-3584

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Salmon Along the Pacific Coast
Cattle Grazing Lawsuit Appeal.
Australian Imports of Canadian Salmon.
AK Salmon Season.
Timber/Salmon Lawsuit.
OR Coho Salmon Management.
Dam Removals.
Columbia and Snake River Management.
Pacific Salmon Treaty.
Draft PALCO HCP.
Beer-Salmon Partnership.
BC Salmon Management.
Salmon in Hot Water.
Aquaculture and Aquaria
Atlantic Waters. [personal communication]
Catfish and Power Outages.
Piranha Ban.
BC Salmon Farming.
Clam Rustling.
Chilean Salmon.
Freshwater Fisheries
{Harmful MN Algae.
Cormorant Massacre.
Pfiesteria?
Illegal Mussel Harvests.
AK Subsistence Fisheries.
Lake Champlain Fishery Restoration.

Salmon Along the Pacific Coast

{Columbia/Snake River Hearing.

On Aug. 4, 1998, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Water and Power held a field hearing in Pendleton, OR, on the management of Columbia and Snake River system and efforts to develop a long-term fish recovery program.} [personal communication]

Cattle Grazing Lawsuit Appeal.

On July 22, 1998, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, by a 3-0 ruling, overturned a lower court ruling requiring OR ranchers grazing cattle on U.S. Forest Service lands to obtain a state permit under the Clean Water Act to regulate pollution from these cattle on salmon streams. The Appeals Court ruled that states could only require permits for point sources, not non-point agricultural sources. [Assoc Press]

Australian Imports of Canadian Salmon.

On July 22, 1998, Australian officials announced that they would appeal a World Trade Organization (WTO) decision that Australia had acted contrary to its WTO obligations by prohibiting imports of Canadian salmon. [Dow Jones News]

AK Salmon Season.

As of July 22, 1998, about 9.6 million sockeye had been caught in Bristol Bay fisheries.

On July 27, 1998, the AK Dept. of Fish & Game (ADF&G) issued emergency restrictions on Kenai River sport fishing to assure that more sockeye salmon escape to spawn. Commercial fishing on Kenai-bound sockeye in Cook Inlet was closed on July 24. The sockeye return was reported as one of the poorest seen in recent years.

On July 28, 1998, sockeye returns to the Kenai River were about 134,000 fish less than the 550,000 fish escapement goal, and ADF&G officials suggested that all sport fishing may be banned if more sockeye do not return.

On July 28, 1998, ADF&G biologists predicted the return of Kodiak Island pink salmon could be 14 million fish, exceeding the preseason forecast of 9 million fish.

On July 30, 1998, AK Governor Tony Knowles declared western AK a disaster area and outlined a $19 million aid program for communities and fishermen. {On Aug.

3, 1998, Kenai River sportfishing restrictions on sockeye salmon were lifted after ADF&G biologists determined that necessary spawning escapement had been achieved.

In mid-August 1998, ADF&G officials will decide whether the Yukon River full chum salmon population is sufficiently abundant to allow subsistence fishing.} [Assoc Press, Anchorage Daily News]

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]

OR Coho Salmon Management.

In mid-July 1998, the U.S. Dept. of Justice filed an appeal of U.S. Magistrate Janice Stewart's June 1 ruling against NMFS's decision not to list coastal coho salmon under the Endangered Species Act.

On July 30, 1998, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that NMFS cannot legally delay its decision on whether to list OR coho salmon as threatened beyond the District Court's Aug. 3, 1998 deadline. {On Aug. 3, 1998, NMFS officials announced that they were listing OR coastal coho salmon as a threatened species.} [Assoc Press, Dow Jones News]

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]

Columbia and Snake River Management.

On July 14, 1998, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on S.

2111, proposing to establish conditions on how the Bonneville Power Administration and other federal agencies can Memoranda of Agreement to manage conservation issues in the Columbia and Snake River drainages. [Congr. Record]

Pacific Salmon Treaty.

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. [Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans press release, Assoc Press, Reuters, ADF&G press release]

Draft PALCO HCP.

On July 13, 1998, NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) for managing endangered and threatened species on CA lands owned by the Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO). A 90-day public comment period was announced in the Federal Register. Federal and CA purchase of the redwoods in the Headwaters Forest is contingent upon successful completion of this HCP by March 1999. [personal communication]

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]

BC Salmon Management.

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.

On July 16, 1998, officials of the Ucluelet First Nation announced that they would go fishing regardless of regulations to protest what they consider biased fishery policy inequitably benefitting sport anglers.

On July 17, 1998, officials of BC's Sport Fishing Advisory Board called for a complete ban on all sockeye salmon fishing in portions of Johnstone Strait to protect early Stuart run sockeye salmon returning to the Fraser River. As of the July 20, 1998 application deadline, an estimated 1,200 BC commercial salmon fishermen (about 40% of the fleet) had agreed to accept federal payment of C$6,500 to not fish this year.

On July 24, 1998, members of Sto:lo First Nation continued their protest fishery for sockeye salmon on the Fraser River, saying the sockeye were for elders who rely on these fish for food. [Assoc Press, Canadian Press, Sport Fishing Advisory Board press release]

Salmon in Hot Water.

Between July 11 and July 14, 1998, about 4% of the 1 million fall chinook salmon juveniles passing through the collection system at McNary Dam died, likely from conditions related to elevated water temperatures.

On July 27, 1998, the daily average temperatures of water at Bonneville and McNary Dams on the Columbia River were 74 degrees, well in excess of the 68 degrees required by state and federal regulations.

Meanwhile, the daily average temperature reached 72 degrees at Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River. [Assoc Press]

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]

Malathion Misuse?

On July 28, 1998, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials announced that they have asked agricultural officials in 7 southeastern states and Missouri to began sampling catfish at catfish farming operations in an investigation into possible misuse of the pesticide malathion. At least 2 MS catfish farmers were reported to have admitted misusing malathion. [Assoc Press]

Catfish and Power Outages.

On July 16, 1998, MS catfish farmers met with the MS Public Service Commission to register complaints about electric service disruptions, with special concern during warm weather when an extended loss of power to pond aerators could cause extensive loss of catfish. [Assoc Press]

Piranha Ban.

In mid-July 1998, Vietnam's Ministry of Fisheries imposed a ban on importing, breeding, and selling piranhas, fearful that this fish could escape and become a troublesome invasive species. [Assoc Press]

BC Salmon Farming.

In mid-July 1998, the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce submitted an 8-page request [http://www.bcchamber.org/fisherie.html] to the Ministries of Fisheries and Environment, Lands, and Parks calling for a lifting of the current moratorium on issuing new permits for salmon farms. [BC Chamber of Commerce press release]

Clam Rustling.

In mid-July 1998, the Fisheries Development Foundation of NC posted a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of individuals who have stolen about a half million clams worth about $90,000 from at least five shellfish leases in Cateret County, NC. [Assoc Press]

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.

On July 28, 1998, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce directed the U.S. Customs Service to, on July 30, 1998, begin collecting antidumping duties ranging from 0.16% to 10.69% on fresh, farmed Atlantic salmon imported from Chile. While two of the largest Chilean salmon farming operations received no antidumping duties, most Chilean salmon exporters face a 4.57% antidumping duty. {The deadline for any Chilean appeal is June 21, 1999.}} [Dow Jones News, Assoc Press, Reuters]

Freshwater Fisheries

Fishable Waters Act.

On Aug. 6, 1998, a coalition of fishing, conservation, agriculture, and environmental groups have tentatively scheduled announcement and release of draft legislation for a "Fishable Waters Act" to address non-point source pollution and the 40% of U.S. waters that remain unfishable and/or unswimmable. [Bass Anglers Sportsman Society press release]

{Harmful MN Algae.

On July 29, 1998, MN Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) officials took water samples from 700-acre Lake Minnetaga after a dog and a deer were reported to have died of convulsions and impaired breathing after coming in contact with blue-green algae growing at the lake. DNR officials urged people and their pets to avoid the area.} [Assoc Press]

Cormorant Massacre.

On July 29, 1998, NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials discovered the carcasses of at least 850 federally protected double-breasted cormorants during a routine inspection of Little Galloo Island in Lake Ontario. The birds had been killed by shotgun. About 1,000 cormorants in the colony of about 6,000 birds have been killed in the past 2 months. DEC enforcement officials are conducting an investigation. Charter guides and fishing-dependent business owners in the area have been urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce cormorant colony size, believing the fish-eating birds harm their livelihood. [Assoc Press]

Pfiesteria?

On July 27, 1998, the NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources was investigating a mortality event with about 188,000 dead menhaden reported in the Neuse River. The majority of the fish have Pfiesteria-like sores.

On July 29, 1998, scientists reported that an estimated 500,000 fish had been killed along a 7-mile stretch of NC's lower Neuse River, between July 25 and July 29; NC State Health officials decided against closing any waters. NC State Univ. scientists confirmed that Pfiesteria sp. caused the observed fish mortality event. {While about 25% of menhaden in the lower Neuse River had lesions on July 27, about 70% had lesions by July 31.} {{In late July 1998, VA Dept. of Environmental Quality officials reported that 10% of menhaden sampled from the Great Wicomico River had sores or lesions. Since this is below VA's 20% threshold for response, no action was taken.}} {On Aug. 5, 1998, MD Dept. of Natural Resources officials announced that about 20% of a sample of menhaden caught near Shiles Creek in the lower Wicomico River on Aug. 4-5 exhibited sores and lesions. No fish mortality was observed. MD officials are responding by increasing monitoring efforts in the area.} {{On Aug. 6, 1998, White House and Administration officials announced a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture proposal of as much as $221 million for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, over a 10-15 year period and subject to congressional appropriation, to assist NC in fighting river contamination from animal waste and agricultural runoff that may stimulate Pfiesteria. An additional $365,000 grant of NOAA and EPA funds seeks to help NC officials investigate and monitor the recent Neuse River fish kill, and prevent additional outbreaks.}} [Assoc Press, Reuters, Dow Jones News]

Illegal Mussel Harvests.

On July 24, 1998, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials announced that a Japanese-owned TN company has been fined $1 million for knowingly buying freshwater mussel shells taken unlawfully from MI, OH, KY, and WV rivers and shipping them to Japan. This is the largest federal settlement for a criminal wildlife violation. The proceeds from this penalty will be paid to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to establish a Freshwater Conservation Fund for protecting and restoring freshwater mussels. [Assoc Press, Fish and Wildlife Service press release]

AK Subsistence Fisheries.

On July 21, 1998, the state Legislature declined to approve a constitutional amendment for voters' consideration and adjourned their second special session. The AK House had voted 22-17 on approval of the measure, falling short of the required two-thirds majority.

On July 22, 1998, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt was reported as stating that the federal government had no choice now but to assume management of AK's subsistence fisheries.

On July 24, 1998, U.S. District Judge James Robertson (DC) dismissed a January 1998 lawsuit filed by AK's Legislative Council that challenged provisions in the AK National Interest Lands Conservation Act granting subsistence priority to rural AK fishermen as unconstitutional. [personal communication, Assoc Press]

Lake Champlain Fishery Restoration.

In mid-July 1998, the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative (VT, NY, and federal managers) issued a status report on progress of 21 years of fishery restoration efforts for Lake Champlain and future activities planned on sea lamprey control, on encouraging natural spawning of salmon and trout, and balancing forage fish with salmon and trout populations. [Assoc Press]