The following weekly news summary was compiled by the Congressional Research Service from a variety of information sources. New info and changes since 5/14/99 are bracketed {...} New info and changes since 5/20/99 are double-bracketed {{...}}
Cleve Steward Sustainable Fisheries Foundation Tel. 425-670-3584
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On May 19, 1999, the Northwest Power Planning Council was scheduled to release a report on an 18-month study of Columbia River Basin fish hatcheries, recommending that Congress require basic changes in the system to halt the decline of salmon and steelhead trout. Specific recommendations reportedly include an end to federal funding of hatcheries that fail to meet goals promoting salmon restoration while protecting wild fish stocks. The report also reportedly concludes that changes in hatchery practices have been too slow in coming to protect threatened and endangered native fish.} [Assoc Press]
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In mid-May 1999, a British Columbia fisheries officer cited a U.S. cable TV fishing show host for unethical fishing for salmon in BC's Kitimat River. After a fish had been caught, it was released so that it could be filmed as it was landed again.} [Canadian Press]
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On May 12, 1999, legal counsel for ID's Nez Perce tribe announced that an electric utility company had agreed to pay the tribe $39 million to settle a loss of fishing rights granted the tribe 144 years ago. This settles a 1991 lawsuit filed by the tribe, claiming damages for salmon and steelhead trout losses from 2 dams constructed in the Clearwater River drainage.} [Reuters]
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On May 12, 1999, the Roman Catholic bishops of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia are scheduled to release a 55-page "reflection" on the Columbia River watershed and how best to protect its resources, preparatory to release of a pastoral letter on the subject in 2000. The document reportedly views salmon as a sign of the ecological health of the river and the "spiritual vitality" of the watershed. [Assoc Press]
Lower Snake River Dams. {On May 11, 1999, the board of OR's Emerald People's Utility District became the first utility district to vote in favor of partial removal of Lower Snake River dams as the best way to restore wild salmon and steelhead trout stocks.} On May 27, 1999, the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans has scheduled a hearing on H.Con.Res. 63, expressing the sense of the Congress opposing removal of dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers for fishery restoration purposes. [NOAA press release, Assoc Press, personal communication]
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On Apr. 28, 1999, Common Sense for Salmon Recovery, a coalition of WA state associations for builders, farmers, and cattlemen, announced that it was filing suit in Washington, DC, federal court against NMFS, contending that recent 1999 salmon listings under the Endangered Species Act relied too much on habitat concerns and not enough on salmon harvest restrictions. The coalition argues that NMFS is wrong in not counting hatchery fish that return to Pacific northwest rivers. [Assoc Press, Seattle Times]
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On Apr. 28, 1999, President Clinton named Lloyd N. Cutler as Senior Representative on Pacific Salmon, with responsibility for coordinating U.S. strategy on Pacific salmon and liaison between state governors, tribal governments, and Congress as well as assisting U.S.
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On May 5, 1999, AK Governor Tony Knowles called on Canada to commit to increased habitat conservation measures ("safe passage") in exchange for harvest concessions by AK.
On May 6, 1999, discussions were to resume between Canadian and U.S. negotiators. [White House press release, Portland Oregonian, Assoc Press, Reuters, Canadian Press]
Water Skiing a Threat to Salmon? On Apr. 27, 1999, Mountlake Terrace, WA, officials canceled permission for the International Water Ski Organization's fourth annual competition on Lake Ballinger scheduled for June 1999, fearing internal combustion engines from the boats could degrade water quality and harm chinook salmon. Others fear that sediment suspended by boat motors in the shallow lake harms gravel spawning beds in connected streams. Others suggest salmon cannot migrate upstream to Lake Ballinger because of clogged culverts. [Seattle Times]
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On Apr. 25, 1999, the WA Legislature adjourned, with the bill to rewrite water policy to benefit salmon restoration failing to be enacted. Governor Locke has called for a several-day long special session beginning May 10, 1999, to consider several measures, including one offering timber taxation and regulatory concessions in exchange for modifications of timber harvesting practices to benefit salmon.
In early May 1999, WA Governor Gary Locke and state legislators were reportedly close to agreement on creating a board (with 5 voting citizen members plus 5 state agency heads as advisory members) to allocate all state and matching federal funds for salmon restoration projects. Such a "one checkbook" provision is likely to be considered during a mid-May 1999 special session of the WA Legislature.
{On May 17, 1999, the WA House passed (69-27) and the WA Senate amended and passed (29-17) a "Forest and Fish Agreement" (SHB 2091) to modify state logging pract! ices on private land, including wider riparian buffer zones, to better protect salmon.
In exchange for habitat measures, the timber industry would be granted a small tax break and would be allowed to operate for 50 years without legal challenge on endangered species grounds if habitat measures were implemented. A House amendment to the bill reportedly would void the Act if AK harvests of Columbia River wild fish are not reduced by 25% from 1997 harvest levels by Jan. 1, 2005.} {{Subsequently, the Legislature agreed to both SHB 2091 and the citizen-controlled board to coordinate salmon expenditures; both measures await Governor Locke's signature.}} [Seattle Herald, Seattle Times, Portland Oregonian, Assoc Press, personal communication]
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On Apr. 24, 1999, the cutter Rush intercepted and boarded the vessel Ying Fa, where they found 6.2 tons of salmon and 14 nautical miles of driftnet. This vessel, with Chinese and Taiwanese crew, was fishing in violation of the United Nations' high seas driftnet moratorium about 350 miles southwest of Attu.
On Apr. 30, 1999, the cutter Storis assumed responsibility for the Ying Fa and escorted the unregistered, "stateless" vessel to Adak, transferring custody to NMFS on May 7, 1999.
Astafyevo and IT1326, two additional Russian-registered driftnet vessels, as well as a processing ship were also spotted in late April 1999, and were pursued by Russian enforcement vessels.
On May 3, 1999, the cutter Rush sighted the Russian vessel Tayfun-4 retrieving driftnet 450 miles southwest of Attu. The Tayfun-4 was boarded and held until the Russian patrol vessel Barrs arrived on May 6, 1999, to assume custody. A total of 1,100 salmon were found aboard the! Tayfun-4.
On May 11, 1999, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that the Russian government had fined the captain ($4,000) and owners ($120,000) of the Lobana for illegal driftnetting. [Seattle Times, personal communication, Reuters, Environment News Service, Canadian Press]
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Ocean Journey Aquarium. Officials of Colorado's $93 million Ocean Journey Aquarium announced that this facility is scheduled to open to the public on June 21, 1999. [Denver Rocky Mountain News]
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On May 20, 1999, British Columbia's Fisheries Minister Dennis Streifel announced that the BC government would not lift the 1995 provincial moratorium on additional salmon farming anytime soon. He stated that many problems must be overcome before it would be considered safe to lift the moratorium.
On May 20, 1999, a MarkTrend poll, released by the BC Salmon Farmers Assoc, reportedly indicated that 69% of BC residents supported growth of BC salmon farming, if 49 recommendations identified in a Salmon Aquaculture Review were met, while 13% were opposed.}} [personal communication, Environment News Service]
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On May 15, 1999, the $40 million Newport (KY) Aquarium opened to the public.}} [Kentucky Post]
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In mid-May 1999, VA Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries officials dedicated the $2.7 million state-of-the-art Vic Thomas Striped Bass Hatchery on the Staunton (Roanoke) River in Brookneal, VA. The 7,000 sq. foot hatchery is scheduled to produce 20 million to 25 million striped bass fry annually from April through June and then produce catfish from July thorough November.} [Richmond Times-Dispatch]
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On May 4, 1999, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking relating to establishing a national program and regulations to better protect the health of farm-raised finfish, assist finfish producers in meeting international trade requirements, and encourage international trade in U.S. aquaculture products. Public comment will be taken until July 6, 1999. [Fed. Register]
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On May 10, 1999, U.S. Rep. Phil English hosted a conference in Erie, PA, to discuss the potential for locating and reviving blue pike, declared extinct in 1983. Blue pike was a major commercial fish in Lake Erie early in the 20th Century, and may be still living in one of 27 American and Canadian lakes into which this species was transplanted. [Assoc Press, Canadian Press]
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On May 5, 1999, the CA Fish and Game Commission voted against granting an experimental permit to the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations for harvest and control of Chinese mitten crabs.
Instead, the Commission urged the CA Dept. of Health Services to expedite testing of mitten crabs to address human health concerns. CA Dept. of Fish and Game managers are to report back to the Commission in August 1999 on Dept. of Health Services progress and successful crab trapping methods.[personal communication]
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In late April 1999, thousands of yellow bass in Crab Orchard Lake, IL, died, apparently from an infestation of parasitic gill fluke. [Assoc Press]
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On Apr. 30, 1999, a 10-day contest began at Smith Mountain Lake, VA, where a specially tagged bass or crappie could be worth $1 million to the angler catching this fish. About 1,000 other tagged bass and crappie, worth $25 to $15,000 each, have been pursued since Apr. 10, 1999, as part of a 60-day tagged fish tournament sponsored by Fishing in America, a division of South Bend Sporting Goods. As of Apr. 30, 1999, a total of 107 tagged fish had been caught and registered, including 5 fish worth $500 each. [Roanoke Times] Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New On Apr. 27, 1999, protesters in Duluth, MN, sought to direct attention to their concern that the WI Dept. of Natural Resources' plan to remove Northern States Power Co.'s Orienta Dam on the Iron River to allow upstream access for spawning salmon and trout from Lake Superior would allow lamprey, ruffe, and other non-native species to invade this drainage. Protesters also expressed concern that non-native salmon and steelhead trout might harm native trout. Dept. of Natural Resources officials have agreed to install a lamprey barrier. [Assoc Press] Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New On April 26-30, 1999, the 9th International Zebra Mussel and Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Conference is scheduled to convene in Duluth, MN. The Conference will focus on ANS policy issues as well as research reports on biology, ecology, control, management, and impacts of ANS. [MN Sea Grant Program press release] Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New In late April 1999, Senate Bill 445 cleared the MT legislature and was presented to Governor Marc Racicot for signature. This measure attempts to ease overcrowding of trout fishermen in MT's Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers by developing long-term recreational plans for the rivers. An amendment specifies that any reductions in use must come first from commercial or non-resident users before reductions are imposed on MT residents. [Assoc Press] Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New In late April 1999, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization gave the Ugandan government a grant of about $230,000 to fight fish poisoning. [Africa News Online]
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Million-Dollar Fish.
Dam Removal Protest.
ANS Conference.
River-Crowding Bill.
East African Fish Exports.
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