Page 10. MAINE COASTAL NEWS September 2008
Commercial Fishing News
MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS
Recreational Catch Down Slightly, Remains of 16.5 pounds, according to a study by in the rest of the world has expanded Atlantic Highly Migratory Species is now
Second Highest Catch in Decade NOAA Fisheries Service. Americans dramatically in the last 30 years and now available online and provides a summary of
Marine recreational anglers caught consumed a total of 4.908 billion pounds of supplies half of the world seafood demand, the best available scientific information on
more than 468 million fish in 2007, down seafood in 2007, slightly less than the 4.944 according to the United Nations Food and the condition of highly migratory fish
slightly from last year’s historic high of 475 billion pounds in 2006. The U.S. continues to Agriculture Organization. America’s stocks, marine ecosystems, and fisheries
million fish, but still the second highest be ranked the third largest consumer of fish aquaculture industry, though vibrant and being managed under Federal regulation.
recreational catch total in the last ten years. and shellfish, behind China and Japan. diverse, currently meets only 5 to 7 percent The SAFE Report is used as a reference in
The overall number of fish caught and kept Shrimp remained the top choice for seafood of U.S. demand for seafood. Most of that is the evaluation and refinement of fisheries
also declined slightly, from 214 million to196 in the United States at 4.1 pounds per catfish. Marine products such as U.S. management practices. The report
million fish, according to NOAA Fisheries person, a slight decline of 0.3 pounds from farmed oysters, clams, mussels and salmon summarizes the best scientific data available
Service. 2006. Of the total of 16.3 pounds consumed supplies 1.5 percent of American seafood for determining appropriate annual harvest
The 2007 data demonstrates a per person, Americans ate 12.1 pounds of demand. levels; documents significant trends in the
widespread turn toward “catch and release” fresh and frozen finfish and shellfish, down resource, marine ecosystems, and fisheries
among recreational anglers. While anglers 0.2 pounds from 2006. Canned seafood, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Stock over time; and identifies associated bycatch
are catching about 27 percent more fish than primarily canned tuna, remained at 3.9 Assessment Available and safety issues. These data may be used
a decade ago, they are also releasing more pounds per person. Americans consumed The annual Stock Assessment and in the decision-making process for future
fish than they keep. Of the 468 million fish five pounds of fillets and steaks, down 0.2 Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for regulations.
caught by anglers in 2007, 272 million or 58 pounds from 2006. These include Alaskan
percent were released alive. The percentage pollock, salmon, flounders, and cods. The
Japanese Lift Ban on Live Lobsters
of fish released into the environment has remaining 0.3 pounds is cured seafood such
increased steadily from about 51 percent in as smoked salmon and dried cod. WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S Senator Olympia The Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s
1993. The nation imports about 84 percent of J. Snowe, Ranking Member on the Senate Association reports that U. S. fishermen
Spotted seatrout was the most popular its seafood, a steadily increasing Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, send about 250,000 pounds of lobster to
catch among marine recreational anglers. proportion. Imports accounted for only 63 Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Japan each week netting more $1.5 million.
The species is caught in the Gulf of Mexico percent of U.S. seafood just a decade ago. acknowledged reports that Japan has lifted “I pressed the FDA and the U.S. Trade
and the south Atlantic regions, which have “While NOAA works to end overfishing its temporary import ban on live lobster Representative to act swiftly to reassure
the highest combined concentration of and rebuild wild fish stocks, the U.S. also imports from North America: global consumers that lobster meat is safe,
saltwater anglers in the nation. The top needs more sustainable domestic “I am pleased that Japan has and to prevent this prosperous local indus-
catches in other regions were lane snapper aquaculture to help meet consumer demand acknowledged FDA reports that Maine try from suffering as a result of mixed messag-
(Caribbean), striped bass (North Atlantic), for healthy seafood and narrow the foreign lobster meat is perfectly safe,” Senator ing. I am pleased that the ban on imports of
Atlantic croaker (Mid-Atlantic), chub trade gap,” said Jim Balsiger, acting Snowe said. “Given the cost of bait and fuel, lobster to Japan has been lifted and that the
mackerel (Pacific), black rockfish ( Pacific assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries it is vital that the industry retains its access proper information is reaching everyone
Northwest), and bigeye scad (Western Service. “The National Offshore to Japan, which is one of the top five lobster around the globe who enjoys one of Maine’s
Pacific). Aquaculture Act of 2007, pending before import markets in the world.” finest products.”
Congress, would provide a clear permitting
NOAA Fisheries Service Seafood process for businesses and individuals to
Consumption Figures Released for 2007 develop safe, sustainable aquaculture in
The average American ate 16.3 pounds U.S. federal waters.”
of fish and shellfish in 2007, a one percent At least half of the seafood imported to
decline from the 2006 consumption figures the U.S. is farmed. Aquaculture production
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