Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS December 2008
US PUSHES FOR STRONG MEASURES TO PROTECT BLUEFIN TUNA
ICCAT Fails to Take Steps to End on science based management and effective authorizing excessive fishing levels on the stock and allow any new management
Overfishing of Eastern Bluefin Stock compliance with the rules on both sides of eastern stock.” measures to be based on the most recent
the ocean. Although the final measure for eastern stock assessment, which will be completed
Despite a strong U.S. proposal to The U.S. delegation to the meeting in Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna in 2009. In addition, a commitment was
conserve bluefin tuna in the eastern Marrakech, Morocco, urged the fails to fully achieve U.S. objectives, the secured to analyze and implement fishing
Atlantic and Mediterranean, the international body of 45 nations and the plan that was adopted by the Commission closures to protect juvenile bigeye tuna by
International Commission for the European Commission to cut catch levels will reduce mortality and improve 2010, pending scientific advice.
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas failed for the much larger eastern and monitoring and control of the fishery The Commission also took up several
today to heed scientific advice and adopt Mediterranean bluefin tuna stock from through new reporting requirements, shark conservation proposals. With U.S.
measures that would end overfishing and about 29,000 metric tons to 15,000 metric measures that seek to reduce overcapacity support, a measure was adopted that would
put this species on the path to recovery. tons to comply with what an international and rationalize the fishery, and require live release of bigeye thresher
However, the commission adopted a panel of scientists have recommended to establishment of an ICCAT regional sharks, a species that is the most vulnerable
strong measure, championed by the United end overfishing and allow the stock to observer program. of the top 10 species of concern that were
States, to rebuild the western Atlantic recover. The United States met a major meeting evaluated by the international
bluefin tuna stock, the stock harvested by “I am extremely disappointed with the objective to extend, for an additional year, commission’s science committee. U.S.
U.S. fishermen. The catch level for the results of this meeting,” said Dr. Rebecca strong management measures for North fisheries are already subject to this
western Atlantic stock was reduced from Lent, the head of the U.S. Delegation and Atlantic swordfish. This will provide requirement under domestic regulations.
2,100 metric tons to 1,800 metric tons by the director of International Affairs at NOAA’s additional time to revitalize the swordfish
year 2010. This stock is also fished by Fisheries Service. “While the Commission
Canada, Mexico, and Japan. followed the recommendation to reduce
The much larger eastern and catch levels for the western stock
NOAA Announces Up to $5 Million
Mediterranean stock mixes with the western consistent with the science, it continues to
stock. Conservation of the species depends put the species as a whole in jeopardy by
for Red Tide Disaster
NOAA’s Fisheries Service announced the shellfish industry.”
Maine Coastal News
the states of Massachusetts and Maine will The states will now submit plans to
each be eligible for up to $2 million and New NOAA’s Fisheries Service outlining how
Hampshire will be eligible for up to $1 million the funds will be used.
is now entirely on the web at:
in disaster aid to assist the shellfishing Shellfish closures due to the harmful
industries affected by this year’s closures algal bloom began in the waters off
"www.mainescoast.com"
due to the harmful algal bloom, commonly Massachusetts in May and spread north
known as a red tide. into the waters off New Hampshire and
“The assistance we are announcing Maine. Fishermen were unable to harvest
today will help the states and their shellfish clams, mussels, oysters and other shellfish
industries find long-term solutions to in areas closed after tests showed the
outbreaks of harmful algal blooms,” said Jim shellfish was infected with a single cell algae
Wood and Fiberglass
Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant that when ingested by humans can lead to
administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries potentially lethal paralytic shellfish
New Construction• Mechanical•
Service. “We encourage the states to use poisoning.
Restorations• Electrical•
this aid for scientific research to better Although some closures have been
Hull Finishing• Maintenance•
understand the causes and improve lifted, many areas remain closed. When a
Joinery• Storage•
monitoring of harmful algal blooms. Aid similar outbreak occurred in 2005, the
Custom Boat Building
should also be used to find ways to minimize Department of Commerce determined a
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the economic effects of these outbreaks on commercial fishery failure.
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