Alaska/Pacific Coast
There’s a new fight over Bering Sea black cod. Warming water may be to blame. Alaska Public Media News by Nathaniel Herz - October 9, 2019 Fish politics in Alaska usually get serious when there aren’t enough fish to go around. But a new fight is brewing over black cod because there are so many of them – possibly as a result of the ocean’s warming waters. https://www.alaskapublic.org/2019/10/09/in-bering-seas-warming-waters-these-fish-are-everywhere-and-fishermen-cant-avoid-them/ Seattle’s fleet is aging, but modernization efforts are running into obstacles SeafoodSource by Cliff White - October 9, 2019 The commercial fishing fleet based in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. – the home port for many vessels fishing in the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea, and the Aleutian Islands – is aging, but modernization efforts have run into numerous obstacles. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/seattle-s-fleet-is-aging-but-modernization-efforts-are-running-into-obstacles Fisheries Council of Canada conference tackles biggest issues facing Canadian seafood sector SeafoodSource by Cliff White - October 9, 2019 The Fisheries Council of Canada, a trade group representing the Canadian seafood industry, hosted its annual conference from 2 to 3 October in Ottawa, with guest speakers tackling trade, environmental and labor issues affecting the sector. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/fisheries-council-of-canada-conference-tackles-biggest-issues-facing-canadian-seafood-sector Alaska fishermen push for changes to how managers deal with bycatch Anchorage Daily News by Laine Welch - October 9, 2019 Halibut catches fluctuate based on the ups and downs of the stock from California to the farthest reaches of the Bering Sea. If the numbers decline, so do the catches of commercial and sport fishermen. https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2019/10/08/alaska-fishermen-push-for-changes-to-how-managers-deal-with-bycatch/ National Rep. Huffman’s First MSA Listening Sessions Highlight Successes, Challenges in Fisheries Management SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - October 9, 2019 As promised, House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Chairman Jared Huffman, D-Calif., completed two days of round-table listening sessions in California about the current state of federal fisheries policy and the challenges that must be addressed for future management success. Rep. Huffman heard from a diverse array of marine resource stakeholders on such topics as climate change, modernizing and improving our data collection systems, improving the fisheries disaster relief system, protecting habitats, and equitable access to marine resources, according to a Marine Fish Conservation Network press release. Huffman plans to hold a series of roundtable discussions throughout the United States to assist in his development of a Magnuson-Stevens reauthorization bill. "The Magnuson-Stevens Act has guided us in managing our ocean’s resources for decades - and we have all benefited from our longstanding laws for managing fisheries resources," Huffman said on his Twitter feed. "But as we are met with new challenges to keeping fisheries healthy and productive, it’s important we listen to feedback on improving how we manage them." Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, and Huffman have supported Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act reauthorization bills in the past. Young introduced HR 3697, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act in July, about the same time Huffman announced he planned to hold listening sessions around the country before he introduced a new bill. "Conditions are changing and we have a chance to fine tune the Magnuson-Stevens Act - and that's what this tour is all about," Huffman Tweeted. “Chairman Huffman has shown great leadership in launching this national dialogue for marine resource policy development. By listening to a range of stakeholders from our working waterfronts and coastal communities all across the country, this process will better inform and result in a comprehensive and forward-looking reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act," Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, said in a press release. “Participants in the first two listening sessions affirmed that the Magnuson-Stevens Act is working. Many speakers encouraged Congress to build on that success to meet current challenges and those that are emerging in the future. “The Network looks forward to continuing to work with Chairman Huffman and Congress to sustain the benefits of our existing marine resource policy and to capitalize on the opportunity to enhance the Magnuson-Stevens Act. In the next reauthorization bill, lawmakers must support and strengthen catch accounting and data management for all sectors, ensure healthy ocean ecosystems and environments, promote and prioritize community-based commercial and recreational fishing interests, and manage fisheries for abundance through science-based conservation measures," Vandermark added. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1154189/Rep-Huffmans-First-MSA-Listening-Sessions-Highlight-Successes-Challenges-in-Fisheries-Management
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