Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Report September 23, 2021
KMXT - September 23, 2021
On today’s Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: A story by Sabine Poux about phytoplankton, and Sage Smiley’s story linking fish dinners with clean waters.
https://kmxt.org/2021/09/alaska-fisheries-report-september-23-2021/
West Coast
Oregon's Work with Fishermen, Communities to Combat Ocean Changes Highlighted in Recent Publication
SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - September 23, 2021
Oregon’s forward-thinking, internationally known early actions to adapt to and mitigate for a changing ocean are highlighted in a special issue of Coastal Management Journal. The special issue was recently published online by the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, of which Oregon is a founding member.
An essay in this edition explores examples of transformation occurring in Oregon as marine fishery managers, the fishing industry, and coastal communities work together to learn more about how ocean change is affecting Oregon now and how to prepare for more change in the future. Critical actions outlined in Oregon’s Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Plan are being implemented in a variety of ways and by many partners, leveraging the collaborations already in place to make additional progress.
“Lessons learned and partnerships forged at a state level have strengthened regional alignment and international vision for action," Dr. Caren Braby, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Resources Program Manager, said in a press release.
Oregon is an epicenter for ocean acidification and hypoxia and was one of the first locations in the world to experience direct impacts of ocean change to its oyster hatcheries and crab fishing grounds. The essay presents action case studies that demonstrate successful work in Oregon that may be models for others wanting to get involved in ocean change.
For example, conversations between fishermen and scientists a few years ago yielded research to better understand Dungeness crab grounds and viability of the fishery during hypoxia events. Crabbers documented crab dead loss in late spring and summer after crab were caught in pots stuck in hypoxic areas. Fishermen would have to move their gear and try new areas. Now, crabbers and researchers are working to build and test cellular network-enabled dissolved oxygen sensors durable enough to be used on commercial crab pots; the data can then be downloaded to shipboard electronic devices. The data allows captains to make better decisions on where to place their gear while also mapping areas that have recurring hypoxia events and also areas of refuge.
"This new information will be helpful for regional managers to further understand the locations and impacts of hypoxia hotspots and refugia, and how best to manage fisheries and resources," the authors wrote. "As seasonal hypoxia events are projected to continue or worsen with changing ocean conditions, these data will likely become more useful in the future. As such, it is important that ocean experts and stewards continue to make OAH science accessible to all Oregonians with the goal of empowering coastal communities to take informed action."
Through the recent passage of House Bill 3114, Oregon can continue to be a leader in building awareness of adaptation to changing ocean conditions. The bill provides $1.9 million to continue funding important research and monitoring along the Oregon coast and estuaries, develop best management practices, and conduct outreach and education.
The special issue of Coastal Management Journal includes articles that examine opportunities and challenges facing coastal U.S. states in responding to ocean acidification, with contributions from 42 authors representing government and non-government institutions across nine states.
Impacts of climate change and increasing OAH pose significant risk to states, communities and economies that enjoy and depend on thriving fisheries and shellfish production related to commercial, subsistence or cultural practices. Although the issue consolidates current and emerging U.S. state policy directives and practices, local and international actors may benefit from lessons learned and case studies presented—further advancing regional and national efforts to address climate and ocean change.
Ocean acidification is caused when carbon dioxide from the atmosphere enters the ocean and chemically reacts with ocean water, making the ocean more acidic (lowering the pH). Hypoxia (low oxygen) occurs when deep ocean waters with less oxygen rise and are pushed closer to the shore by northerly winds, and then near-bottom waters are robbed of oxygen by decaying organic matter. This happens more frequently than normal due to climate changes that heat the land and ocean waters and change normal wind patterns.
https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1208660/Oregons-Work-with-Fishermen-Communities-to-Combat-Ocean-Changes-Highlighted-in-Recent-Publication
Environment/Science
Fishing Gear Recycling Reaches 1M Pounds
Fishermen's News - September 22, 2021
Net Your Problem, a Seattle-based company whose goal is recycling end of life fishing gear into new products, has reached the one-million-pound mark with its latest collection of old discarded nets at Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
https://fishermensnews.com/fishing-gear-recycling-reaches-1m-pounds/
Cautious optimism from scientists as endangered J-Pod orcas appear poised for a baby boom
Between the three whales believed to be pregnant, there have been five previous births — but only two offspring have survived.
Victoria Times Colonist by Darron Kloster - September 19, 2021
The endangered southern resident killer whales, down to 74 animals in three pods, could use the infusion of new life, but scientists and observers are cautiously optimistic: Baby booms during 2015 and 2016 produced six calves, but only two have survived.
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/cautious-optimism-from-scientists-as-endangered-j-pod-orcas-appear-poised-for-a-baby-boom
FYI’s
IPHC Media Release 2021-029 Call for Proposals: IPHC 2021-22 Fishery Regulation Process
International Pacific Halibut Commission - September 23, 2021
Seattle – The IPHC would like to extend an invitation to all stakeholders to consider submitting proposals for new or amended Fishery Regulations for consideration during the 2021-22 process.
https://iphc.int/library/documents/post/iphc-media-release-2021-029-call-for-proposals-iphc-2021-22-fishery-regulation-process
Salmon Technical Team to hold joint online meeting with Salmon Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee and Model Evaluation Workgroup October 20-21, 2021
Pacific Fishery Management Council - September 23, 2021
The following was released by the Pacific Fishery Management Council:
The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team will host a joint online meeting with the Salmon Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee and the Model Evaluation Workgroup. The online meeting will be held Wednesday and Thursday, October 20-21, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, until 3 p.m. daily, or until business is completed, and will be open to the public.
https://www.savingseafood.org/news/council-actions/salmon-technical-team-to-hold-joint-online-meeting-with-salmon-subcommittee-of-the-scientific-and-statistical-committee-and-model-evaluation-workgroup-october-20-21-2021/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavingSeafoodRss+%28Saving+Seafood%29
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