2010 was a good year for Philips Publishing Group, and for Fishermen’s News and I write today to thank all of you whose support helped us achieve this success.
The fishing industry is a wonderful place to work, mostly because of the special character of those who work in it.
Whether born into the industry as my brother Chris and I were, or otherwise drawn to it, most of us are involved in it because we were called to it. As a result, the relationships we make are all the more satisfying because they are made in the furtherance of shared goals and values.
My father, Dick Philips, edited Fishermen’s News in the 70’s and early 80’s. He felt it important that he use his position to not only write about the fishing industry, but also to actively advocate on behalf of the independent commercial fishing fleet that makes up our readership.
When my brother Chris and I founded Philips Publishing Group in 2000, we based our company on the core values our father instilled in us: ethical, truthful and complete reporting of the issues and championing the causes that benefit the fishing industry and the communities that the industry supports.
Entering our 66th year of publication, Fishermen’s News continues as the voice of that advocacy.
We look forward to continuing to promote the West Coast independent commercial fishermen through Fishermen’s News, through our professional conferences and through the civic involvement of Philips Publishing Group staff.
And, we look forward to working with all of you who also advocate on behalf of our industry; educating the regulators, legislators, policymakers, environmental special interests, and the general business public about the economic value our industry represents and the social and cultural importance of the maritime and commercial fishing industries to the North American West Coast.
We wish you and your family a Happy and Prosperous New Year and look forward to seeing you next year on the waterfront.
Peter Philips
President
Philips Publishing Group
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Study Shows Drifting Fish Larvae Allow Marine Reserves to Rebuild Fisheries
By David Stauth
Marine ecologists at Oregon State University have shown for the first time that tiny fish larvae can drift with ocean currents and “re-seed” fish stocks significant distances away – more than 100 miles in a new study from Hawaii.
The findings add credibility to what scientists have believed for some time, but until now been unable to directly document. The study also provides a significant demonstration of the ability of marine reserves to rebuild fishery stocks in areas outside the reserves.
The research was published this week in PLoS One, a scientific journal.
“We already know that marine reserves will grow larger fish and some of them will leave that specific area, what we call spillover,” said Mark Hixon, a professor of marine biology at OSU. “Now we’ve clearly shown that fish larvae that were spawned inside marine reserves can drift with currents and replenish fished areas long distances away.
“This is a direct observation, not just a model, that successful marine reserves can sustain fisheries beyond their borders,” he said. “That’s an important result that should help resolve some skepticism about reserves. And the life cycle of our study fish is very similar to many species of marine fish, including rockfishes and other species off Oregon. The results are highly relevant to other regions."
The findings were based on the creation in 1999 of nine marine protected areas on the west coast of the "big island" of Hawaii. They were set up in the face of serious declines of a beautiful tropical fish called yellow tang, which formed the basis for an important trade in the aquarium industry.
“This fishery was facing collapse about 10 years ago,” Hixon said. “Now, after the creation of marine reserves, the fishery is doing well.”
The yellow tang was an ideal fish to help answer the question of larval dispersal because once its larvae settle onto a reef and begin to grow, they are not migratory, and live in a home range about half a mile in diameter. If the fish are going to move any significant distance from where they are born, it would have to be as a larva – a young life form about the size of a grain of rice – drifting with the currents for up to two months before settling back to adult habitats.
Mark Christie, an OSU postdoctoral research associate and lead author of the study, developed some new approaches to the use of DNA fingerprinting and sophisticated statistical analysis that were able to match juvenile fish with their parents, wherever they may have been from. In field research from 2006, the scientists performed genetic and statistical analyses on 1,073 juvenile and adult fish, and found evidence that many healthy juvenile fish had spawned from parents long distances away, up to 114 miles, including some from marine protected areas.
“This is similar to the type of forensic technology you might see on television, but more advanced,” Christie said. “We’re optimistic it will help us learn a great deal more about fish movements, fishery stocks, and the genetic effects of fishing, including work with steelhead, salmon, rockfish and other species here in the Pacific Northwest.”
This study should help answer some of the questions about the ability of marine reserves to help rebuild fisheries, the scientists said. It should also add scientific precision to the siting of reserves for that purpose, which is just one of many roles that a marine reserve can play. Many states are establishing marine reserves off their coasts, and Oregon is in the process of developing a limited network of marine reserves to test their effectiveness. The methods used in this study could also become a powerful new tool to improve fisheries management, Hixon said.
“Tracking the movement of fish larvae in the open ocean isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do,” Hixon said. “It’s not like putting a radio collar on a deer. This approach will provide valuable information to help optimize the placement of reserves, identify the boundaries of fishery stocks, and other applications.”
The issue of larval dispersal is also important, the researchers say, because past studies at OSU have shown that large, fat female fish produce massive amounts of eggs and sometimes healthier larvae than smaller fish. For example, a single two-foot vermillion rockfish produces more eggs than 17 females that are 14 inches long.
But these same large fish, which have now been shown to play key roles in larval production and fish population replenishment, are also among those most commonly sought in fisheries.
The study was done in collaboration with the University of Hawaii, Washington State University, National Marine Fisheries Services and the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources. It was funded by Conservation International.
“The identification of connectivity between distant reef fish populations on the island of Hawaii demonstrates that human coastal communities are also linked,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion. “Management in one part of the ocean affects people who use another part of the ocean.”
Marine ecologists at Oregon State University have shown for the first time that tiny fish larvae can drift with ocean currents and “re-seed” fish stocks significant distances away – more than 100 miles in a new study from Hawaii.
The findings add credibility to what scientists have believed for some time, but until now been unable to directly document. The study also provides a significant demonstration of the ability of marine reserves to rebuild fishery stocks in areas outside the reserves.
The research was published this week in PLoS One, a scientific journal.
“We already know that marine reserves will grow larger fish and some of them will leave that specific area, what we call spillover,” said Mark Hixon, a professor of marine biology at OSU. “Now we’ve clearly shown that fish larvae that were spawned inside marine reserves can drift with currents and replenish fished areas long distances away.
“This is a direct observation, not just a model, that successful marine reserves can sustain fisheries beyond their borders,” he said. “That’s an important result that should help resolve some skepticism about reserves. And the life cycle of our study fish is very similar to many species of marine fish, including rockfishes and other species off Oregon. The results are highly relevant to other regions."
The findings were based on the creation in 1999 of nine marine protected areas on the west coast of the "big island" of Hawaii. They were set up in the face of serious declines of a beautiful tropical fish called yellow tang, which formed the basis for an important trade in the aquarium industry.
“This fishery was facing collapse about 10 years ago,” Hixon said. “Now, after the creation of marine reserves, the fishery is doing well.”
The yellow tang was an ideal fish to help answer the question of larval dispersal because once its larvae settle onto a reef and begin to grow, they are not migratory, and live in a home range about half a mile in diameter. If the fish are going to move any significant distance from where they are born, it would have to be as a larva – a young life form about the size of a grain of rice – drifting with the currents for up to two months before settling back to adult habitats.
Mark Christie, an OSU postdoctoral research associate and lead author of the study, developed some new approaches to the use of DNA fingerprinting and sophisticated statistical analysis that were able to match juvenile fish with their parents, wherever they may have been from. In field research from 2006, the scientists performed genetic and statistical analyses on 1,073 juvenile and adult fish, and found evidence that many healthy juvenile fish had spawned from parents long distances away, up to 114 miles, including some from marine protected areas.
“This is similar to the type of forensic technology you might see on television, but more advanced,” Christie said. “We’re optimistic it will help us learn a great deal more about fish movements, fishery stocks, and the genetic effects of fishing, including work with steelhead, salmon, rockfish and other species here in the Pacific Northwest.”
This study should help answer some of the questions about the ability of marine reserves to help rebuild fisheries, the scientists said. It should also add scientific precision to the siting of reserves for that purpose, which is just one of many roles that a marine reserve can play. Many states are establishing marine reserves off their coasts, and Oregon is in the process of developing a limited network of marine reserves to test their effectiveness. The methods used in this study could also become a powerful new tool to improve fisheries management, Hixon said.
“Tracking the movement of fish larvae in the open ocean isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do,” Hixon said. “It’s not like putting a radio collar on a deer. This approach will provide valuable information to help optimize the placement of reserves, identify the boundaries of fishery stocks, and other applications.”
The issue of larval dispersal is also important, the researchers say, because past studies at OSU have shown that large, fat female fish produce massive amounts of eggs and sometimes healthier larvae than smaller fish. For example, a single two-foot vermillion rockfish produces more eggs than 17 females that are 14 inches long.
But these same large fish, which have now been shown to play key roles in larval production and fish population replenishment, are also among those most commonly sought in fisheries.
The study was done in collaboration with the University of Hawaii, Washington State University, National Marine Fisheries Services and the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources. It was funded by Conservation International.
“The identification of connectivity between distant reef fish populations on the island of Hawaii demonstrates that human coastal communities are also linked,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion. “Management in one part of the ocean affects people who use another part of the ocean.”
Atlantis Japan Acquires 75% Stake in Prime Time Seafood Inc.
Atlantis Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantis Group, seafood company and majority owner of Umami Sustainable Seafood (OTCBB "UMAM"), the largest global producer of Northern bluefin tuna, has acquired a 75% stake in Prime Time Seafood Inc.
Prime Time Seafood, Inc. is a Los Angeles based, California corporation established in 1988. It specializes in the grading and distribution of fresh tuna. The company currently imports Tuna from all over the world and supplies it to customers throughout the United States and Canada. It is based in Los Angeles.
In announcing the acquisition, Oli Valur Steindorsson, the CEO of Atlantis Group and Umami stated: “Prime Time Seafood will serve as a reinforcement to our already strong seafood marketing operations. Prime Time will serve as our foothold and launchpad in the US market. With sustainability issues being firmly dealt with we believe that a large market for bluefin tuna will be opening up in the US, California especially”.
Rex Ito, founder and CEO of Prime Time Seafood stated: “The combination of Atlantis' resources and farmed fish through Umami, together with Prime Time's experience and knowledge in the tuna market will be highly beneficial for both parties. In addition to enhancing current operations and farmed bluefin distribution, Prime Time and Atlantis are also developing closed life-cycle production of other popular marine finfish in our operations in Ensenada, Mexico”.
Prime Time Seafood, Inc. is a Los Angeles based, California corporation established in 1988. It specializes in the grading and distribution of fresh tuna. The company currently imports Tuna from all over the world and supplies it to customers throughout the United States and Canada. It is based in Los Angeles.
In announcing the acquisition, Oli Valur Steindorsson, the CEO of Atlantis Group and Umami stated: “Prime Time Seafood will serve as a reinforcement to our already strong seafood marketing operations. Prime Time will serve as our foothold and launchpad in the US market. With sustainability issues being firmly dealt with we believe that a large market for bluefin tuna will be opening up in the US, California especially”.
Rex Ito, founder and CEO of Prime Time Seafood stated: “The combination of Atlantis' resources and farmed fish through Umami, together with Prime Time's experience and knowledge in the tuna market will be highly beneficial for both parties. In addition to enhancing current operations and farmed bluefin distribution, Prime Time and Atlantis are also developing closed life-cycle production of other popular marine finfish in our operations in Ensenada, Mexico”.
Marine Refrigeration Workshops
Marine Refrigeration Workshops
Alaska Sea Grant MAP, Washington Sea Grant and IMS will be co-sponsoring one-day workshops in Alaska & Washington in February, March and April. This one-day workshop is designed to familiarize skippers and crew with basic onboard marine refrigeration system theory, maintenance, safety and troubleshooting. System sizing, log keeping, startup and winterization topics will also be covered. Participants will do supervised hands-on activities.
Sign up early … space is limited! You will find a printable flyer plus links to sign up for the workshops at the new IMS website: www.IMSpacific.com
Alaska Sea Grant MAP, Washington Sea Grant and IMS will be co-sponsoring one-day workshops in Alaska & Washington in February, March and April. This one-day workshop is designed to familiarize skippers and crew with basic onboard marine refrigeration system theory, maintenance, safety and troubleshooting. System sizing, log keeping, startup and winterization topics will also be covered. Participants will do supervised hands-on activities.
Sign up early … space is limited! You will find a printable flyer plus links to sign up for the workshops at the new IMS website: www.IMSpacific.com
- Port Townsend Workshops will be held Saturday March 12th and Saturday April 16th. To sign up, contact: Sarah Fisken at Washington Sea Grant, sfisken@u.washington.edu / 206.543.122
- Alaska Workshops will be held in Petersburg: Tuesday, February 1st and in Anchorage: Tuesday, March 29th.
- Petersburg, sign up online at http://seagrant.uaf.edu/map/workshops/ or contact Sunny Rice at Alaska Sea Grant MAP / sunny.rice@uaf.edu / 907.772.3381 or 1.888.788.6333
- To sign up for Anchorage, Contact Torie Baker at Alaska Sea Grant MAP: torie@sfos.uaf.edu / 907.424.7542 or 1.888.788.6333
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Learn About First Aid at Sea Through Washington Sea Grant
Washington Sea Grant and Port of Seattle Fishermen’s Terminal are co-sponsoring two Coast Guard-approved First Aid at Sea courses for commercial fishermen and recreational boaters.
Topics include cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, patient assessment, hypothermia, cold-water near-drowning, shock, trauma, burns, fractures, choking, immobilization techniques, first-aid kits and more.
When: Friday, Jan. 21, or Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Nordby Conference Room, Nordby Bldg.
Fishermen’s Terminal, Seattle
The fee for the workshop is $80. Space is limited, so pre-registration is advised. To register or for more information, contact Sarah Fisken, WSG Marine Education Coordinator, at (206) 543-1225 or sfisken@u.washington.edu.
Topics include cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, patient assessment, hypothermia, cold-water near-drowning, shock, trauma, burns, fractures, choking, immobilization techniques, first-aid kits and more.
When: Friday, Jan. 21, or Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Nordby Conference Room, Nordby Bldg.
Fishermen’s Terminal, Seattle
The fee for the workshop is $80. Space is limited, so pre-registration is advised. To register or for more information, contact Sarah Fisken, WSG Marine Education Coordinator, at (206) 543-1225 or sfisken@u.washington.edu.
Obama Administration Releases Report Announcing Support for Peripheral Canal
By Dan Bacher
On December 15, the Obama administration officially announced its support for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) to build a peripheral canal/tunnel, a project opposed by fishermen, Indian Tribes, environmentalists, family farmers and Delta residents.
A coordinated report issued by six federal agencies calls for the construction of a "new water conveyance system" - the peripheral canal/tunnel - to move water from north of the California Bay-Delta to corporate agribusiness on the side of the San Joaquin Valley and to Southern California water agencies.
The federal report, which complements a related report issued Wednesday by the Schwarzenegger administration, urges "continued progress toward completion of the California Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and supports major elements of the plan as a promising means of addressing the critical needs of both the Bay-Delta ecosystem and the state’s water delivery structure," according a news release from the Department of Interior.
"After years of drought, growing stress on water supplies, and with the Bay-Delta in full environmental collapse, it has become clear to everyone that the status quo for California's water infrastructure is no longer an option," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
Salazar went on to praise Governor Schwarzenegger for developing "forward-thinking solutions," in spite of the fact the Schwarzenegger administration has presided over the collapse of Central Valley chinook salmon, Delta smelt, longfin smelt, green sturgeon, Sacramento splittail and young striped bass populations and the exporting of record amounts of Delta water from 2004 to 2006.
"Governor Schwarzenegger and the State of California have worked tirelessly and in partnership with us to develop responsible, forward-thinking solutions that can help us break the cycle of shortages and water conflicts," Salazar said. "This is the moment to push forward with solutions, apply the best science available, and build a water future for California that is good for our economy, guards against the impacts of catastrophic earthquakes and other natural disasters, and helps restore California's Bay-Delta to health.”
Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke also lauded the release of the "coordinated report."
“Through the Interim Federal Action Plan for the Bay Delta, the Obama Administration has made significant progress working with California to address the State’s complex and long-standing water issues," stated Sutley. "However, there is still much more work to do. Finalizing a Bay Delta Conservation Plan is a key part of establishing a long-term sustainable future for California’s water system. Any solution must address the dual goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem health, be science-based, and be developed with the full engagement of stakeholders. We look forward to working with Governor-Elect Brown to continue and accelerate our progress.”
“Over the long-term, rebuilding the ecology of the Delta and securing the reliability of California's water delivery systems carries huge promise for growing jobs across California, from the salmon-dependent fishing communities of coastal California to the farming communities of the Central Valley to Los Angeles basin,” said Locke. “We will continue to focus on critical next steps, including applying the best scientific research available to inform sound decisions and long-term planning."
Locke failed to indicate how two mutually exclusive goals - restoring salmon populations and the jobs that depend on them and providing increased, more "reliable" supplies of water for unsustainable corporate agribusiness on drainage impaired land and land developers in southern California - can be achieved at the same time.
On December 15, the Obama administration officially announced its support for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) to build a peripheral canal/tunnel, a project opposed by fishermen, Indian Tribes, environmentalists, family farmers and Delta residents.
A coordinated report issued by six federal agencies calls for the construction of a "new water conveyance system" - the peripheral canal/tunnel - to move water from north of the California Bay-Delta to corporate agribusiness on the side of the San Joaquin Valley and to Southern California water agencies.
The federal report, which complements a related report issued Wednesday by the Schwarzenegger administration, urges "continued progress toward completion of the California Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and supports major elements of the plan as a promising means of addressing the critical needs of both the Bay-Delta ecosystem and the state’s water delivery structure," according a news release from the Department of Interior.
"After years of drought, growing stress on water supplies, and with the Bay-Delta in full environmental collapse, it has become clear to everyone that the status quo for California's water infrastructure is no longer an option," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
Salazar went on to praise Governor Schwarzenegger for developing "forward-thinking solutions," in spite of the fact the Schwarzenegger administration has presided over the collapse of Central Valley chinook salmon, Delta smelt, longfin smelt, green sturgeon, Sacramento splittail and young striped bass populations and the exporting of record amounts of Delta water from 2004 to 2006.
"Governor Schwarzenegger and the State of California have worked tirelessly and in partnership with us to develop responsible, forward-thinking solutions that can help us break the cycle of shortages and water conflicts," Salazar said. "This is the moment to push forward with solutions, apply the best science available, and build a water future for California that is good for our economy, guards against the impacts of catastrophic earthquakes and other natural disasters, and helps restore California's Bay-Delta to health.”
Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke also lauded the release of the "coordinated report."
“Through the Interim Federal Action Plan for the Bay Delta, the Obama Administration has made significant progress working with California to address the State’s complex and long-standing water issues," stated Sutley. "However, there is still much more work to do. Finalizing a Bay Delta Conservation Plan is a key part of establishing a long-term sustainable future for California’s water system. Any solution must address the dual goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem health, be science-based, and be developed with the full engagement of stakeholders. We look forward to working with Governor-Elect Brown to continue and accelerate our progress.”
“Over the long-term, rebuilding the ecology of the Delta and securing the reliability of California's water delivery systems carries huge promise for growing jobs across California, from the salmon-dependent fishing communities of coastal California to the farming communities of the Central Valley to Los Angeles basin,” said Locke. “We will continue to focus on critical next steps, including applying the best scientific research available to inform sound decisions and long-term planning."
Locke failed to indicate how two mutually exclusive goals - restoring salmon populations and the jobs that depend on them and providing increased, more "reliable" supplies of water for unsustainable corporate agribusiness on drainage impaired land and land developers in southern California - can be achieved at the same time.
California Fishermen Give Lubchenco Opinions on Catch Shares
A crowd of concerned fishermen, environmentalists and others filled the chambers of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors earlier this month to share their complaints, ideas and worries with Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"Catch shares are just one tool, and I believe they are a valuable tool if they are well-dispersed," said Lubchenco.
However, many fishermen who spoke Thursday believe catch shares will mean the end of their livelihoods.
"We've taken such good care of our oceans, we don't really need you," Judith Vidaver of the Ocean Protection Coalition told Dr. Lubchenco "I suggest you take your programs somewhere else."
"There are six trawl fishermen in Fort Bragg, and all are concerned (whether) they are going to be able to stay in business," said Daniel Platt of Fort Bragg, while another fisherman from Fort Bragg had similar concerns.
"I take issue with catch shares being described as only one tool. According to the (Pacific Fishery Management Council), that is the tool," said Tom Estes, who said he shares a family fleet with his sons. "The more we talk, the more frightened I get. My son says that this might be the nail in the coffin, and I agree."
Vivian Helliwell described catch shares as "social engineering and market manipulation" that "the little guys always lose out on." She added that they would take the "fishing out of our community," and "mean the end of the fishing industry on the West Coast."
Dusty Dillon, who said he was a property owner in Fort Bragg, provided the crowd with some comic relief when he suggested to Lubchenco that, "we've got a lot of empty buildings if you'd like to open a local office. We're trying to revitalize our waterfront."
Other speakers urged Lubchenco to rescind the permit NOAA recently granted to the US Navy to begin five years of "warfare testing and exercises" in the Northwest Training Range Complex, which includes Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Lubchenco then took 10 minutes to address the numerous concerns raised.
"Thank you for your heartfelt, respectful and passionate comments, which give me hope that we can find solutions for the majority of these issues," she said. "I share many of the concerns that many of you raised, and you've also put new issues on our radar."
As for catch shares, Lubchenco said, "I urge you to keep an open mind. The results depend on the design of the catch share program, which is a much more powerful tool for creating sustainable fisheries than the traditional management.
- www.savingseafood.org
"Catch shares are just one tool, and I believe they are a valuable tool if they are well-dispersed," said Lubchenco.
However, many fishermen who spoke Thursday believe catch shares will mean the end of their livelihoods.
"We've taken such good care of our oceans, we don't really need you," Judith Vidaver of the Ocean Protection Coalition told Dr. Lubchenco "I suggest you take your programs somewhere else."
"There are six trawl fishermen in Fort Bragg, and all are concerned (whether) they are going to be able to stay in business," said Daniel Platt of Fort Bragg, while another fisherman from Fort Bragg had similar concerns.
"I take issue with catch shares being described as only one tool. According to the (Pacific Fishery Management Council), that is the tool," said Tom Estes, who said he shares a family fleet with his sons. "The more we talk, the more frightened I get. My son says that this might be the nail in the coffin, and I agree."
Vivian Helliwell described catch shares as "social engineering and market manipulation" that "the little guys always lose out on." She added that they would take the "fishing out of our community," and "mean the end of the fishing industry on the West Coast."
Dusty Dillon, who said he was a property owner in Fort Bragg, provided the crowd with some comic relief when he suggested to Lubchenco that, "we've got a lot of empty buildings if you'd like to open a local office. We're trying to revitalize our waterfront."
Other speakers urged Lubchenco to rescind the permit NOAA recently granted to the US Navy to begin five years of "warfare testing and exercises" in the Northwest Training Range Complex, which includes Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Lubchenco then took 10 minutes to address the numerous concerns raised.
"Thank you for your heartfelt, respectful and passionate comments, which give me hope that we can find solutions for the majority of these issues," she said. "I share many of the concerns that many of you raised, and you've also put new issues on our radar."
As for catch shares, Lubchenco said, "I urge you to keep an open mind. The results depend on the design of the catch share program, which is a much more powerful tool for creating sustainable fisheries than the traditional management.
- www.savingseafood.org
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