Fishing

Seattle, WA - 02/05/2009 - The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) voted today to prevent the expansion of industrial fishing into all U.S. waters north of the Bering Strait for the foreseeable future to limit stress on ocean ecosystems in light of the dramatic impacts of global climate change in the Arctic. With no large-scale commercial fishing in the U.S. Arctic at present this decision establishes one of the largest preventative and precautionary measures in fisheries management history.    » read more »

Brussels, Belgium - 02/05/2009 - The Shark Alliance is celebrating today’s release of the European Commission’s Plan of Action for the Conservation of Sharks which sets the stage for sweeping improvements in European Union (EU) shark fishing and protection policies.

The Plan aims to improve information about shark fisheries, end shark overfishing, pay special attention to threatened shark species, and close loopholes in the EU ban on shark finning (the wasteful practice of slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). The EU Shark Plan includes actions at national, EU and international levels.    » read more »

August 21, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the National Steering Committee of the Sportsmen for McCain coalition. These leaders in the angling, hunting and shooting communities are working across the country to emphasize John McCain's dedication to protecting American's right to gun ownership and his commitment to preserving and promoting our hunting, angling and shooting traditions.

Playing with guns: Photo by Terence T.S. Tam (CC)    » read more »

06/17/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire sent a joint letter to President George Bush today expressing strong opposition to the Administration's proposal to remove $70 million in emergency disaster assistance for fishing families, communities and businesses impacted by the closure of the salmon season, and they urged President Bush to reconsider his opposition to helping these families in need.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- As summer approaches and fishing season shifts into high gear, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that preventing the spread viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) will take the effort of everyone.

Although long known in Europe, VHS is a relatively new disease to the Great Lakes region that is capable of killing numerous species of fish by causing internal bleeding.

Fishing on Grand River, Michigan: Photo by Joel Dinda (CC)    » read more »

Bush administration plans to cut funding by $70 million

June 12, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the Bush administration’s plan to shrink federal funding set aside to help Pacific coast salmon fishing families and small businesses:

“I am angered and deeply discouraged that the Bush administration would even consider reducing the emergency aid dedicated to Pacific salmon fishers. This action represents complete disregard for the thousands of families who rely on a strong salmon season for their livelihoods.    » read more »

June 2, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today signed two bills that recognize and show appropriate appreciation for those who are serving our country in the military.

“I am pleased to sign these bills in recognition of the great and selfless service provided by the fine men and women of our military,” Governor Palin said.

Caribou hunting, Alaska: Photo by eskimojoe (CC)

“I know Alaskans are as appreciative as I am of the military and the efforts of those who serve to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”    » read more »

Agreement will drastically boost salmon returning to Puget Sound and Columbia River

May 22, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today hailed the news that representatives from the United States and Canada have agreed to recommend their governments approve new coast-wide fishing arrangements under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

The new ten-year agreement outlines each nation’s fishery management plans for Chinook, Coho, chum, and some pink and sockeye stocks from 2009 to 2018. The treaty, if approved, will result in approximately one million fewer Chinook salmon harvested in Canada and Alaska. About half of those fish saved originate from Washington and Oregon waters.    » read more »

Key Seafood Buyers Support Vision for a Long-Term Sustainable Fish Supply

NEW YORK (May 8, 2008) – The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), in partnership with more than a dozen conservation organizations, today released clear, realistic steps companies can take to develop and implement a comprehensive corporate policy on sustainable, wild-caught and farmed seafood.

Chilean sea bass: Photo by Mike McCune (CC)    » read more »

Legislation would end 19 years of litigation over the San Joaquin River

May 7, 2008 -- Washington, DC – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved legislation sponsored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) that would implement a settlement to restore the San Joaquin River and reintroduce the California Central Valley Spring Run Chinook Salmon to the river.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Photo by brothergrimm (CC)

Companion legislation was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee last fall.    » read more »

05/01/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez's declaration of a commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster in California:

"I commend the Secretary of Commerce's decision today based on the alarmingly low number of salmon returning to the rivers of California, Washington and Oregon. The salmon industry contributes greatly to our economy and way of life, and this news couldn't come at a more critical time for the fishermen and businesses that will be hurt by the loss of the salmon season."    » read more »

April 23, 2008 -- WATERBURY, VT – Vermont’s “emergency” baitfish regulation that went into effect last October has been replaced by a permanent regulation that takes into account many of the concerns of anglers and yet still helps protect Vermont fisheries from a deadly new fish virus called Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS).

Baitfish: Photo by Matthew Hoelscher (CC)

Shawn Good, the Fish & Wildlife Department fisheries biologist heading their Aquatic Nuisance Species Team, says the regulation is necessary to help prevent Vermont’s waters and fish from becoming infected with VHS, which could result in devastating fish kills.    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- Salem – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, together with Governors Schwarzenegger (CA) and Gregoire (WA), sent a letter to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking Congress to begin working on securing emergency appropriations for ocean salmon fishermen and related businesses that will be affected by the expected closure of much of the West Coast commercial and recreational ocean salmon fishing season.

Salmon sculpture, Oregon: Photo by p medved (CC)    » read more »

April 23, 2008 -- Trout fishing has a long, proud heritage in Michigan, and the Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that trout season opens this Saturday on hundreds of Type 1 and Type 2 streams across the state.

"For many avid spring anglers, there is nothing more anticipated or celebrated than the opening day of trout season," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries.

Ernest Hemingway trout fishing at Horton Bay Fishing, Michigan, 1919: Photo courtesy of Donald Harrison (CC)    » read more »

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 23, 2008) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement today regarding Virginia’s efforts to assist in the rebuilding of the Blue Crab population in the Chesapeake Bay:

“I want to thank Governor Kaine and his staff for their leadership and partnership with Maryland on their historic efforts to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery.”

Maryland Blue Crabs: Photo by Robert Fornal (CC)    » read more »