Security probably needs to be beefed up, as this report from the Fresno Bee on the theft of about 1,000 trout indicates.
An excerpt.
“Somewhere in California, someone has a truckload of stolen merchandise that probably is starting to stink.
“What's believed to be the first-ever large-scale theft from a fish hatchery in the state has wardens from the Department of Fish and Game scouring markets and roadside stands looking for thousands of pounds of trophy-sized trout.
“Workers on Sunday arrived at the San Joaquin State Fish Hatchery located 12 miles north of Fresno to find the gate pried open, blood covering the floors and 70 dead trout left behind.
“Department spokesman Patrick Foy said as many as 1,000 trophy trout were stolen.
"If anyone smells anything fishy, they should give us a call," Foy said.
“The trout, which sell for up to $7 a pound, were 3 years old and weighed 3 pounds each.
“The thieves face grand theft charges.
“Foy said the thieves cut down bird netting and used it to corral the fish in an accessible part of the hatchery below Millerton Lake. The hatchery is at 17372 Brook Trout Drive in Friant, one mile below Friant Dam.
“The thieves filled up dozens of ice chests before getting away before dawn on Sunday.
"They were some of our best fish and the biggest fish," hatchery manager Greg Paape said.
“The trout were part of a program paid for by fishing license fees to keep lakes stocked for fishing enthusiasts. They would have been released soon into Shaver Lake in the Sierra Nevada….
“The hatchery is one of 20 in the state – 12 produce trout, and eight others raise salmon and steelhead.”
Showing posts with label Hatcheries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hatcheries. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Fish Farming
It is the wave of the future and but another sign of human technology improving natural resources, putting more—and improved—fish on the table and compensating for species-in-the-wild depletion from commercial fishing, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.
An excerpt.
“The leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration visited Carlsbad Monday to launch a national initiative for creating jobs and increasing seafood production by fostering public-private partnerships in fish farming.
“Agency officials said the so-called Aquaculture Technology Transfer Initiative will support projects that show promise for creating jobs while maintaining environmental protections.
“It’s a tricky balance for NOAA, which didn’t announce any money for the project and faces opposition from some environmental groups that oppose aquaculture as a source of ocean pollution.
“NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco is in San Diego this week for an international convention about managing tuna and other far-ranging species. On Monday, she toured a fish farm in Carlsbad that is run by the nonprofit Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute to augment the wild population of white sea bass.
“This facility really shows what potential exists in expanding sustainable marine aquaculture in the U.S,” Lubchenco said. “As we turn the corner to ending overfishing with wild-caught fisheries, I think it’s particularly important to simultaneously build a sustainable aquaculture industry here in the United States.”
“Lubchenco said the national initiative was part of an attempt to grow aquaculture by helping to develop technologies that advance the science, prioritizing grant money for innovative work, offering guidance for projects in the regulatory process and other measures. She said the agency was looking to leverage outside funding to support up to six cutting-edge efforts.
“While there are no commercial fish farms in federal waters on the West Coast, Hubbs-SeaWorld in 2009 tried to get permission for a large-scale research project using tens of thousands of striped bass off Mission Beach. Those plans were tangled in regulations and never materialized — but the Obama administration’s increasingly vocal support of aquaculture is raising hopes that the project could be revived.
“Don Kent, president and chief executive of the research institute, compared developing aquaculture techniques to building an aircraft. After years of growing fish at the Carlsbad facility, he said, “It’s time to take that technology and fly it.”
“Lubchenco said it’s too early for that.
“There are still a lot of questions to be answered,” she said. “What we are signaling with this announcement is our desire to work together to get the answers.”
“In June, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released broad national policies they said supported sustainable marine aquaculture. Lubchenco called fish farming “a critical component to meeting increasing global demand for seafood.”
“Americans import about 84 percent of their seafood, half of which is from aquaculture. The U.S. trade deficit in seafood tops $10 billion and continues to grow, while domestic fish farming supplies about 5 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States. Domestic production is largely on land-based waterways, ponds and coastal state waters, not federal waters that start 3 miles offshore.”
An excerpt.
“The leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration visited Carlsbad Monday to launch a national initiative for creating jobs and increasing seafood production by fostering public-private partnerships in fish farming.
“Agency officials said the so-called Aquaculture Technology Transfer Initiative will support projects that show promise for creating jobs while maintaining environmental protections.
“It’s a tricky balance for NOAA, which didn’t announce any money for the project and faces opposition from some environmental groups that oppose aquaculture as a source of ocean pollution.
“NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco is in San Diego this week for an international convention about managing tuna and other far-ranging species. On Monday, she toured a fish farm in Carlsbad that is run by the nonprofit Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute to augment the wild population of white sea bass.
“This facility really shows what potential exists in expanding sustainable marine aquaculture in the U.S,” Lubchenco said. “As we turn the corner to ending overfishing with wild-caught fisheries, I think it’s particularly important to simultaneously build a sustainable aquaculture industry here in the United States.”
“Lubchenco said the national initiative was part of an attempt to grow aquaculture by helping to develop technologies that advance the science, prioritizing grant money for innovative work, offering guidance for projects in the regulatory process and other measures. She said the agency was looking to leverage outside funding to support up to six cutting-edge efforts.
“While there are no commercial fish farms in federal waters on the West Coast, Hubbs-SeaWorld in 2009 tried to get permission for a large-scale research project using tens of thousands of striped bass off Mission Beach. Those plans were tangled in regulations and never materialized — but the Obama administration’s increasingly vocal support of aquaculture is raising hopes that the project could be revived.
“Don Kent, president and chief executive of the research institute, compared developing aquaculture techniques to building an aircraft. After years of growing fish at the Carlsbad facility, he said, “It’s time to take that technology and fly it.”
“Lubchenco said it’s too early for that.
“There are still a lot of questions to be answered,” she said. “What we are signaling with this announcement is our desire to work together to get the answers.”
“In June, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released broad national policies they said supported sustainable marine aquaculture. Lubchenco called fish farming “a critical component to meeting increasing global demand for seafood.”
“Americans import about 84 percent of their seafood, half of which is from aquaculture. The U.S. trade deficit in seafood tops $10 billion and continues to grow, while domestic fish farming supplies about 5 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States. Domestic production is largely on land-based waterways, ponds and coastal state waters, not federal waters that start 3 miles offshore.”
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Nature & Capitalism
The wooden stake that has always been lodged in the heart of the environmentalist movement is the creativity of capitalism, which, along with the social entrepreneurism of the nonprofit (and even sometimes the government) sector, to address stewardship problems arising in the continuance of nature’s riches to benefit humanity, whether it is the development of hatchery technology to enhance the salmon's productivity or cattle breeding and feeding technology to enhance the beef on the table.
That is the case with the recent situation with bees, as written about in the Wall Street Journal.
An excerpt.
“The last week of June is National Pollinator Week. Birds, bats and wild insects all pollinate the flowering plants around us. The most celebrated pollinator is the honeybee—and for good reason. Close to 2.5 million hives of bees are managed by fewer than 2,000 commercial beekeepers, who take their bees on the road each year to pollinate blueberries, almonds, cranberries and a cornucopia of other fruits and vegetables. Without this cooperation of beekeeper, bee and farmer, our national diet would be less nutritious and less tasty.
“As even casual observers now know, however, all is not perfect in the world of bees. Colony collapse disorder, or CCD, is their most recent scourge. Over the past four years, approximately 30% of U.S. honeybees alive in the fall failed to survive to pollinate blossoms in the spring. While widespread die-offs due to disease are as old as beekeeping, dating back to the 17th century at least, this one appears worse than most.
“What is truly remarkable, then, is that the pollinating services of bees, and the fruits and vegetables of their labors, have remained steady in the face of CCD. In light of this fact, we propose a celebration—to pay homage to the resilience of honeybees and to the business acumen and perseverance of commercial beekeepers.”
That is the case with the recent situation with bees, as written about in the Wall Street Journal.
An excerpt.
“The last week of June is National Pollinator Week. Birds, bats and wild insects all pollinate the flowering plants around us. The most celebrated pollinator is the honeybee—and for good reason. Close to 2.5 million hives of bees are managed by fewer than 2,000 commercial beekeepers, who take their bees on the road each year to pollinate blueberries, almonds, cranberries and a cornucopia of other fruits and vegetables. Without this cooperation of beekeeper, bee and farmer, our national diet would be less nutritious and less tasty.
“As even casual observers now know, however, all is not perfect in the world of bees. Colony collapse disorder, or CCD, is their most recent scourge. Over the past four years, approximately 30% of U.S. honeybees alive in the fall failed to survive to pollinate blossoms in the spring. While widespread die-offs due to disease are as old as beekeeping, dating back to the 17th century at least, this one appears worse than most.
“What is truly remarkable, then, is that the pollinating services of bees, and the fruits and vegetables of their labors, have remained steady in the face of CCD. In light of this fact, we propose a celebration—to pay homage to the resilience of honeybees and to the business acumen and perseverance of commercial beekeepers.”
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Mercury & Fish
The oft repeated warnings of mercury in fish are revealed, in this article from the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) to be usually overwrought.
An excerpt.
“The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued 946 pages of new rules requiring that U.S. power plants sharply reduce their (already low) emissions of mercury and other air pollutants. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson claims that while the regulations will cost electricity producers $10.9 billion annually, they will save 17,000 lives and generate up to $140 billion in health benefits.
“There is no factual basis for these assertions. To build its case against mercury, the EPA systematically ignored evidence and clinical studies that contradict its regulatory agenda, which is to punish hydrocarbon use.
“Mercury has always existed naturally in Earth's environment. A 2009 study found mercury deposits in Antarctic ice across 650,000 years. Mercury is found in air, water, rocks, soil and trees, which absorb it from the environment. This is why our bodies evolved with proteins and antioxidants that help protect us from this and other potential contaminants.
“How do America's coal-burning power plants fit into the picture? They emit an estimated 41-48 tons of mercury per year. But U.S. forest fires emit at least 44 tons per year; cremation of human remains discharges 26 tons; Chinese power plants eject 400 tons; and volcanoes, subsea vents, geysers and other sources spew out 9,000-10,000 additional tons per year.
“All these emissions enter the global atmospheric system and become part of the U.S. air mass. Since our power plants account for less than 0.5% of all the mercury in the air we breathe, eliminating every milligram of it will do nothing about the other 99.5% in our atmosphere.”
An excerpt.
“The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued 946 pages of new rules requiring that U.S. power plants sharply reduce their (already low) emissions of mercury and other air pollutants. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson claims that while the regulations will cost electricity producers $10.9 billion annually, they will save 17,000 lives and generate up to $140 billion in health benefits.
“There is no factual basis for these assertions. To build its case against mercury, the EPA systematically ignored evidence and clinical studies that contradict its regulatory agenda, which is to punish hydrocarbon use.
“Mercury has always existed naturally in Earth's environment. A 2009 study found mercury deposits in Antarctic ice across 650,000 years. Mercury is found in air, water, rocks, soil and trees, which absorb it from the environment. This is why our bodies evolved with proteins and antioxidants that help protect us from this and other potential contaminants.
“How do America's coal-burning power plants fit into the picture? They emit an estimated 41-48 tons of mercury per year. But U.S. forest fires emit at least 44 tons per year; cremation of human remains discharges 26 tons; Chinese power plants eject 400 tons; and volcanoes, subsea vents, geysers and other sources spew out 9,000-10,000 additional tons per year.
“All these emissions enter the global atmospheric system and become part of the U.S. air mass. Since our power plants account for less than 0.5% of all the mercury in the air we breathe, eliminating every milligram of it will do nothing about the other 99.5% in our atmosphere.”
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Galt's Caviar
The city of Galt in southern Sacramento County is emerging as the center of caviar production in the United States.
What a wonderful story of local entrepreneurism, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
An excerpt.
“On a breezy April afternoon in the grassy delta flatlands of Galt, Calif., fins and tails were churning the waters inside raised tanks the size of above-ground swimming pools.
“The bellies of the 100-pound, six-foot-long sturgeon of the Fishery aquaculture farm were white, their vacuum cleaner-nozzle mouths toothless and slightly be-whiskered. The fish have shark-like skin. Down their wide flanks run reptilian spikes, called "scutes," ancient prototypes of fish scales. They are brutal in appearance, ugly even, living fossils from a prehistoric evolutionary crossroads.
“Sturgeon—Acipenseridae—have outlived whatever killed the dinosaurs. They've survived everything in the past 250 million years, only now to fall prey to man's desire for their clusters of glistening roe. Their eggs sell for as much as $270 per ounce in gourmet shops world-wide, and garnish the $50 entrees of white-tablecloth plates everywhere.
“Caviar—the other black gold—sublimely salty, sweet, earthy, an acquired taste, to be sure, and pleasant to the eye, has been a delicacy of khans, tsars, monarchs and aristocracy for millennia. But in the past decade the market for wild sturgeon caviar—the crème de la crème of the delicacy—has been wracked by poachers, smugglers, polluted waters and the threat of extinction for the most prized of the world's 27 sturgeon species, those producing wild beluga caviar.
“Besides protecting endangered sturgeon, import bans on Caspian Sea caviar have another upside. They created an opportunity for a group of entrepreneurial biologists and fish farmers in California's Central Valley region, where cattle ranches have given way to sturgeon farms. Now domestic roe farmers have birthed a sustainable caviar industry, winning over, however reticently, the collective palate of the haute-cuisine stratosphere. And greenmarket grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market have dropped Caspian Sea caviar mainstays for the sustainable domestic brands.
"Caviar plays an extremely important role in my cuisine," said Timothy Hollingsworth, the chef de cuisine at Napa Valley's three-Michelin-star French Laundry. "Russian caviar is, unfortunately, pretty much obsolete. So having an alternative that is local, and sustainable, is simply…great."
“Corey Lee, the James Beard Award-winning chef at San Francisco's Benu restaurant, has mixed feelings about the California product. "I've tried most of them, and there's some good ones out there, but they can't be compared to the wild caviar," he said. "I realized years ago that I have to view farmed caviar as a new ingredient, with its own measures of quality, and not as a substitute for the wild."
“Mr. Lee conceded, however, that farmed caviar will only continue to get better as the industry becomes more competitive and knowledgeable. "I do think that the farmed caviar is the future," he said.”
What a wonderful story of local entrepreneurism, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
An excerpt.
“On a breezy April afternoon in the grassy delta flatlands of Galt, Calif., fins and tails were churning the waters inside raised tanks the size of above-ground swimming pools.
“The bellies of the 100-pound, six-foot-long sturgeon of the Fishery aquaculture farm were white, their vacuum cleaner-nozzle mouths toothless and slightly be-whiskered. The fish have shark-like skin. Down their wide flanks run reptilian spikes, called "scutes," ancient prototypes of fish scales. They are brutal in appearance, ugly even, living fossils from a prehistoric evolutionary crossroads.
“Sturgeon—Acipenseridae—have outlived whatever killed the dinosaurs. They've survived everything in the past 250 million years, only now to fall prey to man's desire for their clusters of glistening roe. Their eggs sell for as much as $270 per ounce in gourmet shops world-wide, and garnish the $50 entrees of white-tablecloth plates everywhere.
“Caviar—the other black gold—sublimely salty, sweet, earthy, an acquired taste, to be sure, and pleasant to the eye, has been a delicacy of khans, tsars, monarchs and aristocracy for millennia. But in the past decade the market for wild sturgeon caviar—the crème de la crème of the delicacy—has been wracked by poachers, smugglers, polluted waters and the threat of extinction for the most prized of the world's 27 sturgeon species, those producing wild beluga caviar.
“Besides protecting endangered sturgeon, import bans on Caspian Sea caviar have another upside. They created an opportunity for a group of entrepreneurial biologists and fish farmers in California's Central Valley region, where cattle ranches have given way to sturgeon farms. Now domestic roe farmers have birthed a sustainable caviar industry, winning over, however reticently, the collective palate of the haute-cuisine stratosphere. And greenmarket grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market have dropped Caspian Sea caviar mainstays for the sustainable domestic brands.
"Caviar plays an extremely important role in my cuisine," said Timothy Hollingsworth, the chef de cuisine at Napa Valley's three-Michelin-star French Laundry. "Russian caviar is, unfortunately, pretty much obsolete. So having an alternative that is local, and sustainable, is simply…great."
“Corey Lee, the James Beard Award-winning chef at San Francisco's Benu restaurant, has mixed feelings about the California product. "I've tried most of them, and there's some good ones out there, but they can't be compared to the wild caviar," he said. "I realized years ago that I have to view farmed caviar as a new ingredient, with its own measures of quality, and not as a substitute for the wild."
“Mr. Lee conceded, however, that farmed caviar will only continue to get better as the industry becomes more competitive and knowledgeable. "I do think that the farmed caviar is the future," he said.”
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Hatchery Salmon into American
Thank goodness for the work of the hatchery, which released millions of salmon into the river, as reported by the Sacramento Press.
We need the dams for water and flood protection and since building them, the salmon need us to help them spawn, and as this story notes, we’re doing a pretty good job.
An excerpt.
“The first of about 3 million young salmon were released into the American River Thursday, and California Department of Fish and Game officials said they will finish the job Friday. They hope those fish will return to spawn within two to five years.
“They were spawned, hatched and partially raised at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Rancho Cordova,” said Dana Michaels, information officer for the Department of Fish and Game.
“About 25 percent of them have coded wire tags in their noses so Fish and Game staff will be able to track how many of them are returning to their native grounds to spawn.
“The goal, Michaels said, is to return the number of fish to their natural levels – levels that have dropped severely since the Gold Rush.
“There used to be millions and millions of salmon before we developed and affected their habitat,” she said. “Our real goal is to improve the return rate. We’d love to get it back to historic numbers.”
“Releasing the fish under the Jibboom Street bridge in the River District has previously been successful and shown the strongest rates of return, but fish are also released in other areas, she added. One of the other areas is the San Francisco Bay, and there are other river locations as well.
“The biggest effects Californians have had on the fish population stem from the building of dams – which blocked their waterways – and mining, which increased silt levels in the rivers and caused them to become shallower.
“Releasing fish into the river is not a new program for the area, said Laura Drath, fish and wildlife interpreter at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
“The hatchery was built in 1955, at the same time as the Folsom and Nimbus dams,” she said. “Our mandate is to produce 4 million salmon and 430,000 steelhead trout every year.”
“The hatchery was built by the federal Bureau of Reclamation as a result of about 100 miles of spawning ground being eliminated by the dams’ construction.”
We need the dams for water and flood protection and since building them, the salmon need us to help them spawn, and as this story notes, we’re doing a pretty good job.
An excerpt.
“The first of about 3 million young salmon were released into the American River Thursday, and California Department of Fish and Game officials said they will finish the job Friday. They hope those fish will return to spawn within two to five years.
“They were spawned, hatched and partially raised at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Rancho Cordova,” said Dana Michaels, information officer for the Department of Fish and Game.
“About 25 percent of them have coded wire tags in their noses so Fish and Game staff will be able to track how many of them are returning to their native grounds to spawn.
“The goal, Michaels said, is to return the number of fish to their natural levels – levels that have dropped severely since the Gold Rush.
“There used to be millions and millions of salmon before we developed and affected their habitat,” she said. “Our real goal is to improve the return rate. We’d love to get it back to historic numbers.”
“Releasing the fish under the Jibboom Street bridge in the River District has previously been successful and shown the strongest rates of return, but fish are also released in other areas, she added. One of the other areas is the San Francisco Bay, and there are other river locations as well.
“The biggest effects Californians have had on the fish population stem from the building of dams – which blocked their waterways – and mining, which increased silt levels in the rivers and caused them to become shallower.
“Releasing fish into the river is not a new program for the area, said Laura Drath, fish and wildlife interpreter at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
“The hatchery was built in 1955, at the same time as the Folsom and Nimbus dams,” she said. “Our mandate is to produce 4 million salmon and 430,000 steelhead trout every year.”
“The hatchery was built by the federal Bureau of Reclamation as a result of about 100 miles of spawning ground being eliminated by the dams’ construction.”
Friday, April 22, 2011
Salmon Season in Sacramento
It will be a very good year, as the Sacramento Bee reports.
An excerpt.
“Tackle shops are restocking custom lures, guides are booking trips, and anglers are getting ready: Salmon are coming back to the Sacramento Valley.
“It has been four years since the region enjoyed full recreational fishing access to the majestic chinook salmon, a result of cutbacks caused by a steep decline in the fall run.
“Today in Sacramento, the California Fish and Game Commission is expected to reinstate normal fishing rules in the Sacramento, American and Feather rivers for the first time since 2007, thanks to a rebound in the population. That means six months of fishing, starting July 16.
"I'm excited," said J.D. Richey, a longtime salmon fishing guide based in Sacramento. He pondered the awful prospect of quitting the business when the season was closed in 2008 but held on by offering more trips for other species, including non-native striped bass.
"I'm already getting calls from people wanting to go salmon fishing and get on the schedule," Richey said. "I'm excited about the prospect of going back salmon fishing and going back to work."
“Fisherman's Warehouse in Sacramento, a major tackle retailer, is restocking its salmon wall with specialized gear to serve anglers.
"It means a lot," said John Bedwell, the company's general manager.
“Fisherman's Warehouse closed its Rocklin store in 2008 when the salmon season was closed, costing four jobs. Seven other people were laid off at the remaining stores in Sacramento, Manteca, Fresno and San Jose.
“All that, said Bedwell, was directly related to the shutdown of recreational salmon fishing across the state. About half of the business, he said, is dependent on salmon fishing.
"The day they announced closure of salmon fishing, we pulled the plug on that Rocklin store and erased it. It was gone in two weeks," Bedwell said. "The economy is horrible for business, but the worst thing possible is no fish."
“The Department of Fish and Game, which advises the commission, estimates the Central Valley in-river salmon fishery generates at least $20 million annually in economic output for the state.”
An excerpt.
“Tackle shops are restocking custom lures, guides are booking trips, and anglers are getting ready: Salmon are coming back to the Sacramento Valley.
“It has been four years since the region enjoyed full recreational fishing access to the majestic chinook salmon, a result of cutbacks caused by a steep decline in the fall run.
“Today in Sacramento, the California Fish and Game Commission is expected to reinstate normal fishing rules in the Sacramento, American and Feather rivers for the first time since 2007, thanks to a rebound in the population. That means six months of fishing, starting July 16.
"I'm excited," said J.D. Richey, a longtime salmon fishing guide based in Sacramento. He pondered the awful prospect of quitting the business when the season was closed in 2008 but held on by offering more trips for other species, including non-native striped bass.
"I'm already getting calls from people wanting to go salmon fishing and get on the schedule," Richey said. "I'm excited about the prospect of going back salmon fishing and going back to work."
“Fisherman's Warehouse in Sacramento, a major tackle retailer, is restocking its salmon wall with specialized gear to serve anglers.
"It means a lot," said John Bedwell, the company's general manager.
“Fisherman's Warehouse closed its Rocklin store in 2008 when the salmon season was closed, costing four jobs. Seven other people were laid off at the remaining stores in Sacramento, Manteca, Fresno and San Jose.
“All that, said Bedwell, was directly related to the shutdown of recreational salmon fishing across the state. About half of the business, he said, is dependent on salmon fishing.
"The day they announced closure of salmon fishing, we pulled the plug on that Rocklin store and erased it. It was gone in two weeks," Bedwell said. "The economy is horrible for business, but the worst thing possible is no fish."
“The Department of Fish and Game, which advises the commission, estimates the Central Valley in-river salmon fishery generates at least $20 million annually in economic output for the state.”
Friday, April 15, 2011
Good Salmon Season
Reflecting the great rainfall and snowpack this year, this salmon season will be a good one, as reported by the Contra Costa Times.
An excerpt.
“Regulators set guidelines Wednesday for the most generous Chinook salmon season fishermen have enjoyed in three years.
“The highly anticipated vote by the Pacific Fishery Management Council means commercial fishermen could be landing prize California salmon as early as May 1 -- very good news for California's beleaguered salmon trollers, who have seen their livelihoods dry up as record salmon declines led to unprecedented closures and cutbacks starting in 2008.
“The season will close Sept. 30 and is projected to pump at least $25 million into California's economy. The council, which held its vote at the Marriott San Mateo, sets the fishery rules for California, Oregon and Washington.
"Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief that those fish seem to have recovered," said Duncan Maclean, who fishes salmon out of Half Moon Bay's Pillar Point Harbor and advises the Pacific Fishery Management Council on California salmon issues.
“Biologists estimate that about 730,000 Sacramento River Chinook will be caught or return to spawn this year, the highest number since 2005. Salmon numbers plummeted after boom times in the early 2000s, when more than 1 million adult Chinook were counted. By 2009, the number was closer to 41,000.
“Out of an abundance of caution, regulators will allow California trollers to land only 190,000 salmon this year, while recreational anglers have been allotted 102,000 fish.”
An excerpt.
“Regulators set guidelines Wednesday for the most generous Chinook salmon season fishermen have enjoyed in three years.
“The highly anticipated vote by the Pacific Fishery Management Council means commercial fishermen could be landing prize California salmon as early as May 1 -- very good news for California's beleaguered salmon trollers, who have seen their livelihoods dry up as record salmon declines led to unprecedented closures and cutbacks starting in 2008.
“The season will close Sept. 30 and is projected to pump at least $25 million into California's economy. The council, which held its vote at the Marriott San Mateo, sets the fishery rules for California, Oregon and Washington.
"Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief that those fish seem to have recovered," said Duncan Maclean, who fishes salmon out of Half Moon Bay's Pillar Point Harbor and advises the Pacific Fishery Management Council on California salmon issues.
“Biologists estimate that about 730,000 Sacramento River Chinook will be caught or return to spawn this year, the highest number since 2005. Salmon numbers plummeted after boom times in the early 2000s, when more than 1 million adult Chinook were counted. By 2009, the number was closer to 41,000.
“Out of an abundance of caution, regulators will allow California trollers to land only 190,000 salmon this year, while recreational anglers have been allotted 102,000 fish.”
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Marketing Fisheries
In an acknowledgement of government failure, market forces are being brought to the West Coast fisheries, as noted in this story from KQED San Francisco.
An excerpt.
“California fishermen once reeled in groundfish, like rockfish and sole, as if there were an unlimited supply. But over the years, fish stocks have plummeted and the fishery has been drastically restricted to protect overfished species.
“Now, in what regulators say is an effort to protect both fish and jobs, the West Coast's largest fishery is trying something new. Beginning in January, fishermen in California, Oregon and Washington will become owners of the fishery, much like shareholders in a company.
“More than 90 species are part of the Pacific groundfish fishery. Several of them are common on local restaurant menus, like black cod, petrale sole and rock cod.
“The groundfish are caught by fishermen like Geoff Bettencourt, whose 55-foot boat, Moriah Lee, is docked at Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. Bettencourt is a fourth generation fisherman and, like others here, he relies on groundfish for a big part of his income. "Some years, dragging is extremely important. It's what we do all summer when there's no salmon," said Bettencourt.
“The technique is known as "dragging" because fishermen use a trawl net, a funnel-shaped net that's often dragged along the ocean floor. The net brings in several kinds of fish at once, but each species has a different federally set catch limit.
“Once fishermen like Bettencourt hit the limit for a certain fish, they're allowed to continue fishing, but must throw back any fish caught in excess of its limit. "If you went over the limit, it was no big deal," said Bettencourt.
“The fish that are thrown back are called "by-catch" and the problem is: most don't survive. Federal fishery managers say that wasted fish makes the fishery unsustainable. So, seven years ago, they began designing a new system called "catch shares."
“Under catch share rules, throwing fish overboard will be banned and observers will be stationed on every boat to make sure. "It creates accountability for every single fish. When that fish comes on the boat, whether you like it or not, it's yours," said Bettencourt.
“Owning the Catch
“The new system will also introduce a bigger change. Fishermen will now own their quota of fish. Just like shares in the stock market, the quotas can be traded or sold.
“Supporters say through a market-based system, fishermen will have more flexibility. "Like you could have two different trawlers and they could just trade species so they both could have a better living. Each guy can tune his business more finely to what he does," said Bettencourt.”
An excerpt.
“California fishermen once reeled in groundfish, like rockfish and sole, as if there were an unlimited supply. But over the years, fish stocks have plummeted and the fishery has been drastically restricted to protect overfished species.
“Now, in what regulators say is an effort to protect both fish and jobs, the West Coast's largest fishery is trying something new. Beginning in January, fishermen in California, Oregon and Washington will become owners of the fishery, much like shareholders in a company.
“More than 90 species are part of the Pacific groundfish fishery. Several of them are common on local restaurant menus, like black cod, petrale sole and rock cod.
“The groundfish are caught by fishermen like Geoff Bettencourt, whose 55-foot boat, Moriah Lee, is docked at Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. Bettencourt is a fourth generation fisherman and, like others here, he relies on groundfish for a big part of his income. "Some years, dragging is extremely important. It's what we do all summer when there's no salmon," said Bettencourt.
“The technique is known as "dragging" because fishermen use a trawl net, a funnel-shaped net that's often dragged along the ocean floor. The net brings in several kinds of fish at once, but each species has a different federally set catch limit.
“Once fishermen like Bettencourt hit the limit for a certain fish, they're allowed to continue fishing, but must throw back any fish caught in excess of its limit. "If you went over the limit, it was no big deal," said Bettencourt.
“The fish that are thrown back are called "by-catch" and the problem is: most don't survive. Federal fishery managers say that wasted fish makes the fishery unsustainable. So, seven years ago, they began designing a new system called "catch shares."
“Under catch share rules, throwing fish overboard will be banned and observers will be stationed on every boat to make sure. "It creates accountability for every single fish. When that fish comes on the boat, whether you like it or not, it's yours," said Bettencourt.
“Owning the Catch
“The new system will also introduce a bigger change. Fishermen will now own their quota of fish. Just like shares in the stock market, the quotas can be traded or sold.
“Supporters say through a market-based system, fishermen will have more flexibility. "Like you could have two different trawlers and they could just trade species so they both could have a better living. Each guy can tune his business more finely to what he does," said Bettencourt.”
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Salmon Return
In tune with the natural cycles of wet years and dry years, this is a good year for the salmon, which is very good news, as reported by the Sacramento Bee.
An excerpt.
“Salmon are returning to Central Valley rivers and streams in impressive numbers this fall, restoring hope that years of shortages and fishing closures are over.
“It's a dramatic turnaround from last year, when the Central Valley fall chinook salmon run hit a historic low. Scientists blamed poor ocean conditions and a century of habitat degradation in freshwater spawning areas.
“It got so bad that federal officials closed commercial fishing in 2008 and 2009, taking California salmon off dinner menus for the first time ever.
“Now the fish are surging back. The numbers are not nearly as robust as in decades past. But ocean conditions have improved, and myriad small habitat projects are starting to bear fruit.
“Bryon Harris, 26, saw the results. He was walking along Auburn Ravine in Lincoln recently with a friend. The stream runs through Placer County before emptying into the Sacramento River via the Natomas Cross Canal.
"We hear this flopping and it sounded like the rocks were crashing," said Harris. "We look over and there's a big old salmon right there … and there's a few more trapped in there, trying to make it. It was jaw-dropping, almost."
“The salmon made it that far because this is the first year in decades that a number of small, seasonal diversion dams have been removed from the stream. As a result, 3-foot salmon have been seen thrashing upstream behind mini-malls and housing tracts in suburban Lincoln.
“The volunteer group Save Auburn Ravine Salmon and Steelhead persuaded landowners – with a nudge from law enforcement – to remove the irrigation dams. Federal law requires removal between Oct. 15 and April 15 so salmon can pass. But before they were reminded this year, many owners either didn't know or forgot.
"I've fished the Auburn Ravine for 10 years at least, and I've never seen a salmon in there, ever," said Harris. "I was shocked."
“The Central Valley's major salmon hatcheries are reporting big increases in spawning fish compared with last year. This includes hatcheries on Battle Creek and the Feather River, among the biggest contributors to the population.”
An excerpt.
“Salmon are returning to Central Valley rivers and streams in impressive numbers this fall, restoring hope that years of shortages and fishing closures are over.
“It's a dramatic turnaround from last year, when the Central Valley fall chinook salmon run hit a historic low. Scientists blamed poor ocean conditions and a century of habitat degradation in freshwater spawning areas.
“It got so bad that federal officials closed commercial fishing in 2008 and 2009, taking California salmon off dinner menus for the first time ever.
“Now the fish are surging back. The numbers are not nearly as robust as in decades past. But ocean conditions have improved, and myriad small habitat projects are starting to bear fruit.
“Bryon Harris, 26, saw the results. He was walking along Auburn Ravine in Lincoln recently with a friend. The stream runs through Placer County before emptying into the Sacramento River via the Natomas Cross Canal.
"We hear this flopping and it sounded like the rocks were crashing," said Harris. "We look over and there's a big old salmon right there … and there's a few more trapped in there, trying to make it. It was jaw-dropping, almost."
“The salmon made it that far because this is the first year in decades that a number of small, seasonal diversion dams have been removed from the stream. As a result, 3-foot salmon have been seen thrashing upstream behind mini-malls and housing tracts in suburban Lincoln.
“The volunteer group Save Auburn Ravine Salmon and Steelhead persuaded landowners – with a nudge from law enforcement – to remove the irrigation dams. Federal law requires removal between Oct. 15 and April 15 so salmon can pass. But before they were reminded this year, many owners either didn't know or forgot.
"I've fished the Auburn Ravine for 10 years at least, and I've never seen a salmon in there, ever," said Harris. "I was shocked."
“The Central Valley's major salmon hatcheries are reporting big increases in spawning fish compared with last year. This includes hatcheries on Battle Creek and the Feather River, among the biggest contributors to the population.”
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Genetically Engineered Salmon III
Another piece on this new science—though humans have been enhancing their food supply in one way or another for thousands of years—from the Wall Street Journal.
An excerpt.
“Right now, the government is deciding whether it's safe for us to eat genetically engineered salmon. The fish, called AquAdvantage, is being developed by a Massachusetts biotech firm and is in every measurable way identical to Atlantic salmon—except it grows to normal size twice as fast. If officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) give it the green light, it would be the first time that a genetically engineered animal is approved for food use.
“Genetic engineering usually conjures up images of Frankenstein. But modern day biotech researchers are anything but mad scientists. Their ground-breaking work has the potential to address world hunger and protect the environment. The AquAdvantage salmon in particular could ease pressure on wild fish stocks, reduce the environmental impact of traditional fish farming, and help feed the growing world population.
“Overfishing and pollution are quickly wiping out the native global fish supply. Already 80% of fish stocks world-wide are fully exploited or overexploited, according to a May 2010 U.N. report. If current trends continue, virtually all fisheries risk running out of commercially viable catches by 2050.
“Fish farming has helped address this problem: About half of seafood consumed world-wide is now farm-raised. But it's expensive. Shipping farm-raised salmon to the United States from Chile, where most of our fish originates, costs as much as 75 cents per pound.
“Faster-growing genetically engineered salmon could help restore America's domestic fish farming industry, trimming costs and reducing energy consumption. If the FDA approves the fish it would also spur investment in other food products. This could help meet the world's growing demand for protein-rich food.
“Through biotechnology, scientists at a firm in South Dakota have developed cattle that are resistant to mad cow disease. Canadian researchers have asked the FDA to approve their "Enviropig," a pig genetically engineered to produce manure that is less polluting. Biotech researchers are also exploring ways to fortify food plants with enhanced nutritional content, which could help alleviate malnutrition and certain diseases in the developing world. And researchers are engineering animals that can better utilize nutrients in feed.”
An excerpt.
“Right now, the government is deciding whether it's safe for us to eat genetically engineered salmon. The fish, called AquAdvantage, is being developed by a Massachusetts biotech firm and is in every measurable way identical to Atlantic salmon—except it grows to normal size twice as fast. If officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) give it the green light, it would be the first time that a genetically engineered animal is approved for food use.
“Genetic engineering usually conjures up images of Frankenstein. But modern day biotech researchers are anything but mad scientists. Their ground-breaking work has the potential to address world hunger and protect the environment. The AquAdvantage salmon in particular could ease pressure on wild fish stocks, reduce the environmental impact of traditional fish farming, and help feed the growing world population.
“Overfishing and pollution are quickly wiping out the native global fish supply. Already 80% of fish stocks world-wide are fully exploited or overexploited, according to a May 2010 U.N. report. If current trends continue, virtually all fisheries risk running out of commercially viable catches by 2050.
“Fish farming has helped address this problem: About half of seafood consumed world-wide is now farm-raised. But it's expensive. Shipping farm-raised salmon to the United States from Chile, where most of our fish originates, costs as much as 75 cents per pound.
“Faster-growing genetically engineered salmon could help restore America's domestic fish farming industry, trimming costs and reducing energy consumption. If the FDA approves the fish it would also spur investment in other food products. This could help meet the world's growing demand for protein-rich food.
“Through biotechnology, scientists at a firm in South Dakota have developed cattle that are resistant to mad cow disease. Canadian researchers have asked the FDA to approve their "Enviropig," a pig genetically engineered to produce manure that is less polluting. Biotech researchers are also exploring ways to fortify food plants with enhanced nutritional content, which could help alleviate malnutrition and certain diseases in the developing world. And researchers are engineering animals that can better utilize nutrients in feed.”
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Genetically Engineered Salmon II
As we posted on before: as it has been with human enhanced food for thousands of years, the new science of genetically modified salmon are proving good to eat, though environmentalist groups whose strategic goal is restricting development using the protection of threatened wild salmon as one tactic, want to ban or label them inappropriately--though adequate testing is certainly appropriate--as this article from the Wall Street Journal reports.
An excerpt.
“Consumer groups urged the Food and Drug Administration to require labeling of genetically modified salmon Tuesday, while industry representatives called on the FDA to stick to current rules the agency says prevent such labeling.
“The FDA is considering whether to approve a type of salmon from AquaBounty Technologies Inc. that has been given a gene from another fish species designed to make it grow twice as fast as conventional Atlantic salmon.
“If approved, the company's AquAdvantage salmon would be the first genetically modified animal meant to be eaten that received FDA clearance. The agency has already approved several types of genetically altered fruits and vegetables.
“The FDA said it couldn't require a genetically modified product to carry a different label under current food-labeling rules, unless there was something materially different about the product.
“For example, if an engineered salmon had a different level of fatty acids from that found in a conventional salmon, the FDA could require a label specifying the fatty-acid content. But a preliminary review of AquaBounty's salmon hasn't found any major differences between it and conventional Atlantic salmon.”
An excerpt.
“Consumer groups urged the Food and Drug Administration to require labeling of genetically modified salmon Tuesday, while industry representatives called on the FDA to stick to current rules the agency says prevent such labeling.
“The FDA is considering whether to approve a type of salmon from AquaBounty Technologies Inc. that has been given a gene from another fish species designed to make it grow twice as fast as conventional Atlantic salmon.
“If approved, the company's AquAdvantage salmon would be the first genetically modified animal meant to be eaten that received FDA clearance. The agency has already approved several types of genetically altered fruits and vegetables.
“The FDA said it couldn't require a genetically modified product to carry a different label under current food-labeling rules, unless there was something materially different about the product.
“For example, if an engineered salmon had a different level of fatty acids from that found in a conventional salmon, the FDA could require a label specifying the fatty-acid content. But a preliminary review of AquaBounty's salmon hasn't found any major differences between it and conventional Atlantic salmon.”
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fish Farming
Following up on yesterday’s post, here is another story of an attempt to farm fish in California, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
An excerpt.
“Greenhouses once ruled the Pajaro Valley on the Central California coast, where the local cut-flower business found success worldwide.
“Empty nurseries now dot the area, a sign of the industry's decline. But with the help of plenty of water, Chris Newman, 58, hopes to restore the glory of greenhouses.
“His tactic is called aquaponics, a combination of aquaculture — fish farming — and hydroponics — growing plants in water. With the help of neighbors and his brother Tom, Newman has converted 14,000 square feet in a former rose-growing facility into a system of stream channels, gravel beds and water pipes where he hopes to soon raise fish and grow vegetables commercially.
"I'm pushing the envelope here, but I think this is something that's bound to take off," said Newman, who grew up in the Pajaro Valley, leaving only to launch a brief but successful career writing mystery novels in New York.
“In recent decades, aquaponics has become an increasingly popular backyard pursuit, though its commercial application has been limited.
“Just a few aquaponics businesses currently operate in the country, said Rebecca Nelson, editor of Wisconsin-based Aquaponics Journal. But the number is on track to grow.
"Farmed fish is really where we're going as far as what we'll have access to," she said.
“Aquaponics evolved from the desire to harvest fish rather than put stress on dwindling wild fisheries and grew to use the extra water for crops, Nelson said. The method's toll on the environment, compared with other ways of farming fish and vegetables, is minimal.
"People here care about food ingredients and where they're sourced," Newman said. "Every 27-year-old kid in San Francisco now has a food blog."
“Newman, who has hired a marketing manager to develop his sales strategy, already has a name for his venture: Santa Cruz Aquaponics.
“In his rented greenhouse, he's dug 40-foot channels for fish such as catfish. Above those are two stories of gravel beds where vegetables will grow — initially watercress but perhaps others in the future.”
An excerpt.
“Greenhouses once ruled the Pajaro Valley on the Central California coast, where the local cut-flower business found success worldwide.
“Empty nurseries now dot the area, a sign of the industry's decline. But with the help of plenty of water, Chris Newman, 58, hopes to restore the glory of greenhouses.
“His tactic is called aquaponics, a combination of aquaculture — fish farming — and hydroponics — growing plants in water. With the help of neighbors and his brother Tom, Newman has converted 14,000 square feet in a former rose-growing facility into a system of stream channels, gravel beds and water pipes where he hopes to soon raise fish and grow vegetables commercially.
"I'm pushing the envelope here, but I think this is something that's bound to take off," said Newman, who grew up in the Pajaro Valley, leaving only to launch a brief but successful career writing mystery novels in New York.
“In recent decades, aquaponics has become an increasingly popular backyard pursuit, though its commercial application has been limited.
“Just a few aquaponics businesses currently operate in the country, said Rebecca Nelson, editor of Wisconsin-based Aquaponics Journal. But the number is on track to grow.
"Farmed fish is really where we're going as far as what we'll have access to," she said.
“Aquaponics evolved from the desire to harvest fish rather than put stress on dwindling wild fisheries and grew to use the extra water for crops, Nelson said. The method's toll on the environment, compared with other ways of farming fish and vegetables, is minimal.
"People here care about food ingredients and where they're sourced," Newman said. "Every 27-year-old kid in San Francisco now has a food blog."
“Newman, who has hired a marketing manager to develop his sales strategy, already has a name for his venture: Santa Cruz Aquaponics.
“In his rented greenhouse, he's dug 40-foot channels for fish such as catfish. Above those are two stories of gravel beds where vegetables will grow — initially watercress but perhaps others in the future.”
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Genetically Engineered Salmon
Continuing human efforts to enhance our food supply that began thousands of years ago, these human enhanced salmon appear ready to eat—which is very good news—as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
An excerpt.
“The effort to win federal approval of genetically engineered salmon received a major boost Friday when the Food and Drug Administration released an analysis that deemed the fish safe to eat and unlikely to harm the environment.
“AquaBounty Technologies Inc. of Waltham, Mass., has invested more than 14 years and nearly $60 million developing and seeking approval of its AquAdvantage salmon. The company says its fish look and taste like non-engineered North Atlantic salmon, consume up to 25% less food, and reach market weight in half the time.
“If approved, the fish would be the nation's first genetically modified animals produced commercially for food.
"This is the culmination of a very long, very deliberate process," said AquaBounty Chief Executive Ronald Stotish. "We're pleased that the process is moving forward."
“The FDA's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee will hold public meetings Sept. 19-20 to review the analysis.
“One point of controversy has been the potential for cross-breeding with wild salmon, an issue that has been of great concern to some environmental and food safety advocates, but the scenario was deemed "unlikely" in the FDA analysis.
“The company has said that it intends to sell the genetically altered eggs — which would be engineered to produce sterile female fish — to producers who would be required to raise them inland to help protect wild fish populations.
“At the egg-production and farming facilities, the risk that fish might escape is "extremely small due to the presence of multiple, independent forms of physical (mechanical) containment at both facilities," the FDA analysis said.
“But Wenonah Hauter, executive director at Food and Water Watch, a consumer-advocacy organization, disputed that conclusion.
"The FDA also says that [AquaBounty's] promises are potentially misleading because up to 5% of eggs sold for grow out could be fertile," Hauter said. "It seems very likely that there could be fertile salmon that are going to be put into commercial production."
An excerpt.
“The effort to win federal approval of genetically engineered salmon received a major boost Friday when the Food and Drug Administration released an analysis that deemed the fish safe to eat and unlikely to harm the environment.
“AquaBounty Technologies Inc. of Waltham, Mass., has invested more than 14 years and nearly $60 million developing and seeking approval of its AquAdvantage salmon. The company says its fish look and taste like non-engineered North Atlantic salmon, consume up to 25% less food, and reach market weight in half the time.
“If approved, the fish would be the nation's first genetically modified animals produced commercially for food.
"This is the culmination of a very long, very deliberate process," said AquaBounty Chief Executive Ronald Stotish. "We're pleased that the process is moving forward."
“The FDA's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee will hold public meetings Sept. 19-20 to review the analysis.
“One point of controversy has been the potential for cross-breeding with wild salmon, an issue that has been of great concern to some environmental and food safety advocates, but the scenario was deemed "unlikely" in the FDA analysis.
“The company has said that it intends to sell the genetically altered eggs — which would be engineered to produce sterile female fish — to producers who would be required to raise them inland to help protect wild fish populations.
“At the egg-production and farming facilities, the risk that fish might escape is "extremely small due to the presence of multiple, independent forms of physical (mechanical) containment at both facilities," the FDA analysis said.
“But Wenonah Hauter, executive director at Food and Water Watch, a consumer-advocacy organization, disputed that conclusion.
"The FDA also says that [AquaBounty's] promises are potentially misleading because up to 5% of eggs sold for grow out could be fertile," Hauter said. "It seems very likely that there could be fertile salmon that are going to be put into commercial production."
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Super Salmon
If this technology—as reported by the Los Angeles Times—proves to be as good as proclaimed, one of the world's great foods will become much more accessible, and that is a very good thing.
The critics of the process forget that humans have been producing and consuming genetically altered food since biblical times.
An excerpt.
“With a global population pressing against food supplies and vast areas of the ocean swept clean of fish, tiny AquaBounty Technologies Inc. of Waltham, Mass., says it can help feed the world.
“The firm has developed genetically engineered salmon that reach market weight in half the usual time. What's more, it hopes to avoid the pollution, disease and other problems associated with saltwater fish farms by having its salmon raised in inland facilities.
“The Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve what would be the nation's first commercial genetically modified food animal.
"This is the threshold case. If it's approved, there will be others," said Eric Hallerman, head of the fisheries and wildlife sciences department at Virginia Tech University. "If it's not, it'll have a chilling effect for years."
“Some in the fish farming industry are leery of the move toward engineered fish.
"No! It is not even up for discussion," Jorgen Christiansen, director of communications for Oslo-based Marine Harvest, one of the world's largest salmon producers, wrote in an e-mail.
“Christiansen said his company worries "that consumers would be reluctant to buy genetically modified fish, regardless of good food quality and food safety."
“Some critics call AquaBounty's salmon "Frankenfish." Others say the effort is pointless.
"I don't see the necessity of it," said Casson Trenor of Greenpeace USA — which opposes all genetically modified organisms, including plants. "We don't need to build a new fish."
“The FDA has completed its review of key portions of AquaBounty's application, according to Chief Executive Ronald Stotish. Within weeks, the company expects the agency to convene an advisory committee of outside experts to weigh evidence, collect public testimony and issue a recommendation about the fish's fitness for human consumption.
“The process could take months or more — which still sounds like progress to the company after its 14-year, $50-million investment.”
The critics of the process forget that humans have been producing and consuming genetically altered food since biblical times.
An excerpt.
“With a global population pressing against food supplies and vast areas of the ocean swept clean of fish, tiny AquaBounty Technologies Inc. of Waltham, Mass., says it can help feed the world.
“The firm has developed genetically engineered salmon that reach market weight in half the usual time. What's more, it hopes to avoid the pollution, disease and other problems associated with saltwater fish farms by having its salmon raised in inland facilities.
“The Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve what would be the nation's first commercial genetically modified food animal.
"This is the threshold case. If it's approved, there will be others," said Eric Hallerman, head of the fisheries and wildlife sciences department at Virginia Tech University. "If it's not, it'll have a chilling effect for years."
“Some in the fish farming industry are leery of the move toward engineered fish.
"No! It is not even up for discussion," Jorgen Christiansen, director of communications for Oslo-based Marine Harvest, one of the world's largest salmon producers, wrote in an e-mail.
“Christiansen said his company worries "that consumers would be reluctant to buy genetically modified fish, regardless of good food quality and food safety."
“Some critics call AquaBounty's salmon "Frankenfish." Others say the effort is pointless.
"I don't see the necessity of it," said Casson Trenor of Greenpeace USA — which opposes all genetically modified organisms, including plants. "We don't need to build a new fish."
“The FDA has completed its review of key portions of AquaBounty's application, according to Chief Executive Ronald Stotish. Within weeks, the company expects the agency to convene an advisory committee of outside experts to weigh evidence, collect public testimony and issue a recommendation about the fish's fitness for human consumption.
“The process could take months or more — which still sounds like progress to the company after its 14-year, $50-million investment.”
Friday, April 02, 2010
Bringing Salmon Back
This great story of human technology creating conditions salmon spawn in is another that needs replicating everywhere, reported by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
An excerpt.
“A spawning stream built by the state near the Warm Springs Dam in Geyserville should serve as a model to communities throughout California looking to restore steelhead trout and coho and chinook salmon populations, fishery advocates say.
“The gravel streambed is surrounded by greenery and was built last summer by the Department of Fish and Game out of a ditch channeling fish coming from the Russian River into the Warm Springs Fish Hatchery on Dry Creek.
“The goal was to show school kids and tourists an ideal fish-spawning habitat.
“But Kent MacIntosh of the fisheries restoration group Trout Unlimited said similar habitat restoration efforts by California cities, counties and individuals on concrete drainage channels would help bring fish back to the state's waterways.
“All you need to do is remove the concrete, put in woody debris and gravel and plant greenery along the creek, MacIntosh said.
"This is a showcase," MacIntosh said of the stream in Geyserville. "It is an example of what needs to be done everywhere."
An excerpt.
“A spawning stream built by the state near the Warm Springs Dam in Geyserville should serve as a model to communities throughout California looking to restore steelhead trout and coho and chinook salmon populations, fishery advocates say.
“The gravel streambed is surrounded by greenery and was built last summer by the Department of Fish and Game out of a ditch channeling fish coming from the Russian River into the Warm Springs Fish Hatchery on Dry Creek.
“The goal was to show school kids and tourists an ideal fish-spawning habitat.
“But Kent MacIntosh of the fisheries restoration group Trout Unlimited said similar habitat restoration efforts by California cities, counties and individuals on concrete drainage channels would help bring fish back to the state's waterways.
“All you need to do is remove the concrete, put in woody debris and gravel and plant greenery along the creek, MacIntosh said.
"This is a showcase," MacIntosh said of the stream in Geyserville. "It is an example of what needs to be done everywhere."
Monday, March 29, 2010
San Joaquin Flows Again
This is a great story of river restoration from the Fresno Bee.
An excerpt.
“The San Joaquin River is now flowing from Friant Dam to the Pacific Ocean, reaching the first milestone in a plan to bring back Chinook salmon.
“Restoration of the state's second-longest river should achieve another major goal this summer - a continuous run of water to the ocean even during the dry months of August, September and October.
“It has been decades since the river flowed continuously from the dam to the ocean during spring, summer and fall without the help of an unusually wet year.
“The connection with the ocean happened about two weeks ago, officials said.
"This is a big moment," said Monty Schmidt, senior water resources scientist for the Natural Resource Defense Council, a national environmental watchdog with an office in San Francisco. "It's a big step toward having a living river again."
“The San Joaquin had been mostly dry for about 60 miles over the last six decades after Friant was built to provide irrigation water for farmers and flood protection for surrounding residents.
“The NRDC filed a lawsuit in the late 1980s to revive the river. Nearly two decades later, environmentalists, farmers and the federal government signed an agreement to restore the river.”
An excerpt.
“The San Joaquin River is now flowing from Friant Dam to the Pacific Ocean, reaching the first milestone in a plan to bring back Chinook salmon.
“Restoration of the state's second-longest river should achieve another major goal this summer - a continuous run of water to the ocean even during the dry months of August, September and October.
“It has been decades since the river flowed continuously from the dam to the ocean during spring, summer and fall without the help of an unusually wet year.
“The connection with the ocean happened about two weeks ago, officials said.
"This is a big moment," said Monty Schmidt, senior water resources scientist for the Natural Resource Defense Council, a national environmental watchdog with an office in San Francisco. "It's a big step toward having a living river again."
“The San Joaquin had been mostly dry for about 60 miles over the last six decades after Friant was built to provide irrigation water for farmers and flood protection for surrounding residents.
“The NRDC filed a lawsuit in the late 1980s to revive the river. Nearly two decades later, environmentalists, farmers and the federal government signed an agreement to restore the river.”
Friday, March 26, 2010
Helping Salmon Spawn
This is a wonderful story, from the Sacramento Bee, about the capability of human technology to restore spawning sites for salmon, which are needed due to the other wonderful human technology story—the building of dams on the American that save Sacramento from flooding and produce hydroelectric power—and, along with hatchery technology, can do a lot to keep the salmon run in the American rich and productive.
An excerpt.
“New fish spawning areas in the American River are bristling with fresh nests of steelhead eggs – so many that officials urge anglers and others not to wade in the area.
“Salmon and steelhead breed by laying eggs in riverbed gravel. They use their powerful tails to sweep out circular nests in the gravel to hold their eggs.
“Appropriate gravel is in short supply, however, due to a century of dam building, mining and other activities.
“To address this problem, hundreds of truckloads of gravel were spread in two riverbed areas just downstream from Nimbus Dam over past the two years in a joint project by the Sacramento Water Forum and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
“The project has succeeded in coaxing more fish to lay eggs in the American River. Salmon and steelhead have created at least 347 gravel nests – also called "redds" – in the restored areas, according to surveys by Cramer Fish Sciences, a consultant hired to monitor the project.
“Joe Merz, a senior scientist at Cramer, said the salmon and steelhead redds counted this year could produce nearly 800,000 young fish.”
An excerpt.
“New fish spawning areas in the American River are bristling with fresh nests of steelhead eggs – so many that officials urge anglers and others not to wade in the area.
“Salmon and steelhead breed by laying eggs in riverbed gravel. They use their powerful tails to sweep out circular nests in the gravel to hold their eggs.
“Appropriate gravel is in short supply, however, due to a century of dam building, mining and other activities.
“To address this problem, hundreds of truckloads of gravel were spread in two riverbed areas just downstream from Nimbus Dam over past the two years in a joint project by the Sacramento Water Forum and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
“The project has succeeded in coaxing more fish to lay eggs in the American River. Salmon and steelhead have created at least 347 gravel nests – also called "redds" – in the restored areas, according to surveys by Cramer Fish Sciences, a consultant hired to monitor the project.
“Joe Merz, a senior scientist at Cramer, said the salmon and steelhead redds counted this year could produce nearly 800,000 young fish.”
Monday, March 22, 2010
Save Whales or Salmon?
Considering that killer whales eat about 300 pounds of fish a day and their favorite is salmon, and there are about 90 of them, one can see the dilemma environmentalists face, as reported by the Fresno Bee.
The obvious answer is to increase the salmon population through hatcheries, which is aleady being done as we posted before, but the process could be greatly enhanced.
An excerpt.
"It is fascinating the whales specialize in a particular species, and the species they focus on is one of the rarer ones and in some case protected," said Michael Ford, the director of the conservation biology division at the National Marine Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. "Recovery of the whales could be dependent on the recovery of salmon. It is all related."
“Ford was among a group of U.S. and Canadian scientists who published the results of their study in the recent edition of the journal Endangered Species Research.
“The problem of killer whales nibbling on declining salmon runs isn't just an international one. Federal scientists say that Puget Sound killer whales may also be taking their toll on endangered salmon from California.
“Though their numbers fluctuate, about 90 killer whales make up the southern resident population that swims the inland waters of Washington state and British Columbia from south Puget Sound to the Strait of Georgia. From late spring to early fall, the whales stay in the inland waters. During the winter they're known to roam the Pacific Ocean from northern California to Vancouver Island.
“The whales weigh between 6,000 and 12,000 pounds and can eat up to 300 pounds of fish a day.
“From 2004 to 2008, scientists from both countries followed the orcas in small boats near the San Juan Islands in Washington state and the western Strait of Juan de Fuca in British Columbia.”
The obvious answer is to increase the salmon population through hatcheries, which is aleady being done as we posted before, but the process could be greatly enhanced.
An excerpt.
"It is fascinating the whales specialize in a particular species, and the species they focus on is one of the rarer ones and in some case protected," said Michael Ford, the director of the conservation biology division at the National Marine Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. "Recovery of the whales could be dependent on the recovery of salmon. It is all related."
“Ford was among a group of U.S. and Canadian scientists who published the results of their study in the recent edition of the journal Endangered Species Research.
“The problem of killer whales nibbling on declining salmon runs isn't just an international one. Federal scientists say that Puget Sound killer whales may also be taking their toll on endangered salmon from California.
“Though their numbers fluctuate, about 90 killer whales make up the southern resident population that swims the inland waters of Washington state and British Columbia from south Puget Sound to the Strait of Georgia. From late spring to early fall, the whales stay in the inland waters. During the winter they're known to roam the Pacific Ocean from northern California to Vancouver Island.
“The whales weigh between 6,000 and 12,000 pounds and can eat up to 300 pounds of fish a day.
“From 2004 to 2008, scientists from both countries followed the orcas in small boats near the San Juan Islands in Washington state and the western Strait of Juan de Fuca in British Columbia.”
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Overheated Discussion
A perfect example, in this story from the San Francisco Chronicle, of the over-the-top discussion about an issue no one really knows much about—why are there fewer salmon in some years than others—also reflected in the discussion on global warming revealed through the lens of Climategate, indicates why the era of environmentalism as an intelligent driver of public policy is coming to an end.
Much good has been accomplished, no one doubts, but the desperation of the rear guard can undo much of the good will established by the truly good work of the past.
Underneath this type of thinking—that nature is more important than humans—is the ideology of deep ecology, also slowly losing its ability to influence thought leaders.
An excerpt from the Chronicle article.
“California is at war with its native salmon. Historically, hundreds of thousands - some estimate millions - of salmon migrated through the San Francisco Bay to Central Valley streams to spawn. The era of big dams changed things dramatically, but even 30 years ago California had enough salmon to support major fishing fleets.
“Since the 1960s, however, salmon populations have declined dramatically, resulting in listings under federal and state endangered species laws. In the almost two decades since the endangered listing, the situation has only worsened. In the past five years, this decline has become a free fall. Unless we change course, salmon runs face the very real prospect of extinction and California faces a possible permanent loss of our salmon fishery.
“Why? There is no single answer, but at the heart of the issue is that, since salmon were listed as an endangered species, the state and federal water projects have substantially increased the amount of water pumped out of the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta estuary. In short, we have not managed our water system to account for the basic needs of salmon.”
Much good has been accomplished, no one doubts, but the desperation of the rear guard can undo much of the good will established by the truly good work of the past.
Underneath this type of thinking—that nature is more important than humans—is the ideology of deep ecology, also slowly losing its ability to influence thought leaders.
An excerpt from the Chronicle article.
“California is at war with its native salmon. Historically, hundreds of thousands - some estimate millions - of salmon migrated through the San Francisco Bay to Central Valley streams to spawn. The era of big dams changed things dramatically, but even 30 years ago California had enough salmon to support major fishing fleets.
“Since the 1960s, however, salmon populations have declined dramatically, resulting in listings under federal and state endangered species laws. In the almost two decades since the endangered listing, the situation has only worsened. In the past five years, this decline has become a free fall. Unless we change course, salmon runs face the very real prospect of extinction and California faces a possible permanent loss of our salmon fishery.
“Why? There is no single answer, but at the heart of the issue is that, since salmon were listed as an endangered species, the state and federal water projects have substantially increased the amount of water pumped out of the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta estuary. In short, we have not managed our water system to account for the basic needs of salmon.”
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