Latest news with #fisheriesmanagement
The Independent
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Shark depredation bill passed by Senate Committee
A US Senate committee has passed the SHARKED Act, a bill aimed at addressing shark depredation, which involves sharks removing hooked fish from fishing lines. The act establishes a task force to study shark behavior, improve coordination among fisheries management and research communities, and develop strategies to tackle depredation. Wildlife advocacy groups express concern that the bill does not explicitly prohibit the task force from recommending shark culls or population reductions, despite global shark populations declining significantly due to overfishing, climate change, and pollution. Critics also highlight that the task force's specified representation fails to include Indigenous, tribal, and native people, who consider sharks sacred. The task force is mandated to report its findings to Congress within two years of the bill's enactment, with experts noting that depredation is a complex issue reflecting ocean ecosystem health and increased competition for resources.
The Independent
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Senate committee passes bill that aims to stop sharks stealing fish from anglers
A Senate committee voted Wednesday to pass a bill that aims to stop sharks from biting fish on fishing lines. The so-called SHARKED Act will create a task force to study shark behavior and make recommendations accordingly. The vote before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was passed by voice Wednesday morning. The task force will have to report back within two years on improving coordination and communication across the fisheries management and shark research communities, and develop strategies to address shark depredation, which is defined as the partial or complete removal of a hooked fish by a shark directly from a fishing line. However, wildlife advocacy groups say the bill 'falls short by not explicitly forbidding the task force from proposing shark culls or population reductions as a solution,' which would leave the door open to killing sharks. 'While it can be frustrating to have a shark bite your catch while fishing, shark populations are in trouble. Globally, sharks have declined by 71 percent since 1970, primarily due to overfishing,' the group said in a statement. Earth Justice highlights that factors including overfishing of sharks by industrial as well as human-caused climate change and pollution has proved devastating to populations. 'While certain shark populations are beginning to recover, it's crucial to remember the principle of shifting baselines,' said Jasmin Graham, President and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences. 'Even though there may be more sharks than in recent history, we're still far below historic levels.' According to an online summary of the bill, the duties of the task force are to develop ways to improve coordination and communication across the fisheries management and shark research communities, as well as identifying research priorities and funding opportunities. It will also develop recommended management strategies to address shark depredation and coordinate the development and distribution of educational materials. The bill specifies that the task force must include representatives of each Regional Fishery Management Council, each Marine Fisheries Commission, the fish and wildlife agencies of coastal states, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The task force must also include 'researchers and others with relevant expertise,' but does not specify who such others may be. Earth Justice says that this 'fails to include representation from Indigenous, tribal and native people, even though sharks are considered sacred to some, according to Earth Justice. The task force must report its findings to Congress within two years after the bill's enactment and every two years thereafter until the task force is terminated. 'Depredation is a complex issue, one that reflects the health of our ocean ecosystems as a whole,' adds Graham. 'As fish populations decline, both sharks and fishers are competing for the same limited resources. 'Sharks are becoming habituated to areas with fishing boats, chum, and bait, while increasingly effective fishing gear is putting pressure on the system and increasing the possibility of interactions. As we address this issue, we must tread carefully. 'We must ensure that our efforts to address shark depredation don't undo the progress we've made or ignore the deeper, underlying causes of these challenges.'
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo helps advance marine research
Dauphin Island, Ala. (WKRG) — Anglers hitting the water for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo aren't just fishing for a big catch, they're actually helping perform a scientific study. University of South Alabama professor Dr. Sean Powers has been judging the rodeo for 20 years, and he says there's a reason this specific event is so crucial to sea life studies here in South Alabama. 'Scientists aren't good fishermen,' Dr. Powers said. 'Just because we study it doesn't mean we're good fishermen. But these are the best fishermen.' While Dr. Powers weighs the fish he sees, he's also taking some notes. 'The science footprint is just as big as the tournament,' he said. 'So, we have 100 young scientists out here that we're training and collecting data that's very, very useful for fisheries, management, and also training.' With the help of University of South Alabama students, scientists are able to track all sorts of sea life patterns. 'We can also take that ear bone and run chemical analysis on it and see where that fish came from,' Dr. Powers explained. 'Did that fish come from Louisiana? That fish come from Florida, and all those things we can do because these fishermen are letting us sample their fish.' It's a partnership Dr. Powers said he is extremely grateful for. 'It just the opportunity we wouldn't get normally without spending a tremendous amount of money,' he said. 'So we call this 'Fishmas' because all of them are bringing us presents every day.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
22-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
N.B. striped bass association says DFO management order abandons science, fishermen's union disagrees
The Striped Bass Association – Miramichi Chapter said it's concerned about the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' (DFO) 'abandonment of science' in a striped bass management order for the Gulf of St. Lawrence released Friday. The DFO order requires anybody fishing for gaspereau to keep up to 500 incidentally caught striped bass daily. 'For the reasons described in the memorandum before me, I am of the view that a threat to the proper management and control of fisheries exists and that prompt measures are required to address that threat,' said Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson in the order. The memorandum was not included in the minister's release. An administrator with the Striped Bass Association said they are demanding DFO release the evidence and internal advice supporting of the order. They are also requesting a meeting with DFO to discuss striped bass and the consequences of changes to management policy. 'These actions are being taken despite the most recent population data showing striped bass numbers in decline, currently estimated at just 345,000,' said Nick Noel in the association's release. 'This places the population barely above the Limit Reference Point (LRP) and squarely within the Cautionary Zone—a status that would typically prompt greater conservation, not increased harvest.' The Maritime Fishermen's Union (MFU) said the striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence is 'out of control' and threatening other fisheries in a news release on June 10. The executive director of the union said gaspereau fishers were catching up to 5,000 striped bass in their nets last year but this year it can be as many as 25,000. 'It has become impossible for them to sort through them,' said Martin Mallet. 'They have to throw their entire catch back into the water. So, it's a fishing effort that yields nothing, but the fishermen still have to pay the expenses.' Mallet said they've been pressuring DFO to review its research on striped bass. 'DFO told us in 2024 that, according to scientific assessments, there has been a decline in the population. It's hard for us to believe that,' Mallet said. 'The species is overflowing its natural habitat, riverside fishermen are catching more and more of them, and our lobster fishermen are reporting an abundance of this fish in their traps.' The Striped Bass Association said it's critical that fisheries management is guided by science – not politics – in a response to a CTV News story about the MFU's concerns. It said the striped bass population has been stable since 2015 with the exception of one anomalous year. DFO's new order comes after other recent decisions regarding striped bass, including: an experimental project launched in April allowing striped bass bycatch retention in the lobster fishery an increase in the Indigenous striped bass quota to 175,000 from 50,000 in July 2024 daily bag limit increased to four fish between 50 and 65 centimetres for recreational striped bass fishing in April 2024 The Atlantic Salmon Federation has advocated for striped bass population controls including culling to balance the ecosystem for salmon smolts. DFO was unavailable for comment regarding the management order or requests to see the memorandum referenced in the minister's letter. A representative said the department would respond to CTV Atlantic as soon as possible.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Pacific Waves for 8 May 2025
Analysis on Sols PM leadership challenge; Study in Tuvalu's waters assesses ocean health; Fisheries management discussed at SPC meeting; Pacific women face barriers from accessing retirement benefits. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
