Top Story: Newfondland’s fishery on cusp of major changes as regime shifts to cod 

News Summary:

There is a major regime shift going on in the Northwest Atlantic, meaning Newfoundland is in a transition from a shrimp and crab dominated fishery to one dominated by cod and flatfish. At a meeting on the future of Newfoundland fisheries, the opportunity to develop a world class cod fishery that rivals Iceland and Norway was discussed by the industry and a spirit of optimism prevailed. The Federal and Provincial governments have pledged $400 million in adjustment assistance from the new Canadian - EU trade agreement, and there seems to be a unique opportunity to address long standing problems.

The California Seafood labeling bill - driven through the legislature by Oceana and the Monterey Bay Aquarium - threatens to create mass consumer confusion if Gov. Brown signs it into law. Both retailers and the NFI have warned that calling Mahi Mahi ‘dolphin fish’ for example - as would be required under the new law - would terrify consumers that they are eating dolphin. It would add to confusion, rather than reduce it. Oceana’s survey on seafood fraud was focused on just a small number of species, and just this year the FDA expanded the use of the market name snapper. The legislation is nothing like a successful bill in Washington state to use FDA approved market names.

The EPA is extending the time period to take final action on preserving water quality in Bristol Bay, but the comment period ends at midnight (East Coast time) tonight. The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association urges you to comment if you haven’t done so. It takes 30 seconds, and we provide a link.

Shell’s Seafood restaurants used to be a well known chain in Florida and beyond but went bankrupt in 2008. The son of the founder, John Christen Jr. is attempting to revive the brand, that was centered around Tampa.

It’s arcane, but NMFS is reporting the take of one short tailed albatross by the Bering Sea Freezer longline fleet, and the possible take of a second bird. Under an agreement through the Endangered species act, a maximum number of four birds can be taken in a 2 year period, and although the fishery would not be immediately shut if that level is exceeded, it would quickly lead to very significant restrictions. Since 1987 the fleet has not come close to exceeding that bird bycatch level.

Have a good weekend.

John Sackton, Editor And Publisher , Lexington, Massachusetts

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