The Online Magazine for Sustainable
Seas
July, 2003, Vol.6 No. 7
July, 2003, Vol.6 No. 7
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The Online Magazine for Sustainable
Seas
July, 2003, Vol.6 No. 7 |
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Coastal Alert |
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Philippines World Philippines Local officials agree Region 7 seas overfished In Cebu, though, some fisherfolk expressed doubts about the proposal of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to draft a Regional Fisheries Management Plan to address the problem. In the fisheries management workshops, local government officials - mostly municipal agriculturists - and leaders of fisherfolk groups attested that fish catch of fishermen are diminishing while the variety of fish caught is less and the size smaller. They also revealed that fishermen now have to go farther and stay longer at sea. According to the Central Visayas fisheries profile prepared by BFAR, the University of the Philippines Visayas and the Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP), there is a declining trend in production of both commercial and municipal fisheries in Central Visayas. Rafael Nuñal of BFAR said the maximum sustainable yield in the Visayan Sea, 1,726.9 tons, was reached in as early as 1999 and even earlier in Camotes Sea (1998, around 1,711 tons). This means fish being caught in the two areas are beyond what is sustainable, aggravating the decline in fishery production. Nuñal said that Camotes Sea and Visayan Sea have not only reached their limits but are, in fact, already overfished. The fishery profile in Central Visayas also shows that commercial fishing—using ring nets and purse seine—gets the major share in fisheries in the region. Prof. Nygiel Armada of the University of the Philippines Visayas said overfishing occurs when even immature or juvenile fish are caught because of inappropriate (fine mesh) nets. Fish caught before they mature and spawn also aggravates the problem. This reduces the production of eggs and larvae that are supposed to replenish fish stocks. Armada called for regulations on the number of fishing boats, tonnage of these fishing vessels and stricter implementation on minimum mesh size of nets. The CRMP and BFAR also proposed regulations on fishing in Central Visayas to allow fishery resources to rehabilitate. The CRMP stressed the importance of merging marine habitat management with fisheries management. Strategies to manage marine habitats and fisheries will be included in a Regional Fisheries Management Plan, according to BFAR and the CRMP. Some fisherfolk in Cebu, however, pointed out that local government units already have difficulties implementing their respective municipal coastal resource management plans. A regional fisheries management plan would be more difficult to implement, they said during a workshop on July 1. Some workshop participants also wondered how the regional fisheries management plan would affect the coastal resource management plans of their respective municipalities and cities. The BFAR 7 explained that the respective coastal resource management programs of local government units will be considered in the Regional Fisheries Management Plan. Joezen Corrales of BFAR 7 said local government units will be invited to participate in the drafting of the plan. Once completed, the draft plan will be presented to local government units. – Liberty Pinili, CRMP Fishermen’s wives participate in conservation Now, fisherfolk take turns protecting an 8.13-hectare marine sanctuary where corals and fish abound. The men who fish for a living said the sanctuary has increased their fish catch. The women, on the other hand, earn by catering to visitors who are eager to learn how the people protected the sanctuary for 17 years. The marine sanctuary was established under the Central Visayas Regional Project in 1986. Merlita Abrenica, secretary of the Saavedra Fisherfolk Association, said that from July to September 2002 the group earned P18,775 in user’s fees imposed on divers and snorkelers. While the men are at sea, women members of the association remove crown of thorns starfish from corals inside the sanctuary. The women also take turns in stationing themselves at the guardhouse to monitor the sanctuary’s premises. –Rianne C. Tecson, Cebu Daily News, 07.14.03 Customs seizes van containing corals Bureau of Customs Port of Mactan Collector Leovigildo Dayoja, who issued the warrant, said the corals and seashells were about to be exported by a Lapu-Lapu City-based company and an export firm based in Mandaue City. Gathering and exporting of seashells and corals violate Section 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code under Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as the Fisheries Code of 1998. Seized by the Bureau of Customs were 314 boxes of corals, eight boxes (15 pieces per box) of helmet shells (scientific name, Cassis cornuta) or budyong and 60 boxes (25 pieces per box) of barnacles. The corals and seashells were finished products. – Elias O. Baquero, Sun.Star Cebu, 07.10.03 Illegal fishing activities drop in Cebu City He attributed the decline to the Bantay Dagat’s 24-hour operation. A total of 5,100 kilos of illegally caught fish, amounting to P400,000, were confiscated by Bantay Dagat from April to June this year.—Doris Bongcac, Cebu Daily News, 07.09.03 Budyong shells seized Evelio Consulta of Esperanza, Masbate was arrested for allegedly transporting the shells. -- King Cortel, Cebu Daily News, 7/11/03 Bangus flesh good for `surimi’ For the past year, researchers and students of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas-College of Fisheries and Ocean Studies-Institute of Fish Processing Technology (UPV-CFOS-IFPT) have been processing milkfish (bangus) into surimi and surimi fish products such as burgers, patties and nuggets. Surimi is fish flesh already washed and refined to remove the fishy odor and flavor. The refining process also increases the gelling ability of fish flesh. Surimi is suited for today’s busy lifestyles and answers the increasing demand for convenient seafood products that are “ready-to-eat” or “heat-and-eat”. The study is part of the Department of Science and Technology -S&T Enterprise Assistance Mechanism-DOST Academe of Technology-Based Enterprise Development. –Rudy A. Fernandez, The Philippine Star, 06.29.03 World UN Committee recommends new dietary intake limits
for mercury Forty-eight scientists from 17 countries participated in the 61st meeting of the Joint Expert Committee for Food Additives and Contaminants (JECFA) from 10-19 June at FAO's Rome headquarters. Established by FAO and WHO in 1956, JECFA meets regularly to provide safety and risk assessment advice to countries and to the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Codex recommends international standards for food safety and quality, as well as codes of practice and guidelines. In the light of new data, the experts re-evaluated previous JECFA risk assessments for cadmium and methylmercury, which are largely unavoidable food contaminants. In the case of cadmium, the Committee concluded that the new data did not provide a sufficient basis for changing the currently recommended Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of cadmium of 7 micrograms per kilogram of body weight (µg/kg). While stressing that kidney disease is a serious health concern associated with excessive cadmium intake, the advisory body concluded that consumption at or below the currently established PTWI would not increase the risk of kidney problems. On methylmercury the Committee received and reviewed additional information that had been requested previously. Based on this, the experts revised the PTWI for methylmercury, recommending that it be reduced to 1.6 µg per kg body weight per week in order to sufficiently protect the developing fetus. The fetus is exposed to methylmercury through contaminated food eaten by the pregnant mother. This new recommendation changes the prior recommendation for a dietary limit of 3.3 µg per kg body weight per week. The Committee noted that some fish species (e.g. swordfish and sharks) are the most significant source of methylmercury in food. The experts stressed that when providing advice to consumers and setting limits for methylmercury concentrations, public health authorities should keep in mind that fish play a key role in meeting nutritional needs in many countries. A summary of the expert report is available online. Ocean advocates intensify campaign for greater
protection Under current laws, less than 1% of the ocean is protected. As a result, overfishing, pollution and increased human use continue to devastate the ocean's resources. Marine reserves provide a necessary layer of protection against harmful extractive activities. Within a fully protected reserve, all biological resources are protected through prohibitions on fishing and the removal or disturbance of any living or non-living marine resource, except as necessary for monitoring or research to evaluate reserve effectiveness. Less Than One represents the efforts of marine advocacy organizations, prominent individuals, fishers, divers, ocean recreation groups, and terrestrial wilderness advocates who are working to protect more of the ocean. For the first time, ocean conservation groups have coordinated their communications efforts through a single multi-media campaign. The issue of marine reserves is at a pivotal point in California and is the primary focus of Less Than One. California's Marine Life Protection Act, adopted in October 1999, requires that the state's Department of Fish and Game develop a plan for establishing networks of marine reserves in California waters. Policy makers and other stakeholders are currently engaged in the creation of marine reserves within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. This climate underscores the importance of initiating a public education campaign in this state, as the actions California takes will serve as a model for others. The collaboration among the marine conservation community emphasizes the need and urgency for more substantial ocean protection. A recent survey of California residents indicates strong support for the establishment of these "fully protected areas" in California's ocean. In this January 2002 survey, conducted by Edge Research, 71% of Californians favor establishing areas of the ocean in which all extractive activities, including commercial and recreational fishing, are prohibited. "These protected areas are vital to restoring marine health, ensuring biodiversity, and protecting ocean wildlife and habitat," said Maureen Wilmot, executive director, Ocean Wilderness Network. "We've created national parks and wildlife preserves on land. Now we must do the same for our ocean." $29-million grant allotted for US conservation
programs Funded through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund and authorized by Section 6 of the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the grants will enable States, working in partnership with private landowners, conservation groups and other agencies and organizations to initiate conservation planning efforts, and to acquire and protect habitat to support the conservation of threatened and endangered species. – FWS News, 07.15.03 Comments sought on zero death rate goal for marine
mammals in the US The Act states that commercial fisheries shall reduce incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals to insignificant levels approaching a zero mortality and serious injury rate. Although the ZMRG has been a part of the Act since it was first enacted in 1972, there has been no clear or consistent guidance on how much mortality and serious injury amounts to insignificant levels. In the notice, NOAA Fisheries describes three quantitative options for insignificant levels of mortality and serious injury for population stocks of marine mammals and seeks comments on these options. NOAA Fisheries also requested comments on the consideration of available technology and economics of fisheries into evaluating whether or not fisheries had achieved the Act's mandate by April 30, 2001. The deadline for comments is September 8, 2003. For additional information
call Tom Eagle at (301) 713-2322. US, Australia allies against marine invasion Researchers of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Maryland are developing a rapid response strategy to fight invasion. CSIRO risk assessment scientists have identified the most damaging marine species from around the world, including fish, molluscs and microscopic toxic dinoflagellates. “So far, we’ve found 33 which meet our bio-invasion hazard assessment criteria,” says Dr. Keith Hayes. “There’s another 40 species which we’re looking at very closely.” He said the creatures are in a priority list as they could easily arrive in Australia in ballast water or hull fouling and cause significant environmental and economic harm if they survive. Each of the 33 species have one or more unwelcome characteristics: they may be prolific and energetic, are able to force out native species, they may be voracious predators, able to cause toxic algal blooms, affect health of fish, or may affect environmental processes. The most immediate threats come from two species of mussel, the ivory barnacle, the Japanese shore crab and a red seaweed. “Thousands of marine species are in motion around the world each day in the ballast water of ships,” says Dr. Nic Bax of CSIRO. “Many thousands more are fouling the hulls of commercial and recreational vessels plying international waters. Still more are being transported as part of the seafood and aquarium trade.” Bax and the Smithsonian’s Dr. Greg Ruiz are outlining the National Introduced Marine Pest Information System (Nimpis), which contains information on biology, distribution and management of over 80 known introduced species in Australian waters. Medical doctors, scientists seek cause of mysterious
whale disease The focus of the workshop will be a disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy, which appears to be the main cause of a recent increase in pygmy sperm whale strandings and deaths in Florida, though the causes of the disease itself have been elusive. "We want to try to determine what's causing the cardiomyopathy because right now we only have a list of possibilities," said Dr. Gregory Bossart, director of the HARBOR BRANCH Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Division, who was the first, with colleagues, to describe the disease in 1985. The list of possibilities ranges from nutrient deficiency and environmental toxins to genetic mutations and infection. From just January to March of this year there were 20 dwarf and pygmy sperm whale strandings in the southeast. Typically there are only about 12 in the region in an entire year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries is deciding whether to call for a formal investigation into the cause of the increase. Dilated cardiomyopathy involves enlargement of and subsequent weakening
of part or all of the heart, and can leave whales more susceptible to
environmental stresses and ultimately death. One human version of the
same disease is responsible for the sudden death of many young athletes,
leading to a surge in research to determine causes and ways to diagnose
the defect in its early stages. Whale sightings off Cape Cod prompt voluntary fishing
area closure Fishermen were encouraged not to set additional gear in an area totaling 1,640 square nautical miles east of Cape Cod, from July 3 to July 17. Initial Atlantic bluefin tuna quotas proposed in
the US The proposal would also revise regulations regarding incidental catch
of bluefin tuna by pelagic longline vessels and would revise several
permit requirements. “Oceanauts” embark for “most remote islands” on
Earth in new documentary Now, nearly 40 years later, a new generation of "oceanauts" led by Jean-Michel Cousteau will embark on an extraordinary documentary filmmaking expedition of adventure and discovery to the most remote islands on the planet in Voyage to Kure. The six-week adventure, being filmed for public television, marks a renewal of the Cousteau legend as award-winning ocean filmmaker Jean-Michel Cousteau takes his Ocean Futures Society team on a quest to explore wildlife and Polynesian culture along the vast, 1,200-mile chain of ecosystems called the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) that end on the remote island of Kure. "This will be an exciting and innovative expedition in the Cousteau tradition of showing the interconnectedness of all species on and around these remarkable islands, and the Polynesian culture which has been so important to life in the Pacific," Cousteau said. "It will also document how valiant efforts to save these pristine islands from human destruction have helped restore some of the last wild places on Earth." During the Kure adventure, people around the world will be able follow the expedition logs, see images from the exploration, send questions and comments to the crew and learn about these exotic ecosystems by viewing a special section of the Ocean Futures Society website. Membership in Ocean Futures Society is free to all. Voyage to Kure will also be a unique documentary because it will chronicle a parallel expedition by Nainoa Thompson, a native Polynesian, who will sail Hokule`a, a replica of an ancient Polynesian voyaging canoe. Thompson will navigate by "wayfinding," using the ocean currents, the wind, the stars, the sun, cloud formations and birds to guide him. Thompson's voyage will raise awareness of the declining conditions of the coral reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands. Hokule`a's mission is to restore an ancient wisdom, the Hawaiian concept of malama - of caring for our land and sea to ensure a balance among all forms of life. The biodiversity of the NWHI and its place as the most remote island group on Earth create an amazing habitat for unusual species. French Frigate Shoals, one of the islands, is the nesting ground for 90 percent of the green sea turtles in the Hawaiian Islands. The NWHI are the home of the monk seal, an endangered species that makes these islands their sole breeding colony. The albatross, sooty terns and more than 18 species of seabirds inhabit the islands by the millions. Under the sea, the NWHI is surrounded by the last wild coral reefs that remain in U.S. waters. Rare corals and vibrant reef marine life abound. Voyage to Kure is targeted to air on public television in the U.S. in Fall 2004. – Sequel LLC |
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