PACIFIC
ALBACORE
WFOA NEWS:
Updated April 7, 2011
News Note These are brief versions of ongoing and new stories affecting the west coast albacore fleet. For full information we welcome new members to WFOA. WFOA Membership Application
Radiation Sensationalist Reporting The following are points put out by WFOA/AFRF/AAFA, and Oregon Albacore Commission, followed by National Fisheries Intitute in Regards to Radiation Reporting:
Statement on Alabcore Tuna and Radiation Misinformation: The Albacore tuna caught by the U.S. troll & pole fleet are migratory warm water fish. They journey widely across the Northern Pacific Ocean following patterns of warm water and feed. 10 years of tagging data show that these fish do not come anywhere close to the cold waters of Japan at this time of year and it is believed that these albacore tuna stocks are currently many hundreds if not thousands of miles away from Japan at this time.
The area where contaminated water was discharged into the sea is along the Japanese shoreline and that water has not transited far off-shore. The leak has been capped and most of the elements that escaped are low weight isotopes with very short half-lives that are not expected to linger in the environment.
This diminishing radioactivity will likely dilute to undetectable levels along the Japanese coast and the migratory off-shore albacore tuna are expected to be completely unaffected by this event.
Talking Points from National Fisheries Institute – (NFI) – Regarding Japanese Situation April 6, 2011
1) The FDA has unequivocally stated seafood from the U.S. waters of the North Pacific is safe to eat.
2) Less than one tenth of 1 percent of the seafood Americans eat comes from Japan.
3) The seafood community has been a full participant in stakeholder briefings with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.)
4) The seafood community is not only happy with the level of regulatory oversight committed to this effort, we are comfortable with assurances that those regulators are prepared to launch a multi-agency testing and inspection effort, in the unlikely scenario that airborne pollutants could affect U.S. fishermen or fish landed in the U.S.
5) When it comes to seafood and food safety groups like NOAA, the FDA and EPA have a history of working together. They did it in the Gulf of Mexico during the oil spill and they’re doing it successfully now.
6) We’ve been in close contact with NOAA, FDA and EPA and we’re pleased with their commitment, their coordination and their communication and what they’re communicating to consumers loud and clear is that American seafood is safe and anything from the affected area in Japan is being tested.
7) It is important to understand that misinformation about the tragedy in Japan and the relative safety of seafood has the ability to cost hardworking Americans their jobs. Just like during the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico exaggeration and hysteria over gulf seafood compounded that tragedy. Theirs is no need for a repeat of that here. Gold standard science and robust regulation is keeping Americans and the seafood they enjoy safe.
8) Over simplified, cartoonish graphics that depict radioactive fish swimming towards the U.S. are a gross over simplification and are quite frankly erroneous. Regulators are clear, the great quantity of water in the Pacific Ocean rapidly and effectively dilutes radioactive material, so fish and seafood are likely to be unaffected. While unaffected seafood isn’t the headline some seek during a disaster like this one it is simply the truth
9) Any suggestion that American fishing fleets are not operating at full capacity based on concerns about the incident in Japan would be a false representation. 10) FDA's declaration about the safety of seafood makes it easy to continue eating fish from all over and supporting American seafood.
Thank you. Gavin Gibbons
National Fisheries Institute
Fishing West of 150W? For vessels fishing beyond 150W you are required under the WCPFMC rules to carry VMS and be registered through NOAA/NMFS.Intructions and applications can be downloaded at: Beyond 150W Requrements
WFOA Statement on Monterey Bay Aquarium "Red" Listing of Oregon Salmon Western Fishboat Owners Association (PFMC) which represents nearly 400 albacore troll vessels and supporting business members on the U.S. west coast finds the recent “red” listing of Oregon troll-caught wild salmon by the Monterey Bay Aquarium very confusing and contradictory. WFOA, primarily an albacore tuna organization has many salmon trollers in our organization that have been practically shutout of their livelihood over the past three years because of in-river water, ocean conditions, and other factors beyond their control.
Annual WFOA/AFRF Meeting: This will take place back in Astoria, OR from March 27- 30, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Express. We will be soliciting sponsors/donors for reception/dinner and raffle items over the next 5 months.
Electronic Newsletter Option: Members and others who wish to receive this newsletter via e-mail in PDF format please send a request to
Canadian Treaty 2011 will be the final year of the three year regime of the reciprocal treaty. WFOA will be asking for member input over the winter on what WFOA’s approach should be when new negotiations begin between governments in mid-2011. Under the present treaty there is no provision as in the past to enter any type of default period pending a new agreement or extension. If governments cannot reach an agreement in 2011 then it is my impression the treaty will end.
The three-year period was primarily based on the fact that new stock assessments would indicate if any aggressive effort restrictions would occur after 2011. Under the present regime the Canadians are allowed 110 vessels in U.S. waters with no permit leasing. The U.S. is allowed basically an unlimited number of boats in the Canadian EEZ. In 2010 the U.S. had about 69 boats fish in Canadian waters and the Canadians had the 110 listed vessels in U.S. waters over the 4-month period.
Albacore Limited Entry PFMC “No To Limted Entry/Catch Controls for Now”: The Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel (HMSAS) met in Portland on April 9-10, 2010 with Limited Entry for albacore on the agenda. This issues was on the main council agenda on Sunday the 11th with council action scheduled to both set in motion a plan for albacore catch/effort control and potentially move forward the March 9, 2010 control date. The following statement was passed unanimously by the HMSAS.
The HMSAS opposes unilateral management by NOAA/NMFS or PFMC, such as effort or catch controls on the U.S. troll and baitboat albacore fishery. At this time indications from the International Scientific Committee (ISC) is that North Pacific Albacore stocks are being harvested at a sustainable level. All indications also show the U.S. albacore fleet is not expanding nor is effort or catch increasing. On the contrary, the U.S. albacore fleet and supporting infrastructure may be shrinking. The HMSAS feels that if and when future stock assessments show otherwise, effort controls of any kind should be undertaken in a multilateral effort internationally and address issues such as IUU fishing, regional effort and capacity issues in a multilateral international effort. The HMSAS strongly supports increased funding for science and research both federally and internationally for albacore tuna. The HMSAS feels the council at this time does not have enough knowledge of the fishery or stocks especially at the international level to begin a process that will affect less than 15% of the North Pacific catch.
The council did not consider moving the control date as it was determined it meant little if there was no Limited Entry plan in place. There was some talk by a couple members outside the meeting about recinding the old date but it did not happen.
PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN: This project has been very successful and becoming more focused as we proceed. Brooke George is doing a great job getting the word out to consumers, retailers, and others the benefits of buying and eating wild local albacore tuna. We are doing more hands on food demos with retailers and work closely with groups like the Oregon Albacore Commission who have helped with expenses related to securing sample products for food demos in Oregon. Over the winter we have plans with some of the retailers for food demos using frozen albacore instead of fresh. Our challenge has been to present all forms such as iced/fresh, brine, and blast frozen as all very good as long as quality standards are followed. Each type of handled albacore is generally destined for different markets and end users but all if handled well and chilled and frozen quickly is a very good healthful product.
WFOA is seeing an increase in interest in fresh/iced albacore locally as well as new markets using brine/bled albacore. This is all complimenting the already increasing market for blast/bled albacore in North America by both U.S. and Canadian processors and individuals.
10-12 years ago 95% of local albacore was sold to the major U.S. canners, now that number is less than 10%. Most albacore recently has been exported to Europe or Asia but now a growing amount is being consumed locally in the U.S. and North America. This amount may now be 25% of the total and growing. Processing and consuming locally saves freight and handling charges for local fishermen and that has always been our goal. Once demand is there for local product we envision a value-added effect on prices that should help all fisherman using all handling and freezing methods. There will soon be a detailed year end report on the Public outreach activities for the members.
Public Education Member Assessment: Since this project costs about $50,000 annually, the board assessed WFOA members $5/st at the April 2010 meeting after discussions at the spring district meetings. This has not been an easy fee to collect. Most buyers have participated and deduct it from members proceeds and some have been very efficient in doing this. Since it is a book-keeping challenge and also gives buyers who do not participate a sometimes better position in the eyes of a fisherman WFOA will have to figure a better way for the coming season to raise funds to keep this project going.
Without these contributions the public outreach that is now showing good results will have to be dropped or scaled way back for 2011. WFOA will be exploring outside sources of revenue and feel processors that benefit could contribute more as it benefits them as well as fishermen. The issue is some buyers only deal with the export market where most unbled/brine goes at this time. The public outreach is directed mainly at the U.S. domestic consumer, retail, and restaurant trade. These markets are expanding using mainly blast/bled, brine/bled, and iced/fresh albacore. WFOA really thanks those that have contributed in 2010 given the low production year and lack of extra revenue.
OTHER NEWS:
AFRF Fees: We want to remind WFOA members that with a mix of new markets this season, AFRF fees still are required to be paid at the rate of $20/st by the vessel unloading at any Non-AFRF buyer. All AFRF buyers are listed at the end of this newsletter. WFOA members are required by WFOA By-laws to adhere to this.
AFRF Contracted Buyers: Bornsteins Seafoods Inc., Bumble Bee Seafoods, Chicken of the Sea International, Driscoll's Wharf, Interocean Fisheries, Island Trollers Inc., Jessie's Ilwaco Fish Company, Jolly Roger Seafoods,Ilwaco Landing LLC, Mary-Lu Seafoods, New Day Fisheries, Ocean Gold Seafoods, Pacific Seafood Group, Papa George Gourmet Albacore, Pelican Packers Inc., Seafood Producers Co-op, Shamrock Fisheries, Star Kist Seafoods, Starvin Marvin Seafoods,Trident Seafoods, Tri-Marine International, Whole Foods Select Fish, Wild Planet Inc