SAM WATERSTON STANDS up for CANADIAN FISHERIES Oceana Canada Helps Spur Major Government Commitment to Fisheries Funding and Transparency

SPRING 2017 | OCEANA.ORG

SAM WATERSTON STANDS UP FOR CANADIAN FISHERIES Oceana Canada helps spur major government commitment to fisheries funding and transparency

PLUS: Q&A WITH REID SCOTT | DEFENDING U.S. OCEANS | PEOPLE POWER IN BELIZE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OCEAN COUNCIL Simon Sidamon-Eristoff, Chair Susan Rockefeller, Chair Carey Hotchkis Valarie Van Cleave, Vice Chair Julie Tauber McMahon, Vice Chair Hardy Jones Angela and J. Stephen Kilcullen María Eugenia Girón, Treasurer Violaine Bernbach Arlene and Robert Kogod James Sandler, Secretary Carolyn Marks Blackwood Keely and Pierce Brosnan Slane Holland Lightburne Keith Addis, President Deborah Buck Willa and Ted Lutz Monique Bär Amy and Gary Churgin Dede McMahon Herbert M. Bedolfe, III Barbara and Bertram Cohn Tiffany Moller Ted Danson Ann Colley Aaron Peirsol DEFENDING U.S. OCEANS 6 Sydney Davis Andrew Davis Nicole Polizois Cesar Gaviria Sydney Davis Perri and Mario Procida Loic Gouzer Michael Dershewitz Jennifer Small and Adam Wolfensohn Jena King Barbara Ettinger and Sven Huseby Anne Alexander Rowley Stephen P. McAllister Lise Evans Eve Kornyei Ruffatto Dr. Kristian Parker Kay Fernandez Andrew Sabin Jennifer Schwab Wangers Dr. Daniel Pauly Christina Falco and Michael Frumkin Joanna and Brian Fisher Danielle Steakley Susan Rockefeller Kelly T. Hallman Sutton Stracke Heather Stevens Marjorie Harris Susan Trees Diana Thomson Julie Hill Toby Usnik Sam Waterston Jean Weiss OCEANA Chief Executive Officer Executive Director, Oceana Canada EDITORIAL STAFF Andrew Sharpless Joshua Laughren Editors Vice President, Peru Laura Lacy and Allison Guy President PEOPLE POWER IN BELIZE 12 James Simon Patricia Majluf, Ph.D. Designer Q&A WITH REID SCOTT 5 Chief Scientist & Strategy Officer Vice President, Chile Rosie Ettenheim Michael Hirshfield, Ph.D. Liesbeth van der Meer Cover photo: ©s_bukley | Retouch: Alexandra Pitzer Contributing Writer Senior Vice President & Executive Director, Europe Vice President, Brazil Alayna Alvarez Lasse Gustavsson Monica Brick Peres, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President, Vice President, Philippines Strategic Marketing & Communications Gloria Estenzo Ramos, J.D. DEPARTMENTS Matthew Littlejohn Deputy Vice President, U.S. Pacific 1 CEO’S NOTE Oceana knows how to win policy outcomes Senior Vice President, Global Development Susan Murray that put more fish in the sea Courtney Sakai Vice President, Development 2 FOR THE WIN Seismic blasting scrapped along the East Senior Vice President, United States & Global Fishing Watch Nancy Golden Coast, U.S. program combats seafood fraud and more Jacqueline Savitz Chief Financial Officer Vice President, Belize Christopher Sharkey 4 NEWS & NOTES A new rule to protect U.S. sea turtles Janelle Chanona from shrimp trawls, rare deep-sea species discovered on an FISHERIES TRANSPARENCY IN CANADA 16 expedition to Lebanon and more

Oceana is published by Oceana Inc. For questions or comments 5 Q&A Reid Scott about Oceana, or to subscribe to Oceana, please call our membership FEATURES OCEANA is the largest international advocacy organization department at +1.202.833.3900, e-mail [email protected] VICTORY LISTORY A Timeline of Success focused solely on ocean conservation. We run science-based or write Oceana, Member Services, 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, 11 campaigns and seek to win policy victories that can restore 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA. 6 OCEANA IS BUILT TO WITHSTAND CHANGING TIDES IN 20 GO FIGURE Canada’s Fisheries ocean biodiversity and ensure that the oceans are abun- POLITICS As new leaders shift the agenda in Washington, dant and can feed hundreds of millions of people. Oceana Oceana’s Privacy Policy: Your right to privacy is important to Oceana, and Oceana continues to do what it does best — find ways to ASK DR. PAULY Illegal Fishing by Another Name Smells we are committed to maintaining your trust. Personal information (such win big for the oceans. 21 victories have already helped to create policies that could as name, address, phone number, e-mail) includes data that you may have too Sweet increase fish populations in its countries by as much as 40 provided to us when making a donation or taking action as a Wavemaker on IN BELIZE, PEOPLE POWER PUT THE BRAKES ON percent and that have protected more than 1 million square behalf of the oceans. This personal information is stored in a secure location. 12 FISH TALE Kenyan Reef Fish COVERT OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION Oceana and 22 miles of ocean. We have campaign offices in the countries For our full privacy policy, please visit Oceana.org/privacypolicy. allies helped to mobilize a public outcry that put an end to that control close to 40 percent of the world’s wild fish EVENTS October 2016 Mikimoto Event oil exploration near the Belize barrier reef. 23 catch, including in North, South and Central America, Asia Please recycle. SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT Monique Bär, Jena King, and and Europe. To learn more, please visit www.oceana.org. SHINING A LIGHT ON THE SECRETS HIDING IN 24 Printed with Eco-Ink — low volatility vegetable oil-based ink on 25% 16 CANADA’S FISHERIES Oceana Canada seized a rare Jean Weiss post-consumer recycled, processed chlorine free paper produced opportunity to bring transparency and accountability to using 100% wind power in a carbon neutral process. CHEF’S CORNER Chef Sam Talbot’s Thai Coconut Mussels government fisheries management. 25 26 PARTING SHOT Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize CEO’S NOTE

Dear Friend of Oceana,

Recently I was in London reporting to one Most people are not familiar with the by 2020. And huge strides are being made of Oceana’s earliest and most generous causes of ocean depletion. Asked to explain in habitat protection — for example, backers. “Since we last met,” I said, “we’ve this appalling loss of abundance off the Presidents Bush and Obama each acted to had some big campaign victories and also coasts of England (both New and Old), create a huge fully protected marine park some losses. I want to make sure today people apply the analogy of climate change. around the northwest Hawaiian Islands. that you know what we’re getting done.” They rapidly conclude that saving the Smiling, she replied, “Why don’t you start oceans, like saving the climate, will require Oceana, together with our allies, is with your losses? It’ll make your victories vigorous, coordinated and enforceable winning policy changes that restore and more credible.” international action, probably led by the protect abundant oceans. Of course, we United Nations. don’t always win. As I reported on our It’s advice I’ve taken to heart. losses to our generous backer in London, And because that process is profoundly I again felt their sting. But by the end of So here’s a real loss: difficult, people conclude that saving the the meeting, she agreed that the overall oceans must also be nearly impossible. win-loss record was very encouraging for In 1776, Oliver Goldsmith described visiting all of us committed to ocean abundance the coast of England and seeing schools of That is not correct. and biodiversity. Since our founding 15 herring 5 or 6 miles long. These were, he years ago, we have counted nearly 200 reported, being chased by dolphins, sharks, While some ocean species require policy victories for the oceans. Some of our fin whales, sperm whales and tuna, all clearly coordinated international protection, the newest victories are described in this issue We could visible from the seashore. most productive parts of the world’s ocean of our magazine, and we are very happy to whaley can be saved country by country. Indeed, share them with you. use your support. Other striking natural losses are reported more than 90 percent of the world’s ocean ASK PAGE in The Unnatural History of the Sea by productivity is caught in the exclusive It now seems likely that newly elected Callum Roberts, or in the more recent economic zones of just 29 of the world’s governments in the United States and Feral, by George Monbiot. For example, countries and the European Union. Huge in Europe will make Oceana’s job more early in the European settlement of North parts of the world’s oceans have been difficult. We are shifting more of our America, New England colonists finding nationalized. That means that coastal resources and attention to defending key 20-pound lobsters along the coasts were countries can restore their ocean abundance. ocean laws rather than fighting to strengthen so unimpressed that they decided to feed They can do so simply by stopping them. But we are not discouraged. We know them to their pigs. At the same time, overfishing in their ocean. They don’t need how to win, and we’ll find a way, as we canoe-paddling “gentlemen” not far from to get agreement from any other country. always do, to deliver policy outcomes that Washington, D.C. on the Potomac River put more fish in the sea. caught more than 600 sturgeon — in one So don’t let the problems of stopping climate day (!). And in the 18th century, the biggest change convince you that rebuilding ocean Your generous support makes them great white sharks were 50 percent larger abundance is impossible. It’s a false analogy. possible. We are entirely dependent on than today’s titans — sometimes reported to voluntary contributions from you and PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TODAY reach 9 meters in length. We have, over the past 15 years, seen others committed to healthy and abundant real progress. In the United States, since oceans. Your loyalty is now more important Your contribution will help ensure our Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winner 2000, the share of fish stocks considered than ever. Thank you! in economics, has written about how we overfished has been halved. Nearly 40 oceans are vibrant and sustainable. come to understand the world. Very often species had been fully rebuilt by 2015, and Sincerely, Help us save the oceans, feed the world. we’re operating by intuition. And this some people are even speculating about “fast thinking” about problems is often the day when all overfishing in U.S. waters accomplished by finding a familiar analogy. will end. The European Union, responsible Whether accurate or not, the analogy then for the third most productive set of ocean Andy Sharpless Call us today at (202) 833-3900, email us at [email protected], visit www.oceana.org/give or use the provides us a quick answer, saving us the fisheries in the world, is seeing steady CEO envelope provided in this magazine to make a donation. Oceana is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization time and effort of critical thinking. improvement in its ocean, and is in sight of Oceana and contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. nearly fully rebuilding its Atlantic fisheries

Oceana wishes to thank all of its supporters, especially its founding funders and foundations that in 2015 awarded Oceana grants of $500,000 or more: Adessium Foundation, Arcadia Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Oak Foundation, Oceans 5, Robertson Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Sandler Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, and Wyss Foundation.

OCEANA.ORG | 1 ©Eduardo Sorensen FOR THE WIN FOR THE WIN

FINNING FINISHED IN PERU Peru’s Ministry of Production announced measures in November 2016 banning the landing and transshipment of shark fins and headless or finless shark bodies in all Peruvian ports. This rule not only aims to discourage shark finning, but also encourages the monitoring and gathering of more scientific information about shark species. This data will help Peruvian fisheries officials make responsible, science- based management decisions, and will promote traceability in the shark supply chain. These measures also ban the use of harpoons to hunt dolphins, which are primarily used as shark bait.

Shark finning — the practice of cutting off a shark’s fins and discarding the body — often occurs while the shark is still alive, leaving it to drown, bleed to death or be eaten by other marine animals. The shark fin trade has played a major role in the steep decline of shark populations, with as many as 73 million sharks killed for their fins annually. Shark fins are primarily used to make a luxury soup popular in some Asian countries. Illegal drift net fishing by Italian vessel in A NEW RECOVERY PLAN FOR the Mediterranean Sea. MEDITERRANEAN SWORDFISH ©Oceana/Carlos Suarez On World Fisheries Day, the International Commission for the Conservation U.S. PROGRAM COMBATS SEAFOOD SEISMIC TESTING SCRAPPED IN OFFSHORE DRILLING OFF THE TABLE of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) — the FRAUD AND ILLEGAL FISHING U.S. ATLANTIC IN U.S. ARCTIC AND ATLANTIC intergovernmental body that manages In December 2016, the Obama East Coast communities, economies and fishing of migratory species, such as tuna and administration finalized the Seafood Import ecosystems won big in January when the Oceana has long campaigned for the protection of the Atlantic swordfish — agreed on a recovery plan for the Monitoring Program, designed to address Obama administration formally denied and Arctic Oceans from the dirty hunt for fossil fuels. During the severely depleted Mediterranean swordfish. illegal fishing and seafood fraud in the all pending permits to conduct seismic final months of his second term in office, President Obama and his United States. The program requires that airgun blasting in the Atlantic. This loud, administration took significant steps to defend the country’s oceans Oceana has fought for more than a decade imported seafood at risk of illegal fishing harmful practice is used to detect oil and against offshore drilling. for greater protections for the Mediterranean and seafood fraud be traced from the fishing gas below the ocean floor. Given that the In January, the administration finalized the final Five-Year Outer swordfish, which has decreased in population boat or farm to the U.S. border. Key details administration had already removed the Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022, by two-thirds since the 1980s. — such as where, when and how the fish Atlantic from the government’s five-year in which the government establishes the schedule for leasing tracts of was caught, as well as its specific species oil and gas leasing program, seismic blasting ocean floor for oil and gas development. The Artic Ocean’s Chukchi The new plan includes the adoption of a — will have to be provided before the would have been pointlessly destructive. and Beaufort Seas were removed from the plan, which means that, quota system to prevent illegal fishing and shipment can enter the United States. for the first time in 40 years, these distinctive and diverse ocean improve transparency in the swordfish fishery Over the past two years, a grassroots ecosystems are safeguarded. The Atlantic Ocean had already been management and trade, as well as a modest The Seafood Import Monitoring Program campaign supported by Oceana has rallied removed from the plan following widespread East Coast opposition, reduction in the number of swordfish fishers will also help American fishers. For the more than 120 East Coast municipalities, supported by Oceana, earlier in the year. Additionally, in December, are allowed to catch. Although the agreed- first time, some imported seafood will be and thousands of elected officials, President Obama used his authority under the Outer Continental upon catch reduction is significantly less than held to the same standards as domestically businesses and fishing families to oppose Shelf Lands Act to permanently put 31 underwater canyons along the what scientists advised and might therefore caught fish — helping to level the playing offshore drilling, seismic airgun blasting East Coast off limits for drilling, protecting 3.8 million acres. only nominally help the vulnerable stock, the field for U.S. fishers and reducing the risk or both. paradigm shift is nevertheless welcomed as a facing consumers. step in the right direction.

2 | SUMMERSPRING 2017 2016 Arctic Ocean OCEANA.ORG | 3 ©Justinreznick NEWS & NOTES Q&A

Oceana and Lebanese scientists deployed a remotely operated vehicle to explore a complex system of submarine canyons deep in the Mediterranean, documenting more than 200 species including rare corals, sponges and fish. Part of the Deep-Sea Lebanon Project, the one-month expedition Q&A: surveyed previously unstudied areas of the country’s waters. The expedition’s findings will bolster Lebanon’s efforts to establish new deep-sea protected areas. REID SCOTT

In November 2016, Oceana proposed a plan to phase out For Reid Scott, life imitates art. Not only does he play politico Dan Egan on HBO’s bottom trawling in Chile. This destructive fishing practice Veep, he’s also spent time talking with real politicians to help Oceana’s climate and involves dragging heavy nets along the ocean floor, crushing energy campaign — work for which Scott was honored at the Television Industry corals, sponges and other habitat-forming structures. Oceana’s Advocacy Awards last September. He generously took a break from his busy proposal would eliminate bottom trawling within 5 miles schedule to talk to Oceana about his time working in the salmon industry, how his father instilled a love of nature in him and how anyone can help protect the oceans. Demosponge from the Deep-sea Lebanon Expedition. of the coast, ban trawling in collapsed fisheries and prevent trawlers from fishing in previously untrawled areas.

What drew you to ocean conservation? seismic airgun testing in the Atlantic by I’ve been an environmental conservationist exploratory oil companies. And guess As many as 2,500 endangered and threatened sea turtles could my entire life. I spent a lot of time in what? We won! But you don’t have to be saved each year as a result of a rule proposed in December nature with my dad as a kid, and he always walk the halls of Congress to make a by the Obama administration. The rule would require three impressed upon me the idea of “leaving it difference. Write a letter, make a phone types of shrimp trawlers to include Turtle Excluder Devices better than you found it.” When I moved call, get involved in clean-up efforts and (TEDs) on their nets, allowing sea turtles to escape should to California from New York, the ocean wildlife protection. When politicians see they accidentally become entangled with the vessel’s catch. became a big part of my life. Surfing, a groundswell movement they take notice. swimming, diving. And believe me, there We can make a difference. ©Tom Vickers is definitely a way to leave it better than we The European Parliament voted in February on a proposal to found it. So many of the oceans’ species and regulate the European fishing fleet outside of European Union habitats are at risk today. What gives you waters, thus taking a significant step toward making the EU Is it true you once worked in a hope that Oceana and others who love the fleet a model for a transparent, accountable and sustainable salmon cannery? oceans can improve conditions for them? fisheries. More than a quarter of the EU fleet’s total catch Yes, I worked in a salmon cannery in It’s not matter of “Can we?” It’s “Will we?” results from fishing outside of EU waters. Naknek, Alaska in the summer of 1997. It’s clear now that we have the knowledge, At the time, it went down as the worst the technology and the ability to turn back Turtle escaping a new using a TED. ©NOAA season in history. It was an El Niño year, the clock on global warming, to keep our which brought warmer waters and sent oceans clean, to find balance in nature. We Catches in European waters could increase by 57 percent the fish running too deep for the boats to just need to do the work. I’m a dad now, if stocks were fished sustainably and based on scientific legally catch. The law limits the fishing and I’m doing my part to teach my son advice. That’s the key finding from a 2016 Oceana report that depth so that a certain number of fish can about leaving this place, the planet Earth, analyzed 397 stocks across the EU. The report — the most ©Tom Vickers escape, spawn and run again in the future. better than we found it. comprehensive overview to date of overfishing in European Honoring that law may have meant meager fish stocks — found that 85 percent of stocks were in an earnings for the cannery workers that And finally, what’s your favorite memory unhealthy state. summer, but it helped ensure that there of the ocean? would be fish for generations to come. Three years ago in Fiji, my wife and I paddled our kayak out to a tiny The Tañon Strait Protected Seascape Enforcement summit We’ve watched your Veep character Dan uninhabited island. The water was so in the Philippines drew more than 120 participants from Egan stretch his political muscle for years, clear you could see 20 feet straight down. government and the fishing industry together to review and but readers might not know that you’ve And as we sat on that island, all alone in strengthen the enforcement plan designed to protect Tañon also lobbied in real life with Oceana. Tell the middle of the Pacific, the sun setting, Strait — one of the country’s largest marine protected areas us a little about that. watching fish jump straight out of the and home to diverse marine life — from commercial, illegal That’s right. I was asked to join Oceana water, it was like seeing what the oceans and destructive fishing operations. to lobby Congress to cease the use of were like 10,000 years ago. Beautiful. A school of fusiliers on the reef crest Photos: ©Oceana unless otherwise noted 4 | SPRING 2017 OCEANA.ORG | 5 ©Oceana FEATURES FEATURES

BY LAURA LACY environment extremists in Congress seem is directly aimed at the National Oceanic more focused on harming literal ecosystems and Atmospheric Administration. Climate than metaphorical ones. change — of Taken together, these anti- OCEANA IS BUILT TO A spate of new legislation suggests that environment bills and budget proposals the political kind — has the Trump administration is eager to represent the most unfavorable political put its deregulatory platform into action. environment for ocean conservation been at the Congressman Don Young, R-Alaska, in a long time. Fortunately, Oceana has WITHSTAND CHANGING forefront recently introduced a bill that would won nearly 200 victories for the oceans of ocean undermine the Magnuson-Stevens Act, in its 16 years, in political climates both advocates’ the key legislation that governs fisheries favorable and hostile. management in U.S. waters. Young and minds since TIDES IN POLITICS six other congressional Republicans also “Luckily, Oceana was established for the the election introduced a bill that would reverse the purpose of making sure there was always AS NEW LEADERS SHIFT THE AGENDA IN WASHINGTON, OCEANA CONTINUES TO DO of President Department of the Interior’s 2016 rule a group looking out for the ocean,” WHAT IT DOES BEST — FIND WAYS TO WIN BIG FOR THE OCEANS. Trump and the to reduce the environmental risks from said Jackie Savitz, Oceana’s senior vice exploratory oil and gas drilling in the president for the United States and empowerment Arctic. These safety measures were put in Global Fishing Watch. “I don’t think of an anti- place after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. there has been a time where the need for environment that was more clear than it is now.” majority in Congressman Pete Olson, R-Texas, BUILDING A BRIDGE OVER Congress. Major proposed weakening the Endangered Species Act, which protects species at risk TROUBLED WATER shifts in Washington of extinction. Senator Lisa Murkowski, In the United States, ocean protection and across the R-Alaska, put forth a bill that would limit has a history of bipartisan support. country are spelling the President’s power to create national In 2006, President Bush created the trouble for hard-won monuments, including marine monuments. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National And President Trump signed a bill Monument in Hawaii. A decade later, laws that protect our recently passed by Congress that removed President Obama nearly quadrupled the air, water and natural a requirement that oil, gas and other size of the monument, making it the landscapes. extractive companies disclose payments to largest protected area in the country. foreign countries. The 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Act, the American oceans face particular bedrock of fisheries management in threats. The U.S. fishing industry, These are just five out of dozens of the U.S., was named after two senators coastal towns and marine regulatory actions that would undermine from opposite sides of the aisle. animals from bait fish to blue protections for marine wildlife, a stable whales stand to suffer from the climate, and clean air, water and food. “The Magnuson-Stevens Act is a great new administration’s promise to example of a bipartisan effort to rebuild slash federal budgets and roll back Extreme cuts to federal agency budgets American fisheries,” Savitz said. “It was environmental safeguards. But also threaten ocean conservation. Trump’s sponsored by two senators. One was though the near-term outlook may budget, released in mid-March, would a Democrat. One was a Republican. If seem grim, marine protection has a slash the EPA’s budget by 31 percent and that’s any guide, it means that we can history of bipartisan support in the the Department of State‘s by 28 percent. find bipartisan opportunities.” United States. Oceana is rolling up its sleeves — and rolling out new Oceana was established for the purpose of plans — to fight for the oceans for the next four years and beyond. making sure there was always a group that was looking out for the ocean DRAINING THE SWAMP? President Trump said he would “drain At the Department of Commerce, a Savitz emphasized that local voters can the swamp” in Washington, but anti- reduction of 16 percent, or $1.5 billion, be a major force for change. “People

6 | SPRING 2017 OCEANA.ORG | 7 ©Andrea Izzotti FEATURES

The carcass of a finned shark lies among corals. ©Nancy Boucha/MarinePhotobank

care about the ocean,” she said, “whether it’s THE MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT itself in Congressional crosshairs. Outside because they make their living in the ocean Since its enactment in 1976, the Magnuson- of Capitol Hill, however, the act is popular or through the related tourism industry or Stevens Act has helped rebuild dozens of — according to a recent Endangered Species they simply love the water.” overfished stocks. Rep. Young’s bill aims Coalition poll, 84 percent of Americans to weaken this act, along with the National support it. Savitz continued: “These constituencies Environmental Policy Act, the Antiquities can remind their politicians that they’re the Act, the Endangered Species Act and the THE MARINE MAMMALS ones who sent them to Washington. That’s National Marine Sanctuaries Act. PROTECTION ACT how we hope to find an ocean-supporting Established in 1972, the Marine Mammal majority that can stand up to members of “If Congressman Young’s bill survives, it Protection Act seeks to protect marine Sardines flee from a hungry sea lion. Congress and senators who are more focused could lead to the overfishing of vulnerable mammals from human harm. This includes ©Andrea Izzotti on, say, the needs of the oil industry. They fish populations and will hurt the United limitations on marine mammal bycatch weren’t sent to Washington to represent the States in profound ways,” Savitz said. “Rather in commercial fisheries. Last August, new oil industry.” than moving in the direction of feeding more requirements were added to the act, which people, creating more jobs and building a mandated that foreign fisheries that import THE SHARK FIN TRADE BAN For that reason, Oceana has launched scale, an average of one in five tested SHORING UP EXISTING PROTECTIONS stronger fishing economy, we’ll be moving in seafood to the U.S. abide by bycatch rules Each year, as many as 73 million sharks a campaign for a nationwide ban. The seafood samples was mislabeled. The Trump administration may seek to a direction of feeding fewer people, creating comparable to American standards. die because of the shark fin trade. resulting legislation won bipartisan reverse or weaken several key laws that fewer jobs and weakening our economy. Finning — the practice of cutting off a support in Congress last year. The House The key to addressing this fraud is protect marine wildlife, limit the spread of That’s what happens if we weaken the Ocean advocates are worried that there are shark’s fins and dumping the shark back bill was reintroduced in March. traceability, from the farm or boat of origin offshore oil and prevent overfishing. But Magnuson-Stevens Act.” challenges to this act on the horizon. “Oceana into the ocean, often while still alive — to Americans’ plates. New requirements Oceana is prepared to support and defend the is very concerned about the Marine Mammal is primarily driven by the demand for SEAFOOD FRAUD for imported seafood were put in place in policies that support healthy oceans. THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Protection Act,” Savitz said. “One way shark fin soup in Asia. While finning is Since 2011, Oceana has led the movement December 2016, and Oceana will work to Oceana is part of the Endangered Species we’re addressing that is by working toward illegal in U.S. waters, imported fins are against seafood fraud in the United States, ensure they are implemented. Consumers OFFSHORE DRILLING PROTECTIONS Coalition, a nationwide network of building a national coalition to defend it.” still available in stores and restaurants conducting investigations into fish, and companies can also push for seafood In 2016, President Obama removed the U.S. organizations dedicated to protecting across the country. Though 11 states have shrimp, crab cakes and salmon. Overall, traceability — and Oceana aims to help Arctic and Atlantic from the 2017-2022 oil endangered and threatened species and the A RISING SWELL OF ACTIVISM banned the sale of shark fins, this has one-third of the seafood sampled in these them do so. and gas leasing plan, and formally denied law that shields them. The Endangered As the old adage goes, the best defense is a led to what Savitz called “a game of studies was found to be mislabeled. Fish all pending permits to conduct seismic Species Act has helped to bring bald eagles, good offense. The same holds true in the whack-a-mole.” that can cause illness were sold as safer GRASSROOTS OPPOSITION TO airgun blasting in the Atlantic. Oceana will gray whales and other rare animals back from case of our oceans — we don’t simply want ones, threatened animals were disguised as OFFSHORE DRILLING defend these critical safeguards — in part by the brink of extinction. to maintain the status quo; we want to keep “When we helped get it banned in their sustainable counterparts and cheap In January 2014, more than 300 residents strengthening the grassroots support that improving. Oceana has identified ways to California, it popped up in Texas. Then fish masqueraded as more expensive types. in Kure Beach, a 2,000-person coastal town initially that led to these victories. Like the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the push forward that we believe have a chance of you banned it in Texas, and it would pop After reviewing data from more than 200 in North Carolina, banded together to Endangered Species Act has already found success in the current political environment. up in Georgia and so on,” Savitz said. studies, Oceana found that, on a global protest the then-mayor’s support of seismic

OCEANA.ORG | 9 VICTORY LISTORY Oceana has readied A TIMELINE OF SUCCESS itself to defend the 2016 oceans from radical Brazil’s ‘Red List’ reinstated to protect 475 The Honourable Minister LeBlanc announces endangered aquatic species a big step forward for more transparent political leaders and Executive order to create the Northern fisheries management in Canada will continue to push Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area in Alaska California moves to protect hundreds of Scientists recommend management forage fish species in state waters forward science- measures to control sardine overfishing in 1,400 square kilometers in Spain’s Balearic the Philippines Islands protected from destructive fishing backed policies to New prosecutors to boost law enforcement Oceana Brazil celebrates appointment of promote abundance. in Philippine protected areas members to Fisheries Management Committee Government finalizes safety and prevention Oceana wins pledge from Obama rules for U.S. Arctic Ocean exploration drilling administration to issue new rule to save Court of Appeals orders Sernapesca to thousands of sea turtles in the United States provide information about antibiotics used in Forage fish in Oregon win significant the salmon farming industry in Chile protections Pacific loggerhead conservation area in Chilean government officially decrees California closed to drift gillnets to protect the creation of the Nazca-Desventuradas sea turtles Marine Park ©Lane V. Erickson Deep-Sea trawling ban protects 4.9 million Oceana Wins Habitat Protections in the square kilometers in European oceans Strait of Sicily Chile announces density reduction plan for Critical marine conservation measures for airgun blasting. Their resistance sparked mean partnering with lots of other How can you help the salmon industry sharks and sea turtles approved in Brazil a grassroots movement up and down the organizations that are concerned about oceans? Join Wavemakers, East Coast that, with help from Oceana, offshore drilling,” Savitz said, “whether Oceana’s e-activism 2015 has resulted in significant protections for they’re in the Southeast or the Northeast program. We’ll soon be the Atlantic. or on the Pacific coast. With other GrubHub takes shark fin soup off the menu conservation groups, we’re going to try Texas bans shark fin sales looking for people to in the United States Seismic airgun blasting and offshore to scale up the grassroots strategies that volunteer, organize and Chile bans salmon farming in large pristine drilling threaten coastal communities have worked so well for us.” Moratorium and ban protects Belizean lead, supporting the issues area in Chilean Patagonia and marine wildlife. On the Atlantic marine resources Coast, for instance, 1.4 million jobs rely Events like the Women’s March on we’ll be promoting. And Portugal’s Gorringe Bank to be a protected on a healthy ocean. To date, 121 East Washington or the spontaneous “Muslim First-ever fishing ban created for Danish make your voice heard Site of Community Interest Coast municipalities and more than ban” airport protests may be early signs marine parks 1,200 elected officials, 35,000 businesses of a rising tide of grassroots activism in in Washington. Call your Louisiana now requires TED enforcement on and 500,000 fishing families from the U.S. “We’ve entered a new phase of Chile announces designation of largest member of Congress to tell shrimp trawl vessels Massachusetts to Florida have publicly political engagement in our country,” marine park in the Americas opposed airgun blasting, offshore drilling Savitz said. “It’s so incredibly important them you oppose pieces Construction of largest coal-fired plant in or both. if we want to have a say in how our Shell abandons drilling activity in of legislation, like those Chile stopped government works. That is important for mentioned above, that U.S. Arctic Ocean Savitz explained that the next step is a lot of different reasons, and protecting Amended Fisheries Code becomes law in to bring the offshore oil campaign ocean health is chief among them.” threaten the ocean. the Philippines to a national stage. “That’s going to

10 | SPRING 2017 To see more victories, visit www.oceana.org/victories OCEANA.ORG | 11 FEATURES FEATURES

IN BELIZE, PEOPLE POWER PUT THE BRAKES ON COVERT OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION Oceana helped to mobilize a public outcry that put an end to oil exploration near the Belize barrier reef. But will the country’s government ever make good on its promise to ban offshore oil exploration? by Allison Guy

The Placencia community takes a stand and joins thousands of other Belizeans, who have and continue to say “no” to offshore oil in Belize. Placenica Village, Stann Creek District. OCEANA.ORG | 13 ©Oceana FEATURES FEATURESFEATURES

n late 2015, the Belizean government In Belize, 35 percent of all jobs are tourism- Ivowed it would permanently ban oil dependent and a further 22 percent are tied exploration along the country’s iconic to the seafood sector. More than 190,000 300-kilometer (190-mile) barrier reef Belizeans, in a country of less than 400,000, and within its seven World Heritage depend on the health of coastal and marine sites. Thousands of Belizeans hailed this ecosystems. Seismic airguns — which can kill announcement as a significant step towards fish eggs and larvae, disrupt animal migration safeguarding the country’s ocean-based and disturb or deafen whales and dolphins — economy from offshore oil. But in October mean that oil exploration and drilling are a 2016, a phone tip to the Oceana Belize office major threat to the country’s economy. made it clear that the government’s deeds did not match its words. Officials had already In an attempt to calm the protests against approved a contract to explore for oil just a offshore oil, government officials traveled kilometer off the reef. to San Pedro to hold a meeting with local businesses, fishers and organizations. San Because Oceana Belize has led a long-standing Pedro, the only town on Ambergris Caye, campaign against offshore oil, the team is Belize’s main tourism hub and one of the was poised to take action. With help from country’s major economic drivers. Angry outside organizations, the team analyzed tourism stakeholders and residents of all satellite tracking data and found that the ages packed into a meeting room to confront Northern Explorer — a ship owned by the the officials. Among the crowd was Belize’s oil exploration company TGS — had sailed Minister of Tourism, Jose Manuel Heredia. At from the Mexican port of Progreso a few one point during the confrontation, Heredia Seismic testing ship leaving Belizean waters after public outcry days earlier and then motored down Belize’s stood up and announced that he would be the halted testing. Here, seen just after English Caye Channel. coast. On October 18, the vessel traced an first one to jump — presumably into action odd, tangled trajectory near Turneffe Atoll — if the country’s marine resources were has also not scientifically justified why the and Lighthouse Reef, home to Belize’s threatened. As video captured and streamed proposed ban only extends one kilometer famous Blue Hole formation. If the ship was on Facebook reveals, the crowd at that point from the reef — or how it plans to stop winds transiting from one port to another, it would started chanting: “Jump, jump, jump.” and currents from smothering corals and be traveling in a straight line. It was clear that wildlife with oil if a spill occurs. this was something different. “I can tell you it was one of those moments of goose bumps,” Chanona said. “This was a room “The ships have left but the threat remains. A day later, the Oceana team’s suspicions full of stakeholders, students, tour guides and We want to be clear: this is about calling were confirmed: Seismic activity had tour operators saying, ‘We understand that on and supporting our leaders to do the job commenced well in advance of the start date seismic is a very slippery slope to a full-blown they signed up for — for them to lead. We the government was compelled to announce, oil industry. And we know what that will don’t want their job. We just want to live without notice to Belizean citizens and mean for our livelihoods, for our future, for in a Belize where the environment doesn’t without the benefit of an Environmental our industry and for our country.’ To witness need protecting,” Chanona said. “And Impact Assessment. A passenger on a small ‘people power’ was humbling.” honestly, this business of feeling like we have aircraft shot a photo of the Northern Explorer to fight our government to know what’s Ocean advocates spell out a giant “no” to express Originally from Hopkins Village in the Stann Creek District, Randolph Gilbert towing an array of seismic air guns, proving The next day, the Northern Explorer pulled happening in our own country, with our their opposition to offshore oil. Nunez is a boat captain for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s research station. without a doubt that oil exploration was up its seismic array and headed back to port. shared resources, that’s horrifying. But since already underway. Concerned islanders even got into their own their decisions will determine our collective boats to personally see to it that the air guns future, they leave us few options.” After these photos and the satellite data were packed away. went public, the outcry from Belizeans was While recognizing the scale of the fight immediate. “People got angry because they Despite the departure of the Northern ahead, Chanona expressed gratitude to her had said no to offshore oil, they continued Explorer, the danger of offshore oil fellow Belizeans: “To the tens of thousands of to say no to offshore oil, and they felt development has not passed. The Belizean sensational Belizeans who continue to remain disrespected in terms of not being consulted,” government has failed to follow through with engaged in this issue and who continue to said Janelle Chanona, the vice president its vow to ban offshore oil exploration and recognize that their right to have a role in of Oceana Belize. As for the government, drilling along the barrier reef. It also has yet what happens next, again, we say thank you Chanona said, “I don’t think they were to keep its pre-election promise to hold an for being sensational Belizeans; your children prepared for the kind of outrage people have official referendum on the issue. As for its and grandchildren will thank you.” towards the idea of offshore oil.” December 2015 declaration, the Government

14 | SPRING 2017 Tourists fly-fishing for a school of bonefish off the southern point of Middle Caye OCEANA.ORG | 15 in Glovers Reef Atoll. Glovers is one of three atolls found in Belize. Photos: ©Oceana/Alexander Ellis FEATURES FEATURES SHINING A LIGHT ON ON THE SECRETS HIDING IN

Fishing boats at docks in the villages’ harbours in Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada. CANADA’S FISHERIES ©valleyboi63 Oceana Canada seized an opportunity to bring transparency and accountability to government fisheries management. What does this mean for Canada’s long-neglected Northern cod and other struggling fish stocks? by Allison Guy

In the waters off Newfoundland, northern cod In October 2015, the election of Prime Minister are showing early signs of return. In the 1990s, Justin Trudeau marked what could be a turning point overfishing shaved the numbers of these iconic for Canada’s fisheries. Many ocean advocates hope fish to just 1 percent of their historical abundance. that the new government may end decades of opaque For Aubrey Payne, who has been fishing off decision-making and budget-slashing. Spurred Newfoundland’s tiny Fogo Island for 45 years, the in part by Oceana Canada’s first major campaign, return is both a blessing and a concern. Cod, after all, the Trudeau administration has increased funding have sustained his family for centuries. But he worries in fisheries science and management, made more that the government and the fishing industry will just information available to the public and committed to retrace the steps that led to the initial collapse. developing rebuilding plans. For fish like northern Atlantic cod cod, it might be coming in the nick of time. ©Grigorev Mikhail “We’ve lost our markets, and we’re asking the Canadian government not to increase the quota too WEIRD SCIENCE fast,” Payne said, adding that he didn’t expect officials In the 1950s, Canada was the world’s seventh largest to proceed with the hoped-for caution. Fishermen producer of wild fish. But by 2015, its rank had like Payne have reason to be skeptical. Despite slipped to 21st place. How did things get so bad? To the fact that there’s been a fishing moratorium on begin with, said Josh Laughren, executive director northern cod for 25 years, the country’s fisheries of Oceana Canada, the fisheries department had a management body — Fisheries and Oceans Canada “historical culture of treating the industry as clients.” (DFO) — has yet to implement a plan to rebuild this Especially in the face of declining staff and budget, species to healthy levels. In fact, a recent government fisheries officials focused more on meeting industry audit found that of the 15 major fish stocks that are in needs, to the detriment of the long-term health of critical condition and are being fished, 12 do not have species like cod and mackerel. rebuilding plans. The 2006 election exacerbated these long-standing The absence of recovery plans is one symptom problems. From 2006 to 2015, Prime Minister of a decades-long trend of messy data collection, Stephen Harper’s administration waged what the insufficient fisheries laws and meager funding for media dubbed a “war on science,” slashing funding science. The result of this, as a 2016 Oceana Canada for research, dismissing evidence-based policies and report revealed, is that 15 percent of Canada’s fisheries restricting government scientists from speaking with are in critical shape, and a further 45 percent are the media or collaborating with outside researchers. considered ‘unknown’ — a finding that shocked both For Robert Rangeley, Oceana Canada’s director of Oceana Canada and the wider fisheries community. science, this violated what he called a “fundamental” A fisherman shows off his catch. aspect of science: “You don’t closet it up.” ©Anton Petrus

16 | SPRING 2017 OCEANA.ORG | 17 FEATURES FEATURES

This tight-reined approach to science, coupled A SURPRISING SYMPOSIUM with decades-long cuts to fisheries research and After laying the groundwork with the new management, kept the true state of Canada’s government and the public for several months, fisheries shrouded in confusion. “Nobody could get Oceana Canada was ready to make its next big a good sense of how things were doing,” Laughren move: the Rebuilding Abundance: Restoring Canada’s said, “except by looking individually at every single Fisheries for Long-Term Prosperity symposium. This stock, every single stock assessment, every single symposium, held at the end of last October, brought fisheries management decision.” The work required together academics, fisheries officials, fishers and to understand just a single fishery, Laughren added, Indigenous Peoples. The event offered a prime “was forensic.” platform for the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian FISHING FOR TRANSPARENCY Coast Guard, to announce his plans on fisheries Before the October 2015 election, Oceana Canada transparency. According to Laughren, no one knew began preparing an effort to push fisheries exactly what he would say: “They kept us waiting transparency into the spotlight “We did work with until the morning of.” each of the parties heading into the election to let them know what we thought the priorities on oceans In a major win for fisheries transparency, Minister should be,” Laughren explained. LeBlanc announced that his department had that day released key information on the status of 159 The Liberal Party’s platform of open government commercial fish stocks. This information was made Robert Rangeley, Diana Thomson, Mike Hirshfield, Daniel Pauly, Dominic LeBlanc, Alexandra Cousteau, and evidence-based policy-making struck a chord available to the public for the first time as the online Sam Waterston and Josh Laughren at Oceana Canada’s Science Symposium. with Canadians. After Trudeau won the election, one Sustainability Survey for Fisheries, a database that of his first moves to make good on this pro-science will be updated annually. Minister LeBlanc also platform was to encourage government scientists to committed $24 million extra each year to support speak to the media. “That was huge,” Rangeley said. science-based fisheries management efforts. The release of the data and increase in funding addressed But there were bigger fish to fry. To encourage a longstanding problem that had been identified by the Trudeau administration to tackle fisheries many organizations and academics over the years. transparency next, Oceana Canada emphasized that it would be “an easy, inexpensive, meaningful and “I think it’s safe to say that if it hadn’t been for possibly quite quick way to deliver on the ‘open Oceana Canada really pushing this, it wouldn’t government’ agenda,” Laughren said. have happened,” said Kim Elmslie, Oceana Canada’s campaign director. Laughren agreed, calling the Oceana Canada also worked with the fisheries Minister’s announcement the culmination of a department to convince it to release the data it had “terrific good news story. This government was ready kept under lock and key. The team made the case to act on increasing science and transparency, and that releasing this information, even if imperfect or we helped show them how it could be of enormous incomplete, would bring public and political attention benefit to the health of Canada’s fisheries, and the to the need to invest in fisheries management. Many health of our oceans.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking at an election in the department agreed, glad to know there was a rally of the Liberal Party of Canada. public appetite for their data. But Oceana Canada isn’t done with this issue yet. ©arindambanerjee Over the next year, the team will provide advice While these government-focused efforts were on adding new information to the Sustainability changes for fishers like Aubrey Payne. With pots” and introduce them across the province. underway, Oceana Canada collaborated with Survey for Fisheries, as well as create its own online northern cod showing early signs of recovery, These eco-friendly, low-bycatch fish traps are a big two top fisheries scientists to compile the most “dashboard” to track the health of the country’s fish. open data and science-based management are more improvement on the gillnets and bottom trawls used comprehensive and up-to-date report ever conducted Oceana Canada also plans to push the government to important than ever. “This is exactly the time we by industrial vessels. “We’re moving back to a cod on the state of Canada’s fish stocks. Thanks to Oceana enact rebuilding plans for all overfished stocks and to need to make sure we have a rebuilding plan in fishery again,” said Payne, “and in this way we’re Canada’s efforts, Laughren said, the government commit to releasing annual reports on the health of place,” Laughren said, “so that we don’t squander this trying to be leaders here in Newfoundland. I guess was receptive to the report’s findings. Laughren every fishery. generational opportunity to rebuild cod.” we’re the new generation now. We’re going to be paraphrased their attitude as: “We agree that this is a fishing a different way so that we can sustain our way problem, we accept the recommendations, and we’re ARE YOU THERE, COD? Payne is also preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime of life and our children.” intent on fixing it.” Back on Newfoundland’s Fogo Island, Oceana shot to get things right. He’s part of a growing Canada’s transparency victory could spell positive initiative led by local organizations to perfect “cod

18 | SPRING 2017 OCEANA.ORG | 19 GO FIGURE ASK DR. PAULY

Trawling boat out at sea ©Philip Lange

Illegal Fishing by Another Name Smells too Sweet

I’m writing this on a plane home from The crime of illegal fishing directly affects involved in other illegal activities such as the Netherlands, where I attended a food security in developing countries. For drug running, wildlife and human trafficking conference sponsored by the Royal example, when Russian industrial vessels or human rights violations against their Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and illegally target sardines off Senegal in semi-enslaved crew. So, as many of the the Netherlands Institute for the Study Northwest Africa, they catch a fish that is criminologists at the conference pointed of Crime and Law Enforcement. Why, also sought after by the local, canoe-based out: Suppressing illegal fishing helps reduce you may ask, did these two very different artisanal fishery. This fishery in turn supplies associated criminal activities as well. organizations co-sponsor a conference? local processors who dry the sardines and It was to discuss and closely examine the send them inland where they represent As a result, the many national and relationship between illegal fishing and the a unique source of animal protein and international NGOs that increasingly deal ecosystems and food security of developing micronutrients. with illegal fishing must begin to focus on countries. The conference brought the role that states and intergovernmental together experts from disciplines that rarely Illegal fishing not only threatens food organizations such as Interpol, the collaborate, namely fisheries scientists and security, it also threatens the very International Maritime Organization and CANADA’S FISHERIES criminologists. It caused me to consider biodiversity upon which functioning the International Labor Organization play how and why we — in the conservation marine ecosystems depend. A Chinese in combating illegal fishing. The efforts of Many Canadian fisheries including cod, mackerel and redfish are in community — need to increase our focus on fleet operating off Mauritania, another NGOs may not be enough to crack a criminal bad shape, leaving the country’s fishers dangerously dependent on a illegal fishing as a stand-alone issue. Northwest African country with extremely enterprise, but a determined state prosecutor handful of shellfish species. But if managed right, the abundance of productive waters, illegally catches seabirds — especially one who gets information from Canada’s oceans can be rebuilt within our lifetime. IUU VS. ILLEGAL FISHING (yes, seabirds!) such as the Northern gannet, NGOs — can be. Global Fishing Watch and Data sourced from Here’s the Catch, 2016 In the ocean conservation world, you will in addition to targeting the fish for which other data-based projects from the nonprofit often hear about “IUU fishing,” which stands they have presumably paid an “access fee.” sector are an excellent start to ensuring that for illegal, unreported and unregulated We know this because in 2013 Mauritanian the information needed to find and track fishing. It was created to shed light on inspectors found a Chinese fishing vessel illegal fishing is made available to the right the scale of “off-the-books” fisheries. with boxes labeled “corvina,” which are also individuals, authorities and institutions. 1,600% The conference made clear, however, known as croakers or weakfish. The boxes 1992 70+ species Increase of adult haddock biomass that the term IUU has long outlived its actually contained frozen gannets ready to This last point seems crucial to me. It’s time The cod industry in Canada are caught as bycatch in the Atlantic halibut fishery. on eastern Georges Bank due to usefulness. IUU has too often been used as a thaw and cook. to move beyond discussing how awful “IUU collapsed, leading to a conservation efforts synonym for “illegal,” and has consequently fishing” is and to start assisting the parts of moratorium on fishing of conflated criminal activities with fisheries FEWER FISH, MORE CRIME government — namely law enforcement the species. management issues including what may be The decline of fish stocks worldwide has authorities and the judiciary — that can help the simple non-reporting of catches from spurred some unscrupulous fleet owners to address the “illegal” or criminal enterprise Canadians employed perfectly legal fisheries. Illegal fishing is a to reduce the cost of fishing through illegal present in this acronym. Doing so will help 46,000 directly by wild fisheries crime and as such must be dealt with by law means. These criminal workarounds include us all to save the oceans and feed the world. Canadian stocks <1/4 enforcement institutions rather than lumped using flags of convenience for their vessels currently in of Canada’s fish stocks together with fishery management problems. — registering the ship to another country critical condition 18 It’s not an issue of fishery management or “flag,” which may enable a ship to bypass are known to be healthy. any more than car theft is an issue for car oversight and regulations — or illegally Daniel Pauly is the principal mechanics. We now have other ways, such accessing fish by not paying for fishing rights investigator of the Sea Around Decline in the as new data on the Sea Around Us website, in a coastal nation’s Exclusive Economic Us Project at the University of of Canada’s seafood British Columbia’s Institute for value comes from $6 billion abundance of to emphasize the (very large) scale of other Zone. The owners and officers of vessels 77% 55% the Oceans and Fisheries and a shellfish in the Atlantic Export value of Canada’s fisheries in 2015 Canada’s fish stocks since 1970 forms of off-the-books fishing. involved in illegal fishing are too often also member of the Board of Oceana.

The Pearl Necklace Book

MIKIMOTO EVENT

On Oct. 13, 2016, renowned jeweler and longstanding Oceana supporter Mikimoto hosted an event celebrating a special installation called the Mikimoto Möbius Ribbon. The stunning display of archival photographs and campaign materials flowed through a 775-square-foot space in ribbon- like fashion at South Coast Plaza in Costa Angelfish, Indian Ocean - Kenya Snapper fish, Indian Ocean - Kenya Mesa, California. ©Kim Briers ©Rich Carey

VIPs marked the unveiling with a cocktail Jennifer Segerstrom, Mitra Parsa, party and viewing of one-of-a-kind pieces Valarie Van Cleave and historical treasures, including the necklace baseball great Joe DiMaggio gifted KENYAN REEF FISH to his glamorous wife Marilyn Monroe. This coincided with the release of Assouline’s The calming blue surface of the Western — intense fishing pressure meant that most barely budged — remaining at a paltry 2.3 coffee table book The Pearl Necklace, a Indian Ocean hides a secret — a vast, large predatory species had disappeared, kilograms per day. compendium of the history, allure and vibrant coral reef spanning hundreds of and other fish were vanishing fast. magnetism of the pearl. miles up and down the African coast. The The new management techniques region’s reef is one of the world’s largest In 1996, the average daily catch in the happened to coincide with rising ocean Guests included Oceana Board Vice-Chair fringing reefs, or reefs near a shoreline. study sites was 4.9 kilograms. By 2000, this temperatures caused by the 1997-1998 El Valarie Van Cleave, Oceana Ambassador and Upwards of 15 million people rely on this number had slipped to 2.5 kilograms per Niño in the Indian Ocean, which destroyed actor Oscar Nunez, Mikimoto COO Meyer reef for food and for their livelihoods. But day. But starting in 1997 and continuing a significant amount of coral. Surprisingly, Hoffman and Mikimoto VP of Retail Mitra pressure from an increasing population until 2005, many of the study sites phased this extreme change in the environment Parsa. Other notables included Jennifer Sabrina Azadi Kathleen Conner Karen Cahill and Oscar Nunez and Meyer Hoffman and Don Courtney meant that by the late 1990s, local fishers’ out or restricted a harmful and technically did not harm the fishermen’s catch or Segerstrom, Karen Cahill, Debra Gunn nets were coming up empty. With simple illegal form of fishing gear called a “beach income. The possible reason, according to Downing and Dr. Danni Sun. management efforts, however, the daily seine.” These fine-mesh nets — pulled the researchers? The sound management catch in several study sites nearly doubled through shallow water by teams of up practices embraced by the community and For the last nine years, Mikimoto has been an in just a few years. to 30 men — can decimate small and the fishers themselves. Healthier, more auction sponsor at the SeaChange Summer reproductively immature fish. diverse ecosystems likely strengthen fish Party, Oceana’s largest fundraiser in Laguna Between 1996 and 2005, researchers with communities’ resilience to climate change. Beach, helping to raise over $225,000. the Wildlife Conservation Society tracked The new regulations were a boon for Mikimoto is recognized as the world leader several artisanal fishing sites in southern overfished species. Between 2005 and and foremost producer of the finest quality Kenya. Fishers there target a variety of 2012, the average fisher’s daily catch had McClanahan TR and Abunge CA, “Catch Rates and cultured pearl jewelry. Company founder species, from parrotfish and snapper to climbed to 4 kilograms. On the north Income Are Associated with Fisheries Management Kokichi Mikimoto was the first person to Restrictions and Not an Environmental Disturbance, octopus. Though their gear is low-tech — coast of Kenya, where there had been no develop a technique for the cultivation of basket traps, hand-held nets and spearguns efforts to restrict beach seines, catches had in a Heavily Exploited Tropical Fishery,” Marine Ecology Progress Series 513 (2014): 201–10. pearls in 1893, which is still in use today.

22 | SPRING 2017 OCEANA.ORG | 23 Stephanie Howard and Kathleen Cenci Mikimoto Möbius Ribbon Photos: ©Carla Rhea SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT CHEF’S CORNER

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: SAM TALBOT’S THAI COCONUT MUSSELS MONIQUE BÄR, JENA KING AND JEAN WEISS (from The Perfect Protein) | Serves 4-6 as an appetizer Three distinguished philanthropists and ocean advocates are now “We are honored to welcome Jean, Jena and Monique to our board Chef Sam Talbot grew up fishing for blue crab and flounder along the North Carolina coast, and he part of the Oceana family. Monique Bär, Jena King and Jean Weiss, of directors at a time when protecting, preserving and restoring the strives to serve seafood that’s just as fresh, local and sustainable. A fan favorite on two different the newest members of the Oceana board of directors, join 17 world’s oceans matters more than ever,” said Oceana CEO Andy seasons of Top Chef, the mastermind behind Brooklyn’s new Pretty Southern restaurant and the other board members who hail from the business world, academia, Sharpless. “We’re looking forward to tapping into their diverse author of 100% Real: 100 Insanely Good Recipes for Clean Food Made Fresh, Talbot is always on the philanthropy backgrounds and the arts. The Oceana board plays a backgrounds and expertise to further Oceana’s mission to save the lookout for ingredients that honor people and the planet. “I’m constantly looking for the most key role in achieving our many policy victories and expanding the oceans and feed the world.” organization into other regions all over the world. eco-responsible source,” he said. “And usually when you find those people, their products, their fish, their vegetables, their honey, it’s far superior to everything that’s out there.” Sweet, spicy and layered with flavor, this dish can be made with fresh littleneck clams if mussels aren’t available. Serve with bowls of warm white sticky rice.

INGREDIENTS

- 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil - 3 tbsp. peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger - 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped - 1 shallot, finely chopped - 2 tbsp. finely chopped lemongrass MONIQUE BÄR JENA KING JEAN WEISS - 2 tbsp. ground unsweetened coconut - 1 ½ lbs. mussels, debearded, scrubbed well and Monique Bär is the founder and president Philanthropist Jena King founded the Jean Weiss spent her business career in washed clean of the Arcas Foundation, a Swiss Jena and Michael King Foundation with training and development and worked in Los - 1/3 cup dry white wine organization devoted to promoting equal her late husband in 1999. Since then, Angeles for the American Funds, a member work opportunities for marginalized the foundation has supported the efforts of the Capital Group Companies. For more - 1 tbsp. soy sauce people. In addition to Oceana’s board, of 78 environmental and humanitarian than 25 years, she and her husband Tim - 1 tsp. fish sauce Monique serves on the board of several nonprofits, and Jena was honored with have spearheaded many fundraising efforts foundations that support sustainability, Global Green’s Entertainment Industry for the arts, education, healthcare and the - 1 tsp. sambal social property and education, including Environmental Leadership Award for fight against domestic violence. Although (chile-garlic paste) Educa Swiss, Forma Futura Invest AG her commitment to the environment. In her family’s livelihood came from her father - ¾ cup coconut milk and SwissFoundations. With degrees in addition to overseeing a donor-advised working offshore for more than 30 years, engineering as well as supervising and fund through the Jewish Community Jean is passionate about protecting the - ½ cup torn cilantro leaves, stems discarded coaching, Monique has counseled a variety Foundation, she is a founding member oceans from offshore drilling, overfishing - ½ cup torn mint leaves, stems discarded of business and nonprofit organizations of C.O.A.C.H for Kids, which provides and the effects of global warming. The BP - Juice and zest of 2 limes since the mid-‘90s. medical assistance to underserved children, Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, which and a board member of the National practically destroyed the marine life, fishing - Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste “Oceana campaigns for concrete policies Resources Defense Council. industries and way of life in her hometown, that will protect the oceans and help restore inspired her work with Oceana. DIRECTIONS abundance. This model has led to more “We are all tied to the sea — it is home to than 100 significant policy victories and much of our planet’s life and inextricably “Oceana has been a leader in the fight Warm the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add Cover the pan and steam the mussels for 2 to 4 minutes, or the protection of more than one million linked with our own history. If we want against dangerous offshore oil drilling the ginger, garlic, shallot and lemongrass and cook for 2 until they open. Discard any that don’t open, and spoon the square miles of ocean — an impressive track a healthy planet, we need to restore the activities, both in the United States and to 3 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the coconut and stir remaining mussels into a large warmed serving bowl. Stir the record. I am proud to be joining the board oceans. I am excited to work with Oceana around the world. Protecting the U.S. Arctic frequently for 2 minutes, or until the shallot is translucent cilantro, mint, lime juice and lime zest into the broth. Season of such a proven, successful organization.” so that our children and grandchildren and Atlantic from offshore oil drilling and and the garlic and ginger have softened. Add the mussels and with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately. Photo courtesy of Monique Bär can experience the wonder of healthy, exploration are major accomplishments. I wine to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook biodiverse oceans.” look forward to joining Oceana’s efforts as a for 1 minute. Add the soy sauce, fish sauce, and chile-garlic Tip: Look for lemongrass, ground coconut, fish sauce, and Photo ©Vince Bucci/Getty Images member of the board of directors.” paste. Simmer for 1 minute. Stir in the coconut milk. sambal in your local Asian market. Photo courtesy of Jean Weiss

Sunset at Middle Caye, home to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s research station. Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize. ©Oceana/Alexander Ellis

26 | SPRING 2017 OCEANA.ORG | 27 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, 5th Floor Washington, D.C. 20036 USA phone: +1.202.833.3900 toll-free: 1.877.7.OCEANA

Tunicate colony (Clavelina lepadiformis) seen in Porto Meloxo, Ría© de OCEANA Arousa, | Carlos Galicia, Suarez Spain © Oceana/Carlos Suárez Give today at Oceana.org/give You can help Oceana fight to restore our oceans with your financial contribution. Call us today at 1.877.7.OCEANA, go to our website www.oceana.org/give and click on “give today” or use the envelope provided in this newsletter. You can also invest in the Oceana’s accomplishments wouldn’t be possible future of our oceans by remembering Oceana in your will. Please contact us to find out how. All contributions to Oceana are tax without the support of its members. deductible. Oceana is a 501(c)(3) organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service.