NOAAlNMFS Developments Alaska or walleye pollock, at 552 million pounds, were primarily respon­ sible for the new record. Pollock rose 323 percent from 1986, more than ten times higher than the 5-year average of u.s. Catches, Eats Record 50.7 million pounds. Landings of tuna, Amounts of Fish and Shellfish Pacific , crabs, and scallops also helped boost the figure. Shrimp landings fell to 363.1 million pounds valued at $578.1 million dollars last year from 400.2 million pounds worth $662.7 Americans ate a record amount of Harvests by American fishermen, million in 1986-a decrease of 37 mil­ for the fourth consecutive year who landed their catches at ports out­ lion pounds and $84.7 million dollars. in 1987, consuming 15.4 pounds per per­ side the 50 states or sold their fish at son and breaking the 1986 record of 14.7 sea in joint venture operations, were an Top States pounds, according to the National additional 4.1 billion pounds, worth Louisiana led all states in volume with Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra­ $454 million-an increase in both vol­ landings of 1.8 billion pounds, followed tion's National Marine Serv­ ume and value from 1986. The NMFS by Alaska, 1.7 billion pounds; Virginia, ice. Some 3.7 billion pounds of edible said that increased catches of menhaden 709.6 million pounds; California, 451.7 fish and shellfish were consumed by the at 2.7 billion pounds, followed by million pounds; and Mississippi, 436.7 civilian population. A record consump­ tion of fresh and frozen fish, primarily shrimp, along with a near-record con­ sumption of canned fish, mostly tuna, helped boost the per capita figure, the Commerce Department agency said. According to NMFS marketing ex­ perts, a trend of steadily increasing fish and shellfish consumption since the 1970's, and news that eating fish may help prevent heart disease and other ail­ ments has helped seafood consumption. Improved marketing of quality fresh and frozen fish by air to Midwestern cities was another factor in the increase. The NMFS said Americans are also taking advantage of increased availability of seafood at restaurants and supermarkets, and the appearance of nontraditional species, such as farm-raised catfish and walleye (Alaska) pollock, along with tuna and surimi-based products. The domestic figures reflect the consump­ tion of edible meat, rather than the weight of the whole fish, NOAA said. Record Landings Meanwhile, U.S. fishermen landed a record 6.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 1987, valued at $3.1 billion. The new figure breaks the 1980 record of 6.5 billion pounds. Last year's land­ ings rose just over 865 million pounds from the 1986 total of 6 billion pounds, worth $2.8 billion. Fishermen received an average of 45 cents a pound for their fish last year.

50(3). 1988 51 million pounds. Alaska led all states in million, a remarkable jump of 48 per­ produce fillets and surimi. Hampton fish value with $941.7 million, followed cent over the same period in 1987. By Roads, Va., made substantial gains from by Louisiana, $315.9 million; Massa­ contrast, imports grew only 4 higher prices and landings for fluke and chusetts, $178.9 million; Texas, $199.7 percent in value in the first 4 months of increased volume in scallops. The 10 million and California, $173.2 million. 1988 compared to the same period in leading U.S. ports in volume of fish and World commercial fishery landings 1987, suggesting that the trade imbalance shellfish landed in 1987 (in millions of were a record at 203.3 billion pounds in fishery products, while still large, is pounds), with 1986 figures for compari­ with Japan continuing to be the leading narrowing. son: nation with 13 percent of the total world Leading U.S. Ports catch. The Soviet Union was second Port 1987 1986 with 12 percent, followed by China at New Bedford, Mass., led all other Cameron, La. 672.4 616.8 nine percent, Peru and Chile each with U.S. cities with a record value of fish Pascagoula-Moss Point, Miss. 391.6 365.5 Empire-Venice. La. 357.4 317.6 6 percent and the United States with 5 landings in 1987 and Cameron, La., DUlac-Chauvin, La. 331.7 294.6 percent. World commercial fishery topped all others in the volume of its International City, La. 314.3 298.9 Kodiak, Alaska 204.1 141.2 landings are based on 1986 data from catch, according to NMFS data. New Los Angeles, Calif. 203.1 187.4 by the United Nation's Food and Agri­ Bedford led with more than $143 million Dutch Harbor-Unalaska, Alaska 128.2 88.3 Gloucester, Mass. 93.0 110.0 culture Organization. worth of fish and shellfish landed, up Beaufort-Morehead City, N.C. 85.7 98.9 substantially from $106 million in 1986. Record Exports Scallops accounted for nearly half of the The ten leading U.S. ports in value of Meanwhile, U.S. fishery exports have total dollar value, even though they fish and shellfish landed in 1987 (in been setting a record pace, according to made up only 21 percent of the total fish million of dollars), with 1986 figures for NMFS statistics. Last year (1987), the landed. Cameron, as in the past 10 comparison: value of edible fish imports was at its years, led in volume, with 672 million highest ever-$57 billion, while exports pounds of fish landed. Most were low­ also set a record, with U.S. businesses value but industrially important men­ Port 1987 1986 selling $1.6 billion worth of seafood to haden. New Bedford, Mass. 143.7 106.0 Kodiak, Alaska 132.1 89.8 overseas markets. That represented an Other shifts include a rise in fish Dulac-Chauvin, La. 65.6 71.0 value and quantity for Dutch Harbor­ Dutch Harbor·Unalaska. Alaska 62.7 37.2 increase of almost 48 million pounds in Empire-Venice. La. 60.1 47.1 volume and more than $290 million in Unalaska and Kodiak, Alaska, from in­ Los Angeles, Calif. 55.6 29.5 Brownsville-Port Isabel, Texas 54.2 69.3 value over the 1986 figures. creased landings of walleye pollock, Hampton Roads Areas, Va. 46.2 23.6 Trade figures for the first 4 months Pacific cod, plaice, and sole, mostly Cordova, Alaska 41.9 N/A of 1988 indicate sales of about $478 used in Alaskan processing plants to Petersburg, Alaska 36.9 38.1

New England Fish Harvest lion pounds, valued at 512.6 million National Marine Fisheries Service's Value Is Up, Weight Down dollars. These 1987 figures are down Northeast Region. 12.0 million pounds and up 63.7 mil­ Preliminary figures for commercial lion dollars from the 1986 figures, ac­ landings of New England fish and cording to Allen E. Peterson, Jr., Table 3.-Prellmlnary weights' and values of fish and shellfish during 1987 were 543.7 mil- Science and Research Director of the shellfish landings in New England on a speclea·by­ species basis lor 1986 and 1987.

1986 1987

Million Million Million Million Table l.-Prellmlnary weights' and values of fish and Table 2.-Prellminary weights' and values of fish and Species pounds dollars pounds dollars shellfish landings In New England on a state·by·state shellfish landings in New England on a pol1·by-pol1 basis basis for 1986 and 1987. for 1986 and 1987. Atlantic herring 70.4 3.8 84.5 4.4 Allantic cod 60.8 35.6 58.4 43.7 1986 1987 1986 1987 Pollock 54.4 14.0 44.6 17.8 American lobster 43.3 112.2 42.8 124.7 Million Million Milkon Million Million Million Million Million Silver hake 34.4 5.9 25.9 7.3 State pounds dollars pounds dollars Port pounds dollars pounds dollars Winter flounder 16.3 16.8 18.4 22.7 Sea scallop 11.4 60.1 18.2 80.6 Massachusetts 271.3 243.6 256.8 278.9 Gloucester, MA 1096 37.8 92.6 34.0 Yellowtail flounder 22.2 20.5 16.4 18.7 Maine 168.2 108.4 169.0 132.4 New Bedford, MA 90.6 103.2 78.5 143.7 White hake 14.6 4.9 11.7 5.2 Rhode Island 101.6 75.1 100.0 77.5 PI. Judith, RI 56.8 28.0 46.5 29.6 Northern shrimp 10.3 6.5 11.1 12.2 New Hampshire 7.9 6.2 9.3 7.8 Portland, ME 34.3 22.4 43.4 35.6 Summer fl. (fluke) 10.0 13.1 8.7 14.3 Connecticut 6.7 15.6 8.6 16.0 Rockland, ME 42.7 9.1 38.6 8.1 Scup 8.0 4.3 7.8 5.1 Boaston, MA 30.7 19.0 22.5 17.0 Swordfish 2.2 7.0 7.7 8.6 Totals 555.7 448.9 543.7 512.6 Newport. RI 16.8 13.3 11.8 12.6 Haddock 10.9 10.9 6.6 8.5

'Landings of fish, lobster, and crab in live weight; landings 'Landings 01 fish, lobster, and crab in live weight; landings ' Landings of fish, lobster, and crab in live weight; landings of other shellfish in meat weight. of other shellfish in meat weight. of other shellfish in meat weight.

52 Marine Fisheries Review Table 4.-Prellmlnary weights (live) and values of Ameri­ can lobster landings In New England on a state-by-state Evans Confirmed As organization that regulates commercial basis for 1986 and 1987. NOAA Administrator, whaling internationally, was announced 1986 1987 by the White House on 25 May. As administrator of NOAA, Evans Million Million Million Million IWC Commissioner State pounds dollars pounds dollars establishes Federal policies and directs Williams E. Evans was sworn into programs to improve the understanding, Maine 19.7 46.2 19.8 54.6 Massachusetts 15.0 41.0 15.0 43.8 office on Friday, 1 April 1988, as Under management, conservation, and devel­ Rhode Isiand 5.1 16.7 5.3 17.8 opment of the nation's marine and at­ Connecticut 1.8 5.4 1.6 5.3 Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and New Hampshire 1.1 2.8 1.1 3.2 Atmosphere, and Administrator of the mospheric resources for economic and

Totals 42.7 112.1 428 124.7 Commerce Department's National social benefit. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra­ tion (NOAA). Evans was nominated to his position by President Ronald W. Brennan Heads National Reagan after a year and a half as Landings of such traditionally impor­ Marine Fisheries Service NOAA's Assistant Administrator for tant groundfishes as cod, haddock, and Fisheries. His nomination was con­ James W. Brennan, deputy general yellowtail flounder decreased by 12.0 firmed by the Senate on Thursday, 31 counsel for the National Oceanic and million pounds in 1987 compared with March. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 1986, continuing a multiyear decline in As head of the National Marine Fish­ was named to head the agency's Nation­ the landings of those species. Peterson eries Service, he was responsible for al Marine Fisheries Service in early sees "no change in this trend" for 1988. management and enforcement of fish­ June. As assistant administrator for fish­ Landings of sea scallops increased by ery resources, and conservation and eries in the Commerce Department 6.8 million pounds and 20.5 million protection of threatened and endangered agency, Brennan will be responsible for dollars in 1987 compared to 1986, to marine mammals. He is President management of fishery resources in the reach an all-time high of 18.2 million Emeritus of the Hubbs Marine Research Nation's 200-mile Exclusive Economic pounds and 80.6 million dollars. Institute in San Diego, Calif., and Zone, and protection of threatened and Tables 1-3 compare the weights and Chairman Emeritus of the U.S. Marine endangered marine animals. values of New England landings in 1986 Mammal Commission. He is widely Brennan has been with NOAA's and 1987 on a state, port, and species recognized for research on the effects of Office of General Counsel since 1971. basis. Table 4 has also been included on acoustics on the behavior of marine landings of American lobsters in each Before that he worked at the Commerce mammals. Department's Patent Office and the Of­ of the New England states. Evans has conducted aerial surveys to fice of Naval Research. He holds a B.S. collect and evaluate data for stock esti­ in chemical engineering from the Uni­ Continued Expansion Seen mates of dolphins and has done exten­ versity of Rochester and a law degree for N.E. Marine sive research for the Navy on the dol­ from Georgetown Law Center. He has phin's ability to navigate and adapt to the done post-graduate legal studies at the Northeastern U.S. marine anglers will ocean environment. He has pioneered University of Frankfurt in West Ger­ increase in numbers by at least 34 per­ in use of remote sensing data from sat­ many. He is married with six children cent by the year 2025, bringing the total ellites for biological oceanography. He and lives in Vienna, Virginia. to nearly 5 million anglers. That's the has published over 100 scientific articles prediction ofNMFS Northeast Fisheries and chapters in textbooks, is affiliated Center scientists as presented in a talk with numerous professional organiza­ Boehlert Named to Head at the Symposium on Demand and tions, and has taught at several major NMFS Honolulu Laboratory Supply of Sport , held in Char­ universities. He has received many leston, S.c., earlier this year. The pre­ awards for science and public service. George W. Boehlert, 38, has been dicted increase comes on the heels of a Evans received a Ph.D. in physiology, selected as the new director of the Na­ 200 percent increase in the last 30 years. ecology, biology, and animal behavior tional Marine Fisheries Service labora­ The model used by Northeast Fish­ from the University of California at Los tory in Honolulu, Hawaii, reports Iza­ eries Center scientists to make these Angeles, a master's degree from Ohio dore Barrett, Science and Research predictions relies on projections of State University, and a bachelor's degree Director of the NMFS Southwest Re­ population size and the closeness of the in education from Bowling Green State gion. Boehlert has led the fisheries population to the shoreline. Future University. He is married and the father laboratory's research program on the NEFC research will extend the predic­ of two sons. physical and biological interactions in tions to include specific fisheries (e.g., More recently, Evans has been ap­ seamount and island ecosystems since bluefish, summer flounder) and fishing pointed United States Commissioner on 1983. He is the author of many scien­ modes (e.g., charter boat fishing, shore the International Whaling Commission. tific papers on these subjects as well as fishing). Evans' appointment to the 41-nation on the reproduction, ageing, and growth

50(3), 1988 53 of fishes, and the physiological responses promote NOAA's programs within the to corning to NOAA, Peterson served as of fishes to environmental changes. larger research community, Evans said, Director of the Deep Sea Drilling Pro­ Before joining the Laboratory staff, adding that the Chief Scientist can also gram at Scripps Institution of Ocean­ Boehlert was an Associate Professor of be instrumental in identifying and fos­ ography, and he draws upon a broad Oceanography at Oregon State Univer­ tering new ways for Federal agencies range of research and operational ex­ sity. He graduated from the University and other institutions to work together perience, as well as extensive national of California, Santa Barbara in 1972 in service to the American people. Prior and international contacts. with a Phi Beta Kappa key. He received his Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of California's world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography in Shark Tagging Provides Needed Biological Data IfJ77. He is married to the former Susan Shimp, and they have two sons, Brent Table 1.-Summary of sharks and teleosts tagged by In 1987 a total of 5,760 sharks and cooperative taggers. Jan.-Dec. 1987. and Brooks. teleosts (bony fishes) representing 41 No. No. As Director of the Honolulu Labora­ species were tagged under the Coopera- Species tagged Species tagged tory, which started as the Pacific tive Shark Tagging Program (Table 1). Sharks Sharks cont. Oceanic Fishery Investigations in 1949, The releases were made by volunteer Blue shark 2,638 Bignose shark 2 Boehlert leads a group of 80-90 fishery anglers (54 percent), U.S. Foreign Fish­ Sandbar shark 632 Smooth spiny dogfish 2 Dusky shark 343 Spiny dogfish 2 scientists and support staff in conduc­ eries Observers (30 percent), commer- Tiger shark 293 White shark 1 ting research programs throughout the Shortfin mako 259 Carib. sharpnose cial fishermen (10 percent) and other Lemon shark 252 shark 1 central and western Pacific which range biologists (6 percent). NMFS biologists Atl. sharpnose Leopard shark 1 shark 206 Whale shark 1 from studies of the biology and habitat did not tag for the first time in 25 years. Blacktip shark 189 Hammerhead unspec. 48 of tuna, billfish, bottomfish, lobster and Even so, the number of releases last year Porbeagle 91 Thresher unspec. 26 Nurse shark 91 BrownlDusky unspec. 14 deep-sea shrimp to studies of the en­ increased to 750 more than in 1986 with Bigeye thresher 56 Blacktip unspec. 8 dangered Hawaiian monk seal and the capture gear about equally divided Scalloped Sand unspec. 8 hammerhead 51 Dogfish unspec. 4 threatened green sea turtle. BoeWert between longline and rod-and-reel. Sand tiger 51 Carcharhinus unspec. 4 replaces Richard S. Shomura who Blacknose shark 46 Miscellaneous 1 34 The annual variations in the number Basking shark 33 stepped down after 15 years as the offish tagged (e.g., 3,700+ in 1984 and Spinner shark 26 Subtotal 5,559 Bull shark 24 Director of the Honolulu Laboratory to 7,000+ in 1985) depends on several fac- Reef shark 23 Teleosts pursue several fishery-related projects torS. We expect there are natural cycles Silky shark 19 Swordfish 122 Bonnethead 16 White marlin 15 before his planned retirement from of increased and decreased abundance, Smooth Blue marlin 15 federal service in August, 1988. but almost nothing is known about these hammerhead 15 Sailfish 3 Longfin mako 13 Billfishes 3 cycles with respect to sharks. Actually, Oceanic whitetip Bluefin tuna 2 shark 12 Longbill spearfish 1 Great Tuna unspec. 1 Peterson Selected As This article was prepared by 1. Casey, H. W. Pratt, hammerhead 7 Miscellaneous 39 N. Kohler, and C. Stillwell with the Cooperative Greenland shark 6 NOAA Chief Scientist Shark Tagging Program, National Marine Fish­ Night shark 4 Subtotal 201 Finetooth shark 4 eries Service, Northeast Fisheries Center, Narra­ Thresher shark 3 Grand total 5,760 "NOAA is a science organization," gansett, RI 02882. stated William E. Evans, Under Secre­ tary of Commerce for Oceans and At­ mosphere, as he announced the selec­ tion of Melvin N. A. Peterson to fIll the Spiny dogfish. Photo by William High. new position of NOAA Chief Scientist in April. NOAA, said Evans, has one of the finest groups of scientists in the world, and its mission, he pointed out, is unique in environmental observation, prediction, and supporting research and information management. The new Chief Scientist can contri­ bute to NOAA's pursuit of its mission in several ways, Evans noted. Internal­ ly, he can act to preserve and enhance the excellence of NOAA's science staff and the facilities and resources available to NOAA scientists. Externally, the Chief Scientist can help coordinate and

54 Marine Fisheries Review the total number of sharks tagged in a Blue sharks provided 69 returns. The returns from sandbar sharks came from particular year is related more to fishing maximum time at liberty for a blue longline vessels fishing off Florida or activities than to changes in abundance. shark was 6.0 years and the maximum Mexico. Fortunately, some U.S. com­ For example, NMFS biologists may distance travelled was 3,251 miles. mercial shark fishermen are also avid have one or two research cruises in While some blues were recaptured near taggers, and have provided data and some years and none in others. The the release site after 4 years at liberty, vertebrae from tagged sharks for age number of fish tagged by U.S. Fisheries others travelled considerable distances studies. Fishermen who know about Observers aboard foreign vessels de­ in a relatively short time (e.g., 546 sharks also know that the stocks are pends largely on the number of foreign miles in 39 days or 14 miles per day). highly susceptible to intensive fishing. vessels permitted in that.fishery. Last Long-distance movements by blues Both recreational and commercial in­ year more sharks were tagged by south­ tagged off the U.S. coast included 6 terests are concerned that populations of ern commercial shark fishermen in that recaptures from Canada, 3 from some sharks will be seriously impacted expanding fishery. Considering only the Azores, 3 from Colombia, 2 from Por­ by increased fishing. This concern is number of sharks tagged by anglers in tugal, 2 from Cuba, and 1 from the West justified based on the past history of the past 10 years, the number of releases Indies. Some returns from Spanish shark fisheries throughout the world. has declined slightly despite an increase longliners came from areas between the The sandbar shark was the most abun­ in the number of participants. But even Azores and the Grand Banks that are dant species in the U.S. commercial in that category annual trends must be fished by American, Canadian, and shark fishery along the Atlantic Coast interpreted with caution. Japanese vessels. In recent years, the during the 1940's. The number of sharks tagged by eastward expansion of the U.S. and the Mako sharks provided 19 returns. The anglers is influenced by a variety of fac­ westward expansion of the Spanish maximum time at liberty for a mako was tors from weekend weather conditions, longline fishery is evidence that several 4.0 years and the maximum distance changes in the distribution of common nations have the capability to target travelled was 1,412 miles. The distance sharks in some years, increased utiliza­ highly pelagic species anywhere in the between tag and recapture exceeded tion of sharks for food, an increase in Atlantic. One would expect that sharks 1,200 miles for six (32 percent) of the shark fishing tournaments, and a shift will be increasingly important to these returns. Three makos tagged in the Mid­ in fishing effort by some of our most ex­ fisheries, perhaps in the not too distant Atlantic Bight (i.e., between Cape Hat­ pert taggers to other species such as future. teras and Cape Cod) were recaptured tunas. As a consequence of these and Sandbar sharks provided 44 returns. about 600 miles east of the Grand Banks other variables, the total number of The maximum time at liberty for a sand­ by Spanish longliners. Two additional sharks tagged has limitations as a mea­ bar shark was 21.8 years and the max­ makos tagged in the Mid-Atlantic Bight sure of population abundance. On the imum distance travelled was 1,945 miles. were recaptured near Cuba. Last year other hand, tagging data is vital to the This is the longest time at liberty for any we also had the first recapture of a mako understanding of shark migrations, age, shark tagged under the program. Eight shark showing movement into the Gulf and growth; distribution, seasonal of the recaptures had been tagged by of Maine. The expanding recreational occurrence, and other aspects of their NMFS biologists aboard the Polish re­ shark fishery in the Gulf of Maine may biology. search vessel Wieczno during the 1986 reveal a higher abundance of sharks than A total of 210 tags from 19 species longline survey conducted between New indicated by the low numbers of tag were returned in 1987. Recaptures came England and southern Florida. A total returns from that area. from anglers (40 percent), U.S. com­ of 264 sandbar sharks were tagged on Tiger sharks provided 12 returns. The mercial fishermen (33 percent), foreign that cruise and the eight recaptures maximum time at liberty for a tiger fishermen (21 percent), U.S. Foreign ranged in distance from 4 to 1,100 miles shark was 5.5 years and the maximum Fisheries Observers on foreign vessels over a 9.7-month period. Other sandbar distance travelled was 1,126 miles. A (3 percent), and other biologists (3 per­ recaptures demonstrated movements tiger shark released off Montauk, N.Y., cent). Tags were returned from the from the northeastern United States in­ and recaptured off Cuba is the third to following 14 countries and island terri­ to the Gulf of Mexico. The predomi­ show movements of this species between tories: United States, 149; Japan, 14; nantly north to south pattern shown by the United States and Cuba. Of the long­ Mexico, 12; Spain, 10; Canada, 7; tagged sandbar sharks is in part ex­ distance returns (i.e., over 700 miles), Cuba, 5; Columbia, 3; Taiwan, 2; Por­ plained by the larger number tagged off three tiger sharks showed southward tugal, 2; Bermuda, 2; Bahamas, 1; St. the northeast coast. Additional tagging movements from New York and New Martin, 1; Barbados, 1; and Canary off Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico, Jersey to Florida and Cuba, and one Islands, 1. Sharks recaptured in 1987 including the coast of Mexico, is needed travelled northward from Florida to had originally been tagged by anglers to determine if sandbar sharks common­ New York. The fastest rate of travel was (60 percent), U.S. Foreign Fisheries ly return north from these areas. 15.1 miles per day for an individual Observers (17 percent), NMFS and In recent years, commercial shark tagged off New York in late July and other biologists (16 percent), and U.S. fishing off Florida has been expanding. recaptured off Florida in September. commercial fishermen (7 percent). Thirty-one (70 percent) of the 1987 These long-distance north-south move­

50(3), 1988 55 ments of tiger sharks are interesting in Gulf of Mexico (both records for this tures that provided early life history in­ that it was not too long ago that tiger species); dusky sharks that were at formation on young sharks that were sharks taken north of Cape Hatteras liberty for up to 11.8 years (a new record still on inshore nursery grounds. were thought to be tropical strays. Four for this species) and a maximum dis­ Tags were also returned from five of the recaptures were at liberty for over tance travelled of 1,385 miles (three swordfish, including one at liberty for 3 years and their vertebrae would have dusky recaptures showed movements 7.6 years. One swordfish recaptured in been valuable for age studies. Fisher­ from the U.S. east coast to Mexico); 1987 is the first to demonstrate move­ men are urged to make every attempt to nightsharks that were at liberty for up ments of swordfish from the offings of collect vertebrae from any tagged shark to 8.8 years and a maximum distance the Grand Banks to the Virgin Islands. recaptured. travelled of 1,441 miles between Mary­ (In March 1988 we received another Tag returns from other species in­ land and Mexico (a new distance record swordfish return showing movement cluded: Scalloped hammerheads that and second evidence of movement of from to Haiti.) Recap­ were at liberty for up to 9.6 years, and this species between the two countries); tures from two additional swordfish a maximum distance of 765 miles (both and reef sharks recaptured at the same tagged off Georges Bank included one records for this species); blacktip sharks location off Bermuda after 1.2 and 2.2 from the Grand Banks and one from the that were at liberty for up to 7 years, and years that were retagged and are still at Straits of Florida. a maximum distance travelled of 1,159 liberty. Returns from lemon, nurse, and miles between North Carolina and the other sharks were primarily local recap­

Tag and Recapture Update ly to insure maximum survival. bignose shark tagged off Maryland and However, when in doubt, release them recaptured off Alabama after 3 years In the first five months of 1988, a total and give them a chance. We have had (evidence that this species moves be­ of 1,000 sharks representing TI species recaptures from sharks that were con­ tween the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico); were tagged under the Cooperative sidered in poor condition when they and a porbeagle shark tagged off the Shark Tagging Program. The major were released. Flemish Cap and recaptured 300 miles species tagged were: Blue sharks releas­ From January through May, a total of west of the tagging site after 4 years. We ed by U.S. Foreign Fisheries Observers 51 tags were returned from 12 shark also had two tag returns from sword­ aboard Japanese tuna longliners fishing species including blue (17), sandbar fish-both were released off New off Georges Bank and the Middle Atlan­ (13), tiger (5), dusky (3), mako (2), and England. One was recaptured off tic Bight; sandbar sharks and tiger others (11). Blue sharks were at liberty Florida after 2.5 years; the other, taken sharks released by U.S. commercial for up to 3 years with eight returns off Haiti, travelled 1,250 miles in 57 shark longliners off eastern Florida and showing long-distance movements of days (22 miles/day). In addition to the in the Gulf of Mexico. 1,200-2,500 miles. Recaptures from above information, we were fortunate to An important aspect of this spring's blue sharks tagged off the northeastern receive vertebrae from several recap­ tagging was that one commercial long­ U.S. included one return from off tured sharks and some very valuable liner tagged over 250 nearly full term Madeira Island in the eastern Atlantic growth information from sharks that had sandbar shark embryos. The survival and several returns from off the West In­ been measured both at tag and rate of embryos taken from pregnant dies and South America. Nearly all of recapture. sharks and returned to the sea is not the tagged sandbar sharks were free for Jack Casey known and is a difficult problem to over 1 year and included recaptures after study. The efforts of fishermen in tag­ 7, 10, and 23 years (the maximum time ging embryos can provide vital informa­ at liberty to date). Seven of the thirteen tion. In the past 23 years, we have only sandbar sharks travelled over 1,200 Shark Tagging Studies had about 30 embryos tagged. The op­ miles, mainly from New York and New portunities to do so are very limited. Jersey, into the Gulf of Mexico. Most Shark tagging programs throughout The only first hand information we can of the tiger shark returns were short the world have been directed toward offer on this subject is that several. years term recaptures although one was recap­ several objectives, including studies of ago, one of our commercial longliners tured after 2.5 years and showed and migrations, age and growth, physiology, tagged several dusky shark embryos 800-mile movement from New England population dynamics, and swimming taken from a pregnant female in the Gulf to Florida. Three tagged tiger sharks behavior in the open sea. Tagging of Mexico and one was recaptured after were caught and released with the tags studies on sharks have been conducted 25 days. Our advice regarding tagging still in place. by researchers from Australia, Canada, has always been that sharks of all sizes Other interesting returns included a Great Britain, Greenland, Ireland, Nor­ are susceptible to internal injuries dur­ tagged dusky shark that travelled from way, South Africa, South America, ing capture and should be treated gent­ off Alabama to Mexico in 7 months; a Japan, and the United States.

56 Marine Fisheries Review Results of these studies include recap­ tin, program manager of the Marine mid"1960's to one in 1986. So far in tures from tagged Australian school Mammals and Endangered Species Pro­ 1988, the number of Kure births is at sharks over a 30-year-period, recaptures gram of the Honolulu Laboratory of the seven, the highest number since 10 were from sandbar sharks and spiny dogfish NMFS Southwest Fisheries Center. born in 1981. after 20 years, and recapture of a For now, the pups, which are being The three undersized pups probably Greenland shark after 16 years. Acoustic held at the NMFS tank at Kewalo Basin, were weaned half way through the nor­ telemetry has been used to measure must be force fed dead fish so that they mal nursing period of 40 days. In the average swimming speeds, diurnal eat enough to survive. Next March, they wild, weaned pups must live off their movements, depth ranges and other will be flown to Kure Atoll, North­ fat reserves for the next 2-4 months aspects of the behavior of several species western Hawaiian Islands, where the while learning to catch fish on their including lemon, reef, blacktip, ham­ number of monk seals is very low. Once own. Catching fish is a survival tech­ merhead, and blue sharks. at Kure, the seals will spend 2-4 weeks, nique their mothers do not teach them. The most extensive shark tagging pro­ learning to forage within the protective Unfortunately, small pups have less fat gram in the world has been conducted confines of a large wire mesh enclosure and therefore less time to learn. Natur­ by the National Marine Fisheries Ser­ that spans equal areas of ocean and ally curious, pups play in the water with vice in the North . This sand. Only after they are catching live fish, invertebrates and whatever else continuing study, covering 25 years, fish and invertebrates and feeding on catches their fancy. Eventually, by ac­ currently involves over 3,000 volunteer their own will they be released. cident or instinctively, they learn to fishermen and scientists along the North ''All the pups brought to Honolulu as forage on their own. American and European coasts. Under part of the head start program have been A contributing factor for the pups' this program 67,6Cf7 sharks representing very small and probably wouldn't have reduced nursing times is that good pup­ 43 species were tagged between 1962 survived if left in the wild," said Gil­ ping habitat is limited at French Frigate and 1986. In the same period 2,337 martin. Some pups have problems more Shoals. That problem is compounded by sharks of 30 species were recaptured by serious than simply being small, prob­ the fact that French Frigate Shoals sup­ fishermen representing 24 countries. lems such as congenital diseases or ports just over half the monk seal Results of the U.S. program include: deformities that are life threatening. population of the Northwestern Hawaii­ Transatlantic movements of the blue Before the seals are reintroduced to the an Islands and that, of the approximately sharks between North America, wild, they are carefully screened for 200 monk seal births in 1987, about half Europe, Africa, and South America disease and genetic problems. occurred at French Frigate Shoals. (maximum distance = 3,740 miles), A congenital problem may be why a Reduced nursing time is also due to recaptures from sandbar sharks show­ third pup that arrived in Honolulu on monk seals' not being as good as other ing movements between the United Friday died that same night. Gilmartin seal species at recognizing their own States, Cuba, and Mexico; recaptures of and NMFS biologist Doris 1. Alcorn pups. As a result, pups may wander 10 shark species demonstrating performed a necropsy on the animal, but away or be displaced by larger pups movements between the Atlantic and the the results will not be available for a few without the mothers ever noticing. Gulf of Mexico, and recaptures of night, weeks, so cause of death is unknown. Another part of the NMFS head start blacktip, tiger, bigeye thresher, sandbar, "If there is not a congenital problem, program at Kure Atoll involves weaned and dusky sharks between North the chance of survival for the Kure females that are placed in the America and the West Indies. rehabilitated pups increases from less ocean-beach enclosure for protection 1. G. Casey and N. E. Kohler than 40 percent to nearly 100 percent. from sharks and other seals, particularly There's no reason to gamble by leaving males. Pups learn to forage on fish and undersized pups to overwinter at French invertebrates that are placed by dip net Frigate Shoals," said Gilmartin, adding into the ocean portion of the enclosure that "Of the nine pups successfully while the pups are asleep on the beach. Monk Seal Pups Get treated and released since 1985, all are At the end of the field season, usually Honolulu Head Start still alive." Friday's airlife was made in September, the pups are released to possible by the Captain Bob Justman, the wild. As of 1987, 26 of the 27 in­ Two Hawaiian monk seal pups from who volunteered his time to fly to troduced or Kure-born seals from the French Frigate Shoals are getting a new French Frigate Shoals to pick up the head start program are still alive. Some lease on life as part of a head start pro­ pups and deliver them to Hono­ of the older seals from the program are gram aimed at enhancing the survival lulu. now giving birth, so head start is in its rate of this endangered species. The Introducing just a few females each second generation of seals. The U.S. pups, both small females, were flown to year is a significant addition to the Kure Fish and Wildlife Service assists in col­ Honolulu, Hawaii, on 13 May 1988, so population: The introduced female pups lecting the pups and bringing them to that they could "fatten up" overwinter outnumber the females born at Kure in Honolulu; the U.S. Coast Guard trans­ while learning the basic principles of the past few years. Monk seal births at ports the pups to Kure via a C-130 plane eating, according to William G. Gilmar­ Kure declined from 30 per year in the and provides some assistance in collect­

50(3), 1988 57 ing live food for the seals at Kure. covered. "We find that the turtles are must document outstanding scientific Volunteers help with the feeding and able to grow and survive in the wild," work. The Awards Committee is chaired care of the pups in Honolulu. said Klima. In addition to the Fisheries by the editor of the Fishery Bulletin, Service, other organizations involved in currently Andrew Dizon of the NMFS the project include the Instituto Na­ Southwest Fisheries Center. Other Com­ 1,100 Endangered Turtles cional de la Pesca in Mexico and the In­ mittee members include the editor of the Get Head Started in Gulf terior Department and the U.S. Coast Marine Fisheries Review, W. L. Hobart, Guard. The University of Texas pro­ and former Fishery Bulletin editors About 1,100 yearling sea turtles were vides the research vessel used in the Bruce B. Collette, Jay Quast, William released off Padre Island, Tex., on Thes­ release. The Texas Parks and Wildlife 1. Richards, and Carl Sindermann. day, 17 May, as part of a continuing Department and the Florida Department effort to increase their endangered popu­ of Natural Resources have also contrib­ lation, the National Oceanic and Atmo­ uted to the program. Maurice Stansby Receives spheric Administration has announced. Distinguished Federal With the release of Kemp's ridley sea Civilian Service Award turtles into the Gulf of Mexico, scien­ NMFS Outstanding tists with NOAA's National Marine Publications Cited Secretary of Commerce C. William Fisheries Service Galveston Laboratory Verity presented Maurice E. Stansby of will be completing part of an annual Winners of the National Marine Fish­ Seattle, Wash., the President's Award recurring job that began in 1978. Since eries Service's Outstanding Publications for Distinguished Federal Civilian Serv­ that year, researchers from the United Award for papers published in the ice at special ceremonies held on 7 States and Mexico have been cooperat­ Marine Fisheries Review (vol. 47) and March at the Department of Commerce ing in an experiment dubbed Operation the Fishery Bulletin (vol. 84) have been building in Washington, D.C. Stansby Head Start, which has reared, tagged, announced by NMFS Publications was chosen for the award because of his and released more than 13,500 Kemp's Advisory Committee Chairman Ben research on the health benefits of fish ridleys. Drucker. oil in the human diet. He is the first Each spring, turtle eggs are collected "Starvation-Induced Mortality of Department of Commerce employee to from the animals' primary nesting beach Young Sea-Caught Jack Mackerel, receive this award. at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. From there Trachurus symmetricus, Determined Before the benefits of fish oil in the they are airlifted to Texas' Padre Island with Histological and Morphological human diet were recognized, Stansby National Seashore, where they are incu­ Methods" by Gail Theilacker, was pioneered a fish oil research program bated. After hatching, the baby turtles selected as the top paper in the Fishery in the 1950's while director of the U.S. are allowed to crawl to the surf as part Bulletin, 84:1-17. Theilacker is with the Fish and Wildlife Service's Technologi­ of the process called imprinting. The NMFS Southwest Fisheries Center, La cal Laboratory in Seattle. As part of this turtles are then scooped up in nets, put Jolla, Calif. program, he initiated agreements with in boxes and sent to the Fisheries Serv­ Honored for the best paper published the Food Science Department of the ice laboratory in Galveston, Tex., to be in the Marine Fisheries Review was University of California, the Hormel In­ reared for 9-10 months before release. Susumu Kato for "Biology of the Red stitute, and the University of Minnesota. Scientists say the imprinting stage is Sea Urchin, Stronglyocentrotus francis­ The results of these research agreements crucial becam..e they believe it allows the canus, and Its Fishery in California," definitely established that fish oil con­ turtles to recognize instinctively where 47(3):1-20. Kato is with the NMFS tains certain fatty acids which can re­ they have nested so that after they have Southwest Fisheries Center's Tiburon duce cholesterol and triglyceride levels matured they might return and create a Laboratory, Tiburon, Calif. in blood. Stansby has edited several new nesting ground at Padre Island. Developed in 1975, the annual out­ books and published l'itl research papers, Protecting the young turtles from standing publication awards program more than one-third of which deal with predators during their critical first year recognizes NMFS employees who have fish oils. gives them a much better chance of sur­ made exceptional contributions to the Stansby began his Federal fisheries viving to maturity, according to Edward knowledge and understanding of the career in 1931 as a chemist with the U.S. F. Klima, director of the Galveston resources, processes, and organisms Fish and Wildlife Service, Gloucester, Laboratory. Even though the rearing, studied as a part of the NMFS mission. Mass. Although he officially retired tagging, and releasing have been suc­ Authors must have been employed by from government service in 1976, he has cessful, Klima said, it remains to be the NMFS at the time the paper was continued his work at the NMFS North­ seen if the turtles will return to nest in published. Marine Fisheries Review west and Alaska Fisheries Center on a the future. He said it can take 10 years papers must be effective and interpreta­ volunteer basis. He has attended meet­ or more before the turtles mature. tive contributions to the understanding ings, often at his own expense, diligently Over the last nine years, more than and knowledge of NMFS mission-related updated-scientific information, and en­ 500 head-started turtles have been re­ studies, while Fishery Bulletin papers couraged local conferences and forums

58 Marine Fisheries Review to promote the scientific community's in anyone year not to exceed the annual culties in establishing locally based understanding of the benefits of fish oil average of 840 metric tons by more than industries." The to human health. One of his more re­ 10 percent. subsistence catch is typically high in the cent contributions is an article on the The NASCO council discussed analy­ Pacific islands, particularly in rural history of fish oil research to the special ses of catch statistics, compilation of areas where electricity and refrigeration historical 50th Anniversary Issue of the salmon tagging data, and a reward pro­ are nonexistent and, ifjobs exist, wages Marine Fisheries Review (in press). gram to encourage tag returns. The are very low. council also took under advisement "In Palau, fish are an extremely im­ reports on threats to wild salmon posed portant natural resource," said Hamm. Peterson Elected by salmon in the North '~ost every adult male fishes, and the NASCa President Atlantic and by nonindigenous trout and people of Palau especially depend on the salmon that may be introduced, im­ inshore fisheries. The per capita con­ Allen E. Peterson, Jr., of Sandwich, ported, or transferred to North Atlantic sumption of fish is very large. Just how Mass., has been named president of the areas. The next NASCO annual meeting large is something the survey will tell North Atlantic Salmon Conservation will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in us." Added Gates, "A similar study in Organization (NASCO). Peterson was June 1989. Yap found that 90 percent of the fish elected at the June annual meeting of the caught were for subsistence." Besides international organization, which was the subsistence catch, the surveys will held in Reykjavik, Iceland. NASCO op­ also provide information on the number erates under a 1983 treaty signed by nine NMFS Honolulu Lab Aids of boats in Palau, the primary species parties agreeing to promote conserva­ Palau Fishery Surveys harvested by each fishing method com­ tion, restoration, enhancement, and monly used and how fishermen compare good management of Atlantic salmon "How much fish is being caught and fishing today with 5 years ago. stocks. eaten by the residents of Palau?" That's Quantifying the subsistence catch will Peterson is also science and research just one of the many questions that will be particularly difficult. Palau has no director of the National Marine Fisher­ be answered by a project implemented subsistence fishing license or boat regis­ ies Service's Northeast Fisheries Center in May 1988 by the Palau Marine Re­ tration requirements. Nor does Palau in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. He will sources Division (PMRD), with assist­ have a catch limit. The surveys will ob­ replace Gudmunder Eiriksson of Ice­ ance from the National Marine Fish­ tain information that is currently un­ land, who retired at the end of the meet­ eries Service (NMFS). available. "In the tropics, it's hard to get ing. Norway's Svein Aage Mehli will To survey the fishing activities of a good picture of what's going on. There serve as NASCO vice president. Palauans, the Palau Subsistence Fishery are so many species of fish. Ifyou went Peterson is one of three U.S. commis­ Survey Project uses two questionnaires, in Palau, you might catch sioners to NASCO. Commissioners one for those who own boats and one 30 or more species offish," said Gates. Frank E. Carlton of Savannah, Ga., and for those who do not. The question­ "Palau has over 1,000 species of fish." Richard A. Buck of Dublin, N.H., also naires and survey techniques were Conducting the actual surveys will be attended, along with other government designed by Paul Gates, who is the no easy task: All but 1 of Palau's 16 advisors and scientists. Similar delega­ project's principal investigator and also states are rural areas with villages tions were present from the other sig­ a fisheries biologist with the Western spread across islands and atolls. ''A lot natory parties: Canada, Denmark, the Pacific Regional Fishery Management of the villages are approachable only by European Economic Community, Council in Honolulu, and David C. water and only at high tide," said Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Soviet Hamm, a computer systems analyst with Hamm. Palau also has a broad spectrum Union, and Sweden. the NMFS Honolulu Laboratory of the oflifestyles. The largest state, Koror, is NASCO is organized geographically, Southwest Fisheries Center. fairly metropolitan, whereas other states with three commissions covering the The surveys will provide an estimate such as Hatohbei have no electricity, no Atlantic region and a council. The of the subsistence catch and verify the modern conveniences. The survey North American and Northeast Atlan­ commercial catch estimates obtained design had to account for these differ­ tic Commissions have long-term fishery from a system PMRD already has in ences. management measures in place, and dis­ place. According to Gates and Hamm, The clan system in Palau will make cussed the effectiveness of these mea­ this type of information is necessary for it easier to determine the number of boat sures, the state of the fisheries, and the determining whether fisheries manage­ owners, according to Gates. The peo­ scientific advice received on the salmon ment is needed in Palau. ple network will help identify and locate stocks. The West Greenland Commis­ "Most of the Pacific island countries all the boat owners within a village. The sion negotiated an agreement for regu­ have few land-based natural resources, surveys will be conducted by three lating total catch during 1988-1990. The so their economic development is linked PMRD employees trained in survey agreement sets total catch for the three to the ocean's resources," said Gates. techniques by Gates and Hamm, who years at 2,520 metric tons, with catch "So far, most have encountered diffi­ also set up a system to computerize the

50(3), 1988 59 infonnation gathered during the surveys. Under a companion Federal Law, the which it characterized as being "ex­ "The PMRD staff is very capable," Pelly Amendment, the President could tremely cooperative" in resolving the said Gates. He is optimistic about the have embargoed up to 100 percent of cases, has decided to levy sanctions of future results from the surveys and Japan's fishery products entering the its own against the fishing vessels. hopes that someday there will be a United States. Instead, he asked the standardized procedure for obtaining Secretary of Commerce and the Secre­ data on subsistence catches for all tary of State to monitor Japan's whal­ Eleven Indicted in Pacific island nations so that the results ing practices and report to him by 1 Herring Conspiracy are comparable. December, saying that a total withhold­ Palauans favor several fishing methods: ing of Japan's directed fisheries alloca­ An investigation by the National Daytime and nighttime spearfishing in­ tion, coupled with a Presidential review, Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra­ side and outside the reefs; hook-and-line is the best means of encouraging Japan tion's (NOAA) National Marine Fish­ bottom fishing in shallow water; to confonn with the lWC's conservation eries Service and the State of Alaska has "kesokes," which consists of setting a program. resulted in the indictments of II suspects net over a reef exit point at high tide and for conspiracy to illegally harvest her­ then catching the fish in the net on the ring spawn on kelp and export it for sale falling tide as the fish head for deeper Fines Japanese in Japan. The secret indictments, made water; and . The fish species that u.s. public earlier this year, charge the Palauans primarily target are surgeon­ Vessels $150,000 eleven-member ring, including fisher­ fish, parrotfish, rabbitfish, and various for I"egal Fish ing men, brokers, and foreign seafood snappers and groupers. wholesalers, with poaching at least Five Japanese vessels, accused by the $750,000 worth of the seafood delicacy United States of fishing illegally in US. off southeastern Alaska and trying to u.s. Withholds Fishing waters off Alaska in mid-January, have gain large profits by secretly transport­ Privileges From Japan agreed to pay the government penalties ing, selling, and exporting it in interstate totaling $150,000, according to the and foreign commerce between 1985 On 6 April 1988, President Ronald National Oceanic and Atmospheric and 1987. Reagan reported to Congress his actions Administration (NOAA). In addition, Special agents from the Fisheries to encourage all nations to adhere to the the Commerce Department agency said Service in Seattle and the Alaska De­ conservation programs of the Interna­ it expects payment of a pentalty of partment of Public Safety made a joint tional Whaling Commission (lWC). $50,000 from a sixth vessel that was raid of the operation on 10 April 1987, Among those actions, the United States fishing illegally at the same time and and arrested Tamdamitsu Sakurai, presi­ toughened its constraints against Japan had obscured its name. The penalties dent of Hokkai Marine, Ltd., a large for that country's whaling activities by are the maximum possible under the Japanese-Canadian seafood export busi­ withholding 100 percent of the directed Magnuson Fishery Conservation and ness in British Columbia. He was fishing privileges that would otherwise Management Act. charged with conspiracy to purchase and be available to Japan in the US. Ex­ NOAA said it is awaiting further in­ export the seafood and three counts of clusive Economic Zone. formation from the Japanese govern­ unlawful interstate transport of the her­ Last February, following confinnation ment about the identity of a seventh ring spawn under the Federal Lacey that Japanese were killing minke whales vessel that appears briefly in videotape Act. The indictments allege the group in the Antarctic under a contested re­ footage provided by an Alaska fisher­ concealed its activity by obtaining a per­ search whaling plan, Commerce Secre­ men's association. One of the vessel mit that allowed taking the herring tary C. William Verity notified the owners, Hamaya Suisan Co., will be spawn for personal use. After harvest­ President-in a process called "certifi­ denied permits for any of its vessels to ing the spawn, it is alleged the suspects cation'~that Japan's whaling was fish in US. waters for 5 years, although rented moving vans to transport the "diminishing the effectiveness" of the the company will still be allowed to seafood to Seattle, where it was sche­ lWC's conservation program. The ac­ engage in joint ventures with American duled for shipment to Japan. tion, the strongest permitted by the vessels. Two other companies, Taisei In February 1988, two other suspects Packwood-Magnuson Amendment to a Gyogyo Co. and Senkon Gyogyo Co. entered guilty pleas before a federal Federal fishing law, denies Japan's re­ will be denied fishing permits-includ­ judge in Alaska following indictments quest to harvest 3,000 metric tons of sea ing joint-venture permits-for their in the same case. Meanwhile, eight snails and 5,000 metric tons of Pacific vessels for three years. In joint-venture additional suspects, including three whiting. In addition, Japan will be operations, which last year resulted in Seattle seafood brokers, are scheduled barred from any future allocations of a record 3.5-billion-pound-harvest, for similar prosecution for allegedly at­ any other fish, including Pacific cod, American fishermen sell their catch at tempting to continue the illegal trade of until the Secretary of Commerce deter­ sea to foreign processing boats. NOAA the after the main ring was mines the situation has been corrected. said that the Japanese government, broken.

60 Marine Fisheries Review Herring spawn on kelp, also known vironrnental managers are watching for aRd nearshore waters. Copies of the as gau or kazunokokombu, is a delicacy signs of recovery of the site's fisheries final rule may be obtained from the in Japan and other countries. The prod­ habitats. The recapture of lobsters that Fisheries Operations Branch, National uct is harvested by uprooting the sea­ have been tagged and released in and Marine Fisheries Service, 9450 Koger weed immediately after herring lay their around the Dumpsite should provide Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. eggs on it. Since 1967, it has been il­ such information by detecting any legal in Alaska to harvest is commer­ changes in the direction and rate of cially. Its retail price ranges from $30 lobster movements, as well as in the in­ Court Okays Sea to $35 per pound. In addition to cidence and severity of lobster exo­ Turtle Safety Rules Sakurai, those indicted were Willis skeleton (shell) diseases. Hamilton, Donald Moore, and Henry Lobsters are being tagged with Ph­ Shrimp fishermen from Texas to Leask of Ketchikan, Alaska; Jim Frank, inch long, pink or yellow "spaghetti" North Carolina must use special TED Byron Skinna, and Gideon Duncan of tags which offer a reward. The reward devices or reduce their trawl times to Hydaburg, Alaska; Lavina Grey, Grant is $3 plus the landed value of the lobs­ prevent the drowning of sea turtles acci­ Boe, and Lloyd Whaley of Seattle; and ter, and can be claimed by returning the dentally caught in their nets, following Steve Kinley of Ferndale, Wash. tagged lobster to an NMFS port agent an order by the Fifth Circuit Court of or the Center's Sandy Hook Laboratory Appeals, the National Oceanic and At­ in Highlands, N.J. "Short" (legally mospheric Administration (NOAA) an­ undersized) lobsters will be tagged, and nounced. The Court's order, handed Basic N.E. Fishery possession of "shorts" by fishermen will down 11 July in New Orleans, upholds Data Now Available only be permitted, provided that the tag Federal regulations mandating either remains in the lobster and is promptly turtle excluder devices (TED's) or re­ Northeastern U.S. fisheries represent returned to a NMFS port agent. duced net towing times. The Court also an important component of U.S. fisher­ said that as of 1 September it was lift­ ies and have experienced many changes ing a lower court injunction that sus­ in recent years. Recent significant pended the regulations while the case changes in management/regulations Gulf Red Drum Fishery was being appealed. (i.e., ICNAF Management, MFCMA of Is Closed Indefinitely The State of Louisiana and the Con­ 1976, the 1984 U.S.-Canada boundary The final rule implementing Amend­ cerned Shrimpers of Louisiana had settlement on the Gulf of Maine), in the ment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan challenged the Federal rules in district status of biological stocks, and in fishing for the Red Drum Fishery in the Gulf court last year. James Brennan, head of participation have occurred in the North­ of Mexico became effective on 29 June NOAA's National Marine Fisheries east Region. Therefore, it is necessary 1988. According to Joseph W. Angelo­ Service said his agency was "ready, to review these fisheries from an histori­ vic, Acting Regional Director, National willing and able to help make TED's cal perspective to assist in understanding Marine Fisheries Service, Amendment work most effectively for any shrimper. these changes. For this purpose, the 2 prohibits the harvest or possession of I don't believe there's a shrimp fisher­ NMFS Northeast Regional Office has red drum in Federal waters until the man anywhere in the country who wants put together a set of basic fisheries data adult population has been restored to to see turtles killed," Brennan said. "It's in the form of charts and statistics. In this report, investment, landings, bio­ levels that would safely allow the re­ up to all of us to see that turtles are pro­ logical abundance, productivity, and sumption of an offshore fishery. tected and that shrimp fishermen can Federal waters have been closed to the continue their work with a minimum of costs and earnings are emphsized. harvest of red drum since 1 January Copies of the report are available from: disruption." 1988 in response to stock analyses that Of the five species of sea turtles found NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Report, indicated a distinct depression in the Analytical Services Branch, p.o. Box off the U.S. coast, all are listed as threat­ 1109, Gloucester, MA 01931-1109. abundance of fish under 12 years of age. ened or endangered and are protected The scarcity of these age classes of red by Federal law. NOAA said that without drum offshore has been attributed pri­ TED's some 48,000 sea turtles would be marily to the excessive harvest of juve­ caught in shrmpers' nets each year and Lobster Tagging Program niles from state waters. Accordingly, that about 11,000 would die. Shrimp Set for 12-Mile Dumpsite states bordering the Gulf have been fishermen who fail to take the required asked to increase the escapement of steps to prevent turtles from being NMFS Northeast Fisheries Center juvenile red drum to restore the offshore caught or drowned in their nets run the scientists have begun a 2- to 3-year tag­ spawning stock to former levels of abun­ risk of being fined up to $10,000 under ging program with lobsters from the dance. Those states are in various stages the Federal Endangered Species Act, 12-Mile Dumpsite in the New York of revising their fishery laws to achieve NOAA said. Bight apex. The Dumpsite was recent­ the recommended 30 percent escape­ The effect of the court order is that ly closed and marine resource and en­ ment rate of juveniles from the inshore shrimp trawlers of 25 feet and longer

50(3), 1988 61 will be required to use TED's when fish­ They also contained a proVIsIon for Trained observers are available for ing in Gulf of Mexico or southwest qualification of new TED's if the TED's work throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Florida waters out to 15 n.mi. from were tested according to procedures in the South Atlantic. Cooperation from shore and in the Cape Canaveral area specified in the rule and found to be fJ7 the shrimping industry has been sought of Florida. Boats under 25 feet must percent effective in releasing sea turtles to place observers aboard vessels to help limit time to 90 minutes in from trawls. This new TED, called the document the catch rates of shrimp nets these waters. All vessels fishing for Morrison soft TED, was tested and equipped with TED's and standard nets. shrimp in inshore waters must limit found to be effective. For further details Assistance has been received from Sea trawl times to 90 minutes or use TED's. or copies of the regulations contact Grant personnel throughout the Gulf of The dividing line between offshore and Charles Oravetz, NMFS, 9450 Koger Mexico and South Atlantic, from the inshore waters is the COLREGS line Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33702, tele­ Texas, Louisiana, and South Carolina found on 1:80,000 NOAA nautical phone (813) 893-3366. shrimp associations, and the Southeast­ charts. Staff at the Fisheries Service and ern Fishery Association in locating at NOAA Sea Grant Offices will be vessels to use in this program. Gear available to help shrimpers find TED's TED Evaluation specialists from Sea Grant (Texas) and and to assist in their installation and use. Program Underway from the NMFS Pascagoula Laboratory Information on TED suppliers is avail­ have been involved in tuning fishermen's able from Charles A. Oravetz, NMFS, The National Marine Fisheries Serv­ nets with TED's. The South Atlantic 9450 Koger Boulevard, St. Petersburg, ice, in cooperation with the shrimp Fishery Development Foundation is FL 33702; (813/893-3366) or local Sea industry initiated a TED Evaluation providing TED's and some additional Grant Offices. TED gear specialists are Program on 5 March 1988. The overall funding for the program. at the Fisheries Service Pascagoula, objective of this program is to determine During June, four boat trips were MS, Laboratory (601/762-4591); Geor­ the effects of utilization of certified made in Texas, two in Georgia, and one gia Sea Grant (9121264-7268 and Texas TED's on commercial shrimp trawlers in Louisiana. In Texas, the efficiency of Sea Grant (409/849-5711). Louisiana in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mex­ trawls equipped with Georgia TED's was Sea Grant (504/388-6733) will soon ico. Specifically, the program is aimed comparable to that of standard trawls, have a gear specialist available. at determining catch rates of shrimp for and the TED's outproduced standard TED-equipped trawls and trawls with­ trawls on one trip. In Georgia, trawls A "Soft" TED Approved out TED's in selected shrimp fishing equipped with Georgia TED's showed areas of the southeast region. Observers a slight increase in catch on one trip and Final regulations certifying a new soft will be placed on shrimp vessels oper­ a slight decrease in shrimp production Thrtle Excluder Device (TED) for use ating off of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, during the second trip. A problem with by shrimp trawlers to conserve sea Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and the tickler chain occurred during the two turtles became effective last October, ac­ South Carolina. Catch per unit effort which was responsible for the loss of cording to Craig R. O'Connor, Acting (CPUE) will be determined for trawls shrimp by TED's. In Louisiana, both Regional Director of the National with and without TED's during peak Georgia and Saunders TED's showed a Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). months of the shrimping season. These high degree of shrimp loss in relation Those regulations amended regulations data will then be analyzed using stand­ to standard trawls. Two Georgia TED's published on 29 June 1987 that were ard statistical procedures to determine and one Saunders TED were severely designed to reduce the incidental catch whether there are or are not differences damaged. Damaged TED's as well as and mortality of sea turtles in shrimp in catch rates between certified TED­ clogging with debris were at least par­ trawls. The 29 June 1987 regulations equipped trawls and standard shrimp tially responsible for shrimp loss. allowed the use of four types of TED's. trawls without TED's. From the beginning of the study un­ til about July, a total of 65 observer days have been expended on commercial Update: TED Rules Delayed vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and 10 days in Georgia. Two cruises had been Rules mentioned above requiring ber 1988 incorporated the TED rule completed in Key West, Fla, three from use of Trawling Efficiency Devices delay. Freeport, Tex., two from Fourchon, have been delayed until 1 May 1989 The delay is effective in the south­ La., and two from Brunswick, Ga. for offshore waters and until 1 May eastern United States except at Cape Trips were in progress at Aransas Pass 1990 for inshore waters. Canaveral, Fla., where TED's are and Brownsville, Tex. In general, the ef­ A bill which was passed by the required year round. For further in­ ficiency of TED's has varied on a trip U.S. Congress reauthorizing the En­ formation on the TED rule status, by trip basis in a manner not unlike the dangered Species Act and signed by contact Charles Oravetz (telephone results reported above. The continued President Ronald Reagan on 7 Octo­ 813-893-3366). cooperation of the shrimping industry in this program is appreciated.

62 Marine Fisheries Review