NOAAlNMFS Developments Science and Research Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service's Northeast Region and one ofthree V.S. commissioners to NASCO, "tag returns Sea Scallop, Goosefish provide important, ifnotessential, infor Landings Set New Records mation on the biology and harvests ofthe stocks of North Atlantic salmon." He said such information "is particularly Landings ofsea scallopsand goosefish shrimp. Although landings ofwhite hake valuablefor the V .S. effortto restore fish (monkfish or angler) in the V.S. North decreased in 1989, their value nonethe to New England rivers." east (Maine through Virginia) during less increased. Atlanticcod wasthemost Thelotteryapplies only to readily iden 1989 setall-time record highs, according landed seafood species in 1989, replac tifiable, external ("Carlin"-type) tags to NMFS data. Scallop landings were ing Atlantic herring whichdropped from that are returned to an official tag-return 31.6millionpoundsworth 125.7million first to second. agency. In theV nited States, the official dollars in dockside value. Goosefish Table 1lists thelandingsandvalues of tag-returnagency is the Atlantic Salmon landings were 24.8 million pounds worth 15 fish and invertebrate species in the Tag Return Clearinghouse, NOAA, Na 11.8milliondollars. Otherspecies whose V.S. Northeast for 1988 and 1989. For tional Marine Fisheries Service, Woods landings increased in 1989 were Atlan comparison only, the all-time record Hole, MA02543. Each April, theClear tic cod, silver hake (whiting), yellowtail landings (and year in which they oc inghouse will inform NASCO head flounder, swordfish, and northern curred) are also listed for these species. quarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, of all eligible V. S. -origin tags that were re turned. Tags returned to the Clearing house after the closing date will be eli Table 1.-Landlngsln the U.S. northeast for 1989,1988, and the record year In pounds and dollars (data Is gible the following year. In millions). All tag returns fromNASCO members 1988 1989 Record participating in the lottery are eligible for
Species Pounds Dollars Pounds Dollars Pounds (Year) the grandprizedrawing for $2,500 which will beannounced at the NASCO annual Atlantic cod 75.4 42.6 76.3 44.1 294 (1880) Atlantic herring 89.1 5.2 73.7 4.4 201 (1902) meeting each June. The tag returns will Silver hake (whiting) 35.2 8.5 37.9 9.4 134 (1957) then be sorted into the threeCommission Sea scallop 28.3 120.0 31.6 125.7 32 (1989) Goosefish (monkfish, angler) 16.6 10.1 24.8 11.8 25 (1989) areas of NASCO-West Greenland, Pollock (Boston bluefish) 33.1 11.0 22.5 10.7 54 (1986) Winter flounder (lemon sole, blackback) 17.6 21.4 14.3 20.5 35 (1981) North American, and North East Atlan Summer flounder (fluke) 24.3 31.6 12.6 20.9 32 (1979) tic-according to the place ofharvest of Yellowtail flounder 9.3 11.1 11.2 14.5 83 (1983) White hake 10.5 3.2 8.8 3.4 40 (1898) the tagged salmon. Ten awards will then Northern shrimp 6.8 7.5 7.4 7.6 29 (1969) be selected randomly for each Commis Scup (porgy) 11.6 7.6 7.1 5.9 49 (1960) Swordfish 5.6 16.6 6.3 17.6 7 (1929) sion area. The first selected will win Haddock 6.5 7.0 3.8 4.4 294 (1929) $1,500; the second, $1,000; the third, Redfish (ocean perch) 2.4 1.5 1.2 0.8 258 (1951) $500; and the next seven, $100 each. AllV .S. tags returned from theV nited States and Canada will beenteredintothe grandprizedrawing along withthe North Cash Prizes Set for each), and21 fourth prizes ($100 each). American Commission drawing. All NASCO is an international, treaty V .S. tags returnedfrom WestGreenland Atlantic Salmon Tags basedorganization which promotescon will beentered intothe grand prizedraw servation, restoration, enhancement, and ing along with the WestGreenlandCom The North Atlantic SalmonConserva sound management of salmon stocks in mmission drawing. All V.S. tags re tionOrganization (NASCO) has created the North Atlantic. Ithas nine members: turned from East Greenland will be a lottery to increase fishermen's return Canada, Denmark (Le., Faroe Islands entered into the grand prize drawing rates oftags found on harvested Atlantic andGreenland), the EuropeanEconomic along with the North East Atlantic Com salmon. Those fishermen returning tags Community, Finland, Iceland, Norway, mission drawing. will not only receive the current $15 Sweden, the SovietV nion, andthe Vnited NASCO headquarters will sendchecks (V. S.) reward, butwill also beautomat States. Participation in the lottery, or in the appropriate amount within 60 days icallyeligible for a drawing with 31 cash "Atlantic Salmon Tag Return Incentive ofthe announcement ofthe awards. The prizestotaling $13,600. Prizesincludea Scheme," bythenine NASCOmembers first drawing of award winners was to grand prize ($2,500), three first prizes is voluntary. All buttheSovietV nion are take place at this year's seventh annual ($1,500 each), three second prizes taking part. meeting ofNASCO in Helsinki, Finland, ($1,000 each), three third prizes ($500 According to Allen E. Peterson, Jr., during 12-15 June 1990.
18 Marine Fisheries Review Rule Asked for Mandatory ing avessel permit; and 3) modify thepro cimens collected in 1988 with those col Dealer Reporting for cedures for submitting the daily fishing lectedin 1884and subsequently storedin records. Comments were accepted the Smithsonian Institution shows that Atlantic Swordfishes through the end ofJanuary 1990. shell disease also occurred more than a century ago. Copies ofeither report are A proposed rule that would require available upon written requestto: Infor mandatory reporting by all dealers han mationServicesSection, NortheastFish dling Atlantic swordfish was published in Crustacean Shell Disease eries Center, Water St., Woods Hole, the Federal Register on 29 December May Be Aggravated by MA 02543. Technical inquires on shell 1989, announcedAndrew J. Kemmerer, Environmental Stress disease should be directed to: Carl J. Director, Southeast Region, National Sindermann at the Oxford (Md.) Labor Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The About2 years ago, when sewage sludge atory, telephone (301) 226-5193. proposed rule would implementa regula dumping shiftedfrom the 12-Mile Dump tory amendment to the Fishery Manage site in the New York Bight apex to the ment Plan for Atlantic Swordfish (FMP). 106-Mile Dumpsite beyond the continen Threatened Status Eyed This proposed rule would require each tal shelf-slope margin, many offshore for Selected Salmonids dealer in the Atlantic swordfish fishery lobstermen and deep-sea red crabbers in to provide information on all swordfish the vicinity ofthe 106-MileDumpsitefelt The National Marine Fisheries Service received and on other fish landed in con thattherewas a significantincreasein the haspublished anew emergency ruleto list junction with swordfish trips. The re prevalence and severity of shell disease the winter run of chinook salmon, On quired informationto be reported would in their catches. Shell disease is char corhynchus tshawytscha, in the Sacra include dates of receipt of swordfish; acterized by darkening, pitting, even mento River, California, as a threatened names and official numbers ofthe vessels penetration of the exoskeleton of these species under the Endangered Species from which swordfish were received; crustaceans. While there is no evidence Act of 1973. Meanwhile, the NMFS is dates and ports oflanding ofthe vessels; that the disease affects the wholesome also conducting a status review ofsock total carcass weights (by marketcategory ness ofthese animals as seafood, it may eye salmon, O. nerka, populations in for swordfish and by species for related affect their marketability due to discolor Idaho's SalmonRiverbasin todetermine by-catch species received); prices paid ation/disfiguration, and conceivably it if any should be proposed for listing as for each marketcategoryand species; and may affect theirpopulation distribution, threatened or endangered under the ESA. individual carcass weights for swordfish. abundance, and productivity. The chinooksalmon ofthe Sacramen Although not required, individual car The NMFS Northeast Fisheries Center to River was first listed by NMFS on an cass weights ofthe related by-catch spe has issued two reports on this topic. The emergency basison4 August 1989. Since cies would also be desired. first report, "Shell Disease of Crusta that time, NMFS has published a pro Dealers would have the option ofpro ceans in the New York Bight" (NOAA posed rule to formally add the run to the viding the information on a form avail Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/ listofthreatenedspecies (March20, 1990 able from the National Marine Fisheries NEC-74), emanated fromajointNOAA - 55 FR 10260). NMFS published this Service or on copies of appropriate and U. S. Environmental Protection new emergency listing to avoid a hiatus weigh-out sheets and sales receipts. Agency-sponsored scientific working in protection ofthe species until the for Dealer reports for each month would group composed of Federal, state, and mal listing process is completed. In 1989, have to be submitted to the Southeast university scientists. The report finds the return ofwinter-run chinooksalmon Regions Science and Research Director that: 1) Shell disease is a natural phenom was estimated at only 500 fish, which is soas tobe received notlaterthan the four enon; 2) its prevalence and severity, 75 percent below a consistent run size of teenth day of the following month. however, may be greater in polluted or 2,000 to 3,000 fish in recent years. This The informationobtained from dealer stressful habitats, suggesting thatvarious emergency rule includes a designation of reports would supplement the catch per stresses, including pollution, can trigger critical habitat in a portion ofthe Sacra unit ofeffort data from vessel logbooks and/or aggravate the disease; and 3) there mento River from Red Bluff Diversion by providing statistics on the size com aren'tenough data yet to determine ifor Dam, Tehama County (River Mile 243) position and total weight and value of how much the disease has population to Keswick Dam, Shasta County (River landings of swordfish and associated level effects. Mile 302) including the adjacent riparian species. This information is essential for The second report, "Shell Disease zones, the water in the river, andthe river stock assessments and for monitoring the among Red Crabs Inhabiting Submarine bottom for winter-run. This section in status of stocks and the effectiveness of Canyons ofthe New YorkBight" (NOAA cludes the portion of the river in which theFMP. Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/ suitable conditions can be maintained for In addition to requiring dealer report NEC-77), finds shell disease prevalence spawning, incubating eggs, and rearing ing, this proposed rule would: 1) Clarify to be 92,92, and 86 percent, respective juvenilefish. Winter-runchinooksalmon the scope ofthe regulations; 2) modify the ly, among crabs in Hudson, Block, and in the Sacramento River are listed as requirements and procedures for obtain Atlantis Canyons. A comparison ofspe threatened under the ESA and critical
52(2),1990 19 habitat is designated effective 2 April popular concerns. For copies of the If the latter, it's not known what eco 1990ilirough28 November 1990, oruntil leaflet, write: Information Services sec logical effect this exotic species might the final1isting is effective, whichever tion, Northeast Fisheries Center, Woods have on the Northeast's tidal community. occurs first. Hole, MA 02543. For further informa The Cape May area should be monitored tion on Center research on nutritional for the occurrence of this species, sug constituents of seafood species/pro gests Austin B. Williams of the NMFS New Marine Mammal ducts, contact Judith Krzynowek, FTS National Systematics Laboratory in Investigation in NEFC 837-9226 or (508) 281-9226. Washington, D.C. A new Marine Mammal Investigation has beenestablishedby the NMFS North Temperature Trends in east Fisheries Centerand assigned to the NMFS Decides Against Fisheries Ecology Division. The center N.E. Waters Documented Emergency Regulations has been conducting marine mammal A reporton" Surfaceand BottomTem for Atlantic Swordfish studies, largely through contracts with perature Distributions from the North academic and private research institu east Fisheries Center Spring and Fall The National Marine Fisheries Service tions, for many years. Increasingly fre Bottom Trawl Survey Program, 1963 (NMFS) decided notto implementemer quent and more comprehensive requests 1987," has been issued as Northeast gency regulations for the Atlantic sword by resource and environmental managers Fisheries Center Reference Document fish fishery according to William W. for marine mammal information, how 90-03. The report shows that, in general, Fox, Jr., Assistant Administrator for ever, have prompted the elevation of water temperatures in the 1960's were Fisheries, in a 5 February 1990announce these studies intoa formal investigation. quite cold, in the early to mid-1970's ment. Theagency has been analyzing for The new investigation's research will were warmer, in the late 1970's to early several weeks the potential conservation focus on: 1) The indirect interactions 1980's were intermediate between the benefits of implementing emergency between marine mammals and commer two previous extremes, and in the mid regulations underthe Magnuson Fishery ically and recreationally important fish 1980'swerewarmagain. Thesedatahave Conservation and Management Act for stocks through competition for space and important applications in fisheries ecol the overfished Atlantic swordfish re food, 2) the incidental take of marine ogy and management. source. The agency oncluded thatemer mammals during fishing operations and Copies ofthe report are available upon gency measures confined to the 200-rnile the effects on whale populations ofwhale written requestto: Information Services zone, which could remain in effect for watching operations, and 3) the current Section, Northeast Fisheries Center, more than 6 months, would not have status of Northwest Atlantic marine Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543. Tech sufficientconservationbenefits this year mammal populations. nical inquiries on water temperatures tojustify their imposition through use of shouldbedirected to David G. Mountain, the Secretary ofCommerce's emergen FTS 840-1271 or (508) 548-5123. cy regulatory authority as providedby the Leaflet Available on Magnuson Act. Nutritional Constituents NMFS remains concerned about the ofN.E. Seafood Species Indo-Pacific Crab Is overfished status of Atlantic swordfish Reported From New Jersey and is committedtoestablishingeffective The NMFS Northeast Fisheries Center conservation measures as soon as possi has issued an informationleafleton' 'The An egg-bearing female of a western blein cooperation withthe Regional Fish Seafood Way to a Healthy Heart. " The Pacific crab, Hemigrapsis sanguineus, ery Management Councils. To be most one-page leaflet includes a listing ofthe was found in the Cape May, N.J., area in effective, however, new U.S. swordfish cholesterol, fat, andOmega-3contentin September 1989 by a Franklin and Mar regulatory efforts initiated through the cooked, 4-ounce portions of27 Northeast shall College biology student. This crab Council fishery management plan pro seafood species/products. (Omega-3 is a species, anoncommerical "shore" crab, cess need to be coordinated with interna category of polyunsaturated fatty acids is one ofthe commonest crabs in Japan, tional negotiations aimedat achieving an which are found in fish oils and which and is known from Sakhalin, Korea, and effectiveinternationalconservationpro may have a therapeutic effect in the pre China south to Hong Kong. Larvae from gram for Atlantic swordfish. NMFS is vention of heart disease.) the capturedcrab were reared iliroughthe working ilirough the International Com The leaflet is the first in a series ofin early life stages. mission for the Conservation ofAtlantic formational leaflets to be issued by the It's not known whether this capture Tunas to obtain, as soon as possible, the Center which will summarize the prac represents a freak capture ofthe only in participation ofall countries harvesting tical applications and implications of dividual ofthis exotic species, orthe first Atlantic swordfish in a successful inter Center research findings to current capture from an established population. national conservation effort.
20 Marine Fisheries Review