Surely not being clean, or even sustainable – we all want that – but when I see they have partners all across the country, how can they be living up to staying sustainable at all of them?

More power to them – especially after making Newsweek’s “America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs” article – but how does “four full-time “cleanfish evangelists” among his 30-strong staff” make them stay sustainable at every location?

I just don’t get it…

If they do land business here, all it’s going to do is take away from the S.C. fishing industry here on Shem Creek and beyond, and that’s not good for any of us. No, what we need is a return to the little guy, and not more cookie-cutter corporations that take away the heart and soul of this country!

Tim O’Shea, 59, and Dale Sims, 61
owners of CleanFish Sustainable Seafood
Credit: Business Week Online

From the Shem Creek blog.

CA’s CleanFish looking to further their $20M business here in SC

THE STATE OF WORLD FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

There is little doubt that worldwide aquaculture growth will slow, albeit with growth spurts for particular species and regions. The success of the industry is bringing out constraints that were only potential when it started to grow. These obstacles will not simply disappear. Persistent efforts will remove or reduce them, but then others will arise. However, it is equally true that aquaculture will continue to grow in response to demand for fish and seafood generally. It will not come to a standstill.

As aquaculture entrepreneurs – large and small, modern and artisanal – and governments increasingly collaborate to remove knowledge constraints (those they are best equipped to handle and those that yield the best returns for the effort), the aquaculture industry will start to reduce its dependence on wild stocks. Currently, its need for broodstock, seed and feeds slows development. Once this dependence has been reduced, the industry will start to benefit from gains similar to those long enjoyed by the livestock industry, in particular those of selective breeding.

From the Shem Creek blog.

We will all windup eating fish from selective breeding

The number of fish caught and kept obviously changes from year to year, but over the past decade, fishing totals have remained pretty level.

Looking at NOAA’s data below, it’s amazing to learn that New York has more fishermen on Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay, or wherever they’re fishing from, than we do here in South Carolina, but thanks to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, efforts have been put in place to ensure there will always be plenty of fish for us to while our time away with – something South Carolina anglers have no problem doing

Each sector provides about $30 billion in economic benefit to the nation, of which only $595 million could be attributed to saltwater fishing here in South Carolina.

This data reflects better economic times here in America since it’s from 2006, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see lower numbers in NOAA’s next release.

From the Shem Creek blog.

South Carolina: not the fishing state you think it is

As a result, 7 fish stocks were removed from the overfishing list in 2007. Approximately 40 stocks are still experiencing overfishing according to NOAA, but the NOAA Fisheries Service and the fishery management councils are in the process of ending overfishing for all of these as well.

NOAA’s action provides guidance on how to comply with new annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measure (AM) requirements for ending overfishing of those fisheries managed by Federal fishery management plans. Changes to the Act are effective February 17, 2009.

Meanwhile, here’s a one-minute video on overfishing:

“The commercial seafood industry and recreational saltwater fishing provide our nation food, jobs and other incredible benefits…” – Jim Balsiger, acting A.A. for NOAA Fisheries Service.

Finally, here are some common acronyms used in the fishery business:

btw: I couldn’t find which 7 species were removed from the overfishing list for the life of me! If you find out, please let me know. TIA!

From the Shem Creek blog.

NOAA’s final guidance on Annual Catch Limits to end overfishing

Heading south from New Jersey to Cherry Point, NC, the Nanami first became disabled off Cape Hatteras and was towed to port by two Coast Guard cutters.

Then, rough seas off SC broke it free of it’s anchor chain and it ran aground on Kiawah Island.

With 400 gallons of diesel fuel onboard, the Coast Guard is working hard to refloat it.

With luck like that, it may be time to call it a trip!

Updates
* Tuesday 11/18: Charleston Marine Services has successfully removed approximately 900 gallons of fuel, with approximately 250 gallons of fuel and oils remaining.

* Wednesday 11/19: $100,000 may not be enough for a full recovery – who’s gonna pay for it?

* Saturday 11/22: On the way down from N.J., the Coast Guard ordered the Namami to dock at Lewes, Del. and cleanup some environmental concerns they noticed. After crashing through a piling and leaving town, the Namani has refused to pay for the piling or the dock fees, a bad karma move obviously still haunting them.

* Wednesday 11/26: Coast Guard oversees successful removal of vessel on Kiawah Island.

_{Photos courtesy of USCG and The Post & Courier.}

From the Shem Creek blog.

Coast Guard rescues Nanami – TWICE!

The subject of mercury levels in seafood came up again this morning while watching an episode on the Today Show. The guest was a doctor specializing in food & health. She mentioned that predator-type fish (shark, tuna, swordfish, etc.) are the ones that contain the highest levels of mercury. She also said that eating seafood in moderation is key.

The inspiration for their story was published by the NYT two days ago: High Mercury Levels Are Found in Tuna Sushi, one that immediately caught flak from the National Fisheries Institute.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Seafood mercury levels make headlines