July 27, 2009
NOAA proposes measures to rebuild shark populations
The proposal covers 3 shark species:
- It promotes the live release of shortfin mako sharks by commercial and recreational fishermen to help rebuild the species population in the Atlantic Ocean. The U.S. contributes less than 10% to the overall catch in the Atlantic. NOAA’s Fisheries Service has proposed to take action at the international level to develop measures to end overfishing of shortfin mako sharks.
- A stock assessment determined that reducing the annual mortality of blacknose sharks by approximately 78% across all fisheries could result in rebuilding by 2027.
- Finally, the proposal would also add smooth dogfish to the species managed by the NOAA’s Fisheries Service – requiring a federal fishing permit and proposes an annual commercial quota of 645.8 metric tons dressed weight.
May 19, 2009
NOAA declares four fish stocks fully rebuilt
In today’s 2008 Status of U.S. Fisheries report to Congress, NOAA gave notice of four different fish being cleared from overfishing:
- Atlantic bluefish,
- Gulf of Mexico king mackerel, and
- two different stocks of monkfish in the Atlantic
While that of course is good news for long-range fishing and our marine habitat, four others appear to be overfished at the same time:
- thorny skate,
- Atlantic blacknose shark, and
- Atlantic shortfin mako shark
These were added to the list of those being fished unsustainably just this year, and a fourth stock, Gulf of Mexico pink shrimp, was also listed as subject to overfishing but it’s still being reviewed.
May 12, 2009
How well do you know the fish you just paid for?
Sure, it’s easy to tell the difference between a tuna steak and a fillet of salmon, and even easier, shark vs. grouper or trout, but what about halibut and turbot?
Turbot? Huh? Exactly. That’s what a fish broker just got arrested for after an investigation by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement. Turns out he was selling turbot – a flatfish native to marine or brackish waters of the North Atlantic – as halibut.
I haven’t tried turbot myself, but fortunately for us here on the East coast, most of his sales took place in Utah and Texas, so it’s a pretty safe bet you’re getting what you pay for here on Shem Creek – and I’ve never heard otherwise.
Lori Murphy, of Myrtle Beach, is all smiles with her record-size 13 lb. 5 oz. Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, because she now holds S.C.’s first Marine Gamefish State Record!
She caught it aboard her & her husband’s 21′ Sea Chaser boat when they went out Saturday before last. They had trekked 55 miles offshore from Murrells Inlet to fish near the Winyah Scarp when she caught it.
This smart angler knew immediately that her Sharpnose was a keeper, so she contacted DNR and had it weighed in when they returned to shore. David Player, a fisheries biologist with the Marine Resources Division in Charleston, met Lori at Seven Sea Seafood in Murrells Inlet to verify and certify the catch, and now she’s in the gamefish record books.
