I have a particular dislike for the way the fishing industry attempts to sell itself with its hoary images of ‘good old sea-salties’ with beards, twinkling blue eyes, and weathered skin rather than putting on its packaging images of trawlers the size of small towns sweeping vast numbers of animals out of the sea that they do NOTHING to protect or rear. Over the years it has learnt ‘to talk the good talk’ of ‘quotas’ and ‘sustainability’ while in actual fact it wrecks whole eco-systems, plunders the food that obligate fish-eaters like auks, penguins, albatrosses, seals, sharks, and dolphins need to survive, and is evolving ever more ‘efficient’ ways of hoovering up animals that unfortunately the vast majority of people couldn’t give a stuff about until they’re put on a plate with a salad or chips.
Imagine that instead of fish the comment and articles below were written about birds or puppies or butterflies. Or even better, think ‘fish’ and let’s all understand the havoc that the fishing industry is wreaking on our behalf and put pressure on that industry to change.
In the following comment post vegan and activist Jamie Newlin, a very welcome and regular contributor to Talking Naturally, discusses the way the fishing industry is spinning the discovery of a new population of Orange Roughy, a once abundant deep-ocean fish brought to the brink of extinction through overfishing:
-
NZ: Last of the Orange Roughy herds?
And a Blue whiting peak? Really?
The fisheries press here below carries on about the discovery of a new population of Orange roughies, a fish species the known populations of which have been discovered and depleted within a few years of modern fishing. The take on this development is reflected in the headline:
“Encouraging findings for orange roughy and southern blue whiting”
Encouraging for who? Encouraging for the Orange roughies, whose possibly last hideout has now been discovered, now likely to be fished in the near future with the go-ahead of a government with a history of increasing quotas in the face of objections from scientists?
No, not encouraging for the Orange roughies. This is BAD news for them.
When we find more of a fish, it usually means more fishing.
But this is encouraging news for the fisheries industry, who apparently feel vindicated that they didn’t decimate all of the Orange roughy populations (yet). Even though they tried.
Industry: “See, we’re not so bad for the Orange roughies. We MISSED some! That means we’re not villains… just charmingly incompetent….No big threat to anybody. So let us have our fun and profits.”
“Now, how about a nice big quota on this new bunch of roughies? They’re dreadfully underutilized… ”
Meanwhile the Blue whiting news is also encouraging.
Not for the Blue whiting. For the fishing industry. They’ve found:
“a southern blue whiting population that has reached a historic high”
noting that the article here below states:
” a (a…) southern blue whiting population ”
and not:
” southern blue whiting populations “.
So, one group of southern blue whitings, if the grammar is true, has reached a historic high.
And what is a historic high?
That’s the highest that the population has been SINCE counts have been done.
There’s a good chance that counting started a good deal after the fishing/depletion started.
Whether this is true of this particular population of Blue whiting or not, I don’t know, but it is worth noting anyway, because deplete and THEN survey is pretty normal operating procedure…
…discover a fishery opportunity, fish like hell, notice a problem of lessening catch, do a count, scientists recommend a quota, industry lobbies against the quota, government institutes a larger quota than recommended, industry trumpets own virtue by dint of having a (larger) quota imposed on it, fish decline some more, get the quota adjusted downwards a bit, industry object to the new quota, then tells everyone how green it is because it has a new quota, the fish have a good year anyway one of those years and so we see an uptick in fish numbers, industry and government claim a conservation victory, and as a result they up the quotas again, and so we get another fish decline.
The baseline data, the idea that the fish numbers have never been higher, and it’s all to our credit, (almost implying that fishing increases fish numbers), is very likely to be wrong because fish counts,
let alone definitive /reliable counts, seldom get done on un-fished species. That mostly happens after they’ve been fished.Another way to get a “population increase” is to up the ability to find fish, either by new technology, by extending reach (such as a bigger fuel stipend for the research vessel), or by putting in more effort/time on the search, or by some combination of these.
And when the counts go up, viewed from the usually skewed idea of peak abundance, peak abundance often calculated from post-decline data and/or vastly increased detection capability, what happens? More fishing.
Yes, a fish population straining at the upper edge of the over-fished range is such a waste, swimming around out there taking up water-space and not making a profit for anyone…
Jamie Newlin, June 2012
- /fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country=0&special=&monthyear=
&day=&id=53282&ndb=1&df=0Encouraging findings for orange roughy and southern blue whiting
Natalia Real
FIS / Fish Information and Services
25 June, 2012The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has discovered a new group of orange roughy and a southern blue whiting population that has reached a historic high, according to the latest Fisheries Assessment Plenary report.
Pamela Mace, MPI’s principal fisheries science advisor, said the report shows a new and robust group of orange roughy on the Chatham Rise which has led to an upward revision of the stock’s status.
Southern blue whiting is a factory fish that can be filleted easily and cooked in various ways. Generating products worth around NZD 22 million (USD 17.5 million) a year, it makes fish cakes, balls and a high-quality ground fish meal, Fairfax NZ News reports.
“The reports are publicly available, so anyone can see what the science is showing about New Zealand’s fish stocks,” said Mace.
All stocks in New Zealand’s Quota Management System are managed for long-term sustainability and lower catch limits are proposed if a fish stock is found to be declining.
The information is based on science work commissioned by MPI.
“We have been striving to continually improve the information content and utility of the reports. For example, this year a system ranking the quality of scientific information has been included for the first time,” Mace stated.
However, the snapper stock on the northeast coast of the North Island is now estimated to be doing worse than expected.
“There appears to have been a general increase over the past 10–20 years, but preliminary results this year indicate that further rebuilding is still needed,” explained Mace. “MPI is commissioning some further scientific investigation of this.”
Moreover, the paua stock on the north coast of the South Island seems to be in need of rebuilding, she added.
Other key findings in the May Report include:
• Both stocks of hoki (eastern and western) have continued to grow in size over the past six straight years and both are now within their target range.
• Southern blue whiting on the Campbell Island Rise is estimated to be well above its management target and is currently at a historic high.
• Gurnard around the east and south coasts of the South Island was assessed to be very likely to be above its management target, and on the west coast of the South Island the trawl survey estimate for 2011 has been the highest recorded since 1992.
• The trawl survey estimate for John dory off the west coast of the South Island has also been the highest recorded since 1992.
• Elephantfish populations around the east coast of the South Island appear to have fully rebuilt, and around the south coast of the South Island they have been continually rising since the mid-1990s. MPI fisheries managers are now looking at the status assessments and determining if management changes should be proposed.
-
/www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/publications/-best-fish-guide-
/southern-blue-whitingSouthern Blue Whiting
Best Fish Guide: Southern Blue Whiting
Forest and Bird, New Zealand
Ranking: E (Red – Worst Choice)
Southern Blue Whiting: Quick FactsScientific name: Micromesistius australis
Other names: Southern poutassou, merlan bleu austral (France, Canada),
merlu (Italy), blauer wittling (Germany), minamidara (Japan).Ranking: E (Red – Worst Choice)
Alternative Choice: Trevally or Blue Cod
Description: This deepwater cod species is only found in waters around
the Sub-Antarctic Islands, where it schools near the seabed at depths of
450 to 650m. It is therefore targeted and caught as bycatch in trawl
fisheries operating in this region, particularly during its spawning
season in August to early October. The southern blue whiting trawl
fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under an
international body – the Marine Stewardship Council.Ecological concerns: The recorded and projected declines in biomass for
two stocks (Campbell and Bounty’s), the unknown sustainability of
current catch limits in the two other stocks and the lack of a
management plan. Of particular concern is the increasing trend of
threatened NZ sea lion captures in this fishery, which has relatively
low observer coverage. Also, the impact of bottom trawling, the very
high bycatch of NZ fur seals (the highest of any NZ fishery), especially
around the Bounty Islands and the deaths of seabirds are of serious
concern.
Economic value: The southern blue whiting fishery has an export value of
about $22.7 million (2008), with the main markets in Japan, Bulgaria,
Australia and China. This fish is also used to make crabsticks or
surimi.ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (score D)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered
species captures (score E and E)Management and management unit (score C and A)
For a full ecological assessment, click here
/www.forestandbird.org/files/file/Forest%20and%20Bird%20BFG%20Ecological
%20Assessment(2).pdfSouthern blue whiting
Scientific name: Micromesistius australis
Other names: Southern poutassou, merlan
bleu austral (France, Canada),
merlu (Italy), blauer wittling
(Germany), minamidara
(Japan).Alternative Choice: Trevally or Tarakihi
Ranking: E (Red – Avoid)
Description: This deepwater cod species is only found in waters around the Sub-Antarctic Islands, where it schools near the seabed at depths of 450 to 650m. It is therefore targeted and caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries operating in this region, particularly during its spawning season in August to early October. The southern blue whiting trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under an international body – the Marine Stewardship Council.
Ecological concerns: The recorded and projected declines in biomass for two stocks (Campbell and Bounty’s), the unknown sustainability of current catch limits in the two other stocks and the lack of a management plan. Of particular concern is the increasing trend of threatened NZ sea lion captures in this fishery, which has relatively low observer coverage. Also, the impact of bottom trawling, the very high bycatch of NZ fur seals (the highest of any NZ fishery), especially around the Bounty Islands
and the deaths of seabirds are of serious concern.Economic value: The southern blue whiting fishery has an export value of about $22.7 million (2008), with the main markets in Japan, Bulgaria, Australia and China. This fish is also used to make crabsticks or surimi.
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (score D)
Distribution: Restricted to Sub-Antarctic waters. This species is abundant south of New Zealand on the Campbell
Plateau, Pukaki Rise and Bounty Platform at depths of 300-650m.
Maximum age (years): 25
Age at sexual maturity: 2-4
Growth rate: Moderate.
Reproductive output: Medium to low.
Age exploited: 3-4
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score C)
Population size: Highly uncertain or unknown for the Pukaki and Auckland Island stocks, depleted for the other two areas.
Annual catch limit: Set at 44,848 tonnes in 2010-11.
Recorded catch: Reported landings of 39,438 tonnes in 2010-11.
Stock trends: The Campbell Island stocks have had good recruitment and are rebuilding. The Bount Platform stock is declining. The biomass of the Pukaki Rise stock is thought to be stable, while the sustainability of current catch limits in the Auckland Islands stock is unknown.
MSY Status: Of the four stocks, Bounty Platform is declining and Campbell Island stocks is increasing. The biomass of the Pukaki Rise stock and the Auckland Islands stock is unknown.
The Ministry of Fisheries assessment plenary report states: Campbell Islands stock: “Biomass was likely to have been below the management target around 1990 and at or near the management target since 2000. With strong recent recruitment the biomass is now increasing. B2009 is about as likely as not (40-60%) to be at or above the target”;
Bounty Platform stock: “Biomass was Likely to have been below the target level from 1993 to 2005 but, with the recruitment of the very strong 2002 year class, the stock increased to be at or above
pre-exploitation levels until 2008 but has subsequently declined. [Key uncertainty i s:] High variability in acoustic survey biomass estimates. The surveys in 2007 and 2008 suggested biomass of 140-160 000 t, but the surveys in 2009 and 2010 suggested a biomass of 25-30 000 t. ”Pukaki Stock “Current status unknown. Believed to be only lightly exploited between 1993 and 2002. No current reliable indices of abundance (wide area surveys were discontinued in 2000)”; Auckland
Islands stock: The probability of the current catch or TACC causing decline below limits is unknown. No reliable time series of data available.” (MFish, 2011, p1027-1032).Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and E)
Fishing method: Trawling, mainly by foreign chartered vessels.Habitat damage: Bottom trawling bulldozes the seafloor and causes serious damage bottom dwelling species and fragile deepwater ecosystems.
Bycatch: The southern blue whiting fishery has the highest captures of NZ fur seals of any fishery, especially around the Bounty Islands. It also captures seabirds, other fish species and, increasingly, globally threatened NZ sea lions.
Ecological effects: Trawling impacts on bottom dwelling species and associated communities. Also, the removal of young southern blue whiting, which are an important food for globally threatened Yellow-eyed Penguin and forms the bulk of the food of globally threatened Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophrys impavida) during the chick-rearing period (Cherel et al 1999).
Management and management unit (score C and A)
Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1999 (1 November).
Catch limits: Yes.
Management plan: Deepwater Management plan completed but no operational plan and the plan lacks key environmental standards.. The southern blue whiting trawl fishery is currently seeking environmental certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (and international body that assesses and awards sustainable fisheries certifications).
Management component: Single species.
Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments for all areas except Auckland Islands. For example, Campbell Islands (2011), Bounty Platform (2011), Pukaki Rise (2002). Industry surveys have resulted in variable acoustic results.
References: Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 2011: stock assessments and yield estimates. Part 3: Red Crab to Yellow-eyed Mullet. Science Group, Ministry of Fisheries; SeaFIC website 2004; The
Guidebook to New Zealand Commercial Fish Species, 2007 RevisedEdition, The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd; Albatross predation of juvenile southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) on the Campbell Plateau Cherel, Waugh and Hanchet, 1999 New Zealand
Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 1999 Volume 33.
/www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/nz-fur-seals.html#cr
700 seals killed by New Zealand trawlers in 1 year
New Zealand fishery still killing too many fur seals
WildlifeExtra.com
November, 2010November 2010. Leading New Zealand conservation organization, Forest &
Bird, is alarmed by research that shows the hoki fishery is still
responsible for the highest number of fur seal deaths of any offshore
trawl fishery, despite its international certification as a sustainable
fishery.A Ministry of Fisheries research report, estimating the total fur seal
bycatch in New Zealand trawl fisheries from 2002-03 to 2007-08, shows
that around 714 fur seals were killed in offshore trawl fisheries in
2007-08. This was up from 488 in the previous year and just 71 less than
estimates for 2002-03.Of the observed captures in 2007-08, 41 percent were in the hoki
fishery, 20 percent in the hake trawl fishery, and 17 percent in the
southern blue whiting fishery. A total of 273 fur seals were estimated
to have been killed in the hoki fishery in 2007-08, up from 196 in the
previous year.“The research report shows that certification under the Marine
Stewardship Council has not prevented large numbers of fur seals from
being killed in the hoki fishery,” says Forest & Bird Marine
Conservation Advocate Kirstie Knowles.The hoki fishery was first certified as sustainable by the Marine
Stewardship Council (MSC) in 2001. It was recertified in 2007, despite
objections from Forest & Bird and WWF-New Zealand, with the MSC
independent objection panel chair stating the fishery only received
recertification “by the skin of its teeth”.
“The MSC certification requires a reduction in fur seal captures,”
Knowles says. “While there has been a decline in fur seal captures by
the fishery since 2002-03, this is largely the result of a reduction in
fishing due to quota cuts.72% increase in fur seal incidents
“The report shows a spike in captures in 2007-08 and a 72 percent
increase in the fur seal capture rate since 2002-03,” she says.“It is deeply disappointing that the hoki fishery is still killing the
greatest number of fur seals of any trawl fishery, despite being
labelled a sustainable fishery.High seabird capture and bottom trawling
“This problem, combined with the high seabird captures and the use of
bottom trawls is why the New York Times cried foul over sustainability
claims, and why hoki is being pulled from some supermarket shelves in
the US, Canada and the UK.”“It is also very worrying to see the high number of fur seal deaths in
the hake and southern blue whiting fisheries as they are currently
applying for MSC certification and are undergoing assessment,” Knowles
said.The report shows that hake and southern blue whiting fishery captures in
the 2007-08 fishing year were the highest recorded in each fishery over
the last six years. Knowles says unless serious management action is
taken immediately, these fisheries would end up in the same situation as
the hoki fishery.New Zealand fur seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection
Act, although accidental deaths of marine mammals are allowed at the
discretion of the Fisheries Minister under the Fisheries Act. The report
states that New Zealand fur seals are the most frequently killed marine
mammal in our commercial fisheries.
- /fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country=0&special=&monthyear=
Jamie Newlin is an American vegan and commentator with a unique perspective on many of today’s most important wildlife/animal welfare issues. He provides commentary to Talking Naturally on an unpaid and ad hoc basis.
