June 10, 2002

       Weekly News Archives

                         or

       New Product  Archives

Mille Lacs walleye slot to continue   

   Current walleye harvest regulations at Mille Lacs Lake will remain in place, at least for now, the MN DNR has announced.

   Ron Payer, DNR Fisheries Director, said the walleye bite during the first three weeks of the open-water fishing season has been “tremendous.  At these harvest levels, there is just no opportunity for us to loosen the two-inch slot right now. Hopefully, we might be able to increase it sometime this summer.”

   Regulations now in place at Mille Lacs allow anglers to keep four walleye between 14 and 16״, with one walleye over 28״ allowed in the limit of four. The DNR had hoped to increase the slot to between 14 and 17״ once the night fishing ban expired on June 10, if projections had indicated that the annual target of 300,000 lbs of walleye would not be exceeded.

   The estimated walleye kill at Mille Lacs through May 31 was 117,000 lbs. This kill is above the 59,000 lb threshold for May for relaxing the regulations. Payer said the DNR

will continue to monitor the harvest. “If the projections come down, we will certainly try to increase the slot this summer, but we would exceed the 300,000 lb quota by a considerable amount if we were to change the slot now.”

   The eight Chippewa Bands have a declared allocation of 100,000 lbs for 2002, resulting in a total safe harvest of 400,000 pounds for the year.

   This is the first year of a three-year plan implemented by the DNR aimed at stabilizing regulations at Mille Lacs. Under the plan, the DNR will be able to honor the state’s commitment of staying within the state’s harvest allocation, but may do so over a three-year period instead of annually. If regulations fail to keep the state harvest below the allocation during the first two years, regulations the third year would need to be more restrictive. If regulations keep the harvest below the harvest target, the DNR will liberalize regulations.

   The DNR said both the angling pressure and catch rates at Mille Lacs during May have been “phenomenal.”  The catch rates are maybe two or three times what you’ll find at any other Minnesota walleye lake.

Congress, Scientists testify in Favor of Freedom to Fish

House hearing debates marine protected areas

   Alexandria, VA - The efficacy of marine protected areas (MPAs) was debated late last month during testimony given before a subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives by a panel of respected marine scientists and top Federal agency administrators.

   The hearing was led off by Rep. Collin Peterson (Dem-MN) who stressed the need for clear guidelines on the use of MPAs so as to protect the public’s access to coastal waters.  Peterson has sponsored legislation to this effect entitled the Freedom To Fish Act (H.R. 3547).  The bill enjoys strong bipartisan support in the House and Senate where Senators John Breaux (D-LA) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) have introduced companion legislation (S. 1314).

   Representatives from the Department of Commerce and Department of Interior spoke next.  These two federal agencies share jurisdiction for managing much of our marine resources.  Both speakers testified that “ecologically sustainable use” should be protected and went on to say that conservation and sustainable use are not mutually exclusive concepts.  Both officials stressed that MPAs are among their fishery management tools and that any decision to institute a closure must involve significant public involvement and support.

   Gordon Robertson, American Sportfishing Association VP, called these statements “reassuring” and “perfectly in line with what the recreational fishing community has been saying all along.”  He noted that recreational anglers land only 2% of all marine fish taken and yet support much of the tab for fisheries management through the payment of excise taxes and license fees.

   The oversight hearing then turned to a panel of scientific experts. Dr. Edward Houde, Chair of the National Research Council’s Committee on Marine Protected Areas, told the subcommittee, “We’re not yet ready for large marine reserve networks.”  He noted the need for more scientific research to be done before establishing these closed areas.

   Dr. Shipp, Marine Sciences Chair at U of South Alabama, released a report last month indicating that MPAs were unnecessary for the management of most recreational fish stocks.  “I am not against the use of MPAs in certain cases,” began Shipp.  “However, as a fishery management tool, no-take MPAs are not as efficient as traditional management measures as size limits, catch restrictions and temporary closed seasons,” Shipp told the subcommittee.

   When questioned, Dr. Houde remarked, “I agree with just about everything that Dr. Shipp has to say… marine fish have been managed effectively through traditional management measures.” 

   Houde went on to express concern regarding implementation of these measures, an anxiety shared by the ASA and other organizations speaking on behalf of the Freedom To Fish Act and common-sense use of MPAs.  “Regardless of whether a network of MPAs are ever put in place, the vast majority of ocean areas will remain subject to traditional management measures so we must work to improve the implementation of our existing tools,” said ASA’s Robertson.  “Much good has been accomplished since the 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act and we must maintain the resolve to ensure a vibrant ocean for the public use and enjoyment.”  

For more information on the Freedom To Fish Act, visit www.FreedomToFish.org

Top Ten Tips for taking a youngster fishing 

 

   KETCHUM, OK -  The recipe for teaching a little person to fish includes one dash of angling technique, two or three tablespoons of gear, and several cups of patience.

   This  is the advice of Hookedon Fishing International (HOFI) that has helped introduce over six million youngsters and their family members to the sport of fishing. This year, HOFI's 16th, the organization will help conduct over 1,500 Wal-Mart Kids All-American Derbies and put a rod and reel into the hands of another 250,000 young people.

Here are their top ten tips:


1. Tackle: Size the rod and reel to the child. Small bobbers and small hooks encourage more fish nibbles and -- the supreme thrill for a youngster-- a tug on the line.

2. Bait. Yes, for safety's sake and because of the yuck factor, the adult may have to handle the protein. Use worms or minnows. Records show these two baits catch 80 % of the fish at the Wal-Mart Kids All American Fishing Derbies.

3. Food. Never forget the snacks and drinks, and some wet wipes, too, to clean face and fingers before/after snacks.

4. Camera. Fishing is all about making and preserving memories. Bring the camera and an extra roll of film. If your camera has a built-in flash use it with every shot, even in bright sunlight. The flash will eliminate shadows on young, excited faces.

5. Life jacket. In a boat, youngsters are required to wear a life jacket. That's the law. On the bank of a pond or stream, they should wear one, too. That's common sense.

 6. Sunscreen. Bring it, and use it. On the water, the sun can do double the damage because harmful rays not only come from above, they are also reflected from the water. Young skin is prone to sunburn.

7. Insect repellent. This is almost as important as the sunscreen, and always a good thing to have on hand. Biting bugs can veto any fishing trip. Fight back.

8. Location. Fish close to home. That's the rule of thumb dictated by the generation whose favorite phrases include "Are we there yet?" and "When are we going home?"

9. Timing. Let the young angler decide when enough is enough. If anything, it's better to quit before alarm bells ring. That keeps desire in the bank for the next fishing trip. Time your fishing for the most comfortable time of the day, usually morning.

10. Patience. Three or more level cups of this vital ingredient are critical to a successful fishing trip and the creation of a new fishing partner.

To find a Wal-Mart Kids All-American Derby closest to you go to  www.kids-fishing.com and use the Derby Locator feature. Just enter your zip code and the Derby Locator will list the nearest events, location, the name of the contact person and his or her phone number.

In addition to Wal-Mart, the derbies are sponsored by Berkley PowerBait, Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, Eagle Claw, EverStart Batteries, FishingWorld.com., Frito-Lay, Fujifilm, Kellogg's, Laker by Jadico, Pepsi, Heddon and Rebel Lures, Southwest Airlines, Trilene, Zebco and Bar-S Foods Company, which makes the "official hot dog" of the Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derby program.

Ohio Steelhead program expands

   Due to the success of the steelhead trout program in Conneaut Creek and the Rocky, Grand and Chagrin Rivers, the Ohio Division of Wildlife is expanding the stocking program to include the Vermilion River, located about 35 miles west of Cleveland.

   “Angler satisfaction with Ohio’s steelhead fishery continues to grow, as does our commitment to the stocking program,” said Gary Isbell, fisheries executive administrator for the Wildlife.  “As more and more anglers seek out this exciting steelhead fishery, we wanted to provide additional fishing opportunities. Given biological factors and access opportunities, the Vermilion River was our best option,” he said.

   The first good run of stocked fish in the Vermilion should occur in the fall of 2003. By then, stream anglers can expect an average steelhead trout to be 25" long and weigh 5 to 6 lbs.

   As part of both states’ increased focus on the steelhead fishery, an agreement has been secured with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to cooperatively stock steelhead in Conneaut Creek. Each agency will annually stock up to 75,000 yearling steelhead into Conneaut Creek.

   This spring, the Grand, Chagrin and Rocky Rivers each received about 90,000 yearling steelhead, and the Vermilion River received 55,000 yearling steelhead.

EPA releases Bush Great Lakes renewal plans

With no $$$ allotted, the exotics issue won’t just go away

Christie Whitman, chief of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced a new administration plan to clean up and restore the Great Lakes, setting specific goals and calling for federal, state and local officials to work more closely together.

Whitman said the plan addresses the serious problems facing the five lakes, including contaminated sediment, non-native species, habitat loss and the production of fish unsafe for eating.  It includes monitoring contaminants in fish, requiring factories that discharge into the lakes to limit contaminants, enlisting cooperation from corporations and tracking cleanup efforts implemented by state and local agencies.

Among the key goals, it included: Reduce the concentration of PCBs in lake trout and walleye by 25% by 2007; Restore or enhance 100,000 acres of wetlands by 2010; Substantially reduce by 2010 the further introduction of non-native species; and speed up sediment cleanup, finishing all contaminated sites by 2025.

To some critics, all this appeared to be just so much political rhetoric.  No new government monies has been set aside for the plan.

Chicago Sun Times

http://www.suntimes.com/output/otherviews/cst-edt-ref08.html

New Great Lakes plan is fishy

By Dan Thomas                                             June 8, 2002

   In April, Christie Whitman, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced Great Lakes Strategy 2002, "a new plan to clean up and restore the Great Lakes." The plan sets specific goals and calls for federal, state and local officials to work more closely together "to advance Great Lakes protection and restoration efforts."

   Green groups did cartwheels, federal and state officials were cautiously optimistic and liberals complained it didn't go "far enough." Those of us familiar with government efforts to clean and protect the Great Lakes, though, see Strategy 2002 as just more political rhetoric.

   If the Great Lakes need a grand new restoration plan, why were no federal dollars allocated for a cleanup? What is the truth about all the contaminants that we read about in the press?

   The principal targets of past Great Lakes cleanup plans were PCBs and DDT. However, total PCB and DDT concentrations in Great Lakes sport fish have declined dramatically since monitoring began in the late 1970s. As PCB levels in Great Lakes sport fish fell, government regulators changed the definition of safe from 5.0 parts per million in the 1980s to 2.0 ppm by the mid-1990s.

   PCB levels in Great Lakes sport fish continued to decline, thanks to regulation and technological improvements. So in 2001, bureaucrats reduced PCB action levels in the Great Lakes to just .05 ppm, even though the 42 other states in the union are still at 2.0 ppm. Even so, Great Lakes sport fish are now coming close to the .05 ppm standard.

   PCBs were characterized as probable human carcinogens based in part on a 1975 study by Renate Kimbrough of rats fed large quantities of PCBs. Kimbrough's latest study, published in the March 1999 issue of a peer-reviewed medical journal, is the largest-ever human study of occupational exposure to PCBs. It found no association between PCBs and deaths from cancer and any other disease. Yet the nation's fish eaters and politicians have not been made aware of these findings.

   Just as PCB levels become vanishingly small and evidence of their adverse health effects is discredited, federal regulators decide to focus on a different theoretical health threat: mercury. At high levels of exposure, mercury can be toxic, but the same is true of every substance, even water. Mercury exists naturally in the environment, though it also can be released through industrial emissions. What matters is the dose.

   A study released in 2000 by the National Academy of Sciences, based on hair samples collected when mothers gave birth, found mercury concentrations ranging from 0.5 ppm to 27 ppm, with no adverse effects in their children. The academy found "little evidence" that low-dose pre-natal mercury exposure affects children.

   Academy scientists said that for most people, the nutritional and other benefits of eating fish outweigh the risk, particularly if people follow consumption advisories. Nevertheless, the EPA's "safe" level of mercury exposure is based on a maternal hair level of about 11 ppm, less than half the level determined to be safe in the NAS study. Even this level is well above what anyone is likely to accumulate by eating fish.

   As Great Lakes water quality has improved, Great Lakes states have increased the number of fish consumption advisories from 1,538 in 1996 to 1,964 last year--a 28 percent increase. Their 11 neighboring states during the same time reduced their fish consumption advisories from 439 to 233--a decline of 47 percent. Minnesota increased its advisories by 32 percent, while its three non-Great Lakes neighbors reduced theirs by 38 percent. What's wrong with this picture?

   The pointless pursuit of PCBs in the past and the new jihad against mercury are evidence of an environmental movement more interested in shutting down industries than protecting health. Our political and regulatory systems are filled with appeasers eager to "do something" to get on the right side of what they think is a popular movement, even if it means selling out small businesses and millions of recreationists.

   The Bush administration gave us a new EPA administrator, but the dynamic that drives environmental public policy in the Great Lakes hasn't changed. Fishermen, consumers, small business owners and taxpayers are still the losers, and a small cabal of professional agitators and bureaucrats are still winning.

"Maritime Transportation Anti-Terrorism Act Of 2002" Approved By U.S. House

   Washington, D.C. - Bipartisan legislation that establishes a comprehensive national system to increase anti-terrorism security at U.S. ports and waterways was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, June 6, 2002.  "The Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002" (H.R. 3983) was approved by a voice vote.  The legislation was introduced by the bipartisan leadership of the Transportation Committee, including: - Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska), James Oberstar (D-MN),  Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) and Corrine Brown (D-FL) .

   The legislation also included the provisions from "The Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002" (H.R. 3507) which authorizes $5.9 billion for Coast Guard programs and operations during fiscal year 2002.  H.R. 3507 was approved by the House in December 2001, but the Senate has continually refused to consider the bill.

   "Port security is an essential piece of an effective Homeland Security program," said Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young.  "This bill establishes a comprehensive national anti-terrorism system to reduce the vulnerability of our ports and waterways to a terrorist attack. This is one of the most important pieces of legislation the House consider this year."

   "Passage of this bill by the House sends a clear message to everyone that we are taking strong steps to protect America's ports and waterways from terrorism and that Congress is committed to this mission," said Coast Guard Subcommittee Chairman LoBiondo.  "I hope that we can see the provisions of this bill become law very soon because of the tremendous importance of the maritime transportation system to our economy and our nation."

The bill:

•Establishes a comprehensive national system of antiterrorism security enhancements 

•Requires the Coast Guard to conduct port vulnerability assessments for U.S. ports, including an assessment of the vulnerability of each facility in a port, at which there is a high risk of a catastrophic emergency;

•Requires that vessel and facility antiterrorism plans be submitted for approval to the Coast Guard, by vessels and facilities involved in a catastrophic emergency;

•Requires the Coast Guard to cooperate with the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate maritime terrorism response actions; 

•Requires the Coast Guard to develop a system of terrorism response for vessels.

•Establishes Coast Guard maritime antiterrorism teams to protect vessels, ports, facilities, and cargo on United States' waters;

•Allows the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to provide financial assistance for enhanced facility security to implement a maritime antiterrorism plan approved by the Coast Guard or an interim measure required by the Coast Guard.  For each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005, $75 million is authorized for the grants;

•Requires that the Coast Guard assess the effectiveness of the antiterrorism measures maintained at foreign ports from which vessels depart on a voyage to the United States or which pose a high risk of terrorism to the United States, and if a foreign port does not maintain effective antiterrorism measures, may prescribe conditions of entry or deny entry into the United States for any vessel arriving from that port, or any vessel carrying cargo originating from or transshipped through that port; 

•Requires, by no later than June 30, 2003, the Under Secretary of Security, in consultation with the Transportation Security Oversight Board, to develop and maintain an antiterrorism cargo identification and screening system for containerized cargo shipped to and from the United States either directly or via a foreign port. 

•Requires the operators of commercial vessels arriving in the United States to provide the Under Secretary with a passenger and crew manifest,    containing each passenger's and crewmember's date of birth, citizenship, passport and visa number, and country of origin.

•Amends the Port and Waterways Safety Act to require all vessels entering the 12-mile territorial sea of the United States to provide notice to the Coast Guard 96 hours before entering those waters, and clarifies that the Coast Guard has the authority to direct the safe operations of all vessels in the 12-mile territorial sea and other navigable waters of the United States during hazardous circumstances such as when a pilot is not on board the vessel; 

•Extends the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard from three miles from shore to 12 miles from shore for certain security activities when the President determines that national security is endangered, and creates civil penalties not to exceed $25,000 for each violation of a Coast Guard order;

•Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to allow the dispatch of properly trained and qualified armed Coast Guard personnel, commonly called "sea marshals," on facilities and vessels to deter or respond to acts of terrorism.

•Requires that all vessels built after December 31, 2002, be equipped with a position indicating transponder and an appropriate situation display for accessing the information made available by the transponder system.  After Dec. 31, 2004, all vessels built before December 31, 2002, must carry this equipment.

 

A closer look at killer food pathogens

   It doesn't require a mad scientist to make killer food pathogens, experts say.

   Botulism, an ancient foe, is one of the most lethal toxins known and is easily made. It kills 5 % of those infected. Jeremy Sobel, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control warns that large-scale terrorist attacks using easily obtained pathogens could "overwhelm hospitals and caregivers."  He issued the warning in the May issue of The Lancet, a magazine for physicians.

   Here's a look at some of the most common food pathogens, where they are found and the consequences of infection.

► Botulism: Ubiquitous in the soil and grows in improperly canned food. It can result in respiratory paralysis. About 95 % of those infected require hospitalization, and more than 60 % will require mechanical ventilators to stay alive. About 5 % of those infected die.

►Salmonella: A common pathogen, found in clinical and research laboratories. It causes acute diarrhea, and kills about 1 % of those infected. Salmonella is a hardy organism.

►Salmonella typi, or typhoid fever: It's available in

many clinical and research laboratories, and causes severe illness, with a 10 % death rate among those who are untreated. It's not well known in the United States, and has an incubation period of up to three weeks before causing illness. About 3 % of those infected will not show symptoms of the disease.

►Shigella: Available in many clinical and research laboratories, it causes acute and often bloody diarrhea. Less than 1 % of cases are fatal. 

►Shigella dysenteriae, or dysentery. A more lethal form of shigella, it is fatal to up to 20 % of those treated, and can destroy the kidneys.

►Escherichia coli, or E coli. Readily available in research laboratories and from manure piles on farms. It causes acute and bloody diarrhea, which is fatal to about 1 % of those who contract the microbe. Other consequences include high blood pressure, stroke, kidney failure and neurological problems. The form of E coli classified as O157-H7 is fatal in about 5 % of those who contract it.

►Vibrio cholerae, or cholera. It's available in clinical and research laboratories, and causes acute and dehydrating diarrhea that is fatal for up to 50 % of those who get it. Historically, it has been caused by waterborne contamination in Third World countries with poor sanitation facilities

Grant from the F/W Foundation benefits lake sturgeon

The Ashland Fishery Resource Office reports it submitted a grant application through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation requesting financial assistance to remove log jams on the Sturgeon River. Removal of these barriers could provide an additional 34.5 miles of potential spawning/nursery habitat. The grant has been approved – $21,000.

 FWS’ Jon Andrews transferred to SE Region

The USFWS announced that Jon Andrew has been transferred to the Southeast Region in Atlanta, as the new Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Andrew, a 20-year veteran of the agency, most recently, served as the Chief of the Division of Migratory Bird Management in Arlington, Virginia. Before serving in the Division of Migratory Bird Management, Andrew also served as Chief of the Branch of Planning and Policy for the National Wildlife Refuge program in Washington D.C.

arrowUSFWS Press Releases  arrowSea Grant News

State Fish Pages

Illinois - Indiana - Michigan - Minnesota - Ohio - Pennsylvania - New York - Wisconsin - Ontario

 

Home | Great Lakes States | Membership | Exotics Update | Great Links

Pending Issues | Regional News | Great Lakes Basin Report | Weekly News / Archives 

 
Please report broken or new link information to Webmaster
All contents Copyright © 1995 - 2002, GLSFC All Rights Reserved.