Bluefin Tuna record broken at one fish for $1.76 million

The Annual Bluefin Tuna Record Breaking Auction just took place at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. I say it that way because every year restauranteurs from either Japan or Hong Kong bid one tuna to a record high media grabbing publicity stunt of a price. This coincides with the first auction of the year. It's more of a Japan vs China thing than an actual market driven auction.

The high bidder gets more than an overpriced tuna for his bid. Along with it comes worldwide free advertising on every TV station, newspaper, magazine, website, social media network and smartphone. Pretty cheap when you consider it in perspective.

The restaurant that purchased the tuna would have to sell the sashimi for about $96 a slice just to break even.

Bluefin tuna isn't suddenly worth all kinds of crazy money. The real price of bluefin is around $9 per pound to a high of $15. Unfortunately this annual publicity stunt hurts the fishery. Many fishermen think the next bluefin they kill could buy them an early retirement. This puts unnecessary pressure on the already over fished giant bluefin stocks.

The high priced bluefin was caught off northeastern Japan in the waters contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Keep in mind that five months after the nuclear accident, bluefin tuna off the Californian coast were found to be contaminated from the Japanese nuclear facility. And that was after swimming 6200 miles across the Pacific.

In other accounts of this recording setting price you'll find mention of the restaurant's and owner's names. I deliberately left out that information. No need to further encourage the exploitation of a threatened over-fished species. 

New York Changes Commercial Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass Regulations

Regulations for hatchery-reared smallmouth bass and largemouth bass (collectively, black bass), were adopted, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The new regulations will ease the process for hatchery-raised largemouth bass to be sold for food in New York state by allowing those who purchase fish from a licensed hatchery, such as fish markets, to resell the fish in New York. Under current regulations, only licensed hatchery operators can sell black bass in the state. Hatchery-reared smallmouth bass and largemouth bass may still be sold for stocking purposes, as presently provided for, but smallmouth bass may not be sold for food purposes.

"The regulations will make it easier for aquaculturists and fish markets within and outside the state to sell hatchery-reared largemouth bass for food, while continuing to protect wild bass populations that are the foundation of our popular and economically important bass fisheries," said DEC Commissioner Martens. "New York provides excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. DEC recognized the need to include measures in the regulations to safeguard the state's black bass sport fishery.

DEC worked with representatives of the aquaculture industry and the New York Farm Bureau to establish procedures requiring adequate record keeping to ensure that black bass being sold commercially originate from licensed aquaculture operations and not from wild sources. Aquaculturists were supportive of the regulations which do not provide for the sale of smallmouth bass for food purposes, a measure that was the subject of a number of comments DEC received from bass fishing enthusiasts.

"This proposal is the victory New York's black bass hatcheries have been fishing for," said Dean Norton, president of the New York Farm Bureau. "On behalf of our members, I would like to thank Commissioner Martens and DEC for moving forward with this balanced initiative that helps farmers, while still protecting wild fish populations. Opening up the New York state market for New York fish growers is an important step in helping these businesses grow and support new farm jobs. This is also a win for consumers because it allows our fish farmers to meet a strong and growing demand for black bass in New York, and not be forced to export their products to Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, simply to stay in business."

The adopted regulations address sale of bass for human consumption including labeling largemouth bass containers used for transportation, retaining purchase and sale records by distributors, and requiring that largemouth bass being sold live in retail markets must be killed before being transferred to retail customers. Largemouth and smallmouth bass being sold for stocking into waters within the state must come from sources that have been inspected for, and found free of, harmful fish pathogens - a requirement that has been in effect since 2006.

Cook Inlet Beluga Whale 2012 Population Survey

The populations have been as low as 278 whales and as high as 366 during the past decade. The overall population trend for the past 10 years for Cook Inlet beluga whales shows them not recovering and still in decline at an annual average rate of 0.6 percent, indicating these whales are still in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future.

Scientists from NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center today announced that the 2012 abundance estimate for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population is 312 animals, a small, but not scientifically significant increase over last year.

For scientists, the year-to-year changes in population estimates are less important than the long-term trend. Estimates can vary from year to year based on different sighting or survey conditions, weather, or changes in beluga behavior or distribution.

Scientists say this year's survey did have one unusual finding: whales venturing into relatively new waters.

"A group of belugas was observed just offshore of West Foreland swimming north into upper Cook Inlet. Beluga whales have not been observed in this area during our surveys since 2001," said Kim Shelden, a NOAA scientist and chief scientist on the survey. "This group of 12 to 21 whales then moved into Trading Bay where they remained for the duration of the survey, not far from the mouth of the McArthur River. Groups of this size have not been seen during our beluga whale surveys south of North Foreland since 1995."

Every June, scientists with NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center conduct aerial surveys of Cook Inlet. From a small plane with bubble windows, scientists look for and count the beluga whales, and make video recordings of the whale groups. The video and observer counts are analyzed to produce the annual estimate.

Population estimates for the scope of the report are:

2003: 357
2004: 366
2005: 278
2006: 302
2007: 375
2008: 375
2009: 321
2010: 340
2011: 284
2012: 312

Cook Inlet beluga whales swimming as seen from a scientific survey plane at 800 feet. August 10. 2011. Credit: NOAA, permit #14245

Reports on the survey and the analysis are available publicly at on the Cook Inlet beluga web page. The Cook Inlet beluga whale, one of five beluga populations recognized within U.S. waters, was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2008. NOAA designated critical habitat for the population in April 2011. NOAA is currently developing a recovery plan for Cook Inlet beluga whales and continues to fund research on the species

My Audubon Christmas Bird Count 2012

Today was the Pocono Environmental Education Center/Audubon Annual Christmas Bird Count. I donned the snowshoes and hit the forest & fields on a cold blustery day recording the number and species of birds I saw. Fantastic afternoon!

In addition to the birds, I stalked within 30 yards of a deer leisurely feeding among some dead-falls in a grove of white pine. If you've never participated in this event you're missing a really nice opportunity to spend a winter's day outdoors. Next Fall check on Audubon.org for the date of your local Christmas Bird Count.

For me, this wasn't a social event. I signed up on line and received an email of the Count Area with a breakdown of sections. I chose a section and went on my merry way. I didn't see a single person or other person's footprint in my coverage area. Sweet, to say the least.

Urban dwellers can also participate in the cities. The elderly or those who are ill can tally what comes to their bird feeder and the less adventurous can count birds they see from their cars. A filed guide is handy to have as are binoculars. I never ran into anything unrecognizable so the field guide stay tucked away in my coat pocket.

I didn't set any records and I didn't see any rare or oddball species. I simply had a great time. Most of the birds I saw were Juncos followed by Chickadees. There were a few Nuthatches, a Blue Jay, two Red-tailed Hawks, a couple of American Crows, some Tufted Titmouse, half dozen Wild Turkey Toms, Mourning Doves, and the rarest of the species was a Pileated Woodpecker.

I should've brought along an SLR with a telephoto but I wanted to travel light for the 3 hour trudge through the snow. I did bring the old "Big Bird" point & shoot that did zero justice to any wildlife shots but did manage to capture some landscape pictures.

The sign up cost? Zero. It used to be a measly $5, but Audubon scrapped the fee. Of course a small donation to Audubon would help them with their mission: To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

Part of Pennsylvania Gives Kids a Jump Start on Opening Day Fishing

The 18 county area that makes up southeast Pennsylvania will have an earlier opening day for trout season for kids but only on certain waters.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced the start of a pilot program called the Mentored Youth Trout Day.

“The Commission is piloting the Mentored Youth Trout Day as part of its goal to keep young anglers and their families fishing,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “The pilot program gives us the opportunity to gauge interest and to determine the feasibility of expanding the program across the state.”

To participate in the program, kids under the age of 16 must register with the PFBC before joining a mentor angler, who must have a current fishing license and trout permit. They will then be able to fish on the Saturday before the southeast opener on the select waters from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“The waters will be stocked to ensure a plentiful supply of fish to catch for the youth day and the regular season to follow,” said Laurel Anders, PFBC director of Boating and Outreach.

The 12 waters in the program include (by county):

Adams – Waynesboro Reservoir
Berks – Antietam Lake
Berks – Scotts Run Lake
Bucks – Levittown Lake
Cumberland – Children’s Lake
Cumberland – Doubling Gap Lake
Dauphin – Middletown Reservoir
Lancaster – Muddy Run Recreational Lake
Lebanon – Lions Lake
Lehigh – Lehigh Canal, Section 8
Montgomery – Deep Creek Dam/Green Lake
Schuylkill – Locust Lake

“Registration is free and youth will have the opportunity to receive a free one-year subscription to the Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth (PLAY) newsletter,” added Anders. “The PLAY newsletter is written for young anglers and includes articles and activities on fish, fishing, and PA’s aquatic resources published four times each year.”

On-line registration is currently available on the PFBC website at: http://fishandboat.com/MentoredYouth.htm. Paper registration forms will be available at many of the Mentored Youth Trout Day locations starting Feb. 1, 2013.

The regional opening day of trout is March 30, 2013. The Mentored Youth Trout Day is March 23, 2103. The statewide opening day of trout is April 13, 2013.

 

 

NJ American shad fishery has been closed for 2013 with some exceptions

Effective January 1, 2013, all American shad fisheries in New Jersey (both commercial and recreational), with the exception of the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries, will be closed (no possession, take or harvest). The recreational possession limit in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries will now be 3 fish with no minimum size and an open season all year.

This shouldn't pose a problem to recreational anglers since the Delaware River is where almost all shad fishing in NJ takes place.

NJ Black Sea Bass Regulations Changed for 2013

New Jersey announced changes to the black sea bass regulations for 2013.

The new sea bass regs, which will cover both state and federal water call for a season from January 1 through February 28 with a size limit of 12 1/2 inches and a 15 fish possession limit.  

The current sea bass season is split up throughout the year, May 19 - Sept.3 Sept.23 - Oct.14 Nov.1 - Dec.31 and has a 25 fish possession limit with a 12 1/2 inch size limit.

What's not clear in their announcement is if these regulations are instead of the current regs above or if it's an add on.  As NJ says,  "all new regulations will be announced on the division website and via the NJ Marine Fishing E-mail List when they are determined" So I guess it's still a wait & see.

2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation

Wildlife-related outdoor recreation increased dramatically from 2006 to 2011.   The national details are shown in the final report (Final Report) of the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The Final Report, which follows the August 2012 Preliminary Review and the September 2012 State Overview, provides more information on the types of activities and money spent for fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching.
Highlights of the Final Report include:

• More than 90 million U.S. residents 16 years old and older participated in some form of wildlife-related recreation in 2011; that is up 3 percent from five years earlier. The increase was primarily among those who fished and hunted. 
• Wildlife recreationists spent $144.7 billion in 2011 on their activities, which equated to 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.  Of the total amount spent, $49.5 billion was trip-related, $70.4 billion was spent on equipment, and $24.8 billion was spent on other items such as licenses and land leasing and ownership.
• The number of sportspersons rose from 33.9 million in 2006 to 37.4 million in 2011. The data show that 33.1 million people fished, 13.7 million hunted, and 71.8 million participated in at least one type of wildlife-watching activity such as observing, feeding and photographing wildlife.

Other key findings include:
Fishing and Hunting

• Of the 13.7 million hunters that took to the field in 2011, 11.6 million hunted big game, 4.5 million hunted small game, 2.6 million hunted migratory birds, and 2.2 million other animals.
• Of the 33.1 million anglers that fished, 27.5 million freshwater fished and 8.9 million saltwater fished. 
• While 94% of the U.S. population 16 years of age and older resided in metropolitan areas (50,000 and over populations), 89% of all anglers and 80% of all hunters were metropolitan residents.
• 73% (24.2 million) of all anglers were male and 27% (8.9 million) were female. 89% (12.2 million) of all hunters were males and 11% (1.5 million) were females.

Wildlife Watching Highlights

• 71.8 million U.S. residents observed, fed, and/or photographed birds and other wildlife in 2011. Almost 68.6 million people wildlife watched around their homes, and 22.5 million people took trips of at least one mile from home to primarily wildlife watch.
• Of the 46.7 million people who observed wild birds, 88% did so around their homes and 38% on trips a mile or more from home.
• Other types of wildlife also were popular for trip takers: 13.7 million people enjoyed watching land mammals such as bear, squirrel, and buffalo.  4 million people watched marine mammals such as whales and dolphins; 6.4 million enjoyed watching fish; and 10.1 million enjoyed watching other wildlife such as butterflies.
• People spent $54.9 billion on their wildlife-watching trips, equipment, and other items in 2011.  This amounted to $981 on average per spender for the year.

At the request of state fish and wildlife agencies, the Fish and Wildlife Service has been sponsoring the national survey every five years since 1955. It is viewed as one of the nation’s most important wildlife-related recreation databases and the definitive source of information concerning participation and purchases associated with hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife-related recreation nationwide.

The U.S. Census Bureau selected over 48,600 households across the country to obtain samples of sportspersons and wildlife watchers for detailed interviews. Information was collected through computer-assisted telephone and in-person interviews.  Starting in December 2012 through May 2013, the State reports will be prepared for release on a rolling basis. The survey is funded by Multi-State Conservation grants under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs which celebrates 75 years of conservation success in 2012. 
 
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

New York to Stock Lake Herring in Lake Ontario

Until the mid 1950s, Lake Ontario was home to a diverse group of whitefish that included as many as seven species that occupied varying depths of the lake.

Only three species are known to remain, the lake whitefish, round whitefish and lake herring. The abundance and distribution of these species in the lake is now greatly reduced. Recently the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) re-introduced the bloater, a deep water form of whitefish, into Lake Ontario. Lake herring occupy and spawn in shallower water than the bloater, and spawn earlier in winter.

"We recognize the economic and ecological importance of Lake Ontario's fisheries," said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. "Re-establishing spawning populations of lake herring in Lake Ontario will diversify the native prey fish community and add stability to the lake's ecosystem."

 Re-establishing self-sustaining populations of native whitefishes in Lake Ontario is the focus of cooperative efforts between DEC, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, with supporting research conducted by The Nature Conservancy.

Steelhead and salmon that feed primarily on invasive alewife can experience reproductive failure due to a vitamin B deficiency. Predators that feed on native species like lake herring and bloater are less likely to experience reproductive failure.

Michael Morencie, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Services Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, said, "Ontario has a strong commitment to restoring native species in Lake Ontario. This stocking event represents another pivotal benchmark in our efforts to restore native species diversity in the lake."

Lake herring were once an important prey fish in Lake Ontario, and supported important commercial fisheries that collapsed in the early 1950s largely due to over-harvest. In the New York waters of Lake Ontario, lake herring historically spawned in Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, the Sandy Pond, and Chaumont Bay. Research has documented current lake herring spawning only occurs in Chaumont Bay.

Juvenile lake herring will be stocked this week that originated from eggs collected by DEC staff in Chaumont Bay during November and December 2011.

Messing up less new land for new housing

This is another one of those it's better late than never things.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came out with a new report looking at residential building trends in America’s metropolitan areas. They  found that nearly 75% of large metropolitan regions had an increase in new housing development on land that was previously developed. This report compares the time periods of 2000-2004 to 2005 t0 2009.

This is good news. This type of development saves resources and open space since the infrastructure like water, sewer, rads and the like are already there. In other words, we're not taking an area that is still in its natural state and messing it up. The government has a name for this kind of development; it's called infill housing.

 Among 51 large metropolitan regions examined in this study, 36 saw an increased share of infill housing development during 2005-2009 compared to 2000-2004. For example, eight out of ten new homes in San Jose, Calif. were infill. New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco all saw a majority of new home construction in previously developed areas during the same time period.

If you'd like more info. on the report, prior studies, and a map showing regional trends check out this link: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/construction_trends.htm