The Ocean Conservancy Wins Shrimp Moratorium in the Gulf of MexicoThe Ocean Conservancy recently notched a major victory when it secured a moratorium capping federal shrimp permits at 2003 levels in the overfished Gulf of Mexico. The shrimp fishery has historically been “overcapitalized.” That is, it has too many boats in the fishery causing negative environmental and economic impacts. Shrimpers, for instance, discard four pounds of unwanted fish (what we call “bycatch” ) for every one pound of shrimp they catch. The win effectively ends the “open access” nature of the fishery and is the crucial first step toward a comprehensive solution to conservation problems that have plagued the Gulf. The moratorium goes into effect October 26, 2006.

Serious Threat to Sharks Defeated in European Parliament Denying recommendations that would further weaken seriously flawed shark-finning regulations, The European Parliament—spurred by The Ocean Conservancy and other member groups of the Shark Alliance coalition—has called instead for improvements to such rules based on science. The decision reflects the growing awareness of the plight of these vulnerable species and the public’s will to safeguard them. Learn more about The Ocean Conservancy’s efforts to protect sharks >>

Wild Salmon Infested By Lice From Farmed SalmonAquaculture, also known as fish farming, is causing serious threat to populations of wild fish through disease, genetic compromise, and now parasites. It seems that lice that prosper in the closed confines of fish pens have escaped and have infested populations of juvenile wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Juveniles, unlike the haler adults, are particularly susceptible to these parasites, killing many of the young salmon before they have a chance to spawn. Learn more about the problem of sea lice, aquaculture and wild salmon >>

Bush Administration Seeks Ban On Bottom TrawlingBottom trawling is a fishing technique in which a net, often strung between two powerful boats, is dragged across the ocean bottom destroying most everything in its path, including important fish habitats. To address the problem, President Bush has proposed banning bottom trawling in poorly regulated areas. In a statement, the White House said the State Department “is directed to … establish rules based on sound science … and to end destructive fishing practices, such as unregulated bottom trawling, explosives and chemicals that destroy the long-term productivity of ecosystems such as seamounts, corals, and sponge fields.” Read more about President Bush’s proposed bottom trawl ban >>

Iceland To Resume WhalingIn direct contradiction to international law, Iceland’s Fisheries Minister, Einar Kristinn Gudfinnson, announced recently that his nation would reopen commercial hunting for fin and minke whales, industries that have been closed since 1990. Read more about Iceland’s plans to open whaling >>