Page 12. MAINE COASTAL NEWS February 2011 Commercial Fishing News MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL FISHING NEWS Continued from Page 11.


This opens the way for continued con- sultations between the U.S. government and each of the nations to encourage them to take action to stop IUU fishing by their vessels. In this report, NOAA also announces that the six previously identified nations (China, France, Italy, Libya, Panama, and Tunisia) have addressed the instances of illegal fishing described by the United States in the 2009 report to Congress. These nations applied penalties to the vessels in question or adopted laws to strengthen control of their fishing fleets or both. Each has received a positive certification as a result of their ac- tions.


The nations identified in today’s report had fishing vessels that did not comply with measures agreed to under various interna- tional fishery management organizations, such as closed fishing seasons, vessel regis- try lists, and a ban on the use of driftnets. Other violations included illegal gear modifi- cations, fishing without authorization, and possession of undersized bluefin tuna. While Italy and Panama took corrective actions for illegal fishing identified in the 2009 report, other vessels from these countries still engaged in IUU fishing, which included illegal use of driftnets and fishing in an area when it was closed to purse seine nets. If a nation fails to take appropriate action to address the instances of illegal fishing described in the report, that nation’s vessels may be denied entry into U.S. ports and the President may prohibit imports of certain fish products from that nation or take other mea- sures.


“We are encouraged that the nations


identified in 2009 have taken significant ac- tions to address illegal fishing by their ves- sels, and we are now reaching out to the six countries identified in today’s report,” said Russell Smith, NOAA deputy assistant sec- retary for international fisheries. “Illegal fish- ing must be stopped as it subjects our fisher- men to unfair competition and undermines efforts to sustainably manage the valuable fish stocks around the world that so many communities depend on for food and jobs.” Annual global economic losses due to IUU fishing are estimated to be as high as $23 billion.


This decision follow two years in which NOAA’s Fisheries Service, working with the U.S. Department of State, conducted exten- sive outreach at bilateral and multilateral meetings to inform fishing nations of poten- tial U.S. actions to combat IUU fishing. NOAA is addressing the problem of IUU fishing through the international provisions of the U.S. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Con- servation and Management Reauthorization Act.


The act amends the High Seas Driftnet Moratorium Protection Act, which requires the United States to strengthen international fishery management organizations and ad- dress IUU fishing activities and the unin- tended catch, or bycatch, of protected living marine resources. Specifically, the Morato- rium Protection Act requires the Secretary of Commerce to identify those foreign nations whose fishing vessels are engaged in IUU fishing, and what actions those nations have taken to end the practice.


The identification of countries will be followed by consultations to urge these na- tions to adopt effective measures to combat


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IUU fishing. Following consultations, NOAA will formally certify whether each of the six nations have addressed the IUU fish- ing activities of their vessels.


The latest report to Congress also in- cludes information on multilateral efforts to improve stewardship of international marine resources. To read the report, go to http:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/ intlprovisions.html


Delegates from Maine and 23 Other States Meet to Advance a National Seafood Marketing Plan


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At an historic meeting in Seattle last month, representatives from local seafood industry organizations from 24 states met to agree on a plan for a national seafood market- ing coalition. In the U.S. there are some re- gional efforts promoting local fish and sea- food. Groups such as the Maine Lobster Promotion Council, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board, the Alaska Seafood Mar- keting Institute (ASMI), the Catfish Institute, the Southern Shrimp Alliance and others all have been active in promoting domestic sea- food with various sources of funding. Now, an effort is underway to form a National Seafood Marketing Coalition to combine and strengthen efforts to success- fully market US Seafood in the US promoting job retention, growth, and economic devel- opment in fishing related industries in over 24 states. Last month in Seattle, the National Seafood Marketing Coalition (Coalition) crossed industry lines from the Gulf of Mexico to Hawaii, and from the Great Plains to New England and beyond to garner indus- try-wide support for the development of a National Seafood Marketing Fund (NSMF). The NSMF will be distributed among five Regional Marketing Boards. The overall goal is to fund the development of broad- based, sustainable marketing strategies within each region that will grow consumer demand for domestic seafood, increase its value, and strengthen the U.S. seafood economy through industry-wide job growth. So how does this differ from previ- ous national efforts? The key to this proposal is local control rather than that of operational oversight from an agency outside of the region. No one knows the specific marketing and development needs within a region bet- ter than those actively involved with that part of the seafood industry. This has been proven to be successful by groups such as ASMI, the Maine Lobster Promotion Coun- cil, and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion Council.


The Coalition is working on national legislation that will direct a long-term, sus- tainable source of funding to the NSMF that will help finance industry-wide marketing efforts across the nation. Various funding


sources, similar to the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act of 1956, are being explored. This pro- posed legislation would officially establish five Regional Seafood Marketing Boards to receive dedicate and manage the funds within each region through a grant process that will provide local control. In some ways, the structure mirrors the concept of decen- tralized regional management councils. At the meeting in Seattle, Dane Somers, Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Pro- motion Council said, “The Coalition has the right plan, at the right time, for all the right reasons. It’s time the country comes together for a common purpose, to express their strong desires to help each other to create new markets, provide stronger benefits and make sure that all Americans have healthy, safe, sustainable seafood products from local sources.”


The five Regional Marketing Boards proposed are: Western Pacific (Hawaii)/ Alaska, Pacific, Gulf/Caribbean, NE Atlantic/ Great Lakes and SE/Mid-Atlantic. Members appointed to each of the boards will represent a cross section of all aspects of the U.S. domestic seafood industry in that region. That includes all U.S. seafood producers, mariculture and aquaculture producers, har- vesters and other industry support services. Board members will reflect the expertise and interest of the seafood industry within each local region.


Industry leaders from 24 states con- vened in Seattle last month to further the development efforts of the Coalition, and to define the aspects of legislation that will benefit the industry across the board. This meeting was historic and made me enthusias- tic about the opportunity to work with other fishing families around the nation to tell our story. The NSMF will direct the energies of stakeholders within the U.S. fishing industry to create a more secure future for U.S. fisher- ies, families and jobs, said Natalie Webster, Executive Director of the American Albacore Fishing Association.


The Coalition was founded by leaders of the Alaska seafood industry and is the direct result of a five-year pilot project, on which the national concept is based. Arni Thomson, President of the United Fisherman of Alaska (UFA), has helped to spearhead the idea of the Coalition. He says: “UFA is very pleased to see this coalition expand and prepare im- portant legislation for this next Congress. Attendees at the Seattle meeting demon- strated the will to cooperate and compromise. This synergy will allow them to forge ahead for the overall good of the U.S. fishing and seafood industry.”


This unified effort has been presented and vetted across the country and one thing is clear; the message from the U.S. seafood industry is consistent. Bruce Schactler, Di-


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