Are fisheries disasters linked with climate change?

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Fisheries in Alaska, Gulf of Mexico and New England all hit hard

Shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by Bob Berwyn.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — If you had any doubts that at least some — if not all — the world’s oceans are in trouble, then look no farther than the most recent fisheries disaster declarations from the U.S. Commerce Department.

Due to varying factors, including overfishing, Mississippi River flooding and “unfavorable ocean conditions” (global warming, anyone?), the department has made disaster determinations in the Northeast, Alaska and Mississippi.

Along the Northeast coast of the U.S., ocean temperatures reached record high levels this past summer, shifting fish stocks away from U.S. waters. According to the disaster declaration, several key fish stocks in the groundfish fishery are not rebuilding and further cuts are expected in 2013. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, climate and weather, Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Copper is bad news for Coho salmon

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Several species of Coho salmon are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Photo courtesy NOAA.

Exposure to low concentrations make salmon susceptible to predation

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Researchers have long known that dissolved metals can be toxic to fish at relatively low concentrations. Some trout species, for example, can be poisoned by very low levels of zinc.

Now, some new research shows that tiny amounts of copper — from brake linings or mining operations, for example — affect salmons’ sense of smell so much that they can’t detect a compound that normally alerts them to danger.

“A copper-exposed fish is not getting the information it needs to make good decisions,” said Jenifer McIntyre, a postdoctoral research associate in Washington State University’s Puyallup Research and Extension Center.  (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, rivers, water | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Disease from Canadian fish farms threaten wild salmon

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Pacific salmon species.

Conservation groups seek investigation of Canadian aquaculture practices

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Diseases and parasites from industrial fish farms in British Columbia are threatening wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest, according to conservation,  fishing and native groups in Canada and the United States.

A coalition of groups this week filed a formal petition today requesting an international investigation with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation — an environmental side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement. The petition seeks enforcement of Canada’s Fisheries Act. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Biodiversity: Hatchery salmon not helping wild runs

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Salmon species.

Researchers stunned by rapid genetic change in hatchery raised salmon

SUMMIT COUNTY — Salmon raised in hatcheries may never be able to help replenish wild populations because the traits that enable them to survive in captivity come at the expense of heir ability to thrive and reproduce in a wild environment.

The impact of the hatchery environment is so profound that distinct genetic changes were apparent in just a few generations of fish, showing a speed of evolution and natural selection that surprised researchers. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Global warming: Gulf of Maine salmon dwindling

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Atlantic salmon. Photo: Hans-Petter Fjeld (CC-BY-SA)

Increased sea-surface temperatures, shifting wind patterns and increased predation cited as factors in falling populations

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Salmon spawning in the rivers of Maine — the last strongholds for Atlantic salmon in New England — are facing new climate-related challenges.

Changing spring wind patterns, warming sea surface temperatures and new predators along altered migration routes are affecting their survival, according to a new paper published online in the journal Fisheries Management and Ecology.

“Shifting environmental conditions affect both the freshwater and marine habitats for Atlantic salmon, and are already a concern for salmon stocks at the southern end of their distribution range in both North America and Europe, said Kevin Friedland, one of the paper’s co-authors and a researcher at the Narragansett Laboratory of NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and is a member of the Center’s Ecosystems Assessment Program.

“Understanding the linkages between post-smolt survival and climate, especially ocean conditions, is critical and needs to be considered in the scientific basis for conservation planning and management actions,” Friedland said. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, climate and weather, endangered species, Environment, global warming, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 5,562 other followers