Conservation Efforts Rebuild Seafood Supply.

Coastal Jobs Coalition Points to Major Groundfish Species Estimated at 45,570 Metric Tons, 246 Percent More Than 10 Years Ago

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Recent restrictions on commercial and recreational salmon fishing have set coastal communities reeling at the potential economic impact. But as the old adage goes, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Coastal Jobs Coalition, an organization dedicated to sustainable fisheries and communities, points to information revealing that fishery management along the west coast provides reason for communities to hope for better salmon stories in the future. Conservative management programs have resulted in the replenishment of a variety of depleted fish stocks, many ahead of schedule, and have done so with support from fishermen and processors, whose livelihood depends on a reliable supply.

"While natural cycles play a major role in both depletion and recovery of species, active and thoughtful management can make a significant impact on fish stocks to ensure thriving populations," said Rod Moore, Executive Director of West Coast Seafood Processors Association. "For instance, in 1999 the Allowable Biological Catch of the four major west coast groundfish species - Dover sole, sablefish, and two species of thornyheads (rock cod) - was estimated by scientists to be 18,549 metric tons. Today, the number has grown an estimated 246 percent to 45,570 metric tons, thanks to management efforts."

Groundfish thriving under conservative management

West coast fisheries are managed sustainably under federal and, in some cases, state law. In addition to salmon, species include albacore tuna, squid, sardines, swordfish, Dungeness crab, pink shrimp and groundfish. The groundfish fishery comprises more than 90 species, nine of which were identified as depleted and placed under recovery programs 12 years ago. Efforts have paid off:

* Pacific Whiting was rebuilt in three years, before a rebuilding schedule was developed

* Lingcod was rebuilt in seven years, three years ahead of schedule

* Widow rockfish is expected to be rebuilt by next year, 14 years ahead of schedule

* Canary rockfish is expected to be rebuilt 36 years ahead of schedule

* Five additional species are under severe harvest restrictions to assure a sustainable and healthy supply

At the helm of management efforts is the Pacific Fishery Management Council, providing federal oversight under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Actions to rebuild depleted species have included significantly reducing harvest levels, requiring electronic monitoring of fishing vessels, closing areas based on species' habitat characteristics, requiring more selective fishing gear, creating an observer program, and changing management cycles to allow more stock assessments and resource surveys.

Management efforts require industry cooperation

Although painful to many coastal communities, the decision to shut down the salmon fishery this season was supported by the majority of salmon fishermen and processors as necessary for conservation. Such cooperation among industry stakeholders has been critical to successful management programs. For instance, in the one instance of overfishing in the groundfish fishery -- on petrale sole in 2006 -- seafood industry participants took steps to voluntarily limit harvest levels, changing short-term profits for long-term sustainability. Today, no overfishing is occurring on any groundfish species. To learn more about regulations and proposals affecting coastal jobs and communities, visit www.coastaljobs.org.