Presidential task force unveils proposal for seafood tracking program, more international cooperation
Staff Report
FRISCO — The Obama administration last week took a small step toward addressing illegal fishing and widespread seafood fraud. A set of recommendations by a presidential task force includes creation of a “risk-based traceability program” to prevent illegal seafood products from reaching the supply chain.
“The United States is a global leader on sustainable seafood, and the seafood industry is an incredibly important sector in our nation’s economy,” said NOAA administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, praising the panel’s suggestions as an important tool to level the playing field for legitimate fishermen.
“Seafood is one the most traded commodities in the world. Consumers should be able to have confidence their seafood was legally and sustainably harvested,” said Catherine Novelli, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. “ Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishers gain an unfair advantage in the marketplace over law-abiding fishing operations as they do not pay the cost of sustainable production,” Novelli said.
The recommendations released today include:
International: Work with international governments, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, and others to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud at the international level.
Enforcement: Strengthen enforcement tools to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud.
Partnerships: Create and expand partnerships with U.S. state and local governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations to identify and eliminate seafood fraud and IUU seafood in U.S. commerce.
Traceability: Create a risk-based traceability program to track seafood from harvest to entry into U.S. commerce to prevent entry of illegal product into the supply chain and better inform retailers and consumers.
According to NOAA, in 2013, U.S. fishermen landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish worth $5.5 billion. Globally, IUU fishing causes estimated losses of $10-$23 billion annually, fueling trafficking operations while undermining economic opportunities for U.S. fishermen and others engaged in legal fishing.
The recommendations will be available for public review and comment for 30 days, beginning December 18, 2014, and closing January 20, 2015. Specifically, the Task Force is requesting comment on how to implement these recommendations. More information can be foundhere. Based on comments received, the Task Force will develop an action plan for these recommendations to be released in early 2015.
Orvis Hydros SL Fly Reel - Tom Rosenbauer Insider Review www.rodflyfishing2.com Free Shipping - Shop Now: http://www.tridentflyfishing.com/fly-reels/orvis-fly-reels.html Orvis Hydros SL: The Hydros SL is a brand new reel that is a lot different from the old Hydros despite sharing the same name. Orvis Hydros: There is not another true large arbor, big-game fly-fishing reel out there that carries this drag system performance at a price starting at just 5. It's unheard of until now. The new Hydros® Reel Series features a sealed drag surface that increases total drag surface by model: The larger the reel, the larger the drag surface and the more resistance available to handle larger fish. Using stacked carbon washers, controlled by a positive click adjustment system, the Hydros can be fine-tuned to handle any fish from a trout to a tuna with sustained and infinitely durable drag pressure.
rodflyfishing2.com Under repair Sask. outdoor campers brave chilly prairie temps A group of chilly campers braved the winter elements this weekend. Learn To Winter Camp with SaskOutdoors was held this weekend in Lumsden at the Living Skies Retreat and Conference Centre, about 30 kilometres northwest of Regina. "It's not as bad as people are making it out to be," said Colin Frey, wilderness guide and owner of Renewed By Nature. "Winter camping can be quite fun and quite pleasant." Campers at the retreat learned how to choose appropriate winter sites. (Living Skies Retreat and Conference Centre ) Campers bundled up and spent 24 hours eating and sleeping outdoors, at times in sub-zero temperatures. Other scheduled activities included: Lessons on winter campcraft, cooking, site selection, trip planning and back country travel. Staying warm When temperatures dropped, Sask Outdoors member Taniya Heuchert took the group out on a hike to en...
