Ruling might cancel Alaska commercial king salmon season
May 3, 2023 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — A ruling from a U.S. judge in Seattle could effectively shut down commercial king salmon trolling in Southeast Alaska — a valuable industry that supports some 1,500 fishermen — after a conservation group challenged the harvest as a threat to endangered killer whales that eat the fish.
Fishing regulators need more transparency, ocean groups say
April 13, 2023 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Some regional fisheries management organizations that were set up by the United Nations to measure and conserve fish populations — but are difficult to hold to account — need to be more transparent about how they make their rules and regulations if fish species are to be protected and maintained for people reliant on healthy fish stocks for their livelihoods, conservation agencies and fishing industry players say.
Judge wants plan to protect humpback whales from fishery
March 16, 2023 GMTA U.S. judge this week ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the law when it failed to develop a plan to prevent West Coast commercial sablefish fishermen from harming humpback whales.
Environmentalists pile on pressure in Indian Ocean tuna row
March 1, 2023 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — An ongoing row between the European Union and coastal Indian Ocean nations over sustainable tuna fishing continues to simmer after a resolution in early February temporarily banned the use of destructive driftnets despite opposition from the European bloc.
Indian Ocean species caught between local, EU interests
February 2, 2023 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Indian Ocean countries wanting better safeguards for local marine life by updating fishing quotas and restricting harmful catch methods are facing resistance from the European Union, conservation groups say.
Vessel strike blamed for humpback whale’s death in New York
February 1, 2023 GMTLIDO BEACH, N.Y. (AP) — A humpback whale that washed ashore on a New York beach this week was likely killed by a vessel, federal authorities said Wednesday.
Judge: Corps must discuss spillway use with fisheries agency
January 19, 2023 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consult with federal fisheries experts on the effects of opening a spillway that protects New Orleans from Mississippi River flooding, but threatens coastal Mississippi marine life and tourism.
Sperm whale beached in Oregon killed by ship, feds find
January 17, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A 40-foot sperm whale that beached on Oregon's northwestern coast was killed after being struck by a ship, federal biologists conducting a post-mortem examination of the animal determined Monday.
California’s commercial Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 31
December 23, 2022 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — After three delays, the commercial Dungeness crab season in California will finally open on New Year's Eve, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday.
The start of the season had been curtailed in order to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in trap and buoy lines.
Crabbers, fishermen seek US aid after disaster declaration
December 17, 2022 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s disaster declaration for certain salmon and crab fisheries in Washington and Alaska opens the door for financial relief as part of an omnibus spending bill being negotiated by U.S.
California’s commercial Dungeness crab season delayed again
December 8, 2022 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The start of the commercial Dungeness crab season in California has been delayed further to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in trap and buoy lines.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife said Wednesday that commercial crabbing will be delayed until at least Dec.