Feb. 7, 2007  Americans ate 16.2 pounds of fish and shellfish per person in 2005, a two percent decrease from the 2004 consumption figure of 16.6 pounds. Despite the decline in consumption, consumer expenditures for seafood products increased by $3.3 billion, representing a five percent increase for a total of $65.2 billion. The commercial marine fishing industry contributed $32.9 billion to the U.S. Gross National Product in 2005, up from $31.6 billion in 2004.

An article was published today in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about offshore fish farming in Hawaii. The Almaco Jack, known as kahala in Hawaii is supposedly the newest aquaculture miracle and is being branded as Kona Kampachi. The downside is each farmed Almaco Jack will still devour several times its own body weight in wild-fish ground into meal. Guilt-free fish or another public distraction to the problems facing the world's oceans?

Here is a quickie while we are on the subject Hervey Bay! Check out Flyfishing in Saltwaters Magazine's Salt Spray section for a article re Fraser Island Green Zones. If you feel you can help by writing to the Queensland Government it would be appreciated FFISW May-June 2005 Issue

94% of sport killed tarpon in Florida are killed during this single tournament, yet the organizers have abandoned their plans to convert it to a C&R format.

From the St. Petersburg Times:
"ST. PETERSBURG - The Suncoast Tarpon Roundup, which last year accounted for 94 percent of the tarpon reported killed in Florida, has abandoned plans to move to an all-release format and will continue to kill tarpon when it starts May 21."

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/03/Sports/Tarpon_tourney_abando.shtml

VANCOUVER - A federal government decision to open the lower Fraser River to commercial salmon fishing today has raised concerns about an endangered run of steelhead, world renowned among anglers.

Some disturbing information on the Sea of Cortez and other oceans are revealed at www.seawatch.org PLEASE view the links to the online presentation and equally distressful animation on Japanese longline catch ratios. If you look around this site you will find plenty of big fish photos caught by pros that will make you sick! To link to the homepage click the Seawatch logo below.

Preliminary Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Governors' Draft
Released by the U.S.Commission on Ocean Policy on April 20, 2004, this document presents the Commission’s preliminary findings any recommendations for a new, coordinated, and comprehensive national ocean policy. Mandated by the Oceans Act of 2000, the Preliminary Report is now available for review and comment by the nation’s Governors and interested stakeholders.

Looks like a bunch of us and including my father in law are URBAN ELITISTS.. To the Mayor of Forks .."YOU'RE A DICKHEAD!!"

By Paul Queary
The Associated Press in Todays Seattle Times

FORKS, Clallam County — This is a fish story, but not about the one that got away. It's about the fish you catch, and whether you should gently put them back in the river or take them home for dinner.

A sudden move by state regulators to ban killing wild steelhead in the rivers of the Olympic Peninsula has touched off a culture war. Many locals are seething. Forks' mayor is threatening to sue. Area merchants wonder whether fishermen will stay away if they can't take home a trophy. Indian tribes worry the ban will worsen resentment of their tribal fishing rights.

Wild-fish advocates, meanwhile, argue that it's time to protect some of the last healthy runs of a species prized by anglers around the world.

OTTAWA, February 17, 2004 – In keeping with the Government of Canada’s commitment to protecting and preserving Canada’s environment, and the health of our wildlife populations,the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, announced today that he will soon propose regulations that will bring about an eventual prohibition on the import, manufacture and sale of fishing sinkers and jigs containing lead.

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission ruled yesterday that wild steelhead caught between April 1, 2004, and March 31, 2006, must be released.