News briefs on sportfishing issues and trends affecting the marketplace
Snook, Bonefish and Tarpon Fisheries in Florida Closed
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently issued an executive order which closes harvest seasons for snook, bonefish and tarpon. The order, which took effect on January 16, provides that no person may harvest or possess snook in state and federal waters off Florida until September 2010 and establishes a temporary prohibition on the harvest and possession of bonefish and tarpon from state and federal waters off Florida through March 31. Catch and release for these species is still allowed. The closures were prompted by a recent statewide fish kill caused by prolonged cold weather.
EPA Releases Baseline Study on Condition of U.S. Lakes
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the first-ever baseline study of the nation’s lakes. The survey, which sampled more than 1,000 lakes for water quality, biological and habitat conditions and recreational suitability, found 56 percent in good biological condition, with the remaining lakes in fair or poor condition. Degraded lakeshore habitat, rated “poor” in 36 percent of lakes, was the most significant problem found. Nearly 75 percent of lakes that also were sampled in the 1970s showed improvements or no change in their present phosphorus levels, suggesting that the nation’s investments in wastewater treatment and pollution control are working despite population growth.
USFWS Proposes Expansion of Bull Trout Habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed to revise its 2005 designation of critical habitat for the bull trout, a threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act. The USFWS proposal will add nearly 20,000 miles of streams and almost 400,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Nevada as designated “critical habitat” for bull trout. To provide comment on the proposal, due March 15, 2010, as well as to view descriptions of the critical habitat units, maps, photographs, general biological information and other materials relating to the proposal, visit www.fws.gov/pacific/bulltrout.
Agreement Reached to Remove San Clemente Dam
Government officials have reached an agreement with the California American Water Company for the removal of the 106-foot-tall San Clemente Dam, located on the Carmel River. The obsolete dam, which was declared by inspectors in 1991 to be unsafe, blocks fish migrations, including endangered steelhead trout. Expected to cost $84 million, it will be the largest dam removal project in California history. The cost of removal will be divided among the California American Water Company, which owns the dam, and federal and state agencies.
Secretary of Interior Announces $19 Million for Coastal Wetlands Projects
This past December U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the award of $19.2 million to support 25 conservation projects benefiting fish and wildlife through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The grants will be used to acquire, restore or enhance coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands to provide conservation benefits to fish, wildlife and their habitat. States receiving funds include California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The federal grants will be matched by nearly $26 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups. To view a list of 2010 Coastal Grant awardees, visit www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants.