Showing a distinct lack of American patriotism, Alaskan pollock are reacting to climate-changed warmer waters by swimming northward into Russian territory -- potentially endangering both the U.S.'s billion-dollar pollock industry and U.S.-Russia relations. Climate-related pollock migration "will be a food security issue and has an enormous potential for political upheaval," warns Andrew Rosenberg, former deputy director of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Salmon, squid, and mackerel are also moving northward, but the certified-sustainable pollock fishery is arguably of most concern. Estimates hold that anywhere between 10 and 30 percent of Alaskan pollock now rear their heads in Russian territory. If Russians schlep up 20 percent of the available catch, "do we eat it and reduce our catches to manage conservatively?" frets marine-policy professor Keith Criddle. "If we get to the position where Russians are taking 50 percent of the catch, what are we going to do?"
source: Los Angeles Times
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jhocevar Posted 3:22 am
22 Oct 2008
Ken Weiss is absolutely right that global warming is having an impact on our oceans and fisheries (Migrating Alaskan pollock are creating the potential for a new dispute with Russia, L.A. Times).
With pollock, as with most fish, the impacts of global warming are compounded by decades of heavy fishing pressure. The Alaska pollock caught in 2004 alone weighed twice as much as the entire population of New York City.
Pollock populations in the eastern Bering Sea have declined about 20% per year since 2003, with 2008 surveys looking even worse. Species that feed on pollock, such as endangered Steller sea lions, are in jeopardy as well.
The fishing industry has tried to have their fish and eat them too, blaming declines on climate change while refusing to take a more precautionary approach in the face of climate-driven uncertainty. It's time for an ecosystem-based approach, starting with safer catch limits and establishment of no-take marine reserves.
John Hocevar
Oceans Campaign Director
Greenpeace USA
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Tom Blees Posted 5:34 am
28 Oct 2008
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