The IFR and Other Groups Sue for More Water Over Dams for Salmon

In efforts to protect salmon and steelhead, the IFR and other conservation and fisherman’s groups sued the Washington state Department of Ecology on Thursday June 3, 2010 to allow more water to spill over dams along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

The lawsuit’s goal is to lift some of Washington’s Department of Ecology standards on the amount of dissolved gases in water. Water spill over dams can cause high levels of dissolved gases in rivers, so allowing for more gases in water will allow for more spill over the federal dams. And releasing more water over the dams - rather than running it through turbines - improves salmon’s chances of surviving their migration.

Earthjustice filed the lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court on behalf of the Institute for Fisheries Resources, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, and Idaho Rivers United.

Farmed Salmon Exposed - The Global Reach of the Norwegian Salmon Farming Industry

The IFR is pleased to be a part of the 25+ groups from Norway, Canada, Chile, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, UK, and the US to participate in this Tuesday 16 February global launch of “Farmed Salmon Exposed - The global reach of the Norwegian salmon farming industry.”

Follow the link below to watch this highly anticipated 4 part film now!

Farmed Salmon Exposed -The global reach of the Norwegian salmon farming industry

Please share this with your friends and family!

IFR’s Zeke Grader Discusses the Closure of San Francisco’s Last Commercial Fishery

A herring boat brings in a haul. Image courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Game.

The California Fish and Game Commission voted to close the commercial herring fishery for the first time ever.  The herring catch in the Bay has been steadily declining for years.  Only 506 pounds were landed in 2008, down from a peak of 11,496 in 1996-97.  Read more about the closure and who will be most affected in this article.

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco Visits IFR Offices

Paul Johnson, Zeke Grader, Jane Lubchenco, Pietro Parravano, and Sara Randall gather around freshly grilled sardines.

Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Dr. Jane Lubchenco visited San Francisco and stopped by the IFR offices for a seafood barbecue.  Paul Johnson of the Moneterey Fish Market generously donated wild and local albacore, squid, and sardines for the festivities.

IFR Exectutive Director Calls Attention to Vanishing Salmon Habitat on Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Click to read Zeke Grader’s San Francisco Chronicle editorial

New: Check out this article from edible SAN FRANCISCO magazine about the unique–and uniquely satisfying–process of sourcing your own local, seasonal seafood Fresh Off the Boat.

Then visit IFR’s own Local and Seasonal Seafood page to learn more!

IFR President speaks out on behalf of Somali Fishermen

Click here to read a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Watershed Restoration Tours

The group below Cape Horn Dam at the Van Arsdale Fish Station

AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Project members planned and organized two watershed restoration tours in November of 2008 through a grant from the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. The first tour, on November 6th, focused on the impact of low flows on the Eel River. The second tour, on November 19th, focused on maintaining private lands while protecting public trusts. More information on both tours can be found on the Watershed Restoration Tour page.

President Bush Praises One of Our Own

President Bush praised Pietro Parravanno, President of the Institute for Fisheries Resources, at the opening ceremony of Sant Ocean Hall in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. on September 26, 2008.

President Bush closed his speech, which related to the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, by praising Pietro’s accomplishments as a fishermen and longtime fisheries and conservation advocate. He thanked Pietro, noting that “[o]nly in America … you can make a difference in your communities; it’s just not all that hard.” The full speech is available on the White House’s website. Congratulations, Pietro!

A Fisherman’s Perspective: Catch Shares

Ben Platt, commercial salmon fisherman based out of Fort Bragg, CA, wrote to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a large supporter of “catch shares”, also referred to as Individual Take Quotas (ITQs) or Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs), providing his own take on them. Visit News & Events to see what he wrote.

Fisherman Ben Platt (left) with fellow fisherman and Sara Randall