Pollock and Haddock are Back

NOAA status of stocks report shows the clear and positive impact of scientific fishery management and is upbeat about the future. The stock of both Atlantic Pollock and Haddock have now been rebuilt to fully recovered levels, which is defined as a fish stock that can sustain 100% of its potential maximum sustainable yield. This brings the total of these fully recovered stocks in the US to 21. Fluke, or Summer flounder, are also back, a National Marine Fisheries Service report shows, and the recovery is considered another fisheries management success story.

In the “how smart are fish” category, scientists in Australia have observed Tuskfish on the Great Barrier Reef using tools. "The pictures provide fantastic proof of these intelligent fish at work using tools to access prey that they would otherwise miss out on," said Dr Culum Brown of Macquarie University. Meanwhile scientists in Canada have demonstrated that genetically modified salmon, otherwise known as Frankenfish, are able to breed with Salmon in the wild. Last week 21 members of Congress signed a letter to the FDA warning the agency not to dismiss the clear congressional opinion opposing approval of genetically modified salmon. I, for one, am uncomfortable with the idea of genetically modified salmon in the wild with tools.

Ecocentic’s current Our Heros blog features none other than our hero Sean Dimin of Sea to Table. Click here for a podcast of Peter Hanlon’s interview with Sean.

And please look here to enjoy what may be Alaska Wild Salmon’s biggest fan.