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National Fish Habitat Partnership Releases Updated Action Plan to Conserve America’s Aquatic Resources

Bass habitat

The new, second edition of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan advances science-based conservation mission and incorporates new objectives focused on locally driven efforts to reverse deteriorating fish habitats.

National Fish Habitat Action Plan, Second Edition

Quote startThe revised Action Plan is built on the success and experience of our Partners.Quote end

Washington, DC (PRWEB) August 29, 2012

The National Fish Habitat Board today released the second edition of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (Action Plan), setting forth a mission-critical approach to conserving the nation’s aquatic resources for the future. The original National Fish Habitat Action Plan, created in 2006, carried a great vision forward to protect, restore and enhance aquatic habitats through partnerships. While the original Plan met its objectives set forth in 2010, the mission and goals of the plan remain the same and are the foundation of the second edition of the Plan for 2012 and beyond.

The second edition of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan is built on the foundation of advancing the conservation practices of the individual National Fish Habitat Partnerships, the working units of the National Fish Habitat Partnership. The five new objectives in the Plan include:

    • Achieve measurable habitat conservation results through strategic actions of Fish Habitat Partnerships that improve ecological condition, restore natural processes, or prevent the decline of intact and healthy systems leading to better fish habitat conditions and increased fishing opportunities.
    • Establish a consensus set of national conservation strategies as a framework to guide future actions and investment by the Fish Habitat Partnerships by 2013.
    • Broaden the community of support for fish habitat conservation by increasing fishing opportunities, fostering the participation of local communities – especially young people – in conservation activities, and raising public awareness of the role healthy fish habitats play in the quality of life and economic well-being of local communities.
    • Fill gaps in the National Fish Habitat Assessment and its associated database to empower strategic conservation action supported by broadly available scientific information, and integrate socio-economic data in the analysis to improve people’s lives in a manner consistent with fish habitat conservation goals.
  • Communicate the conservation outcomes produced collectively by Fish Habitat Partnerships as well as new opportunities and voluntary approaches for conserving fish habitat to the public and conservation partners.

The second edition of the Action Plan details how the new objectives will be implemented. The Plan also highlights conservation “Partnership in Action” stories from Fish Habitat Partnerships to provide insight into their work on the ground. Other sections explain the functions of the National Fish Habitat Board and Partnerships and the critical role of science and data and effective communications to guide activities. Interesting facts and figures related to the National Fish Habitat Partnership, recreational and commercial fishing fill out the rest of the Plan. See the dozens of unique habitat models at fishiding.com

“The revised Action Plan is built on the success and experiences of our Partners,” said Kelly Hepler, Chairman of the National Fish Habitat Board and Assistant Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “Creating and maintaining these Partnerships is the foundation of the Action Plan and will be the primary focus as we address conservation needs for our nation’s waterways now and into the future.”

The National Fish Habitat Board, Fish Habitat Partnerships, federal and state natural resource agencies, conservation organizations and the National Fish Habitat Partner Coalition participated in the selection process of the revised Plan objectives. The release of the revised Action Plan coincides with the launch of the updated National Fish Habitat Partnership website at http://www.fishhabitat.org.

To view and download a PDF of the revised Action Plan, visit http://www.fishhabitat.org/images/nfhp_ap_final.pdf.

About the National Fish Habitat Partnership
The National Fish Habitat Partnership (http://www.fishhabitat.org) works to conserve fish habitat nationwide—leveraging federal, state and private funding sources to achieve the greatest impact on fish populations through priority conservation projects. The national partnership implements the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and supports 18 regional grassroots partner organizations.

Pond farming takes lead in fish supply

 Pond farming has emerged as the biggest source of fish, thanks to a massive expansion of freshwater farming in the past two decades and a fall in fish catching from rivers and other open water bodies.

Fish from ponds and ditch now accounts for 41 percent of total yearly production of 30.61 lakh tonnes.

A decade ago, its contribution was 34 percent, according to the Department of Fisheries (DoF).

Contribution of fish caught from rivers fell to 34 percent in fiscal 2010-11.

Declining fish habitat, the ongoing destruction of juvenile fish by using monofilament synthetic nylon fibre net and mosquito net, and environmental pollution are the major reasons behind the falling supplies of fish from rivers.

“An increased production and availability of fingerlings and hatchlings because of growth in hatcheries has played a key role in expansion of fish farming,” said Krishnendu Saha, chief fisheries extension officer of the DoF.

Over the past two decades, private investors established more than 800 fish hatcheries.

Their interest grew due to a business prospect against the backdrop of falling catches in open water areas and rising demand for fish.

Initiatives by the government and NGOs to motivate farmers also facilitated farming for common carp, pangus, monosex tilapia and shing (cat fish) in regions such as Mymensingh, northern districts, Jessore and Comilla.

Saha said many people in these areas entered freshwater fish farming because common carps (ruhi, katla, silver carp), pangus and tilapia become marketable in a short time.

It enables the farmers to gain higher profit from fish than growing crops such as paddy and jute, he said.

“Many people in greater Mymensingh have started fish culturing by making ditches in crop fields,” said Saha.

According to the DoF data, total pond area under fish farming was 2.42 lakh hectares early this decade, and such areas rose to 3.96 lakh hectares in fiscal 2010-11.

Production also rose to 12.70 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 from 11.40 lakh tonnes a year ago.

In fiscal 1999-2000, total production of fish from pond was 5.61 lakh tonnes, according to the DoF.

Sajjad Hossain, managing director of Joyda Aquafarm Ltd, said many people are engaged in pangus farming because it needs low investment.

Technologies were also easy for the farmers to follow, said Hossain of Joyda, which produces pangus fries at hatcheries, cultures those and sells to market.

The company produces 2,500 tonnes of pangus a year, he said.

M Mahfujul Haque, a professor of the Department of Aquaculture of Bangladesh Agricultural University, said the country has a huge potential to expand fish farming as only 11 percent of its pond resources have so far been exploited for fish.

In the past, fish was cultured in ponds by collecting hatchlings from natural sources. But the main breakthrough came since the beginning of artificial propagation, he said.

“Large investments have come in fish farming and some farms have gone for vertical integration,” said Haque

He said expansion of fish farming created job opportunities for many and augmented incomes of farmers. Some 25 types of jobs have been created because of fish farming, he added.

“The socio-economic impact of fish farming is huge,” said Haque, adding that many educated people entered such a farming failing to get jobs in the formal sector.

However, challenges are increasing. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models at fishiding.com, the leader in true fish protection.

“Fries are not growing fast nowadays like the past. Inbreeding is also widespread,” said Hossain of Joyda Aquafarm.

At the same time, productivity of ponds is declining because of continuous farming in the same ponds.

“But production costs are rising because of soaring feed prices and other costs. It reduces profit margins,” he said.Sohel Parvez

Fish habitat crusader awarded Churchill Fellowship

 Craig Copeland - working to save our fish habitat. Image NSW DPI

Craig Copeland – working to save our fish habitat. Image NSW DPI

CRAIG Copeland, Manager of the Conservation Action Unit within the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has been awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate the motivation of recreational fishers in the US, UK and Ireland to restore fish habitat.

“Craig, who is based at Wollongbar, is highly regarded throughout Australia for his work in aquatic habitat rehabilitation,” said NSW DPI Director General Richard Sheldrake.

“He has led the pioneering unit responsible for fish habitat rehabilitation in NSW which has resulted in massive improvements to fish habitat and fish populations through initiatives such as fishway construction, weir removals, fish-friendly road crossings, floodgate management, riparian revegetation and river resnagging programs.”

Copeland’s work in educating and engaging the broader recreational fishing community on habitat issues is proving successful with some of the larger recreational fishing groups through the establishment of the Fish Habitat Network program.

Dr Sheldrake said the Fellowship will provide an opportunity for Mr Copeland to travel to countries in the Northern Hemisphere where recreational fishing groups and individual fishers are the principal players in restoring fish habitat. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

“By interviewing fishers in these countries, Craig will get to understand their motivations and capacities – and bring back expertise aimed at increasing the capability of Australian recreational fishers to support and improve their fishery.

“The lessons learned will be immediately transferred to recreational fishers and habitat managers here in NSW.”
Copeland said the sustainability of recreational fishing and the capacity of the sector to grow are dependent on healthy fish stocks.

“Over three million people fish recreationally each year making it one of the most significant outdoor activities undertaken by Australians,” he said.

“There is great scope to significantly increase the proportion of recreational fishers in NSW who contribute time, funding and effort to rehabilitate fish habitat and, as a result, increase fish populations.”

Copeland plans to undertake his Fellowship trip in early 2013 and will report back to the
recreational fishing community later in the year.

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, which was established after the death of Sir Winston
Churchill in accordance with his final wishes, has now funded more than 3,700 Fellowships for Australians. http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/fish-habitat-crusader-awarded-churchill-fellowship

Floating treatment wetlands mitigate lake eutrophication

By Mark Reinsel

ES&E Magaqzine’s May/June 2012 issue

An enhanced floating treatment wetland (FTW) that incorporates air diffuser technology is under evaluation in an ongoing study at Floating Island International in Montana. The latest-generation system lifts and circulates water through floating streambeds within the FTW. This combination of FTW and improved water circulation/aeration is part of a product range called BioHaven®. The primary objective of the study is to determine whether biofilm-based microbes can provide nutrient removal, while increasing fish productivity.

This system, which is a new type of
constructed wetland, has been evaluated
for treatment of agricultural effluent and
municipal wastewater. Cost-effective treatment options for end users with limited
funding will be its greatest benefit. It can
provide treatment of agricultural-impacted
waters, municipal wastewater, storm water
and polishing of tertiary waste water, along with lake restoration.

Fisheries managers will be especially interested in the productivity potential afforded by a biological system, which can reduce algae and grow more (and bigger) fish. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Wetland areas have been reduced worldwide, while nutrient loading has increased
with growing human populations. Mass-production agriculture, as practiced in many developed nations, can contribute to hyper-eutrophication in water bodies that were previously low in nutrient concentrations. In fresh water, partly as a result of normal seasonal stratification, nutrient loading can deplete oxygen levels within the livable temperature zone for fish species.


Over the last 11 years, Floating Island
International (FII) has developed the Bio-
Haven FTW technology, which mimics
the ability of natural peat-based wetlands
to purify water. The Leviathan™ extrapolates
this technology by maximizing surface area and circulation, which are key components of wetland effectiveness. The islands are also designed to provide
optimal perennial plant habitat.

System background:
Dissolved oxygen and temperature measurements taken on Fish Fry Lake,
FII’s 6.5-acre research lake in 2008/2009 indicated that stratified water near the
surface was too warm to sustain a trout fishery. While temperatures below the
stratified warm water layer were sufficiently cool for trout, that zone contained
low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. During late summer, no strata of water could
consistently provide the cold-water, high- DO environment demanded by fish, such
as rainbow, brown and Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Groundwater containing variable nutrient concentrations enters the lake at an estimated average rate of 18 m3/hr. Surface water also flows into the lake with variable nutrient concentrations and flow rates. Evaporative loss and outflow are balanced to maintain the lake level, which is approximately 9 m deep.

As the lake was filled several years
ago, a series of BioHaven floating islands
covering 5,200 square feet (480 m2) of
lake area and providing over 9.3 ha of saturated surface area was installed. Several
islands were positioned next to the inflow
to maximize exposure to the highest nutrient concentrations.

These islands were designed to maximize production of biofilm (organisms attached to underwater surfaces), and to move nutrients into and through the food web.
After addition of the last 232-m2 FTW, floating islands now cover approximately 715 m2, or 2.7% of the lake’s surface area. Active treatment system with floating streambed Leviathan is an enhanced form of constructed wetland, and is FII’s latest effort to move excess nutrients into the food chain or harvest them. It integrates high volume, low-pressure circulation with matrix surface area constructed of postconsumer (recycled) polymer fibers, for maximum wetland performance.

Air-driven directional diffusers circulate up to 2,300 m3/hr, pushing it through the Bio-
Haven matrix and plant roots. The system’s floating streambed contributes to aeration and nutrient uptake.


The FPZ-brand air diffusers require 3 hp (2.2 kW) to operate, typically with 230V
single-phase power. Leviathan is designed to provide the  complete “wetland effect,” including aerobic, anaerobic and anoxic microbial nutrient conversion. This allows it to treat large, nutrient-rich stratified bodies of water, including “dead zones,” in both freshwater and marine settings. Removal of ammonia, nitrate, phosphate and soluble organic carbon has been demonstrated.

The system can move nutrients from
any depth into and through the islands’
biologically active substrate. In the
process, these nutrients are digested by
beneficial microbes and form periphyton
(attached plant and animal organisms
embedded in a polysaccharide matrix,
similar to biofilm), which is the base of
the freshwater food chain. As these excess nutrients transition into the food chain via biofilm/periphyton, both water quality and fish growth rates can be dramatically improved.
Leviathan can de-stratify water bodies, resulting in greatly expanded habitable zones for targeted fish species. As part of this process, high DO levels can be achieved and maintained, and water temperatures homogenized.


Results:
A 232-m2 Leviathan system, incorporating floating streambeds and grid-powered water circulation, was installed in the lake in April 2009. This system circulated up to 770 m3/hr through the stream channels within the island. Each cubic meter of Leviathan’s matrix, averaging 0.64 m in thickness, provided 820 square meters of surface area.

After 17 months of operation, water clarity had improved from a low of 0.36 m of visibility to as much as 3.3 m. Clarity is now at 5.8 m. Simultaneously, the
water temperature gradient was reduced, creating a larger zone of “livable” water for fish. Two age classes of Yellowstone cutthroat trout were introduced 13 and 14 months into the test. Through the summer of 2010, a favorable temperature/dissolved oxygen strata, ranging from the water surface down to a depth of at least 3.7 m, was maintained as potential cutthroat trout habitat.


One-year-old and two-year-old black crappie were also introduced two months
into the test, and naturally-occurring northern yellow perch were present in the
lake when it was filled. All three species have flourished.

The new aeration scheme in the lake improves water quality by incorporating
dissolved phosphorus and nitrogen into the aquatic food web, in the form of periphyton,
while limiting the growth of deleterious algae. Total phosphate concentrations
are reduced from about 0.04 mg/L to 0.02 mg/L, while nitrate-nitrogen
concentrations decrease from about 0.6 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L.
Fish Fry Lake is relatively unique in that it supports fish accustomed to cold
water (Yellowstone cutthroat trout), temperate water (perch) and warm water
(crappie). Montana officials have made two unsuccessful attempts at sustaining
cutthroat populations in an adjacent stretch of the Yellowstone River.
Fish catch rates and growth rates are now being monitored at the lake. Initial
data show that experienced fishermen catch an average of one perch every two
minutes. Visual observations from diving and an underwater viewing station indicate
that perch approaching or exceeding the Montana state record of 1.0 kg now
inhabit the lake.
The perch harvest at Fish Fry Lake averaged 12 kg of fish per week from May-
November 2011. With a phosphorus content of 0.9% in perch, phosphorus removal
from the lake via fishing averaged 0.10 kg/wk, or 84% of the estimated
phosphorus input to the lake.
In summary, Fish Fry Lake was poised to become another eutrophic waterway, until a new form of applied stewardship was introduced, which reversed the process.

Mark Reinsel is with Apex Engineering.
E-mail: mark@apexengineering.us

Wild Colorado: Even fish aren’t safe from fire

Wild Colorado: Even fish aren’t safe from fire
Trout would be most affected by wildfire
By Paige Blankenbuehler
Summit Daily News
Heavy equipment operators with Colorado Parks and Wildlife move large boulders to improve fish habitat in the Conejos River in 2010. Improving habitat helps fish weather future fires.

Heavy equipment operators with Colorado Parks and Wildlife move large boulders to improve fish habitat in the Conejos River in 2010. Improving habitat helps fish weather future fires.
Special to the Daily / Josh Nehrig, CPW
Fish are the last species one would think of being devastated by fire; seemingly in the clear from the flames and sparks by being submerged in water. But Randy Hampton, spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife tells me that is not so. In fact, fish — namely Summit County’s trout — would be the species most affected by wildfire.See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Fortunately, Summit County has remained largely unscathed so far in this dry year’s fire season. Knock on wood, and pray for your favorite local trout.

The most prevalent fish species in Summit County are trout, and their varieties are plentiful. Summit County is home to brown, cutthroat, rainbow, and brook trout.

“The biggest concern is the cutthroat trout, because it is a protected species and the state fish,” Hampton said.

Fire retardants

In areas affected by fire, techniques used by firefighters can have adverse effects for fish. The red liquid dumped by air tankers and helicopters is a fire retardant known as slurry, a mixture of mostly water and fertilizer designed to protect trees and other flammable material from flames.

The coating clings to vegetation and insulates it from the approaching flames; the fertilizer helps the damaged areas regrow in the wake of the blaze.

Though the retardant is good for the soil, when it enters into streams it can kill fish. 

“In high enough quantities, slurry can hurt fish populations,” Hampton said. “Anything that is not water that is introduced is not good for fish.”

When fish ingest large quantities of slurry, they are essentially being poisoned.

Ash and sediment buildup

When fire comes close to fish populations, they also battle the adverse effects of ash, which creates sediment and can clog gills of fish.

“When this happens, fish basically suffocate,” Hampton said.

This effect can extend into the long term as well, negatively affecting fish populations.

“The Hayman fire of 2002 deposited extra sediment into the rivers for as long as three years,” Hampton said.

Much of the residue remains in the air, and rain can also deposit ash and higher amounts of sediment into rivers for an extended period of time.

In areas near the Hayman fire, it has taken 10 years to reach a full recovery of fish populations, Hampton said.

Sediment and ash build-up also affect the areas where fish lay their eggs and areas that serve as insect breeding grounds.

“Sediments tend to smooth out riverbeds and can cement-in little gaps where fish and insect reproduce,” Hampton said. “In those areas, eggs will no longer hatch.”

Bug populations

The heat and sediment build-up tend to affect aquatic insects first and can more easily devastate those populations that serve as a food source for fish.

“If fire impairs a waterway, it can wipe out the food source for fish,” Hampton said.

Sometimes the ash and sediment accumulation effects are so adverse that intervention is needed to restore fish populations.

“Essentially, rivers and reservoirs affected by ash and sediment build-up have to be vacuumed out,” Hampton said.

Protecting water sources and fish populations

In fire seasons, moderation of fish populations is a top priority for local aquatic biologists. When fish populations are low, biologists moderate by replenishing the species by introducing more into the habitat.

The fish health of rivers, streams and reservoirs are moderated to account for areas that may have been adverse affected by fires and ash deposition into the water.

Waters that can support fish life are deemed healthy.

Local aquatic biologists test fish health by using electro-fishing techniques, which stuns fish temporarily. When they float to the surface, biologists can then evaluate their health.

No interventions have been required in areas that have had wildfire this year, Hampton said.

“We’ve been lucky,” he said.

The Blue River is currently being moderated for fish health to prepare for intervention if a fire occurs. The outlook is good.

“The Blue River is a healthy habitat for trout with a large population, likely to rehab quickly from fire,” Hampton said.

Trading Nutrients for Fish « Floating Island International

The concept of including fisheries management in strategies for water quality improvement is not new, but floating islands give the notion a boost. The simple concept is, add lots and lots of substrate and the fish will come! Catch plenty of fish and you will sequester the unwanted nutrients in a more appropriate part of the eco-system – lunch!

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

In a recent article published in Pond Boss (www.pondboss.com) Bruce explores the concept of turning Phosphorus into fish to improve water quality. Here’s a quick link to the article:http://www.floatingislandinternational.com/wp-content/plugins/fii/news/37.pdf

Fish & Game welcomes $5m to help clean Manawatu River

Press Release – Wellington Fish and Game
Wellington Fish & Game is encouraged that over $5 million has been allocated from the Government’s Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund to help clean up the Manawatu River.

The Manawatu River has been identified as one of New Zealand’s most polluted major rivers, with low water clarity, high nutrient concentrations, and high colifom counts caused by industrial, agricultural and urban sewage pollution.

Fish & Game regional manager Phil Teal says the funding announcement “reflects the wider community’s wish for the river to be improved”. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

He acknowledges the role Horizons Regional Council has played in establishing the Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum, which brought together the players from industry, Iwi representatives, local government agencies, and environmental/recreational groups.

“We all have the common goal of wanting to see the river’s health improved, and there must be a collaborative approach to achieve this as no one group can do it alone,” says Mr Teal.

The funds from the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund will be matched from other sources and initially focus on waste water treatment upgrades, fish habitat restoration, stream fencing, and farm planning initiatives.

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz

B.A.S.S. Summit Awards Fishiding Artificial Fish Habitat

Conservation Summit Emphasizes Fisheries Management  

SHREVEPORT, La. — B.A.S.S. will renew an old tradition at this year’s Bassmaster Classic, when it plays host to a 2 ½-day Conservation Summit.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in  science based, proven, fish protection. This something that I promised to do when I came back to B.A.S.S. last year,” said National Conservation Director Noreen Clough, who added that she is “very excited to bring back an historic event unique to B.A.S.S. Conservation.”
Federation Nation conservation directors, state fisheries managers, academics, “and other notables in fisheries and aquatic resource conservation” will attend.
An inaugural Fisheries Management Workshop on Saturday will be one of the summit’s highlights, as will a keynote address by Jim Martin, Berkley Conservation Institute director, at Saturday night’s awards banquet. Martin also will give closing comments on Sunday.
“Jim is a great partner with B.A.S.S. and an awesome motivational speaker in the conservation world,” Clough said.
Saturday’s workshop will feature Dr. Mike Allen from the University of Florida, Dr. David Philipp from the University of Illinois, and Gene Gilliland from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, three of the nation’s foremost experts on fisheries management.
“We’ve been able to bring together fisheries scientists from universities and states around the country to share with us the latest in black bass management,” said Clough.
Among other topics, Philipp will provide “the Northern perspective” on fishing for nesting bass, and Allen will offer the Southern perspective. Gilliland will talk about tournament mortality issues, catch-and-release impacts on growth, and advances in techniques and tools, including the Alabama Rig.
Conservation directors also will learn about trends in fish culture and stocking, illegal stocking, and spatial patterns in bass habitat use and angling. They then will move to breakout sessions to discuss management and science/outreach needs for bass fisheries.
Following a welcome from B.A.S.S. co-owner Jim Copeland, Friday’s agenda will feature mentoring sessions, legislative updates, and news from the conservation directors. The latter will include the latest on ReBaits, the popular program initiated by Florida’s Eamon Bolten to encourage anglers to recycle or properly dispose of their used plastic baits.
Gordon Robertson, vice-president of the American Sportfishing Association, and Chris Horton, mid-states coordinator for the Assembly of State Caucuses, will discuss federal and state legislation related to fisheries, as well as offer insights about working with legislators and getting involved politically.
Allen and Dr. Mike Netherland from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will discuss aquatic vegetation management and related issues, including the likelihood that herbicide application changes the behavior of fish.

Sunday’s half-day program will offer insights on how to partner with state agencies from a panel of fisheries chief, a look at the process behind fisheries management from Gilliland, and federal updates on the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program (Wallop-Breaux) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fisheries program.

Rising Wealth of Asians Straining World Fish Stock and fish habitat

Rising wealth in Asia and fishing subsidies are among factors driving over exploitation of the world’s fish resources, while fish habitat is being destroyed by pollution and climate change, U.N. marine experts said Tuesday.

Up to 32 percent of the world’s fish stocks are over exploited, depleted or recovering, they warned. Up to half of the worlSee the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in  science based, proven, fish protection.d’s mangrove forests and a fifth of coral reefs that are fish spawning grounds have been destroyed.

The U.N. Environment Program says less-destructive ways of fishing that use more labor and less energy are needed to help restore the health of the world’s oceans and coasts.

The agency is leading a five-day conference in Manila of experts and officials from 70 governments.

Jacqueline Alder, head of UNEP’s marine, coastal and freshwater office, said the increasing ranks of rich Asians are driving demand for better quality fish that are often not abundant, adding pressure to their supply.

“People don’t want to eat the little anchovies anymore when they can eat a nice snapper or grouper — much nicer fish, shows much more of your wealth,” she told reporters.

Alder said booming population, more awareness of health benefits from eating fish, fuel and boat-building subsidies in industrial fisheries, weak management and limited understanding of ecosystems’ values are also driving fish overexploitation.

Jerker Tamelander
AP

She said subidies should be reduced or eliminated, fishing gears should be less destructive, and the number of boats and fishers reduced. Habitat management should also be strengthened and marine protected areas established.

Fish is the main source of protein for up to 20 percent of the of world’s population and some 180 million people are directly or indirectly employed by the fishing industry, she added.

Vincent Sweeney, UNEP’s coordinator for the Global Program of Action to prevent marine environment degradation from land-based pollutants, said up to 90 percent of sewage in developing countries is discharged untreated into rivers, lakes and oceans, posing one of the most serious threats to water resources.

Other pollutants from land including nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizers and detergents result in hypoxia or “dead zones” where too many nutrients cause an undesirable growth of plants that compete with coral reef and other marine life for oxygen.

Jerker Tamelander, head of UNEP’s coral reef unit, said healthy coral reefs can produce up to 35 tons of fish per square kilometer each year while there is a catch reduction of 67 tons for every square kilometer of clear-cut mangrove forest.

The global market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at $3 trillion per year or about 5 percent of the global economy, he said. Non-market value such as climate, water, nutrients and carbon regulation is estimated at $22 trillion a year.

“We’ve lost a fifth of the world’s coral reefs and 60 percent are under direct and immediate threat and climate change plays an additional role in driving reef loss,” he said.

Tamelander said the decline in coastal ecosystems’ health and productivity can be reversed by shifting to greener and more sustainable strategies, addressing threats and better management that involves all stakeholders.

“The sooner we act, the easier it will be and the longer we wait the harder it will be,” he warned.

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