Banned chemicals in farmed fish </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 10:06 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Banned chemicals in farmed fish

By Cristy Fry

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that three of the largest Chilean farmed salmon producers use a number of chemicals banned by the U.S. government, including a pesticide fed to fish that is designed to kill sea lice and antibiotics designed to deal with resulting infections. FDA documents obtained by the Pew Environment Group show that farmed salmon containing residues of the unapproved chemicals were destined for the U.S. market.

Pew says the documents show that Norway-based Marine Harvest and AquaChile, the two largest farmed salmon producers in Chile, are among the offenders. In the documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the FDA says that "if the drug is not listed in the approved drugs list ... [Chilean companies] are not allowed to use the drug to treat salmon destined to be distributed in the United States, not even if they meet withdrawal periods and no tissue residue can be detected."
Chilean salmon farmers have also been struggling with massive die-offs due to a virus, prompting some farmers to move their operations to more pristine waters farther down the coast, but the virus followed and the die-offs continued.
What effect the reduction in Chilean farmed salmon exports may have on Alaskan wild salmon prices remains to be seen -- no one is even guessing about summer salmon prices yet, with the economy in turmoil -- but Chile is the second largest producer of farmed salmon in the world and the largest supplier to U.S. markets.
The Chilean government is scrambling to impose regulations on the industry that will allow it to comply with U.S. import requirements. In the meantime, Pew is urging the FDA to conduct more tests on farmed salmon imports and to impose an import alert on Chilean salmon, similar to the agency's action against five species of farmed seafood from China in 2007.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is kicking off its fourth International Smart Gear competition, designed to inspire innovative ideas for environmentally friendly fishing gear.
The competition is searching for new designs for fishing devices that reduce bycatch, real-world fishing solutions that allow fishermen to fish "smarter" by better targeting their intended catch while safeguarding seabirds, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life often caught unintentionally.
The contest is open to eligible entrants from any profession, including fishermen, professional gear manufacturers, teachers, students, engineers, scientists and backyard inventors, offering anyone a chance to win. The winner of the WWF International Smart Gear Competition will be decided by a diverse set of judges, including fishermen, researchers, engineers and fisheries managers from all over the world.
First prize is a cool $30,000, with two $10,000 runner-ups.
For a list of rules, entry form, potential bycatch problems needing solved, as well as photos and information of past winners and runner-ups, go to www.smartgear.org, or contact them at International Smart Gear Competition, c/o Mike Osmond, World Wildlife Fund Inc., 171 Forest Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301.

Fishermen interested in public service have an opportunity to test the waters.
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee or CFIVSAC. The CFIVSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard for improving commercial fishing industry safety practices.
The CFIVSAC meets at least once a year. It also may meet for other extraordinary purposes. Its subcommittees may gather throughout the year to prepare for meetings or develop proposals for the committee as a whole to address specific problems.
The group will consider applications for four positions in the Commercial Fishing Industry category that expire or become vacant in October 2009. There also is one position opening for a naval architect/marine surveyor, and one general public position.
Each member serves for a term of three years. Members may serve two consecutive terms. All members serve at their own expense and receive no salary from the federal government, although travel reimbursement and per diem may be provided. In support of the policy of the Coast Guard on gender and ethic diversity, qualified women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.
Applications must be received by June 1. Applications and more information can be found at www.FishSafe.info, or by calling Jack Kemerer at (202) 372-1249, or email jack.a.kemerer@uscg.mil.
Cristy Fry has commercial fished in Homer since 1978. She also designs and builds gear for the industry. She can be reached at cristy-fry@excite.com.