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Fisheries extension programmes frequently fail to secure mandatory or voluntary adoption of bycatch reduction devices and techniques. Approaches for improving the outcomes of extension programmes are often based on ad hoc assessments and do not consider human behaviour or change theories. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of extension activities that led to various adoption outcomes in two prominent bycatch case studies in the United States: turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawl fisheries and dolphin bycatch in the tuna purse seine fishery. Using a grounded theory approach to text analysis of interviews and documents, I examine five periods of voluntary or mandatory adoption efforts. I explain the outcomes through the lens of diffusion of innovation theory. The most effective extension programme involved informative and persuasive efforts, enforced regulations, and commercially practical bycatch reduction devices. Voluntary adoption occurred under exceptional circumstances of public and political pressure and a device that offered substantial benefits to the adopter. The two periods of successful adoption applied the most core principles of diffusion theory. This paper concludes with recommendations for how change agents can apply diffusion theory to future fisheries extension programmes to improve the adoption of bycatch reduction devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Not much is known about the fleet level total seabird bycatch from pelagic longlines of United States vessels in the western North Atlantic or other fleets of the Atlantic or other oceans. Onboard observers generally only record seabird bycatch during line hauling. Seabirds are predominantly caught during the line setting stage, and, due to predation or mechanical action, those caught prior to the haul can drop off the hook and be lost to the onboard observer. We developed a model to gauge the size of this bycatch loss problem and provide a first approximation of its impact on estimates of total fleet bycatch. We started with a traditional loss-free bycatch model, which assumes that birds recorded were the only birds captured, and integrated into it two crucial components of the bycatch process: capture origin (set or haul) and bycatch loss of set-captures. We extracted count data on seabird bycatch loss and bycatch mortality from the literature on other longline fisheries and used these data to simulate potential total seabird bycatch in the western North Atlantic. Simulations revealed the shortcomings of both the traditional bycatch model and the current haul-only observer protocol, each of which contributed to biologically significant underestimation of total bycatch and estimation uncertainty. Based on our results, we recommend a loss-corrected modeling approach to provide a more accurate estimate of seabird mortalities in pelagic longline fisheries. Where possible, fishery-specific seabird bycatch loss rates need to be ascertained via specific set and haul observing protocols. But, even where fishery-specific estimates for a region are not available, the methodology developed here is applicable to other pelagic longline fisheries to approximate fleet-level loss-corrected bycatch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Using a novel combination of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis and geographic metadata, we traced the origins of Salmonella Bareilly isolates collected in 2012 during a widespread food-borne outbreak in the United States associated with scraped tuna imported from India.Methods: Using next-generation sequencing, we sequenced the complete genome of 100 Salmonella Bareilly isolates obtained from patients who consumed contaminated product, from natural sources, and from unrelated historically and geographically disparate foods. Pathogen genomes were linked to geography by projecting the phylogeny on a virtual globe and produced a transmission network.Results: Phylogenetic analysis of WGS data revealed a common origin for outbreak strains, indicating that patients in Maryland and New York were infected from sources originating at a facility in India.Conclusions: These data represent the first report fully integrating WGS analysis with geographic mapping and a novel use of transmission networks. Results showed that WGS vastly improves our ability to delimit the scope and source of bacterial food-borne contamination events. Furthermore, these findings reinforce the extraordinary utility that WGS brings to global outbreak investigation as a greatly enhanced approach to protecting the human food supply chain as well as public health in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied habitat and behavioral interactions among the marine community of top pelagic predators over the Atlantic continental shelf, observed from shipboard surveys off the northeastern United States. We hypothesized that foraging seabirds, specifically common terns Sterna hirundo and roseate terns S. dougallii, associate positively with the distribution and abundance of large, easily-detected subsurface marine predators, as a result of facilitative interactions. Few rigorous tests examine the effect of interspecific interactions on seabird distributions, though many papers note the importance of environmental influences. Fewer, still, assess facilitation, defined as positive interactions among multiple taxa (birds, fish, mammals), where individuals use foraging neighbors for improved prey detection or enhanced prey availability. Our use of spatiotemporal-structured Bayesian hierarchical models allowed us to test for fine-scale associations of common and roseate terns with aggregations of tunas and cetaceans, and with standard oceanographic parameters. High tern abundance was linked to relatively high tuna densities and low dolphin densities, as well as high sea surface temperatures, shallow water, and proximity to shore. The fact that terns foraged when in the presence of tunas or relatively dense dolphin pods supports our hypothesis that the mechanism behind this spatial association involves positive interspecific interactions (attraction), a phenomenon that has been described but rarely quantified. This study reveals that community structure depends on static and dynamic covariates alike, ranging from bathymetry to the movement of other guild members. To improve the efficacy of predictive modeling, ecosystem approaches to applied conservation management should integrate not only habitat, but also behavior and community factors into analyses, especially in the case of marine spatial planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has cast doubt on the potential for marine protected areas (MPAs) to provide refuge and fishery spillover benefits for migratory species as most MPAs are small relative to the geographic range of these species. We test for evidence of spillover benefits accruing from the world's largest fully protected MPA, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Using species-specific data collected by independent fishery observers, we examine changes in catch rates for individual vessels near to and far from the MPA before and after its expansion in 2016. We find evidence of spillover benefits for yellowfin ( Thunnus albacares ) and bigeye tuna ( Thunnus obesus ).

The article discusses a court case wherein Mexico requested consultations with the U.S. on several measures establishing the conditions of use of a "dolphin-safe" label on tuna products. These measures include the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act and the ruling in the case Earth Island Institute versus Hogarth. It explores the findings of the panel which was upheld by the Appellate Body clarifying some of the provisions of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

The article presents the Panel Report in the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the U.S. measures of importation, marketing and sale of tuna and tuna products. The report is released on September 15, 2011 which expresses concern on the dolphin-safe tuna labelling programme. It is considered to address issues on the scope of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. It calls for policymakers to think carefully in how to design their labelling schemes.

There is widespread concern over the presence of Hg in fish consumed by humans. While studies have been focused on determining the Hg concentration in sport fish and some commercial fish, little attention has been directed to canned tuna; it is widely held that concentrations are low. In the present study, the amount of Hg present in canned tuna purchased in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, was examined, and the brand, temporal variation, type, and packaging medium impacts on Hg concentrations in tuna were explored. A significant (p < 0.001) brand difference was noted: Brand 3 contained higher Hg concentrations ($\bar x$ standard deviation (SD) (0.777 ± 0.320 ppm) than Brands 1 (0.541 ± 0.114 ppm) and 2 (0.550 ± 0.199 ppm). Chunk white tuna (0.619 ± 0.212 ppm) and solid white tuna (0.576 ± 0.178 ppm) were both significantly (p < 0.001) higher in mean Hg than chunk light tuna (0.137 ± 0.063 ppm). No significant temporal variation was noted, and packaging had no significant effect on Hg concentration. In total, 55% of all tuna examined was above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) safety level for human consumption (0.5 ppm), and 5% of the tuna exceeded the action level established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) (1.0 ppm). These results indicate that stricter regulation of the canned tuna industry is necessary to ensure the safety of sensitive populations such as pregnant women, infants, and children. According to the U.S. EPA reference dose of 0.1 µg/kg body weight per day and a mean Hg value of 0.619 ppm, a 25-kg child may consume a meal (75 g) of canned chunk white tuna only once every 18.6 d. Continued monitoring of the industry and efforts to reduce Hg concentrations in canned tuna are recommended. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:237–242. © 2009 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This compliance proceeding under Article 21.5 of the DSU concerned measures taken by the United States to implement the recommendations and rulings of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in US–Tuna II (Mexico). In US–Tuna II (Mexico), the DSB found that certain US measures concerning the importation, marketing, and sale of tuna products (taken together, the Original Tuna Measure) were inconsistent with the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (the TBT Agreement). The Original Tuna Measure, inter alia, contained conditions under which tuna products could be labelled ‘dolphin safe’. The United States' measure taken to comply with the recommendations and rulings of the DSB consisted of an amendment to the Original Tuna Measure (the 2013 Final Rule). The Appellate Body generally referred to the Original Tuna Measure, together with the 2013 Final Rule, as the Amended Tuna Measure. The Amended Tuna Measure was the focus of this compliance proceeding. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A technique has been developed to assess tuna habitat using satellite derived ocean colour, water transparency and sea surface temperature. The scientific approach is based on the food and feeding habit and the preferential temperature range of tuna. Time series chlorophyll-a images of Indian Remote Sensing Satellite P4-Ocean Colour Monitor (IRS P4-OCM) have been analysed to define the critical phytoplankton patch size, its persistence and the optimal water transparency depth. Sea surface temperature (SST) data derived from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA-AVHRR) have been analysed to study the optimum temperature range in the surrounding waters. Results based on hindcasting indicate that the tuna forage ground derived from satellite data yielded high catch of tuna (>2% hooking rate). Study reveals that a minimum time delay of 5-7 days is required for a phytoplankton patch to mature to the forage ground. In addition, water transparency for facilitating sight feeding should be about 25-30 m depth. The thermal limit and preferential temperature range observed is 26-30°C and 26-28°C, respectively. Preliminary results based on limited validation are highly promising. However, an experimental forecast is being planned to validate this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histamine content of fish sold in the Greek retail market was surveyed and the performance of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) methods for the determination of histamine were compared. A total of 125 samples of fresh and canned tuna, fresh and canned sardines, deep frozen swordfish, smoked and deep frozen mackerel, anchovies, salted and smoked herring were analysed by HPLC (55 samples), ELISA (106 samples) and both methods (36 samples). Histamine levels as determined by HPLC, ranged from 2.7 mg kg-1 to 220 mg kg-1. The highest histamine concentrations obtained by HPLC were found in herring and anchovy samples. Eight out of the 55 samples (14.5%) analysed by HPLC, exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) limit (50 mg kg-1), while 16 out of the 106 samples (15%) analysed by ELISA exceeded the limit. The results show that for histamine concentrations below 50 mg kg-1, there is good agreement between the ELISA and HPLC but above 50 mg kg-1 big differences were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of circle and straight (J) hooks on the catch rates of white marlin Kajikia albida (formerly Tetrapturus albidus) and blue marlin Makaira nigricans and the proportions released alive by the U.S. pelagic longline fleet targeting yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares in the Gulf of Mexico was assessed with data collected by scientific observers aboard commercial vessels between 1992 and 2004. Catch rates were lower with circle hooks than with straight hooks, but the differences were not significant; while the catch rates of the targeted species, yellowfin tuna, were the same for both hook types. However, a significantly higher proportion of marlins was released alive from circle hooks than from J hooks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the potential benefits and shortcomings of the Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean adopted in September 5, 2000, in Hawaii. The research findings rely on a detailed review of the negotiation process and the protracted debates between member states of the Forum Fishery Agency (FFA) and distant water fishing nations. The importance of this Convention for the long-term sustainability of the Pacific tuna stocks is emphasized in light of existing global fisheries instruments and regional mechanisms of cooperation whose limitations are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a study of an increase in histamine fish poisoning cases between 1994-1999 in the United States to identify risk factors and develop recommendations for prevention. Design; Setting; Subjects; Results; Conclusions that tuna burgers were associated with the increase in histamine poisoning.

Presents updates related to the environment as of September 2000. Information on the new tuna labeling regulation issued by the United States Department of Commerce; Information on the long-lasting light bulb being tested by Colin Humphreys of Cambridge University; Overview of a report on mercury contamination of seafood.

Analyzes legislative debates in the United States that gave rise to the original Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the 1997 amendments in the light of ethical theories. Issue of encirclement of dolphins by purse seine nets when fishing for yellowfin tuna in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean; Commercial pressure on tuna seiners; Mexico's complaints on the U.S. ban on imports of tuna caught by Mexican fishermen.

Over the past two decades, the marketing of fish has recognized the importance of quality. Yet empirical analysis of market transactions could give us little insight into the value of different qualities of fish because market data are typically aggregated. We exploit a dataset on the auction price of tuna sold in Hawaii to estimate a hedonic model. The model provides empirical estimates of price increments due to species, quality of the fish such as size or fat content, method of handling, and market conditions. The empirical results are also used to estimate price flexibilities for landings in Hawaii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing public health, food-borne outbreak investigations and international food supply, focusing on the advances, availability and application of wide-genome sequencing. He discusses an article by Hoffmann and colleagues within the issue of "The Journal of Infectious Diseases," which presents a retrospective analysis of multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly in the U.S. linked with tuna imported from India.

Focuses on the United States' ban on the importation of tuna captured by purse-siene nets in international waters which violated the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Information about the Montreal protocol and other foundations of international law; International pollution deterrence act and the GATT; Conclusion regarding the GATT Tuna Panel ruling.

The article reports on issues concerning the tuna-porpoise relationship. It is reported that this relationship has led to an increased porpoise's mortality as they often die in the nets laid by fishermen intended for the tuna. It is informed that some of the mystery of that relationship may be solved through a multifaceted research program, which many scientists and conservationists believe is long overdue. For the past several years the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within the U.S. Department of Commerce has worked with the tuna industry to develop new fishing techniques and net modifications to reduce mortality. NMFS had intended to strive for a 30% reduction in porpoise mortality in 1976. INSET: Dramatis Personae.

Abstract: This review covers 18 years of voluntary recalls of tuna sold commercially in the United States. Recall information is a valuable indicator of failure to implement procedures for food safety. The voluntary recalls involve tuna that was fresh, frozen, processed, hermetically sealed, retorted in a shelf-stable pack (i.e., canned), and formulated into other tuna products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations address the capture, processing, transportation, and sale of raw and processed seafood. These regulations include current good manufacturing practices, the Food Modernization Act, emergency permit controls, and guidelines for low-acid canned foods, seafood hazard analysis and critical control points, food labeling, and sanitary food transportation. Traceability and the food safety culture are important for successfully preventing or implementing recalls. The recalls themselves were separated into product treatment groups: uncooked products, canned shelf-stable products, and products in which tuna was used as an ingredient. The recalls were further categorized and summarized by reason or cause, such as biological and chemical contamination, undeclared ingredients, underprocessing, and foreign materials. The primary causes of recalls of the reviewed tuna products were (in order) Listeria monocytogenes, undeclared allergens, elevated histamine concentrations, and underprocessing of retorted tuna products. The recalls for elevated histamine concentrations primarily affected uncooked (raw) tuna. Recalls for Listeria contamination and the presence of undeclared allergens were primarily class I recalls, and recalls for elevated histamine concentrations and underprocessing were almost always assigned to the less serious recall class II., (Copyright ©, International Association for Food Protection.)

Abstract: Scombrotoxin fish poisoning (SFP) is caused by the ingestion of certain fish species with elevated concentrations of histamine due to decomposition. In fall 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was notified of 51 SFP cases including two hospitalizations from 11 states through the FDA consumer complaint system or directly from state partners. A case patient was defined as an individual who experienced a histamine-type reaction after consumption of tuna imported from Vietnam and an illness onset between 14 August and 24 November 2019. A traceback investigation was initiated at 19 points of service to identify a common tuna source. The FDA and state partners collected 34 product samples throughout the distribution chain, including from a case patient's home, points of service, distributors, and the port of entry. Samples were analyzed for histamine by sensory evaluation and/or chemical testing. Case patients reported exposure to tuna imported from Vietnam. The traceback investigation identified two Vietnamese manufacturers as the sources of the tuna. Twenty-nine samples were confirmed as decomposed by sensory evaluation and/or were positive for elevated histamine concentrations by chemical testing. Both Vietnamese companies were placed on an import alert. Seven U.S. companies and one Vietnamese company initiated voluntary recalls. The FDA released public communication naming the U.S. importers to help suppliers and distributors identify the product and effectuate the foreign company's recall. This SFP outbreak investigation highlights the complexities of the federal outbreak response, specifically related to imported food. Cultural considerations regarding imported foods should be addressed during outbreak responses when timing is critical. Collaboration with countries where confidentiality agreements are not in place can limit information sharing and the speed of public health responses., (Published 2021 by the International Association for Food Protection Not subject to U.S. Copyright.)

The article presents facts on ocean technology in 2011. Hawaii Oceanic Technology has approval to deploy 12 Oceanspheres, automated positioning and submersible open ocean platforms for fish farming, to produce 6,000 tons of tuna a year. The U.S.' Fishing for Energy program allows fishermen's disposal of fishing gear which is transported to an energy-from-waste facility for electricity generation. University of Alaska-Fairbanks has developed a new freeze-drying method to produce salmon cubes.

This article presents a study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were two outbreaks of scombroid fish poisoning associated with tuna steaks in the Louisiana and Tennessee in 2006 and this report details in investigation into how the poisoning occurred. Details of the outbreaks which occurred at a company cafeteria and a local restaurant are presented. Scombroid fish poisoning occurs after eating fish with high levels of histamine and is often caused by fish not being kept chilled enough. Rapid chilling right after the catch is an important factor in preventing the build up of histamine in the fish. Since most of the fish eaten in the U.S. is imported, it is not always easy to tell how it has been handled, which makes reports of illness from a contaminated food vital to prevent multiple cases.