From TU’s Wild Steelheaders this morning –
I am writing to urge you to stand up for Olympic Peninsula wild steelhead.
In February, Seafood Watch, a program of Monterey Bay Aquarium that “helps consumers and businesses choose seafood that is fished or farmed in ways that protect sea life and habitats, now and for future generations” recommended commercially caught OP wild steelhead as a “good alternative” for consumers.
While the intent to educate consumers on responsible choices is commendable, in this instance Seafood Watch used an inappropriate assessment standard and failed to account for undisputed data establishing the substantial, long-term decline of OP wild steelhead since 1980.
In short, their assessment is flawed. They used criteria developed for marine fish and fisheries, not salmon or steelhead, despite having recently developed a salmon assessment standard appropriate for steelhead. Moreover, since 1980 annual run sizes on the OP’s Hoh and Queets rivers have declined by 33 percent and 48 percent, respectively, and yet the Seafood Watch evaluation considered this to be only a “small” decline. Recent low returns have further elevated concern over the future of the OP’s wild steelhead.
In light of the millions of dollars being invested in habitat to boost the OP’s wild steelhead and salmon runs, and recent changes in sport fishing regulations to better conserve wild steelhead, Seafood Watch’s “good alternative” recommendation based on a flawed analysis is particularly troubling.
As a steelhead angler and consumer, we encourage you to contact Seafood Watch and urge them to withdraw their recommendation unless and until an accurate assessment using the proper standards and data supports such a recommendation. Additionally, we also encourage you to reach out to Whole Foods and request they not use the Seafood Watch recommendation to market Olympic Peninsula wild steelhead
Thank You,
Rob Masonis, VP of Western Conservation
John McMillan, Science Director for TU’s Wild Steelhead Initiative
Shame on Whole Foods for even trying this one…
Send a comment to Seafood Watch and Whole Foods here.
Update – The Wild Steelhead Coalition put up a short vid about the issue during the wee hours last night –
TAKE ACTION: Pull Olympic Peninsula wild steelhead off the menu from Wild Steelhead Coalition on Vimeo.
