Monthly Archives: March 2013

Passamaquoddys: Catch quota better way to protect elvers than fishing license limit. Catch capped at 3600 lbs – video

CALAIS, Maine — Imposing a catch limit is a better way of protecting the the state’s elver population than limiting the number of licenses .Tribal representatives said that limiting the catch to 3,600 pounds and allowing fishermen to use just one net was a better way to manage the resource than issuing a set number of licenses to tribal members.  State invalidating all but 150 of the 575 licenses issued by the Passamaquoddy tribe. Any tribal license numbered 151 or higher will be considered void by Maine Marine Patrol, he said. continued

The global warming campaign is filled with Boris Wormism, and it’s catching up ” the self-serving coalition of environmentalists and big business hoping to create a carbon cartel”.

In Denial –  The meltdown of the climate campaign.  By STEVEN F. HAYWARD. It is increasingly clear that the leak of the internal emails and documents of the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in November has done for the climate change debate what the Pentagon Papers did for the Vietnam war debate 40 years ago—changed the narrative decisively. Additional revelations of unethical behavior, errors, and serial exaggeration in climate science are rolling out on an almost daily basis, and there is good reason to expect more. continued

heating up – Passamaquoddys to hold press conference on elver fishing controversy

The press conference is being held in response to a statement Friday by Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher that the tribe had put the state out of compliance with fishing restrictions imposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission by issuing more than twice the number of elver licenses it should have. Keliher said that by issuing 575, the tribe has put Maine out of compliance with elver regulations. continued

From the Deckboss

Halfway there in Sitka herring fishery, Processor refloated, And they’re off!, Dipnet supremacy?, and more. As always, read the comment’s. continue to Deckboss.

More Tidal – The Race for an alternative energy source

The Day, New London – Because of the strong tidal force — ranging from about 4.4 to 6.7 mph — The Race is among three dozen locations nationwide cited in a 2011 Georgia Tech-U.S. Department of Energy report as having the potential to generate more than 100 megawatts of power from underwater turbines. continued

Coast Guard medevacs fisherman from F/V Atlantic Warrior 60 miles off Ocean City, NJ

uscg logoATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 42-year-old man from a fishing vessel approximately 60 miles southeast of Ocean City Saturday. Personnel aboard the fishing vessel Atlantic Warrior contacted Coast Guard watchstanders at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday, reporting a man aboard was experiencing pain and required medical assistance. continued

Proposed LNG Terminal and storage tank in Searsport threatens Penobscot Bay

By Rob Snyder, Special to the BDN – Today, fisheries make up 25 percent of the jobs in the bay’s economy and contribute $108 million, or 12 percent, of the economic base of the bay. The fisheries economy is perhaps the most fragile: lobster landings have increased fourfold over the past 20 years, pointing to a seemingly unsustainable population dynamic. continued

Massive storm spans Atlantic Ocean, coast to coast

The storm shown here stretches west to east from Newfoundland to Portugal. Its southern tail (cold front) extends into the Caribbean and the north side of its comma head touches southern Greenland. continued

Starting in Maine, tidal energy projects slowly taking hold across nation

In addition to developing its site in Maine, Ocean Renewable also is working in Alaska and with two other companies on developing their sites. Grants from the state of Maine and the federal Energy Department were key to getting the Cobscook Bay project off the ground, Sauer said. continued

Fortuna City Council to meet Monday; fisheries restoration grant up for discussion

Times-Standard – The Fortuna City Council will meet Monday to consider a resolution that would allow city staff to apply for a fisheries restoration grant. continued

Emerson C. Hasbrouck, senior educator of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program testifies before U.S. Senate on commercial fishing imbalances

Aiming to correct imbalances, Emerson C. Hasbrouck, senior educator of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program, testified before the U.S. Senate March 19 that the federal quotas on harvesting summer flounder — also called fluke — puts New York’s commercial fishermen at a disadvantage when compared with other states. continued

Senator calls for an end to ‘seal slaughter’

OTTAWA – A rogue Liberal senator and a Canadian animal rights group called for the end of the commercial “seal slaughter” Tuesday. Sen. Mac Harb and Humane Society International/Canada said the 2010 commercial seal hunt must be cancelled because an “ecological disaster” is threatening the future of the seal population. continue reading

Death of whale found at B.C. salmon farm remains a mystery – Video

Fisheries officials investigating the death of a humpback whale discovered inside a fish farm are hoping to figure out whether the farm’s net played any role in the mammal’s death. continue reading

Feds officially propose cuts in NE fish catch

BOSTON (AP) – Federal fisheries managers have officially announced proposed  cuts in catch limits that they acknowledge will devastate the New England  fleet.  continue reading

 

Coast Guard officials will be bilingual, says commissioner

The Canadian Coast Guard says it won’t close a Quebec search and rescue facility until the Official Language Commissioner is satisfied other facilities can provide adequate French-language Services. continue reading

Passamaquoddys issue far more elver licenses than allowed by law

ELLSWORTH, Maine — A year after catching state officials off guard by issuing 236 elver fishing licenses in the middle of elver season, the Passamaquoddy Tribe has issued more than twice that amount for 2013. continue reading

Fishermen Encouraged by Proposal to Restore Island Swordfishing – “Swordfish is somewhat of a success story,”

Thirty deepwater fishermen from around New England expressed their approval at a meeting in Gloucester Thursday night for a new proposal to open up swordfishing to rod and reel and harpoon fishermen. Gregory Mayhew and his son Todd, both Menemsha fishermen, attended, as did Alex Friedman, president of the Martha’s Vineyard/Dukes County Fishermen’s Association. continue reading

B.C. Indian Chiefs: Wild salmon is the first and foremost priority by Dan Bacher

“It is completely unacceptable and First Nations cannot continue to stand idly by as the wild salmon runs die off,” said Chief Bob Chamberlin, Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs continue reading

Guest View: Rotating closed areas may be better for stocks

sct logoBy Ron Smolowitz – Ron Smolowitz is a marine engineer and retired NOAA Corps officer, and has been conducting fisheries research and fishing gear development for almost 40 years. continue reading

Cod research could revive species

sct logoFive years ago, a state fisheries employee was on a busman’s holiday: fishing in 170 feet of water near a small gravel sandbar 3 miles east of Gloucester, happily hauling up one large cod after another. He had discovered the epicenter of a mass of spawning cod, possibly 30,000 fish, that returned to this spot every spring. State fisheries scientists realized this was a unique opportunity to observe spawning cod in the wild so, in 2009, they set up an underwater laboratory at the site. continue reading

A Fish Story

This documentary follows the plight of 2 commercial fishing families as they cope with falling fish stocks and increasing government regulation. This is a foundational expose of a relationship between enviro- opportunists and a certain type of fisherman. I will link this interesting and timely piece written by our own Dick Grachek, “CLF and CLF Ventures: or we get rich by litigating the hostile takeover and trading away of public resources for corporate exploitation while claiming to save the planet.” read the article  and the video,  A Fish Story

This is also quite a read! Like I said. Timely!

From the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal – Cost/benefit of litigation in fishery management, Vol 7-1, 2001
http://mainelaw.maine.edu/academics/oclj/pdf/vol07_1/vol7_oclj_21.pdf
Ten Years After The Fall: Litigation And Groundfish Recovery In New England
Peter Shelley, Esq., Vice President, Conservation Law Foundation

Underwater Observations of Square Mesh 4-Panel Codends | HD

Published on Mar 19, 2013           Square Mesh 4-Panel Codends to reduce the discards of juvenile haddock taken in a trawl fishery off Cornwall. This work was Financed by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and carried out by Sea Fish Industry Authority at the request of a local fishermen who wanted to conserve juvenile haddock. Underwater video was taken of 2 different types of square mesh using a DSVR type recording system. This video shows that fishermen can reduce discards through voluntary use of conservation measures – like square mesh 4-panel codends.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uShjdHjPu6I

Canadian boat builder plans to expand to Eastport, creating 50 jobs

EASTPORT, Maine — A long-established Canadian boat-building firm is expanding its operations to the Washington County community of Eastport later this year, a project expected to create as many as 50 jobs. New Brunswick-based Millennium Marine has been building boats in Escuminac since the 1940s and now produces a line of custom-built fiberglass boats that range in hull size from 25 to 60 feet. continue reading

What’s Behind Spike in Gulf Coast Dolphin Attacks? psst,,, they say it’s you fishermen. The psychologist’s weigh in.

NatGeo – According to a December report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in 2012 three dolphins with gunshot wounds were found “stranded” (or washed ashore) along the Gulf Coast—the highest number since 2004. continue reading

Effort to unionize Maine lobstermen attracts 250 potential members

STONINGTON, Maine — Lobstermen and union organizers are taking aim at an established industry group in an effort to form Maine’s first union for lobster harvesters. About 250 lobster harvesters have signed up for the union so far, and organizers have submitted an application for a charter with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or IAM. continue reading

Fish on Fridays: The Dollars and Science of Fishery Management

Earlier this month the House Committee on Natural Resources formally kicked off the Magnuson reauthorization festivities with a hearing that, according to Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), was “intended to highlight issues that could provide the basis for future hearings.” A hearing about future hearings: government efficiency at its finest. Most remarkable about this particular bit of political theater was,,, continue reading

Shortages send lobster prices up

WEST YARMOUTH — The bins in the display case at Cape Codder Seafoods were overflowing with glistening fresh fish, scallops and shellfish, a harvest from the deep waters off Georges Bank all the way down to the shallow bays of Falmouth. That abundance was not true of the lobster pools, which were populated by just a few specimens, huddled in the corners. continue reading

Proposed Offshore Long Island Wind Farm Threatens East Coast Scallop Fishery

logoWASHINGTON — 29 March 2013 — The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF), representing the majority of full-time Atlantic scallop limited access permit holders, submitted comments earlier this month on an unsolicited request by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for a commercial wind energy lease approximately 12 miles offshore Long Island, New York. The proposed wind farm would overlap lucrative scallop grounds, creating major concerns for scallopers who routinely transit and conduct fishing operations in the area. Read the comments from the Fisheries Survival Fund

Your job is Dangerous. The public health of fishing vessel winches. (Seriously!)

We in public health—and probably much of the public—tend to think that our field is about large-scale prevention and intervention efforts on behalf of the population’s well-being. Think anti-smoking laws and regulations, battles over soda size, and fights over the Affordable Care Act. But most of what public health does is, in fact, fairly mundane. It thinks about the ways our daily routines can either harm us or make us healthier— in our eating habits or in our jobs, for example—and then finding ways capitalize on that information. Take the fishing vessel winches. continue reading

State House hearing on calamari shows importance of squid to R.I. economy

Some 17.5 million pounds of annual squid landings valued at about $18 million makes squid the state’s most valuable commercial fishery, said R.I. Department of Environmental Management assistant director Robert Ballou. There are currently about 125 vessels in commercial squid fishery. continue reading