Daily Archives: April 11, 2013
State of Maine should respect history when setting elver fishing rules
The Passamaquoddy were recently accused of putting glass eels in danger through their harvesting practices. In 2012, the Passamaquoddy harvested a total of 800 pounds of the state total of 19,000 pounds…Passamaquoddy practices are based in conservation. They limit the total harvest, but, by issuing many licenses, more Passamaquoddy people can benefit from the fishery. continued
Legislation threatens Alaska fishing economy
The Seward Phoenix LOG – The healthy fisheries that support commercial and sport fishing also create tourism opportunities for Alaska communities. Unfortunately, our fisheries are at risk because of the Parnell-Treadwell administration and their allies in the state legislature. continued
Kodiak Island Borough Assembly and City Council Decry ‘Fish Stealing’
Last night the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly and City Council gathered for a joint work session to discuss a variety of topics pertaining to both governing bodies. One item on the agenda was a fisheries update from Kodiak fishery advisor and a former member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Denby Lloyd. He spoke about a number of fishery items, including a recent incident involving what has been called alleged “fish stealing.” continued
Ad hoc committee wrestles with otters – audio
A committee of fishermen and other Petersburg residents is wrestling with what to do about the impact of a growing sea otter population on Southeast’s commercial crab and dive fisheries. The Borough Assembly appointed the ad hoc committee this month after choosing not to endorse proposed legislation that would put a bounty on the animals. The Committee had a wide-ranging discussion during its first meeting Friday. Matt Lichtenstein has more: continued
Md. Oyster Population, Reproduction Up For Second Year
BALTIMORE (AP/WJZ) — Maryland’s oyster population is continuing to rebound, with more oysters surviving diseases that have plagued the shellfish in the past and hindered Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, state officials said Wednesday. continued
Jim Gilmore, director of public affairs at At-sea Processors Association – MSC criticism not valid
The Alaska pollock fishery and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) have refuted claims made in a recent study that the sustainable seafood certification is too lenient. The Alaska pollock fishery, the largest fishery in the US in volume, were mentioned in the research as holding certification despite not complying with national law. continued
Exposing a Scam?, or, It’s just never good enough! ‘Sustainable fishing’ certification too lenient and discretionary, study finds
The certification of seafood as “sustainable” by the nonprofit Marine Stewardship Council is too lenient and discretionary, a study by a consortium of researchers has found. “When consumers want sustainable fish there are two options to meet the demand: fisheries can become more sustainable or the definition of sustainable can be watered down to be practically meaningless — with MSC seafood, the definition has been repeatedly watered down,” continued
Year one of Eastport tidal turbine research presents challenges
EASTPORT, Maine — Months of underwater testing in Cobscook Bay of experimental, tidal-based electrical generation technologies were not without its challenges, according to a research report recently filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. continued
Sea mammals find US safe harbor – “We have seen remarkable recoveries” “There isn’t enough research,”
n 1972, a U.S. Senate committee reported, “Many of the great whales which once populated the oceans have now dwindled to the edge of extinction,” due to commercial hunting. In October of that year, Congress passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Four decades later, new research shows that the law is working. Yeah? 
Some marine mammals, like endangered right whales, continue to be in deep trouble, but other populations “particularly seals and sea lions, have recovered to or near their carrying capacity,” the scientists write. continued
Sitka Tribal Government Disappointed With ADF&G
(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska – Sitka Tribe of Alaska said they are disappointed in the recent decision by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to allow a cooperative Sitka Sound Roe fishery to take place and not close the fishery all together. continued
Fishing vessels wanted for energy audit pilot project
The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is seeking vessel owners for a fishing vessel energy audit pilot program. The foundation notes that the high cost of fuel is a challenge that affects the entire seafood industry. More than 8,000 commercial fishing vessels are licensed in Alaska continued
Shrimp Season Set Next Week in Portion Of Louisiana Offshore Territorial Waters
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced shrimp season will open in a portion of territorial waters between Caillou Boca and the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel, next Tuesday, April 16 at 6 a.m. continued
Southeast Alaska Chinook Salmon Quota Numbers Fall for 2013
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has announced its Chinook salmon harvest quota for Southeast Alaska. The department says the all-gear harvest for 2013 is 176,000 fish. Fish and game says the quota is about 90,000 fish lower th
an last year’s allowable harvest. continued
At the trough – New Puget Sound ‘watchdog’ group formed (rolls eyes)
SEATTLE — A new environmental group, called Sound Action, will serve as a “watchdog” to protect shoreline habitats throughout Puget Sound, according to Amy Carey, the group’s first executive director. continued
Louisiana Murky Dealings: Bill makes for fisheries furor – Money Grab Alleged – Motives are Questioned
Two bills filed in the Louisiana House and Senate that would radically change the status of the board that markets the state’s seafood are whipping up a maelstrom within the $2.4 billion industry it serves. continued
MIDDLEBORO Ma. – Five things you may not know about local herring runs
1.The herring are returning to their native waters, making the 40-mile trek from Mount Hope Bay, through the Taunton River to the Nemasket River, ending at the Assawompset to spawn. River herring – the collective term for alewife and blueback herring – continued
From Mexico to British Columbia – Entire West Coast ocean salmon fishing seasons adopted
Here is the news release from the Pacific Fishery Management Council on the adopted salmon fishing seasons off the entire West Coast: continued
Maine Legislature sends St. Croix alewife restoration bill to LePage – easily won passage
AUGUSTA, Maine — Emergency legislation to open the St. Croix River watershed to sea-run alewives easily won passage Wednesday in the Maine Senate and House. The bill, Canadians hook into technology to renew their fishing licences
YARMOUTH — The licence renewal process for thousands of Canadian fishermen just got easier. “We moved to an online approach where the harvesters go through the Internet,” said Stefan Leslie, regional director of fish
eries management with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. continued
Feature obituary: John ‘Jeb’ Stuart, 62, man of the sea who achieved sobriety
The obituary, published in Thursday’s newspaper, starts with an eye-catching declaration of what he saw as his greatest success in life, though it inevitably led to his untimely death.
“In my life I have had many accomplishments,” he wrote. “Personally, I believe my greatest accomplishment is that I will pass soberly. I have suffered a brief illness from alcohol abuse which I overcame and feel it to be one of my richest rewards.” continued
Maine fishing bill seeks access for big boats – aims to expand Maine’s groundfishing quota while easing limits on larger vessels.
AUGUSTA – A state-run permitting program that helps Maine’s long-ailing groundfishing industry should be open to boats of all sizes, supporters of a bill to expand a so-called permit bank said Wednesday. continued
