Daily Archives: April 25, 2013
GM salmon company losses mounting – Long wait discouraging investment in genetically modified food animal technologies, says scientist
CBCNews – AquaBounty, which is hoping to put its genetically modified salmon on grocery store shelves soon, is finding its losses are growing as it waits for U.S. FDA approval. The company’s net loses were $4.4 million last year, up from $2.7 million the year before. But the company says, thanks to reduced net spending and new money raised, it is still confident it has the cash to see its salmon reach the market in the U.S. continued
Coast Guard Sector Columbia River save a total catch of 35 tons of shrimp from spoiling Wednesday. thaaank you!
ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard came to the assistance of two fishing vessels, helping to save a total catch of 35 tons of shrimp from spoiling Wednesday. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received distress calls from the c
rews of the fishing vessels Granada and Cap Elza near Tillamook Bay, Ore., and Depoe Bay, Ore., respectively. Both crews reported their vessels had become disabled with a large catch of shrimp aboard. continued
Rep. Seaton’s bill breaks up scallop monopoly – Board of Fisheries to decide on how to allocate scallop permits
Homer Tribune – In 2002 the Legislature adopted the temporary permit vessel limited entry program. “That policy led to a rapid and extreme consolidation,” Seaton said, “leaving 90 percent of the scallop fishery in the hands of a Washington-based corporation.” The F/V Kilkenny, based currently out of Kodiak, but making frequent trips to Homer, is the only Alaskan scallop operation in state waters, Seaton said. A monopoly on the majority of the $4.5 million fishery is held by the Alaska Scallops Association, a group of partners from Washington. continued
Placopecten’s New Rules Stir Up Economic Storm for Fishermen
the resident – After filling up the gas tank and picking up a pound of fresh Placopecten magellanicus, or New England sea scallops, for dinner, a little light went off in my head—oh no, the kid’s college tuition for next semester is on the to-do list. Wow, it’s hard to believe that what I shelled out for fuel and food can lead to that connection! The cost becomes clear when you talk to the local fishermen in the supply line, though, continued
Jellyfish-catching operation gets trial run in Port Royal
the beaufortgazzette.com – The glistening, slimy, pink and gray orbs plopped one after another off the conveyor belt into a white plastic container, where Mark Smith waited to shovel chips of ice on top of the “jellyballs.” continued
European buyers more acceptant on Alaska salmon MSC withdrawal. (to MSC, or to not MSC – that is the question)
undercurrentnews.com – An acceptance of Alaska salmon producers decision to withdraw from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is very much in evidence at the European seafood show this year, reports John Sackton, publisher of Seafoodnews.com. continued
US Commerce Renews Commitment to Environmental Stewardship with Awards Ceremony and New Green Store!
As part of administration-wide efforts this week to commemorate Earth Day, the U.S. Department of Commerce held an award ceremony to recognize the 22 winners and runners-up of the Department’s sixth annual Energy and Environmental Stewardship Awards yesterday. (how much did this cost) continued
Boycotting some or all Canadian seafood? Just chop the vegetables and shut up, will ya?
Chef Holly Smith of Café Juanita in Kirkland is one of dozens of local chefs that have joined “Chefs for Seals,” part of the Humane Society of the United States’ Protect Seals Campaign. here
I know that the idea of eco based management will appeal to them in the spirit of being “in tune” with the eco system. It will be interesting to watch them try to separate a top predator in the eco based management system in the name of vanity, because this is apparently what they have taken a stand against, to the point of a boycott of Canadian fish products. continued
‘Citizen scientists’ volunteer to count herring
With her thumb poised on a clicker, Jeana Homola rapidly pressed down as she counted hundreds of herring shooting through the fish ladder into Upper Mill Pond in Pembroke. “This is so exciting. I’ve never seen so many before,” said Homola, a Pembroke volunteer in the herring count organized by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. “They’re amazing.” continued
European court upholds EU seal products ban
A court has upheld the European Union’s three-year-old ban on seal products, dealing another blow to Canada’s embattled sealing industry. continued
Nova Scotia to ban drilling on, around Sable Island
The Nova Scotia government took another step to help make Sable Island Canada’s 43rd national park Wednesday. Energy Minister Charlie Parker tabled legislation that would ban drilling for oil or gas on the surface of the island, and within one nautical mile (about 1.85 kilometres). continued
Scientists admit ‘we got amount of fish wrong’ – one Whitby fisherman has said: “Now give us our quota back.”
With scientists admitting they got the amount of fish in the North Sea and surrounding waters wrong, one Whitby fisherman has said: “Now give us our quota back.” The International Council for Exploration of the Sea’s most recent advice has confirmed that fishing pressure across the main commercial stocks has in fact fallen to a remarkable degree. continued
Security questions raised as trawler and warship are pulled apart after collision
Times Colonist -Damage suffered by a U.S. fishing trawler and a Canadian warship became more visible Wednesday after the two vessels were pulled apart and examined. Now investigators are looking at why the collision between American Seafoods Company’s 272-foot American Dynasty and HMCS Winnipeg occurred Tuesday morning in Esquimalt Harbour. continued
Pacific Cod pot fleet hauls in gear with quota in water
Homer News – For the first time since its inception, the state-waters Pacific cod pot fleet quit fishing with a substantial amount of the quota still in the water. The boats have all hauled in their gear, leaving 700,000 pounds in the water. The fleet of boats under 58 feet in length landed 1.7 million pounds this season, and the over-58-foot fleet maxed out their quota of one million pounds a week later than last year on March 9. continued
Alaska Fish and Game calls for bids for the NSCI Sablefish Longline Survey
Intends to use three commercial fishing vessels to conduct the survey. Read the press release here
The first commercial fishing announcement of the season in the Upper Cook Inlet restricts commercial king salmon fishing in the Northern part of the inlet.
The setnet fishery, which has had an average of 53 permit holders during the last ten years, is comprised of fishermen on both the East and West sides of the Cook Inlet who will see their first fishing period closed in response to king salmon 
conservation concerns. continued
Carteret County Marine Fisheries Advisory Board adopts resolution opposing game fish House Bill 983
JDNews.com – BEAUFORT — An advisory panel in Carteret County has gone on record against a proposed game fish bill saying it would hurt the consumers of local seafood as well as the state’s commercial fishermen. The Carteret County Marine Fisheries Advisory Board adopted a resolution Tuesday night opposing the portions of House Bill 983 that propose to designate red drum, spotted sea trout and striped bass as coastal game fish. continued
Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.
CBCNews – “This is absolutely the gold standard,” said Chris Curran, the vice-president of sales and marketing at Ocean Choice International. “[It’s] globally recognized in wild fisheries and absolutely the right organization for our industry to be working with collaboratively to get this fishery certified.” (yes. the engo’s need the money!) continued
Letter to the Editor : Cape Wind has pulled the old bait and switch – Paul Hovsepian, Sudbury, Ma.
Cape Cod Times – From your March 11 article “Cape steel deal dead in the water,” it is apparent that Cape Wind has pulled a proverbial bait and switch. continued
Viewpoints: Bay Delta Conservation Plan Twin tunnels water grab is doomed to fail
The Sacramento Bee – The Bay Delta Conservation Plan, a scheme to divert water from the Sacramento River around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the south state via two 35-mile-long tunnels, is touted by proponents as the last great hope for the Delta’s beleaguered fisheries. Commercial fishermen, sport anglers and conservationists have been wary of this hype – and recent comments from the National Marine Fisheries Service indicate their concerns are well-founded. continued
New England Fishery Management Council eyes changes, declines ‘interim’ call
The council agreed with near unanimity to motions derived by Goethel from his March 4 letter to the council which cited six peer-reviewed scientific journal articles that together, he wrote, “demonstrate that the current management program will guarantee the destruction of the groundfish fleet with negligible benefits to the fish.” (good rundown on yesterdays council meeting) continued
