Daily Archives: August 14, 2013

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) seeking applicants for five-member advisory board that will help develop a commercial fishery on the lower Columbia River.

The application deadline is Thurs., Aug. 22, and the board’s first meeting could take place as early as September, according to Ron Roler, WDFW Columbia River policy coordinator. more@the reflector

Talks will lead to wild steelhead gene bank

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has formed a 20-member steelhead management work group to develop regional plans for steelhead in the North Fork Lewis, East Fork Lewis and Washougal rivers plus Salmon Creek. Federal fishery officials, along with Washington’s 2008 Statewide Steelhead Management Plan, are calling for designation of a network of watersheds where wild steelhead populations are “largely protected from the effects of hatchery programs.’’ more@thecolumbian

Community Supported Fishery wanted that can service an Oyster Bar in the Washington DC area

Please contact Fisherynation.com with contact information https://fisherynation.com/contact   Thank you!

Also looking to use invasive species like green/marsh crabs, periwinkles, whelks, cownose skate, snakehead

Douglas Island Pink and Chum, Inc. which operates the Juneau Macaulay Hatchery funds new endowment for student research

The endowment is in memory of hatchery founder Ladd Macaulay. [email protected]

Longlines Killing Pacific Seabirds at Record Rate – NOAA Admits Official Counts Significantly Underestimate True By-Catch Toll

“NOAA implemented its ‘National Plan of Action for the Reduction of Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries’ back in 2003 but these numbers indicate that the plan needs more work,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, who obtained emails and other records from NOAA under the Freedom of Information Act. “Unfortunately, the records do not reflect any NOAA plans, other than maintaining carcass counts, for upgrading seabird safeguards.” more@commondreams

U.S. Coast Guard announces notice of proposed rulemaking for personal flotation device type codes

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PFD type codes are unique to Coast Guard approval and are not well understood by the general public. The current PFD type code classification system is planned to be redesigned to focus on performance criteria rather than construction standards. A new easy-to-understand label concept is intended to help both professional mariners and recreational boaters select the best device for their intended uses and routes. Read more@uscgnews

NPRM:  Labeling and Standards (Federal register Publication) click here

Trident Seafoods and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal on Wednesday announced the company will open seafood processing facility

The plant will create 175 jobs and is a USD 41 million (EUR 30.9 million)  investment in the state of Georgia. morehere

F/V Pacific Queen, and F/V Coral Sea run aground in southeast Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard says two fishing boats ran aground overnight in southeast Alaska waters. [email protected]

Eight people rescued after separate sinkings more@ktoo

California shark fin ban heads to appeals court with federal backing for reversal

The brief late last month states that California’s new law “obstructs the use of fishery resources lawfully obtained in federal waters.” Federal acts, including the Shark Finning Prohibition Act in 2000 and Shark Conservation Act  in 2010, sought to protect the endangered species without sinking the commercial fishing industry. more@sfexaminer

Florida Lobster poachers busted for exceeding limit – FWC has a sustainable resource of thieves!

FWC officers have been busy apprehending lobster poachers in South Florida! Here are two cases from the first week of lobster season: [email protected]

Good News on the Nass River – Sockeye return’s in higher levels than first predicted,

It may be a dismal year for sockeye in the Skeena River, but the Nass River sockeye returned in higher levels than first predicted, meaning the Nisga’a were able to harvest 25,000 more sockeye than anticipated. And a strong Nass sockeye run early in the season which saw in-season estimates skyrocket meant that those who manage the Nass fishery were able to open it up to commercial fishermen who were unable to fish Skeena sockeye. more@terracestandard

Shark Week? Shark Hunt!! Australia – Calls for shark cull after fatal Great White attack

Tourism operators in Western Australia yesterday demanded a shark cull, following the fourth fatal attack in seven months and amid warnings that the state’s beaches are now the most dangerous in the world for shark attacks more@the independent

Conditions ripe for ecological disaster – massive algae blooms, decimated commercial fishing from the releases from Lake Okeechobee. – Video

Their observation: “high flows sustained over the last 50 consecutive days have caused mortality of marine organisms and seagrass habitat.” Rawl adds “let me just tell you this is not fresh perrier water. its full of toxins, pollutants, animal wastes.” With tourism a three billion dollar industry in lee county and commercial fishing not far behind state representative Heather Fitzenhagen has a plan to help. more@fox4

Rubio, Nelson Hold Field Hearing On Oyster Collapse In Apalachicola

Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio headed the field hearing because Congress has the authority to direct the US Corps of Engineers to provide the freshwater flows necessary to save the Appalacicola Bay. [email protected]

Judge temporarily blocks increased Trinity River flows by Dan Bacher

A federal judge today granted the Westlands Water District and the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority a temporary restraining order (TRO) to block increased Trinity River flows through August 16. The Bureau of Reclamation was going to begin releasing the water from Trinity Reservoir starting today to avert a massive fish kill on the lower Klamath like the one that took place in September 2002, when over 78,000 fish perished due to an outbreak of disease in low, warm water conditions. more@dailykos

British Columbia Seine fisherman defends dumping of pink salmon during aboriginal fishery

The captain of a seine boat that dumped pink salmon during an aboriginal fishery in Johnstone Strait said Tuesday he is the victim of federal policy and that he takes care not to waste salmon.  [email protected]

Massachusetts Lobstermen oppose gear changes – “Fishermen are willing to help,” “We have helped. But does it ever end?

Along the Massachusetts coast, the idea favored so far by federal regulators would close waters along the Outer Cape and east of Chatham to trap/pot fishing from Jan. 1 through April 30. The favored approach would require more than one trap/pot on a single vertical rope, called a trawl, depending on region and distance to shore, and fishermen would have to put more and bigger identifying tags on both trap/pot and gillnet gear. more@capecodtimes

Record Pacific tuna catch prompts calls for more protection

The Pacific is the world’s healthiest tuna fishery but there are concerns that it too may be acting too slowly in response to growing industrial fishing. listen@radioaustralia

Revised Columbia River Treaty could restore British Columbia salmon runs

A growing movement on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border wants to make the restoration of salmon runs in southeast British Columbia a key issue in negotiations over the Columbia River Treaty. continued@globeandmail

Fishing captain facing murder charge released on $60,000 bail

Dwayne Samson, captain of the Twin Maggies lobster fishing boat, based in Arichat, is charged along with two crew members with second-degree murder after what the RCMP are calling an “incident on the water” on June 1 at the mouth of Petit de Grat Harbour. more@chronicleherald