Daily Archives: September 6, 2013

Brown OKs fishing for 240 million to 280 million invasive Lake Tahoe crayfish – Announces Tax Credit Program for Fleet Build UP!

Officials estimate the lake holds 240 million to 280 million invasive crayfish, a freshwater crustacean that resembles a small lobster. They are a major food source for fish, but also excrete nitrogen and phosphorus, which stimulate algae production and reduce the lake’s clarity. (just joking about the expansion.) more@lasvegassun 23:07

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh: Some corruption in BP settlement program

wogangsterumdieeckeknallen-hauptfotoFreeh, who was appointed by a federal judge to lead an independent review of alleged misconduct by a staff attorney who worked on the settlement program, cleared court-appointed claims administrator Patrick Juneau of engaging in any “conflict of interest, or unethical or improper conduct.” more@9+10news 22:47

Army Corps of Engineers shrinks review for Columbia River coal project, will limit its assessment to less than one mile around the project’s proposed dock

Coal export opponents say the limited review overlooks many of the impacts the project could have on fish, and they’re worried that the Corps will also choose to ignore the project’s broader environmental impacts. more@thecolumbian 17:27

Western Wave in Portland Harbor just now

20130906_124826She is clearly well down from the weight of herring aboard her from seining in the southern end of area 1a the Gulf of Maine. Reports of a large stock of fish near Portland are all over the water front. Featured Writer John Johnson  15:25

WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL — The historic schooner Adventuress ‘belle of ball’

PORT TOWNSEND — The centennial celebration of the Adventuress has turned the historic schooner into a centerpiece of this year’s Wooden Boat Festival. One hundred is a big number for the Adventuress. Not only is it 100 years old, but it also is a little more than 100 feet long and weighs 100 tons. The schooner as built in East Boothbay, Maine, in 1913 for John Borden, who wanted to sail it to Alaska. A year later, it was sold to the Port of San Francisco as a pilot ship. more@peninsuladailynews  15:13

WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL — Boats, music, sailing adventures in Port Townsend this weekend

Some 300 wooden boats are expected at the three-day festival that begins today at the Point Hudson Marina Festival Grounds at the end of Water Street. Schedule of events more@peninsuladailynews  14:38

The other CO2 problem: Oceans are becoming more acidic

We often hear about climate warming and melting arctic sea ice in the news, but have you ever wondered what effect climate change is having on our oceans?  more@homernews 14:30

Fishermen’s Premium Atlantic Lobster Inc to finance lobster processing plant in Nova Scotia

Fishermen’s Premium Atlantic Lobster company said millions of pounds of Nova Scotia lobster are exported to processing plants in New Brunswick every year and estimates a local lobster processing plant could create 80 jobs. “We could be manufacturing many different lobster products right here in Nova Scotia, creating sustainable economic long-term growth in our province,” said company director and co-founder Alton Smith in a news release. more@undercurrent  13:08

Jerry Anderson might not be Native American like the first reefnetters, but that doesn’t mean the ancient fishing practice doesn’t run in his blood.

When Jerry Anderson started reefnettingon Lummi Island in 1943, he was only ten. At the time, reefnet boats were essentially large canoes, built with planks over a wooden frame. The headstand — the tower a reefnetting crew stands on to look for fish — was made of wood and stood no more than 10 feet tall. Like today, fishermen stood watch on the headstand for schools of fish, then caught them in a net suspended between two boats. Power winches wouldn’t appear until the early 1960s. Fifty years later, the stand would be made of welded aluminum and rise 20 feet above a wide and stable barge. more@crosscut     This method of fishing results in the best quality wild salmon possible. more here  12:52

Marin Independent Journal Editorial: Court’s split ruling doesn’t end oysters battle – this road is nowhere near its end

TUESDAY’S SPLIT DECISION upholding the Interior Department’s controversial decision to not renew the lease of the Point Reyes oyster farm is not the end of the battle. Kevin Lunny, whose family owns and runs Drakes Bay Oyster Co., and his lawyers say they will appeal the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision, reached on a 2-1 ruling. more@marinij  11:11

“Thanks for all the fish” series – Part II – Fishy business – What, you didn’t know this city was built on cod?

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Seattle’s economy was based on natural resources and the processing of them. Timber from the region’s vast forests was turned into lumber.  Wheat and produce were milled and canned for consumption elsewhere. Coal from places with names like Black Diamond fueled industry and was exported to other areas. Fish from Alaska was processed in the canneries that lined the waterfront. more@crosscut  Part1:  Thanks for all the fish 10:23

The Port St. Joe Port Authority takes first steps on dredging channel

“This is a pretty significant endeavor,” Perry said. “It is a very aggressive (timeline). We want to be able to vet out issues and refine the scope (quickly).” The urgency on the seagress study is that such studies must be completed between March and September and reviewed by a National Marine Fisheries Service field survey in September. If the port misses that window a seagrass survey and in turn approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service could not be completed until 2014. more@thestar 09:59

STUART/ST. LUCIE INLET PRESERVE: Divers uncover coral reef damage south of lake releases

Toxic Treasure Coast waterways have been plaguing the river and lagoon for months. The river of pollution is pouring out the St. Lucie Inlet onto a state protected coral reef. Divers go down under to survey the damage. Reef monitors say they are seeing some sentinel or warning signs of . The water is a filmy brown color, but so far the fish are still here. To the south of the inlet, the impact is much greater. [email protected] 09:14

The porpoise-driven life – Being “Cute”

If I could get any animal, it would be a dolphin. I want one so bad. – Miley Cyrus George Orwell was right. Some animals are more equal than others. Remember the big push for dolphin-safe tuna back in the late 1980s? more@northjersey 08:31

Fishing experiment a success: DFO – Future of commercial fishing in Howe Sound still up in air

863a4ac9dc_64635696_o2There’s a good-news story swimming up Howe Sound, a fisheries official says. Two weeks ago, for the first time in half a century, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) allowed commercial fishing in the waterway. During an exploratory three-day commercial fisheries trial, trawlers hauled an estimated 282,400 pink salmon out of the sound.  more@the chief  08:13

Bluenose II back in water after 3-year more than $16-million refit

The Bluenose II is scheduled to back in the water today, three years after it was dry-docked for restoration. The launch is scheduled for 8 a.m. at the Lunenburg Marine Railway, depending on wind and weather conditions after having completed its refit for masts and rigging. more@cbcnews  07:39

Japanese Fishermen’s Group Reject Release of Fukushima Water to Ocean

The Japanese fishermen’s group made its comments four days after Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Shunichi Tanaka said the release of water, after being treated to remove most contaminants, could be a necessary part of managing growing volumes of irradiated water at the plant. Tanaka’s remark “is not something we fishermen can swallow by any measure,” the association said in the statement.  more@bloomberg 07:27

Latest move toward gas drilling off Mississippi Coast meets with opposition

The Gulf Restoration Network has asked the Department of Marine Resources to slow down its review of rules made by the Mississippi Development Authority to govern exploration and drilling for gas off the Coast. “This was released on the Friday before the Labor Day weekend and it gives folks just a little over two weeks to comment,” said Raleigh Hoke of the Restoration Network, which is part of the 12 Miles South Coalition. That group is trying to keep any exploration and drilling at least 12 miles south of the barrier islands.  more@sunherald  07:21