Daily Archives: January 1, 2014

Hey! How ’bout that? federal agency planning to measure economic impact of fishing businesses!

nmfs_logoNotices posted in the Federal Register show the National Marine Fisheries Service plans to survey U.S. seafood processors and bait-and-tackle shops during 2014. The Kodiak Daily Mirror reports survey data will be incorporated into impact statements produced by the federal government before an action is taken. Read more@ktuu  20:01

Pollock, cod catches up; halibut fleet prepares for cuts

23523_354387901211_7651997_aThe first fishing openings of 2014 will be for various groundfish around the state, and limits are up for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. In the Bering Sea, pollock fishermen will, as usual, have the largest share of the 2 million metric ton cap in 2014, with a total allowable catch, or TAC, of 1.267 million metric tons for the eastern Bering Sea. The BSAI Pacific cod fisheries also open in January. Read more@alaskajournal  14:09

When the herring come back

January 2 marks the opening of the commercial herring season in our waters, a phenomenon that’s come and gone over the past 43 years. Of course, locals have known about the abundant winter herring runs for generations. Here’s how Marin This Month Magazine described the annual herring frenzy in January, 1960: “Fish, fowl and the people of Marin will enjoy on various levels of ecstasy the annual herring run sometime during the first two weeks of this month. Read [email protected]  13:58

Race to the Arctic: Nations vie for clout; U.S. far from lead

Murkowski is trying to get Americans to stop thinking that the Arctic is just Alaska’s problem. “People in Iowa and New Hampshire need to view the U.S. as an Arctic nation. Otherwise when you talk about funding, you’re never going to get there,” Murkowski said. She added that even non-Arctic nations are deeply engaged: “India and China are investing in icebreakers.” Read more@theadvocate  11:41

Another know nothing about fishing Chef calls for stronger MSA.

A Forum by JIM HUTCHINSON Jr.: Saltwater anglers need reasonable regulations. In a Forum published on Sunday, Chef Rob Stinson urged Mississippi’s congressional representatives to lead efforts to reauthorize and “strengthen the Magnuson-Stevens Act for future generations.” I wonder if Chef Stinson understands that the original effort to “strengthen” the federal fisheries law back in 2006 is what has helped cause serious economic hardship within the sportfishing industry due to loss of access for Gulf of Mexico’s saltwater anglers? Read more@sunherald  11:25

Computer Model Predictions: Major Reductions in Seafloor Marine Life from Climate Change by 2100

An international team of scientists predict seafloor dwelling marine life will decline by up to 38 per cent in the North Atlantic and over five per cent globally over the next century. These changes will be driven by a reduction in the plants and animals that live at the surface of the oceans that feed deep-sea communities. As a result, ecosystem services such as fishing will be threatened. Read more@sciencedaily  11:13

Monterey fishing patriarch Joe Pennisi laid to rest

Giuseppe “Joe” Pennisi, the patriarch of an extended Monterey fishing family, was buried Tuesday after private family services. One of his six sons, Giuseppe Pennisi II, said his father died Christmas Eve at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula after having pancreatic cancer. He was 75. “He was surrounded by family and there were probably 100 more in the hallway,” his son said Tuesday. Read more@montereyherald  10:53

Daunting Calculus for Maine Shrimpers as Entire Season Is Lost

PORT CLYDE, Me. — Shrimping in the Gulf of Maine was so bad last season that Randy Cushman, a longtime fisherman, wondered if there was any point in going out at all. “I can honestly say it was the worst catch that I’ve ever seen in my career,” said Mr. Cushman, 51, who has captained a boat for more than 30 years. “I was calling people and saying, ‘Let’s shut this fishery down, this is stupid.’ Read more@nyt  09:14