Daily Archives: June 8, 2015
Government is considering a plan to address the growing grey seal population
The report, drafted by the Fur Institute of Canada, is aimed at creating new markets to support an earlier proposal to slaughter 140,000 grey seals over five years in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence — 70 per cent of the grey seals that frequent the area. Fishermen have long complained that a growing population of grey seals is to blame for eating too many commercially valuable fish, which has resulted in repeated calls for a cull. Awesome. Read the rest here 17:43
Fish declines linked to effects of excess nutrients in coastal estuaries and the abundance of fish in offshore commercial fishery
A comprehensive study of a major California estuary has documented the links between nutrient runoff from coastal land use, the health of the estuary as a nursery for young fish, and the abundance of fish in an offshore commercial fishery. The study, published the week of June 8, 2015, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focused on Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay on California’s central coast. ” is nitrogen, whether it comes from an agricultural field or sewage or urban runoff. Read the rest here 16:22
Coast Guard Medevacs Commercial Fisherman 50 Miles Off Ocean City, Md. – Video
An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., performs a medevac from an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter Sunday, June 7, 2015. The Dolphin crew medevaced a 20-year-old man who was suffering from respiratory issues aboard a fishing boat about 50 miles offshore from Ocean City, Md. The crew of the F/V Apollo contacted Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders in Philadelphia at 3:36 p.m. to report the man was in need of immediate medical assistance. Read the rest here Watch video here 15:23
“Consolidation was coming, and now it’s here.” Foreign investment heats up in US Fishing Industry
The Cooke family’s acquisition of scallop firm Wanchese Fish Company on Friday is one of several signs foreign investors are taking the lead on US seafood consolidation, and this spring, their interest seems to be heating up. The US seafood industry ripe for the picking. A source at a US-based Alaska company, owned by a foreign company, said the US market is also likely attractive to investors due to US fisheries reputation for having the gold standard in management, making them a more reliable investment than fisheries teetering on the brink of instability overseas. Read the rest here 14:30
Don Young’s bill concerns Cape Cod Commercial Fisherman’s Alliance
The Chatham-based Cape Cod Commercial Fisherman’s Alliance, as part of the Fisheries Community Coalition, has reservations about the new version, introduced by Alaska Congressman Don Young. “It’s (the Coalition) basically five small community conservation groups from across the country and we had concerns about the Young bill,” explained Claire Fitz Gerald, the Alliance’s policy coordinator and fixed gear sector manager. “ But other fishing organizations take the opposite view and support the new bill. Read the rest here 8-O 13:14
Perspectives on the short and long-term effects of Santa Barbara County oil spill on Santa Barbara Fishermen
Fishermen in Santa Barbara Harbor are still starting their motors to head out into the channel for the day’s catch, despite being among the first to feel the economic punch of the back on May 19. Chris Voss is President of the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, and says the closure hurts his members financially, and the spill hurts the area’s reputation. “It’s a seriously significant seafood source because of the Channel Islands, we produce a lot of darn seafood” Audio, Read the rest here
Time to bring commercial fishing permits home to Alaska
In 1983, the city of Angoon had 183 locally held fishing permits. Now, 32 years later, there are only 15 left. In Nome, 157 permits have become 89. In New Stuyahok, 144 permits have become 21. Larsen Bay’s 47 permits have dwindled to 15. These are not isolated incidents: this is a trend that can be found in every region of the state. This is a red-button moment. Each lost permit represents a small business shuttering its doors. The effects are devastating, especially in rural places where the opportunities to participate,,, Read the rest here 10:08
Mulcair fisheries commitment brings hope to Newfoundland and Labrador
JUNE 8, 2015, ST. JOHN’S – Last Thursday in Corner Brook, nearly a hundred fish harvesters, concerned citizens and political leaders gathered to stand up for fair fisheries management. One speech in particular brought considerable hope to the rally attendees, as well as to thousands of others who could not be there in person. NDP MHA and fisheries critic Lorraine Michael read a statement from federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair. Read the press release here 08:04
NPFMC cuts halibut bycatch limit by 25% – Nobody’s happy!
The council had a series of options for cuts of as high as 50 percent in the limit for the trawl fleet. Sam Cotten, proposed a 35 percent cut that he called “a bare minimum, maybe even a bit below.” But Cotten’s motion was amended to a 25 percent cut by Bill Tweit, a Washington council member, who called it a “strong first step” that he said would be followed by more steps to tackle the halibut bycatch. Cotten’s motion was amended to a 25 percent cut by Bill Tweit, He was interrupted by hoots of disagreement from hook-and-line fishermen who attended the meeting and had pushed for a much higher bycatch cut. Read the rest here 07:19 Bering Sea halibut bycatch cut leaves both trawlers and halibut fishermen unhappy, Read the rest here 07:26 Council cuts halibut bycatch in Bering Sea, Read the rest here 07:34
