Daily Archives: December 7, 2015
HELLO!!!! Canada approves offshore oil exploration near Maine
Oil drilling near Maine’s coastline is causing some concern for fishermen and environmentalists. The government of Canada has given the go-ahead to a Norweigan oil company to look for oil near where water enters the Gulf of Maine. That’s just 225 miles from Bar Harbor and right next to the important fishing ground of George’s Bank. Oil drilling off Nova Scotia has happened for decades. What makes this exploration different is its proximity to one of New England’s most important fishing grounds. Read the article here 20:18
2016 Maine shrimp fishing season canceled
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section voted Monday to cancel the 2016 Maine shrimp fishing season. A report written by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Technical Committee said, “Given the depleted condition of the resource and poor prospects for the near future, the NSTC recommends that the Northern Shrimp Section extend the moratorium on fishing through 2016.” Read the article here 17:18 Then this, Maine shrimp fishing ban extended amid warming water fear 17:33
Thirteen Breton fishermen stand trial for smuggling illegal migrants to British beaches
Thirteen Breton fishermen stood trial on Monday on charges of ferrying illegal migrants from the coast of Brittany to British shores for thousands of pounds per crossing. The fishermen are accused of transporting a total of 200 migrants via a gang of Albanian people smugglers who paid them €1000 (£720) per passenger and pocketed up to ten times that amount for every illegal passenger. Families were charged a group fee of €15,000. Read the article here 16:25
New organization for ‘chix who fish’ in the works
A group of women commercial fishermen — brought together via a social media campaign to bring attention to the lack of fishing gear for women — has expanded its scope and is now working toward forming the first Women’s Commercial Fisheries Alliance. In 2013, Genevieve McDonald, captain of lobster vessel Hello Darlin’ II, launched a Facebook page called ‘Chix Who Fish’ which successfully raised awareness to the lack of foul weather gear for women commercial fishermen, as they refer to themselves, who often resort to duct taping men’s gear that is too large or settling for ill-fitting children’s sizes. Read the article here 13:35
Ray Hilborn: Money-driven ENGOs a ‘worrying trend’
“It’s become a protection racket,” said Ray Hilborn, speaking from his Seattle home. That’s the take of Hilborn — professor at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington — on environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), which he believes are holding increasing sway over the seafood industry. “Some would call it naked extortion, especially for retailers,” he explained. “You need to pay the likes of the WWF [World Wide Fund for Nature] and then follow their advice, just to keep Greenpeace away from your door. Because, if you don’t, Greenpeace will be picketing your store.” Read the article here 13:12
Wellfleet shellfisherman charged with illegal sales to restaurants
According to a report by 
Officer Daniel McGonagle contained in court documents, Paine sold oysters directly to The Whitman House and The Lost Dog Pub in Orleans. McGonagle wrote in his report that on June 22, he and Environmental Police Sgt. Kevin Clayton were notified of a possible oyster violation by a state Department of Public Health inspector who was investigating The Whitman House for allegedly selling striped bass before the season opened and marketing it as Pollock. Read the article here 12:40
Calling hour’s, and a Celebration of Life for David “Heavy D” Sutherland in Gloucester
David R. “Heavy D” Sutherland, 47, of Gloucester passed away suddenly when his fishing vessel became distressed in an ocean storm. He was the loving companion to Susie Byrd with whom he shared 8 years of companionship. He was a hard- working, beloved fisherman in the Gloucester Community for many years and was the Captain of the Fishing Vessel Orin C. He began his love for fishing and catching lobster many years ago on the Saugus River. Read the details here, In lieu of flowers donations in David’s memory may be made to the Sutherland Children’s Fund c/o TD Bank 2 Harbor Loop Gloucester, MA 01930. 09:32
Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board has called the loans for three different fishing vessels
On Nov. 25, three statements of claim were filed in Federal Court. One claim is against a Barrington-based vessel called the Fall Harvest, owned by Crystal Larkin, Donna Larkin and Alexander Malone. The statement of claim said they took out a loan in 2009 which was due on Nov. 23, 2015. The documents say the loan board is owed $194,775.12, plus interest. Another claim involves Shawn Boudreau of Arichat and KAOS Fisheries Limited, the owner of the vessel Major KAOS. Read the article here 08:59
USCG Responds to Pollution from Sunken Vessel
Transparency? Christian Putnum SLAMS The Obama Administration, Enviro Groups, and NOAA collusion
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Obama Administration are working closely with several environmental groups to “protect” vast areas of ocean off New England’s coast from the dreaded commercial and recreational fishermen. After NOAA’s utter failure to work with the stakeholders that make up the fishing community through the National Marine Fisheries Service, rebranded NOAA Fisheries after the name became synonymous with disastrous over-regulation, it appears an even less transparent process is now underway to regulate our natural resources. Read the article here 07:55
