Daily Archives: May 16, 2016
Federally protected aggressive Steller sea lion harasses fishermen
A 2,500-pound terrorist has been surprising sport and commercial fishermen outside Sitka harbors. There’s one thing he’s after—fish — and the season is just ramping up. This federally-protected mammal is causing more trouble than his weight for the city. A Steller sea lion has been frequenting the Sealing Cove fish cleaning station for more than a month now. When anglers cruise into the floating dock to fillet their catch, the animal beelines toward them for what he hopes is an easy meal. Police Lt. Lance Ewers had his own run-in with the sea lion, after a day out on the water with his kids. He says he saw his friend cleaning fish by the runway on his way back into Sealing Cove and asked what was up. Read the rest here 20:03
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agents bust four men for illegal shrimping
Four Plaquemines Parish men sought to get a jump on their competition by shrimping in inshore waters Tuesday (May 10), according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The inshore shrimp season won’t open until May 23 at 6 a.m. Agents say they saw the vessel Captain Bean actively shrimping with skimmers in the Bayou Grand Liard area near Buras around 9 p.m. They cited Eulice J. Ordoyne Jr, 67, of Buras, and Trebor Fabiano, 33, of Belle Chasse, for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season. Additionally, Ordoyne was cited for using improper navigation lights. Agents seized 60 pounds of shrimp. That same evening at around 9:30, agents say they watched a boat use skimmers near Yellow Cotton Bay. After making contact with the vessel, agents cited Bradon Granger, 19, of Boothville, and Deiontae James, 19, of Venice, for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season. Granger was also cited for not using any of the required navigation lights. Read the rest here 15:15
Greenpeace and Labour call for MPI to be investigated over fisheries mismanagement
Prime Minister John Key is “sceptical” about a report’s claims that the number of fish caught is more than twice the number officially recorded. For the first time a report in collaboration with Auckland University provides a reconstructed picture of New Zealand’s marine catches dating back to 1950 – it reveals while 15.3 million tonnes of catch was recorded up until 2013, an estimated 24.7 million tonnes had fallen through the cracks. Greenpeace says government officials were aware of the recording botch-up but instead of fixing it, the Ministry for Primary Industries “deliberately covered it up”. Read the rest here 14:23
It’s Down to the Wire! ‘Wicked’ Tuna’ – The Season Finale
“Like every season, everybody wants to be the top boat for multiple reasons—one being bragging rights and the next making the most money,” Captain Dave said. “And we have been on the top almost every season… it’s pretty stressful for us though. We have to be at the top of your game everyday and try to do the best we can. It’s very stressful overall but we enjoy it, we love being out there—we love fishing. The show has already been renewed for a sixth season, and Carraro thinks he understands why so many Americans are fascinated with the show. “Most people that are in the middle of the country just away from the ocean, never knew that Bluefin Tuna of this size and magnitude existed,” he said. “So for them they are just totally fascinated by the sheer size and power of the fish in addition to the money.” Video, read the rest here 13:28
Marine Accident Investigation Branch: Louisa has been raised and is being transported to Glasgow
INVESTIGATORS probing the sinking of a fishing boat off the Western Isles have issued images of the stricken vessel being lifted from the seabed. Three crew members were lost when the Louisa sank while at anchor near the island of Mingulay, south of Barra, early on April 9. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation into the tragedy along with Police Scotland. As part of the probe, the Louisa has been raised and is being transported to Glasgow for further examination. “Our investigation aims to establish why Louisa sank and why lives were lost. A full and detailed report will be published at the end of our investigation. Read the rest here 12:40
Mullet: Trash Fish to Gourmet Dish
There’s an ongoing effort to change the reputation of mullet. The fish was mostly used as bait. But now, mullet and its roe are appearing on menus at fancy US restaurants and business owners are betting on a growing demand for the fish. Meet some southwest Floridians who are giving mullet a second chance: Third generation Pine Island commercial fisherman and seafood producer Michael Shane Dooley said the main mullet run in southwest Florida is from Thanksgiving to the first of January. “The fish bunch up to make their move to the Gulf of Mexico,” he said. “And that’s when you see your really big schools of fish. You can almost walk on them they get so thick at times.” Audio, read the rest here 09:25
Alaska’s congressional delegation asks Kerry for review of Canadian mine plans
Rep. Don Young and Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan sent a letter to Kerry on May 12 requesting the State Department to question Canadian officials about the impact active and proposed hard rock mines in British Columbia and the Yukon could have on salmon in several large “transboundary” rivers. “Like most Alaskans, we strongly support responsible mining, including mines in Southeast Alaska, but Alaskans need to have every confidence that mining activity in Canada is carried out just as safely as it is in our state,” the delegation wrote. “Yet, today, that confidence does not exist. Proposed mining development in the Stikine, Taku River, and Unuk watersheds has raised concerns among commercial and recreational fishermen, tourism interests, and Alaska Native communities regarding water quality maintenance of the transboundary rivers that flow by their homes and onto their fishing grounds.” Read the rest here 08:43
