Daily Archives: January 5, 2018

“Groundbreaking” Fish Protection Plan in Place

On Wednesday, January 3, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), also known as NOAA Fisheries, informed the New England Fishery Management Council that it had “approved the majority” of the Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2 (OHA2). The approved provisions include two actions that have a direct impact on Framework Adjustment 29 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan, which, among other measures, contains 2018 fishing year specifications and 2019 default specifications for the scallop fishery. click here to read the press release 17:35

“Groundbreaking” Fish Protection Plan in Placeclick here to read the story

NOAA Climate Scientists Predicted Third Warm Winter In A Row

Warmer-than-normal conditions are most likely across the southern two-thirds of the continental U.S., along the East Coast, across Hawaii and in western and northern Alaska. -–NOAA, 19 October 2017. This year scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are placing their bets on a warmer-than-average winter. In the East and southern two-thirds of the country, temperatures will be higher than normal, while Southern California, Texas, and Florida will be drier than usual. –Eric Niler, Wired, 23 October 2017 click here to read the story 15:47

Rife with regulations: 50-year fisherman sells over demands

AFTER half a century working at sea, Daniel Pope says the increase in regulations has forced him to retire from the fishing industry. The 67-year-old commercial fisherman has sold his prawn trawler to a Cairns buyer, and will step off the boat for the last time on January 17. Over the past 50 years, Mr Pope has witnessed the industry grow and evolve and said the increase in regulations was getting out of hand.  “I believe the fishery is the best I’ve seen it, or as good as I’ve seen it in 50 years,” he said.  click here to read the story 15:19

North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for January 5, 2018

Click here to read the Weekly Update, to read all the updates Click here, for older updates listed as NCFA click here14:43

N.C. officials to write definition of old profession – commercial fishing

North Carolina officials plan to write the definition of one of the state’s longest-standing professions – commercial fishing. The definition seems simple – a licensed person who sells seafood for money. But some anglers could be getting a commercial license just to allow them to catch more fish than they are supposed to, said Sam Corbett, chairman of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission. “They’re going around the bag limits,” Corbett said. “It’s such a crazy issue.” click here to read the story 14:28

Massachusetts: Coast-Wide Shellfish Closure

Due to yesterday’s storm with its associated coastal flooding, ALL shellfish areas in Massachusetts state waters are now CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE with an exemption for the adductor muscle of Bay and Sea Scallops only. Assessment of area status is beginning today, Friday January 5, 2018. Please see the official closure notice for more detail. click here The above-described areas shall remain closed until notification has been received from the Division that the areas have been placed into an open status. 11:57 

Boat Worker Rescued from Water as Ice Rescue Drills in Barnegat Light Prepare for the Worst Case

Ice rescue practice is getting out there to know and conquer the element before it rears its ugly head – and icy weather now has. The Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Co. and the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad already had two ice rescue drills in the first two days of 2018 when they were called to respond to a fall from a docked fishing boat on Jan. 2. Fortunately, the victim was quickly pulled from the 40-degree water by co-workers. That incident at 10:30 a.m. at Viking Village commercial fishing dock was a 911 call when a male fell in the water from the outer dock. click here to read the story 11:36

Firefighters battle stubborn fishing vessel fire at Lobster Rock Wharf in Yarmouth

Firefighters were called to the Lobster Rock Wharf in Yarmouth Thursday night, Jan. 4, after smoke was seen billowing from a fishing vessel docked there. They arrived on scene to find the Fundy Commander on fire. Firefighters remained at Lobster Rock Wharf throughout the night, drenching the burning vessel with water in miserably cold conditions. Photo’s, click here to read the story 10:20

Tuna goes for $323,000 at Tokyo fish market’s final New Year auction

In the final New Year’s auction at Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji fish market on Friday, the owner of an international sushi restaurant shelled out more than $300,000 for a prime bluefin tuna and said he was “very happy” with the result. The world’s largest fish market, one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist sites, is set to relocate later this year to clear the way for a road needed for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. click here to read the story 09:31

Coast Guard searching for clammer who went missing during blizzard

The man, whose name has not been released, was reported overdue at 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Officials said he left to go clamming in a 16-foot skiff at about 6:30 p.m. during the storm. The man’s skiff has been located, the Coast Guard said. Officials are searching the area of Long Cove, west of Clark Island. link 09:00

Update: Coast Guard, locals search for missing clammer near Long Cove, Maine – Missing is 35-year-old Paul Brenner. click here17:15

“The Bomb Cyclone Storm” (explosive cyclogenesis) – Its a Mess Everywhere!

Gloucester – Water and whiteouts: Homes, businesses flooded; thousands without powerclick here00:41

New Bedford – Carlos Rafael continues to give Feds headaches as boat breaks freeclick here

Maine – Storm triggers Maine’s worst tidal flooding since historic Blizzard of 1978click here

PHOTOS: Massachusetts Flooding During Blizzard 2018click here

New Hampshire – Bomb Cyclone Pounds Seacoastclick here

Nova Scotia – Powerful storm surge rips up roads as it slams into Nova Scotia coastclick here