Daily Archives: March 14, 2019

Cooling California Current could mean good news for fisheries, ecosystems

Ocean currents off the Northern California coast are cooling down — potentially good news for the region’s fisheries and ecosystems, battered in recent years by warm currents that have triggered a range of disruptions, from faltering salmon runs to a devastated kelp forest and abalone populations. In a report on the California Current, NOAA scientists last week said that cooler water has resulted in improved condition of zooplankton – the foundation of the ocean’s food chain – greater juvenile salmon returns, and bigger anchovy schools, a boon to larger fish and whales. On the other hand, scientists said,,, >click to read<20:24

Brexit flotilla fishing protest planned as part of weekend’s March to Leave Rally

Brexit campaigners are to hold a North East fishing demo tomorrow ahead of the weekend’s March to Leave protest as it sets off to London from Sunderland. Ahead of the March to Leave – which will leave Sunderland on Saturday morning and head for Hartlepool, setting off on the next stage of the walk on Sunday morning – Fishing for Leave plans a River Tyne flotilla and parade. There is a suggestion a further event is part of the fishing protest is planned for Hartlepool on Sunday morning, but no details have been released. >click to read<

 

Canada and Prince Edward Island fund projects to boost innovation and productivity in the seafood processing sector

With the longest coastline in the world, Canada’s coastal communities rely on the fish and seafood industry as an integral contributor to local and regional economies. This is why the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island today announced funding support to three regional businesses through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. The funding—a total contribution of more than $365,000—will see the implementation of innovative projects and new technologies in the fishing industry. >click to read<14:50

Husky to begin repair work at South White Rose Extension Friday morning

Husky has mobilized resources to the White Rose Field to carry out key integrity work at the South White Rose Extension, it was announced today. The work includes recovering the flowline connector involved in last November’s spill and plugging the open ends of the flowline.,,, Last Nov. 16, 250,000-litres of oil spilled into the ocean after a flowline connector failed near the South White Rose Extension drill centre, about 350 kilometres east of St. John’s. The SeaRose FPSO vessel was attempting to restart oil production after a shutdown due to a storm when the spill occurred. It was the largest oil spill in the province’s history. >click to read<13:47

Columbia River Reforms – Change to gillnet policy stokes sport fishing anger

In a vote that has angered the sport fishing community, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (WFWC) has voted to alter the Columbia River Salmon Policy 3620, known as the Columbia River Reforms, concerning the use of gillnets in the main stem Columbia River. The vote was held on March 2 in Spokane. The changes to the policy follow a five-year review, and recommendations from a joint-state task force that is composed of three commissioners from both states.,,, Hobe Kytr of Salmon For All, a commercial fishing advocacy group, sees the action as appropriate. “The policy that was enacted at the request of former Oregon Governor John Kitzaber has been a failure from the very beginning,” said Kytr. “It was a matter of putting a policy in place and then trying to find the scientific facts to back up the policy.” >click to read<11:30

County board voices opposition to bill to end non-tribal gillnetting in Washington

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to contact the state senate to oppose legislation that would outlaw non-tribal gillnet commercial fisheries in Washington Jan. 1, 2023, and establish a buyout program for retiring licenses by Dec. 31, 2022. Proponents say gillnets are non-selective gear that ensnare wild and endangered salmon and with other species, they are not a good management, and they adversely impact the recreational fishing industry. Senate Bill 5617 would also establish a three-tier program to buy out gillnetters’ licenses from willing sellers.,,, >Click to read<11:01

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries issues proclamations that close striped bass season

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has issued proclamations that close striped bass season for commercial and recreational fishermen in all internal waters from just south of Oregon Inlet to the South Carolina line. Both commercial and recreational fishermen across the state could find themselves heavily impacted as the result of a new fishing ban passed at the special meeting Wednesday in Kinston. The commission passed a motion by a vote of 5-4 to ban the use of gill nets above what are known as the ferry lines, in areas of the Pamlico and Neuse Rivers. >click to read<10:06