Daily Archives: November 30, 2019

Operations continue in New Brunswick as Connors Bros. files for creditor protection

Connors Bros., a major producer of seafood products in New Brunswick, has filed for protection from creditors, but it has reassured fishermen and others who depend on the company that things will carry on as usual.,,, That’s the understanding of Melanie Sonnenberg of the Grand Manan Fishermen’s Association. Sonnenberg said the company reached out to the group to assure members that there would be no interruptions in operations, and that bills would continue to be paid. >click to read<  17:35

All about Andrew – the fisherman who became Patron Saint of Scotland

The Bible tells us he was a fisherman who converted to Christianity and became one of Jesus Christ’s original disciples, so perhaps it’s no surprise he’s also the patron saint of fishermen and fishmongers. Why he’s the patron saint of singers and pregnant woman – and is believed to offer protection against sore throats and gout – is not so clear. Saint Andrew never actually visited Scotland during his lifetime but his kneecap, arm and fingerbone did arrive in Scotland – among other relics after his death. Fourth century monk Saint Rule was instructed to take them and sail west,,, >click to read< 14:32

Coast Guard suspends search for person in the water in Mobile Bay, Alabama

The Coast Guard suspended its search, Saturday, for a person in the water in Mobile Bay, Alabama. The Coast Guard and local agencies began searching Friday after watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report of a capsized boat in Mobile Bay. Coast Guard crews searched an area of 1,152 square nautical miles over the course of 29 hours but were unable to locate the missing crewmember. (USCG) >click to read< 12:54

The shrimp boat that capsized near Fort Morgan Friday morning does regular business with Billy’s Seafood in Bon Secour, according to Billy Parks, the owner of the seafood market. The ship, named “The Chief” capsized around 4 a.m., according to ALEA Marine Patrol. (WKRG)>Video, click to read<

Offshore wind farm proposals causing concerns for fishing industry

Sen. Susan Sosnowski (D – Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) was pleased to hear about the changes made to two offshore wind farm proposal last week, calling the revisions “positive development.” The developers of this project, Mayflower Wind and Vineyard Winds, are hoping to place an 84-turbine array off Martha’s Vineyard and another 15 turbines in the Rhode Island Sound. According to Sosnowski, she still has some remaining concerns. Same here, Senator! Where are the cease and desist orders? >click to read< 11:04

Ropeless Fishing Gear: New Crab Pot Could Help Reduce Whale Entanglements

Last year 46 whale entanglements were reported off the West Coast, and crab gear was responsible for about a third of them. According to Derek Orner, a bycatch reduction program coordinator with the National Marine Fisheries Service, this a growing problem,,, His agency recently announced grants for several ropeless fishing gear projects, including a new kind of crab pot developed by Coastal Monitoring Associates of California. >click to read< 09:43

Nova Scotia Lobster Exports: ‘Nothing else in our province comes close to it’.

Thousands of kilograms of live Nova Scotia lobster take off from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport everyday, shipped in bulk across the globe, often destined for customers in the United States, Europe and increasingly, Asia.,, However, the future of Nova Scotia’s lobster fishery isn’t as rosy as some would assume. A combination of historic landing rates, lobster politics and tighter regulations could impact fishers across the province. >click to read<  08:27

Coast Guard Report: Catch misreported on 350 fishing trips by Northeast multispecies groundfishery vessels

In its 21-page report, the Coast Guard said the analysis by its Boston-based First District enforcement staff identified more than 350 vessel trips during the period of 2011 to 2015 in the Northeast multispecies groundfishery “where there appears to be evidence of misreporting.” The analysis placed a particular focus on potential misreporting by vessels fishing in seasonal fisheries or fishing the same stock in more than one stock area. The goal of the misreporting, according to the report, is to keep fishing without exceeding catch limits and annual catch entitlements. >click to read< 07:10