Daily Archives: January 6, 2020

A ‘battleship’ of a crab boat – Owner of Alaska crab boat thought of Scandies Rose as unsinkable

The F/V Scandies Rose, which was managed out of Seattle, sank suddenly near Sutwik Island, off the coast of the Alaskan Peninsula. Two crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard from life rafts; the other five were not found. Two of the lost crew members and one of the survivors were from Washington. Dan Mattsen, who owns the Scandies Rose with two other partners, said he is still processing what happened. He is interviewed by  KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson >click to read, listen< 19:27

Long Island: Study to assess whether shellfish dredging affects Oyster Bay Harbor

Researchers from Stony Brook University plan to study how mechanical shellfish harvesting kicks up sediment in Oyster Bay Harbor over the coming year. How the sediment affects the environment under the waves is a hotly contested issue that could impact negotiations for a new lease on the town’s shellfish beds. Baymen, independent shell fishermen, allege that shellfishing company Frank M. Flower & Sons Inc.’s methods are damaging the environment. The company’s lawyer said he expects the study to show their methods are safe. >Click to read< 16:25

“New Year’s happy news.” Fishing boat reels in $1.79 million tuna to start the year

Captain Masahiko Yamamoto has the fish story of the new year, the day he hit the lottery at sea, landing a million-dollar catch. Yamamoto, 57, was on his boat when he heard that a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna he landed sold at the first auction of the year at the Toyosu fish market in Tokyo on Jan. 5. The winning bid of 193.2 million yen ($1.79 million) from a Tokyo-based sushi chain operator was the second-highest ever in the New Year’s auction.,, The waters here have produced tuna fetching the highest price in the New Year’s auction for nine consecutive years, making Oma famed as the “pole-and-line fishing bluefin tuna town.” >click to read< 11:22

Rising costs drain contingency fund for Canada’s new fisheries science ships

According to a memorandum prepared for Jonathan Wilkinson, the former minister of fisheries and oceans, the project had already used $19 million in contingency funds by May 2019. But more was needed, the memo said, to cover “escalating project costs such as labour rates and owner’s changes, as well as other unexpected increases to project costs including transition into service costs.” “Access to the remainder of the contingency funding [redacted] is now required,” the two-page memo said. >click to read< 10:21

‘We really don’t know what happened’ – son of fisherman who died in Wexford tragedy says as search continues for second man

A search resumes this morning for a Wexford man who has been missing since the trawler he was fishing on sank late on Saturday night. Willie Whelan, who is in his 40s, was fishing off Hook Head with another man, Joe Sinnott (65), who was winched from the sea and rushed to hospital but who died later. The trawler, a scallop fishing vessel, was said to be in good condition and working in good sea conditions when it sank.  >Click to read< 08:38

Search for missing fisherman continues – A search has resumed for a fisherman missing since the trawler he was on sank on Saturday night. >click to read<

A commercial fisherman, Stephen E. McCullough, passes away

Stephen E. McCullough, 48 of Cape May, New Jersey, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2020 after an extended illness. With a passion for being on the water, Steve worked as a commercial fisherman since his teenage years.  Steve is dearly missed and forever loved by his family. Steve’s family will receive friends from 10am until 11am on Thursday, Jan. 9th, at the Spilker Funeral Home in Cape May. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested through “In Memory Of” online at www.inmemof.org/steve-mccullough – These funds, in honor of Steve, will be distributed by Steve’s family to a future distressed family (or families) within the commercial fishing industry. >click to read< 07:18

Sea Scalloper F/V Martha Rose Joins Menemsha Fleet

The Martha Rose, a 77-foot sea scalloper with a rich history, had her maiden voyage this week as the newest member of the Menemsha fleet. The boat is captained by Wes Brighton, a well-known fisherman on the Dutcher Dock, and will employ a crew of three.,, She was originally named the Lindsay L., though Mr. Brighton said the name was changed briefly to Hannah Boden for her role in the 2000 film The Perfect Storm. >click to read< 05:55