Daily Archives: May 15, 2020

Fishing boat runs aground after man at helm nods off

Boat owner Michael Michieli, and the crew member who nodded off after being left in charge, were rescued by the emergency services. Neither was injured. Describing the incident, Mr Michieli’s daughter Rebecca said: ‘They had been over to France and they had been working for 48 hours. ‘My dad was resting and asleep downstairs, and as they got closer to Jersey the crew member in the wheelhouse also fell asleep for a few minutes. Lockdown restrictions have devastated the export market. Many local fishermen, including Mr Michieli, have since been making a living by selling their catch from ‘pop-up’ stalls. Ms Michieli added: ‘It was purely an accident and we are very grateful to everyone who came to help. It was just one of those things – and my dad even joked that he should say they were just trying to create a pop-up fish stall.’ >click to read< 18:57

The Northeast Observer Waiver Has Been Extended Through 5/30/2020!

NOAA Fisheries is extending the waiver granted to vessels with Greater Atlantic Region fishing permits to carry human observers or at-sea monitors for an additional two weeks, through May 30, 2020. Administrator authority to waive observer requirements, and is also consistent with the criteria described in the agency’s emergency rule on observer waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor and evaluate this situation. As we have done in other parts of the country,  >click to read< 15:04

 Coronavirus: The country is shutting down. Shutdown NOAA’s Fisheries Observer Program, nationally. Right Now. – 06:06 March 20, 2020, I am writing this editorial today as a responsible, conscientious American fishermen and citizen, in complete disbelief of the irresponsibility of a U.S. government agency during the current international coronavirus crisis. >click to read<

Coast Guard assists fishing vessel taking on water 60 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C.

The Coast Guard assisted a vessel taking on water 60 miles southeast of Charleston, Thursday. A Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew transferred a dewatering pump to the vessel and a Coast Guard Station Charleston 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew transported the two crew members ashore once the vessel flooding was secured. Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center watchstanders received a report at 10:20 p.m. via VHF Channel 16 from the Norris L, a 44-foot fishing vessel, stating they were taking on water with two people aboard. >click to read< 13:37

New Jersey commercial fishing operations counting on relief funds to stay in business

The Garden State Seafood Association is hoping the $11 million recently allocated to New Jersey’s seafood industry as part of the coronavirus stimulus law will prepare it for reopening. “The money should go to those businesses that have a proven negative impact from the COVID pandemic and should be used to help keep as many fishing businesses in operation as possible,” Scot Mackey, the Garden State Seafood Association (GSSA) Government Affairs director based in Trenton, told The Center Square. “I am concerned that the dollars seemed to flow to states regardless of the impact of the pandemic,” Mackey said. “I don’t think Alaska seafood has experienced the same impact as … the East Coast.” >click to read< 12:37

North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for May 15, 2020

The General Assembly gets back into work mode next week, allowing for the public to also access the two legislative buildings, although using safety measures. Temps will be taken for all entering the buildings and they ask that those attending only do so if necessary. Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 11:37

An Alaska commercial fishing season unlike any other kicked off in Cordova on Thursday

Normally, the Copper River gillnet season, the first salmon fishery to open in the state, is known for high-priced fish and celebrity-level fanfare: One of the first fish to be caught is flown to Seattle via Alaska Airlines jet, and greeted with a red carpet photo opportunity. In this pandemic year, things are different all around: The Alaska Airlines first fish photo op will still happen, but the festivities have been tamped down and six-foot distancing and masks are now required. Instead of a cooking contest pitting Seattle chefs against each other, a salmon bake for workers at Swedish Hospital in Ballard is planned. And this year, Cordova’s first-in-the-state salmon fishery will be a high stakes test,,, >click here< 10:15

Sittin’ on the dock watching,,, A photo gallery of Gloucester fishing vessels posted at GoodMorningGloucester by Manuel F. Simoes 

23 photos by Manuel F. Simoes, and an Otis Reading clip to listen to while reviewing the images. Good Morning! 08:40

UPDATED: It’s setting day for P.E.I.’s lobster fishery after 2-week delay

Lobster fishermen are setting their traps from ports around Prince Edward Island this morning, after a two-week delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The spring fishery on P.E.I.’s North Shore and the eastern Northumberland Strait was delayed partly because some lobster processing plants in the region were not ready,, It will be a season like no other for fishermen: they’ll be asked questions about their health daily, are not allowed to share equipment and must wear gloves at all times. They’re required to thoroughly clean frequently-touched surfaces on board vessels, and to maintain a physical distance of two metres when possible. added photos, >click to read< 07:31

IN PHOTOS: P.E.I. lobster fishers head out on setting day following delay – P.E.I. fishers hit the water early this morning to set their lobster traps. The season finally opened on May 15 following a two-week delay due to the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic. >click to view< 13:22