Daily Archives: September 30, 2020
Whale ‘roadkill’ is on the rise off California. A new detection system could help.
That so many whales of various species now traverse the California coast is a remarkable comeback tale.,, Today, blue whales and other endangered species, like fin and humpbacks, are recovering, but slowly. But while industrial whaling stopped in the late 1960s (some countries like Japan and Norway do continue commercial whaling on a small scale), these mammals are still frequently killed in collisions with large ships. Most container ships today delivering goods across the ocean are so large that even a collision with a 50-ton whale can go undetected. Ship strikes remain a leading cause of death to whales around the globe, and in some places, like California, they are on the rise. >click to read< 17:46
Lobsterman Arthur W. Pierce has passed away
Mr. Arthur W. Pierce, 75, of Salem, beloved husband of Gloria J. (Cote) Pierce, died Saturday, September 26, 2020, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Born in Marblehead, he was the son of the late Arthur and Ruth (Dewis) Pierce. He was raised and educated in Marblehead and was a graduate of Fryeburg Academy in Maine. An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country as a member of the United States Navy. Following his active service, he was a member of the Naval Reserves. Professionally Mr. Pierce was Lobsterman and the proprietor and Captain of the Lobster boat, “Eliza Bee” out of Marblehead. He loved his days on the water and was a well-known builder of Lobster traps. He was a tireless worker and enjoyed his days on the sea. >click to read< 16:21
Recommended gear rules for Right Whale safety are adopted
With the National Oceanic Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under a fast approaching, court-imposed deadline to develop new whale protection rules, the Zone C Lobster Management Council held a special meeting last week to get an update on the situation from Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher. The meeting was also an opportunity to consider a zone-specific plan for gear modifications that will likely be required by NMFS. As with many things occurring during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the meeting took place in cyberspace. >click to read< 14:43
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 50′ FG Stern Trawler, 425HP Volvo, 12 kw Northern Lights Generator
To review specifications, information and 22 photos, >click here< To see all the boats in this series, >click here< 13:24
Permanent fish-passage solutions considered at Big Bar landslide
As most salmon are now moving past the Big Bar landslide on their own effort, crews are looking ahead to provide permanent fish passage in time for important early-spring migrations. In a progress update Sept. 29, Fisheries and Oceans Canada officials said roughly 151,000 salmon have now been detected with acoustic sonar north of the site, 8,270 of which relied on the Whooshh Passage Portal. >click to read< 11:56
Trump Administration ‘Slow-Walking’ Offshore Wind Permits says Sheldon Whitehouse
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, has accused the Trump administration of “slow-walking” offshore wind approvals with an eye toward helping natural-gas suppliers. (gas works, and its domestic!) The U.S. offshore wind industry, which is gearing up fantasizing to deliver 25 gigawatts or so of capacity over the coming decade, is effectively on hold while the country’s first major project, the 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind sited off the coast of Massachusetts, awaits its final federal permits. Last August the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) called for additional environmental reviews, delaying Vineyard and in effect the larger industry as a whole. BOEM has said it intends to issue a final decision in December. “I think what we’re seeing is a deliberate slow-walk, and not just staff unfamiliarity and hesitation [at BOEM],” Whitehouse said in a prerecorded interview played Monday at Greentech Media’s Power & Renewables Summit. >click to read< 09:56
Speech from the Throne recognizes both Indigenous rights and conservation as objectives for the fishery
The Government of Canada, in the recent Speech from the Throne has explicitly recognized the twin objectives of both reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and conservation of the fishery. According to the Speech from the Throne, “the Government will look at continuing to grow Canada’s ocean economy to create opportunities for fishers and coastal communities, while advancing reconciliation and conservation objectives. Investing in the Blue Economy will help Canada prosper.” The Coalition of Atlantic and Québec Fishing Organizations, recognized the statement as an important first step. “We support advancing both reconciliation and conservation of the fishery together,” said Joel Comeau,MFU local 9 President. “However, we still need action from the Government of Canada and action is needed now”. >click to read< 08:30
North Carolina shrimpers, fishermen concerned about mislabeled seafood
While brown shrimp, the most abundant of North Carolina’s shrimp landings, are typically harvested in the summer, now is the time for the whites, or green tails. “They are sweeter,” said Corey Galloway, with High Rider. “And when the water cools they are even better.” For Galloway, fall and winter weather improves a lot of local seafood. Breece Gahl of Fresh2U Seafood in Wrightsville Beach, for example, is looking forward to the wild oyster season, which begins Oct. 15. Until the pandemic, he often supplied seafood to restaurants. Earlier this year, Gahl switched to a “shore to door” delivery service and has been a regular at local farmers markets,, Pandemic related concerns aren’t at the forefront for this industry, though. Local shrimpers and fishermen are instead still being challenged by ongoing issues. >click to read< 07:35
