Daily Archives: July 13, 2021

Rory Rodger Ahern, Jr., Greenfield, N.J. Scallop Fisherman has passed away

After years of struggling with mental health and substance use, Rory (Rodger) Ahern lost his battle at 29 years old. While his illness often took the forefront of conversations, we want to remember him as the dynamic and hysterical young man that he was while on this earth. His passion for fishing began at three years old and filled him with immense joy throughout his life. His last few months working as a commercial scallop fisherman on The Atlantic Warrior brought him the most happiness he’s experienced in years, thanks to a kind and supportive group of fishermen who encouraged him to set goals and envision a bright future. Rory had a beautiful heart and was always willing to help others without judgement, particularly because he understood how it felt to be judged and isolated. >click to read< 19:30

Elephant tusk recovered off Kerry coast by trawler fishing for prawns

An elephant tusk recovered at sea by a Kerry fishing vessel may have originated onboard a slave ship bound for England or America. The Ivory tusk was discovered by the Dingle based Cú na Mara in the Porcupine Basin. The trawler had been fishing for prawns about 120 miles off the Kerry coast when they discovered that the elephant tusk had become entangled in their nets. >click to read< 17:59

The Activists Who Embrace Nuclear – Shellenberger to Discuss Offshore Wind Farms Thursday 7 p.m. at OC Music Pier

Heather Hoff discovered a Web site called Save Diablo Canyon. The site had been launched by a man named Michael Shellenberger, who ran an organization called Environmental Progress, in the Bay Area. Shellenberger was a controversial figure, known for his pugilistic defense of nuclear power and his acerbic criticism of mainstream environmentalists. Hoff had seen “Pandora’s Promise,” a 2013 documentary about nuclear power, in which Shellenberger had been featured. She e-mailed him to ask about getting involved, and he offered to give a talk to plant employees. Hoff publicized the event among her colleagues, and baked about two hundred chocolate-chip cookies for the audience. On the evening of February 16, 2016, a couple hundred people filed into a conference room at a local Courtyard Marriott hotel. >click to read< , just like they will at the O.C. Music Pier, on Thursday evening! >click to read< 15:50

‘Why is the fishing industry having to fight their own government for survival?’

The fishing industry is seeking urgent clarification from government in the light of growing evidence that local vessels are being prevented from fishing traditional grounds by foreign owned and crewed fishing vessels. The issue was raised by Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael during a fishing debate in parliament on Tuesday morning. The Orkney and Shetland MP told UK fishing minister Victoria Prentis that he had urged her to give powers to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to police the waters out to the 200-mile limit at the time the post Brexit fisheries bill was passing through parliament last autumn. >click to read< 13:22

F/V Hard Merchandise, F/V Wicked Pissah fight to the finish of “Wicked Tuna” Season 10

One of the most challenging seasons ever experienced by the “Wicked Tuna” captains drew to a close Sunday, with Wicked Pissah, captained by Gloucester-based fisherman Paul Hebert, coming out on top. With the crews overcoming a global pandemic that severely impacted the bluefin market, the season came down to a battle between the Wicked Pissah and the Hard Merchandise, captained by Dave Marciano of Beverly. “These final days, we’re off on our own again, doing whatever we can to set ourselves up for success,” Marciano said. “The fleet may be mad that we’ve done our own thing this season, but the fact of the matter is, we do our best when we keep quiet and fish away from everyone.” >click to read< 11:55

Soaring crab prices leave Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters out in the cold

On July 3, Ocean Choice International frozen snow crab sold at Sam’s Club in Orlando, Fla., for $16.60/lb US, or $20.41 CAD. That works out to a 171 per cent mark up from the most recent $7.53/lb price paid to Newfoundland and Labrador inshore harvesters for the snow crab they land. Let there be no doubt, the 2021 price paid to harvesters for snow crab is fantastic, the highest it’s ever been, but the question that must be asked is whether it amounts to a reasonable sharing of market returns? >click to read< 09:55

Brexit: Deep and growing anger – “I cannot think of a single red line that was not crossed.”

Those were the words put to me by a senior figure in the fishing industry last week, a sentiment shared by fishermen across the country who feel betrayed by Boris Johnson. Indeed I cannot remember a time when I saw every sector of the fishing industry this despondent about the future. That is why this morning we are – together – challenging the government to change course. A year or two ago, you couldn’t find a harbour in the country that didn’t have a Tory politician standing on the deck of a trawler posing for pictures. >click to read<  Brexit: Fishing industry faces ‘existential threat’ over export costs – Seafood firms have seen export costs “treble” in the six months following Brexit, leading MPs to warn that the industry now faces an “existential threat”. >click to read< 08:40

Town Dock to offer vaccine clinic for commercial fishermen, employees

The Town Dock in Narragansett is partnering with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Management to host a vaccine clinic this week. The free, walk-up clinic is for crews of the commercial fishing fleet, as well as employees of shoreside businesses in the Port of Galilee. The clinics will be held Tuesday, July 13 and Wednesday, July 14 from 12-4 p.m at The Town Dock. Clinicians will be administering the single shot J&J vaccine. Coronavirus testing will also be offered at the clinic. >click to read< 07:35