Daily Archives: December 7, 2022

KFO to Highlight Litany of Festering Problems Facing the Fishing Sector 

Morale in the Irish fishing industry is at an all-time low as rocketing fuel costs, shrinking quotas and the lingering legacy of Brexit are all proving extremely problematic. This will be the message brought to an Oireachtas Committee later today by the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation. KFO Chief Executive, Seán O’Donoghue, said the challenges facing the sector are manifold. And, although complex, his members have presented and agreed solutions to all of the key issues which are realistic, credible and based on scientific evidence. >click to read< 15:46

Crabs have evolved five separate times—why do the same forms keep appearing in nature?

Charles Darwin believed evolution created “endless forms most beautiful.” It’s a nice sentiment but it doesn’t explain why evolution keeps making crabs. Crabs belong to a group of crustaceans called decapods, literally “ten footed”, since they have five pairs of walking legs. Some decapods, like lobsters and shrimp, have a thick, muscular abdomen, which is the bulk of the animal that we eat. With a quick flick of their abdomen lobsters can shoot off backwards and escape predators. Crabs, by contrast, have a compressed abdomen, tucked away under a flattened but widened thorax and shell. This allows them to scuttle into rock crevices for protection. Evolution repeatedly hit upon this solution because it works well under similar sets of circumstances. Five groups of “crabs”,,, >click to read< 14:10

Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 45′ Young Brothers Lobster Boat, 750HP John Deere

To review specifications, information, and 23 photos’, Video, >click here<, To see all the boats in this series >click here< 09:44

BOEM and NOAA announce joint strategy for fisheries surveys

BOEM and NOAA Fisheries are announcing a joint strategy to address potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on NOAA Fisheries’ scientific surveys. The Federal Survey Mitigation Strategy underscores the agencies’ shared commitment to the Biden-Harris Administration’s clean energy goals of responsibly advancing offshore wind energy production while protecting biodiversity and promoting ocean co-use.  “This joint strategy will help ensure the quality of NOAA’s fisheries surveys and data are maintained while the nation develops offshore wind energy,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries,,, >click to read< 08:57

‘Looking at the years to come’: Pacific Seafood strategizes for the future

After coming off a remarkably successful year in 2021, Oregon’s commercial fishing industry is working through new challenges in 2022 and preparing for what’s ahead in 2023. In 2021, Oregon experienced its best crab year since 2013. Commercial fishing revenues jumped by 29% to $206 million, according to the Oregon Employment Department. In recent years, total fishing harvests have averaged about $165 million, making 2021 a year that stands out among the rest. Tyson Yeck, vice president for corporate key accounts with Pacific Seafood, said it was a phenomenal year for commercial fishing due to record-breaking prices and strong landings – meaning excellent catches. >click to read< 08:11

Fishers struggling to get lobsters to take the bait

Most fishers have their own bait recipe for what catches lobster. The season opened last week in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 33, which runs from Shelburne County, N.S., to Eastern Passage, and according to Brett Young, the lobsters have not been taking the bait. “We were doing a little better last year. I think the catches are down a little bit from last year,” said Young. Fishers in Eastern Passage have a few theories on why their catch might be down and one is because of post-tropical storm Fiona. Video, >click to read< 06:59