Tag Archives: F/V Mary K

Commercial fishermen dealing with off the chart fuel prices

The fuel prices are also affecting prices out at sea. Many commercial fishermen use diesel, which is now running well over 6 dollars a gallon. Captain James Keding has been running Mary K, named after his mother, for 38 years. He says his mussel harvesting operation is taking a huge hit from fuel prices.  “Back in 2019, I paid $1.50 a gallon, now I’m paying $6.50 a gallon,” said Keding. Lobstermen are also in a pinch. Captain Dave Hobson says the Right Whale restrictions were just lifted so everyone in his line of work is trying to run their traps out with the higher fuel costs. >click to read< 07:53  Video, Rising diesel prices having big impact on commercial fishermen, >click to watch<

A sketchy report, and we await more info. – Federal scientists have completed a pilot project in which they relied heavily on the expertise of fishermen

BOSTON (AP) _ The survey of flatfish, such as flounder, came as scientific methods for counting fish are under fire. Critics say it’s unreliable and a poor basis for setting fishermen’s catch limits. The survey, conducted this month, put new focus on certain geographic areas suggested by fishermen. It also used different nets and operated from two commercial fishing boats, rather than the federal research vessel normally used. Fishery scientists say data from such surveys can bolster population estimates, both now and in the future. That’s if the government can pay for them. That’s a potential difficulty, since the recent survey cost roughly a half million dollars. 16:24  http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/news/features/2013_ytf_pilot/

F/V Mary K and F/V Yankee Pride Complete Anticipated NMFS Flatfish Pilot Survey

Intense interest in the Georges Bank yellowtail flounder stock is one driver behind a just-completed pilot research survey.  Two commercial trawlers, F/V Mary K and F/V Yankee Pride, worked about 175 stations over 12 days. The survey was coordinated and funded by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and designed by a panel that included researchers, fishermen, and gear manufacturers. Click here to read more about this project. 11:17