Category Archives: International News
In a matter of days, N.S. lobster shipments drop ‘dramatically’ to China due to coronavirus
Exporter Stewart Lamont of Tangier Lobster said the sharp drop in lobster exports to China happened in a matter of days. “We’ve seen them diminish dramatically to the point that as of yesterday and today they’re almost non-existent,” he said.”There’s a recognition that the coronavirus is a significant health issue in mainland China. Under those circumstances, there aren’t the normal people in the shops and the restaurants and the cafés. >click to read< 14:37
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Brexit: Why fishing threatens to derail EU-UK trade talks
If Brexit Britain were to close its waters to foreign vessels, the impact would be immediate and severe on fishing communities such as those in Boulogne, adding to the pressures from climate change and warmer seas that fishermen say have driven away the cod and brought in more squid and spider crabs. Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, fanned the flames last week by insisting that the UK will “take back control” and have full jurisdiction over the UK’s “spectacular maritime wealth”. Ensuring that fishing rights do not die with Brexit is a priority for the bloc’s coastal states, not least France, in future relationship negotiations with Britain that will begin in the weeks after the UK leaves the EU on Friday. >click to read< 07:58
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Sea of problems: Port Arthur Shrimpers contend with loss of generational successors
Shrimping is the most important commercial fishing industry in Texas, making up 90 percent of the value of the state’s fish products,,, However, in the last three decades, the shrimping industry has had to face numerous economic problems,,, An important topic discussed at the Port Arthur Shrimper’s Association annual meeting Thursday included the new generation of shrimpers. Kyle Kimball, president of the Port Arthur Shrimper’s Association in response simply said, “There aren’t any.” >click to read< 06:32
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A Funeral of fisherman who died off Wexford coast takes place
Fisherman Willie Whelan, who was missing for almost three weeks after his trawler sank early this month, has been buried in Co Wexford. Funeral mass for the 41-year-old took place this afternoon in Poulfur, not far from his native Saltmills. A large crowd braved the wet, cold weather to pack into the church and outside for the ceremony, which took place three days after the popular fisherman’s body was recovered from the sea. >click to read< 15:46
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Kerry fishermen renew call for immediate seal cull
The fishermen are operating on the Dingle Peninsula, a region which has one of the largest grey seal colonies in the country. Seals are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and the Wildlife Acts. Conservationists say the Irish colonies of grey seals are of international importance. Dingle fisherman Liam Flannery says that seals are actively following their boats now and that fishing for inshore fishermen like himself is now unviable. >click to read< 14:00
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Brexit: Fishermen on high alert as EU trade talks loom
The UK is leaving the EU on Friday night after which both sides will get ready to talk about its future relationship with the aim to conclude these negotiations by the end of the year. Documents from the European Commission show that the EU’s negotiation position clearly aims for continuing with the status quo of reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources. Meanwhile the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is quoted as saying that access to UK waters must continue for EU fishing boats if the UK wants a trade deal on banking. >click to read< 11:19
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Study connects marine heat wave with spike in whale entanglements
A new study shows how the record-breaking marine heat wave of 2014 to 2016 caused changes along the U.S. West Coast that led to an unprecedented spike in the numbers of whales that became entangled in fishing gear. “With the ocean warming, we saw a shift in the ecosystem and in the feeding behavior of humpback whales that led to a greater overlap between whales and crab fishing gear,” said Jarrod Santora, a researcher in applied mathematics at UCSC’s Baskin School of Engineering and first author of the study,,,,>click to read< 10:02
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Fishers of men? Here’s the catch
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.,, From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. >click to read< 07:35
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Federal review of offshore wind projects raises concerns over delays
The Trump administration’s unexpected review of “potential impacts” of offshore wind-energy projects could be published early this year, but it remains unclear whether publication will clear a logjam that has stalled one of the country’s first large-scale projects, and the dozen to follow.,,, Last year, when the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced an analysis of offshore wind projects slated for construction in U.S. waters, Vineyard Wind, the first affected by it, was caught off guard. Vineyard Wind is proposing a project off the Massachusetts coast. >click to read< 07:31
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F/V Scandies Rose: Coast Guard board, NTSB, to investigate sinking of crab boat on New Year’s Eve
The Coast Guard has formed a Marine Board of Investigation to determine the causes of the sinking of the Scandies Rose,,, The board was formed earlier this week, and it is still unclear where and when a hearing will be scheduled, according to Chief Petty Officer Matthew Schofield, a public affairs officer with the 17th Coast Guard District in Juneau. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also is investigating, >click to read< 10:49
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Support local fishers by buying local! Virus outbreak in China triggers Tasmanian lobster lockout
Tasmania’s rock lobster industry has been left treading water following mass cancellations from Chinese buyers.,, “Because of that the restaurants have cancelled their orders,” Mr Sansom said. He estimated more than 90 per cent of Tasmania’s red rock lobster market was exported to China each year. “The exporters, their tanks are full. Which means the fishermen can’t sell it, so their boats are full,” he said. “As far as I know no one is exporting. >click to read< 10:06
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The Pro Cat: Innovative New Brunswick-made fishing boat talk of trade show
A new fishing boat with lofty goals of transforming the industry, and bringing much-needed jobs to northern New Brunswick, drew plenty of eyes Friday during the first day of Canada’s largest commercial marine trade show, The Pro Cat stood out because it’s a catamaran, a double-hull, composite vessel that looks nothing like traditional fishing boats in the region, or on the showroom floor. >click to read< 08:23
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Michael Orr and Justin Barisich are organizing this fundraiser to Help Raise the F/V Peruga
The two worst dangers facing a commercial fisherman is sinking and fire. Tuesday January 7 George Barisich and Robert Campo Jr. were shrimping on the F/V Peruga in Lake Borgne. By the grace of God, some level headed actions and a rescue from the coast guard both men escaped unharmed.,, Please consider donating whatever you can to help with the cost of salvaging and removing the wreckage and some seed money to get another boat. It would truly be a defeat if George is not back on these waters doing what he does best, catching seafood. >click to read< , and please donate if you can. La. commercial fishing leader’s boat burns, sinks before he goes to DC to advocate for fishermen – >click to read< 15:36
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NOAA Satellites Helped Save Record 421 Lives in 2019: Registered Emergency Beacons Proven to Save Lives
Of the 421 U.S. rescues last year, 306 were water rescues, 38 were from aviation incidents and 77 were from events on land, where PLBs were used. Florida had the most SARSAT rescues with more than 100, followed by Alaska with more than 50. The previous rescue record of 353 (total) was set in 2007. When a NOAA satellite pinpoints the location of a distress signal in the U.S., the information is relayed to the SARSAT Mission Control Center at NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland, Maryland. From there,,, >click to read< 14:21
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Cormorant fishing in troubled waters as fishing ban takes effect
Over the vast, misty Poyang Lake, Yuan Guosheng wears a raincoat and a straw hat while pushing his boat into the water using a small bamboo stick. On the boat stand his 21 black “fellows:” the cormorants.,, The old fishing skill, however, is losing charm in modern times, driven away by modern technology and a national fishing ban. Earlier this month, China began a 10-year fishing ban on key areas of the Yangtze River to protect biodiversity in the country’s longest waterway. >click to read< 10:17
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Body found in search for missing fisherman off Wexford coast
It is believed a body has been found in the search for missing fisherman William “Willie” Whelan off the Wexford coast. Mr Whelan, 41, from Saltmills, Co Wexford, disappeared when his trawler, the Alize,,, A second fisherman – Joe Sinnott, 65, from Kilmore Quay – died in hospital after being rescued and was laid to rest last week. The two men were close friends as well as work colleagues. Both men had impeccable safety records,,, >click to read< 13:15
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Opposition expressed to salmon fish farm proposal for St. Mary’s Bay
There were packed rooms in Digby for two open houses on Jan. 15 held by salmon fish-farming company Cermaq, that has operated on the west coast of Canada and hopes to establish operations on the east coast.,, The majority of people who attended the recent sessions in Digby expressed opposition,,, “You have just met people who have a vested long-term interest here. We live here, it’s our community,” said local resident Shirley Langpohl. “We want you to understand we didn’t invite you. We don’t want you here. We love our fishing industry and our community and St. Mary’s Bay is an environmental nightmare with you. One broken cage and we have a horror. We want you to go.” >click to read< 08:58
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Helly Hansen Steps Offshore for the HH-118389225 “ARCHIVE” Collection
Inspired by their historic commitment to developing performance-driven, professional-grade products, Helly Hansen’s archival HH-118389225 reworks historical lines for a seamless premium capsule. Autumn/Winter 2020 puts a specific focus on HH’s late 90’s E-352 offshore survival suit developed for riggers, fishermen, and rescue services. Each of these suits was built to effectively tackle cold water environments, achieved using water-tight fabrics and seams, amongst additional protective details. Photo’s! >click to read< 19:19
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Helping fellow fisherman led to court appearance for Cardigan and Newport pair
Doing a good deed for a fellow fisherman when his boat sank along with thousands of pounds of equipment led to two men appearing in court. David Norman Sneade, of Maes Morfa, Newport, and Kevin John Hancock, of Rhyd y Felin, Cardigan, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court for the conclusion of their trial on Monday, January 20. Snead, 60, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a direction given by a Marine Enforcement officer when told to return a catch to sea, and to catching three undersized crabs. >click to read< 12:40
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Always Top Quality! Your Seafreeze Ltd. Price Sheet for January 2020
“The only thing we treat our fish with, is respect” – Contact our sales team today @ 401 295 2585 or 800 732 273. >Click here< to review the complete price list. – >Click here to visit our website<11:52
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On this day in 1873: Life-saving stations on Cape Cod manned for first time
On this day in 1873, a series of stations on the Outer Cape built for the newly created U.S. Life Saving Service were manned for the first time. Situated astride the heavily trafficked shipping lanes between New York and Boston and thrust 40 miles out to sea from the mainland, Cape Cod had gained a notorious reputation among mariners. Over the centuries, it became a graveyard to more than 3,000 shipwrecks. >click to read< , To read more, >click here< 07:56
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French Trawler Brings Up WWII-Era German Mine off Normandy
At about 1340 hours Sunday, the Regional Operational Center for Surveillance and Rescue (CROSS) Jobourg received word that the fishing boat Stenaca II had accidentally caught a 1940s-era explosive device and hauled it on board. The Stenaca II was located about six nautical miles east of Saint-Vaast, Normandy, a small port near Cherbourg. >click to read< 18:31
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NH Man to Appear on Upcoming Season of ‘Wicked Tuna’
The show is a series about commercial tuna fishermen based in Gloucester, MA and their quest for the lucrative Atlantic Bluefin tuna. This season you may see someone you recognize! Sam Law of Greenland will be making his debut this season on his boat F/V Kraken out of Seabrook, NH! >click to read, watch trailer< 17:11
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UK Offshore Wind Farms Are Paid Millions Per Day Not To Run Turbines
Last week, millions of pounds in “constraint payments” were paid to wind energy farms to not run their turbines. Over £12 million was handed out to wind farms in the United Kingdom last week, following a major outage in a powerline that transported energy from Scottish wind farms to England. The handouts will be tacked onto consumers’ energy bills throughout the country.,, The firms cartels were paid between 25 and 80 percent more than they would have earned were the turbines actually running,,, >click to read< 10:28
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Why Offshore Wind Farms off the Coast of New England When Hydro Power is Available from Canada?
Hydro-Québec has more electricity than residents of that province can use. It built four new large dams over the last 11 years, leaving it with an unexpected supply of excess electricity it must sell to avoid the dams becoming white elephants. “We have both new supply of electricity, and the demand in Quebec for the last 10 years mostly remained stable,” “There’s a lot of water in Hydro-Québec’s reservoirs.” Going to America? >click to read< 07:37
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The Big Dig! Newfoundland digs out from record setting blizzard
Federal government approves N.L.’s request for assistance, including army mobilization, following blizzard – Video, information, >click to read<08:32
Some crazy stuff! From snow forts to beat poems, here’s how Newfoundlanders weathered the storm – videos, photo’s >click to read<
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No Action! Seal problem still not being dealt with
Here we go again DFO sciences saying the cod stocks are still declining and they blamed everything under the sun for the reason of the decline except the real reason which are the seals. The seals are not only putting the cod stocks in danger but also the Atlantic salmon stocks, the crab stocks and the saltwater trout stocks etc. Neil Smith, >click to read< 17:44
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Fishermen clash over fishing rights across the Maritimes, tensions are running high
Canada’s highest court has refused to hear a Mi’kmaw fisherman’s appeal to have legal costs covered in a lawsuit against Ottawa – a potentially groundbreaking case seeking to define treaty fishing rights. The case comes as clashes between non-Indigenous and Indigenous fishermen intensify across the Maritimes. Observers warn the simmering tensions could lead to violence if the “moderate livelihood” fishery described in Donald Marshall Jr. case two decades ago is not clarified. “By not dealing with it, the government is responsible for continued conflict in the fishery.” >click to read< 08:55
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The U.S.- China trade agreement will slow Canadian lobster sales to China
Even though a new U.S.-China trade agreement does not eliminate heavy Chinese tariffs, the deal will result in a loss of Canadian seafood sales to China,,, Canadian live lobster exports to China, mostly from Nova Scotia, soared after China slapped retaliatory tariffs of 35 per cent on U.S. lobsters. U.S. lobster exports tanked while Canadian sales jumped,,, The new trade deal does not lower those tariffs. But China has pledged to buy $32 billion worth of American agricultural products over the next two years, including lobster and other seafood products. >click to read< 17:38
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Fish sticks generate greenhouse gas emissions
Researchers have found that transforming ‘Alaskan pollock’ into fish sticks, imitation crab and fish fillets generates nearly twice the greenhouse gas emissions produced by fishing itself. Post-catch processing generates nearly twice the emissions produced by fishing itself, which is typically where the analysis of the climate impact of seafood ends, according to the findings, published in the journal Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene. >click to read< 15:29
