Category Archives: International
Claims that seals are endangering the livelihoods of local fishermen
The seals are not native to this area but have bred and formed a substantial colony beneath the cliffs at Fairlight, where they are often sighted. Fishermen believe the seals have established themselves after being released back into the sea by the RSPCA centre at Mallydams at Fairlight, which has a seal treatment area including a pool. Paul Stanley and his partner Lucy Phillips fish from the small boat ‘Christine’ RX11. There’s a huge colony of forty to fifty under the cliffs at Fairlight. They are not a native species to this area, and they are doing massive damage to the fish stock, and to fishermen’s livelihood. If something like this happened on land, such as a dog let loose attacking sheep, it would be shot.” Photos. >click to read< 09:24
Fraserburgh’s Latest Prawn Catcher
Built by Parkol Marine Engineering, this new 25 metre LOA by 8 metre breadth Daystar is a metre longer than the trawler it replaces – which is now fishing for new owners and is still working from Fraserburgh. The Daystar name goes back to the first to carry the name, an 18.50 metre trawler built at Macduff for Stephen West and his partners. Like it predecessor, the new trawler is an SC MacAllister design, and has a striking colour scheme and some very sleek lines, thanks to the raised whaleback section and raised bulwarks along each side with the handrails only about 600mm high on top of this. This contributes to crew safety when working on top of the shelterdeck. Photos,>click to read< 17:46
Swedish Fishermen Vow to Fight-On Against Offshore Wind Developments
The Swedish Fisherman’s Producers Organisation (SFPO) has submitted an application for judicial review to the Supreme Administrative Court regarding the government’s decision on the Kattegat Syd (South) and Galene wind farms. The action by the organisation follows on from the protests held in Lomma, Varberg and Gothenberg on 16 June last against the Swedish government’s decision to allow the construction of offshore wind turbines in the Kattegat, on valuable fishing grounds for the local Swedish fleet. The protest under the banner “No Wind Power on Our Fishing Grounds” was organised by the SFPO, the largest fishing organisation in Sweden. Since the protests, it was announced by the Uddevalla Municipality Board that there would be two large offshore wind farms (Mareid and Poseidon) constructed off Bohuslän in the municipality which would have serious consequences for fishermen there. >click to read< 14:04
Kramer Ensures Plain Sailing for Nordic Fishing Vessel
In partnership with Furuno – a marine electronics company – Kramer’s AVoIP and Control solutions were recently chosen to create Smart Bridge, a state-of-the-art control and 4K video fishing and navigation system, installed on the 50m ‘Carmona’ fishing vessel to ensure smooth fishing and communications between the different sources onboard. Kramer’s AVoIP streaming and Control solutions are being used to deliver mission-critical, real-time data and 4K video navigation systems for the fishing vessel, ensuring safe and smooth fishing and communications through some of the world’s busiest waterways. Photos, >click to read< 09:55
$20m deal for New Zealand seafood secured with a signed EU-NZ FTA
New Zealand seafood will gain $20 million in tariff reductions when the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union comes into force in the first quarter of 2024. The FTA was signed in Brussels on 9 July, slightly more than one year to the date that FTA negotiations concluded. The elimination of tariffs (a tax imposed on imported products) will considerably increase the earnings from New Zealand seafood exports, “New Zealand commercial fishers are stepping up to meet the demand and maintain our global reputation for high-quality, sustainable wild-caught fish. The impact of this deal will be felt across the sector, from the many small family-run fishing businesses to the larger companies that are major employers in our regions,” Dr Helson says. >click to read< 19:26
Deadliest Catch: Some Fans Believe Captain Phil’s Tragic Death Was the Show’s Turning Point
Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch” may have 19 seasons and counting under its belt, but some fans believe the show experiences a major turning point in Season 6, which aired in 2010. From the series premiere in 2005, audiences always get to know a bit about the captains and deckhands, but never anything too personal. Largely, it’s all about the dangers of the Bering Sea and filling the pots. That drastically changes in the last few episodes of Season 6, when F/V Cornelia Marie Captain Phil Harris’ emotional last days are chronicled for the world to see. After suffering a stroke off-camera, Harris awakens from a medically induced coma. As shown on “Deadliest Catch,” he’s able to spend some time with his sons — Jake and Josh Harris — before passing away on February 9, 2010. >click to read< 17:21
Crab ice cream, anyone? How we might be able to eat our way out of an invasive green crab problem
They’re tiny and they’re wreaking havoc on our coasts, but they also taste pretty good. European green crabs have posed a problem off the coast of Vancouver Island for decades now, and while current conservation efforts have focused on deep freezing them and throwing them in a landfill, some suggest eating them instead. The species, which is found across the Pacific Northwest is aggressive and feeds voraciously on shellfish; they have no natural predators, and they reproduce at a high rate. Each female can have up to 185,000 babies at a time. It’s not just a West Coast problem. Fisheries and Oceans Canada notes that the species, which originally came from Europe and North Africa and likely hitched a ride to North America on wooden ships in the early 19th century, first invaded east coast waters in the 1950s. >click to read< 09:50
60 North Fishing director welcomes arrival of new Prolific
The new 25-metre Prolific arrived in Lerwick late last night (Thursday), much to owner Mark Anderson’s relief. She is the sister ship of the new Copious LK985, which arrived in the isles at the end of January. Both vessels belong to 60 North Fishing (Shetland) and replace two of the company’s previous vessels with the same names. “Both of the boats were nine months late, each of them, in being delivered,” Anderson said. “We sold the previous boats, first one in April last year and the second one in the end of June… so it’s been a long time coming.” Photos, >click to read< 08:39
World Ocean Day Prompts Calls for Action
Calling themselves “Ocean Rebels for the COZ” members of Clean Ocean Action (COA), Mayor John Peterson, naturalist Trisha DeVoe and others came out to promote for the aquatic environment during World Ocean Day. Those present noted that after four decades of progress in ocean protection, new and old threats were being fast tracked that could impact the ocean of today. Peterson said he hoped to see “officials of all elected levels of government, up and down the Jersey shore” in joining COA 
in making the public aware “of the threats to our ocean and what can happen if we become complacent. Lavallette resident Brick Wenzel spoke to Jersey Shore Online.com from the perspective of a commercial fisherman. “I am the fishing liaison for the Fishermen’s Dock Cooperative out of Point Pleasant Beach. I have been a licensed commercial fisherman since 1982. When you look at the industrialization of our ocean, the commercial fishing industry is the most heavily impacted blue water economy with the industrial build out.” Photos, >click to read< 12:51
B.C. man fined $160K for breaking Canadian, U.S. fishing laws
A B.C. man who pleaded guilty to four counts related to breaching Canadian and U.S. fishing laws has been given a three-year deadline to pay $160,000 worth of fines. Judge Kimberly Arthur-Leung considered Hoan Trung Do’s fishing activities in Boundary Bay between July 15, 2018 and Oct. 31, 2020 before determining he’d “knowingly broke the law for financial gain and to the detriment of the environment,” according to a recent provincial court decision. The ruling explains that Do has been fishing since 1999 and therefore knew the regulations surrounding Boundary Bay, which is described as “a pocket of the Salish Sea bordering the joint Canadian and (U.S.) waters.” >click to read< 11:27
Female Fisherman Ashely Mullenger sees following boom after award
Norfolk’s ‘Female Fisherman’ has seen her social media following boom as she continues to bang the drum for British seafood since winning a national award one year ago. Ashley Mullenger, 36, was crowned ‘Fisherman of the Year’ in the Fishing News Awards last May – the first time ever a woman had won the title. Mrs Mullenger, who is based in Wells-next-the-Sea, said the flurry of media attention that has followed – including an appearance on Jeremy Vine’s Radio Two show – has given her the chance to promote British seafood. “The award has opened doors of opportunities for me,” she said. photos, >click to read< 10:47
Take a look inside Shetland fishing crew’s 30% bigger boat
She made her maiden appearance in Shetland’s largest port last weekend. Skipper Chris Duncan described her as “top class”. And it is hard to argue, considering all the modern equipment and comfortable surroundings for the crew, as well as the distinctive red sweeping across the exterior. Measuring more than 260ft from bow to stern, the new Altaire is nearly the longest ship in the Shetland fishing fleet. But it is her width that makes the vessel such a standout. She currently has a crew of 12 but there is space for more on board. 5 photos, >click to read< 08:56
Deadliest Catch’s F/V Aleutian Ballad comeback from 60ft ‘rogue wave’ capsize
The Aleutian Ballad is one of Deadliest Catch’s most memorable fishing vessels. Deadliest Catch’s F/V Aleutian Ballad was captained by Jerry ‘Corky’ Tilley. The Washington born captain was in charge of the boat when it was hit by a wave the size of a five-story building in season 2. The 107-foot-long welded steel crabber was capsized by the “rogue wave,” and exited the Discovery series. Speaking on Deadliest Catch, Captain Jerry said that the weather conditions were “unbelievable.” At 3 am, the Captain had to navigate the 100ft tall boat through 40ft seas and 60-mph winds before it was hit by a 60ft wave. During Deadliest Catch season 2, fans saw the Aleutian Ballad with a dead engine after being hit by a “rogue wave.” Video, >click to read< 06:49
Brexiteer highlights four things Rishi can do to save Britain’s battered fishing industry
Britain’s long-suffering fishermen still need to be shown the benefits to quitting the European Union, Tory MP Sir John Redwood has said, seven years after the nation voted for Brexit. And the long-term Eurosceptic has pinpointed four things Rishi Sunak’s Government can do to demonstrate the decision was the right one. Many fishermen backed Brexit from the beginning, spearheaded by the Fishing for Leave campaign, which saw it as an integral way to seize back control of the seas around Britain. However, many were left bitterly disappointed by the end result, believing the deal signed by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson have given too much away to Brussels. Video, >click to read< 13:34
Strong fish landings at Peterhead Port
Figures compiled by Peterhead Port Authority show that 89,256 tonnes of fish with a gross value of almost £96 million came over the quaysides prior to the end of May. This compares with 66,928 tonnes worth just over £82 million to May 2022. Whitefish tonnage reached 20,978 (18,270 in 2022) worth £41,964,120 (£39,791,454 in 2022), reflecting some quota increases for key species. Pelagic landings weighed in at 65,890 tonnes (46,332 in 2022) with a gross value of £47,226,145 (£36,953,131 in 2022). And shellfish landings topped the scales at 2,388 tonnes, marginally up on 2022’s figures (2,326 tonnes) but with better prices yielding £6,787,060 compared with £5,611,996. >click to read< 08:58
Fishermen Reel in 26-Foot-Long WWII Torpedo Inside Their Net
A fisherman landed an explosive catch while out trawling for fish along the sea bed in Denmark that was later revealed to be an undetonated World War II torpedo. Danish fisherman René Kloster alerted the country’s authorities after the torpedo became entangled in the net several miles off the west coast of the Jutland peninsula on Saturday, July 1. Kloster, captain of the fishing vessel St. Anthony, said that the torpedo was later detonated away from the coast. “It was huge. I have never seen such a big torpedo before. It is quite incomprehensible that such a big one comes up. You just have to catch your breath afterward.” Kloster said that this is the third time he has pulled up a torpedo. photos, >click to read< 09:47
Crew safety on Icelandic commercial fishing vessel reaches new high with additional of FLIR M364C thermal camera
With the FLIR M364 installed, the 72.5 metre Vikingur AK 100, can benefit from its high definition, low light camera, which boasts one of the most advanced FLIR thermal imaging cores, providing an elite level of awareness on the water. The addition of thermal cameras gives a sixth sense for work at close quarters and in poor visibility which can be typical in Iceland. “It really allows the captain and crew more situational awareness, particularly in case of MOB and icy conditions. The captain can easily see the crew on board in the dark and are able to spot dangers in advance or if one of the crew has entered the water. The increased visibility also enables us to see the floats and buoys during purse seining, and although we are yet to obtain hard data for increased fishing performance, it is without doubt making the crews lives easier, and crucially, safer.” Video, photos, >click to read< 08:31
Brexit revives historic herring fishing after 25-year hiatus
The Isle of Man’s historic herring industry is being revived after a quarter of a century thanks to a post-Brexit deal with the UK over fishing quotas. The island’s fishermen will be able to land four times as many herring as before and will also be allowed to catch 235 tonnes of langoustines, worth a total of more than £2 million per year to the island’s economy. The Manx fishing industry was brought to its knees by the European Union Common Fisheries Policy, which placed strict limits on the size of catches in the 1980s. >click to read< 16:49
15-Man Crew of Galician Fishing Boat Rescued in British Waters After Fire Breaks Out
There were no reports of any injuries after the incident in the Gran Sol. The sailors from the F/V Nuevo San Juan fishing boat that is based in the Lugo town of Burela were rescued by another fishing vessel, the F/V Nuevo Confurco. As soon as the blaze broke out the 15 crew members abandoned the ship and took to the lifeboats. While they were rescued safe and sound, material possessions were regrettably lost in the incident. The longline trawler is 31.5 metres in length and specialises in fishing for hake. >click to read< 13:47
Toughest Cast Members From Deadliest Catch
It’s easy to fall into the trap of beginning to think that just because “Deadliest Catch” is on television, there’s no way that the producers or the network could possibly let anything happen, but here’s the thing: The Bering Sea doesn’t really care who’s watching, and one slip-up can mean the end of a life. Those who go out, do so prepared to face the worst. That said, not all crew members are made of the same stuff. There are some that have been forged in fire, come out the other side, and then gone on to spend months at a time in one of the most unforgiving landscapes in the modern world. That takes a kind of toughness that can’t be measured … and it’s one that’s not always about who can bench-press the most. >click to read< 11:02
Government shelving HPMAs a ‘cautious win’ for industry
There remains concern from Shetland Fishermen’s Association, however, that an alternative could be worked up by government which may end up being similar to HPMAs. SFA officer Sheila Keith said one fisherman told her after news of the U-turn that the government had only kicked HPMAs into the “long grass” for a while. On Thursday the Scottish Government announced that after consulting communities it would be dropping its proposal for HPMAs. Keith commented that the SFA welcomed the news, but said it was a case of wait and see regarding what the government’s alternative “pathway” will be. She said the government has “basically just bought themselves time”. >click to read< 08:59
The legend of Lahaina artist ‘Captain Kenny’ Neizman continues to grow
Kenneth Roland Neizman was born in 1932 and died in 2003. He grew up on Maui, and after graduating from high school worked at Pioneer Mill Company as a laborer in the sugar cane fields. Neizman eventually quit the harsh work in the fields and landed a job on a commercial fishing boat. He loved being out on the water and was fascinated with the undersea world and all of its creatures. Through dedication and hard work, Neizman eventually saved up enough money to buy his own fishing boat and truly became “The Captain” in the mid-1960s. One of his favorite sayings was: “IN GOD WE FISHING!” Cash was rolling in from selling fresh fish in Lahaina, but Neizman wasn’t good at bookkeeping or paying his taxes on time. He was also fond of “relaxing” at the bars in Lahaina after unloading his day’s catch. >click to read< 08:12
MP says East fishing industry ‘still struggling’ after Brexit
Peter Aldous, the MP for Waveney in Suffolk, told a parliamentary debate on the state of fishing that there had been “no significant improvement” since Britain left the EU. He blamed high fuel costs and labour shortages as well as “the poor terms for fishing that were negotiated”. “In many respects the situation has got worse,” he told the debate. “Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have some of the richest fishing grounds in northern Europe but I’m afraid catch opportunities for local fishermen remain poor because we do not have full control over our waters.” >click to read< 08:50
Recommendation made to MCA as man overboard investigation concludes
An investigation into the fatal man overboard incident on a Shetland trawler in 2021 has resulted in a recommendation being made to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to amend regulations around fishing boats having the means to recover an unconscious person from the water. No recommendations have been made to the owners of the Copious, 60 North Fishing (Shetland) Ltd, in light of the actions they have taken. Since the fatal accident the owners have brought in a replacement Copious, bought man overboard recovery equipment and upgraded lifejackets. Edison Lacaste, 45, died in the early hours of 18 February 2021 when he fell overboard from the Copious LK985 while the vessel was trawling 30 miles southeast of Sumburgh. >click to read< 17:19
Breaking news: Scottish Government backs down over HPMAs
Mairi McAllan, Scotland’s Net Zero Secretary, announced today that both the timetable – with implementation due to take place by 2026 – and scope, covering 10% of Scotland’s coastal waters, were no longer government policy. The Scottish Government had published a consultation document last December, setting out plans for Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in which virtually no form of commercial activity – including all forms of fishing, aquaculture or offshore renewable energy installations – would be permitted. The proposals drew strong criticism from coastal communities, the fishing industry and the fish farming sector, and even from some Scottish National Party (SNP) members of the Scottish Parliament, including former Fisheries Minister Fergus Ewing. >click to read< 09:55
Crew on ill-fated trawler Njord which sank after capsizing ‘weren’t wearing lifejackets’
Seven fishermen on board the Njord, skippered by Danny Normandale from Scarborough, were rescued uninjured. However, an eighth crewmember “succumbed to the effects of immersion in cold water” and drowned, the summary issued by the Marine Accident Investigation Board said. A rescue operation was launched after the alarm was raised on March 6 2022. The interim report said the stern trawler, which was 150 miles north-east of Peterhead, Scotland, capsized on calm seas, while processing a large haul of fish. >click to read< 08:55
‘Unacceptable sacrifice’ – Ottawa extends mackerel moratorium when U.S. continues to fish same stock
Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SEA-NL) says a decision by federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Joyce Murray to extend the moratorium on mackerel fishing in Canadian waters is an unacceptable sacrifice when the United States continues to fish the same stock. “How foolish is that?” questions Ryan Cleary, SEA-NL’s Executive Director. “DFO science is questionable at best, and now without mackerel fishermen on the water again this year there will be even less data.” The federal Minister announced Wednesday a continuation of the 2022 closure of commercial and bait fishing for mackerel in Atlantic Canada and Quebec for the 2023 season. Fishing mackerel for food and ceremonial fisheries will remain open. >click to read< 15:55
‘Deadliest Catch’ Star ‘Wild’ Bill Wichrowski Was Initially ‘Skeptical’ of the Show
The popular show reels viewers in with its unvarnished look at the rough-and-tumble world of commercial fishing. But not everyone who participates in the show was initially sold on the idea. Captain ‘Wild’ Bill Wichrowski has said that when he first heard about the series, he wasn’t eager to sign on. These days Wichrowski is a fixture on Deadliest Catch. But he actually wasn’t part of the show’s initial cast. He joined the series in season 6, which aired in 2010. The Great Recession had just happened, and the economic downturn prompted him to say yes to filming. Wichrowski, however, was a holdout. The idea of being on TV “just didn’t hold interest,” he said. Wichrowski said his reality TV fame helped him promote causes he was passionate about, such as the Wounded Warrior Project. photos, video >click to read< 14:51
Dunmore East designated as landing port for UK vessels
Dunmore East has been redesignated as a Fisheries Landing Port for UK and Northern Irish fishing vessels. Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue signed the Statutory Instrument allowing the vessels to land in the county Waterford village. On Friday, March 3rd, a UK-registered boat requested permission from the Irish authorities to enter the local harbour after suffering a mechanical problem. However, the captain received a reply instructing them to go to Howth instead. Despite this, the vessel entered Dunmore East, which they were much closer to, and subsequently got into trouble with the Irish authorities for doing so. >click to read< 13:21
State asks marine council to revoke sustainable label for Russian seafood
The commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game has urged the organization that certifies seafood harvests as sustainable to revoke its endorsements for Russian-caught fish. Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang is calling on the Marine Stewardship Council to stop certifying Russian harvests. “It is nothing short of outrageous that over the last 15 months the MSC has observed Russian actions in Ukraine, assessed the implications for its Russian client fisheries, and chosen a path of accommodation and appeasement,” Vincent-Lang wrote in a letter to Rupert Howes, chairman of the London-based nonprofit organization. >click to read< 10:45
