Category Archives: South Atlantic
Video: Coast Guard medevacs fisherman near the St. Augustine Inlet
The Coast Guard medevaced a 46-year-old man Friday from a fishing vessel near the St. Augustine Inlet. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew hoisted and transported the man to Flagler Hospital. At 1:45 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center watchstanders received a request for a medevac from St. Johns Fire and Rescue for a crew member experiencing chest pains aboard the Lady Denise, a 96-foot fishing vessel. >click here to watch video< >photo, info, >click here <20:43
Senators Markey and Sullivan introduced the Ocean, Coastal and Estuarine Acidification Necessitates (OCEAN) Research Act.
This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation, which lapsed in 2012. The bill strengthens investment in research and monitoring of poorly-understood acidification processes in coastal and estuarine areas, and engages coastal communities and the seafood industry through an Advisory Board and collaborative research grants. >click to read< 15:57
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 25 , 2019
On October 15th, Congressman Joe Cunningham who represents South Carolina’s First District which makes up the state’s coastal region, introduced HR-4679, CLIMATE READY FISHERIES ACT of 2019.,,, The Climate Ready Fisheries Act of 2019 has support from Ocean Conservancy, National Audubon Society, Earthjustice, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Coastal Conservation League, and the Marine Fish Conservation Network >click to read< 10:45
Congress considering safety, climate change for fisheries
Congress is getting involved in fisheries in a couple key areas: safety and climate change. The FISH SAFE Act, and, Climate Ready Fisheries Act of 2019. Republican Rep. Don Young is leading a bipartisan effort along with Rep. Jared Golden (D, Maine) to improve safety, introducing the Funding Instruction for Safety Health, and Security Avoids Fishing Emergencies Act.,,, The most recent climate change legislation, also bipartisan, was introduced by Rep. Joe Cunningham, (D- S.C), and is co-sponsored by Reps Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), and is meant to help “low country” fishermen, but the impact, should it pass, would presumably help fishermen nation-wide. >click to read< 21:51
Efforts underway to streamline fisheries disaster relief
With an increasing number of fisheries disaster requests coming from all over the United States, members of Congress and the federal government are looking for ways to improve the relief process.,, Summer 2018 brought disappointing results for many fishermen across Alaska,,, The slow process isn’t unique to Alaska. ways to improve the relief process, introduced Senate Bill 2346 by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., in July, seeks to speed up that process, in part by expediting relief funds being disbursed to fishermen. It also seeks to add avenues for relief for non-commercial fishermen, including charter operators. >click to read< 15:00
Coast Guard assists four mariners aboard disabled fishing vessel 90 miles off Georgetown, South Carolina
The Coast Guard assisted four mariners aboard their disabled vessel approximately 90 miles Southeast of Georgetown, South Carolina, Friday morning. Sector North Carolina watchstanders received a report from District Seven watchstanders that the good Samaritan vessel Costco Hope had located the 67-foot fishing vessel Morgan Lea that had become disabled due to engine failure and was in need of assistance. >click to read< 16:32
North Carolina: Proposal to regulate coastal fishing draws strong differences of opinion
A proposed coastal fishing regulation designed to protect species is drawing sharp differences of opinion from some of those affected. Some think the measure is necessary to prevent continued loss of important fish species. Others think the measure won’t work as intended and could prove catastrophic for coastal fishing industries. >click to read< 09:43
Fishing boats collide 35 miles west of Dry Tortugas, Coast Guard medevacs two fishermen
The Coast Guard medevaced two crewmembers from the fishing vessel, Miss Amy J, after the boat collided with another fishing vessel approximately 35 miles northwest of Dry Tortugas, Tuesday. A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo (WPC-1112) crew arrived on scene and determined that two men from the Miss Amy J sustained injuries. Photo’s, >click to read< 23:31
2019 Climate Ready Fisheries Act: Rep. Cunningham meets with Lowcountry fishermen, will introduce sustainable fishing bill
2019 Climate Ready Fisheries Act – Congressman Joe Cunningham met with fishermen on Shem Creek to discuss the impacts of climate change on the fishing industry. The democratic representative for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District says he plans to introduce a bill on Capitol Hill Tuesday that will encourage sustainable fishing. Rep. Cunningham says development and rising costs have forced fishermen out of business Shem Creek. But tonight he says the way to save the industry is to preserve the environment. >click to read< 12:05
A Fundraiser for Commercial Fisherman Frank Pruitt, Organized by Lisa Lewis
Frank Pruitt who will turn 62 on October 27th. He has been a commercial fisherman all of his life and with being a commercial fisherman there are no benefits . He has recently been diagnosed with spindle cell carcinoma lung cancer. It is a very very rare form of cancer of the lungs. There is absolutely nothing the doctors can do for him. He has no health insurance being a commercial fisherman. Please, Donate if you can. >click to read< 15:16
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 10, 2019
Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 12:47
Huffman Gets Bleak Input on Fisheries
On Oct. 5, North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman held a public meeting in Arcata to discuss updating the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the federal legislation that governs ocean fishing. Huffman brought together a roundtable of regional and local officials, a Humboldt State University professor and a few representatives of the local fishing industry to offer feedback on the failings — and successes — of the MSA. >click to read< 10:22
Blessing of the Fleet: Ceremony honors industry, heritage
The fishermen’s willingness to risk their lives on the open water to make a living providing fresh seafood is why the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony weighs heavily on the community’s heart. This year’s ceremony was held Sunday at the N.C. State Port of Morehead City. It marks the 21st annual event after last year’s Blessing was canceled due to Hurricane Florence’s lasting impact on the county in mid-September 2018, especially to the fishing community. >click to read< 50 Photos: Blessing of the Fleet in Moorehead City, North Carolina >click to review< 08:45
Video: Fishing industry expresses concern over the increase in offshore wind farming
>click to watch< 10:32
50 Photos: Blessing of the Fleet in Moorehead City, North Carolina
The annual Blessing of the Fleet asks for God’s blessing on the commercial fishermen, and it honors the men and women – both past and present – of the fishing industry. The 21st Annual Blessing of the Fleet took place Saturday at the North Carolina State Port in Morehead City. Here are 50 photo’s of the Laying of the Wreaths, and the boat procession. >Click to read< 17:35
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 4 , 2019
Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 17:22
NCFA drops civil suit – A commercial fishing advocacy group has dropped its civil complaint against the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission that alleged the commission had violated the N.C. Open Meetings Law. >click to read<
Judah and Sons Fish Market in Sebastian closes after 70 years
A dream that lasted 70 years ended Monday, when Judah and Sons Fish Market opened its doors for the last time. Years of financial struggles, increased state regulations of commercial fishing — starting with the 1995 entanglement net ban — and mounting repairs from a deteriorating seawall took their toll on the retail fish market, which began in 1949 by Bascomb Judah and his son, James Coolidge Judah. “We knew this day was coming,” said Bascomb’s grandson, Kevin Judah, 58. “But when it gets here, it takes your breath away.” >click to read< 18:00
Blessing of the Fleet ceremony enters 21st year
A popular part of the N.C. Seafood Festival is remembering and recognition of the commercial fishing industry. The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony honors those who work on the water.,,, Kenny Rustick has been a commercial fisherman since he was a small child, fishing with members of his family.,, “It’s got a lot of meaning. It’s a time of year that the fishermen and their families come together and the communities all come together to memorialize the ones that’ve left us,”,,, Mr. Rustick and Mr. Grant were fishing aboard the Mad Lady II last July when the vessel overturned in Pamlico Sound. The men were lost at sea for 14 hours. >click to read< 07:49
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for Sept. 27, 2019
Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 09:42
Do Sharks Know When Hurricanes Are Coming?
Hurricanes can cause lots of environmental changes before they make landfall including high winds, storm surge, and high rainfall. They also create areas of extremely low barometric pressure which many animals can detect. For example, sharks have an organ called a ‘lateral line,’ which is a long row of small pores on each side of their body. Connected like a fluid-like canal, they sense changes in the surrounding pressure and are usually used to “feel” wounded prey. But they can also detect drops in the pressure that indicate an approaching hurricane. >click to read< 08:27
Newport News captain back from voyage delivering supplies to Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian
Buck Ford guided his scallop boat, the Ocean Fox, to the Bahamas to drop off supplies and help desperate people in need after Hurricane Dorian slammed the island. “They thanked us over and over,” Ford told News 3 on Thursday. “One guy hadn’t had a pair of shoes since the hurricane, so I told him to look around and he found a pair of tennis shoes. Those were the first pair he’d had since the hurricane.” >click to read< Sept. 11,2019, Newport News scallop boat embarking on 800 mile voyage to Bahamas to deliver disaster relief – >click to read< 17:19
Fisheries disaster declared in multiple fisheries, multiple states
Wednesday,, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced his determination that commercial fishery failures occurred for multiple fisheries between 2017 and 2019 in Alaska, California, Georgia, and South Carolina, while further finding that a catastrophic regional fishery disaster occurred for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama due to extreme flooding events in the Gulf of Mexico. >click to read< 17:41
North Carolina’s First Lady pays visit to hurting fishermen
It’s been a difficult year for commercial fisherman Down East which is why Crystal Coast Waterkeeper hosted First Lady Kristin Cooper in Harkers Island Saturday, Cooper was able to see first hand the struggles many commercial fisherman are facing as a result of Hurricane Florence. “Everything that goes in upstream is eventually going to come down here and it’s impacting the environment and the water quality in this area,” says Crystal Waterkeeper Larry Baldwin. Because of Hurricane Florence’s impact on water quality and commercial fishing, the industry, economy, and many communities are now suffering. Video, >click to read< 08:06
North Carolina: Upon further exploration of the matter, Spanish Mackerel fishery to reopen!
On September 10, 2019, I wrote you denying your request to have DMF issue a proclamation,,, Upon further exploration of the matter,,, Secretary Regan letter about Spanish Mackerel, Attached please find a letter from Secretary Michael Regan to Glenn Skinner concerning the Spanish Mackerel fishery. Mackerel harvest will reopen with a 500 pound daily trip limit sometime next week! Please stop calling Secretary Regan, Director Murphey and DMF staff on this issue, with thanks to those who took the time to call., >click to read < 22:45
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for Sept 20 , 2019
Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 19:27
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting September 16 – 20, 2019 in Charleston, SC
The public is invited to attend the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to be held in Charleston, SC, Town & Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407. >click here< for Agenda details. >click here< for Webinar Registration: >Click here< To visit the SAFMC >click here< 16:03
Hurricane Dorian: Governor Cooper requests major disaster declaration for NC counties
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper requested a major disaster declaration from President Trump’s office Friday. The disaster declaration covers Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Hyde, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, Tyrrell and Washington counties and would trigger FEMA assistance. >click to read< 18:01 North Carolina’s Disaster Relief Fund approaches $6 million – >click to read<
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for Sept 13 , 2019
HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th! May today be your very lucky day! – Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<08:48
Newport News scallop boat embarking on 800 mile voyage to Bahamas to deliver disaster relief
It’s literally all hands on deck aboard the Ocean Fox in Newport News.,,, “So we are gonna leave the bay, get down off the Cape Fear and go south to the Bahamas,” said Captain Buck Ford.,,, “We got a lot done, but we still have more to do, it’s pretty bad down there so it’s time to help,” said Ford from the wheelhouse.,,, Next week a second scallop boat called the Ocean Scout, also out of Newport News, will make a second trip. >click to read< 15:44
Hurricane Dorian: Outer Banks rallies to recover after hit, Damaged Historic Structures, Changed the Coastline
Power is nearly restored to everyone on the Outer Banks after Hurricane Dorian, but there’s still a long road ahead before things are back to normal for residents. >click to read< 15:03
Hurricane Dorian Damaged Historic Structures and Changed the Coastline Along Parts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks – >click to read<
“I’m not going to let you die:” Hurricane Dorian flood rose into Ocracoke like a tsunami – >click to read<
