Category Archives: South Atlantic
N.C. Fishermen brace for a difficult winter financially after the hurricane ruined much of their fall catch.
During a major hurricane, fish migrate away, oysters get contaminated and shrimp are blown to sea, scattered to deeper waters. Though sometimes unnoticed, the seafood industry takes a big hit after storms like Florence. Not only does the crop move, but fishermen often live and work in the coastal communities that take the brunt of the storm’s rage. “We get overlooked real easy. We are isolated to the coast. And unlike the agricultural industry, this affects everyone,” said Glenn Skinner, executive director of the North Carolina Fisheries Association. “Everyone who fishes is affected by this.” Their boats, gear, docks and packing houses take a blow. >click to read<20:33
After Florence: With local North Carolina shellfish likely off-limits this season, how will fisheries adjust?
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has ruled out shellfish harvesting for the time being, a decision that its spokesperson said will likely stick around during the coming months. – As the public learns about new contaminants and spills into local waterways daily, many, including fisherman, are concerned about whether its safe to harvest in public waters in the wake of Hurricane Florence. With oysters, clams, and other shellfish likely out for the season, local fisheries are working to catch up with remaining aquaculture that’s still fair game. >click to read< 10:34
Florence floodwaters reveal fish washed up on North Carolina interstate
Floodwaters from Hurricane Florence are leaving quite a fishy situation in North Carolina. As floodwaters from the hurricane begin to recede more a week after the storm made landfall, first responders on Saturday came across hundreds of dead fish on a stretch of Interstate 40 that had been hit hard by flooding.,, The fish were discovered along a stretch of the interstate near Wallace, located about 40 miles northwest of Wilmington, where the storm made landfall. “Hurricane Florence caused massive flooding in our area and allowed the fish to travel far from their natural habitat, stranding them on the interstate when waters receded,” the fire department said. >click to read<08:22
A week later, overturned F/V Miss Annie in Bluffton’s May River is still there. Here’s why
State officials said Friday they still didn’t know when the boat, which leaked an unknown amount of fuel into the river, would be removed. The boat, “Miss Annie,” overturned Sept. 15, when it was docked in the May to avoid Florence’s wrath. An official with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and another with S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control visited the site that day. Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard didn’t arrive until Monday because the boat was “reported as stable” and all of their “assets were engaged in the hurricane response with the impacts in Myrtle Beach and Wilmington,” U.S. Coast Guard MSTC Clayton Rennie said Thursday morning. >click to read<10:00
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for September 21, 2018 – Hurricane Florence Aftermath
Keith Bruno (Endurance Seafood) of Oriental, NC is just one example of the destruction to our seafood industry from Hurricane Florence. North Carolina Fisheries Association is trying to get an idea of the total impact that Hurricane Florence has had on our industry. If you are a commercial fisherman, dealer and/or processor, please email your estimated damages and losses to Aundrea O’Neal. ([email protected]) Please include photos if possible. We are going to attempt reaching out to our Legislators to try and get assistance for our industry, but we need figures to present to them. NCFA would like to extend our sympathies to the Bruno family for the loss of their business and livelihood, as well as others’ throughout our region. >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<13:47
Hurricane Florence: Commercial, charter communities are answering call for help
The commercial fishing and charter boat communities in the north east part of the state are answering the call for help from hard-hit communities south of Dare, particularly Down East Carteret County. Tuesday, led by Hatteras Island fisherman Paul Rosell, a group made the long trek to Davis in Down East Carteret County. They delivered supplies and took along equipment to help secure homes. On Wednesday, Britton Shackleford, commercial fisherman, charter boat operator and Wicked Tuna Outer Banks personality, put out a call for others to join him to go Carteret County that day to clear trees around the homes of Capt. Sonny Davis and his family members. Davis is a member of North Carolina United Watermen. >click to read<10:28
Hurricane Florence: Shrimpers talk storm damage, losses
Davis Seafood is a family owned and operated business in Sneads Ferry, a little north up the river from similarly family owned and operated businesses Mitchell Seafood and B. F. Millis & Sons Seafood. They all specialize in shrimping, although they sell clams and various fish products as well. The water is their livelihood, and all three families suffered physical and financial setbacks from the recent downpour and winds. Davis Seafood had already been out of business for a week before the hurricane, according to Davis. They were out for the week of the storm. And they were anticipating another week of cleanup and recuperation before the business was back in operation. “We know all about it,” Davis said. “We’ve done it before. It’s just part of the livelihood.”>click to read<
NCFA – More Hurricane Florence info on ice, storage facilities, hot showers and DMF info
Armistead Perry of Evans Seafood and Evans Transport said he has some freezer space available and cooler space if you need to get inventory from your facility to save it.,, Wanchese Fish Co. has offered the use of their cold storage facility in Suffolk VA for anyone that needs it.,, Regarding our industry helping others, also let us know what you may be able to do to help, such as ice or whatever else you can assist with. ,,, >click to read<10:01
NCFA – Storm Damage Info Needed – Need Cold Storage Due To Power Outage? More Info For You!!!
Wanchese Fish Co. has offered the use of their cold storage facility in Suffolk VA for anyone that needs it. If you have a fish house or packing operation and in need of cold storage to save your inventory, please let us know and we’ll make the connection. They can also arrange for trucking if needed. You can respond to this notice or call me at the number below. If you need help with cleanup or fixing your damaged home, again, please let us know! As a reminder, we need as much information on damages the commercial fishing industry has sustained as a result of Hurricane Florence! We need to know about damage done to fish houses, boats, lost gear, etc. Also damages done to your homes, vehicles, or anything connected to commercial fishing. >click to read<15:30
Florence Death Toll At 17, Hardest Hit Areas May Be Without Power For Weeks
The storm that is now known as Tropical Depression Florence has seen its winds slacken since it first reached the Carolina coast on Friday (though it has battered parts of the state with wind and rains since Thursday), but the unceasing rains have continued, breaking floodwater records in North Carolina and pushing the death toll from the disaster past 17 individuals, as exhausted first responders have been overwhelmed by the number of calls. Meanwhile, more than 1 million people remain without power in the region, according to the Department of Energy (though the DoE said it had some success in restoring access to customers). However, some of the hardest-hit areas may be without power for weeks. >click to read<10:56
From North Carolina Fisheries Association – WE NEED INFO ON HURRICANE FLORENCE FISHING INDUSTRY DAMAGES!!!
We need as much information on damages the commercial fishing industry has sustained as a result of Hurricane Florence! We know there will be huge losses from a future income standpoint, but that’s not what we’re looking for at the moment. We need to know about damage done to fish houses, boats, lost gear, etc. Also damages done to your homes, vehicles, or anything connected to commercial fishing. We will be contacting federal and state officials and the first thing they want are numbers, so please help us with this information! >click to read<12:41
Shrimp boat anchored in Beaufort Co. to avoid Hurricane Florence overturns, leaks fuel
A shrimp boat anchored in the May River to avoid Hurricane Florence overturned and appears to have leaked fuel into the water, state and local officials said Saturday. Beaufort County dispatchers alerted the S.C. Department of Natural Resources about the possibility of a vessel leaking fuel on Saturday, said David Lucas, a DNR spokesman. A DNR officer and official with the Department of Health and Environmental Control visited the site and found a shrimp boat overturned off of Bull Island. >click to read< 08:53
Hurricane Florence – N.C. shrimper fleeing storm finds safety in Beaufort County after breaking down at sea
St. Helena Island — slammed by Hurricane Matthew two years ago — this time served as a peaceful safe harbor for a North Carolina shrimper fleeing Hurricane Florence. But not before a rescue at sea. Shrimper Scott Dudley of Smyrna, North Carolina, might have felt like Noah when the whole thing began a week ago Saturday, Sept. 8. People laughed when he eased his 83-foot wood-hulled trawler, the Miss Nicole, out of the Fulcher’s Seafood dock in Oriental, North Carolina. “The man at the dock told me I was crazy,” he rumbled Friday in a deep voice bouncing off the smooth waters of Village Creek, seeming to dance in this sunshine. It was only about five hours after Hurricane Florence made landfall. >click to read<22:31
Rain, floods, tornadoes hit Carolinas as Hurricane Florence makes landfall
The Carolina coast saw major storm surges, strong winds and fierce rain early Friday as Hurricane Florence arrived on land at Category 1 strength. The center of the storm arrived about 7:15 a.m. EDT near Wrightsville Beach, N.C., close to the South Carolina border, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory update. Meteorological models project up to 40 inches of rain for parts of North and South Carolina through Sunday before the hurricane disperses. >click to read<09:00
NWS National Hurricane Center – Hurricane Florence Advisory Update 200 PM EDT
Hurricane Florence Intermediate Advisory – NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL LOCATION…33.6N 76.0W ABOUT 110 MI…180 KM ESE OF WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA, ABOUT 165 MI…270 KM E OF MYRTLE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA, MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…105 MPH…165 KM/H, PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 10 MPH…17 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…955 MB…28.20 INCHES >click to read<14:13
Coast Guard establishes temporary maritime emergency contact numbers for North Carolina
Sept. 12, 2018 U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Florence Response Contact: Hurricane Response Media Operations Centers Hampton Roads/Elizabeth City: (757) 295-8435 North Carolina: (252) 515-0895 – Members of the public should follow all local advisories for evacuation and for seeking safe harbor throughout North Carolina as Hurricane Florence progresses. The primary number for help should be 911, as this number allows first responders to coordinate rescues across agencies. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina has established temporary maritime search and rescue phone numbers. >click to read new contact information< 19:05
NWS National Hurricane Center – Hurricane Florence Advisory Update 500 PM EDT
500 PM EDT Wed Sep 12 2018 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL …FLORENCE MOVING STEADILY TOWARD THE CAROLINA COASTAL AREAS… LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE AND RAINFALL EXPECTED… LOCATION…30.9N 72.5W ABOUT 385 MI…615 KM SE OF WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT 420 MI…675 KM ESE OF MYRTLE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…120 MPH…195 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 16 MPH…26 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…949 MB…28.03 INCHES >click to read<17:48
Observe Hurricane Florence live from Coast Guard Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower
Want an up-close look at Hurricane Florence? Watch the video below to see live footage from an old Coast Guard light tower, 32 miles off the coast of southeastern North Carolina. If current storm projections are correct, that won’t be far from where Florence makes landfall. One camera, mounted on the tower’s helipad about 100 feet above the water, should capture long views, along with the hurricane-force winds whipping the American flag. Richard Neal, a software sales engineer from south Charlotte, is now the principal owner of the Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower. Neal bought the tower at government auction for $85,000 in 2010. Frying Pan Ocean Cam powered by EXPLORE.org Live >click to watch<17:22
NWS National Hurricane Center – Hurricane Florence Advisory Update
At 500 PM, the center of the eye of Hurricane Florence was located by satellite near latitude 27.5 North, longitude 67.1 West. Florence is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph (28 km/h). A motion toward the west-northwest and northwest is expected through early Thursday. Florence is expected to slow down considerably by late Thursday into Friday.,,, Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Florence is a category 4 hurricane,,, Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km). >click to read<17:23
Tybee shrimper sentenced to more than six years in federal prison
A Tybee Island shrimper and fisherman has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for making fraudulent claims for losses from foreign competition, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Georgia. Michael Brian Anderson was convicted by a federal jury on March 22 for three counts of false statements, four counts of mail fraud, and two counts of money laundering. U.S. District Senior Judge William T. Moore Jr. imposed sentence imposed sentence Aug. 30, ordering Anderson to 77 months in prison and $818,234 in restitution. >click to read<11:24
National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Florence Public Advisory
At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Florence was located near latitude 24.9 North, longitude 58.9 West. Florence is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h). A west-northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. A turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur Wednesday night or Thursday. On the
forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the southeastern coast of the United States on Thursday. >click to read<09:17
Red tide and green slime: Florida faces epic statewide fight with algae
We may smell it first, warned environmentalist Rae Ann Wessel. She was right. Along a wall of mangroves, the stench last week advertised of something to be buried. It was a greeting to Fort Myers’ algae horrors. Green slime and red tide are invading the Fort Myers region’s inshore and offshore waters, slaughtering marine life and threatening a more sinister outcome: Toxins produced by a green-slime variety may link to neurodegenerative illnesses, say some scientists who are investigating. For decades, Florida’s watery environment has been sickened by pollution from septic and sewer systems, storm water and fertilizer from landscaping and agriculture. That “nutrient” pollution, with nitrogen and phosphorus flavors,,, Video, >click to read<14:24
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for August 31, 2018
>Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<17:14
An evening on an Outer Banks shrimp boat with Dana Beasley
For those familiar with how shrimp are harvested, the boats we are most likely to see, especially just off the beach and in deeper sound waters are the larger trawlers,,, But many North Carolina commercial shrimp boats are more modest, and they’re joined by a handful of recreational shrimpers who are allowed to harvest a small amount for personal use only. Most, but not all small-boat commercial shrimpers also work other species of shellfish and finfish. Dana Beasley is no exception. Beasley is 100 percent local, born and raised in Colington. The waterman knows his trade, and generations of his family have worked the waters around Colington and beyond to supply fresh fish to local markets and restaurants. Video, >click to read<10:35
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for August 24, 2018
>Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<13:08
Senate MSA reauthorization a step back for fishing communities
In July, the House passed H.R. 200 the “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act,” a much needed update of federal fisheries law that allows for both sustainable fisheries management and the long-term preservation of our nation’s fishing communities. Unfortunately, its counterpart bill making its way through the Senate would likely have the opposite effect. The Senate bill, S.1520, or the “Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018,” introduces changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA)—the main law governing U.S. fisheries—that would impose increasingly burdensome regulations on American fishermen and undermine H.R. 200’s goal of increasing flexibility in fisheries management. >click to read<17:51
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for August 17, 2018
>Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<08:20
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for Aug 10, 2018
>Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >Click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<11:12
Marshallberg man builds new shrimp boat
Down East native Zack Davis hopes his recent boatbuilding project will help keep the tradition alive in the area. A teacher at East Carteret High School, Mr. Davis recently built a shrimping boat with some help from friends, family and students. “It’s named the Addie and Dallas,” Mr. Davis said about the boat, which is 56 feet long and 18 feet wide. “That’s after my daughter and little boy.” Although Mr. Davis describes the boat as mid-sized, he said he used a relatively new method of boat construction called cold molding. “It’s really a new style,” Mr. Davis said. >click to read<18:51
Double murderer’s cocaine case likely headed for trial
A man sentenced to life in prison in December for killing a Florida Keys couple in the fall of 2015 has so far rejected a plea offer for a cocaine trafficking conspiracy charge connected to the same case. If Jeremy Macauley, 35, doesn’t take the plea deal prosecutors offered him in May, the drug case will go to trial next month, and the names of others possibly involved in bringing more than a dozen kilos of cocaine to shore the summer before the murders will likely be discussed during testimony. Macauley was a charter boat mate on a fishing vessel docked at Whale Harbor Marina in Windley Key at the time of the slayings. Detectives and prosecutors say the cocaine was found offshore by Macauley and his charter boat captain boss, Rick Rodriguez >click to read<
