Category Archives: South Atlantic
Search on for overboard fisherman 400 miles offshore from St. Augustine
Peter Steewell has been missing since about 5 p.m. Thursday when he fell from the 57-foot longliner Fine Tuna into seas of eight to nine feet and water that was about 73-degrees Fahrenheit. Winds were blowing at 35 mph, according to the Coast Guard. Read more
Commercial fisherman killed, 3 others pulled to safety, after boat capsizes near St. Lucie Inlet
PORT SALERNO, Fla. – A commercial fisherman from Belle Glade is dead and several others are recovering after investigators said a giant wave capsized their boat near the St. Lucie Inlet on Saturday. Florida Fish and Wildlife said Fransico Rodriguez, 60, was found floating in the water and deceased. George Delgato, Jorge Ramaro and Carlos Carmellon were also in the boat but survived. John Summers, 72, was out fishing for Mackerel on Saturday when he noticed someone floating in the water. Read more, video
Fort Pierce commercial fishing business concerned city giving competition an unfair advantage
FORT PIERCE — A commercial fishing business owner says the city shouldn’t use public resources for a private enterprise that would benefit a few and give his competition an unfair advantage, especially when he’s working on a si
milar project. Day Boat’s project includes replacing the current docks with 50 new boat slips, building a new seawall, adding new utilities, expanding the processing and refrigeration facility, creating a new fueling system for commercial boats and the public, and reconstructing the existing buildings. Read more
Tens of thousands of dead fish wash ashore on South Carolina beach
Thousands of dead fish washed up on mile and a half stretch of beach in South Carolina Tuesday, officials said, at least the second such occurrence in the region in a week. Roughly 30,000 to 40,000 menhaden fish, 6 to 8 inches l
ong, were spread along the shore from DeBordieu Beach in Georgetown County, S.C., to Pawleys Island, a town on the state’s Atlantic Coast, and thousands more were expected, Pawleys Island Police Chief Michael Fanning said. Read more
National Marine Fisheries Service seeks input on coral protection
The proposal came in response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group seeking to extend endangered species protection to additional animals. “We really do have a coral reef crisis on our hands,” said Miyoko Sakashita, senior attorney and oceans director at the center. “The scientists are telling us coral reefs could very well disappear within our lifetimes.” Read more
ASMFC Initiates First Coastwide Stock Assessment of Black Drum Data Sought for Assessment
ARLINGTON, Va. -– January 9, 2012 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has begun work on the first coastwide stock assessment of black drum. The assessment will evaluate the health of the black dru
m stock and will be used to inform fishery management activities. The Data Workshop will take place April 15-19, 2013 at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina. For those interested in submitting data and/or attending the black drum data workshop (space is limited), please contact Jeff Kipp, ASMFC Stock Assessment Scientist, for details at details at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703.842.0746. The deadline for data submission is March 15th, 2013. ASMFC Website
Challenges abound for Florida Keys commercial fishermen
A limit instituted for yellowtail snapper created a considerable amount of drama for Keys commercial fishermen, as the commercial fishery was poised to close in the Atlantic Ocean in September but analysis showed the fishing stock
was stronger than originally thought and the season remained open. National Marine Fisheries Service announced in August that the annual commercial yellowtail quota in the Atlantic had nearly been reached, and that the fishery would be closed Sept. 11 through Jan. 1. The Science and Statistical Committee for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic fishery management councils recommended, federal fishery managers agreed, to an annual commercial harvest of yellowtail snapper that increased the yield from 2.9 million pounds to 4.1 million pounds. Read More
Local waters were a passion for fisherman who died on the Broad River – Tragedy
Martin Luther Stewart Sr. felt “blessed” to make his living on the river.
He died there Wednesday after the 19-foot skiff he was on with fellow fisherman Vincent Chaplin capsized.
Sea Eagle Market owner Craig Reaves, who hired Stewart a few months ago, recalled gathering oysters with him last Sunday.
“He looked at me and said ‘you know most people go to work because they have to. Me and you are blessed because we get to do something we love.'”
“He’d been in the river his whole life,” Reaves said. “That’s what he loved and that was his passion.” Read More
Commercial shad fishing season opens two weeks early in Georgetown area
The American shad commercial fishing season will open Jan. 15, 2013 in the Georgetown area. This is two weeks earlier than the traditional opening in early February. This change keeps the commercial shad season in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) American shad sustainable fishing plan for South Carolina and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) mandate to reduce by-catch of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon.
Read More
Florida Seasonal Grouper Closure Starts January 1st
FLORIDA STATE WATERS — Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting January 1st 2013 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. Read More
Expert: Fishing gear likely killed whale – 30-foot dead whale washed up on Flagler Beach on Wednesday
McLellan said the fishing industry is a partner in trying to reduce the number of animals caught in their gear, and they’re working to try to do that by making fishing gear more visible to whales and strong enough to catch fish, but breakable if, say, a 30,000-pound whale gets caught in it. “Strategic parts of the gear have to be able to break and allow that gear to be released off the animal so the animal can swim away and continue on its normal course of what it wants to do in a day,” McLellan said. Read More
One Man’s Fight – Chris McCaffity – a commercial snapper/grouper fisherman
I had the pleasure of meeting Chris online today, and it turned into a long telephone conversation discussing fishery issues that neither one of us knew much about because of the different regions we are familiar with, he South East, I north East. I am impressed with his methodology and tenacity, as he finds himself in the same boat as many fishermen find themselves. Endangered!
I will not bore you with a long drawn out synopsis of our conversation, what I will do, however, is give you the link to his website. This is the cornerstone that he has built from to engage government official”s, ENGO’s, and his fellow citizen’s and fishermen. Visit freefish7.com, and get to know this fisherman from North Carolina. OH! Buy a calender from him. He fights for you, too!
FLORIDA KEYS – Stone Crab Prices Putting The Pinch On Wallets – many Florida Keys commercial fishermen are struggling
FLORIDA KEYS (CBSMiami) – Just two months into stone crab season, many Florida Keys commercial fisherman are struggling or even giving up, despite skyhigh prices for stone-crab claws. Read More
Pew Environment continues biased menhaden campaign with latest video – UPDATED More Menhaden News
Union, NAACP Oppose Job-Killing Cuts to Menhaden Fishery
Statement of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 400 and the Maryland State Conference NAACP on Menhaden Fisheries Management
Congressmen Sarbanes & Carney ask colleagues to back severe menhaden cuts
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries needs volunteers for shrimp committee
Adviser applications are available online at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/mfc-advisory-committees, at Division of Marine Fisheries’ offices or by calling 252-808-8022 or 800-682-2632. Applications should be returned by Dec. 14 to the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557, Attention: Lauren Morris. http://www.northcarolinasportsman.com/details.php?id=3027
Billfish Act Legislation bans import of billfish products
The legislation bans the import of billfish products into the United States. Even though the U.S. has been a world leader with respect to the establishment of catch-and-release practices for billfish species by recreational anglers and a reduction in bycatch by the U.S. commercial fishing fleet through seasonal closures and gear restrictions, this nation was still the world’s largest importer of billfish products.http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/dec/07/billfish-act-helps-ensure-future-looks-better/
Fishermen hope legislation benefits industry. Charlston Huckster wearing a cheap rug strokes’ em with Pew Lotion!
Locals in the fishing industry, including Baumann, hope the research could lead to further regulatory change to the Magnuson-Stevens Act which sets catch limits designed to prevent overfishing, but also has fishermen stuck at the docks.J. Dean Foster, with Foster Associates, a marketing group based in Charleston, said the congressional committee likely will debate the bill early next year. Foster is working with Pew Environment Group to drum up support for the bill http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/11/26/3190554/fishermen-hope-legislation-benefits.html
or the bill http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/11/26/3190554/fishermen-hope-legislation-benefits.html
Florida’s gift to veterans for Veterans Day – easier for Florida veterans to enter the commercial fishing industry.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the program will open the door to the commercial fishing industry for hundreds of veterans. http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/florida/article/281818/4/Floridas-gift-to-veterans-for-Veterans-Day
It’s Lights! Camera, data for NOAA video program
“There’s a large number of these reef fish species from Florida to Cape Hatteras,” Dr. Bacheler said. “They’re mostly associated with hard bottom habitat.”http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/news/article_2e3ed33e-2a87-11e2-83a1-001a4bcf887a.html
Feds reverse, keep commercial yellowtail harvest open
Hopefully, these extra fish will be enough to keep everybody working,” Roy Crabtree, regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Southeast Region, said Tuesday. http://www.keysnet.com/2012/11/07/483126/feds-reverse-keep-commercial-yellowtail.html
Groupergate – Goliath Grouper Is Overfished
In Florida, the Goliath grouper is considered to be responsible for the depleting of spiny lobsterharvest, and sport fishermen blame them for eating snappers. But a recent study has vindicated the fish. Independent scientist Sarah Frias’ study, released this month, found that goliath groupers are not the cause for declining lobster and snapper stocks in Florida. According to her study, overfishing is the main cause. http://fishery.about.com/b/2012/10/30/groupergate-goliath-grouper-is-overfished.htm?nl=1
Robert E. Beal Named ASMFC Executive Director
In accepting the position, Mr. Beal stated, “I am honored and privileged to serve as the Commission’s Executive Director and work for people I admire and for a cause I feel so strongly about. It’s been nearly 20 years since passage of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act and the states, through the Commission, have achieved many impressive accomplishments from species rebuilding, improved data collection, to sound stock assessments for data poor species such as American eel and shad and river herring. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the states, in concert with our federal partners, to build upon these successes and address the challenges that are ahead.”
http://www.savingseafood.org/council-actions/robert-e.-beal-named-asmfc-executive-director-3.html
Commercial fishery for black sea bass ends after four months – Closed – Cape Hatteras to Key West, Fla.,
The year-long commercial fishery for black sea bass closed earlier this month after being open for just four months, a preemptive measure designed to protect recovering fish populations throughout the Atlantic Ocean. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the fishery’s 309,000-pound annual catch limit – the amount of fish that can be harvested each year without adversely affecting population levels, according to federal regulators – was reached early.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20121021/ARTICLES/121029971/-1/news01?p=1&tc=pg
SSC Meeting: October 23-25, 2012 North Charleston, SC
- SSC Meeting: October 23-25, 2012 North Charleston, SC
Crowne Plaza, 4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843/744-4422
Meeting Agenda Briefing Book Materials (posted 10/9; updated 10/17)
Socio-Economic Panel (SEP) Meeting : October 22, 2012 North Charleston, SC
Crowne Plaza, 4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843/744-4422
Meeting Agenda Briefing Book Materials (posted 10/9; updated 10/17)
Southern Kingfish Association: Menhaden Vital To Ocean Life
October 18, 
2012 — The decline of menhaden stocks has caused interest in the health of our oceans. Particularly from Nova Scotia to Texas coastal waters where menhaden once ruled nearshore waters. After a limited search for menhaden while navigating our sport fishing boat out to sea and coming up empty handed, we broke out a box of frozen cigar minnows and placed them into a saltwater filled bucket to thaw. Also called frozen popsicles, frozen cigar minnows are packed into five-pound boxes and used for a wide variety of fishing purposes. In recent years with the decline of coastal baitfish schools, boxes of frozen cigar minnows are frequently finding their way in fish coolers.
The article blames an alleged lack of menhaden in the Jacksonville, Florida area on commercial fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, over 600 miles away. This argument relies on anecdotal evidence from observations made by one boat on one day, and the schooling patterns of menhaden during two days of a fishing tournament.
Stone crab season to help commercial fishermen – MARATHON, Fla – WTSP.com
MARATHON, Fla. (AP) – Florida’s commercial fishermen are hoping winter visitors will flock to the Sunshine State for stone crab season. Gary Graves is vice president of Keys Fisheries, the largest processor of the crab’s tasty claws in the Florida Keys. He says a strong winter tourism season for the state normally translates into higher fiscal yields for the commercial fishing industry. Read More
http://www.wtsp.com/news/florida/article/278047/19/Stone-crab-season-to-help-commercial-fishermen
The New York Times is Finally Catching Up! They should pay attention.
Will Seismic Blasts Upend Atlantic Marine Life? By EMMA BRYCE As a federal decision draws near, environmental and commercial fishing groups are marshaling their forces to protest a plan by the Obama administration to allow
So Hey! Have you heard about the Slaughter that lies ahead or those Marine Mammals we’ve been saving? Thu May 3, 2012 9:01 PM EDT
It’s true. And so begins the destruction of the Eastern Seaboard that all the Wind mill, “Drill Baby Drill” people have been waiting for. It’s all about energy independence, right?
Reducing global warming, green energy, not letting the Chinese beat us in the “Green Race” Well. It’s gonna cost us, and it’s gonna cost a lot more than money.
It’s gonna cost a lot of marine life, and this is only the beginning as this administration opens up the North West Atlantic to energy production..Read More
71st Annual Meeting – Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission – Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel – Philadelphia, PA
FINAL AGENDAPlease Note: The following changes have been made to the Preliminary Agenda: (1) the Atlantic Menhaden Board, originally scheduled for October 23 from 12:30 – 1:30 PM, has been canceled (the Board will meet next in December to consider approval of Amendment 2); (2) The Weakfish Board, originally scheduled for October 25 from 10:45 – 11:45 AM, has been moved to October 23 from 12:30 – 1:30 PM; (3) for October 25, the Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Sharks Board will meet at 10:45 AM – 12:45 PM, the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board will meet at 1:15 – 3:15 PM, with the ISFMP Policy Board and Business to meet at 3:15 PM and 3:45 PM, respectively. http://www.asmfc.org/71stAnnualMeeting.htm
