Category Archives: Western Pacific
Why Fishermen Fail To Unite and Resist Being Swept Off of Our Historic Fishing Grounds
As fishermen it often seems we are beset on all sides by so many issues that would disenfranchise us, derail our efforts to safeguard our industry, destroy our livelihoods and communities, and push us off of the historically wild and free ocean. Whether it is in the name of industrial power production or environmental protection, we are up against marine monuments, death by a thousand cuts regulation, forests of windmills, observers, cameras, and tracking systems watching us like an Orwellian nightmare, and grids of closure areas that threaten to push us onto fishing reservations like the Native Americans who once stood in the path of progress. click here to continue reading By Jon Johnson 18:51
F/V Pacific Paradise: Salvage crew removes fishing boat 2 months after grounding off Waikiki
With the help of a small swell, salvage crews successfully towed the commercial fishing vessel Pacific Paradise out beyond the reef at Kaimana Beach this morning and expect to tow it out to a disposal site by sunset today, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. At today’s 7 a.m. high tide, a tug boat successfully towed the 79-foot boat from its shallow, sandy bottom out to deeper sea of about 600 feet. Two tug boats were on hand to do the job. click here to read the story 19:22
Trump receives recommendation to reopen national monuments to fishing
Ryan Zinke has officially recommended making changes to three marine national monuments, which could open the door to commercial fishing in some of those areas, if President Donald Trump signs off on the plan. Zinke’s recommendations include allowing regional fishery management councils make decisions on commercial fishing opportunities in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the coast of New England. Zinke also recommended to Trump that he let councils make similar decisions, as well as possibly revise the boundaries of the Pacific Remote Islands and the Rose Atoll monuments. click here to read the story 11:14
Congresswoman Aumua Amata pleased with recommendations on marine monuments
Congresswoman Aumua Amata is pleased with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s recommendation that President Trump consider expanding access to fishing in certain marine monuments. The Interior Secretary’s final recommendations include allowing traditional fishing and commercial fishing rights in three marine monuments, including the Pacific Remote Islands monument and the Rose Atoll monument. Aumua says in a statement this a major step forward in efforts to restore fishing rights in American Samoa. click here to read the story 10:50
Efforts to F/V Pacific Paradise shipwreck off Waikiki fail yet again
Efforts to pull a commercial fishing boat stuck on the reef off Waikiki failed again Wednesday. Crews said they were suspending efforts to pull the Pacific Paradise out to sea after it got stuck on a sandbar as the tide started to drop. The U.S. Coast Guard said they’ll return Thursday to renew salvage operations. The 79-foot longline fishing vessel ran aground off Kaimana Beach on Oct. 10 when it was returning to its Honolulu home port from American Samoa with 20 people on board. Video, click here to read the story 17:06
Zinke backs shrinking more national monuments and shifting management of 10
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Tuesday called on President Trump to shrink a total of four national monuments and change the way six other land and marine sites are managed, a sweeping overhaul of how protected areas are maintained in the United States.,,, He also would revise the proclamations for those and the others to clarify that activities such as grazing, motorized vehicle use and commercial fishing should be allowed. The additional monuments affected include Northeast Canyons and Seamounts in the Atlantic Ocean; both Rose Atoll and the Pacific Remote Islands in the Pacific Ocean; New Mexico’s Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande Del Norte; and Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters. click here to read the story 16:50
Photos and audio: Coast Guard, good Samaritans rescue 6 fishermen south of Hawaii
The Coast Guard, and good Samaritans rescued six fishermen from the 57-foot fishing vessel Jane, reportedly taking on water 110 miles southeast of the Big Island, Hawaii, Monday. The six fishermen were rescued by the crew of the 70-foot fishing vessel VAK 2 and are en route to Hawaii where they will be met by emergency medical services and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. At 7:22 a.m., watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu command center received a mayday call via satellite phone from one of the crewmembers aboard the Jane stating they were taking on water and in need of immediate assistance. click here to read the story 22:12
This Waikiki Shipwreck Is Proving Tough To Get Rid Of
On the morning of Oct. 13, commercial salvage crews overseen by the Coast Guard thought they might finally free the Pacific Paradise from the shallow waters off Waikiki, where the fishing vessel carrying 20 people had run aground three nights earlier. Things did not go according to plan. ,,, Now, salvage crews are poised to attempt yet another tow this week, hoping to move the wreck that has greeted beachgoers at Kaimana for nearly six weeks. click here to read the story 07:12
The Bizarre Story of Two Women Lost at Sea Keeps Getting Weirder
Back in the end of October, the Navy pulled two American women and their dogs off a damaged sailboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after a Taiwanese fishing boat discovered them floating aimlessly at sea. The women claimed they had been lost for five months, fending off storms and shark attacks, and surviving on a mostly pasta diet. Now, two weeks after their rescue, Jennifer Appel and Tasha Fuiava say that the Taiwanese fishing vessel that supposedly saved them didn’t actually save them at all—it was trying to kill them. click here to read the story 13:24
One Month After Grounding, ‘Pacific Paradise’ Salvage Continues Near Waikiki
Salvage efforts are on-going for the commercial fishing vessel Pacific Paradise nearly a month after the vessel grounded off Kaimana Beach near Waikiki on Oahu. Over the weekend, the Coast Guard brought on personnel from Resolve Marine Group, Global Diving and Salvage, Pacific Environmental Corporation and the Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team from the Marine Safety Center to survey the vessel and further develop and update the salvage plan. The vessel originally grounded Oct. 11. photo’s, click here to read the story 12:53
Salvage efforts continue for grounded fishing vessel off Kaimana Beach
Responders are continuing work to salvage the commercial fishing vessel Pacific Paradise grounded just off Kaimana Beach on Oahu. Over the weekend, the Coast Guard brought on personnel from Resolve Marine Group, Global Diving and Salvage, Pacific Environmental Corporation and the Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team from the Marine Safety Center. This team surveyed the vessel and are working to further develop and update the salvage plan. click here to read the story 23:25
Fake Data Behind Coral Bleaching Report
In Hawaii, there are many who constantly try to bring to an end our ability to feed people. The latest example was November 2, 2017 when a group of legislators orchestrated an informational conference on coral reef bleaching and overfishing. The conference was put together by Representative Kaniela Ing (Maui), by Representative Cedric Gates (West Oahu), Representative Chris Lee (Waimanalo), and Representative Nicole Lowen (Kona). Why are these politicians making it harder to survive in Hawaii? Their goal is to create new laws and legislatively mandate closure of 30% of the Hawaiian Island near-shore waters. Taking into account the recent closures to the North West Hawaiian Islands, that is over 80% of what used to be fishing grounds and a food source to our local population. There were many holes in the conference keynote lecture by Dr. Alan M. Friedlander. But the news picked up on it and made it out to be a life or death situation. click here to read the story 09:09
Bill introduced allowing Hawaii’s foreign fishermen onshore
Hundreds of foreign fishermen currently confined to vessels in Honolulu for years at a time would be allowed to come ashore when they dock under legislation introduced Thursday in Congress. The Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act offers workplace protections a year after an Associated Press investigation found that Hawaii’s commercial fishing fleet is crewed by about 700 men who are never allowed off their boats, even when they come into the Honolulu Harbor to unload their catch. Sen. Mazie Hirono, “This bill provides necessary protections for foreign fishermen and ensures the continued viability of Hawaii’s longline fishing fleet, which is important to our culture,” click here to read the story 11:24
Longline fishing industry scrutinized for hiring of foreign fishermen
The Hawaii Longline Association has jumped into a legal fight they say threatens their livelihood. Longliners oppose a Maui fisherman’s complaint against the state. In a Circuit Court filing, the association defends its practice of hiring fishermen from foreign countries and challenges a lawsuit filed by fisherman Malama Chun. He demands the state stop issuing commercial fishing licenses to foreign fishermen.,,, But Longline Association president Sean Martin said there’s nothing illegal about the state’s licensing practices. click here to read the story 08:02
NOAA: American Fisheries Remain a Strong Economic Driver
Commercial and recreational fisheries remain a strong contributor to the United States economy, according to the annual Fisheries of the United States report released today by NOAA.
Saltwater recreational fishing remains one of America’s favorite pastimes and a key contributor to the national economy,,, Also in 2016, U.S. commercial fishermen landed 9.6 billion pounds of seafood (down 1.5 percent from 2015) valued at $5.3 billion (up 2.1 percent from 2015). The highest value commercial species were lobster ($723 million),,, click here to read the report click here for infographics 15:27
Body of fishermen to be repatriated home
The body of a Portugese fisherman who died aboard a US flagged purse seiner last week will be repatriated later this week. Speaking to KHJ News yesterday the purse seiner captain, Alphonso Llawa, said the victim was his 44-year old brother and he was hoping to clear things up so he can take his body back home. click here to read the story 18:07
Judge invalidates all permits for fishing by aquarium trade
An Oahu Circuit Court order essentially called a halt Friday to the $2 million commercial aquarium trade in Hawaii until environmental reviews are performed. After seven weeks Circuit Judge Jeff Crabtree finally ruled in line with the Hawaii Supreme Court’s Sept. 6 opinion that existing state-issued commercial collectors’ permits are now illegal and invalid, and ordered the Department of Land and Natural Resources not to issue any new permits until collectors perform environmental reviews. click here to read the story 14:49
Doubt surrounds stranded sailors as Coast Guard reveals women had emergency beacon and never activated it
The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday that the two Hawaii women who say they were lost at sea never activated their emergency beacon, adding to a growing list of inconsistences that cast doubt on the women’s harrowing tale of survival. Parts of their story have been called into question, including the tropical storm the two say they encountered on their first night at sea in May. National Weather Service records show no organized storms in the region in early May. When asked if the two had the radio beacon aboard, the women told the AP on Friday they had a number of other communications devices, but they didn’t mention the EPIRB. click here to read the story 08:37
The Great Pacific Migration of Bluefin Tuna
Shortly after their first birthday, Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) complete an impressive feat. From the spawning grounds in the Sea of Japan where they were born, the young tuna embark on a journey over 5,000 miles (8,000 km) long, across the entire Pacific Ocean to the California coast where they spend several years feeding and growing. Until recently, scientists believed only a small portion of juvenile tuna made the journey, but several new studies show that may not be the case—in some years the majority of tuna aged between one and three participate in the trans-Pacific migration. click here to read the story 14:53
Still Stuck! State, Coast Guard still trying to move fishing vessel
A fishing boat that ran onto a reef close to Kaimana Beach in Waikiki nearly two weeks ago is sticking around a little longer. The Coast Guard has made multiple attempts to move the Pacific Paradise, but the 79-foot vessel hasn’t moved. The Coast Guard explained a plan is being developed to either reduce the weight of the ship after taking on water, or even trying to lift the vessel rather than pull it. Before any further actions, the Coast Guard will take a complete assessment to get the Pacific Paradise off the reef. Video, click here to read the story 12:02
A huge marine reserve in the Pacific will protect rich tourists rather than fish
Palau is a sovereign state with a UN vote, albeit one with just 18,000 residents. In 2015 the country designated 80% of its territorial waters – an area roughly the size of Spain – as a National Marine Sanctuary. In the “Bul”, as the sanctuary is known locally, commercial fishing is off limits. The reserve has attracted many of the world’s largest conservation and development NGOs. It has received more than US$90m in pledges, mostly from corporate donors, charitable trusts and government agencies in Australia, Japan and the US. Yet the scientific rationale behind the sanctuary is questionable. click here to read the story 08:15
F/V Pacific Paradise: Responders unsuccessful in removing grounded fishing vessel off Honolulu
Responders were unsuccessful in removing the grounded 79-foot fishing vessel Pacific Paradise off Waikiki, Friday. Marine salvage company Cates International crews utilized a tug with 8” plasma towline and chain from both the bow and stern of the fishing vessel in the attempt to break it free from the coral reef. “Salvage teams attempted various removal procedures on both on the bow and stern and although the vessel had movement during the process, it remains aground,” said Capt. Michael Long, commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu and captain of the port. “Our Coast Guard teams will reassess with all our partners this weekend to prepare future removal plans. click here to read the story 14:00
Foss Hired to Remove Grounded Fishing Vessel Off Waikiki – New Concerns about Foreign Fishermen
Foss Maritime has been hired to remove the grounded fishing vessel Pacific Paradise from a reef off Waikiki after repeated attempts to refloat the vessel by commercial salvage companies have failed. The 79-foot Pacific Paradise ran aground on 10 October about 1,000 feet off Waikiki’s Kaimana Beach, and the vessel has remained stuck there ever since. Several attempts have been made by commercial salvage companies to tow the vessel, but each time the operation has been unsuccessful. click here to read the story 18:34
Hawaii boat crash spurs new concerns about foreign fishermen – while transporting foreign fishermen to work in Hawaii’s commercial fishing industry has raised new questions about the safety and working conditions for foreign laborers in this unique U.S. fleet. click here to read the story
Barry Myers is Trump’s nominee to head NOAA – Why Does This Guy Make Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz Nervous?
Hawaii relies heavily on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — in some ways, for its very safety. NOAA, which oversees the National Weather Service, is the agency that helps predict and anticipate hurricanes, tsunamis and dangerous floods, issuing warnings that help people prepare or get out of the way. But in this case, it’s President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the agency, a business executive from Pennsylvania, who is causing a political storm. Barry Myers, chief executive officer of AccuWeather, a private weather and data services company based in State College, Pennyslvania, has been named by Trump to serve as U.S. Commerce Department Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, a job traditionally held by biologists and climate scientists. This position is usually also called the Administrator of NOAA. click here to read the story 22:44
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council – 171st Council Meeting at American Samoa, October 17-19, 2017
For information, the meeting agenda, and a link to a rare WPFMC webinar, click here 21:29
Video: Crews respond to fire aboard F/V Pacific Paradise aground in Waikiki waters
Multiple agencies are responding to a fire aboard the Pacific Paradise, a fishing vessel stuck in shallow waters off Waikiki. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke coming from the vessel mid-morning Saturday. Coast Guard officials say they were informed of the fire just after 10 a.m. They continue to enforce a 500 ft. safety zone around the boat. Video, click here to read the story To view photo gallery, click here 20:00
“The fact is, law abiding, licensed commercial fishermen are considered by our government to be the most dangerous people in America.”
In September 1983 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the Balelo v Baldridge decided the first court challenge against the government policy of placing federal observers on commercial fishing vessels to monitor their operations. The plaintiffs were Pacific tuna purse seiners. This the first observer program in the American fishing industry was enacted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The first observers spent many weeks on the high seas with the fishermen at a time when there was literally no other way to assure that the newly enacted law — meant to bring the mortality of marine mammals in the tuna fishery as close to zero as possible — was being followed by these operations. It was provided for in this portion of the MMPA that the captains be given notice well in advance of the required observer trips and that the funding be fully covered by Congress. click here to read the story 19:21
Coast Guard, crews work to remove grounded fishing boat off Waikiki
The U.S. Coast Guard and private contractors were back in Waikiki today trying to refloat and remove the 79-foot fishing vessel that was grounded a few hundred yards off Kaimana Beach in Waikiki late Tuesday. Today’s late-morning high tide was expected to help the effort and officials were expecting to get the ship free today. On Thursday, crews worked to safely remove fuel and other pollutants from the Pacific Paradise ahead of today’s effort to remove the vessel. click here to read the story 22:35
In Defense Of The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council
Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan is to be commended for his advocacy for the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and as well as the interests of the marine environment. As Civil Beat reported last week, the lawmaker is demanding an investigation of the Hawaii-based Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. However, I must differ with the congressman on his depiction of the council as being engaged in improper lobbying specifically in regards to the opposition to Marine Monuments that has aired during council meetings. (By Michael Markrich) click here to read the story 11:49
Coast Guard, HFD rescue 20 fishermen from aground vessel off Honolulu
Twenty fishermen were transported to shore from an aground vessel less than a half mile off Honolulu early Wednesday morning. Honolulu Fire Department Jet Ski crews transported fishermen from the vessel to a Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium for further transport to awaiting emergency responders at Ala Wai Harbor. A Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter crew hoisted two of the fishermen and the master of the vessel and transported them to Honolulu airport. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received three reports of the 79-foot commercial fishing vessel Pacific Paradise grounded off Diamond Head click here to read the story 10:58
