Daily Archives: September 23, 2012
Fisheries activist says giant processors exploit locals in the Aleutians
UNALASKA — David Osterback says the Aleutian region could use a good regional cookbook, combining the recipes from local cookbooks already published in area villages, especially seafood dishes. Osterback spoke at a fisheries workshop at the Regional Wellness and Self-Governance Conference in Unalaska last week, sponsored by the Aleutian Pribilof Island Association.
“Who’s catching the fish? Everybody in the world except the people who live here,” said Osterback.
Processors earning big bucks
Deep sea of distrust – Catch-share controversy, and an uncertain future
Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part look at the tensions between local fishermen and regulators, and the beginning of a series on the fishing industry in general. Part 2 in next weekend’s Seacoast Sunday will feature the input of a NOAA scientist, new regional administrator John Bullard and David Goethel, a Hampton fisherman and member of the New England Fishery Management Council.
PORTSMOUTH — The new regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service says his goal is to rebuild trust with fishermen, but fishermen are able to rattle off a litany of complaints against the federal agency and its scientists that indicate the relationship may be beyond repair.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120923-NEWS-209230338
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update
The Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance is dedicated to its mission of continuing to help create sustainable fisheries without putting licensed fishermen out of business.”
Weekly Update. http://hosted.vresp.com/1181479/e9c3d4e5b0/545569281/ad93d20bca/
F/V Afognak Strait – Longliner- Alaskan limit boat for Kevin O’Leary and his vessel partner, Walter Sargent.
This sure is a lot of boat for a 58 footer! She’s laid out like a yacht! Beautiful pictures and video. FRED WAHL MARINE CONSTRUCTION, INC. sure know how to build ’em!
Designer: Fred Wahl Marine Construction, Inc. Builder: Fred Wahl Marine Construction, Inc NC Lofting: Elliot Bay & Fred Wahl Marine Construction, Inc. Construction Material: Steel
Length: 58′-0″ Breadth: 26′-0″ Depth: 12′-8″ Draft: 13′-0″ Aft Deck Area: 32’x26’Fish Hold #1: 2,210 cu.ft. Fish Hold #2: 1,120 cu.ft. Bait Holds #1 &2: 330 cu.ft. each. Fuel: 9,450 gal. Fresh Water:1,735 gal. Hydraulic Oil: 338 gal.
Main Engine: Cummins Qsk19 660HP Reduction Gear: ZF 2450 Gear 5.5:1 Propeller: 4-Blade bronze Auxiliaries: (2ea) JD Load Master 175kw (1ea) JD Load Master 55kw Accomodations: Staterooms: 1-4 berth, 1-2 berth Head with saltwater flush Galley w/mess area Wheelhouse stateroom w/sink.
http://fredwahlmarine.com/Afognak%20Strait.html http://fredwahlmarine.com/index.html
Despite possible $100 million in aid, tough regs mean …Fishermen trying to stay afloat
Gloucester fisherman Paul Vitale’s job is on the line.
New England legislators are lobbying for $100 million to save next year’s groundfish fishery season in the wake of a disaster declaration, but that isn’t easing Vitale’s uncertainty about his industry’s future.
“There’s three households earning money off of my shoulders,” said Vitale, 40, captain of the 50-foot “Angela + Rose” and a father of three. “We never know day to day what’s happening.”
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061162384
The Ringer – A True Story of the National Marine Fisheries Service Observer Program
Origional post Sun Aug 21, 2011 by jj
The Ringer A True Story of the National Marine Fisheries Service Observer Program
The National Marine Fishery Service observer program sends many recent graduates of marine biology programs out on fishing vessels to collect data for fisheries science and to observe fishing activity and how it affects the environment and wildlife. In stories about fishing you often hear of the efforts of sea captains and their brave crews and never a word about the observer who accepts and takes many of the same risks as anyone who signs on as a crew member in the world’s most dangerous job.
Call her M. as anonymity is a requirement of this story. She came aboard like every other observer with a stack of baskets and fish measuring stuff for her work during the voyage. She was in her early twenties. In a baggy sweatshirt pulled over a slender frame with hair pulled back in a pony tail she looked like just another fresh faced college kid ready to do her part for the cause of fish science. At first she kept to herself but since we weren’t going to take any fish on board the Osprey at that time of year it isn’t a very demanding job for an observer. I think this whole story happened because she got bored.
My crewmate C.D. is a cribbage player with a long history of wins over fellow crew members and captains. We had been having a series of very competitive games and while there was no clear victor I would give him a slight advantage over me in both number of wins and quality of play. He is very proud of his game and ability to play and brags on himself a little at times,,,,,,,,,,,Read More
They Told Us – Joel Hovanesian F/V Excalibur RI. Fishermen’s Alliance
They told us we were using twine that was too small and not allowing juvenile fish to escape. We accepted and went to the largest mesh size in the world for the species we seek. They told us we needed to protect spawning areas where fish reproduce. We closed thousands of square miles of the most productive areas in which we fished. Then they told us this was not enough so they made tracts of ocean closed during certain months. They told us we were fishing too many days so they told us we were going to only be allowed to fish 88 days a year. We didn’t like it but we were told it would pay off for us when the fish returned. They told us 88 days were too many so they decided to give us what they deemed,,,,,Read more
This article generated 98 comments. Good comments.
http://fvexcalibur.newsvine.com/_news/2011/01/01/5749409-they-told-us
