Daily Archives: October 22, 2012
Permit Income, Crew Size Rule for Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish
US – NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule (77 FR 64237) for Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Permit Requirements and Dual-Permitted Vessel Crew Size. The rule was effective on 19 November, 2012. The rule eliminates the earned income qualification requirement for the renewal of Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish permits, and increases the maximum number of crew members for dual-permitted (commercial and charter) vessels.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council determined the existing earned income requirement in the reef fish fishery is no longer necessary. The regulation pertaining to the maximum number of crew stipulates that dual-permitted vessels without a certificate of inspection are limited to a three-person crew when fishing commercially. The increase to four crew members would most directly benefit commercial spear fishermen, by allowing two persons to remain aboard, resulting in improved safety during commercial diving operations.
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
Electronic copies of the amendment and final rule may be obtained from the NOAA Fisheries Web site http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/pdfs/Gulf_Amendment_34_EA.pdf
NEFMC Groundfish Committee’s Oct. 11 Meeting Prompts Discussion Related to Closed Area Access and Transboundary Stock Shares- Lots of Audio
NEFMC Groundfish Oversight Committee met last Thursday to continue development of Framework Adjustment 48. HAMPTON, N.H. – October 11, 2012 – The New England Fishery Management Council’s (NEFMC) Groundfish Oversight Committee met last Thursday to continue development of Framework Adjustment 48 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. Throughout the discussion, there were several key issues that emerged as focal points for a great deal of Committee and public comment, as well as debate.
With ‘Deadliest Catch’ cameras onboard, crabbers head to Bristol Bay -an increasing presence of Alaska Natives and Alaskan-owned boats.
The Bristol Bay red king crab fishery opened Monday with a larger quota, Hollywood on board again, and an increasing presence of Alaska Natives and Alaskan-owned boats. “We call it the Yupikest catch,” said Morgen Crowe, executive director of the Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF), the community development quota group in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. CVRF has purchased three crabbers, the Bering Sea, Arctic Sea, and North Sea, and about a third of combined crew members are Yupik Eskimo deckhands. While none are captains yet, that’s only a matter of time and training, Crowe said, adding that the crew earned $50,000 to $80,000 during the last snow crab season, Crowe said. The Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) program allocates a percentage of,,,,,,,,,,Read More http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/deadliest-catch-cameras-onboard-crabbers-head-bristol-bay?page=full
Missouri men facing commercial fishing violations – unlawful harvest of shovelnose sturgeon on the Mississippi River
For the Daily Gate City WAPELLO – Two southeast Missouri men face 74 counts and more than $43,000 in fines and civil damages for the alleged unlawful harvest of shovelnose sturgeon on the Mississippi River in Louisa County. Robert Housman, 43, of Sikeston Mo., was charged with 35 counts of unlawful take and possession of shovelnose sturgeon and two counts of setting entanglement gear (commercial fishing nets) in a closed zone for a total of $3,671 in fines. The state also is seeking $18,000 in liquidated damages from Housman. Michael Dye, 39, of Charleston, Mo., was charged with 34 counts of unlawful take and possession of shovelnose sturgeon, two counts of setting entanglement gear (commercial fishing nets) in a closed zone and one count of no commercial fishing license for a total of $3,772.50 in fines http://www.dailygate.com/news/article_ccca543c-1c7d-11e2-8439-0019bb2963f4.html
Recognition abounds for UMass professor Brian Rothschild By DON CUDDY – HEAR! HEAR!
NEW BEDFORD — Accolades are piling up for UMass Dartmouth professor and renowned marine scientist Brian Rothschild. This month, National Fisherman magazine announced it was giving Rothschild, 78, its Highliner Achievement Award for a lifetime of service to the fishing industry. Rothschild is one of four honorees from around the nation to be recognized the by the magazine of record for the commercial fishing industry. “These are the people who bring hope to their fishing communities,” National Fisherman editor Jessica Hathaway wrote in the November issue. “Their work sheds light on the way things can and should be done in the fishing industry.”
The announcement from National Fisherman comes at the same time that New Bedford’s Prince Henry Society selected the professor for its Man of the Year award, presented to an individual whose work has benefited the Portuguese community. Many of boats in the New Bedford fleet are owned and crewed by Portuguese fishermen. At UMass Dartmouth’s School of Marine Science and Technology, Rothschild and Dr. Kevin Stokesbury developed an innovative video survey for counting sea scallops in 1996 that is credited with preventing the collapse of what has become the most valuable fishery in the U.S. Rothschild was the founding dean of SMAST in 1995 and is known around the world for his work in population dynamics, biological oceanography and fisheries management. He has worked in fishery science for more than 50 years and has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers and reports.
The Prince Henry Society presented the award during the Society’s annual banquet at White’s of Westport on Saturday evening. Later this month, Rothschild flies to China at the invitation of the Shanghai Ocean University, where he will be the featured speaker at an event celebrating the university’s centennial year.
“To be honored by my Chinese colleagues in ocean science, my friends in the fishing industry, and my friends and neighbors in greater New Bedford is a tribute that I share with all of my friends and colleagues who have sharpened my commitment to discovery and public service,” Rothschild said in a university press release.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121022/NEWS/210220315/1018/OPINION
