Monthly Archives: December 2012
Squid catch dips in Monterey Bay
This year’s squid season, which started on April 1, was so good it was shut down early for the third straight year. To keep populations of the milky white cephalopods at sustainable levels, state officials limit the total catch to 118,000 tons. This season the limit was reached by Nov. 21. http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_22119437/less-than-banner-year-squid-monterey-bay
SBA Loans available to assist with fishing affected by chinook salmon fishery disaster
Businesses in affected areas in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Lower Kuskokwim and Lower Yukon Rural Education Attendance Areas, the Matanuska Susitna Borough, and some neighboring areas, can apply for the loans until Aug. 21, 2013. Business owners and permit-holders are eligible to apply. Crewmembers are not be eligible. http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2012-12-04/loans-available-to-assist-with-fishing-disaster
Editorial: Any fishery aid should come from NOAA, Commerce – mad science and built-to-fail catch share management policies
Lumping in fishermen’s economic disaster aid with money going to recovery from a true natural disaster would miscast the fishery disaster as some sort of natural catastrophe as well, and it’s not. The New England and Northeast fishery disaster is a man-made, intentional economic collapse that was not just caused, but truly engineered by NOAA and administrator Jane Lubchenco, who, still propped up by the White House, have driven Gloucester’s, New England’s and America’s own fishermen right out of their jobs and their way of life while the president himself hypocritically proclaims he wants “jobs, jobs, jobs” for American working families.http://www.gloucestertimes.com/opinion/x2120610726/Editorial-Any-fishery-aid-should-come-from-NOAA-Commerce
Northern shrimp in the Gulf of Maine season slashed 74pc by the ASMFC
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) this week set the season’s shrimp catch limit at 1.38 million lbs — down from 5.3 million lbs in 2012 — to protect the shrimp population from overfishing and the effects of higher water temperatures. http://fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&ndb=1&id=57324
http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x520556227/Maine-Fisheries-sharply-reduces-shrimp-harvest
Deepwater disaster scrutinised
SCIENTIS
TS at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science have illustrated a number of subtle but disastrous impacts caused by the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill…… After a month of raising these fish in clean water, the team put the resulting juveniles through the paces on their “fish treadmill” and they could only swim about 70 per cent as fast as those that had never been exposed to oil. http://www.fishnewseu.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9455:deepwater-disaster-scrutinised&catid=46:world&Itemid=56
County Commissioners to hold Rally in Salem Thursday for Gillnetters – Public To Speak at Friday, Dec. 7 Meeting! BE THERE!
To show support for the local commercial salmon fishing industry, the Clatsop County Commissioners are organizing a rally on the steps of the state capital in Salem, Thursday at 11:30 a.m. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will take up the gillnet plan beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at the Holiday Inn-Portland Airport, Willamette Room, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland. Public testimony will be taken at the meeting. http://www.seasidesignal.com/regional/article_52cea3a6-3db4-11e2-8658-001a4bcf887a.html
New study shows dispersant makes oil up to 52 times more toxic to Gulf of Mexico microorganisms
Followup studies after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill call into question the extensive use of chemical dispersants. Photo courtesy NOAA.
FRISCO — The massive amounts of oil that spilled into the Gulf of Mexico after BP’s Deepwater Horizon drill rig exploded was devastating to marine life, but the dispersant used in the aftermath to try and break down the oil slicks may have been even worse for some species, according to new research done by scientists with the Georgia Institute of Technology and Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes, Mexico. http://summitcountyvoice.com/2012/12/01/environment-new-study-shows-dispersant-makes-oil-up-to-52-times-more-toxic-to-gulf-of-mexico-microorganisms/
Whats up with this NOAA Fisheries stuff? I cannot find anything official, but they have it plastered on everything!
This abandonment of NMFS and the increased use of “NOAA FISHERIES” prompted me to do some snooping around, but I can’t find anything about it! What the Hell is going on and who in the Hell are they to just change it? If you know anything about it, leave a comment. Lets get to the bottom of this, eh? BH
Attn: Tier 1 and 2 Atlantic Mackerel Permit Holders – Marjorie Mooney-Seus say’s “You’re Approved!” “Come on down to,,,,,,,” UPDATED!
More individuals and entities approved to complete vessel hold measurements. Deadline to submit extended to December 31, 2013. NOAA Fisheries announces that we have expanded the list of individuals and entities approved to complete vessel hold capacity measurements for Tier 1 and 2 Atlantic mackerel permit holders. We have also extended the deadline to submit vessel hold capacity measurements from December 31, 2012, to December 31, 2013, or during a vessel replacement transaction, whichever comes first. Click here here for further details. Her links NEVER work!
On Track to See Record Number of Sea Turtle Strandings in Northeast this Year (funny. these links work)
Each year when autumn rolls around, sea turtles tend to strand along the Northeast coast as a result of “cold stunning.” It has been an extraordinarily busy sea turtle stranding season, with a running total of 150 reported strandings so far from Massachusetts to New York.
Guest View: Strong action on menhaden best for coastal economy and ecology – Peter Baker – Pew Environment Group.
Unfortunately, a recent guest commentary in this paper (“Guest View: Menhaden fishery needs reasonable — not drastic — action,” Nov. 7) presented an outdated picture of the science about this fish and a false choice between protecting menhaden and jobs. In fact, sound science supports bold action on menhaden to benefit both our coastal ecosystem and economy.http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121203/OPINION/212030322
More humpbacks could cause problems by Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska News (audio)
There’s a baby boom going on with Alaska’s humpback whales. Slow-but-steady population growth is good news for the species, as well as whale-watchers. But it could be bad news for boaters, hatcheries and the herring fleet. The healthy population was visible during a boat tour held as part of the Sitka WhaleFest Science Symposium, held Nov. 1-4. “There’s a few more whales further out. http://www.kcaw.org/2012/12/01/more-humpbacks-could-cause-problems/
Editorial: Fishery appeals ruling put onus on capping catch shares
Yet no o
ne should believe that this ruling marks the end of the fight over catch shares, or other aspects of the gross mismanagment of New England’s and America’s fisheries by the administrator Jane Lubchenco and her National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as we know it. For in standing by Amendment 16 and catch shares, Chief Judge Sandra Lynch — who wrote the decision or the court – cited a December 2011 announcement by the regional fishery council that it is developing rules aimed at “reduc(ing) the likelihood that groundfish permit holders will acquire or control excessive shares or fishing privileges.”http://www.gloucestertimes.com/opinion/x520555400/Editorial-Fishery-appeals-ruling-put-onus-on-capping-catch-shares
‘What is NOAA trying to hide?’
In the la
test letter, which the Times obtained, Broun wrote that “by law, NOAA must comply with citizen requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act within 20 working days. I shouldn’t have to remind you that a congressional committee with jurisdiction over NOAA is afforded greater access than that of citizens under FOIA.” Lubchenco’s spokeman Scott Smullen emailed the Times that “we will soon provide an answer to the congressman.”
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x2120610000/What-is-NOAA-trying-to-hide
Bighead carp caught by commercial fishermen in Lake Pepin
A 47-pound bighead carp was caught in a seine net by commercial fishermen on Nov. 16, in Lake Pepin near Frontenac, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
The DNR and other partners are aggressively implementing an action plan that was developed in 2011. This plan includes an active monitoring program involving fisheries surveys, commercial fishing, and eDNA testing. http://www.hutchinsonleader.com/news/outdoors/bighead-carp-caught-by-commercial-fishermen-in-lake-pepin/article_5e374da7-2cd7-548d-8852-5b3c0355d496.html
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Lobster Tagging Project – from GoodMorningGloucester
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire is in the process of trying to identify areas in New Hampshire state waters with aggregations of large reproductive female lobsters and track their movements. Though we’re also very interested in finer scale movements within the State, perhaps our most interesting tag returns have come from other states. We’ve had two lobsters that were caught near Portland Maine and had moved over thirty miles. We’ve also had a few reports from fishermen in the Gloucester that have caught tagged lobsters in their traps. http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/new-hampshire-fish-and-game-departments-lobster-tagging-project/
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update December 2, 2012
“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.”http://hosted.vresp.com/1181479/94f944c1a6/545568053/ad93d20bca/
Dolphin abuse on the rise on Gulf Coast – Sorry Harvey, yer article don’t pass the sniff test.
GALVESTON – People increasingly are injuring or killing dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico, with two dolphin mutilations recorded on the Texas coast this year, federal officials said Friday. At least 11 dolphins were discovered mutilated on the Texas Gulf Coast over the last eight years, including one case in which a dolphin was shot and its head cut off. Another 31 were injured or killed by boats and fishing gear, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.A NOAA spokeswoman said more than 60 human interactions with dolphins were recorded in 2010, http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Dolphin-abuse-on-the-rise-on-Gulf-Coast-4082086.php
Two Arrested for Using Gill Net for Fishing in Gulf County
Randall Moore
Ashley Haddock
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement officers arrested two Gulf County men on St. Joe Bay before daylight Nov. 23 with an almost-8,000-square-foot gill net and more than 600 pounds of illegally netted pompano, Spanish mackerel and sheepshead.
2 La. men admit illegally fishing for shark fins
BELLE CHASSE, La. (AP) — Two men have pleaded guilty to a Louisiana fishing violation after authorities said fins from hundreds of sharks were found aboard their vessel. Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 37-year-old Rick Nguyen of Buras and 29-year-old Hung Anh Tiet of Dallas pleaded guilty Thursday to concealing illegal fish. http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/2-La-men-admit-illegally-fishing-for-shark-fins-4081698.php?cmpid=twitter
Maine shrimp industry in such dire straits season might be called off this year
PORTLAND, Maine — Maine’s Gulf of Maine boats traditionally take to the waters of the Gulf of Maine the first week of December. But not this year. And not last year. In fact, the Northern Shrimp Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommends that there not be a shrimp season at all this year.
Commercial fishing quotas on Conn.DEEP meeting agenda Dec. 10
The purpose of this meeting is to receive input on strategies to manage the 2013 commercial quotas for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass and bluefish to share access equitably among endorsement-letter holders by season, optimize economic returns, and to prevent fishery closures that could lead to discarding fish. No major shifts in management strategy with significant allocation implications will be considered at this meeting. http://www.theday.com/article/20121130/NWS01/121139967/-1/zip06&town=East-Lyme
2012 Edition of Alaska Community Fishing Fact Sheets Published – SitNews
SitNews) – The statewide commercial fishing umbrella association United Fishermen of Alaska has released its updated set of data sheets for major Alaska communities and boroughs. The group is seeking to provide UFA groups, members, and the public with economic information to illustrate the industry’s significance in their communities. http://www.sitnews.us/1112News/113012/113012_fishing_facts.html
Ketchikan Commercial Fishing and Seafood Processing Facts http://www.ufa-fish.org/CFF/2012/21.Ketchikan%20Community%20Fish%20Facts%20V%202012.1.pdf
They fought the good fight on fishing regulations
As expected — and hoped by some — sector management is decimating the fleet, collapsing it into fewer and larger boats, and putting people out of work. After all we’ve been through, here’s a quote from the No. 1 sector advocate, the person who came from the Environmental Defense Fund to become administrator of NOAA, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, on the announcement in September of a fishery state of emergency in the Northeast:
“Fishing is the lifeblood of many coastal communities, providing jobs, a continuation of an historic tradition and culture, recreational opportunities for millions of anglers, and contributing to food security for the nation. Finding solutions will not be easy but, by continuing to work together, we can have healthy fish stocks, profitable fisheries and vibrant fishing communities.”
Those sure are nice words. We’ve heard a lot of nice words from NOAA in the past two or three years, haven’t we? The real lesson runs counter to the lofty pronouncements about caring and cooperation. Instead, it is, Don’t challenge anything NOAA does or says, or question its motives as it buries embarrassing reports, or point out the bugs in the science, or wonder why no one has lost their job over the law enforcement fiasco.
And if you want to take it to court, then remember: The law makes it almost impossible to overturn a regulation, which is what New Bedford and Gloucester and all the others were trying to do to save their communities and save their livelihoods. http://www.southcoasttoday.
They of Honor and Integrity whom would seek Justice.
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD; NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION; PAUL THERIAULT; CHUCK WEIMER; DAVID ARIPOTCH; TEMPEST FISHERIES, LTD.; GRACE FISHING, INC.; RICHARD GRACHEK; ROANOKE FISH CO., INC.; AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF FISHERMEN AND THEIR COMMUNITIES; NEW BEDFORD FISH LUMPERS PENSION PLAN; CITY OF GLOUCESTER; ATLANTIC COAST SEAFOOD, INC.; LYDIA & MAYA, INC.; JOHN & NICHOLAS, INC.; BERGIE’S SEAFOOD, INC.; NORDIC, INC.; LYMAN FISHERIES, INC.; THE HOPE II, INC.; REIDAR’S MANUFACTURING, INC.; DIAMOND DOG FISHING CORP.; ATLANTIC ENTERPRISES, LLC; WANCHESE FISH COMPANY; EASTER JOY, INC.; LOCAL 1749 ILA, AFL-CIO, NEW BEDFORD FISH LUMPERS PENSION PLAN,
