Daily Archives: February 11, 2013
NOAA – Forward Thinking Measures To Benefit Scallop Fishermen and Resouce (sic)
“We have a long term vision for this resource and confidence in our research surveys that show we had unprecedented recruitment (abundance of young scallops) in the Mid-Atlantic in 2012,” said scallop industry representative, Peter Hughes of Atlantic Capes Fisheries. Annual surveys of the scallop resource conducted by NOAA Fisheries, the Virginia Institute for Maine Science and the School of Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, showed a high number of small scallops in 2012, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic. In recent history, the only year when the number of small scallops was greater was in 2001. Read more here
NOAA – Effective Today Trip Limit Adjustments for Groundfish Common Pool Vessels
NOAA Fisheries today announced that effective immediately trip limits for Gulf of Maine cod, Georges Bank cod and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder are increased for common pool vessels fishing under a Northeast multispecies day-at-sea. Also effective immediately, the trip limits for white hake and pollock are decreased for common pool vessels. Proportional trip limit adjustments also have been made for the Handgear B permit for Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod, as required by the regulations. These measures remain in effect through the end of the current fishing year, which ends on April 30, 2013. Read the Bulletin here
What the……..Explosive Fed. Mandate Killing Thousands of Red Snapper – Video
“Good Lord,” marine scientist Dr. Bob Shipp said, when Local 15 showed him the video. “As a scientist, I think it’s abominable.” Shipp said the demolitions are frequent, sometimes three a week in the Gulf, but are seldo
m video-taped. Shipp also sits on the Gulf Fisheries Management Council, and has been a strong opponent of the demolitions. “It’s a double whammy,” Shipp said, “Not only are we killing a lot of snapper, but we’re also destroying their habitat.” Read more here
McDonald’s tightlipped on MSC ‘sweetheart deal’ talk
Fast food giant McDonald’s is paying for use of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) logo, a spokesman for the chain told Undercurrent News. McDonald’s announced in late January it is to use the blue MSC logo on its Filet-o-Fish sandwiches and Fish McBites.Industry speculation has focused on the motivation for this move, with sources suggesting it could be so McDonald’s is then able to use if the Russian fishery successfully concludes its MSC,,,,,, Read more here
A watched cod
The New England cod fishery has existed for hundreds of years, lasting through many major swings in landings. Yes, this is the lowest we’ve ever “seen” the biomass (insofar as our limited data allows us to see), but this is also the warmest we’ve seen the water and the most dogfish we’ve had to contend with. Read more here
Council takes up crab issues – Crew provisions, active participation for quota holders
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council took final action to increase some community protections for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab fisheries today. The council discussed but did not move forward with regulatory 
action regarding captain and crew protections in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab fisheries. The two discussion papers on those issues talked about participation requirements for quota shareholders, and cooperative measures to address crew issues. Read more here
Ocean Industrialization American Samoa – Future leaders briefed on sea mining prospects
Seabed mining may be a foreign idea to American Samoa but other islands of the South Pacific like Papua New Guinea and the Cook islands are already reaping benefits from allowing their seafloor to be exploited for high in demand minerals. Read more here Audio included
Thanks for listening to lobstermen – Jason Day – third-generation lobsterman from Vinalhaven Me.
Arguably the most thankless job in state government is being the commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources. If you get five lobstermen together, they will have at least seven different opinions on what should be done for the future of the lobster industry in Maine. That has not deterred Commissioner Patrick Keliher from visiting fishing towns up and down the coast to hear directly from lobstermen this winter. Read more here
KVH’a TrackPhone Is On Track And Ship Shape
“Our global network is now complete, and our TracPhone product line offers a complete end-to-end solution to quickly and easily bring the benefits of fast, affordable VSAT service to vessels.” The mini-VSAT Broadband network is unique in that it is the only complete, end-to-end solution for offshore connectivity. Read more here
Louisiana Crawfish Rebounds
The last two years for Louisiana’s crawfish industry has been difficult. From the BP oil spill to meager years caused by summer drought and winter cold, it has been a long haul. But last year’s wet summer and a relatively warm and wet winter this year are boosting the early crop for a season that normally peaks in late spring, in April and May. Read more here
77% of Alaska’s processing workers are from out-of-state
Three out of four workers in Alaskan seafood processing plants are from out of state, according to the findings of a Department of Labor study. read more here
Fish in the Global Balance
There are reasons to be optimistic about some forms of aquaculture……And the food that feeds the most important farmed fishes, like salmon, has to come from somewhere — from the sea itself, or from grain, which in turn means more demand in an increasingly grain-strapped world. Read more here
