Monthly Archives: March 2013
Passamaquoddys: Catch quota better way to protect elvers than fishing license limit. Catch capped at 3600 lbs – video
CALAIS, Maine — Imposing a catch limit is a better way of protecting the the state’s elver population than limiting the number of licenses .Tribal representatives said that limiting the catch to 3,600 pounds and allowing fishermen to use just one net was a better way to manage the resource than issuing a set number of licenses to tribal members. State invalidating all but 150 of the 575 licenses issued by the Passamaquoddy tribe. Any tribal license numbered 151 or higher will be considered void by Maine Marine Patrol, he said. continued
The global warming campaign is filled with Boris Wormism, and it’s catching up ” the self-serving coalition of environmentalists and big business hoping to create a carbon cartel”.
In Denial – The meltdown of the climate campaign. By STEVEN F. HAYWARD. It is increasingly clear that the leak of the internal emails and documents of the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in No
vember has done for the climate change debate what the Pentagon Papers did for the Vietnam war debate 40 years ago—changed the narrative decisively. Additional revelations of unethical behavior, errors, and serial exaggeration in climate science are rolling out on an almost daily basis, and there is good reason to expect more. continued
heating up – Passamaquoddys to hold press conference on elver fishing controversy
The press conference is being held in response to a statement Friday by Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher that the tribe had put the state out of compliance with fishing restrictions imposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission by issuing more than twice the number of elver licenses it should have. Keliher said that by issuing 575, the tribe has put Maine out of compliance with elver regulations. continued
From the Deckboss
Halfway there in Sitka herring fishery, Processor refloated, And they’re off!, Dipnet supremacy?, and more. As always, read the comment’s. continue to Deckboss.
More Tidal – The Race for an alternative energy source
The Day, New London – Because of the strong tidal force — ranging from about 4.4 to 6.7 mph — The Race is among three dozen locations nationwide cited in a 2011 Georgia Tech-U.S. Department of Energy report as having the potential to generate more than 100 megawatts of power from underwater turbines. continued
Coast Guard medevacs fisherman from F/V Atlantic Warrior 60 miles off Ocean City, NJ
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 42-year-old man from a fishing vessel approximately 60 miles southeast of Ocean City Saturday. Personnel aboard the fishing vessel Atlantic Warrior contacted Coast Guard watchstanders at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday, reporting a man aboard was experiencing pain and required medical assistance. continued
Proposed LNG Terminal and storage tank in Searsport threatens Penobscot Bay
By Rob Snyder, Special to the BDN – Today, fisheries make up 25 percent of the jobs in the bay’s economy and contribute $108 million, or 12 percent, of the economic base of the bay. The fisheries economy is perhaps the most fragile: lobster landings have increased fourfold over the past 20 years, pointing to a seemingly unsustainable population dynamic. continued
Massive storm spans Atlantic Ocean, coast to coast
The storm shown here stretches west to east from Newfoundland to Portugal. Its southern tail (cold front) extends into the Caribbean and the north side of its comma head touches southern Greenland. continued
Starting in Maine, tidal energy projects slowly taking hold across nation
In addition to developing its site in Maine, Ocean Renewable also is working in Alaska and with two other companies on developing their sites. Grants from the state of Maine and the federal Energy Department were key to getting the Cobscook Bay project off the ground, Sauer said. continued
Fortuna City Council to meet Monday; fisheries restoration grant up for discussion
Times-Standard – The Fortuna City Council will meet Monday to consider a resolution that would allow city staff to apply for a fisheries restoration grant. continued
Emerson C. Hasbrouck, senior educator of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program testifies before U.S. Senate on commercial fishing imbalances
Aiming to correct imbalances, Emerson C. Hasbrouck, senior educator of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program, testified before the U.S. Senate March 19 that the federal quotas on harvesting summer flounder — also called fluke — puts New York’s commercial fishermen at a disadvantage when compared with other states. continued
Senator calls for an end to ‘seal slaughter’
OTTAWA – A rogue Liberal senator and a Canadian animal rights group called for the end of the commercial “seal slaughter” Tuesday. Sen. Mac Harb and Humane Society International/Canada said the 2010 commercial seal hunt must be cancelled because an “ecological disaster” is threatening the future of the seal population. continue reading
Death of whale found at B.C. salmon farm remains a mystery – Video
Fisheries officials investigating the death of a humpback whale discovered inside a fish farm are hoping to figure out whether the farm’s net played any role in the mammal’s death. continue reading
Feds officially propose cuts in NE fish catch
Coast Guard officials will be bilingual, says commissioner
The Canadian Coast Guard says it won’t close a Quebec search and rescue facility until the Official Language Commissioner is satisfied other facilities can provide adequate French-language Services. continue reading
Passamaquoddys issue far more elver licenses than allowed by law
ELLSWORTH, Maine — A year after catching state officials off guard by issuing 236 elver fishing licenses in the middle of elver season, the Passamaquoddy Tribe has issued more than twice that amount for 2013. continue reading
Fishermen Encouraged by Proposal to Restore Island Swordfishing – “Swordfish is somewhat of a success story,”
Thirty deepwater fishermen from around New England expressed their approval at a meeting in Gloucester Thursday night for a new proposal to open up swordfishing to rod and reel and harpoon fishermen. Gregory Mayhew and his son Todd, both Menemsha fishermen, attended, as did Alex Friedman, president of the Martha’s Vineyard/Dukes County Fishermen’s Association. continue reading
B.C. Indian Chiefs: Wild salmon is the first and foremost priority by Dan Bacher
“It is completely unacceptable and First Nations cannot continue to stand idly by as the wild salmon runs die off,” said Chief Bob Chamberlin, Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs continue reading
Guest View: Rotating closed areas may be better for stocks
By Ron Smolowitz – Ron Smolowitz is a marine engineer and retired NOAA Corps officer, and has been conducting fisheries research and fishing gear development for almost 40 years. continue readingCod research could revive species
Five years ago, a state fisheries employee was on a busman’s holiday: fishing in 170 feet of water near a small gravel sandbar 3 miles east of Gloucester, happily hauling up one large cod after another. He had discovered the epicenter of a mass of spawning cod, possibly 30,000 fish, that returned to this spot every spring. State fisheries scientists realized this was a unique opportunity to observe spawning cod in the wild so, in 2009, they set up an underwater laboratory at the site. continue reading
A Fish Story
This documentary follows the plight of 2 commercial fishing families as they cope with falling fish stocks and increasing government regulation. This is a foundational expose of a relationship between
enviro- opportunists and a certain type of fisherman. I will link this interesting and timely piece written by our own Dick Grachek, “CLF and CLF Ventures: or we get rich by litigating the hostile takeover and trading away of public resources for corporate exploitation while claiming to save the planet.” read the article and the video, A Fish Story
This is also quite a read! Like I said. Timely!
From the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal – Cost/benefit of litigation in fishery management, Vol 7-1, 2001
http://mainelaw.maine.edu/academics/oclj/pdf/vol07_1/vol7_oclj_21.pdf
Ten Years After The Fall: Litigation And Groundfish Recovery In New England
Peter Shelley, Esq., Vice President, Conservation Law Foundation
Underwater Observations of Square Mesh 4-Panel Codends | HD
Published on Mar 19, 2013 Square Mesh 4-Panel Codends to reduce the discards of juvenile haddock taken in a trawl fishery off Cornwall. This work was Financed by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and carried out by Sea Fish Industry Authority at the request of a local fishermen who wanted to conserve juvenile haddock. Underwater video was taken of 2 different types of square mesh using a DSVR type recording system. This video shows that fishermen can reduce discards through voluntary use of conservation measures – like square mesh 4-panel codends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uShjdHjPu6I
Canadian boat builder plans to expand to Eastport, creating 50 jobs
EASTPORT, Maine — A long-established Canadian boat-building firm is expanding its operations to the Washington County community of Eastport later this year, a project expected to create as many as 50 jobs. New Brunswick-based Millennium Marine has been building boats in Escuminac since the 1940s and now produces a line of custom-built fiberglass boats that range in hull size from 25 to 60 feet. continue reading
What’s Behind Spike in Gulf Coast Dolphin Attacks? psst,,, they say it’s you fishermen. The psychologist’s weigh in.
NatGeo – According to a December report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in 2012 three dolphins with gunshot wounds were found “stranded” (or washed ashore) along the Gulf Coast—the highest number since 2004. continue reading
Effort to unionize Maine lobstermen attracts 250 potential members
STONINGTON, Maine — Lobstermen and union organizers are taking aim at an established industry group in an effort to form Maine’s first union for lobster harvesters. About 250 lobster harvesters have signed up for the union so far, and organizers have submitted an application for a charter with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or IAM. continue reading
Fish on Fridays: The Dollars and Science of Fishery Management
Earlier this month the House Committee on Natural Resources formally kicked off the Magnuson reauthorization festivities with a hearing that, according to Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), was “intended to highlight issues that could provide the basis for future hearings.” A hearing about future hearings: government efficiency at its finest. Most remarkable about this particular bit of political theater was,,
, continue reading
Shortages send lobster prices up
WEST YARMOUTH — The bins in the display case at Cape Codder Seafoods were overflowing with glistening fresh fish, scallops and shellfish, a harvest from the deep waters off Georges Bank all the way down to the shallow bays of Falmouth. That abundance was not true of the lobster pools, which were populated by just a few specimens, huddled in the corners. continue reading
Proposed Offshore Long Island Wind Farm Threatens East Coast Scallop Fishery
WASHINGTON — 29 March 2013 — The Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF), representing the majority of full-time Atlantic scallop limited access permit holders, submitted comments earlier this month on an unsolicited request by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for a commercial wind energy lease approximately 12 miles offshore Long Island, New York. The proposed wind farm would overlap lucrative scallop grounds, creating major concerns for scallopers who routinely transit and conduct fishing operations in the area. Read the comments from the Fisheries Survival Fund
Your job is Dangerous. The public health of fishing vessel winches. (Seriously!)
We in public health—and probably much of the public—tend to think that our field is about large-scale prevention and intervention efforts on behalf of the population’s well-being. Think anti-smoking laws and regulations, battles over soda size, and fights over the Affordable Care Act. But most of what public health does is, in fact, fairly mundane. It thinks about the ways our daily routines can either harm us or make us healthier— in our eating habits or in our jobs, for example—and then finding ways capitalize on that information. Take the fishing vessel winches. continue reading
State House hearing on calamari shows importance of squid to R.I. economy
Some 17.5 million pounds of annual squid landings valued at about $18 million makes squid the state’s most valuable commercial fishery, said R.I. Department of Environmental Management assistant director Robert Ballou. There are currently about 125 vessels in commercial squid fishery. continue reading
