Daily Archives: March 23, 2013
Minister Ashfield Announces the Acceptance of the CCGS S. Dudka
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced the acceptance of the CCGS S. Dudka, a new Canadian Coast Guard specialty vessel which will be used primarily to support the conservation and protection of fisheries resources. continue reading
Salmon farms near Campbell River capped for 7 years – Province agrees with intent of eight recommendations from the Cohen Commission
Six months after the release of the Cohen Commission’s final report on the decline of Fraser River sockeye salmon, the B.C. government says it accepts the intent of a number of the report’s recommendations, including putting a cap on future open-net fish farms along a critical migration route. continue reading
Senate passes federal aid for fisheries
PROVIDENCE, R.I (AP)– The U.S. Senate has passed an amendment that would allow funds in next year’s federal budget to be used to aid fishermen in the Northeast and elsewhere. continue
Competing bills for alewife repopulation toe lines of international jurisdiction
ST. STEPHEN, New Brunswick – The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Marine Resources will listen Monday to the public’s views on three bills that affect St. Croix River alewives. The committee will hold a public hearing in Augusta on bills to open a fishway at the Grand Falls dam to allow alewives to return to historic spawning beds in the international river. “Canada wants open fish passage on the St. Croix River right through the system,” he said. “Science shows that alewives pose no threat to smallmouth bass.” American federal authorities seem to support Canada’s stance. continue
B.C. fish-farm foes criticize aquaculture committee, fear being “shouted down”
VANCOUVER – Critics of British Columbia’s salmon-farming industry fear they could be “shouted down” and that their concerns will disappear into a “black hole” when a new committee meets to advise federal fisheries officials on aquaculture issues. continue
Coast Guard terminates fishing vessel Donna Jean voyage near Kake, Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Naushon terminated the voyage of the fishing vessel Donna Jean near Kake after discovering several safety issues aboard the vessel Friday. continue
New elver licensee Awesus Mitchell goes for the gold as season opens – video
NOBLEBORO, Maine – Awesus Mitchell stood at the Nobleboro Town Landing at noon Friday and eyed the icy Medomak River beneath him, preparing to claim his lottery prize. The proud winner of an elver fishing license, he had been at the landing since 8 a.m. Friday, and “stakin’ this spot out for a couple of weeks.” “It’s a good, anxious feeling,” he said. “It’s like I’ve won the lottery … I didn’t get much sleep last night.” continue
Mass. senators join the fray on fisheries – Warren, Cowan onboard..
BOSTON — Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., stepped into the fray to bring relief to Northeast fishermen, introducing her first Senate amendment in the form of a disaster assistance fund for fishermen. “It’s long overdue,” said Jim Kendall, a former scallop fisherman and president of New Bedford Seafood Consulting. “First of all, it’s been officially declared a disaster in the fisheries (for some time).” continue
New Ship Assembly Hall To Be Dedicated
Ketchikan, Alaska – Alaska Ship & Drydock (ASD) in cooperation with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) will host a ceremony March 26 to dedicate the new ship assembly hall at the Ketchikan Shipyard. continue
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signs territorial waters bill
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Gov. Phil Bryant has signed a bill that extends Mississippi’s territorial waters by about seven miles. Mississippi and Louisiana waters now extend only about 3 miles south of their barrier islands. The new lines would put the two states closer to the boundaries of other Gulf of Mexico states, which extend their waters to 9 miles or 10 miles out. continue
Adding insult to injury: The budget and Indigenous relations – “Supporting First Nations fishing enterprises”
The Government of Canada is trumpeting $626 million in new investment for Indigenous peoples in yesterday’s budget. Let’s just say that’s a slight exaggeration. Here’s a closer look at the four “investment” areas. continue
Fraser River sockeye salmon run may be lower than expected, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
VANCOUVER – A federal official says this year’s Fraser River sockeye salmon run may be lower than expected. continue
Cape fishermen learn skills in emergency drills
Orange smoke billowed across the restaurant’s parking lot as fishermen practiced using flares, a critical rescue tool. “Most people don’t know how to use them properly or how to ignite them properly. They can be injured, they can be burnt if they aren’t properly trained,” said Ted Williams, a former commercial fisherman and now a Coast Guard certified drill instructor. One fisherman admitted that if he had received flare training, he likely wouldn’t have blown off his thumbnail in a flare accident 15 years ago. continued
