Daily Archives: March 30, 2013

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

BOSTON (AP) – Federal fisheries managers have officially announced proposed  cuts in catch limits that they acknowledge will devastate the New England  fleet.  continue reading

 

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

sct logoBy 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 reading

Cod research could revive species

sct logoFive 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