Monthly Archives: March 2013
Alaska’s Halibut, Black Cod Harvest Season Opens Tomorrow
Grocers can start preparing their seafood departments for Alaska’s wild halibut and black cod (sablefish), for which harvest season opens tomorrow, March 23. Statewide Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits for Alaska halibut and black cod a
re set at over 23 million pounds and 35 million pounds respectively. continue
Coast Guard identifies sunken fishing vessel missing since 1972, F/V Katmai was Kodiak bound
MOBILE, Ala. – The Coast Guard has identified a sunken fishing vessel missing since 1972. The Schmidt Ocean Institute research vessel Falkor in concert with Bureau of Ocean Energy Management found an unknown sonar target object December 2012. continue
US pollock industry faces ‘perfect storm’ on roe, blocks, surimi, and, the Russian’s are coming!
Disappointing prices and lower volumes on the roe auctions of last weekend are the latest headache for the US Alaska pollock industry, which is also facing soft markets for its other core products. “It’s the worst environment for over a decade, maybe more,” said one source with a Seattle-based supplier. “The roe auctions were a disaster,” the source told Undercurrent News. “Then, you have weaker markets for blocks in Europe and also surimi in Japan. It’s going to be one tough year.” continue
Senator Elizibeth Warrens first Amendment ever filed is Fishery Assistance Amendment
BOSTON —The Associated Press- U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has filed an amendment that would provide disaster relief funds for the Northeast fishing industry. It’s the first amendment the Massachusetts Democrat has filed since taking office. The amendment would set aside funds in the 2014 budget to aid fishermen across the New England region. continued
The New England groundfish debacle (Part III): who or what is at fault? Nils E. Stolpe/FishNet USA
It took me a while to decide how to most accurately describe the situation that has been visited upon the New England fishing communities that are and since colonial times have been dependent on the groundfish fisheries. 
I finally settled on “debacle” because it means about the same thing as “fiasco” but with a heap more gravitas. And I can only think of what’s going on, and what has been allowed to go on, in that fishery as a fiasco on steroids. An awful lot has been written – and said – recently about New England groundfish but no one appears to have tied it all up into a neat and coherent package. Not being directly involved in the fishery or its management, and being at least twelve hundred miles removed from it, I’m going to try to do that from the position of semi-objectivity that separation allows. continued
Local Petersburg fishermen urge support for sea otter bounty bill
Several Petersburg fishermen came out to support Senate Bill 60, implementing a $100 bounty on all sea otters taken legally under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Monday evening during the regular meeting of the Petersburg Borough Assembly. The resolution that was proposed by the Assembly at the March 4 meeting was brought back to the table for discussion due to the interest of the residents and fishermen of the area. Local commercial fisherman Max Worhatch was the first to step to the microphone. continue
The Fishing for Energy Partnership Awards Grant Funding to Reduce the Impacts of Derelict Fishing Gear and Marine Debris
Defence, Department and Fisheries and Oceans Canada under axe
OTTAWA — Major cuts are coming to the Defence Department and Fisheries and Oceans Canada but there are few details in the 2013 budget about where the money will be saved. The slashing at Fisheries and Oceans is on top of existing cuts announced in last year’s budget. In total, the department will lose $89 million in 2013-14. continue
Letter to the Editor – Oil sheiks must celebrate our offshore wind fixation – James H. Bodurtha, Cotuit, Ma.
We have an opportunity to be energy independent in five to seven years, but instead of using our resources to further environmentally safe production of natural gas, coal gasification, solar energy and onshore wind sited in unobtrusive locations, we find our citizens and some legislators being hoodwinked by Cape Wind into supporting the most expensive possible offshore wind boondoggle. continue
Comeback for cod, yellowtail? Gulf of Maine cod have made a dramatic return
In a welcome surprise but one with potentially complex implications, Gulf of Maine cod have returned in notable concentrations to Stellwagen Bank and are being landed with plentiful yellowtail flounder by the inshore fleet. continue
Coast guard captain recalls Queen of the North ferry search
VANCOUVER – The confusion over whether the Queen of the North’s passengers were all accounted for after the ferry sank off the northern coast of British Columbia didn’t affect the search for potential survivors, a coast guard captain told a crew member’s criminal negligence trial Thursday. By the time the Sir Wilfrid Laurier reached the scene, a number of fishing boats, mostly from the nearby First Nations community of Hartley Bay, had already arrived and were transporting survivors to Hartley Bay. continue
Canadian Food Inspection Agency shutdown Iceland-based JHS Fish Products,over ‘picky things’: fish plant president
A fish plant near Yarmouth says a recent shutdown throwing 38 people out of work that was ordered by food inspectors was based on minor infractions. continue
Return to Swordfishing? Lost Fishing Tradition May Be Restored – public hearing in Gloucester on Thursday, March 28.
With the healthy restoration of swordfish along the eastern seaboard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries service said it is now considering an open-access permit that could return swordfishing to Island waters by opening access to all fishermen, and small-boat fishermen in particular. The National Marine Fisheries Service will host a public hearing in Gloucester seeking comment on the proposed permit on Thursday, March 28. continue
Otters overwhelm shellfish fisheries, First Nations on B.C.’s coast
In the early 1900’s, these adorable-but-ferocious predators were hunted to near extinction for their luxurious fur. With continual conservation efforts, the sea otter population is growing, and along with it the marine mammal’s appetite for shellfish. Salomon has worked with sea otters for 12 years, and describes them as cute and cuddly from far away, but up close “they’re as big as a German shepherd with very big teeth.” continue
Michigan DNR: Commercial Fisheries net $20 million for state economy
Lansing — The Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division recently released data from its 2012 state-licensed commercial fishing season, showing that state-licensed commercial fisheries caught 3,762,000 pounds of fish with a dockside value of $4,087,000 prior to processing, marketing and retail sale. continueNJ plans new reef solely for recreational fishing
New Jersey plans to create a new artificial fishing reef north of Barneget Inlet exclusively for the use of recreational fishermen. It’s the result of a compromise announced Thursday in a dispute between recreational and commercial fishing interests over access to artificial reefs off the coast. continue
Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey Joins with The Humane Society of the United States to Protect Seals
Acclaimed celebrity chef Brian Malarkey has signed on to The Humane Society of the United States’ Protect Seals campaign to bring Canada’s commercial seal slaughter to an end. continue
Networks of Researchers and Fishermen Working Together to Reduce Bycatch, Maximize Fishing Opportunities, and Advance Real-Time Technology
In the fall of 2010, the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Cooperative Research Program (NCRP) awarded more than $3 million to network groups designed to tackle difficult challenges in New England and Mid-Atlantic fisheries. These network projects provide a cross-discipline platform for fishermen, scientists, gear manufacturers and managers to work together to address their most pressing issues. continue
The Bottom Line: Coming Together for Bluefin Tuna
It’s not every day that fishermen and environmentalists agree. But in a significant move, the American Bluefin Tuna Association and the International Game Fish Association are partnering with The Pew Charitable Trusts to protect bluefin tuna, one of the most amazing fish in the sea. By working together, we might be able to help ensure a brighter future for this depleted fish. continued
The Fisheries Broadcast with John Furlong
Wednesday March 20, 2013 – The loss of a great Labrador ambassador…retired Inuit fisherman Perry Michelin, and Some lessons from Boston, what I learned at the Seafood Show. audio
The controversy over Quota Self-Adjustment Agreements, An update on the tragedy that took the lives of five young fishermen from Wood’s Harbour, Nova Scotia during the winter lobster fishery. audio
Fish stocks rebound under federal plan
Roughly two-thirds of depleted fish stocks across the country have rebounded significantly under federal rebuilding plans. But certain species within the South Atlantic region – which includes North Carolina – continue to struggle, according to a report released this month by the Natural Resources Defense Council, or NRDC. continue
Letter to the Editor – Conservative in name alone – Cody Young, Penticton
If you identify as a Conservative that means you’re an environmentalist. The point of the traditional Burkean Conservative philosophy is of social stability, degrading the environment and not managing/regulating common resources that 
communities depend on undermines social stability. continued bclocalnews.com
Windy Winter Has Been A Problem For Commercial Fishermen – Video
Commercial fishing is a big industry here in the east but it has taken a hit recently because of all of the windy weather. continued – video
Free survival training for commercial fishermen Friday, March 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sandwich Marina
Registration forms are available at the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association office, 8 Otis Place, Scituate, or by calling Lori Caron at 781-635-0011 or emailing [email protected]. The Fishing Partnership Support Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of fishing families. Read more
Farewell: Capt. Larry Simns – No. 1 waterman leaves a Chesapeake legacy
Word spread fast across marine radios from New Jersey to North Carolina, via e-mail, telephones and cell phones, Facebook, the Internet and Twitter on March 14. Captain Larry Simns, president of the Maryland Watermen’s Association for 40 years, passed away at age 75. Watermen, environmentalists, seafood processors, politicians, state bureaucrats and many more of us stopped in our tracks. I did, though I knew Larry’s passing was coming. continued
From the Deckboss
Long endorsement, Let go of that octopus!, Sitka herring quota edges up, Is Congressman Young in trouble?, Commerce Department will need new leader, and as always, read the comments! link
Letter to the Editor: Selling lobster tails can spark cheating – Bob Mitchell, R.A. Mitchell Co. Popes Island, New Bedford
I truly enjoy reading Richard Gaines’ coverage of the state of the fisheries. He really knows the subject, and call out the misconceptions people have of the fishing industry. However, continued
Editorial: Massachusetts State lobster bill needs to avoid important pitfall
At face value, a new bill that would free up Massachusetts lobster dealers and others to sell lucrative tails and other lobster parts to in-state restaurants only makes sense, especially since they were already free to sell for out-of-state use. continued
Letters to the editor – New fee will add to lobstermen’s woes, lobsterman Nelson King, East Boothbay
A recent article (“Maine lobster industry supports new fee,” March 6) is incorrect. The article states that the majority of lobstermen are in favor of L.D. 486 and L.D.182, requiring lobstermen to pay 74 percent of the Lobster Promotion Council’s budget increase. They are not. continued
UNH historian wins prestigious 2013 Bancroft Prize – “The Mortal Sea: Fishing the Atlantic in the Age of Sail”
While overfishing is often thought of as a contemporary problem, Bolster reveals in “The Mortal Sea” that humans were transforming the sea long before factory trawlers turned fishing from a hand-liner’s art into an industrial enterprise. The western Atlantic’s legendary fishing banks, stretching from Cape Cod to Newfoundland, have attracted fishermen for more than 500 years. continued
