Daily Archives: April 19, 2013
Past, present, future discussed at the first-ever Maryland Watermen’s Symposium
WYE MILLS – The first-ever Maryland Watermen’s Symposium on Thursday was a time to share treasured stories of the past, concerns about the present and hope for the future. Del. Jay Jacobs, R-36-Kent, who is a fourth-generation watermen, was at the symposium and said in his third year in the Maryland General Assembly he has seen the demise of an industry.”It’s being regulated to death. I hear from watermen all over the state of Maryland that regulations being put forth are so severe … the entire industry is really in a tailspin, in my opinion,” Jacobs said. continued
From the Moderator : NOAA Fisheries Service? No such agency! It’s still the National Marine Fisheries Service
First off, I’m a cranky old person.I wasn’t always like this, but time and events have taken their toll. I’m not ready for the dirt sandwich, although, ya never know! For quite a while now, something has been bugging me, and it has nothing to do with my crotchetiness. NOAA, and the National Marine Fishery Service have pulled an MMS. continued
4 comments
Is illegal Russian Crab holding down prices in Newfoundland?
Illegal Russian Crab Exports Surge in 2012 -KUCB 89.7 FM After several years of steady declines, illegal crab fishing in Russia spiked in 2012. The resulting glut of crab hurt Alaskan prices, and reignited concerns about how to combat the illegal harvest. Andy Wink tracks the Russian fisheries for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. He says Russia’s illegal harvest is staggering. continued
MAN UP!!! NIOSH to fishermen: wear your PFD
thecordovatimes.com – It’s not one size fits all, but there are enough styles of personal floatation devices out there now to fit every commercial fish harvester’s needs, says Ted Teske of the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety. “Our message to fishermen is find something that works,” Teske told participants in COMFISH Alaska 2013 in Kodiak on April 12. To help them do that NIOSH worked with several dozen commercial fishermen in Alaska who volunteered to wear a variety of PFDs for 30 days and complete an evaluation form for each one. continued
Drop in Chesapeake Bay’s crab population to bring new catch curbs
The Baltimore Sun – The annual winter survey of Maryland and Virginia waters tallied 300 million crabs, down nearly two-thirds from the number seen the year before, the Department of Natural Resources reported. Though the number of female crabs increased and remains well above the threshold scientists say is needed to sustain the population, the survey found the crop of juvenile crabs has fallen by 80 percent since last year. Officials said overharvesting didn’t appear to be the problem, but possibly an influx of fish into the bay that feasted on the young crabs. continued
Jim Gossen: The Old Man and The Seafood – Louisiana Seafood News
As Jim Gossen got older, his sleep patterns changed. No longer a night owl, these days Gossen prefers to have an early-morning coffee on the docks with local fishermen near his Grand Isle, La., camp. And while his sleep times are switched, the 65-year-old Gossen still maintains his around-the-clock energy and enthusiasm for seafood, especially Louisiana seafood. continued
Fishermen’s Fund benefits now at $10,000
Alaska’s Fishermen’s Fund, an emergency medical fund for commercial fishermen now has a benefit limit of $10,000, up from the old maximum of $2,500, program director Velma Thomas told participants in COMFISH Alaska 2013
on April 11. continued
The NFI claims that Greenpeace is a “science-averse” organisation that only cares about fundraising. (They ain’t the only ones!)
Fish Info & Services Co.Ltd – 
The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) is accusing Greenpeace of lying about US retailers’ seafood sustainability practices, and thus challenging reporters to interview Greenpeace before “regurgitating” the information in its press releases. continued
Alaska’s GM salmon protest comes to P.E.I. – Alaska concerned over economic impact of genetically-modified fish
A member of Alaska’s state government is meeting with P.E.I. politicians Thursday to share concerns over genetically-modified salmon. continued
Newfoundland Crab plant suing FFAW – Golden Shell is asking for $85,000 for the crab, cleanup and the company’s lawyer.
The company that runs a Random Island fish plant at the focus of a mass dumping of crab this week has filed a statement of claim against the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union. continued
Controversial bill allowing dragging for lobsters supported by Maine regulators video
Changing the law will help keep groundfishing boats in Maine, Mendelson said, which will encourage diversity in Maine’s fishing industry and help preserve Portland’s working waterfront. “The department believes that this bill is an appropriate step to take in helping to sustain the Maine groundfish industry for future generations,” Mendelson said. continued
Letters to the editor: Keep East Coast free of drilling – Hadley Wingate
Hadley fails to make a critical connection regarding U S Interior’s “Smart from the Start”, All of he Above” strategy. Knowing that view could possibly change by allowing oil companies to drill for oil off the East Coast breaks m
y heart. The Department of the Interior will make a ruling sometime this year on whether to allow oil companies to conduct seismic air gun testing off the East Coast. That testing is a process where air guns blast compressed air into the ocean…..Our best option to help preserve our oceans while meeting our energy needs is to switch over to clean renewable energy sources like offshore wind power that will protect our marine mammals and coastal communities. continued
Press release from Rep. Paul Tine – opposes H 983 – 2013 Fisheries Economic Development Act
Representative Tine announced today that he strongly opposes House Bill 983 entitled, 2013 Fisheries Economic Development Act. “This bill is a thinly-veiled effort by special interests to accomplish one thing, to eliminate commercial fishermen from catching Trout, Rockfish, and Drum,” said Representative Tine. “Commercial fishing is vital to our economy; we should be focused on finding ways to support our commercial fishing industry rather than adding new limitations and regulations.” continued
Partnerships for Fisheries Innovation, Growth, and Change: An Update on Travels to New England, Collaboration with the Community Fisheries Network & Other Inspiring Fisheries Organizations
A team from AMCC along with other Alaskan fishing friends embarked on an amazing voyage to Maine and Boston in early March. I accompanied the “Kodiak contingent” which included Dave Kubiak, AMCC’s board chair, Theresa Peter
son, AMCC’s Kodiak Outreach Coordinator, and Darius Kasprzak, President of the Alaska Jig Association. All three of the Kodiak group are active fishers, which gave our group lots of “fish cred” to carry with us as we headed east. Linda Behnken, President of the Alaskan Longline Fishermen’s Association and a member of AMCC’s Board of Advisors also went on trip. continued
MSC certifications list hits 200 mark with Canadian crab
Undercurrent News – After being in assessment for a little less than a year, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificationin the Eastern Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has received Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, becoming the 200th fishery with the MSC’s blue stamp of approval. continued
