Daily Archives: May 7, 2013
Congress eyeing changes to commercial fishing law
mainetoday.com – WASHINGTON — As Congress prepares to revisit the law governing how U.S. fishermen ply their trade, New England’s beleaguered groundfish industry illustrates the challenge of reviving a historic fishery in the face of climate change and other factors. For some, the industry’s struggle to survive is cited as proof that current federal fisheries regulations are too rigid to respond to unique circumstances. For others, the regulations are seen as the type of strong, science-based management that should have been in place decades ago. continued
A little bit about the gal overseeing our industry – she ain’t real people! Obama’s priorities are not what’s in the public interest.
AlterNet – Obama Embraces Plutocrats Again With His Billionaire Commerce Secretary Choice – May 6, 2013 President Obama has let the public down once again with his pick for Secretary 
of Commerce Penny Pritzker, the billionaire businesswoman who led the national 2008 fundraising effort that kept the Obama campaign’s hopes alive and catapulted him to the White House. continued
Pamlico leaders give thumbs down toHouse Bill 983
Sun Journal Staff – The board gave a unanimous vote of disapproval to House Bill 983, which would classify the species as game fish, limit harvests to hook-and-line catches by recreational anglers and prohibit sales. continued
Blue North to Build First-of-Its-Kind Low-Impact Sustainable Fishing Vessel – includes innovative feature called a “moon pool”.
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) May 07, 2013 – Blue North, a sustainable natural resource company crafted for the 21st century, today announced that it has signed a contract with Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Washington, to build one of the most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced fishing vessels in the world. The innovative “green” boat – which will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014 – was specifically developed for the Alaska cod hook-and-line fishery, and was designed by Skipsteknisk AS, a Norwegian ship design firm. continued Moon pool video
Bad lobster prices on PEI souring season
MONTAGUE, PEI – Two fishermen in the local grocery store here over the weekend couldn’t believe their eyes. “Take a look at that price,” said one angrily. “And they’ll get it.” The price on the cooked lobster wrapped in cellophane was $12.56. Around the corner in the display tank, live lobster was selling for $10.99 a pound. “And all we might get is $2.75……we should just tie up the boats and have done with it,” said the other. sadly continued
New robotic instruments to provide real-time data on Gulf of Maine red tide
Phys.org – A new robotic sensor deployed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Gulf of Maine coastal waters may transform the way red tides or harmful algal blooms (HABs) are monitored and managed in New England. The instrument was launched at the end of last month, and a second such system will be deployed later this spring. continued
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-05-robotic-instruments-real-time-gulf-maine.html#jCp
Sitka herring near 10-year average for spawn miles
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SITKA — Sitka Sound herring spawn measured close to the 10-year average for spawn miles, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Spawn miles are a measure of shoreline. The spawn from the massive congregations of herring turns the water white along shorelines white and can be detected from the air. continued
Sturgeon’s designation had minimal data, major impacts – Debate growing over fish’s label as endangered
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently issued estimates of coastal populations of the fish that are healthier than many thought. The estimate of more than 400,000 fish per year from Maine to North Carolina raised eyebrows among scientists and highlighted the lack of population data that were available when the designation was made. heh! continued
Changing the Bait in Chatham! Humans in Cages – Chatham, Orleans talk sharks
WickedLocalCapeCod.com Selectmen Chairman Jon Fuller is not keen on the idea of having tour boats based at town landings heading out, dropping some chum in the water, and then lowering cages with folks angling for a 
personal experience with a great white shark. Natural Resources Director Dawson Farber doesn’t disagree. continued
Undercurrent News erects a Paywall
Deciding to make our content paid-for has not been an easy decision — even harder was deciding how to price ourselves. continued Adios!
New Georgia law puts redfish off limits to commercial fishing
The Times-Union – Monday, Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 36, sponsored by Rep. Ben Watson, R-Savannah. It formally designates the red drum as a “game fish,” limiting it to recreational fishing. continued
Red snapper off overfishing list – Ocean Conservancy and the Pew Charitable Trusts report described as “propaganda.”
The News Herald -PANAMA CITY BEACH — After 13 years on the federal overfishing list, red snapper has been removed after a report showed the species has made a comeback in the Gulf of Mexico. . “The critical list that it’s still on is the overfished designation,” said local charter captain Bob Zales. “Many of us believe we’re past that and this fishery is not overfished anymore.”Zales described the report, a collaboration between the Ocean Conservancy and the Pew Charitable Trusts, as “propaganda.”Released in conjunction with a fisheries summit set to begin today in Washington, D.C., the document hails the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the law governing fishery management in the U.S. continued
‘Mystery fish’ turns out to be 125-pound opah, a rare catch aboard Southern California half-day boat
Anglers and crew aboard a Southern California half-day boat were astonished last week to see what the captain had reeled from the depths: a stunningly gorgeous moon-shaped denizen with a speckled body and bright-red fins. continued Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch says no no!
Managing Our Nations Fisheries 3, May 2013 JOIN THE WEBINAR LIVE JOIN THE WEBINAR LIVE JOIN THE WEBINAR LIVE
Live Streaming – May 7-9, Washington, DC. Conference agenda Details. To Listen to the Conference
Join the Webinar click here 2. Enter the Webinar ID – The MONF3 Webinar ID is: 948-811-386 3. Please enter your email address (required)
Life raft cause of three deaths – incorrectly stowed life raft failed to float free and automatically inflate when their vessel sank.
UK- A man who lost his son at sea says tighter safety regulations should be introduced to prevent further tragedy. Peter Prowse’s son, Robert, died along with two crewmen when their boat, the Purbeck Isle, sank. A report said a lifeboat had not been correctly fitted. His body was never found. continued
Alaska’s 2013 First Runs of Reds & Kings
By LAINE WELCH – 
SitNews – It might still feel like winter in some parts of the state but Alaska’s 2013 salmon season will officially get underway on May 16, when the first runs of reds and kings are scheduled to arrive at Copper River. The season’s first fish will attract the usual media hoopla – helicopters whisking salmon from the fishing grounds to awaiting planes, ready to fly them to eager restaurateurs and retailers in Seattle,,,,,continued
“My name is Kelly Padilla, and I come here today to fight for my livelihood,” Game-fish bill discussed at public forum
Washington Daily News – Supporters and opponents of House Bill 983 made their cases Monday during a public forum on the bill conducted at the N.C. General Assembly on Monday. continued
My View: Northeast Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration John Bullard
With the groundfish fishing season now underway, Northeast fishing communities are facing very tough times. The Department of Commerce and NOAA are standing with the New England Fishery Management Council, fishermen and local, state and Congressional leaders to help fishing communities transition so that groundfishing continues for generations to come. continued
