Monthly Archives: May 2013
Alaskans debate whether religion of Native Alaskans is more important than state salmon fishing rules
GodDiscussion.com – A hot debate is going on in Alaska over whether the religious rights of Native Alaskans are more important than state salmon fishing rules in light of a recent case in which a judge ruled that the needs of salmon 
trumps everyone’s and anyone’s religious rights. continued
In Maine, green crabs threaten clamming – green crabs’ population explosion
“They’re consuming everything in the environment, even plants,” said Chad Coffin, president of the Maine Clammers Association, whose group is preparing an all-out offensive against the species. “We may be facing the end of the commercially viable soft-shell (clam) population,” he said. “I think it is dire.” continued
Atlantic Salmon Federation Calling for Better Salmon Monitoring
The Atlantic Salmon Federation is calling for more rigorous monitoring and research to prevent the escape of farmed salmon into the wild after the recent discovery of 25 farmed fish in the Garnish River on the Burin Peninsula. VOCM’s Linda Swain reports. continued
4 lobster boats stuck on sandbar in Tabusintac – Comes on heels of deaths of 3 lobster fishermen
At least four boats in Tabusintac are stuck on a sandbar, while another 15 were delayed by the low tide, a fisherman told Radio-Canada. It comes just nine days after three lobster fishermen were killed when their boat hit a sandbar and capsized in rough seas near the small northeastern community. continued
NOAA Fisheries, (it’s still NMFS) Announces West Coast Leadership Changes
A Message from Sam Rauch, Head of NOAA Fisheries NMFS, Today, I am pleased to announce several senior leadership changes that support the changes we are making to our West Coast operations. First, our current Northwest Regional Administrator,,,,,continued 1 comment
Commercial fishers rally at Manitoba legislative building – want to be able to sell rough fish, like mullet and carp, directly to their buyers in the U.S.
A number of commercial fishers from across Manitoba are protesting at the steps of the Manitoba legislative building, demanding their freedom to market fish. continued
It isn’t clear what has led to the increase, but River Herring numbers up in NH, although still far short of past years
“They were a huge part of the ecosystem here, especially in near-shore environments where everything eats them – fish, seals, gulls, ospreys,” said Matt Carpenter, fisheries biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game. “Historicall
y, they were one of the species that ran up all the rivers all along the coast, but were wiped out by dams, some overfishing issues, ocean predation and other ocean issues, predation (in fresh water) by striped bass.” continued
Guest commentary: Congressman Jim Costa’s move to gut the ESA will destroy the Delta – Carolee Krieger, California Water Impact Network.
Congressman Jim Costa is at it again, doing everything he can to drain the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and send the water south to the megafarms of his agribusiness cronies in the western San Joaquin Valley.The Bay/Delta system comprises the largest estuary on the West Coast. It is a vast aquatic nursery that sustains not just our salmon, but our Dungeness crab, white sturgeon, and herring fisheries as well. By allowing unrestricting pumping, we would assure the death of the Delta’s already beleaguered ecosystems. continued
Kodiak’s Thelma C prepared for new home
KODIAK — After more than a year of restoration, the Kodiak Maritime Museum’s Thelma C is ready for its new home on the Kodiak waterfront. On Saturday, volunteers finished cleaning the Thelma C restoration site at Kodiak College, preparing the wooden fishing boat for storage until construction is finished on a permanent display stand downtown. continued http://www.kodiakmaritimemuseum.org/programs/thelma-c.html
Good Samaritans F/V Morgan rescue four near Yakutat, Alaska
Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a report Friday evening from the Yakutat Police Department reporting that the vessel with four people aboard failed to arrive as stated in their float plan and was deemed overdue. 
The watchstanders immediately issued urgent marine information broadcast stating the overdue situation and requesting any mariner in the area to assist if safe to do so. The good Samaritan crew of the Morgan responded and ultimately saved the four missing crewmembers. continued
Newfoundland Seal hunt described as best in years – Eco Based Management anyone?
This year’s commercial seal hunt off Newfoundland is being called a success despite relatively low yields, ongoing protest by animal welfare groups and international product bans. Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International Canada, “The sealing industry has become nothing more than a glorified welfare program.” continued
Bristol Bay is no place to experiment: Assessment shows Pebble mine would be bad for Alaska
In many ways, Alaska was — and still is — a grand experiment. But our founding mothers and fathers would almost certainly not approve of the ways in which Alaska’s resources are now being experimented with, turning our valuable fishing and mining industries into a Petri dish for foreign developers to test their new technologies. continued
Alaska Department of Fish and Game announces its 2013 Kuskokwim River king salmon forecast
On Friday, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced its 2013 Kuskokwim River king salmon forecast. It predicts 160,000–240,000 fish, with a drainage-wide goal of getting 65,000–120,000 of the kings to spawning grounds. If the run meets these predictions, Fish and Game has said there will be enough fish to allow people to go fishing to feed their families. Management actions may include salmon fishing closures, subsistence fishing restrictions, rolling closures, limitations on net size, the use of hooks and lines, and bag limits. pdf here
State drops theft charge in Spruce Head lobster co-op case – former manager may have stolen as much as $180,000 from the lobstermen.
ROCKLAND, Maine — The district attorney’s office has dismissed a felony theft charge against the former manager of one of the state’s largest lobster cooperatives but the dismissal does not end the man’s legal problems. continued
Port Angeles Boat Builders and yards are busy! David G. Sellars On The Waterfront
David G. Sellars, pdn.com – LEE SHORE BOATS’ newest craft goes by the unceremonious name of UB45-1., recently launched a pair of 26-foot oil-spill-response vessels (OSRV) that were built for use by BP PLC, the former British Petroleum. On Saturday, Platypus Marine Inc., the full-service shipyard, yacht-repair facility and steel-boat manufacturer on Marine Drive in Port Angeles, moved Adamant from the Rubb Building to the Commander Building. She is a 58-foot steel limit seiner that Platypus began constructing early last summer. Qualay Squallum, a 58-foot Jensen that is used as a seiner and crabber by her owner, Jeremy Winn of Hoquiam, has been sitting on the hard at Platypus Marine for the past few days. continued
Shannyn Moore: Prosecution of Native fishermen is just wrong
ADN.com – If I got the means to do it, I will do it,” Phillip said. “Even if you are breaking the law?” asked his lawyer, James Davis Jr. “Well, if it comes down to feeding my family, yes,” Phillip answered. This was Les Misérables, Alaskanized… Now, don’t get me wrong, there are real fish pirates in Alaska. We’ve even caught one or two….fish rustler Arne Fuglvog….NMFS OLE charged American Seafoods with fixing the scales,,,,,,,,,,continued
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update MAY 26, 2013
“The Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance is dedicated to its mission of continuing to help create sustainable fisheries without putting licensed fishermen out of business.” Read the Update
The Tools of Ocean Habitat Destruction. UMaine’s offshore wind buoy is ready for real test – in the ocean
ORONO — A data-collection buoy that can be plopped in the ocean and used to determine the suitability of remote locations for offshore wind farms is ready for real-world testing, the University of Maine announced Friday. continued
Marine mammals encroach on people
capecodtimes -The solution, experts say, is elusive because of the seals’ protection under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and the lack of funds for research. And, scientists and environmentalists caution that culling or using tactics that drive animals away from public areas are unlikely to get approval or be effective… The Cape’s gray seal population is now growing at a rate as high as 30 to 50 percent a year,,,,On Canada’s 21-square-mile Sable Island, the growth rate among the more than 200,000 gray seals recently slowed from 13 percent per year to 7 percent. ‘WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?’ “There is no regulatory mechanism for it,” said Michael Jasny, a senior policy analyst with the National Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy organization. “It would be unprecedented within the Marine Mammal Protection Act.” “There would be a national outcry,” he predicted. continued
Laine Welch: Report shows nice gains throughout salmon value chain
ADN.com – It takes quite a crew to get an Alaska salmon from “boat to throat,” and everyone along the line gets a cut of the catch. How that “value chain” has paid out in the past few years shows nice gains for Alaska fishermen and processors…..
New rules for hired skippers The practice of hiring skippers to fish for other people’s quota shares is set to undergo some big changes. continued
The Wannabe’s – Have a drink, kiss a fish: Just another Saturday night, Newfoundland-style
There’s a fish in Daphne Izer’s freezer waiting to be kissed. It will be the star of an event next weekend, along with rum, bologna, an authentic Canadian rock and knee-high rubber boots. They’re all elements of a ceremony that, judging by photos from years past, seems to attract uninhibited, shirtless men. continued
Oysters: A complicated economy and ecology
NORWALK Conn– It’s 6:30 a.m., and the oyster boat Grace P. Lowndes was making its way to oyster beds just a mile or two off the Norwalk harbor. The trip only takes two hours. There are two boom-mounted dredges, one port, the other starboard. The dredges are lowered one at a time to the beds, raking the bottom for less than a minute. Then they’re hauled up, their loads of oysters dumped on the steel-plated deck. continued
URGENT:::NEW ENGLAND:::Fwd: National Ocean Policy – Fishermen, are you losing your voice and democratic rights?
I’m fwding this message to anyone in the area who’s interested in what the govt. and Big Biz has in store for our ocean—it ain’t about fishing and they’d rather have you miss these “outreach” meetings. Please see email below. here
(4pm to 7pm) in Narragansett at the:University of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Campus, Building 6 (Coastal Institute), Hazards Room220 South Ferry Road Tuesday evening May 28.
Similar to BOEM’s tactic re: the windmills’ “Stakeholder scoping meetings” they pretty much like to keep what they’re up and even the details of these meetings in a fog bank.
Fishermen, are you losing your voice and democratic rights? Read this ——> Flyer NOPDHeditnotrackingREV.pdf
Northeast Regional Ocean Planning Public Meetings here Website here
The Courageous Crew of Miss Ally-Lost at Sea Fundraising Auction raises over $86,000 for the family’s of the men.
The Courageous Crew of Miss Ally-Lost at Sea Fundraising Auction has raised more than $86,000 for the families of the lost fishermen. The fundraising effort, which began shortly after the February tragedy that saw five Shelburne County fishermen lose their lives, received huge support locally and from around the world said organizers. From its humble social media beginnings, the auction eventually saw thousands of items and services donated. continued
Saving Mehaden.org Analysis – Wild Ocean article “Menhaden Science Supports Conservation,”
Early in 2013, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Menhaden Technical Committee determined that there is too much uncertainty
in the most recent stock assessment results to determine whether or not menhaden are currently overfished. Despite this development, Ken Hinman, in his Wild Ocean article “Menhaden Science Supports Conservation,” asserts that continued
Something to crab about – Victoria Co-operative Fisheries Ltd.,
Chronical Herald- Not that anyone else in Neils Harbour is putting on airs either, but Osborne Burke doesn’t at first have the look of a man in charge of an empire. He gets around in a pickup that does not gleam; his office is in a former elementary school, a building shared with a Pharmasave. But Burke, the manager of Victoria Co-operative Fisheries Ltd., runs an operation that last year had sales of more than $18 million. No wonder everyone around here knows him. continued
Serving up Asian Carp
It’s survival of the fittest for fish in the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Asian Carp, a non-native fish, are rapidly multiplying and threatening other species of fish. Now Shafer fisheries in Thomson, Illinois is harvesting them. They’re catching an average of 80,000 lbs. of asian carp a week, and they’re cashing in on this fish with a bad rep. “We’re pretty much the only ones left,” said Owner Michael Shafer. Shafer said times are definitely changing in the commercial fishing industry. continued
