Daily Archives: July 30, 2013
New Bern man’s petition to close North Carolina’s sounds and rivers to trawlers seemed to go down in flames Tuesday evening.
One fisheries commission officer estimated that more than 1,000 people attended the meeting, many to speak their piece and others to give support to the fishing industry. Only a couple spoke out in favor of the proposes ruling. continued@sunjournal
PLF challenges bureaucrats’ decision to ignore Congress, let sea otters decimate Southern California fisheries
We represent four organizations that rely on the health of SoCal fisheries—the California Sea Urchin Commission, California Abalone Association, California Lobster and Trap Fishermen’s Association, and the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara. The otter threatens the ability of these fisherman to put food on their table, literally. And the effects will ripple because of the many local businesses that are related to fishing. [email protected]
Shellfish Industry Lobs Bomb at Sea Otters @courthousenews
Lawsuit challenges sea otter boundary change @the heraldnews
SIGN THE PETITION Support the North Carolina Shrimp Fishermen Fight another Closure.
Local businesses, fishing families and coastal communities depend on catches from trawlers – namely shrimp – as a source of economic commerce, as well as locally-grown, organic protein. More than 90 percent of all shrimp consumed in the country is imported. By designating the state’s inland waters as permanent secondary nursery areas, they would be closed to trawling. If that were to happen, North Carolina would loose a considerable amount of income to foreign competition, as well as access to this bountiful resource and a historic profession among generations of coastal citizens. Secondary nursery areas are already in place to protect habitat in inland waters. Please don’t close the entire area to trawling. Petition
The Fisheries Broadcast with Jamie Baker
Re-opening of the OCI plant in Fortune could be delayed Scientists are keeping a close eye on cod in Newman Sound.
Continuing concerns on the south coast about infectious salmon anemia We’ll find out how vessel design rules are affecting new boat construction.
Some fishy DNA testing happening on the Humber River Open net salmon farms, is the province moving too fast when it comes to aquaculture development?
Why successful salmon season spells trouble for BC fishermen
Commercial salmon fishermen in Prince Rupert spent three days tied to the dock last week, forgoing fishery openings, in protest of a drop in salmon prices. “The fishermen are pissed!” said seine boat skipper Darrell Enger. “They [Canfisco] just dropped the price without any warning. continued@thetyee
“microplastic” pollution in the Great Lakes
Also, while it’s unknown where the ocean plastic came from, microscopic examination of Great Lakes samples has produced a smoking gun: many particles are perfectly round pellets. The scientists suspect they are abrasive “micro beads” used in personal care products such as facial and body washes and toothpaste. They’re so minuscule that they flow through screens at waste treatment plants and wind up in the lakes,, continued@usatoday
P.E.I. lab criticized over B.C. fish finding
A P.E.I. lab that said it detected a deadly fish virus in British Columbia salmon lacked proper quality standards and didn’t thoroughly investigate conflicting test results, a review has found. continued@cbcnews
“A Climate of Change,” – Climate change and fisheries experts to gather in Portland for wo-day symposium
The nonprofit Island Institute, based in Rockland, will host the meeting Wednesday and Thursday to focus on issues facing fishermen and their communities, as well as scientific findings of scientists about affected marine ecosystems. continued@knnebecjournal
Walmart Back Peddles on it’s MSC Issue. I’m calling it Corporate MSC Blue Washing. Let’s Keel Haul ’em.
Contrary to recent reports that Walmart is swearing off Alaska salmon due to major processors’ decision to cut ties with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a spokesman for the global retail giant says Walmart never meant to give that impression. “We’re very committed to Alaska salmon,” Chris Schraeder, a spokesman for Walmart, told Undercurrent News. continued@undercurrent
It’s too late! Read Nils Stolpes Seafood certification – who’s really on first?
The sudden passing of Geir Monsen, North Kingstown RI, co-founder of Seafreeze, Ltd.
Geir Monsen, 62, of North Kingstown, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2013. He was the beloved husband of Linda M. (Spas) Herard Monsen.
Born in Norway, he was the son of Karin (Andersen) Monsen of Norway and the late Svein Monsen.
Geir was the co-founder of Seafreeze, Ltd. of North Kingstown. He was an avid sailor.
Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Eirik Monsen and his wife Jennifer of Norton, MA; two step-sons, James Herard of Wickford and Timothy Herard and his wife Kristen of VA; and a grandson Geir Johan Monsen.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours, Thursday August 1, 2013 from 4-8pm in the FAGAN-QUINN Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown. His funeral and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Point Judith Fishermen Memorial Foundation, PO Box 3315, Narragansett, RI 02882 will be appreciated.
Seafood certification – who’s really on first? Nils Stolpe
“Sustainability certification” has become a watchword of people in the so-called marine conservation community in recent years. However, their interest seems to transcend the determination of the actual sustainability of the methods employed to harvest particular species of finfish and shellfish and to use the certification process and the certifiers to advance either their own particular agendas or perhaps the agendas of those foundations that support them financially. continued here
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the largest international organization – headquartered in London – providing fish and seafood sustainability certification. It was started in 1996 as a joint effort of the World Wildlife Fund, a transnational ENGO, and Unilever a transnational provider of consumer goods.
David and Lucille Packard Foundation, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Monterey Bay Aquarium, National Park Service, NOAA, Obama Victory Fund., Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, Resources Legacy Foundation, Senator Lisa Murkowski, The Writings of Nils Stolpe, US Department of the Interior, Walmart, Walton Family Foundation, World Wildlife Fund
Feeding the Fire – Fishing for Energy Partnership Ports of Gloucester, MA Martha’s Vineyard to Participate
HAVERHILL, MA–(Marketwired – Jul 29, 2013) – Fishing for Energy, the innovative public-private partnership that provides commercial fishermen a cost-free way to recycle old and unusable fishing gear,,continued@marketwired
Today in New Bern NC – “We can no longer sit back – The commercial fishermen need all of us to be their lobbyist.” Ruth King, Sea Level, NC
On Tuesday July 30, at 12:30 p.m. there will be joint meeting of the Finfish, Habitat and Water Quality, Shellfish/Crustacean and Sea Turtle Advisory Committees at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
One of the largest recreational groups to work against the commercial fisherman is the Coastal Conservation Association, CCA.,,,currently retain as many as 17 professional state and federal lobbyists and that many of their members are a former U.S. president, Cabinet members, congressmen, senators, ICCAT commissioners (The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas), Fishery Management Council members, governors, state legislators and state and federal fisheries managers. Wow! What a group! Read the letter@nbsunjournal
No charges in probe of fishery firm
RCMP have concluded a four-year investigation into the Shubenacadie Band’s fishery without laying charges. Fisheries and Oceans Canada contacted the police in 2009 to look into the management of a contribution agreement between the department and the band. The deal, signed in 2005 and awash in controversy, gave a band-operated company $5 million for a commercial fishery and covered the purchase of gear, boats, licences and other items. continued@chronicleherald
Proposal to halt shrimp trawling in coastal North Carolina areas – video – Marine Fisheries Commission meets today in New Bern
The State Marine Fisheries Commission is considering a controversial fishing ban that would stop shrimp trawling in North Carolina inner coastal waterways. The commission will discuss the petition at a meeting on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.
This year’s dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico covers an area the size of Connecticut
The dead zone covers a large area of the Gulf but is not as large as scientists originally predicted, according to Nancy Rabalais, executive director of LUMCON, the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, and head of the dead zone research cruise. continued@houmatoday
