Daily Archives: September 17, 2013
Letter to the editor: Fisherman’s letters deserve answers – Sam Parisi, Gloucester
I believe that fisherman Paul Cohan is right on target every time I read something he has written in the Times (Letters, “Fishery time lines a recipe for failure,” Wednesday, Sept. 11). He makes a lot of sense. However, it’s too bad that he — or we — can’t make NOAA listen to our pleas. And, I think, since they are paid from our tax money and have a job, why should they care about our fishermen? more@GDT 22:04
This is Fish Radio. I’m Stephanie Mangini. From the crab lab into the wild.- “Where we are now is actual experimentation in the wild.”
Phase two of a seven year project takes place this week. NOAA biologists along with their star dive team are releasing 13,000 hatchery raised Alaska red king crab into their new home on Kodiak in Old harbor. The AKCRRAB project started back in 2006 and is a coalition of managers, scientists, academics, and industry. What began as a test in the NOAA crab lab to see if it was possible to raise crab in a hatchery setting will now be taken to a whole new level. more@alaskafishradio 21:28
179 Mexican shrimping vessels depart Port of Brownsville and Port Isabel as weather calms and Hurricane Ingrid passes
“We safely and successfully provided safe harbor to 179 Mexican shrimping vessels. Now that the weather has calmed down, we’re faced with the equally challenging task of escorting these vessels out of the port,” said Cmdr. Daniel Deptula, the response officer for Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi. “We will continue working closely with our partners to ensure a safe and efficient transit out to sea.” more@uscgnews 19:22
This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – The Pebble Mine is still on track, say developers.
News on Monday that Anglo-American has withdrawn from the Pebble Mine partnership was greeted with joy by mine opponents. Pebble would be the largest gold and copper mine in North America, and its location looms over the world’s biggest sockeye salmon fishery at Bristol Bay – listen@fishradio 16:07
NMFS proposes reduced halibut bycatch limits for Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries
NOAA Fisheries NMFS (according to the Federal Register) is seeking public input on a plan that would tighten limits on the amount of halibut bycatch that could be caught in the commercial groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska. The proposed fishery management plan amendment, “Amendment 95,” would minimize halibut bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries to the extent practicable while preserving the potential for the full harvest of groundfish in the GOA. [email protected] 15:11
Laine Welch at Fish Radio wrote about this notice, and it’s worth clicking the link .17:47
Injured fisherman airlifted from boat in high seas near Tofino
An injured fisherman was airlifted off a commercial boat while it was thrashing about in high seas close to Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Monday evening. The fisherman suffered a potentially serious eye injury while working on a 20-metre commercial fishing vessel, 30 nautical miles northwest of Tofino, according to Capt. Trevor Reid, spokesman for Royal Canadian Air Force base 19 Wing Comox more@timescolonist 14:59
Over 300 dead dolphins recovered from Virginia beaches
Mortality numbers of dolphins in Virginia continue to rise, outpacing yearly averages from the last 25 years. Over the weekend, the total of deceased dolphins recovered by the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center’s Stranding Response Team reached 300. The average rate of annual recovery for the past 10 years has been 65. [email protected] 14:23
HONOLULU: 25,000 fish killed in Matson Molasses Spill
Keith Kawaoka, Chief of the State Health Department’s Hazards Evaluation and Emergency Response said today, “Just to give you an indication of what the fish kill count has been, we’re just over 25 thousand as of today.” more@hawaiinewsnow 14:17
ICYMI: A look into Magnuson-Stevens with On the Record with Greta Van Susteren
Posted by Committee Press Office on September 16, 2013 – Last week, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren took a look at Northeastern fishermen whose businesses have been affected by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources held a hearing on the “Re-authorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act” where witnesses called for increased flexibility in the Re-authorization of the act. [email protected] 14:04
F/V Bristol Leader catches fire in Seattle
Firefighters were called to Pier 91 in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood for a fire on a fishing boat. Crews responded shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday at 2001 West Garfield Street. The fire erupted in the galley of a 167- foot fishing vessel called the Bristol Leader. The fire was behind a stove two decks below the main deck. more@kirotv 11:26
Crosscut Series: Thanks for all the fish – The Fishing Life, Rick Wood
There have been a number of times over the course of my 38-year career as a fisherman when I have questioned my choice of occupations. Usually it happens when I am staring at my empty net strung out behind the boat while listening to radio reports which make it sound like everyone else’s net is on the verge of sinking with fish. It’s also happened when I’ve been on my knees on the back deck, seasick, waves breaking over the stern, puking as I try to run the hydraulics. Or one time when,, more@crosscut 10:44
Gaming of observer program before NPFM in October
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a draft report on its revamped fisheries observer program after nearly a full year of implementation, and few changes are planned for 2014 although issues surrounding tendering continue. The new annual deployment plan, or ADP, does not have any major changes. In addition to predicted “gaming” where vessels in the trip-selection pool can continuously deliver to tenders without having to register for a new trip that may result in an observer on board, less information is available about salmon and halibut bycatch in deliveries to tender vessels compared to vessel deliveries to shore-side processors. more@alaskajournal 10:34
The River Runs Through It … Without Interruption – The Dam That is.
The project team came up with a design that allows the Horseshoe Falls to remain intact, but is modified to include a non-intrusive fish passageway that guides fish around the dam, and includes an innovative eel way to promote passage of the American eel, which is a species of special concern. The passageway is also crafted in a way that blends into the dam site and adjacent properties, to the extent that the rockwork is historically correct in both texture and color with the original, historic dam and neighboring stone walls. more@ecori 10:20
From the Deckboss: A human, or a camera?
The National Marine Fisheries Service is offering vessel owners a chance to avoid having to carry a fishery observer in 2014. The agency plans to exempt up to 14 boats that agree to take part in a pilot project to test electronic monitoring systems. Links @deckboss 10:09
PETA says Maine lobster processor has cruel ‘kill’ method
A controversial animals-rights group is targeting a Maine lobster processor for what it considers inhumane slaughtering methods, although it’s unclear whether the methods are outside the industry’s standards. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans to release video footage Tuesday that it says was taken in a processing plant in Maine, the state that’s synonymous with lobster. more@portlandpress 08:41
PETA identifies lobster processing facility in video more@portlandpress 08:42
The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board seeks applicants: Executive Director
The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board is seeking applications from people interested in its open executive director job. Ewell Smith resigned from the position shortly after state lawmakers shifted oversight responsibility of the board to the lieutenant governor. The change was designed to strengthen supervision of a 14-member board that has received millions in recovery money from the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill. more@houmatoday [email protected] 08:14
Gloucester Daily Times Editorial: Additional plaintiffs to fishery suit boost its urgency – (Where is Maine and RI ?)
The news that the state of New Hampshire has essentially climbed aboard the federal lawsuit filed by Massachusetts Attorney General — and now gubernatorial candidate — Martha Coakley on behalf of the fishing industry is welcome news. The suit, after all, has seemingly not moved an inch since its June filing, except to draw the typical and frankly almost laughable criticism from the Conservation Law Foundation, since it was first announced in the spring. more@GDT 07:47
Letter: Competing with NOAA’s smoke and mirrors – Paul Cohan, Captain, F/V Sasquatch, Gloucester
Time and NOAA have much in common. You can’t speed either of them up, nor slow them down, and stopping either of them is right out of the question. Time is NOAA’s strongest ally, and the fishermen’s greatest enemy. Similar to the waning moments of a one-sided football game,,, more@GDT 07:22
Letter: A parable and NOAA fishery disputes – Stuart Diamond, Rockport, Ma
SBA loans may be on line for fishermen
In a step that could lead to the first federal financial assistance to Massachusetts’ fishing-related businesses, Gov. Deval Patrick has officially certified the widespread economic hardship imposed on Massachusetts fishing communities by the fishery disaster proclaimed a year ago by the U.S. Department of Commerce. more@GDT 07:13
Fatal tragedy of F/V Lady Mary sinking propels sea change for safety
The sinking of the scallop boat Lady Mary may remain mired in controversy four years later, but the death of six Cape May County fishermen who were aboard March 24, 2009, is leading to sweeping changes in commercial fishing safety regulations. The Coast Guard issued 45 recommendations in its recently released report on the sinking covering issues including training, vessel stability, licensing, inspections, watertight features, electronics, drug testing and many others. more@pressofatlanticcity 03:04
