Monthly Archives: September 2013
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
Before You Grow Up: Be a Lobster Boat Deckhand
The Good: you’re on the open ocean, the pay’s great, and you’ll never complain about hard work again. The Bad: it’s nearly around-the-clock, demanding physical labor—hauling traps out of the water, removing the lobsters, cutting up bait fish with huge knives on rolling waves. After 20 hours there’s a four-hour break—sometimes. “If weather gets rough, I’ll keep guys on duty for up to 48 hours if I need to,” says Morgan Garrett, captain of the 64-foot Sea Star in Point Judith, Rhode Island. more@outsideonline 23:53
Newsletter of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council – Impressive publication!
Pacific Islands Fishery News Summer 2013 – Newsletter of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council link 23:35
More than 500 turn out for memorial for “Billy Mac”
KENNEBUNK, Maine — A memorial mass to honor the life of William “Billy Mac” McIntire was held Sunday at the Franciscan Monastery, where more than 500 friends and family members gathered from near and far to say goodbye to a friend, family member and fisherman. more@bdn Fair Winds, Billy Mac, You’ll long be remembered 22:17
UPDATED: Coast Guard suspends search at 5:28 p.m. Monday for 55-foot fishing vessel reportedly taking on water with two people aboard
BOSTON — The Coast Guard has suspended its active search at 5:28 p.m. Monday for a 55-foot fishing vessel reportedly taking on water with two people aboard in the vicinity of Mount Desert Rock, Maine. more@uscgnews 19:52
New longliner, Emry & Boys, built for ALS Fisheries Ltd. of Sambro, Nova Scotia.
The vessel measures 66 feet in length, with a beam of 28 feet and a draught of 7.5 feet. The main engine is a Caterpillar Model C-18, 485 HP @ 1800 rpm, with 6:1 reduction, with a maximum speed of 10 knots. The propeller is a 5-blade, 60″ x 52″ manganese bronze. The electrical system includes 2 Caterpillar C2.2, 21kw generators. Interior layout includes accommodation for 6 persons, including a dedicated captain’s cabin. more@sou’wester A. F. Theriault & Son Boatyard 18:28
City Hall does not like to be harsh, especially to those in the commercial shrimping industry these days. But they’re gonna be.
The individuals and families who trawl Georgia’s waters have enough problems surviving year to year with all the government regulations they must comply with and the flood of cheap imports from just about every continent on the globe they must compete with before, during and after the legal season for fishing in Southeastern United States. (feelin’ the love?) more@thebrunswicknews 15:14
Anglo-American pulls out of Pebble Mine project
One of the two companies seeking to build Alaska’s Pebble mine is dropping out of the project as scrutiny grows over its impact on wild salmon. British mining giant Anglo American said Monday it is withdrawing from the Pebble Partnership, a 50-50 venture with Canada’s Northern Dynasty Minerals. Anglo American will take a $300 million charge for dropping out.Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani said the company wants to focus instead on lower risk projects. more@adn 14:47
Discovery Channel drops the Harris boys and F/V Cornelia Marie
One of the most enduring and popular storylines on Discovery’s crab-fishing drama “Deadliest Catch” has taken yet another turn. more@zap2it
The Fisheries Broadcast with Jamie Baker
Bankruptcy proceeding for Gray Aqua is moving to New Brunswick, and a cod discussion begins @ minute 6:00 in the 30 minute broadcast. more here 12:30
NSC grateful to Gov. Patrick for certifying severe economic injury to Mass groundfish industry
The Northeast Seafood Coalition (NSC) expresses sincere appreciation to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and the Governor’s office for their leadership in certifying to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that the Massachusetts groundfish industry has suffered substantial economic injury as a result of a fishery resource failure. [email protected] 12:15
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Hearing to air proposal to reduce take in scallop fishing
CONCORD — A public hearing on proposed amendments to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department marine fisheries rules, as well as proposed rule changes for several Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)-managed species, will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road in Portsmouth. Department is proposing to: Reduce the daily poundage of scallops that can be taken in a day in state waters from 200 pounds of shucked scallops to 75 pounds, and from 1,666 pounds to 625 pounds for scallops in the shell; change the open season for taking scallops with a dredge to December 1 to April 15; allow limited use of chafing gear on a scallop dredge. more@fosterdailydemocrat 12:08
Gloucester weighs waterfront makeover – Port city’s shift toward a tourist-focused economy poses conflicts with its proud but faltering fishing industry
Angela Sanfilippo, president of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association and executive director of the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership, doesn’t like what she’s seeing in Gloucester, from the new fishing restrictions to calls to change the boundaries of the designated port area. She fears the city could be eventually abandoning its commercial fishing heritage. more@bostonbizjournal 10:56
Coast Guard crews searching for 55′ fishing vessel taking on water near Mount Desert Rock, Maine
BOSTON — Coast Guard rescue crews are searching for two people aboard a 55-foot fishing vessel approximately nine miles northeast of Mount Desert Rock, Maine, on Sunday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received notification at 6:41 p.m., via VHF channel 16, of a 55-foot fishing vessel taking on water with two people aboard. Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor, Maine, launched a rescue crew on a 47-foot motor life boat. The Coast Guard Cutter Jefferson Island has been diverted to assist with the search. Air Station Cape Cod. Mass, launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a C-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft crew. uscgnews 10:29
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England command center at 207-767-0303.
Sea lamprey control planned for Lake Michigan tributaries
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will apply lampricides to the Millecoquins, Cataract, and Rock rivers and Mile Creek (Mackinac and Schoolcraft counties) to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom. more@sootoday 09:00
Massachusetts AG suit vs. NOAA gets new backing from the state of New Hampshire
New Hampshire last week filed a motion seeking “permissive intervention” in U.S. District Court in Boston primarily to protect the interests of the state’s “unique small-boat fisheries industry that is not adequately represented by any other party or intervener.” “There could be issues that we do not have precisely in common with the commonwealth (of Massachusetts) and we want to be able to protect those interests,” Roth said. “The commonwealth has a fishery that is perhaps somewhat more diverse than New Hampshire. We have a primarily, if not completely, small-boat fishery.” more@GDT 03:08
**PHOTO AVAILABLE**Two rescued by Coast Guard after drifting for eight days at sea
Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a report of a capsized vessel with two people sitting on the hull in the vicinity of Riviera Beach Saturday afternoon. Watchstanders quickly diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Comorant and authorized the launch of an MH-65 rescue helicopter from Air Station Miami. The helicopter crew arrived on scene, assesed the situation and lowered a rescue swimmer to render assistance. The two people stated they had been drifting for eight days and had ingested salt water.
The Coast Guard urges all boaters, especially those transiting offshore or to remote areas, to carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or a Personal Locator Beacon. EPIRBS and PLB’s save valuable time during maritime emergencies by transmitting electronic distress signals and GPS coordinates. more@uscgnews 19:30
Marine Creatures Migrations Determined by Climate After All
Marine ecologists have been grappling with a puzzler. They had expected that, as climate change warms the oceans, most species would migrate toward the poles, fleeing the ever hotter waters near the equator and tracking the zone of their preferred water temperature as it shifts. But some studies revealed that some species seemed to migrate in the “wrong” direction. Now, however, researchers have apparently solved the riddle: For the past 4 decades, marine species found along North America’s coasts mostly have followed cooler water, but that doesn’t always mean moving poleward.“This is really quite a neat study,” says Trevor Branch, a fisheries scientist at the University of Washington, Seattle, who was not involved in the work. “It is likely to be the highest profile fisheries paper this year and an instant classic.” more@science 15:46
NAFTA Commission: Canada Must Respond to Concerns that Fish Farms Hurt Wild Salmon
An international commission ruled this week (see PDF) that a citizen petition challenging Canada’s failure to protect wild salmon from industrial fish farms warrants an official response from the Canadian government. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation, an entity established under the North American Free Trade Agreement, determined the petition includes sufficient information that Canada may be violating its own conservation laws to trigger a formal response. [email protected] 14:18
Permit brokers hopping – IFQ funk – Here comes the crab! – Puny pinks – by Laine Welch
Alaska’s record salmon season has permit brokers hopping as buyers seek to break into or expand their fishing opportunities in many fisheries…Brokers tell a far different story when it comes to sales of halibut catch shares…It’s mixed results for Bering Sea crab, based on the annual summer trawl surveys…Alaska pink salmon set a record this summer but it turns out the fish in the three major producing areas were pretty puny. more@sitnews 13:52
The fall Chinook salmon run on the Columbia River is the largest ever, and could hit 1 million fish by the time it is done.
The fish count at Bonneville Dam went over 613,700 on Friday, the largest number since the dam was completed in 1938. At the peak of the run, nearly 64,000 fish passed the viewing windows in a single day. more@registerguard 13:43
Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection continue escorting 85 Mexican vessels to safe harbor
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection crews escorted 53 Mexican shrimping vessels into the Port of Brownsville Saturday and are escorting another 32 Mexican vessels into port Sunday. more@uscgnews 12:26
