Daily Archives: November 26, 2013

Using satellite imagery from Google Earth, Daniel Pauly and Associates Bust Ancient Persian Gulf Weir Fishermen! Now THAT’s Science!

Ah. He’s a clever one! Large fish traps in the Persian Gulf could be catching up to six times more fish than what’s being officially reported, according to the first investigation of fish catches from space conducted by University of British Columbia scientists. more@sciencedaily 22:26

Bluenose II project manager cost triples to $1.3M – Canadian Taxpayers Federation calling on province to fire Bluenose II project .

“The job of the management consultant is to work with the government to ensure that the boat is delivered on time and on budget,” said Kevin Lacey, the Atlantic Canada director of the taxpayers federation. “Now we’re two and a half years late … and it’s millions over budget. And now even the people in charge of ensuring that that doesn’t happen, their contract is also three times more.” more@cbcnews 21:26

For example, if not planned carefully, wind energy development could harm productive fisheries, Really?!!!

Newburyport — The Storm Surge speaker series continues at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 6 Plum Island Tpke., with a screening of “Ocean Frontiers II: A New England Story for Sustaining the Sea,” followed by a panel discussion.(and what a panel it is!) Panelists will include Catherine Bowes, program manager, Northeast Offshore Wind Program, National Wildlife Federation, and Christopher Boelke, field offices supervisor, NOAA Fisheries, Habitat Conservation Division. more@wickedlocal 21:09

Maine Department of Marine Resources to meet with fishermen about reducing elver catch

ELLSWORTH, Maine — State officials have scheduled two public meetings to get feedback from fishermen about how Maine should reduce its elver landings next spring. more@BDN 20:52

Altamaha Riverkeeper to Sue Rayonier for Clean Water Violations

“They have just spent several hundred million dollars to update their mill, but they continue to discharge dark, chemical-laden water into the Altamaha,” said Deborah Sheppard, executive director of ARK. more@businesswire 20:45

Kodiak gives thanks for the fish …

Thanksgiving-fishThis is Fish Radio. I’m Stephanie Mangini. Thankful are we to Alaska’s fisheries,,,“I am most thankful for the people I got to know on the boat and for teaching me how to work on the boat.”“The little boost in salmon prices. That’s been helpful the past couple of years.”“Good weather whenever we get it.” listen@fishradio 20:20

Gulf Nova Scotia Sustainable Fisheries Collaborative Research Society out to net individual N.S. fishermen

863a4ac9dc_64635696_o2“Particularly in the (Gulf of St. Lawrence) region, there’s a certain amount of animosity between some organizations,” said Patty King, who has been hired as a consultant to kick-start the society, on Monday. “But one thing they all have in common is the need for good solid fisheries science.” more@cronicleherald 15:02

Washington still hooked on fishing – sprawling, 150-year-old maritime industry continues to be a major mainstay of the state’s economy.

Water, water everywhere and lots of jobs to boot. That’s the gist of a new report on the economic impact of the maritime industry in Washington State. The report spotlights the important role the maritime industry plays in the state’s economy, estimating that the sector generates $30 billion in total revenues and about 148,000 jobs. more@crosscut 14:23

Appointees named for Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative Board

BDNThe board, established by the Legislature, was formed in October and is charged with marketing and promoting Maine lobster. It is the first step in a five-year, multimillion-dollar investment the industry has committed to marketing Maine lobster. more@BDN 14:12

Migrating dolphins found dead in NE Fla.

Wildlife officials say at least 16 dead dolphins have washed up on northeast Florida beaches. In addition, NOAA fisheries spokeswoman Allison Garrett says 11 other dolphins were recovered over the weekend. more@myfoxorlando 13:35

Cod not in danger, researcher George Rose says

g0002580000000000000bea0810c3a6cac2be28188b42d824fdbd10e7d9George Rose, a former federal fisheries scientist who has studied cod for decades, said while stocks are not as plentiful as they once were, they are not nearing extinction.  “I don’t really believe that there is any danger for any of these species — cod, redfish or plaice — going biologically extinct,” Rose told CBC News in a telephone interview. more@cbcnews 13:26

Furious over threats to the (Chesapeake) bay [Letter]

I speak on behalf of all those who are passionate about the health of the Chesapeake Bay when I say I am furious (“Farm pollution rule withdrawn,” Nov. 18).It seems like with every passing week, there is another story about dead zones, or fisheries in decline, or harbor businesses struggling; but no mention of meaningful attempts to restore the bay. read more here 13:13

Seal product ban upheld on ‘ethical’ grounds – ‘Public moral concerns’ cited

The WTO, while finding that the EU’s so-called Seal Regime had violated international trade agreements, also determined that the ban was valid because of a controversial public morals clause. more@cbcnews 10:08

Gulf of Maine Shrimp season may be a non-starter

In a report prepared last week, the Northern Shrimp Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission said it will recommend a total “moratorium on fishing in 2014 to maximize spawning potential” of the Gulf of Maine shrimp population. more@GDTgdt icon 09:55

EPA Awards $500,000 to Reduce Marine Emissions

Two Massachusetts projects have been awarded more than half a million dollars under a competitive national grant competition to reduce diesel emissions. more@ecori 09:48

Fishing Industry At Risk Of Disappearing In New England – Video

“You base all the management on best available science, now does that mean perfect science, of course not there is no such thing as perfect science,” says John Bullard of NOAA. According to Bullard, the science says there is no cod. As a result they have cut the catch limit for fisherman by 78 percent. Al Cottone says he recently caught his annual quota of five thousand pounds of cod. Not in a month or week, but in just five hours.  more@wbznews  00:38