Daily Archives: December 6, 2013
The many sided Gulf of Maine shrimp situation
Say the word “shrimp” and several images surface. To anyone who looks forward to the season when fishermen start hauling them in droves, that one word connotes a sweet, succulent delicacy. To the fishermen who trap or drag for them each winter, it’s a livelihood. To restaurants, it’s one of the most popular items on the menu, year-round. But right now along the coast of Maine, as well as New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the word shrimp means hardship and loss. more@boothbayregister 22:47
2014 Pacific Halibut catches likely to be cut 21% — ‘blue line’ catch recommendations by AK region
Fishery scientists with the International Pacific Halibut Commission have put forth a 2014 coast wide commercial catch total of 24.45 million pounds, a 21% decrease from the 31 million pounds allowed for this year. more@fishradio 20:00
Government invests half-million dollars in seal meat
The Canadian and Newfoundland and Labrador governments are putting $498,000 into a pilot project to develop value-added seal meat products. Gail Shea, the federal fisheries minister, said in St. John’s on Friday that the money will fund a a pilot project to develop frozen and vacuum-packed seal meat and get the products on to store shelves in specialty Canadian and international markets. Sheryl Fink, the director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Seal campaign, called the seal meat investment a weak ploy to bring legitimacy to what her groups has described as an inhumane commercial hunt for fur. “My first reaction was almost laughter,” said Fink. “Of all of the products to try and develop from seal, I think historically meat has been the most unsuccessful.” Maybe Ms. Fink would join me for some Seal Flipper Stew! more@cbcnews
Gulf of Mexico Restoration projects proposed using BP funding
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Titles and estimated cost of 44 projects proposed for funding from BP PLC’s $1 billion set-aside dedicated to recovery from its 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The 16 Florida projects marked with an asterisk have been added since a preliminary announcement last spring. more@kxxv 15:54
No Kidding? Expand seafood markets, Conference Board says
Canada’s $7-billion seafood sector could grow by capitalizing on rising global demand and working more co-operatively, says a new study by the Conference Board of Canada. “We need to expand markets and diversify,” said Jean-Charles Le Vallee, the study’s lead author, in an interview from Ottawa on Thursday. more@CH 15:25
ASMFC – Northern Shrimp Science Meeting – Management of Northern Shrimp Published on Sep 24, 2013
ASMFC – Northern Shrimp Science Meeting Part 1
ASMFC – Northern Shrimp Science Meeting Part 2
ASMFC – Northern Shrimp Science Meeting Part 3
ASMFC – Northern Shrimp Science Meeting Part 4
ASMFC – Northern Shrimp Science Meeting Part 5
ASMFC – Northern Shrimp Science Meeting Part 6
2013 Northern Shrimp Assesment pdf
Moratorium Press Release Dec 4, 2013 14:55
Ottawa offers cash to develop seal products
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Almost $500,000 is being spent by the federal and Newfoundland and Labrador governments to enable the Atlantic Seal Development Association to develop a frozen seal meat product for the wholesale market and a vacuum packed product for retailers. Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea says Ottawa will spend $292,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, while the province will contribute the remaining $206,000. more@chroniclejournal
Great Bay Aquaculture Online Auction
Used Marine Equipment Including Various Barges, Repco Vessel, Pettibone Crane, Support Truck & Commercial Property Available Now. Auction closes from 2:00PM (CST) on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 Viewing By Appointment Only. Please click here for full auction listing https://www.apexauctions.com/auction-us/auctionDetails.htm?auctionId=1156 Or contact Sandra Hurado for more details on (630) 717-3720 or email [email protected] 12:53
Hoonah Sound: “There’s a natural event happening out there that we can’t explain at this time,” Herring fishery will be closed
A herring return forecast lower than the 1,000-ton threshold necessary to conduct a commercial fishery has caused the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to disallow commercial spawn-on-kelp pound fishery in Sitka’s Hoonah Sound for the 2014 season. The method of herring egg collection entails catching fish with seine gear, placing them in enclosures and harvesting their eggs from kelp fronds to be sold. more@juneauempire 12:30
Senators tour Seattle boat to study loans for new fishing fleet
While standing in the processing factory section of the F/V Blue Pacific on Thursday morning, the senators heard about the steps involved in rebuilding the freezer longliner owned by Seattle-based Blue North Fisheries. After nearly five months of work, the 70-year-old boat is going to be finished in less than two weeks at a cost of $800,000. “The fishing industry is tenacious. They will take any piece of machinery and make it work,” Begich said after the tour. “They go from one season to the next, patching up what they have to.” more@seattletimes 09:10
Getting a Grip on Nitrate Discharge Levels – EPA’s Great Bay nitrogen levels upheld by board
Newmarket town officials agreed in December 2012 to accept a nitrogen discharge permit issued by the EPA to reduce the amount of nitrogen discharged from the town’s wastewater treatment plant into the Lamprey River to 8 milligrams per liter (mg/l), and then ultimately to 3 mg/l. The EPA has argued excess nitrogen discharge into the bay is causing water-quality issues in the Great Bay estuary, including reducing eelgrass and oyster populations. more@seacoastonline 08:30
