Monthly Archives: January 2014
Four posts from Fish Radio
Sen. Murkowski asks for 60 day extend for input on undersea sounds/marine mammals – Listen @fishradio
AK halibut = 19.7 million pounds; IPHC meeting round-up – Read more@fishradio
AK salmon final numbers for 2013; Copper River catches for 2014 – Read more@fishradio
ASMI’s Photo Contest Captures Alaska’s Commercial Fishing Family’s – Listen @fishradio 20:47
Fuss crops up over N.L. aquaculture job numbers – Province says 1,000 ‘consistently’ employed; critic wants stats audited
A dispute continues over whether or not the provincial government’s claim that aquaculture employs 1,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador is accurate. And the boast has one critic calling for an independent audit of the industry. Read more@cbcnews 19:16
Alaska Fish Factor: Good Science Should Drive Fisheries Policy
US – Good science should drive all fisheries decisions, and Lite Guv Mead Treadwell says he has the chops to maintain a true course.Treadwell, a Republican who hopes to unseat Democratic US Senator Mark Begich in November’s election, paid a recent visit to Kodiak and “talked fish” in a brief interview. Comment deadline flub – No one appears to know that a deadline to have a say on how man-made sounds affect marine mammals is January 27. Two days after Christmas, NOAA released its “Draft Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic [man made] Sound on Marine Mammals,” which seeks to improve understanding of acoustical impacts on the animals. Read more@thefishsite 13:40
Maine DMR commissions new patrol boat
MOUNT DESERT — The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) gave the Marine Patrol’s enforcement capabilities a serious upgrade last Wednesday morning with the commissioning of a new patrol boat at the Henry R. Abel & Co. boat yard on Somes Sound. Built by SW Boatworks of Lamoine, the Dirigo II is longer, beamier, faster and more rugged than the 16-year-old patrol vessel Dirigo that it replaces. Read more@fenceviewer 12:57
Just Now!! The 7 am opening of the New Bedford to Fairhaven bridge.
The number one fish port in the USA is open for business and a parade of vessels went through this morning headed to sea to feed a hungry nation that is increasingly reliant on foreign seafood. 07:22
At What Cost, Justice – A Pyrrhic Victory? By Sean McKeon
On November 25, 2013 Federal District Court Judge Terrence W. Boyle1 ruled that Willie R. Etheridge III and Mark Cordeiro, two men from North Carolina, were not guilty of finning sharks as presumed under a federal fishing law prohibiting shark fin-to-carcasses ratios in excess of 5%. (Shark Finning Prohibition Act) The case is interesting not only because of what it produced by way of the district court’s decision, but also, and perhaps more importantly, because of the long history that ultimately spawned the government’s prosecution of these particular North Carolinians and the political environment in which it occurred.
The highly politicized agencies of the federal government are most to blame here, in this case National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and its parents National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of Commerce. For an industry accustomed to bad news and never ending harassment by the very agency established to promote and protect it, the temptation might be to view this court victory in a vacuum and attach far too much optimism to its outcome. While there is certainly cause for celebration, it is important to understand the historic underpinnings of this case and the devastating impact federal agencies often have on the private sector when left unchallenged and undisciplined by those charged with their oversight, i.e. members of Congress and, in this case, the Administrative Law Court System (ALC).
Read the article here 19:54
SAN FRANCISCO: Fishermen enjoy plentiful herring season -Video
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Herring boats stretched across the Bay near the San Rafael Bridge Friday morning, the scene attracted thousands of birds and even some seals got into the act, diving and jumping to catch a fish. Watch @ktvu 18:07
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update JANUARY 19, 2014
“The Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance is dedicated to its mission of continuing to help create sustainable fisheries without putting licensed fishermen out of business. “ Read the update 17:37
Group Led by Hastings Seeks Public Input on the ESA
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) Congressional Working Group, led by Hastings and Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large), invites public comments from people across the country who have been impacted by the ESA. The Working Group is examining ways to strengthen and improve the ESA to better serve the needs of both species and people. “From concerns surrounding a sub-species of plant known as the Bladderpod, to salmon, to wolves, my own Central Washington constituents continue to be impacted by the ESA in a number of significant ways,” said Hastings. “We invite others, from around the country, to submit their own stories on how they have also been directly impacted by this law. It’s clear that there is agreement on the need to update the ESA.” The public is encouraged to submit their thoughts, ideas, and recommendations to the Endangered Species Act Working Group here. 15:15
MSA – National Workshop Invitation in Seattle from Dr. Brian Rothschild, Center for Sustainable Fisheries President and CEO
Dear Friend, On behalf of the Center for Sustainable Fisheries (CSF) and the National Fisherman I would like to invite you to a public workshop on reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) at the Renaissance Hotel in Seattle at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. Our workshop is scheduled just after the Pacific Council meeting to be convenient for those attending the Council meeting. As you know, the MSA is up for reauthorization this year. Several months ago there was a general feeling that the existing law would be changed very little. This would constrain fisheries-management improvements that would arise from the new language. Read more here 22:22
A top NOAA fisheries scientist has proposed dramatic change in yellowtail flounder stock assessments
NEW BEDFORD — A top NOAA fisheries scientist has proposed a dramatic change in the way the agency makes its stock assessments for yellowtail flounder. The proposal by Dr. William Karp, director of the Northeast Regional Science Center, embraces the view of Dr. Brian Rothschild, professor emeritus at UMass Dartmouth. It reduces the reliance on statistical models that have proven unreliable and inadequate, instead calling on NOAA to employ additional data and information that it previously wouldn’t consider. Read more@southcoasttoday 19:36
Defendants in F/V Lone Star Lawsuit Seek To Move Case to Federal Court in Anchorage
If the case goes to federal court, an eventual jury trial to fault and damages over the Lone Star would be in Anchorage, not Dillingham. Two of the defendants sued by Manokotak fishermen after the sunken tender Lone Star ruined their season are attempting to have the case moved out of 3rd Judicial District Court. KDLG’s Dave Bendinger has more here 16:12
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers seized 2 tons of illegal Apalachicola oysters
Law enforcement officials seized 4,000 pounds of illegally harvested oysters earlier this week in Apalachicola and stopped the haul from heading to seafood markets. The oysters were harvested from bars closed until summer and are an example of the recent wave of abuse on a resource that state agencies, oystermen and the Gulf community have been scrambling to bring back to healthy levels. Read [email protected] 16:06
MSA – Federal fishery law changes leave fishing communities vulnerable – Darren Platt, Commercial Fisherman, Kodiak
From the article – However, there are issues that both parties should be able to effectively address, despite ideological disparities. One of these is the re-authorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the federal law dictating how U.S. fisheries are managed. Many within the fishing industry believe that the MSA needs to be overhauled and rewritten, as numerous intentions of the law have gone unrealized due to vagaries within the law itself. Most notable is a systematically neglected mandate within the act — the requirement that fishery managers “account for the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities.” Read more@alaskadispatch 15:35
MAN! That was fast! Maine closes six scallop grounds for season to protect resource – Video
HALLOWELL, Maine — Six areas along the Maine coast where scallops had been allowed to be caught on a limited basis were closed to harvesting, effective immediately, for the remainder of the season. The closure was announced Saturday by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Commissioner Patrick Keliher has the authority to impose emergency closures for up to 90 days. Read more@bdn 13:48
Video: Refurbished rescue boat moved to new home in Provincetown
PROVINCETOWN — Around noon today a refurbished surfboat completed a long journey to a new home at a Cape Cod National Seashore lifesaving station at the Cape tip. Watch video and Read more@capecodonline 10:01
C-NLOPB investigating 6,000-litre spill, how it was measured
The province’s offshore regulator wants some clarification on how the Hibernia consortium measures the size of oil spills. The decision comes in the wake of a crude oil spill near the platform in December. On Jan. 3, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board issued an incident bulletin after being notified of a leak by the Hibernia Management Development Company (HMDC). Read more@cbcnews 09:19
Alaska’s congressional delegation has been churning out press releases to trumpet Alaska-bound funds in the trillion-dollar spending bill
Alaska’s congressional delegation had been pressing for $150 million in fish disaster funds. Among the other projects they’re highlighting in the spending bill: More than $100 million for construction of aviation buildings at Fort Wainwright and $82 million for a building at Fort Greely. The bill includes $10 million for the Denali Commission. Read more@alaskapublic 09:03
Halibut catches down 11% – Early start for fishery
2014 Pacific Halibut Catch – Here’s the break down of who gets what. HALIBUT FISHERY BEGINS MARCH 8 – ENDS NOVEMBER 7, 2014 Read more here 02:33
Fishermen Down East upset over Department of Marine Resources pending plans to curtail scalloping
The meeting in the Whiting Community Center was standing room only, with about 100 fishermen present. They did not take the news well, and at times there were testy exchanges between fishermen and Patrick Keliher, commissioner of the state Department of Marine Resources. Read more@bdn 22:08
Link to comments
25-year-old fisherman hoisted from F/V Argo approximately 35 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard
BOSTON − Coast Guard rescue crews from Air Station Cape Cod medically evacuated a 25-year-old fisherman approximately 35 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Friday. Watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received notification via VHF channel 16 at approximately 8:12 a.m. Friday from the fishing vessel Argo that the man was suffering from epileptic seizures. Read more@uscgnews 18:40
Alltheway Trucking Inc, driver fined $75,000 for carrying live Asian carp
Alltheway Trucking Inc. and Yong-Sheng Zhang were each found guilty under the federal Fisheries Act for possessing live invasive fish. The company was fined $70,000 and the truck driver was fined $5,000. In addition, more than 3,000 kilograms of grass carp was forfeited to the Canadian government. Read [email protected] 17:56
USDA To Purchase $20M of Alaska Pink Salmon for Food Banks
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase $20 million in canned Alaska pink salmon for nationwide distribution to hungry Americans, with a suggestion from Sen. Lisa Murkowski playing a part in the decision. Read more@ktuu 17:44
Congressman Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., leads effort to halt free trade agreement impact on U.S. fisheries
The agreement is widely expected to reduce or eliminate duties on imported fish products from countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan. Among other things, this could significantly cut funding for the Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) Act grant program, a U.S. research and development program that benefits American fisheries. Since its passage nearly 70 years ago, the S-K Act has authorized allocation of 30 percent of duties on imported fish products toward competitively-awarded projects that improve U.S. fish stocks, reduce bycatch, and help fishing communities in every coastal region of America. Read more@islandfreepress 16:45
RI Delegation Applauds Relief Funding for Fisheries
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced today that Rhode Island fishermen will be among the beneficiaries of $75 million in disaster relief funding included in the Fiscal Year 2014 omnibus appropriations bill. Read [email protected] 16:36
Illegal Immigrant Crew Member Accused of Identity Theft aboard Factory Trawler F/V Gordon Jensen
A crew member aboard a factory processor has been arrested in Unalaska and accused of stealing another man’s identity to get his commercial fishing license. KUCB’s Lauren Rosenthal reports. Listen @kubc 16:28
Some fishermen just should not drink alcohol. “you’re a danger to yourself, to your family and the community” when you are drunk, so get sober.”
American Samoa – Associate Justice John Ward yesterday asked the attorney representing the government to see if ASG has a policy on handling cases relating to fishermen who stay here longer than they should. A Panamanian fisherman made his initial appearance in District Court yesterday on a charge of public peace disturbance. It turns out the fisherman, Adonia Avila, is sponsored by the agent for the fishing vessel he works for and he has been living here for well over a decade. Read [email protected] 09:14
If you like fish video’s, check out 2014 ComFishFilmFest | Hopefuls
Published on Jan 17, 2014 – The Commercial Fishing Film Festival really shines in this category! We get to see fishermen in their element, doing various kinds of gear work from multiple fisheries. Tune in to see your fishy favorite. Watch @youtube 08:23
“Emergency” bill proposed by Deer Isle legislator would require state fishery officials to approve each individual tribal elver license in writing
The legislator who sponsored the bill, Walter Kumiega, a Democrat from Deer Isle, said the proposal is aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2013 elver season, during which DMR and the Passamaquoddy Tribe got into a heated dispute over the validity of licenses issued by the tribe. Read more@bdn 07:25
New Bedford man dies in shucking machine accident at Sea Watch International Seafood Co
NEW BEDFORD — A 35-year-old worker died after getting tangled in a shucking machine at a local fishery early Thursday. The New Bedford resident, identified as Victor Gerena, was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. “The victim was in the process of flushing out a shellfish shucking machine when the accident happened,” Vicente said in a email. “He became entangled in a rotary turbine engine and it took the Fire Department approximately an hour to free the man after dismantling parts of the machinery.” Read more@southcoast 04:55
