Daily Archives: February 9, 2014
MSA Reauth: Changes Proposed for U.S. Fisheries Management: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
This past Tuesday, the draft bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act was released by the U.S. House. The Magnuson-Stevens Act is a big deal because this is the law that lays out how fisheries management works in the United States. This time, a number of changes have been proposed by Representative Doc Hastings, some of which could fundamentally change fisheries management and fisheries science in U.S. waters. The proposed changes immediately became controversial, garnering overwhelming support from witnesses to the House Natural Resources Committee hearing of the bill (witnesses included representatives from the recreational and commercial fishing industries as well as the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council) while Pew Environment strongly opposed the bill, calling it the “Empty Oceans Act” (translated into GIFs by Upwell for your viewing pleasure). Read more@southernfriedscience 22:01
Life after sea: SouthCoast fishermen grapple with homelessness
NEW BEDFORD — Fifteen years of scalloping has taken its toll on Thomas. But the 47-year-old, who is among the growing ranks of homeless fisherman, does not seem fazed by the frostbite he is trying to recover from nor the rheumatoid arthritis that make his hands stiff. Read more@southcoast 14:34
NPFMC talks BSAI halibut, Pacific cod
SEATTLE — Bering Sea halibut bycatch will be back on the menu at an upcoming fisheries meeting. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, or NPFMC, agreed unanimously today to ask for another draft of a Bering Sea halibut bycatch discussion paper. Read more@alaskajournal 14:11
Catcher-processor F/V Katie Ann diverting to Unalaska after a storm blew out several windows on the vessel’s bridge.
The Katie Ann was on active fishing grounds northwest of Unimak Island when it sustained damage, says Coast Guard GS11 Steve Garcia, with the Anchorage control center. Garcia says the vessel called in to report the incident around 3:30 a.m. Read more@kubc 13:53
Why do people love seafood but hate commercial fishing?
My name is Monique and I eat ethically because I eat a balanced, seasonal diet that includes a variety of foods…I am often discouraged in my work by the amount of misconceptions, misinformation, and misunderstandings that exist around the seafood and fishing industries. People seem to love seafood, but hate commercial fishing. Read [email protected] 11:24
In an “emergency” measure Maine Department of Marine Resources closes Cobscook Bay, other scallop fishing areas
“The department is concerned that further unrestricted harvesting during the remainder of the 2013-14 fishing season in these areas may deplete a severely diminished resource beyond its ability to recover,” DMR officials said in a prepared statement. “This is based upon industry feedback, sea & port sampling observations, Marine Patrol observations and available survey data.” Read more@BDN 10:53
Cod: The great mystery – New England’s Refugee’s are unwanted, will be deported. Whole.
There can’t be too many things more confusing for the casual fisheries observer than cod. See, we had cod. Lots of it, then we lost it. But now we have it again … maybe. It’s worthless. Nobody wants it. Fishermen are lucky to get 50 cents a pound for it. That’s if anybody will even buy it. But it’s worth north of $20 per pound in some international markets. But there’s no market. Our quality is bad, but also, our quality is great. Read more@cbcnews 10:16
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update February 9, 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 09:45
Fishermen claim marine plan could destroy their industry in Scotland – Blueprint for future of seas prompts clash
A new national marine plan for Scotland has come under fierce attack from fishermen who claim it could destroy the sea fishing industry. Blueprint for future of seas prompts clash of opinions between fishing groups, academic expert and environmental campaigners Exclusive by Rob Edwards. Read [email protected] 06:54
