Daily Archives: February 25, 2014
Dock to Dish Cuts out Middlemen by Bringing Fish Directly to Restaurants
“The whole idea was to be a change in the marketplace,” he says, back to the way the fishermen out of Montauk have been doing things since the first hungry settler put a skiff in the water, when supply came before demand. Read more here 19:39
A Sustainable Natural Resource: Newfoundland launches seal-industry campaign as Ottawa appeals WTO ruling
Hutchings said there are now an estimated eight million seals in the region, taking an uncertain toll on cod and other fish stocks. “Just looking at one species like the animal welfare groups do, I’d certainly welcome a look at the whole ecosystem and how they can support us in supporting that ecosystem.” Read more here 19:16
Shaheen, Ayotte Ask Commerce to Waive State Matching Requirement on Behalf of New Hampshire Fisheries
(Washington, DC) – As part of their ongoing efforts to protect New Hampshire’s fishing industry and mitigate industry-wide economic losses, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) are calling on U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to waive the state matching requirements for federally declared disaster relief funds for the Northeast Multispecies Groundfish Fishery. Read more here 17:21
Political solution sought for China geoduck ban
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and members of the Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association talked last week about the possibility of a political solution to China’s ban on Alaska and Washington State geoducks. Doherty noted that Canadian geoducks are not included in the ban, Listen and read more here krd.org 15:19
Just Now!! Mackerel as far as the eye can see
These mackerel are being frozen at the Norpel fish plant in New Bedford. With just over 4 percent of the quota for 2014 there is speculation that the fishery will be stopped on George’s Bank due to bycatch of the over-abundant haddock that are currently drastically under-fished due to regulatory problems in the New England ground fish fishery. 14:31:08
Penny a pound lobster levy gets initial approval – Levy could raise $250,000 for marketing Island lobster
In the test vote, fishermen in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 24, from Tignish to North Lake, gave overwhelming support. “This was just a test zone to identify some opinion,’’ said Mike McGeoghegan, president of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA). “But based on these findings, we are now talking about an Island-wide vote to see what we get.” Read more here The Guardian 12:54
NC Fishermen: An Endangered Species
For years, the North Carolina commercial fishermen have been bearing the brunt of attempts from outside interests to seize control of North Carolina residents’ food supply. The industry is being fined and regulated out of existence for admitted personal gain. Read more here 12:38
Transcriptomics helps researchers trace origins of codfish decline
The mega-decline in cod and other fisheries across the North Atlantic Ocean threatens the livelihood of fishermen and communities in New England and Atlantic Canada. One suspect in the disappearance of cod and other groundfish is the food source for their young: a planktonic copepod crustacean, no larger than a grain of rice. Read more here 12:08
Reopen historic, lucrative Georges Bank scalloping grounds – Tim Healy
ROCKLAND — In a region where years of harsh, inflexible regulations have led to a dwindling fishing fleet and shrinking dockside revenues, the scallop fishery stands out as one of the few success stories, producing one of the most valuable and sought-after seafood products in the country. Read more here 11:48
Coast Guard medevacs 48-year-old man 272-foot F/V American Dynasty near Cold Bay, Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak, forward deployed to Cold Bay, medevaced a 48-year-old man from the 272-foot fishing vessel American Dynasty approximately 95 miles northwest of Cold Bay, Monday. Read more here 10:52
B.C. groups seek federal auditor’s help on salmon inquiry
Two British Columbia conservation groups are asking the federal auditor general to examine Ottawa’s response to a $26-million public inquiry into the collapse of West Coast salmon stocks. Read more here 10:29
Cianbro, others push for renewal of offshore wind power tax credits – JUST SAY NO!
Businesses working to launch the first offshore wind energy facilities in U.S. waters urged Congress on Monday to renew tax credits they said are “absolutely critical” to kick-starting an industry that could bring significant numbers of jobs to Maine and other coastal states. Read more here @Portland Press 10:20
Effort to relocate lobsters from Portland Harbor to encroach on scallop fishing area
PORTLAND, Maine — An effort to trap and relocate lobsters from Portland Harbor to make way for dredging work will temporarily infringe on scallop fishing in those areas,, Read more here 10:00
N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has chosen a compromise on a controversial shrimp trawl amendment.
In a split vote, the commission chose an amended management option as one of its preferred options for the shrimp fishery management plan Amendment 1 on Friday at its Feb. 19-21 meeting at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. Read more here 09:34
GDT Editorial: NOAA monitor coverage was agency’s only true, fair choice
It is, as our federal lawmakers all noted, good news to learn that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service will cover the cost of the on-board monitors who now regularly keep tabs on the catches hauled in by fishermen by joining them on their trips. Read more@GDT 09:24
CLF Environmental Lawyers Attack Industry Lawyers on Closure Issues Using Research That Fails To Support Their Own Recommendations
WASHINGTON — February 24, 2014 — The following was released by Andrew E. Minkiewicz and Anne Hawkins of the Fisheries Survival Fund : Last week, the lawyers at the Conservation Law Foundation used a posting on their Talking Fish blog (“Industry Lawyers Wrong on Closed Areas Science: An Open and Shut Case, February 18, 2014) to attack our Read more here 08:23
New England Fishery Management Council Meeting – February 25 – 26, 2014 in Danvers , Ma. LISTEN LIVE!
February 25-26, 2014 – New England Fishery Management Council Meeting at Double Tree Hotel 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923 Phone: 978/777-2500 ; Fax: 978/750-7959 Read the agenda here Webinar Registration here 06:43
New Bedford Mayor writes commerce secretary on fishing relief
Mitchell suggested using the money to boost industry efforts to participate in fisheries science; retrain fishermen who have been forced out; support service programs for crew and families; assist with loans; and maintain on-shore infrastructure support. Read the article here 01:58
NOAA Regional Director John Bullard – NOAA sees ‘status quo’ on closed fish areas, ignoring climate affects on fisheries
NOAA Regional Director John Bullard, in a letter to the New England Fishery Management Council, indicated the federal agency will not stand with fishing advocates in their preference for opening up a greater portion of Stellwagen Bank as part of the new rules being drafted to determine where commercial fishermen will be allowed to fish beginning in the winter of 2015-16. Read more@GDT 00:24
