Monthly Archives: April 2014
Someone is confused! (hope it ain’t me) Puget Sound Jellyfish show up in areas of poor water quality – Foragefishapalooza!
Is it water quality? or is it not? Did forage fish leave because the water sucks, or is it overfishing? “The important thing,” said Rice, “is that people are trying to understand this stuff. It is exciting to compare notes and talk about how things are being pushed around at the bottom of the food chain. Our observations so far are consistent with going down the jelly road.” Read more here oregonelive 16:38
Project to forecast Maine lobster season seeking NASA funding
A research proposal from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences aims to use Earth-system data to predict the movements of species along the Maine coast. Read more here kennebecjournal 16:16
PHOTOS: Nurturing a life connected to Southeast Alaska fishing
Karen Johnson of the fishing vessel F/V Cloud Nine – “I started fishing when I was 6. There are different kinds of fishermen, as there are with any type of job I suppose. My perception of fishing is I love it. I love the life, I love the ocean, I love the excitement, I love the peacefulness, I love the hard work. I can be sea sick, look up, and still be amazed by my surroundings. Read more here, photos. alaskadispatch 11:43
No DNA database match for skull found in crab pot
WESTPORT — Authorities say a human skull found in a crab pot off the Washington coast belongs to a female, but it doesn’t match anyone in a national DNA database. Read more here, PDN 10:44
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update, April 6, 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 upate
Baker: The changing tone of the seal harvest – A Sustainable Natural Resource
Having any kind of logical, fully-informed debate about seals is never an easy thing to do because it’s laced with so much emotion. From my perspective I always try to approach it rationally, and sensibly. So, forgetting all the emotionally-driven arguments, let’s examine the basic elements. Read more here cbc 09:20
Maine elver eeling begins Sunday under strict quotas, monitoring
For the first time, fishermen eelers will be required to stay within individual catch quotas in response to rising concerns about the sustainability of one of only two elver fisheries in the U.S. Maine also is implementing an electronic swipe card system that will allow regulators to monitor how many eels are being caught daily and shut down individual fishermen – or the entire season – if limits are exceeded. Read more here kennebecjournal 08:39
We saved the Cape and Islands’ seals from extinction. Now what?
They’re cute. They’re cuddly (or at least they look it). And they were here long before us. But in recent years calls for culling the growing population of seals on the Cape and Islands have become harder to ignore. Read more here bostonglobe 08:01
In the Guest Writer Column – Professor Bill Allen PhD.
I do scientific research on the Worlds Oceans studying the mating habits and reproduction of various sea creatures and their life cycles. I have managed to fund my studies by various methods of capture of marketable, edible species of sea life, in which I sell as food for the American public and to other Countries. I have gained a wealth of knowledge in my years of participating in this endeavor,,, Read more here, in the Guest Writer Column 20:25
Fish houses surviving despite challenges
SNEADS FERRY — As the cold weather kept a grip on the area this week, Sneads Ferry’s fish houses were quiet. They worked on equipment, readied boats and otherwise prepared for the boats to start running and fishing to start. A long winter that seems to have continued into spring has had them waiting a bit longer than usual. Read more here topsailadvertser 19:15
Shrimp prices jump, but supply OK for Lent
NEW ORLEANS – The sign at Radosta’s Restaurant says shrimp costs a dollar extra. But owner Don Radosta says that doesn’t cover what he pays. “In the last month or so, they doubled, went from $170 a case to $340-355 a case,” Radosta said. Read more here – video 14:00
North Pacific Fishery Management Council takes up sea lions, scallops and salmon in Anchorage April 9 to 14 Meeting
Fishing and tender vessels traveling in the walrus protection area at Bristol Bay could have a little more room to maneuver under action slated for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s April meeting. The council will also take up several other issues, including fishery management measures to protect Steller sea lions, the ongoing Bering Sea canyons issue, reports from various fishing cooperatives, a discussion of Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska salmon bycatch and the 2014 scallop harvest levels. Read more here 12:58
Reports scheduled on Gulf rationalization options Read more here
NMFS names 10 groups to develop the $20.8 million disaster relief plans
Earlier this year, Congress appropriated $75 million for those disasters and others throughout the country. Since February, the federal fishery managers have been working with the state and others to develop a plan for distributing Alaska’s appropriation. According to an update on the agency’s website, 10 organizations are proposed to help develop a spending plan. Read more here 12:42:
Passamaquoddies agree to state individual quotas terms on elver fishery
The Joint Tribal Council grudgingly agreed to amend tribal law to accept the state mandate of individual quotas for its elver fishermen, Indian Township Chief Joseph Socobasin told The Associated Press. The tribe initially rejected individual catch limits because it believes natural resources belong to all tribal members. Read more here 12:04
Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting – April 5-10, 2014
The April 5-10, 2014 meeting of the Pacific Fishery Management Council will be streamed live in “listen-only mode” (audio) on the internet. The live audio will be broadcast starting on Saturday, April 5 at 8 a.m. Pacific time. Get the April meeting agenda. Join the meeting by visiting this link: http://www.joinwebinar.com Enter the Webinar ID – The April 5-10, 2014 Webinar ID is: 548-710-791 Please enter your email address (required)11:38
NSC Pushes PERMIT Buy Back, Re Allocation?? Governor presses for fed fish aid
Patrick’s letter comes to light on the same day as the Northeast Seafood Coalition’s final poll of its 300 members on the recommended industry spending plan and the final draft of the plan, both of which were forwarded to the New England congressional delegation and the fishery directors of the eligible states. Read more here 11:31
Proposed NSC & Associates Groundfish Disaster Aid Spending Plan: My vote is NO – Dick Grachek Read more here
NOAA labeling may be redundant, unhelpful says Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Friend of the Sea
“It would not be perceived as an independent certification,” said Paolo Bray, founder and director of Friend of the Sea. Read more drivel here! 08:53
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, NMFS – white shark endangered status not warranted – Lawsuits anyone?
Oceana, the Center for Biological Diversity and Shark Stewards submitted the state listing petition – as well as a federal one – in August 2012. National Marine Fisheries Service declined to protect great white sharks off the coast of California under the Endangered Species Act. Read more here lakeonews.com 07:46
Oregon trawlers re-up their shrimp certification
The Oregon Trawl Commission learned this week the Oregon pink shrimp it catches will again received certification from the Marine Stewardship Council. The group was the first to receive the Commission’s certification in 2007. Ten other fisheries have since earned the honor. Read more MSC propaganda here 19:59
FDA approves new shellfish testing at Maine lab
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Maine’s Bigelow Laboratory to use a new method of testing shellfish toxicity that lab officials say is the first of its kind in the nation. Read more here wlbz2.com 17:19
This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Three from her today. ( She’s a busy gal!)
BIOp break, Status quo for BOF… more fish news, A new bi-op, Board of Fish names and a big name comes back to Bristol Bay. here Herring, byproducts boosted by AK legislature, Silencing Alaskans bill stalled,A look at fish issues before the Alaska legislature. here Seiners can sign on for first ever pollock fishery! Deadline 4/11,Seiners fishing for pollock? Sign up now. here 17:10
Tribe Agrees to State Terms on Elvers
The Passamaquoddy Tribe has agreed to abide by state fishing rules for the elver season that kicks off this weekend, ending the threat of conflict with state officials. Read more here mpbn 16:21
Governor Deval Patrick calls for ‘immediate’ disbursement of fed fishing aid
Gov. “No Plan” Patrick
Gov. Deval Patrick personally made the case for state disbursement in an April 1 letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, urging her to “disburse the funds immediately to the affected states so they may begin the important stakeholder outreach process and devise a plan best suited for each state to distribute the disaster funds.” Read more here GDT 14:32
PORT O’CONNOR: Oil spill meeting disappoints commercial fishermen and women, oyster harvesters and shrimpers
“All they care about is the wildlife, the birds. They don’t care about the fishermen,” Sandy Taylor, a commercial oysterwoman, said. The meeting Thursday night at the school came after more than 60 Calhoun County fishermen and women met with an attorney because their questions about the effects of the oil spill on seafood were unanswered. Read more here victoriaadvocate 12:21
Fight to Stop Privatization of US Fisheries Continues
US – In the face of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) request for increased spending of $2,000,000 to develop and implement new catch share – or Individual Fishing Quota – programmes, a bipartisan group of 22 Members of Congress have made a stand for the nation’s small-scale fishermen. Read more here thefishsite 10:54
There is no Sharing in Catch Shares Food and Water Watch Read more here
Special Report – Catch Shares: Too often we call the devil by a different name – by Evan Connoly ACFN Contributor
It was a strange sight to see, and one I had not since my childhood. Plymouth Rock loomed majestically over the ocean in the morning sun beside the town’s historic waterfront. Cold and raw; both the day and the feeling in my gut the more I learned about the changes in this town. The streets felt as though they were dying. American sweat and blood now trickled only thinly across those historic streets. In Plymouth I met with a group of men who remain fishing in the area, Read more here 08:39
Groundswell sweeps in for Hired Captains and Crew: to Secretary Pritzker, Chairman Olson, and Council Members
Re BYCATCH 14-004 — C-2: GOA Trawl Bycatch Discussion Paper, EDRs I’m Stephen Taufen, founder of the Groundswell Fisheries Movement, public advocates since the early 1990’s for what is best for the economy and social goals of the United States. We believe that any Alternative to the Groundfish fishery management plan (FMP), even as particular as for Trawl fleets fishing pollock and cod, must enforce and contain the following elements: Read more here 06:35
The Northeast Seafood Coalition eyes spending plan for fed fishing aid
The Northeast Seafood Coalition’s spending plan for the approximately $33 million in federal disaster relief headed to coastal New England and New York would provide $11 million in immediate direct cash assistance to permit and vessel owners, with the remainder of the funds allocated for cash assistance to crews and a buyback program for fishing permits, but not vessels. Read more here 03:39
A river runs through it, and that’s the problem – Seabridge’s KSM mine will be as deep as any the world has seen
If built, the Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell mine near the British Columbian border could produce more than 10 billion pounds of copper, 133 million ounces of silver, 38 million ounces of gold and 200 million pounds of molybdenum. It would also produce more than 2 billion tons of tailings, and one of its three open pit mines would be about as deep as the deepest open pit mine in the world today. A THREAT TO FISH? Read more here 03:27
