Monthly Archives: April 2014
Pallone against seismic surveys in the Atlantic used to open up the Atlantic Ocean to oil and gas exploration
He requested that the agency grant a 60-day extension of public comment and hold a public hearing to sufficiently review the application submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to conduct marine seismic surveys off the coast of New Jersey. NMFS has proposed granting permission for the tests that would potentially be conducted this summer. Read more here 05:12
Certified Authentic Louisiana shrimp proves challenging
That Certified Authentic Louisiana label that you might see on bags of seafood at grocery stores is as much about survival for the state’s shrimp processors, who count on being able to sell at higher prices than foreign importers. But some processors aren’t finding it easy to earn the label because their whole operation has to be related to Louisiana. Read more here 22:51
“This meeting is a sham and a shame,” ‘You are going to bury [the lobster industry]’: Skeptical crowd rips Searsport dredging project
BELFAST, Maine — The conference room at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast was standing-room only on Tuesday afternoon as more than 200 people came to a public information meeting about a controversial Searsport Harbor dredging project. Read more here 21:23
Demonstrations – It’s time for the skullduggery to end. Fight back against attack on inshore shrimp sector
D
FFAW-Unifor will be holding demonstrations on Wednesday to protest DFO’s management of the northern shrimp fishery. Join us at one of the following locations at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday (tomorrow): St. John’s: DFO Regional Headquarters, 40 E White Hills, Grand Falls-Windsor: DFO Regional Office 4A Bayley street, Corner Brook: DFO Regional Office 1 Regent Square Read more here 16:13
FFAW plans to protest shrimp cuts; politicians talk joint management – Video Report
The fisheries union promises there will be protests after the federal government cut the Northern Shrimp Quota last week. FFAW president Earle McCurdy is accusing Ottawa of “skullduggery” because the cuts almost entirely affect the inshore fleet. Watch the Video. ntv.ca 14:55
#sealfie campaign misguided, activists claim
TORONTO — The growing “sealfie” social media campaign is being criticized for defending Inuit rights that are not, in fact, under attack. Read more here globalnews.ca 14:37
Researchers highlight negative impact of antidepressants on aquatic life
(Phys.org) —Two teams of researchers have published separate papers in the journal Aquatic Toxicology regarding the negative impact of antidepressants on aquatic life. Read more here 14:15
The Columbian: In Our View: Small Forage Fish a Big Deal
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is expected to have a big conversation this week about some small things. Well, small in size but large in importance. As part of a weeklong series of meetings, council members are scheduled Thursday morning to tackle the issue of “forage fish”,,Read more here 13:48
Fish and Future by Carmine Gorga Read more here
Super sockeye run could whack weak stocks
Conservationists are worried a predicted bonanza of sockeye salmon returning to the Fraser River this summer will also bring a frenzy of fishing that could harm weaker stocks. Read more here richmondreview.com 13:03
House Natural Resources Commitee Hearing Tuesday, April 8, 2014 10:00 AM To amend the Endangered Species Act
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4315, H.R. 4316, H.R. 4317, and H.R. 4318 Information and link to Watch Live here 09:16 Click the link to watch archived footage 20:54
Cape Wind falls short on too many promises
Given Cape Wind’s promises to New Bedford, it’s no wonder that Matthew Morrissey from New Bedford’s Wind Energy Center is such an ardent supporter (“Guest View: Cape Wind opponents ignore too many facts,” March 26). Read more here 08:16
Nonprofit Center for Sustainable Fisheries backs suit against NOAA policy
Key quotes – charging National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s inability to utilize the best science available led to an “arrogation of power where basic principles of science and the law are ignored to further an agency agenda at the expense and livelihood of fishing communities.”NOAA failed to adhere to “basic scientific principles” and ignored congressional intent “The defendant, expecting the courts to defer to its ‘expertise,’ has become lackadaisical in its actions, management measures and standards for quality fisheries science,” “Unfortunately, the agency did not learn from the scallop and pollock examples,” Read more here 07:45
Paper log book requirement questioned by PEI fishermen – Prefered an electronic system
Lobster fishermen on P.E.I. are disappointed monitoring of their catch this year will be on paper, rather than electronic. This year, for the first time, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is requiring fishermen to record their daily catches. DFO says it’s part of the process of moving towards a sustainable fishery certification. Read more here 07:15
A load of codswallop – a deafening silence as Norway manages to export 20% more cod than it caught!
Aplogies for using the most clichéd of clichés – but there’s something fishy going on here – as Fishing News editor Cormac Burke comments, there seems to be a deafening silence from the likes of Norway, any of the environmental groups who hold Norway on an evergreen pedestal when it comes to fishing practice and sustainability and the very supermarkets who have been so keen to promote their accredited fish over and above our own and in particular cod from Scottish boats fishing the same sea area! Read more here throughthegaps.co.uk 21:35
Central Coast First Nation wins victory in fight over herring fishery
Earlier this week, DFO officials had attempted to negotiate access for the commercial fishing boats, but the request was denied by Kitasoo/Xaixais Nation elected Chief Clark Robinson Sr. It now appears that the department will not be pursuing further negotiations at this time. Read more here 20:53
St. Helena Island, SC – Area shrimpers upset about Oceana report – No, They’re Pissed off!
ST. HELENA ISLAND, SC (WTOC) – It’s been a tough couple of weeks for shrimpers in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire. Quite a few of them are upset with a new report issued by Oceana, a nonprofit marine life advocacy group. The report claims commercial shrimpers are accidentally catching and killing tons of marine animals along with shrimp. Read more here 19:37
The Value of Bristol Bay Driftnet Permits Continues to Climb
The value of Bristol Bay driftnet permits continues to increase with lots of transactions as fishermen prepare for this summer’s sockeye fishery in the Bay. KDLG’s Mike Mason has the story. Listen 15:54
Canada confirms steep cuts in coldwater shrimp TACs
The cuts mean the key areas 4, 5, 6 and 7 will see volumes reduced by 17% or 17,959 metric tons, from last year’s 105,678t to 87,719t. Of this cut, roughly two-thirds or 12,000t will be felt by the inshore fishery, and one third or 6,000t will be mainly by the offshore fishery, including through indirect partnerships. undercurrent news Read more here 15:38
What? You don’t have a DSPA 5 on board??
This photo was taken by Alaska fisherman Steve Mentele. When he’s not fishing, he is a sales rep in the North West for AFG Flameguard USA 15:08
Visit AFG Flamegurd USA website. See the DSPA5 in action. You NEED one on your vessel!
MAFMC Meeting: April 8 – 10, 2014 in Montauk, New York
The Council will hold its next meeting in Montauk, New York on April 8 – 10, 2014. Agenda Briefing Materials Webinar (will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8) Read more here Dogfish Information Webinar Scheduled for April 8 Read more here 14:44
Coast Guard medevacs fisherman from F/V Jessica Heather off Atlantic City, NJ
The Coast Guard medevaced a man from a fishing boat about 48 miles east of Atlantic City at approximately 10:30 a.m. Monday. The captain of the fishing vessel Jessica Heather alerted Coast Guard watchstanders of an ailing crewmember who was in need of immediate medical attention. Read more here 14:21
More news about F/V Jessica Heather – Video – Hot Dog Vendor Sets Up Shop August 20, 2013 here
Twillingate fishermen received fines totalling more than $24,000 on charges laid during the 2013 crab fishery.
The charges include failing to fully and accurately complete their fishing logs and exceeding the crab pot limit during the 2013 snow crab fishery. Gary Stuckless, Roger Legge and Elvis Pelley were convicted on March 3 in provincial court in Gander. Read more here thetelegram 14:11
McCurdy blasts cuts announced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to the inshore quota for northern shrimp
The inshore quota has dropped from 45,300 tonnes in 2013 to 33,876 this year — a decline of 26.2 per cent. By comparison, the offshore sector’s portion of the quota is down only 3.6 per cent compared to 2013 — from 66,224 tonnes to 63,789 in 2014. The FFAW is planning to organize a protest later this week. Read more here the telegram 13:59
Shrimp coated in oil concerns many – Video
GALVESTON BAY, Texas — Attorneys representing a shrimp boat captain are bringing attention to an entire catch of shrimp coated in oil. Pictures released to KHOU show oil saturated on several shrimp. Read more here 13:35
Starwood Hotels Bans Shark Fins from Sustainable US Shark Fisheries
The company has committed to completely eliminating the consumption of shark fin, without exception, in all restaurants and food and beverage services across its global portfolio by year-end. Starwood is the first global hotel operator to take this strong stand and commit to banning the ingredient across its entire portfolio. Read more here businesswire 13:12
Center for Sustainable Fisheries Files Amicus Brief in Support of Mass, NH, in alleged NOAA National Standards Violations
The Center for Sustainable Fisheries (“CSF”) has filed an Amicus Brief in support of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire in the case brought against the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary Penny Pritzker, and NOAA. Read more here 10:26
Hand Grenade Fishing
Fishing with a hand grenade. 1. Pull the pin. 2. Throw it far from the boat. 3. Net the stunned and dead fish. These guys forgot step 2. Click here
09:31
Maryland Natural Resources Police Use New Technology to Pursue Oyster Thieves
“It allows us to see things we’re not normally privy to,” said Lt. Scott Richardson, the agency’s regional commander. “It’s been a very useful tool for us.” But the new Maritime Law Enforcement Information Network also has “caused quite a stir” among watermen and the public as the number of oyster violations mounted during the season, Richardson said. Read more here wboc 09:08
Maine introduces swipe cards for elver fishermen
PORTLAND (AP) — With the opening of elver season Sunday, fishermen for the first time are using electronic swipe cards to record sales of the baby eels, a move the state says will streamline data, enforce new catch limits and prevent illegal transactions. Read more here sunjourna.com 07:25
Time to rethink fishery management?
Fishery management traditionally has focused on fishing pressure, the removal of animals from a population with nets, lines and traps, as the only statistic worth using in the regulatory equation. The rationale is simple, at least in theory: If the landings in a fishery drop, it’s assumed that the population has declined. Read more here PBN.com 07:12
