Monthly Archives: May 2014
Mass. Governor hopeful Avellone sees new fishing, drug roles
Responding to questions about the needs of the state’s fishing industry, Avellone identified the need for the state to work with NOAA and the federal government toward updating and delivering more accurate science that can serve the needs of the environment and fishermen alike. Read more political talking points here 08:38
Atlantic herring fishery closed for Gulf of Maine as limit approaches – Atlantic Herring Management Area 1B
The Atlantic herring fishery will close Saturday for the offshore Gulf of Maine region after 92 percent of the total allowable catch had been caught. The National Marine Fisheries Service said the fishery will be closed from Saturday through May 1, 2015. Atlantic Herring Management Area 1B Closure Effective 0001 Hours May 24, 2014 Read more here 08:03
NMFS Nears New Steller Sea Lion Restrictions
The new year will likely bring new fisheries to the western Aleutian Islands, now that the National Marine Fisheries Service has issued its final report on the way commercial fishing affects an endangered population of Steller sea lions. Read more here 07:00
Venker: Catch-share fishery programs don’t pass the smell test
Catch-share programs have been promoted as a panacea to many fishery management challenges, but close scrutiny of these programs shows they create far more problems than they solve. Putting ownership of a wildlife resource into the hands of a private business for its own profit is a dramatic departure from the way this country has traditionally managed wildlife resources. U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., is right to question if this is a path the country should take. Read more here 06:32
It takes creative thinking to market last year’s catch
(SitNews) – Salmon season is just getting underway, but seafood companies are still selling last summer’s record catch of 226 million pink salmon – and it has prompted lots of creative thinking. Read more here 23:19
From Poacher to Dealer: Feds Investigate Illegal Elver Trade
A federal investigation into the illegal buying and selling of glass eels is picking up speed and may soon result in indictments of dozens of people. In recent weeks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has led raids in Maine and in other states along the eastern seaboard as part of Operation Broken Glass. As Jay Field reports, the investigation is focusing,,, Listen, and read more here 20:08
Chesapeake Bay commercial fishermen reinvent themselves in an effort to stay afloat
When you begin a new career at 61, you’re bound to hit snags. Farley is building a tourism business around his expertise in the Chesapeake Bay. After a winter spent oystering, Farley fills his summer with educational sailing tours on his historic skipjack. This sail-powered oystering boat is part of a rapidly dissolving fleet; with only 23 still in the water, he says, a mere six skipjacks continue to oyster. The dwindling fleet was designated one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2002. Read more here 19:40
Mixon: Congress shouldn’t try to block new individual fishing quota approach
Here in the Gulf, recreational fishing is a way of life. 
like me make a living helping millions of tourists and sportsmen enjoy a day or weekend of fishing. But years of failed recreational management have bled us dry, damaging the coastal economy, threatening the survival of our businesses and limiting the access of recreational anglers who don’t own their own boats. It’s long past time for the rules,,, Read more here 19:22
Opposition Mounts to Seismic Blasting off the Jersey Shore
“We’re concerned here,” said Capt. Jim Lovgren of the in Point Pleasant Beach at a small rally against the blasting held there Friday morning. “That’s not a dinner bell for fish. If you’re in the water and you hear that sound, you flee. You don’t know what it is, and it’s hurting you.” Read more here 16:46
11 groups helping NMFS develop disaster funds spending plan
Congress appropriated the funds earlier this year in response to the 
on the Yukon River in 2010, 2011 and 2012, the Kuskokwim River in 2011 and 2012 and for Cook Inlet’s 2012 salmon fisheries. Now the agency, or NMFS, has been working to determine how to spend that money. Read more here 16:19
First Maine Lobster Insider is published
The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) is a statewide organization representing more than 5,000 lobstermen, 300 dealers and 15 processors. Our mission is to raise awareness of the sweetest, most flavorful shellfish on earth. The Maine Lobster Insider is sent to consumers and members of the food trade who sign up. Become an insider at JoinMaineLobster.com. 14:41
Lobster catches on P.E.I. down about 40 percent
The president of the 
says lobster catches continue to be down dramatically this spring compared to last year. Mike McGeoghegan blames poor weather and cold water temperatures. “I’d say the catches are down by about forty percent just because of the temperature,” said McGeoghegan. Read more here 14:12
WTO seal decision may yet work for Canada: Carino boss
The head of one of Canada’s largest seal processing companies says animal welfare groups should not necessarily celebrate a World Trade Organization decision that upheld a European ban on seal products. Read more here 14:03
Thousands of alewives return to Penobscot, tributaries after nearly 200 years without adequate access to upstream habitat
After nearly 200 years without adequate access to upstream habitat, the alewives finally are back. And not just a few of the river herring have returned. We’re talking thousands … and thousands … and thousands. Read more here 11:19
Counting Copper River Salmon at Childs Glacier (video)
These counts are incredibly important to the local commercial fishing fleet because they determine when the commercial season begins for each of the different salmon runs. The occur from May through September, though the actual commercial fishing harvests are kept quite short. Read more, and watch video 07:43
They may move a little slow now but these fishermen are still hauling them in
At 77, Siteman qualifies as a youngster on the three-man crew of the vessel their friends have dubbed the Geritol. “She doesn’t have a name. People just started calling her that to have a little fun with us,” explained Harvey Taylor, the boat’s 83-year-old captain. “She has a number and I don’t even remember what that is.” Read more here 21:32
Tonight in Political Inaction – Lu Dochtermann, a 72 year old still in his wheelhouse, and he wants some answers.
Lu Dochtermann, a 72 year old still in his wheelhouse for multiple annual fisheries, continues to obtain a simple and swift solution to the problem plaguing the North Pacific Halibut longline fleet.,,For weeks, Dochtermann has been asking for some immediate action, and today, again takes up the cause with Senator Lisa Murkowski and her fishery aide, Jay Sterne in Washington DC with the following email. Read more here 20:27
Charleston Marina: Annual Blessing of the Fleet on Monday
CHARLESTON — Memorial Day activities in Charleston will focus on the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service at the Charleston Fisherman’s Memorial Garden, near the launch ramp at the Charleston Marina, at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26. This year the Charleston community will add 11 names to the “In Memory of Charleston Fisherman” plaque. Read more here 17:38
Big Salmon Report: Salmon seasons get underway around state
Fishermen are setting their nets and readying their reels as salmon seasons throughout Alaska get started. This year, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is predicting a harvest of 133.1 million salmon statewide, including 538,000 kings, 33.6 million sockeyes, 4.4 million silvers, 19.9 million chums, and 74.7 million pinks. Read more here 17:24
Fish Need Trees, Too – Brendan Jones
AS a resident of Sitka, in southeast Alaska, I’ve worked in the local commercial fishing industry on and off for the past 17 years. This summer I’ll go out on the boat once more, in search of salmon, which have become one of the drivers of the region’s economic recovery. This year, though, the fishing fleet in southeast Alaska will work under the shadow of an announcement by the United States Forest Service,,, Read more here 16:46
Seafood waste plant eyed for city
The landscape is littered with amendments, as the Massachusetts Legislature moves through the arduous task of piecing together the state’s fiscal year 2015 budget. One particular amendment, if passed, could begin making life easier for Gloucester se,, Pay Wall Ahead 16:20
Oceana’s Bycatch Report and Media Coverage Ignores Key Successes in U.S. Fisheries
Environmental special interest group Oceana made headlines last March with its bycatch report, “Wasted Catch: Unsolved Problems in U.S. Fisheries.” Since the report’s release, mainstream media publications and other environmental organizations, like the Pew Charitable Trusts, have further presented one-sided coverage of issues regarding bycatch in the United States — often providing little or no information about the significant and successful efforts taken by many commercial fisheries to curb unintended catch. These omissions of facts are misleading, ultimately providing the public a skewed perspective on U.S. fisheries management. Read more here 14:53
Cod-Pricing Agreement Reached Between FFAW and Plant – efforts must be made for an eventual return to cod fishing.
A cod-pricing agreement has been reached between the FFAW and one of the few plants in the province interested in processing cod. The union reached a deal with Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove for 80 cents a pound for premium quality fish, 40 cents for B Grade product and 20 cents for C Grade. That compares to a straight price of 50 cents a pound last year. Read more here 14:38
EU seal product ban upheld in WTO appeal
Canada has lost its bid to have a European Union ban on seal products overturned, with the appeals process upholding a EU decision that connected the trade ban to moral objections against the seal hunt. But Thursday’s decision, which was immediately welcomed by animal welfare groups, may spark more debate about how the controversial ban will be implemented. Read more here 14:10
VIDEO: Oceana’s Hollywood celebrities caught on hidden camera accepting money from “Middle Eastern oil interests”
This video perhaps provides insights into how money can make things happen among “environmentalists”. James O’Keefe Premieres “Expose: Hollywood’s War on US Energy” at Cannes Hollywood celebrities caught on hidden camera accepting money from “Middle Eastern o… This is about the credibility of Ted Danson, Muriel Hemingway, Begley himself, and the rest. There is none! Josh Tickell is an enemy of the state! Watch this video here 13:49
State, federal managers hear about Gulf of Alaska changes
Members of the Alaska Board of Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council met today in Anchorage to discuss the issues of mutual concern, including how to address changes coming for the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries. Read more here 13:09
Canada is ready to create a joint venture with Russian companies on the catch of king crab in the Barents sea
Representatives of the fishing industry Canada is ready to create a joint venture on extraction of snow crab in the Barents sea. In addition, canadian business intends to discuss unclaimed quotas for the catch of fish and other seafood in the North Atlantic. Canada is ready to increase export of shrimp is the main part of canadian exports of fish industry in Russia. Read more here 12:53
‘Jellyballs’ Are Serious Business
Since 1998, shrimping boats in Georgia have been spending part of the year trawling for cannonball jellyfish under a pilot program, but they only had their first official season as a commercial fishery in 2013. “The has been about the best thing that’s happened to us,” said Howell Boone, a Georgia shrimp trawler, in a January interview with NPR. “The shrimp season [of 2013] was the worst ever in history here.” Read more here 12:37
MSA: Finding Win-Win Outcomes For Conservation And Utilization
The economic importance of the U.S. fishing industry cannot be overstated. The survival of many coastal communities largely depends on whether Congress and fishery managers can establish policies allowing fisheries to generate yield over the long term, rebuild overfished stocks and achieve the conservation objectives of the MSA. Read more here 09:05
Maine shellfishermen hope quahog explosion can help offset soft-shell clam losses
While soft-shell clams have become more scarce, harvesters have reported an explosion in the number of quahogs found in the town’s clam flats, said Devereaux, Brunswick’s marine resources officer. Read more here 08:09
