Daily Archives: June 17, 2014
Fishery Scientists and Managers to Address Fishery Collapse in American Samoa, Overfishing in the Western Pacific Region
HONOLULU (17 June 2014) The American Samoa longline fishery is suffering from a potential economic collapse. In 2013, many vessels in the fishery operated at a loss as catches of South Pacific albacore were insufficient to cover operating costs. This and other issues,,, Read more here 21:00
MACHIAS, Maine – Despite two good scallop years, lean season predicted ahead
Scallop fisherman enjoyed a banner year in 2013, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, but they are likely to have smaller catches next season because of conservation measures. Read more here 18:36
Louisiana: New Skimmer Net Regulations Take Effect August 1
Officials with The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced today that beginning August 1, as a result of Act No. 14 of the 2014 regular legislative session, Louisiana commercial shrimp fishermen are allowed to modify the dimensions of their skimmer nets. Read more here 16:39
Nation’s #1 Fishing Port Addresses Groundfish Crisis with Technology; Issues Recommendations for Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization
The Port of New Bedford, America’s most valuable commercial fishing port, has released a six-pronged plan for the revitalization of the Northeast’s struggling groundfish fishery, and to expand the port’s overall functionality. According to the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission’s (HDC) “Groundfish Port Recovery and Revitalization Plan for the Port of New Bedford and Fairhaven,” Read more here, with supporting links and video 15:47
Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook medevacs Fisheries observer
NEW YORK – The Coast Guard medically evacuated a Federal Fisheries observer today after he suffered an injury to his arm while aboard a commercial fishing vessel, two miles east of Sandy Hook, N.J. Read more here 14:46
Young Owner Keeps Classic Troller in Shape – West Coast Fisherman.net
The wooden troler Frances was built in 1931 at Tracyton, Washington. Previously owned by Scott Boley for over 30 years. Anderson fishes salmon and the open access black cod which allowed him only six 700 pound catches this year. Read more here http://www.westcoastfisherman.net/ 13:50
NCFA REMINDER – Public Hearing on Spot & Croaker Draft Addendum
Public Hearing on Spot & Croaker Draft Addendum is tonight, June 17, 2014 at DMF Central Office in Morehead City at 6PM Click here for more info 12:29
Slave labor could help local shrimpers and fisherman to raise awareness about local seafood
A report last week shed stunning light on work conditions on fishing boats half way around the world and opened a door for local shrimpers and fisherman to raise awareness about local seafood. For local seafood advocates, like shrimper and shrimp processor Kim Chauvin, the news comes as a breath of fresh air amidst an onslaught of negative press aimed at Gulf of Mexico shrimpers. “It’s disgusting to see that that’s going on and our government continues to give them subsidies. They (our Government) are sitting here and acting like they have our best interest at heart.” Chauvin said. Read more here 11:38
Pacific Fishery Management Council will meet June 18-25, 2014 in Garden Grove, California Listen Live!
Download a PDF copy of the June 18-25, 2014 Council Meeting Notice and Agenda – Join the meeting in “listen-only” mode by clicking this link, Enter the Webinar ID – The June 20-25, 2014 Webinar ID is: 675-991-863 Please enter your email address (required) More info here 11:12
Human trafficking: Moment of truth arrives for Thailand
This week, the US State Department will unveil its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, and the widespread expectation is that Thailand – which has been on the Tier 2 Watch List for the past four years for poor law enforcement – will be dropped to the lowest rung, Tier 3, joining the likes of Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Iran and Zimbabwe. Read more here 10:59
BC Becoming a ‘Poacher’s Paradise’
Budget cuts and enforcement downsizing have left British Columbia open to fish poachers with little risk of getting caught while they launder their unlawful catch in the commercial market, according to the former director of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s conservation and protection branch in the Pacific region. Read more here 09:54
Pacific fishing nations warn more price rises ahead
Pacific nations have warned foreign fishing countries, including the United States, to expect more price hikes to the cost of fishing in their territorial waters. The nations that makeup the have told disgruntled nations that they will raise the daily fishing rate from $US6,000 to $US8,000 per boat from next January. It will raise their total income to around $370 million. Read more here 09:17
New rules would ban commercial fishing, lobster mini season from Biscayne National Park
“It’s always so easy to take a swipe at fishermen whether they’re commercial or recreational,” said Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association. “It’s going to have a severe socio-economic impact. We’re talking generations of fishermen — a cultural heritage.” Read more here 08:55
Washington Ocean Summit Told Of NZ ‘sSustainable Fishing
Professor Ray Hilborn, Professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, has specifically identified “Alaska and New Zealand [who] have never really been subject to any significant overfishing pressure” in comparison to other parts of the world. Read more here 08:37
The P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association is hoping to see an increase in the price of lobster
The P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association is hoping to see an increase in the price of lobster in the last few weeks of the spring lobster season. Currently fishermen are getting up to $3.75 per pound for canners and up to $4.25 for market size lobster. Read more here 08:18
Obama will propose vast expansion of Pacific Ocean marine sanctuary
The announcement — details of which were provided to The Washington Post — is part of a broader push on maritime issues by an administration that has generally favored other environmental priorities. The oceans effort, led by Secretary of State John F. Kerry and White House counselor John D. Podesta, is likely to spark a new political battle with Republicans over the scope of Obama’s executive powers. More here 05:20
Ottawa withholding data on B.C. salmon farms: report
The federal government is hampering scientific research on fish diseases by refusing to release all of the data gathered from salmon farms on the West Coast, a new report by the University of Victoria has concluded. Read more here 05:05
