Daily Archives: July 31, 2014
New Seine Skiff Based on Tug Boat Design
In June, 2014, Seattle-based Snow Boat Company delivered a new 24-foot by 13-foot seine skiff to King Cove, Alaska for the area M salmon fishery. The boat is one of the largest seine skiffs in Alaska, and almost begs not to be considered a skiff due to the size and power. The new skiff is more like a tug than a traditional skiff, and many design features are a departure from traditional skiffs known throughout Alaska. Read more here 23:22
Senate subcommittee releases new draft of fisheries act
The newest draft of the Magnuson-Stevens Act proposes changes to fisheries management including new fees, sustainability standards, and a possible national marketing effort. The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard chaired by Alaska Sen. Mark Begich released the latest draft version of the act July 21. Read more here 23:14
Dead menhaden reported in Chesapeake Bay leads to Inquisition by Sport Fishers, explanation by VRMC
Experts still aren’t sure what killed thousands of dead menhaden that local fishermen reported floating in a long line near the northern stretch of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel over the weekend. And they say they might never know. Read more here Social media posts from area fishermen indicate a commercial boat from Omega Protein was in the area at the time. Read the comments here! 19:15
Murkowski Urges Mickey D CEO to Reject Greenpeace Campaign Against Pollock! Is he nuts??
Senator Lisa Murkowski today reached out to the President and CEO of McDonald’s, urging him to ignore an anti-fishing campaign from Greenpeace that is attempting to shut down one of the most sustainably managed fisheries in the world. Murkowski cites McDonald’s own website and promotional materials touting the company’s support for Alaska Pollock sourced from a “wild-caught and sustainable fishery.” Read more here 17:36
UNE researcher gets $1.7M grant to aid fishing industry – will research the mortality rate of winter skates
A federal agency has awarded a University of New England researcher and his colleagues $1.7 million for a research project they hope will help increase revenues for the fishing industry. “If our proposed study is as successful as our previous otter trawl project, it could result in increased revenues to the commercial fishing industry,” Read more here 16:05
Two California Men Plead Guilty to Fishing Violations in Sitka – They paid for it too!
It was on June 30th that Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted the captain and crew of the fishing vessel “Chief Joseph” while it lay at anchor in Still Harbor in Southeast Alaska. When they did so, they observed signs of recent fishing aboard the vessel. Read more here 15:52
Steller sea lion lawsuit parties ask court to change timeline on reimbursement decision
Fishing industry plantiffs and federal defendants have asked for a new timeline to decide reimbursements in the lawsuit over Steller sea lion protection measures.The Alaska Seafood Cooperative, The Groundfish Forum and the Freezer Longline Coalition asked the federal government to reimburse them $1,208,409.87 for attorney fees and costs in the lawsuit. Read more here 13:08
BOSTON – Local fishermen protest new lobster restrictions
State legislators and members of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association gathered at the State House on Wednesday to voice concerns about new regulations banning the use of lobster trap and pot gear from Jan. 1 to April 30 off much of the state’s coast. “It seems the new regulations are quite draconian and are being proposed without a corresponding public policy based on facts,” Read more here 12:35
Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay: When Partnerships Work
Too often, environmental groups, regulators and fishermen find themselves cast in antagonistic roles on marine issues. Prolonged legal and regulatory battles frequently top headlines, while successful conservation partnerships go unheralded. The Chesapeake Bay, long plagued by problems like pollution and runoff, is benefitting from one such partnership. Read more here 11:10
Tribes air issues with non-Indian sport, commercial fisheries
The four Columbia River treaty tribes reminded Washington and Oregon this week on how much they disagree with the way the states manage sport and commercial fall salmon fisheries downstream of Bonneville Dam. Read more here 10:54
Washington and Oregon approve nine nights of Columbia River gillnetting
Washington and Oregon today adopted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday night gill netting periods from Aug. 3 though Aug. 21. The 9-inch-mesh nets are expected to catch 2,200 chinook the first week, 6,600 in the second week and 14,400 during the third week, said Robin Ehlke, a biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Read more here 10:39
Scientists study capelin reproduction cycles in Trinity Bay
Researchers are keeping a close eye on how capelin are spawning and developing off the waters of Newfoundland. Scientists have flocked to Bellevue Beach in Trinity Bay — one of the most important capelin spawning areas in the province — to find out why the fish are thriving in these waters. Read more here 10:14
ROCKLAND, Maine: Crowds roll in for the Maine Lobster Festival – Get down they-ah! Continues through Sunday
THIS JUST IN!- America’s Tall Ship USCG Cutter Eagle to arrive in Rockland Friday, at 3 p.m – The grounds of the Maine Lobster Festival were crowded early Wednesday afternoon as the kicked off on the city’s waterfront. “We offer local, fresh and sustainable lobster, and we love to share it with people both near and far,”,,, Read more here 09:08
Feds say no to fish-kill preventive water releases from Trinity Lake used to cool the Klamath and Trinity rivers
Federal officials today told local tribes and North Coast officials that extra water releases from Trinity Lake used to cool the Klamath and Trinity rivers for fish may only occur in an emergency — when enough fish begin to sicken. Public Affairs Officer Mat Maucieri of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said that due to the ongoing statewide drought,,,Read more here 07:41
