Daily Archives: September 8, 2014

Winter Harbor man gets 30 months, Six skippers to be sentenced for scallop scheme

 Christopher Byers, 42, has been sent to federal prison for more than two years for his role in a scheme to illegally harvest and conceal scallops. George Bamford of Harrington, Robert Hersey of Harspwell, Michael Johnson of Milbridge, James Leighton of Milbridge, Michael McKenna of Steuben, and Daniel Mahoney of Gloucester,  Massachusetts, each pleaded guilty in 2012 to filing false fishing reports and with tampering with those reports in order to obstruct the investigation. Read the rest here 22:18

Pacific Fishery Fishery Management Council meets Sept. 10-17 in Spokane

The Pacific Fishery Fishery Managementwill meet Wednesday for a week-long session, Sept. 10-17, in Spokane to address issues related to groundfish, highly migratory species, coastal pelagic species, salmon, ecosystem management and habitat matters. Read the rest here 18:10

I had to post this. – “Known is a drop. Unknown is an ocean.” Talking Fish

From the article: Is the science about Gulf of Maine cod wrong? Probably, if one is talking about any kind of precision. Population models are now being asked to look into biological territory that the people who build these models have never seen before. Peter thinks we need a little more we-ness, and less me-ness. I’m thoroughly entertained with that notion!  Read the rest here  16:59

Some Louisiana shrimpers say they’re going on strike over low prices.

“Opening day of the May season we got $2.70 for 40-50s,” shrimper Warren Delacroix of New Orleans said, discussing one common size of shrimp. “Right now they are $1.35 at some of the docks.” Association leaders said shrimpers will tie up their boats for a week or longer to allow the association to negotiate with processors. Read the rest here 16:10

Maine Certified Sustainable Lobster Association, Inc., enters Gulf of Maine lobster fishery for MSC Certification

This assessment is in parallel with a separate assessment of the fishery that led to MSC certification in 2013. The founding members of the client group are Cozy Harbor Seafood, Inc., Craig’s All Natural, LLC, East Coast Seafood, Inc., Garbo Lobster Co., Inc., Inland Seafood, Inc., Mazzetta Company, LLC, and Orion Seafood International, Inc.  Read the rest here 13:50

Editorial: We’re waiting – Gov. Kithaber made a mistake; now he can let others work things out

Will it merely sugarcoat a bitter pill. Or will Gov. John Kitzhaber make substantive changes in his misguided order to eliminate Columbia River gillnetting? In essence, Kitzhaber moved in 2012 to end a dispute between an activist recreational fishing group (CCA) and commercial fishermen by handing the sports group a complete victory at the expense of the traditional fishing communities of the Columbia estuary. Read the rest here 13:04

3-Minute Market Insight – Shrimp Market Nearing Record Level Prices, Pollock at Low Prices

Pricing for East Coast Pandalus borealis and West Coast Pandalus jordani, Canadian Shrimp meat, Pollock is being offered at $1450/MT, more 11:25

Setting the Trap for a Lobster Thief

Olger Bicaj been seen on a video tape breaking into J&J Lobster in Rockland, but he left before being apprehended. Bicaj returned that night, however, when he believed that all the employees had left, Tower said. Employees were there, however, and held Bicaj until officers arrived. Read the rest here  11:04

Ten U.S. and Canadian agencies testing their ability this week to deal with potential Lake Erie carp attack

canadian-american-flagThe field exercise Tuesday through Thursday involves about 60 employees from six of the eight Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario as well as federal agencies. “This exercise will help us fine-tune our,,, yeah yeah yeah. I’m calling my bookie! Read the rest here 10:45:1

Unusual North Pacific warmth jostles marine food chain

Pacific warming waterIndeed, there are three warm zones, said Nate Mantua, leader of the landscape ecology team at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center: The big blob dominating the Gulf of Alaska, a more recent expanse of exceptionally warm water in the Bering Sea and one that emerged off Southern California earlier this year. Read the rest here 08:33

Proposed Dredging of Searsport Harbor Threatens Maine Lobster Industry

With nearly half of all Maine lobster catches coming from the Penobscot Bay, dredging will have a huge impact on the lobster industry.  If the dredging doesn’t cause irreparable, long-term harm to lobster populations, the associated mercury contamination could tarnish the reputation of Maine lobster. Read more here 07:59

3-month closure – Connecticut Lobster fishermen taking enforced break

As the start of the second seasonal closure approached, the state’s few remaining lobstermen said they’re once again left taking a hit from what they characterize as a futile attempt to restore the dwindling numbers of the popular crustacean. The real culprits, they contend, are pollution from sewage treatment plants, pesticide residues and the effects of climate change,,, Read more here 07:35