Daily Archives: January 7, 2015
Opposition To Proposed Offshore Natural Gas Project 28 miles off the north Jersey coast.
Senator Jennifer Beck opposes the project Liberty Natural Gas wants to build to import liquefied natural gas. “This facility holds no value for New Jersey. We don’t benefit by its construction, and it poses serious detriment to our waterways and to our beachfronts.” This facility is right next to shipping lanes. It’s in areas of important fisheries. Read the rest here 22:23
Updates for upcoming halibut commission meeting – tension mounts
The stage is set for some tension when halibut managers and stakeholders gather later this month in Vancouver. Only one catch limit comment was submitted by the December 31 deadline. To reduce handling and wastage in the fishery, the Seattle-based Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association is asking the IPHC to reduce the minimum size requirement for commercially caught halibut from 32 to 30 inches. Read the rest here 18:51
How the Cold War depleted our oceans and led to Japan’s $37,000 tuna – Really?
Though the price one Tokyo sushi-maker paid for a Pacific bluefin tuna marks a sharp drop from recent peaks, $35,000 isn’t chump change. Given the species’ scarcity, it’s also not surprising. In Nov. 2014, it was re-classified as “vulnerable,” meaning it’s in danger of extinction.This scarcity isn’t just a tuna thing. and illegal fishing mean that stocks in every corner of the sea are disappearing at an unsustainable pace. Though many blame the – hoo boy, Read the rest here 17:52
B.C. whaling – an uncomfortable history
Certain veins of historical study are “sexier” than others. The topics that people shy away from rather ironically tend to be the stories that shaped the economy and everyday lives of British Columbians for the last 170 years. Industries like fishing and sealing put food on the tables of thousands of people, and provided jobs for many early residents of the province. The historical topic that is the most uncomfortable of all though, has to be that of whaling. Read the rest here 15:33
Limits on inshore dredging off Scotland’s coast examined
The Scottish government is considering proposals to limit dredging and trawling in inshore waters to conserve fish and shellfish stocks. But more remote fishing areas in the Highlands and Islands could be hit by the proposals. The report said restrictions could lead to job losses in these places. Read more here 14:48
Prince County Fishermen’s Association president pleased with where lobster industry is heading
O’LEARY — The president of the Prince County Fishermen’s Association has an optimistic outlook for 2015 as he prepares for the organization’s annual meeting on Thursday. Lee Knox said members were pleased to receive 75 cents to a dollar more per pound for their lobster in 2014 than what they were paid in 2013. As well, he said, many of the fall lobster fishermen saw their catches increase over the previous year. Knox believes there is room for further price increases this year Read the rest here 14:37
Can this province have a successful small boat cod fishery?
Tonight we speak with fishermen from the south coast of Newfoundland, where the province’s only commercial cod fishery currently exists, to get their take. Listen to the podcast here 12:43
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 85′ Longliner,1985, Longliner Steel, CAT, Federal Permit(s)
Specifications, and information and 1 photo click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 11:08
VIMS begins 75th anniversary celebration
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science begins a yearlong celebration of its 75th anniversary this month, with the launch of a special multimedia website and the first of its monthly series of anniversary-themed public lectures for 2015. Read the rest here 10:46
EDF Matt Mullins View: Electronic monitoring is inexpensive, effective
The New England cod fishery is on the brink of collapse. For weeks now we have heard from all stakeholders, with some calling for more closures, some less, and others seeking financial aid for fishing families. We’ve even heard a few calling for an all-out ban on cod fishing. But what is missing from much of this conversation are constructive ideas to pave a path forward for fishermen in New England. Electronic monitoring is one of those solutions. Plenty of EDF hyperbole. Read the rest here 09:49
The Controversy over Marine Protected Areas: Science meets Policy
This book is a critical analysis of the concept of marine protected areas (MPAs) particularly as a tool for marine resource management. It explains the reasons for the extraordinary rise of MPAs to the top of the political agenda for marine policy, and evaluates the scientific credentials for the unprecedented popularity of this management option. The book reveals the role played by two policy networks – epistemic community and advocacy coalition – in promoting the notion of MPA, showing how advocacy for marine reserves by some scientists based on limited evidence of fisheries benefits has led to a blurring of the boundary between science and politics. Abstract here A few chapters here 08:34
Ecojustice goes to court to force veterinary college to investigate fish disease complaint
Ecojustice has filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the College of Veterinarians of B.C. “erred in law and jurisdiction” by refusing to investigate a complaint by Alexandra Morton, an independent researcher who has long opposed salmon farming on the coast. The suit says that Morton lodged a written complaint with the College on Sept 13, 2013, over “incorrect information” provided in a confidential memorandum dated Aug. 1, 2007, from Mark Sheppard to the provincial Minister of Agriculture and Lands. Read the rest here 07:47
