Daily Archives: January 11, 2015
GMFMC holding King Mackerel Workshop – Webinar, Monday, January 12, 2015, 09:00- 17:00
On the agenda for discussion is an overview of King Mackerel gillnet issues, and suggested gillnet management options such as trip limit increases, gear modifications, and Catch Shares. Click here for information, Webinar registration click here 17:48
More Protected Habitat for Endangered Right Whales?
This article was written by Anne Russell Gregory, the Conservation Law Coordinator at 
. Progress! The highly endangered North Atlantic right whale is one step closer to safer waters, thanks to the settlement agreement we reached just before Thanksgiving with the National Marine Fisheries Service, which the courts made official this week. Under the agreement, the agency must finally expand critical habitat for right whales by February 2016. Read the rest here 14:06
If we don’t protect Alaska halibut, there will be no fish to fight over
The halibut wars are on, folks, and I don’t mean the Domino’s Pizza ad slam from last year. There are a few silly voices trying to make the current arguments regarding halibut an allocation war. Sadly, they are wrong. It’s way past allocation, folks, and now its a fight for preservation and sustainability. Areas of the Bering Sea have not been managed to sustain halibut — specifically Area 4CDE. Read the rest here 13:31
AEB Assembly Passes Resolution Opposing Nomination for Aleutian Islands Marine Sanctuary
“The NOAA national sanctuary nomination process clearly states that ‘Every nomination starts at the community level’, however the Aleutians East Borough is not currently aware of ANY local support from local regional communities, tribes or local groups for this nomination,” the AEB Assembly resolution stated. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and several environmental organizations submitted the nomination. Read the rest here 13:12
Chairmanship puts Rubio in middle of Florida issues, integral role in reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act
Much has been made of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s new post as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee,,, The Republican from West Miami is expected to also chair the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. Rubio will play an integral role in reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Read the rest here 12:39
Supreme Court says it’s too early to rule on APOC bias complaint
Long-running tensions between a wealthy opponent of the proposed Pebble mine and the Alaska Public Offices Commission continue, with a decision Friday by the Alaska Supreme Court to let an administrative challenge run its course. That already has happened, but the matter is far from settled. Read the rest here 11:56
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update, January 11, 2015
The Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance is dedicated to its mission of continuing to help create sustainable fisheries without putting licensed fishermen out of business.” Read the update here To read all the updates, click here 11:06
UPDATED!!! – Winter Lobsters Could Bolster Fishery During Shrimp Shutdown
Fishermen and seafood dealers say a shutdown of the Maine shrimp season is keeping many lobstermen at sea deeper into the winter than typical – a trend some say could result in lower prices for consumers. For now, Port Clyde lobsterman Gerry Cushman is sticking with lobsters through the cold months, and he said many of his peers are doing the same. “What else are they going to do?” Cushman said, speculating that winter lobstering will “drive landings up a little bit.” Read it here 10:53
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission 2015 Rules For Fish Harvests, recreational and commercial
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission met today and set the 2015 harvest specifications and season structures for recreational and commercial groundfish that include significant changes to the composition of the seven fish daily bag limit for marine fish. Read the rest here 10:37
FFAW’s Keith Sullivan on what’s ahead for the fishery in 2015
Illegal commercial fishing to blame for dead mullet on Anna Maria Island beaches, officials say
Some initially blamed red tide, but county officials said nearly all the fish were white roe mullet, which points to another culprit: commercial fishermen illegally throwing dead fish back into the Gulf. “The fishermen who have been here for generations, who do this for a living don’t do this. It’s the people who are plumbers, landscapers and others who have other jobs and they come here and rape and pillage our waters during the season,” Read the rest here 09:08
