Daily Archives: February 13, 2015
Federal Offshore Leasing: Another ‘No’ For Energy – Robert Bradley Jr.
Is the Department of the Interior’s new offshore energy proposal a long-needed step toward unlocking the public domain’s vast oil and gas resources? After all, the five-year plan would authorize 14 leases for oil and gas development, mostly off of the Southeast Atlantic and Gulf coasts, which led to fussing from the Don’t Drill, Baby, Don’t Drill lobby. Read the rest here 19:52
UPDATE 2 – USCGC Polar Star On Scene With F/V Antarctic Chieftain
A U.S. Coast Guard crew is on scene with the 207-foot fishing vessel that is beset in ice approximately 900 miles northeast of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. After traveling more than 430 miles, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star has reached the crew of the Australian-flagged fishing vessel, Antarctic Chieftain, who contacted Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand Tuesday evening for assistance after becoming trapped in the Antarctic ice. Read the rest here 18:01
Next round of federal fishery disaster funds to start going out in early March
The approximately $8.3 million in the second round of federal fishery disaster aid should begin going out to eligible Massachusetts beneficiaries around the first week of March, the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said today. The funds, the second installment of the fishery disaster assistance designated for Massachusetts fishermen, crew members, shore-side businesses and recreational fishing stakeholders, brings the state’s total to about $14.8 million to date from the $75 million Congress allocated more than a year ago. Read the rest here 17:15
Prowler Fisheries, aka Alaska Longline Company will move offices to Seattle – Site the high cost of Affordable Care Act in Alaska
The Petersburg offices of 
will be moved to Seattle by April 1. Larry Cotter—CEO of APICDA, of which Alaska Longline is a subsidiary—said that juggling two offices along with high health insurance costs are the driving forces behind the consolidation of offices in Seattle. He said other businesses in Alaska are likely to face similar challenges as the Affordable Care Act regulations come into play this year. Read the rest here 15:43
Lobster plant puts spark in Sonora
The Goldens’ latest fishery business is about to become one of the area’s largest employers. Longshore Fisheries Ltd. begins processing lobster in Sonora, a community of a few dozen, next week. Twenty-one-year-old Wade Tibbo came home after graduating from Acadia University to take a job marketing lobster for Longshore Fisheries. There could be a lot of lobster to market. The hope is to process two million pounds annually. Read the rest here 15:18
Lobster fishermen in Sambro have mixed opinions on the idea of paying a one cent a pound levy!
“I think it’s totally unnecessary. We’ve survived with the past 50 years without this stuff,” said Nick Henneberry, one of a handful of people who turned out for a government sponsored meeting about the levy on Friday. “More involvement. More bureaucracy.” Paddy Gray, another lobster fisherman, believes fishermen are ready to be convinced. Read the rest here 14:29
To save their depleted species, female blue crabs go the extra mile to spawn in the bay
Deep under the cold, dark waters of the Chesapeake Bay, the answer to whether the decimated blue crab population can survive lies buried in mud. Tens of millions of female crabs are scattered across the floor of the lower bay in southern Virginia, where the estuary pours into the Atlantic Ocean, waiting out winter for one of the most important events in their short lives. When spring comes, they will inch closer to the ocean with billions of eggs. Read the rest here 11:21
Plan for artificial reef off Ocean County fuels fighting among fishermen
New Jersey plans to limit commercial fishing to small sections on the two existing artificial reefs in state waters and construct a third one off Ocean County just north of Barnegat Inlet that will be available exclusively to recreational anglers. “It’s not defendable. There is no biological justification, and we’re hoping the state reconsiders that,” said Greg DiDomenico, who heads the Garden State Seafood Association. Read the rest here 10:38
Sources: Davis in deal for US scallop catcher Peabody Corp.
After being in talks to buy Oceans Fleet Fisheries and looking at Wanchese Fish Company, Jeff Davis and his private equity partners are reportedly set to buy a US scallop company at last. Davis is being named by sector sources as the prospective buyer for Peabody Corp., a scallop fishing firm based in Virginia with seven or eight vessels.,,Davis was looking at Suffolk, Virginia-based Wanchese, which Canadian salmon farming firm Cooke Aquaculture is reportedly set to buy, Cooke is also thought to be looking to acquire Carlos Rafael’s 13 New Bedford-based scallop vessels and move them to Virginia, as part of the deal. Read the rest here 09:07
ASMFC considering limiting entry into the Gulf of Maine Northern Shrimp Fishery
Regulators are 
, if and when the decimated stock rebounds enough to reopen the fishery, according to a document seeking public comment on the possible revisions to the region’s management plan. The document, known as a public information document, is the first step in the process to amend the fishery’s management plan. That process, which is scheduled to extend into the winter of 2016, includes a number of hearings in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts to gather public comment. Read the rest here 08:34
Friday the 13th~ Salty Sea Superstitions
A life of danger and uncertainty has seafarers observing a strict set of rules steeped in myth and superstition. Many sea going beliefs are based on the Bible, for example, Friday is the worst day to set out to sea. Most sources credit that to the belief that Christ was crucified on a Friday. Similarly, Sunday is the best day to begin a voyage, because Christ’s resurrection on that day is seen as a good omen. Thus the old adage, ‘Sunday sail, never fail.’ Listen, and read the rest here 07:36
