Daily Archives: February 14, 2015
Sport fishing priority leaves most of us (the consumer’s) out
The authors of this OpEd assert that “recreational fishers contribute vastly more income to our state’s economy …” than commercial interests and further state that “Overall, recreational fishing is a $1 billion industry in Washington.” Dr. Hans Radtke, a natural resource economist from Oregon, published a comprehensive study on Washington commercial fisheries in January 2011 documenting $3.9 billion in economic activity by all commercial fisheries in Washington State. Read the rest here 19:53
Three too many in the waters of Maine today. All Survived.
Addison man rescued after spending 30 minutes in the waters of Eastern Harbor – “The subject was going out to tend his boat, which was on a mooring, [and] with the storm coming in, people want to get things tidied up,” Moore said. “He was in a small skiff and we don’t know how, but he wound up in the water in excess of 30 minutes.” Read the rest here Capt. Charles Philbrook ferry rescues fishermen from sinking boat – Two fishermen aboard the 35-foot Loretta, homeport Matinicus Island, were rescued this morning, Feb. 14, at approximately 9 a.m. by the crew aboard the Capt. Charles Philbrook ferry, which runs from Rockland to Vinalhaven. Read the rest here 17:49
High seas fishing ban could boost global catches, equality
We should use international waters as the world’s fish bank,” says U. Rashid Sumaila, director of the UBC Fisheries Economics Research Unit and lead author of the study. “Restricting fisheries activities to coastal waters is economically and environmentally sensible, particularly as the industry faces diminishing returns.” Read the rest here 16:43
Crab prices spike to $9 a pound in advance of Chinese New Year
As the Dungeness crab season reached the end of its peak this month, commercial crab fishermen saw a massive increase in what processors paid per pound. In Oregon and Washington, fishermen reported they were getting about $9 per pound. Some heard rumors that this could skyrocket to $11 right before Valentine’s Day. The season started in December at a negotiated price of $3.10 per pound, which later rose to $3.50 per pound, an increase over last year when fishermen saw prices of $2.62 per pound at the start of the season. By Christmas, fishermen were getting close to $4.50 a pound. Read the rest here 12:16
North Pacific Fishery Management Council adds 50% option for bycatch cut
In January, the 
put a Band-Aid on a Bering Sea halibut situation that needs a blood transfusion from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Halibut fishermen earned a breather in 2015, with slightly raised allocations all around and a status quo 1.285 million pounds for the central Bering Sea quota holders, but the bulk of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s February meeting took a look at every way possible to get those numbers higher. Read the rest here 11:38
Louisiana coastal restoration: State studying diversions’ effects on economy, fishing
Louisiana’s coastal restoration officials said the state has embarked on a comprehensive socioeconomic analysis of the effects of four proposed sediment diversions along the lower Mississippi River on coastal communities and the economy.The plan includes studying the effects of land loss without the diversions and the effects of the diversions over time on various segments of the state’s economy, including commercial and recreational fishing, the oil and gas industry, and hazard and flood insurance rates,,, Read the rest here 10:47
Pacific Bluefin Tuna – why California’s fishermen are impacted
Recent actions and findings by international, federal and state fishery managers will result in reduced commercial and recreational take of Pacific Bluefin tuna. California based purse-seine vessels will see their catch limit reduced by a minimum of 40%. California based recreational anglers will see their daily bag limit reduced from 10-fish to 2-fish. New filet regulations developed with input from enforcement, scientists, and the sportfishing community were recently approved by the California Fish and Game Commission which will impact how you process your fish at sea. Read the rest here 10:25
You Asked For It! New U.S. recreational fisheries policy announced
NOAA Fisheries
Public meeting scheduled for input on Magnuson-Stevens fishery guidelines – Make your Public Comment!
Everyone’s got a chance to weigh in on possible revision of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act Guidelines. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration () has scheduled a public meeting and comment period to hear from the public. NMFS announced in the Federal Register of Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 that it will accept comments until June 30 and conduct a meeting on Wednesday, March 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. Read the rest here 08:21
State warns that Oregon LNG project could disrupt fishing
Warning of a potentially substantial disruption, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended that Oregon LNG perform a thorough analysis of the impact of its proposed terminal on commercial and recreational fishing in the Columbia River. The department, in comments on the project in January to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, found that Oregon LNG has not sufficiently characterized the local importance of fishing,,, Read the rest here 08:04
