Daily Archives: April 3, 2015
DFO makes large seizure of lobster and scallops in Victoria Beach
Gary Hutchins of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed that officers made what he called a large seizure of lobster and scallop meat in Victoria Beach on Sunday night, March 29. Hutchins says because the investigation is still ongoing, he isn’t prepared to provide any more information at this time, but when charges are laid, possibly within two or three weeks, more information would be available to the public. Read the rest here 22:55
Point Lookout fish wholesalers get probation for buying illegally caught fluke, ordered to pay $58,000 each
Two owners of a Point Lookout commercial fish wholesaler on Thursday received probation and were ordered to pay $58,000 each in restitution but avoided prison time following their guilty pleas to federal wire-fraud and filing false federal records charges. Both faced more than 20 years in prison, and prosecutors had sought 13-month prison terms. The charges related to the two buying illegally harvested fluke. Michael Mihale, 47, of Oceanside, and Bruce Larson Jr., 36, of Merrick, partners in Jones Inlet Seafood of Point Lookout,,, Read the rest here 17:24
Seattle: Coast Guard stops two commercial fishing boats for safety violations. Why does this happen?!!
The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Wahoo terminated the voyage of the fishing vessel Daybreak in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Thursday. Law enforcement officers [aboard the Wahoo] observed a lack of life raft, visual distress signals or emergency position indicating radio beacon aboard. There was also an insufficient number of immersion suits aboard. Wahoo’s crew escorted the vessel to Neah Bay. The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Blue Shark terminated the voyage of a state-registered fishing vessel near Anacortes on Wednesday morning. Read the rest here 15:51
Oil Dispersant Used After Deepwater Horizon Spill May Cause Lung Damage
It turns out that an oil-dispersal agent that was used to help control the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may contribute to the damage of cells in lungs. Scientists have taken a closer look at Corexit EC9500A and have discovered that it very well could cause problems for both wildlife and humans. Read the rest here 12:28
From the Fleet – Setting the Record Straight on Bering Sea Halibut Bycatch, Ludger Dochtermann, Kodiak
We, as Alaska Longline Fishers, are joined by Washington State halibut fishermen who also fish Alaskan waters. In 2012, statewide, 2,009 residents and 565 non-Alaskans held halibut quotas for Alaska waters; and 1,168 crew, as well. Thousands more are deckhands. Many longliners fish the Area 4 districts, waters of the Bering Sea, where the trawl bycatch problem is at its worst. In 2012, 308 Alaskans held 14.8 million pounds, and 186 non-Alaskans held 18.2 million; on average, the non-Alaskan holdings averaged twice what Alaskans held per person. Co-written by Stephen Taufen, Groundswell Fisheries Movement Read he rest here 11:46
Fishing Partnership Support Services – No-cost safety training for commericial fishermen April 9 and 10 in Plymouth
Fishing Partnership Support Services will offer safety and survival training for commercial fishermen at no cost on Thursday, April 9, and drill conductor training on Friday, April 10, at the Plymouth Yacht Club, 34 Union St. Both programs will begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude by mid-afternoon. A team of experienced marine safety instructors, all certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, will lead the multi-part programs. Read the rest here 08:48
Hundreds of fishermen rescued amid Indonesian slavery probe
Hundreds of fishermen raced to be rescued Friday from the isolated Indonesian island where an Associated Press investigation found that many were enslaved to catch seafood that could end up in the United States and elsewhere. Indonesian officials probing labor abuses told the migrant workers they were allowing them to leave for another island by boat out of concern for their safety. More than 300 fishermen emerged from nearby trawlers, villages and even the jungle to make the trip. Read the rest here 08:10
Price of commercial fishing licenses to increase April 15, Sneads Ferry Fishermen speak out – Video
Six commercial fishing licenses are going up by 60% this year, and will now cost anywhere from $50 to $600. It’s on the minds of many as the shrimping and fishing season nears its start. Commercial fishermen in Sneads Ferry appeared to be split on the issue. Some say with the price of fuel, they hate seeing one more fee increase. Others say they don’t mind the fee under one condition: fix the inlet! Watch, Read the rest here 07:25
