Daily Archives: May 2, 2015
Warming waters pose dangers to Arctic cod, research finds – saffron cod, pollock and Pacific cod could thrive!
A research project being conducted by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists has found that even a moderate warming of waters could spell dire consequences for the Arctic cod, a high-fat fish important to the food web. But other fish with lower fat content — pollock, Pacific cod and saffron cod — can survive and even thrive in warming waters, the research finds. Meanwhile, another NOAA-led study found that larvae of northern rock fish appear to be resilient to increased levels of acidity in marine waters. Read the rest here 19:14
Bellingham Washington selects seafood festival as its newest signature event
A committee has chosen what it hopes will be the city’s new signature event, and it’s about celebrating a longtime industry that continues to play a big role in the local economy. The festival will focus on showcasing Bellingham’s maritime and commercial fishing sector through plenty of different events, including fish filleting and oyster shucking contests, boat cruises, survivor suit races, children’s activities and cooking demonstrations. Read the rest here 18:00
Lobster levy to get review after Lobster Council of Canada criticism
Provincial governments in the Maritimes want a review of the publicly funded industry group pushing for a lobster levy to help promote the industry. The review will be carried out this spring and summer and follows criticism of the Lobster Council of Canada, primarily from fishermen in southwest Nova Scotia. Plans for a one cent per pound levy to promote Canadian lobster next year are moving ahead in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, but in Nova Scotia there is resistance. Read the rest here 16:55
Coast Guard orders second fishing vessel in 2 days into Port Angeles Harbor because of safety concerns
The Coast Guard patrol boat Sea Lion ordered a second fishing vessel into Port Angeles Harbor this week after it was found to have inadequate safety gear. The 34-foot Equalizer, whose 3-member crew had been harvesting geoducks, was stopped and boarded east of Port Angeles on Thursday. The vessel was ordered to remain in the harbor until its crew “fixed the especially hazardous safety condition of lacking a sufficient number of personal floatation devices also known as lifejackets and having expired flares,” the Coast Guard said. Read the rest here 11:32
Fish Grab – Embattled Fish and Wildlife nominee Bruce Buckmaster : I’m not a paid lobbyist
Bruce Buckmaster responded Friday to a growing effort to get his name withdrawn from the list of nominees to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. He has been labeled a “lobbyist, spokesman and chief strategist for the the commercial gillnet industry” by the Coastal Conservation Association Oregon in an announcement about a campaign to get Buckmaster’s name taken off the list submitted by Gov. Kate Brown. Read the rest here 11:16
Last commercial fisherman in town will fight fines after being found guilty of engine error
A FISHERMAN has been ordered to pay £1,750 after being found guilty of fishing with an overpowered boat. Brightlingsea skipper Terry Stimpson appeared before Basildon Magistrates’ Court charged with two counts of breaching a Kent and Essex IFCA bylaw on engine power. “I am the last commercial boat left in Brightlingsea. It used to be a fishing port and in the 19th century there were about 350 fishing boats – I am now the last one.” Read the rest here 10:33
Lobster licensing fee fairer say’s seafood firm
The land-based side of the lobster industry in Nova Scotia has rejected the penny-per-pound concept in favour of a licensing fee. “We believe this is a fairer way to distribute the cost through our side of the industry,” Terry Zinck, with Xsealent Seafood Co. in Clark’s Harbour, said Friday. A penny-per-pound levy to promote marketing and sustainability efforts has received mixed reviews from lobster harvesters. It has been promoted by the Lobster Council of Canada. Read the rest here 09:38
P.E.I. oyster season delayed for at least a week due to ice
P.E.I.’s spring wild oyster season was supposed to start Friday, but harvesters are going to have to wait at least a week before putting their boats in the water. A coalition of fishermen, processors, the province and Fisheries and Oceans Canada agree that it’s too soon because of ice conditions in Island harbours and decided as a group to put opening off until May 8 at the earliest. Brenda Campbell, president of the P.E.I. Shellfish Association, says there’s no way oyster harvesters could get on the water Friday. Read the rest here 09:07
Blessing and remembering Alaska’s commercial fishermen
This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Juneau’s Blessing of the Fleet. The annual tradition honors those who participate in one of the state’s largest industries. It’s held at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on the downtown waterfront. Five names have been added to the memorial’s granite wall this year, bringing the count to 203 men and women. Read the rest here 08:13
