Daily Archives: May 10, 2015
Louisiana Sets 2015 Spring Shrimp Season
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced the opening date for the 2015 Louisiana spring shrimp season. The spring shrimp season was set based on information provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and on public comments. LDWF provided projections of the dates when a minimum of 50 percent of the inshore brown shrimp population would reach sizes of 100 count per pound or larger. Read the rest here 17:33
Cherry-picking the facts undermines green groups
What is it with some environmental groups and their appetite to be selective with the facts and not present a true reflection of our fisheries? The Pew Foundation and New Economics Foundation (NEF) appear to be in a league of their own in this department as is so vividly reflected by their two most recent reports. Pew in its ‘Turning the Tide’ report stated that in many cases the EU’s Atlantic nations set fishing limits ‘contrary’ to recent reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and continue to ‘overfish’ for many species. Meanwhile, NEF claimed that many stocks were fished beyond scientific advice and thus endangering fish stocks. Read the rest here 17:20
Battle over blueline tilefish intensifies-SAFMC requested emergency action for East Coast
In a move that’s certain to heighten tensions over the management of blueline tilefish, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has requested emergency action that will extend the regulations governing the fishery in its jurisdiction to the entire east coast. The MAFMC became concerned for the stock when commercial fishing boats out of North Carolina made it known they planned on landing tilefish in New Jersey, which has no limit on catches. There is no fishery management plan — or available science Read the rest here 16:25
P.E.I. lobster fishermen pleased with first catches – Fishermen’s Association confident lobster levy to go ahead
Saturday marks the first day of the year that fresh Island lobster is available for sale on P.E.I. Fishermen along the North Shore started their season yesterday, eight days late, because of ice. Read the rest here 11:01 P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association is optimistic the one cent per pound levy will go ahead as planned. The money will be used for marketing and Island fishermen voted in favour of the levy last fall. Read the rest here 11:04
Should the striped bass be named the U.S. national fish?
The bald eagle has long flown as the national bird of the United States. The oak stands strong and proud as out national tree. Do we now need a national fish to add to our list of national symbols? Legislation in Congress would officially designate the striped bass as the National Fish of the United States. Freshman Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-New Jersey) would make a name for himself if the bill he passes becomes law. Read the rest here 10:10
Committee to consider buying fishermen out of business
A committee to examine a buyback program for the fishing industry could be organized as soon as this year, a federal official said, as fishermen prepare for one of their toughest seasons ever. A portion of federal disaster relief funds announced last year will go to funding a committee to examine the, said John Bullard, Northeast regional administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is the federal organization that manages fishing regulations. Read the rest here 08:28
Don’t waste NOAA funds on catch share boondoggle, Tom Swatzel
NOAA has spent about $160 million over the last six years pushing its national catch share policy in an effort to privatize fisheries by giving commercial fishermen “shares” in fisheries based on catch history, which can be bought and sold like shares on Wall Street. Catch share programs tend to benefit large corporate fleets that can buy up shares and hurt small fishermen who cannot. Studies have shown that catch share programs hurt fishing communities by destroying jobs, and don’t provide any biological benefit to fisheries. Read the rest here 07:53
Abandoned Fishing vessel runs aground in Katmai National Park
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska – The National Park Service says a fishing vessel abandoned after a fire last month has run aground at Katmai National Park. The park service said Saturday the Northern Pride was found between Cape Chiniak and Kaguyak Point along the Shelikof Strait. The 82-foot wooden vessel’s crew abandoned ship on April 21. The Coast Guard rescued the three-member crew. The vessel capsized shortly after and was believed to have sunk. Read the rest here 07:34
