Monthly Archives: May 2015
It’s time Gov. Paul LePage released bonds Maine’s working waterfronts depend on
In 2010 and 2012, Maine voters approved $14.25 million in bonds to support multiple conservation priorities, including the privilege of fishing communities to pass on critical working waterfront access sites to the next generation of commercial fishermen. We encourage Gov. Paul LePage, who supports many of Maine’s vital natural resource and economic development programs, to authorize the sale of voter-approved bonds to fund projects already approved by the Land for Maine’s Future Program to move working waterfront preservation forward. Read the rest here 11:56
FFAW calls for increased focus on marketing of Newfoundland and Labrador’s valuable cod resource
ST. JOHN’S, May 29, 2015 – The need for a focus on marketing of our cod resource is evident following a decision by the price setting panel to reduce the price paid to harvesters for cod. The panel responded to cries from processing companies for cheaper fish, to the detriment of harvesters who worked hard to improve quality and are already dealing with resource declines in other sectors. This was a disappointing result given that cod is so important to many harvesters in this province. Read the rest here 09:47Alder Point N.S. celebrates 60th Blessing of the Fleet
Back in 1955, Eunice MacFarlane and four others sat around a kitchen table and organized the first ever Blessing of the Fleet in Alder Point. This year’s time-honoured ritual is being held on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.The lobster boats will steam up the Alder Point Gut and then slowly, one-by-one, will pass by the government wharf where local clergy will sprinkle them with holy water. The St. Anne’s Church choir will sing hymns and people, including MacFarlane, will toss flowers and wreaths into the water in remembrance of those who have died. Read the rest here 08:22
Is NOAA Stacking the NPFMC Deck? – Alaska members appeal recusals
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council will spend the first four days of its weeklong meeting in Sitka beginning June 3 deciding on a series of deep cuts in the halibut bycatch allocation for the Bering Sea groundfish bottom-trawl fleet, but it may do so without a majority of the votes on the final decision coming from the Alaska delegation. The council, which has 11 members with six appointed from Alaska, could hold a final vote without two Alaska members, David Long and Simon Kinneen, unless the NOAA, reconsiders its decision to recommend them for recusal. Read the rest here 08:03
Days at Sea Cod Comeback: How The North Sea Fishery Bounced Back From The Brink
Cod love the icy cold waters of the North Sea — and British people love eating cod.But a decade ago, it looked like people were eating the fish to the brink of collapse. Now the trend has turned around, and the cod are coming back.We pick up this fish tale, which seems to be on its way to a happy ending, at an early morning fish auction in Fraserburgh, Scotland, where buyers and sellers are lined up alongside hundreds of boxes containing cod, hake, monkfish, sole and every other kind of fish you can imagine from the North Sea. Read the rest here 22:48
It’s time to reduce Bering Sea halibut bycatch
The summer season is upon us and for many Alaskans this means fishing for one of the state’s most prized species — halibut. During the first week in June, federal fishery managers have an important opportunity to take a stand for those of us in Alaska that value and depend on the halibut resource. At their meeting in Sitka, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council will vote on measures to reduce the amount of halibut that can be wasted as bycatch in other fisheries. Read the rest here 21:23
DONOFRIO: Federal fisheries law in need of reform
As a longtime Jersey charter boat captain, listening to my customers’ needs was critical to business success. Now as executive director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, it’s my responsibility to listen to our individual members’ needs, which in many ways are the same as those I used to take fishing full time for tuna, striped bass, weakfish, bluefish and fluke.,, It’s time for congressional Democrats to stand up on behalf of their angling public, and allow what once had bipartisan committee support to move forward, without partisan grandstanding on behalf of radical “green” ideology. Read the rest here 19:25
Canadian Risk Assessment Finds GMO Salmon Susceptible to Disease, as Food and Drug Admin Rubber Stamps Approval!
A never-before-seen draft environmental review of AquaBounty Technologies’ (ABTX) genetically engineered (GE) salmon reveals that Canadian government scientists disagree with the engineered (GE) salmon (FDA) on key questions related to the safety and performance of what may be the first GE animal approved for human consumption. In light of these findings, Food & Water Watch, and Consumers Union today called on the FDA to terminate its ongoing review of GE salmon. Read the rest here 15:14
Thirteen corporations control up to 40 per cent of world’s most valuable fisheries
The study found that the average annual revenues of the 160 largest companies in 2012 exhibit a distinct keystone pattern, where the top 10% account for 38 % of total revenues. The identified thirteen companies (box) shape very large marine ecosystems around the world and are involved in both wild capture fisheries and aquaculture, including whitefish, tuna, salmon, shellfish, fishmeal, fish oil, and aqua feeds. Their combined annual revenues correspond to 18% of the global value of seafood production in 2012 (US$ 252 billion). Privatize/Consolidate. Great! Read the rest here 14:48
Connecticut DEEP investigating large-scale fish kills of Atlantic Menhaden and other species
Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is investigating multiple natural fish kills affecting thousands of Atlantic menhaden in the past week, including in the Quinnipiac River, Clinton Harbor and the lower Connecticut River, according to a press release from the DEEP. Menhaden have also died off in the Thames River between Norwich and the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, the DEEP said. Small numbers of fish kills of other species have been reported in these areas as well, the release said. Read the rest here 14:37
Young dismisses White House Magnuson-Stevens veto threat
President Barack Obama’s administration gave an early promise to stop Rep. Don Young’s changes to national fishing laws before the bill has even seen the light of a full House discussion. “The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 1335, which would amend the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), because it would impose arbitrary and unnecessary requirements that would harm the environment and the economy,” reads the statement of administration policy released May 19. Read the rest here 11:40
Fishing poundage fees will fund Port of Brookings Harbor projects
Starting in July, the Port of Brookings Harbor will charge 
a poundage fee for unloading product at the docks, and use the money to finance various projects and infrastructure improvements at the port. The decision has drawn mixed reactions.“It’s not something I’m in favor of,” said Bernie Lindley, a commercial fisherman who operates the Sea Jay fishing vessel. “It’s a nominal fee to begin with, but my concern is it starts out small and gets increased to a bigger amount.” Commercial fisherman and port Commissioner Mike Manning feels otherwise. Read the rest here 11:23
Lobster War in the “Gray Zone” – High prices fuel border feud
There have been death threats on both sides of the watery divide between the United States and Canada, as lobstermen accuse each other of sabotaging lines, stealing gear, and setting traps atop those already in the water. “This is a ticking time bomb out here,” said Brian Cates, 61, of Cutler, Maine, who has been fishing the contested waters in the Bay of Fundy since he was 9 years old. “It’s just a matter of time before someone gets killed.” Video, Read the rest here 07:49
Vintage Fishing Boat, F/V Roann, to Highlight First Cape May Port Commercial Fishing Festival
Her name’s Roann and she’ll be showing off her stuff to curious landlubbers June 6 and 7 at the Lobster House Docks. Roann may be the center of attention at the first Cape May Port Commercial Fishing Festival that will highlight the area’s commercial fishing industry for the world to explore. The festival will highlight Cape May’s rank as second in commercial fishing on the East Coast and fourth largest in dollars generated. Read the rest here 18:50
Multiple investigations of incidents ongoing – NOAA Report Claims Harassment, Intimidation of Observers
The 2014 annual report on the North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program notes that observers reported a number of incidents of harassment, intimidation, hostile work environment, or attempted sample bias related to the collection of prohibited species catch data. The report said these investigations include allegations of physical sample bias including removing halibut from observer samples, or physically preventing a halibut from entering an observer’s sample during collection. Read the rest here 17:36
Atlantic Salmon Federation calling on Greenland to end commercial fishery of Atlantic salmon
Fishermen and conservationists are urging Greenland to end its commercial fishery of 
, arguing the stock is at historic lows and won’t recover if the harvest continues. It says that even though the population has been steadily declining over the last several years, Greenland has maintained its factory fishery of salmon that migrate north from river systems in Canada, the United States and elsewhere. The group released the figures ahead of a critical meeting next week in Labrador,,, Read the rest here 14:55
Seismic testing off Clyde River cancelled for summer
Clyde River, Nunavut, is declaring victory after an energy company cancelled this summer’s plans for offshore seismic testing. “I’m very happy about it,” said Jerry Natanine, mayor of the hamlet on Baffin Island’s east coast that strongly opposed the seismic plans. The program is strongly opposed by the people of Clyde River, which argued before the board that the testing would disturb or harm seals, whales, walrus and other marine mammals locals depend on for food. Read the rest here 14:41
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 45′ Gamage Steel Scalloper/Lobster,1983, CAT
For specifications, information, and 19 photos of the vessel, click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 11:58
Life, Then Death, on a Trawler in Freezing Antarctic Seas
Matt Lewis, a British marine biologist and author of Last Man Off: A True Story of Disaster and Survival on the Antarctic Seas
, was only 23 when he was hired as a scientist on the South African fishing trawler, the Sudur Havid. Destination: South Georgia Island, in the Antarctic, to fish for one of the most valuable catches on earth, Patagonian toothfish. Three weeks later, he found himself in a perfect storm which left many of his crewmates dead. Read the rest here 10:46
Battle to Restore Apalachicola Bay Heads to Congress
The proposal is the latest development in Florida’s 25-year dispute with Georgia and Alabama over the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system, which the three states share. It also comes as Florida is suing Georgia in the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that too much water is being siphoned off upstream, damaging the economically vital oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay. Until recently, its commercial and recreational fishing industries generated $200 million a year and supported the vast majority of the local population. Read the rest here 09:57
“The Briefcase” – Marathon fishing family in new CBS reality show
The program, “The Briefcase,” finds couples in need of financial assistance, whether backlogged on loans or dealing with other hardships, and offers them an out. One of the episodes will feature John and Amanda Musolino, who reside part of the year in Marathon, as a struggling family who works wherever commercial fishing jobs pay. Amanda Musolino stays at their home raising the children, ages 12, 10 and 7, while John fishes seven months out of the year. Read the rest here 08:19
New Jersey Seismic-testing debate continues amid NOAA/NMFS approvals
A research project green-lighted to begin off the New Jersey coast this summer is the source of concern for legislators and environmentalists who see the project’s use of seismic testing as a potential threat to marine life and the commercial fishing industry. “It was a bad idea for the NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] to allow for seismic testing off the Jersey Shore last year, and it’s a bad idea this year,” Read the rest here 07:31
Once again, Lu Dochtermann tells it like it is
Once again, Lu Dochtermann tells it like it is, in the decades long fight to reduce for trawl catcher processors targeting other species for export. He calls the crying misbehaving bottom trawlers “outlaws” that they are. The NPFMC letters so far number in the 300 pages realm. Lu’s stands out because this is about disaster economics, politics, and he sees it for the ruckus that it is – and calls for PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH cutbacks commensurate, in parity with, those the directed halibut commercial fleet has taken (over 70% drops in allowed catch of the target species itself). He’s on board his halibut boat right now in the Gulf of Alaska as he submitted his testimony with the assistance of his office. Read the rest here 22:54
NO DEAL Ottowa- Minimum Processing Requirements ‘off the table’ in CETA spat
A dispute between the Newfoundland and Labrador government and Ottawa surrounding the Canadian European Union Comprehensive Trade Agreement (CETA) was reignited Tuesday, with the province saying it will not relinquish authority over minimum fish processing requirements, or MPRs. Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, said the decision is related to the federal government’s refusal to live up to an agreement reached in 2013 on the creation of a $400-million fisheries renewal fund, Read the rest here 17:40
South Carolina Commercial shrimp trawling season opening May 27
Shrimp season normally opens in mid to late May, after the peak spawning period of white shrimp has occurred. Following a relatively mild winter, this year’s opening date is fairly typical. Eight smaller provisional areas were opened last week to shrimp trawling. S.C. Shrimpers Association president Richard Billington said that shrimpers are looking forward to a good harvest of large, white shrimp in 2015. Read the rest here 16:41
In the Village of Kaltag, Fishermen and Processors Without Summer Employment – NOAA diverts disaster relief money
Yukon River Gold LLC, the sole salmon processor in the village of Kaltag announced that it will not operate this summer,,, Why isn’t the disaster assistance making it to the victims of the disaster? The Federal fisheries disaster assistance is intended to help get the commercial fishing communities back on their feet, but the middle and upper Yukon River has had their disaster assistance diverted by NOAA to the politically powerful and largest Alaska Native organization Tanana Chiefs Conference/Doyon, have combined annual revenues of $400,000,000, and hardly need the money. The Kaltag region in contrast has only $9,361 in per capita income, 25% unemployment, and desperately needs the jobs. Read the rest here 16:18
Always Top Quality! Your Seafreeze Ltd. Preferred Price List for May 26, 2015
Contact our sales team today @ 401 295 2585 or 800 732 273 Click here for the complete price list from Seafreeze Ltd. We are Direct to the Source-We are Fishermen-We are Seafreeze Ltd! Visit our website! 13:12
Prince Edward Island Lobster season should be extended, says fisheries minister
P.E.I. Fisheries Minister Alan McIsaac has written to his federal counterpart, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea, to ask for an extension to the lobster season. Because of ice conditions around the scheduled April 30 season start date, fishermen on the North Shore were delayed getting out of their harbours by eight days, and fishermen on the South Shore were delayed 11 days. An extension of the lobster season would benefit everyone involved in the fishery, said McIsaac. Read the rest here 12:18
Halibut bycatch issue: A poster child for complex fisheries policy in Alaska
What a conundrum. How does the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council respond to the proposed 50 percent reduction of halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands groundfish fishery requested by halibut fishermen in the region, without significantly impacting the Amendment 80, Trawl and Freezer Long Line vessels in their stead? Regardless how you look at it or what your personal involvement in any of the above fisheries is, major policy shifts in any of the multiple fisheries in the Bering Sea can absolutely impact,,, Read the rest here 12:08
Think seals as a substitute for deer, cod as a substitute for sapling – Growing deer population taking a toll on forests
Environmental leaders blame bigger herds, fewer predators and decreased harvests by area hunters for the state’s dwindling vegetation. Wow! “The deer just munch, munch, munch,” said Douglas K. Bassett, Letchworth’s naturalist. How about that! “The only way to get things into balance is to have less deer seals,” Bassett said. Another solution, ecologists say, could be allowing commercial hunting for deer to create a market for venison. Bingo! Read the rest here 10:54
