Daily Archives: June 2, 2015
EU counters Pew criticism of ‘blurry science’ as bluefin tuna fishing kicks off with 20% hike
As the European Union (EU)’s bluefin tuna fishing season in the Mediterranean kicks off at pace, Pew Charitable Trusts has warned the science behind this year’s 20% hike in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic quotas is uncertain. It also noted concerns over Turkey going outside of scientific fishing advice, and the EU’s delays in implementing electronic catch tracking. “Yes, science seems to indicate a population recovery, but that science is blurry,” Amanda Nickson, who directs tuna conservation efforts for Pew. “This information provided by [Pew] can be a bit misleading,” Read the rest here 20:42
Offshore drilling, our view: Take a pass on oil and gas N.C.
To deny our reliance on fossil fuels and to expect the rest of the nation, or for that matter, the entire world to supply our appetite for energy along these Outer Banks would, quite frankly open us up to accusations of hypocrisy or hiding behind that old chestnut: NIMBY — Not in My Backyard. It would also take one hell of a compelling argument to stand up and say no to offshore drilling off our coast. And yet, that is precisely the course of action the Outer Banks Voice is endorsing and we believe that such a compelling argument not only exists, it passes muster on a purely economic risk-reward basis. Read the rest here 20:14
Fishermen’s Energy Loses Appeal, Will Go to State Supreme Court
Last week, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court ruled against Fishermen’s Energy in its claim that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities wrongly denied approval of its wind power project off the coast of Atlantic City. On Friday, Chris Wissemann, chief executive officer of Fishermen’s Energy, said in a press release, “We are disappointed by this decision. The project meets the spirit and letter of the Offshore Wind Development Act, bringing jobs and investment into the state and improving the environment.” Read the rest here 19:40
“Oyster thieves are on notice,” poachers will soon face stiffer penalties in Virginia
VMRC commissioner John Bull said in a statement Tuesday. “This new law escalates the potential punishments for egregious violations of our tidal natural resources.” “The vast majority of commercial watermen are honest and law-abiding,” Lauderman said. “But a relatively small number of thieves continue to cause a serious problem that is not diminishing.” VMRC regulates fisheries in the state and also oversees the Marine Police. Read the rest here 19:28
Editorial: Halibut population is wobbling
Mismanagement of bycatch — fish caught by accident while boats net other permitted species — is an offensive waste most recently highlighted by a May 30 story in the Seattle Times. The Times’ focus is on the (tinyurl.com/p9vr49l), but the issues involved are familiar to most commercial fishermen. Longstanding bycatch rules are based on distrust of fishermen and somewhat logical, but obviously counterproductive, notions about how to discourage “accidental-on-purpose” behavior. Read the rest here 19:17
Representatives and Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act.
Congressman Young Shares Thought Upon passage of HR 1335 Pingree opposes rollback of fishery regulations Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Rep Jones’ changes to fishery management passed in legislation Rep Debbie Dingell slams environmental impact cut in fishery bill Telling fish stories in the House. Kevin McCarthey, Sam Farr Speaker Boehner on MSA Reauthiorization Mass Reps Moulton, Keating, and Lynch, Usage of Asset Forfeiture Funds Rep. Curbelo (FL-26) 16:06
Fisheries Acoustic Survey Newfoundland-Blog No 9-of Cod and Second Chances
Thanks to funding from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) and the Research and Development Corporation (RDC) of Newfoundland and Labrador, this is the fifth consecutive year that CFER scientists, led by , have conducted offshore research aboard the RV Celtic Explorer. Although these trips have supported several projects, the focus has been an annual acoustic-trawl survey of the spawning ‘northern’ cod stock that ranges from southern Labrador to northern Grand Bank. Read the rest here 12:07
Video fish survey simple in concept, challenging in execution
In a multi-media world, conducting fishery stock assessment surveys was stuck in the early 20th century until Dr. Kevin Stokesbury came along.The marine scientist at the UMass School for Marine Science and Technology concluded more than a decade ago that if he could do it using underwater cameras, he could be far more accurate than bottom trawls using questionable net gear in questionable ways. The result is the booming scallop industry, confidently and sustainably fishing thanks to the process of photographing and literally counting the scallops on the ocean floor. They were abundant almost beyond belief. Read the rest here 11:48
Fishing Industry Feeling the Pain After Refugio Oil Spill – 138 Square Miles of Prime Harvest Grounds Remain Closed
The recent closure of 138 square miles of fishing grounds impacted by the Refugio oil spill has prompted commercial fishermen based at Santa Barbara Harbor to initiate claims against Plains All American Pipeline, the owner of the faulty infrastructure that dumped more than 100,000 gallons of crude along the Gaviota coastline on May 19. Several commercial fisheries — including lobster, crab, shrimp, halibut, urchin, squid, whelk, and sea cucumber, among others — have grounds in the closed area,,, Read the rest here 11:36
Michigan Department of Natural Resources considers commercial fishing in Lake Huron
Michigan is exploring the possibility of commercial fishing for whitefish in southern Lake Huron. The state Department of Natural Resources says it issued a research permit to a commercial fisher to explore populations. Starting this month, large mesh trap nets will be allowed in experimental fishing grounds several miles south of Harbor Beach and north of Port Sanilac. The Michigan waters of southern Lake Huron haven’t been commercially fished in five decades, but commercial fishing is established in Canadian waters. Read the rest here 10:50
Letter: Fishing industry must unite – Paul Cohan, Gloucester
In response to the Yankee Fleet article (“Cod restrictions hit charter fleet,” May 25): I think there’s a lesson to be learned from this crash. That being that we all either swim or sink together. We can no longer afford the self-destructive luxury of sniping at each other — commercial vs. recreational, big vs. little, hook vs. net, inshore vs. offshore. NOAA and its masters intentionally employ divisive regulatory tactics in order to prevent us from presenting a united front, which is essential to our survival as a viable industry. Read the rest here 10:33
DANGER ON DECK: Fishermen try to make their jobs safer
Commercial fishing is known for being hard and grueling work, with long hours that sometimes yield little or no return. It is also among the nation’s most dangerous professions. Addressing a need in the industry Fishing Partnership Support Services aims to eliminate some of those accidents among fishermen in New England through free safety and survival training it offers through the fall and spring at various locations, including Plymouth. Read the rest here 08:42
Lobster fishery intensifies Machias Seal Island boundary dispute
In the past, local fishermen based in Cutler, Maine and Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick have feuded over the area, but have been able to sort out their differences informally. But in recent years, at least one Nova Scotia processor as well as aboriginal bands exercising their rights under the Supreme Court of Canada’s Marshall decision have acquired licences that were once part of the Grand Manan fleet. Steven Corkum, the president of Nova Scotia-based Yarmouth Sea Products, law enables him to hire a crew to catch lobster in Zone 38. Read the rest here 06:36
