Daily Archives: June 5, 2015
Christie administration sues to halt ocean-blasting research
The state attorney general’s office filed a complaint Friday in U.S. District Court arguing the federally funded seismic research project that began this week will harm fish and marine animals, as well as commercial fisheries and beachgoers just as the summer tourism season gears up.The National Science Foundation-funded research, being performed by Rutgers University, is aimed at helping the world’s coastal regions better protect themselves from disasters like Superstorm Sandy by mapping ocean sediment deposits dating back 60 million years to study how the shoreline has advanced and retreated in response to rising sea levels. Read the rest here 22:00
Are you as sick of Red Snapper Crap in the Reauthorization as I am?
I’m reading this article about Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge resurrecting his Red Snapper bill that was flushed during the House vote of HR1335. It appears that political pandering is the reason. The recreational people have a beef about getting shorted in the number of days they can fish, but to look at the allocation percentage, or the year round commercial fishery as the reason, is wrong. This issue is another NOAA created crisis. Read the article here 18:41
Canada’s Cooke Aquaculture buy’s Wanchese Fish Company, launches new company
This deal and investment into the wild fishery comes in tandem with the creation of a new company,Cooke Seafood USA Inc, which “will provide another platform for future growth within the capture fishery”, the Cooke family, owners of Canada-based Cooke Aquaculture, said in a release on Friday morning. Wanchese is a harvester, processor and distributor with the capacity to harvest 4,000 tons of wild scallops, flounder and other seafood products each year. Founded in 1936, it owns a fleet of 15 vessels capable of providing product fresh to the US,,, Read the rest here 14:56
New rules, no-fishing zone for Biscayne National Park
Commercial fishermen worry that restrictions will place pressure on other areas, particularly the Keys, said Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association. That plan, which proposes banning commercial fishing as well as increased limits on catch size and number,,, The state of Florida opposes the ban on commercial fishing in that proposal. Read the rest here 13:45
‘You can’t make this stuff up.’ Fake Killer Whale goes Belly Up in effort to drive Sea Lions from the Port of Astoria!
John Wifler, pilot of the fake killer whale was bearing down on some sea lions when his unusual vessel capsized in the wake of a large cargo vessel. He had to clamber through an escape hatch as a rescue tender raced out to save him from drowning. Port of Astoria Executive Director Jim Knight said the sea lions ‘got deathly silent’ when the giant killer whale sailed into view. There are serious environmental concerns associated with the sea lions: ‘They basically create 10 to 30 pounds of poop a day.’ (from eating salmon) Video, photos, Read the rest here 12:19
Scott W. Lang Weighs in on the “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibilities in Fisheries Act”
Scott W. Lang Weighs in on the “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibilities in Fisheries Act”, otherwise known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act and discusses potential improvements to the bill that would ease the burden on fishermen and communities while streamlining the governmental oversight of the fisheries. Watch the video here 10:56
FFAW members protest federal ‘attacks’ on N.L. fisheries – P.E.I.’s halibut quota a “kick in the gut”
Around 50 fishers and several politicians came out in front of the Joseph R. Smallwood building to voice their anger with the decisions of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea. FFAW members say recent policies appeal to Maritime voters while disadvantaging workers in this province. “These continued attacks by the federal Conservative government on rural Newfoundland and Labrador are shameful,” FFAW president Keith Sullivan said in a statement. Read the rest here 09:51
U.S. Rep. Keating gains key supporter in fish monitor funding fight
Keating said he has enlisted the help of Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, and Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., to find a way to avoid the cost shift, which would be particularly onerous to the Northeast’s struggling groundfish industry. The two lawmakers are the majority and minority leaders of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees . “They did agree to get seriously involved and see what they can do to secure some funds to help NOAA get through this,” Keating said. (umm Congressman? Help NOAA?) Read the rest here 08:46
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton gets backing from Keating, and Lynch for observer coverage from NOAA’s Asset Forfeiture Fund
On Thursday, the freshman Democrat from the Massachusetts 6th Congressional District announced he and two other New England representatives (Reps. William Keating, D-Mass., and Congressman Stephen Lynch of South Boston , secured an appropriations commitment to allow (force) NOAA to continue paying for observer coverage on commercial fishing boats. That amendment mandates that money contained in NOAA’s Asset Forfeiture Fund will be used for fishery research and stock assessments; at-sea and shoreside monitoring; Read the rest here 08:07
Alaska Fish & Game bracing for possible shutdown unless the legislature can agree on a budget
“We’re trying to see, how can we manage as a bare bones staff, keeping that fishery open and making that opportunity available to Alaska’s commercial fishing industry,” said ADF&G Deputy Commissioner Kevin Brooks. Brooks says the commercial use group relies more on unrestricted general funds than other sectors do. Those monies could be scarce during a shut down. Customer service staff, lab services, and data support will also be curtailed during a shutdown, according to a AD&FG release. Read the rest here 07:39
