Monthly Archives: June 2015
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
“Wicked Tuna” Fans are bummin’ after the Season Finally but,,, Here Come the Canadian Boy’s!!! CATCHING MONSTERS!
Are you down in the dumps knowing the Wicked Tuna guys are not on this Sunday night? Jonesing for more, but you know there’s not any coming? Is that what’s getting you down, Bunkie? WELL! On Friday, June 5th. 9:PM on the Discovery Channel. CATCHING MONSTERS Read about the show, and watch the Sneak Peak! Click here 21:38
Safety plan aims to make Nova Scotia fishing industry safer
The plan, dubbed Fishing Safety Now, was developed by the Safe Sea Alliance- a group composed of fishermen, their families, industry representatives, safety organizations and the government. In total, the group made 33 recommendations aimed at improving fishing safety. But the crux of the plan relies on fishermen themselves doing more to ensure their safety. The plan calls for more education and awareness of safety requirements, more training and safety drills for fishermen and the development of a “safety toolkit”, an easy to use checklist,,, Read the rest here 19:21
House votes to slash climate research, block new red snapper fishing plan, and ‘ocean zoning’ funding
The $51.4 billion spending bill would fund the fiscal 2016 budgets for the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, NASA, the National Science Foundation and related agencies. NOAA — which is housed within Commerce — would get about $5.2 billion, a cut of more than $270 million to its current budget. The Obama administration criticized the climate research cut — as well as a $200 million cut to earth science missions in NASA’s budget — in a veto threat of the overall spending bill released Monday. The statement of administration policy also takes aim at Republicans’ decision not to include $147 million for a new ocean survey vessel,,, Read the rest here 17:41
Fishing Industry Legend Commerce IG Todd Zinser steps down
With pressure mounting on Capitol Hill for his removal, the controversial inspector general for the Commerce Department announced his resignation Wednesday night in an e-mail to staff. With the subject line “News to share,” Todd Zinser wrote that he was retiring due to “important family business.” “I have never been one for long goodbyes or a lot of fanfare but I do need to let you know that today I informed the President and the Secretary of my intent to retire effective at close of business today,” he wrote. Read the rest here 16:47
NOAA recognizes Predator/Prey Relationship of exploding populations of Marine Mammal Populations and fish!
The study by scientists from NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the University of Washington examines recovering predator populations along the West Coast of the United States and in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, and the conflicts surrounding them. The study was published today in the journal Conservation Letters. In the Pacific Northwest, for example, California sea lions that have increased under the Marine Mammal Protection Act have increasingly preyed on endangered salmon.,, Read the rest here 16:01
North Pacific Fishery Management Council seeks to reduce veto threat over MSA — but not during its meeting in Sitka.
Council members have concerns over amendments that would exempt fisheries decisions from the National Environmental Policy Act, and open the door to potentially biased science. (but, we already have NOAA’s “best available” science!) The final recommendations from the council on changes to the Magnuson Stevens Act won’t be made until another committee — the CCC, or Council Coordination Committee — meets later this month. Read the rest here 13:58
Scientific panel will evaluate proposals to establish commercial fish farms in Great Lakes
Department of Environmental Quality officials said in March they’d heard from two operators interested in raising rainbow trout in netted enclosures in Lakes Michigan and Huron. They would take fish from small hatcheries and raise them until large enough for the consumer food market. Among members are scientists with the NOAA Great Lakes Ecological Laboratory in Ann Arbor, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Michigan Sea Grant and others. The chairman is Roy Stein, a professor emeritus at Ohio State University. Bad idea Read the rest here 13:14
Still waiting for NOAA FOIA Docs?? “No, no, no, don’t fulfill the FOIA request,” Send it here to the White House!
An Obama administration memo has had a “chilling effect” on the government’s compliance with open records laws, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee argued Tuesday. Launching a two-day hearing on the Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) blasted an email that directs federal agencies to consult with President Obama’s general counsel following any document request that could involve the White House. Read the rest here 11:07
A new commercial fishery for deep water crabs is being considered in South Australia
“The Government occasionally receives applications seeking permission to investigate the viability of new commercial fishing activities, including harvesting species not currently fished commercially,” Mr Sloan said. He said the current application proposed to harvest deep water crabs from waters deeper than 300 metres off the South Australian coast. Fishing for crabs at these depths is expected to target Crystal, Snow and Champagne crabs which are sought after by the major export markets of China and Singapore, he said. Read the rest here 09:53
It seems not everyone cares for Farmed Salmon! – Farmed salmon not fit for consumption
After reading the June 2 letter on farmed salmon by Jon Grant, NSERC-Cooke Industrial Research Chair in Sustainable Aquaculture at Dalhousie University, I had the feeling of being dismissed as: “What do I know, as I am not a scientist but only a mother?”However, I am also a businesswoman and co-owner of two restaurants. After doing my own research, and a lot of it — yes, I can read — on farmed Atlantic salmon, my conclusion was,,, Read the rest here 09:19
Despite Oil Spill, Fishing Off Santa Barbara is Strong – Big hauls of king salmon, shrimp, and urchin are coming in
Those who fish for a living say they have been able to relocate, in many cases, and continue to fish. Santa Barbara Commercial Fishing Association President Chris Voss says,”the fish that’s coming into Santa Barbara is completely and utterly fine to eat. The current closed area is very large and more than adequate to protect the public from any effects the oil spill may be having on the fish stocks.” Video, Read the rest here 08:41
“We’re next” – NOAA observers worry lobstermen – informational meeting tonight at 6 at NOAA’s Gloucester facility
The growing consternation among lobstermen over expanding observer coverage, at least in part, is based on what they’ve seen happen within the groundfish industry. This summer has done nothing to diminish that concern, as more and more local and state lobstermen are reporting increased dockside and other approaches by NOAA observers looking to ride along with them. Those escalating concerns have prompted NOAA , through its law enforcement office, to schedule an informational meeting tonight at 6 at NOAA’s Gloucester facility in the Blackburn Industrial Park. Read the rest here 07:48
Bristol Bay Fisheries Report June 2, 2015 with Molly Dischner
KDLG’s Molly Dischner has June 2’s Bristol Bay Fisheries Report. Listen here for a conversation with ADFG Area Manager for the Naknek-Kvichak District Travis Elison, an update from Copper River Seafoods’ Bristol Bay Manager Vojta Novak about the new plant in Naknek, info on the local halibut and herring fisheries, and other news. Listen to the report here 19:23
NMFS Emergency Action on Blueline Tilefish Effective June 4, 2015
The measures, which go into effect Thursday, June 4 for vessels fishing north of the Virginia/North Carolina border, are: Commercial possession limit of 300 pounds whole weight per trip; Recreational limit of 7 fish per person, per trip; Requirement that commercial and charter/party vessels must hold a valid open access golden tilefish permits to land blueline tilefish. This temporary rule will be in place for 6 months, and may be extended for an additional 6 months, while the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Councils develop a long-term management plan for the stock. Read the rest here 17:20
Columbia River Seine fishery starts counting toward wild-salmon allocation
All fishermen on the river — both sport and commercial — are limited to a certain percentage of wild salmon they are allowed to catch, handle or keep. Last year, the first commercial seine fishery in more than 50 years fished the river but operated under “research impacts” rather than regular commercial impacts. As the seiners landed fish, any wild fish that got mixed into the nets didn’t get deducted from regular commercial impacts. This year they will. Read the rest here 16:25
“Operation Icebreaker” – Chinese authorities bust huge seafood smuggling ring
Frozen fish and crustaceans from Canada, India, Norway and Thailand were seized by Huangpu Customs in the southern port city of Guangzhou. But 21 “seafood smuggling cells” were targeted across the country and 31 people arrested in cities like Zhanjiang (a key shrimp trading hub), Tianjin and Beijing. Noticeably the latest crackdown features imported salmon and cod but also shrimp and crab. And crucially, the authorities have specifically pointed to mislabeling of species with sablefish and salmon stamped as containing lower-end species like mackerel and Atlantic cod – many of which are imported tax-free by processors for re-export. Read the rest here 15:04
Rally on Thursday, June 4, Corner Brook – Newfoundland and Labrador standing up for fair fisheries management
“These continued attacks by the federal Conservative government on rural Newfoundland and Labrador are shameful,” said FFAW-Unifor President Keith Sullivan. “The federal government seems to be under the impression that the economic sustainability Newfoundland and Labrador is unimportant to Canada. Recent analyses by others, such as BMO, suggest the contrary. The fishery is the economic future of our province but with management trends like this we will have no future.” Read the rest here 14:31
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 55.6′ Fiberglass Trawler/Lobster/Longliner, 12-V-7, Permits and option’s
For specifications, information, and 9 photos of the vessel, click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 11:28
Turbot fisherman fined $7,500 for excessive catch
A fisherman from Seldom has been convicted for exceeding trip limits for fishing Turbot and failing to accurately report the amount of gear fished. Joey Leyte was convicted in Gander provincial court in May for breaching two counts of the fishery regulations, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said in a statement Tuesday. He was fined $5,000 for failing to accurately complete his fishing log on a daily basis. Leyte was also fined $2,500 and had to forfeit $4,742 for the value of fish exceeded on his trip. He was two years to pay the fines. (article) 09:55
Federal crackdown on illegal halibut fishing in Nova Scotia sees 11 fishermen pleading guilty to misreporting
The probe started more than five years ago, after Fisheries and Oceans Canada officials started hearing reports about misreported catches in the growing and lucrative halibut fishery. “Fisheries officers were hearing rumours,” said MacLean. “When we started to look at the information that we had, internally, we were starting to see indicators that maybe all wasn’t right in that particular fishery.” MacLean said investigators relied on, to show discrepancies. Read the rest here 09:40
Jury selection begins for BP exec charged in Deepwater Horizon oil spill
David Rainey, BP’s former vice president for exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, will stand trial in New Orleans, charged with obstructing a congressional investigation in the weeks after the oil spill, the largest in US history. Prosecutors allege he deliberately withheld information about how much oil was being pumped into the Gulf following the explosion at the BP well. Rainey was the second in command at BP’s “unified command center” in Robert, Louisiana, where cleanup and response efforts were coordinated. Read the rest here 09:26
