Monthly Archives: June 2015
Karen Bruck asks, Please join me in supporting the efforts of Andy Mays
Please join me in supporting the efforts of Andy Mays, a great father and a great guy. A hardworking fisherman, Andy was diagnosed with cancer this past March. He and his beautiful wife, Michelle, persisted in home schooling their three delightful sons, and in continuing to participate in the boys’ sports and church activities. The driving distance to radiation and chemotherapy treatments were onerous. Surgery went well this past week, but a long road lies ahead. Read the rest here, and please donate if you can! 22:03
Open Season: Black Sea Bass poaching problems persist in Buzzards Bay
“The people we are catching are not fishermen, they are poachers,” said MEP Captain Pat Moran. “A fisherman fishes by the rules, respects the sea and what’s in it but these people have no respect for either. Catching the limit is not an option for them.” Even before the recreational season began on May 23, poachers were already greedily stealing sea bass. There are also comments on online fishing forums about the possibility of some of those involved in these cases poaching the sea bass to supply their own restaurants. Read the rest here 18:18
Paine & Partners Enters into Agreements to Sell Icicle Seafoods
Under the transactions, Convergence will acquire Icicle’s land-based wild seafood processing and farmed salmon activities, and Dominion will acquire the Company’s harvesting and processing vessels as well as the associated fishing rights. Convergence and Dominion have agreed to enter into long-term contracts to continue Icicle’s diversified seafood operations following the completion of the transactions. Financial terms of the transactions and of the agreement between Convergence and Dominion were not disclosed. Read the rest here 17:47
Bristol Bay Fisheries Report, June 26 2015
Fishing is picking up in the Nushagak and Egegik districts, but the Naknek-Kvichak fleet is still on the sidelines. On tonight’s show, an update from ADF&G’s Tim Sands and Travis Elison, some details on the sale of Icicle Seafoods, plus a run down of the rest of the day’s news and numbers. Hannah Colton hosts KDLG’s Bristol Bay Fisheries Report for Friday June 26, 2015. Listen to the report here 15:36
Once a Beloved French Symbol, Calypso Now Rusts Into Oblivion
Today, the
rots in the warehouse where it was brought to be repaired in 2007. Stripped of the metal and wood that once encased it, weeds curling among the wooden beams of its frame, the ship is now a symbol of how Mr. Cousteau has faded in the collective memory and how despite France’s sailing tradition, neither the government nor his heirs have found a solution for its restoration. Read the rest here 15:06
Cape Ann Fresh Catch, Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association open kitchen
The 1,300-square-foot shop, owned by Intershell owner Monte Rome, ultimately will house two organizations: the well-established Cape Ann Fresh Catch, a membership-driven seafood sharing program, and the new Cape Ann Fresh Food. The latter, in association with the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association, will serve as a retailer and caterer to the public of both seafood and other items. Read the rest here 12:36
Is there a dark side to North Carolina’s fishing heritage? Just more ENGO bunk?
According to David Sneed there is! Plenty of colorful stories about our state’s heritage of commercial fishing are published on a regular basis across North Carolina throughout the year. Who does not enjoy reading about a coastal visit to feast on a Calabash-style seafood dinner? But there is another side to the story about fresh, local seafood that no one wants to tell. It’s a story that includes references to overfishing and depleted stocks endangering fishery resources for future generations. Read the rest here 11:52
HONOLULU – State Land Board approves emergency ban on sea cucumber harvesting
A snapshot of a boatload of sea cucumbers taken recently in Waimanalo got people’s attention, but not in a good way. Land board members heard from Native Hawaiians who say even though they worry about how their cultural gathering rights will be affected, they support this temporary ban on the taking of sea cucumbers.“It’s a boom or bust fishery. The fishermen can collect a large number of animals in a small amount of time.” Alton Miyasaka, Aquatic Resources, said 17 people recently applied for commercial fishing licenses. Read the rest here 09:28
‘Yesterday’s Fish Today’s Challenges’ Film – Presentation tonight in Barnegat Light!
Viking Village and Kaltenbach Productions present this 75-minute, in-depth historical documentary of the beginning of commercial fishing on Long Beach Island. Discussion at 8 p.m.; movie starts at 9. Location: Viking Village Dockside 19th St. and Bayview Ave., Barnegat Light, Click here Jun 27, 2015. A nice collection of film trailers can be viewed by clicking here. Included is Honolulu Fish Auction, Viking Village Seafood Dock, Blue Water Fishermen Association, and others. 09:02
What’s the craziest question YOU’VE been asked about lobster fishing?
Maine is a unique state. Lobster fishing is a unique occupation. In the summer months, tourists flock to Vacationland, eager to eat lobster in the rough and learn about our way of life. I grew up working as a sternman on my father’s lobster boat and conversations with tourists were a common and often entertaining addition to the process of unloading our catch. I enjoyed the intense eagerness people ‘from away’ showed in wanting to learn more about Maine’s most famous fishing industry but was also often amused by the questions they asked. Read the rest here 08:43
Invasive Impact: What’s the Status of Invasive Species in Alaska?
Fisheries are an economic and employment engine in Alaska, with the commercial and recreational sectors generating $4.8 billion in sales impacts and 61,000 jobs in 2012. However, invasive species, or species that are introduced to a new area where they have the potential to cause harm, could significantly affect the ecosystems that make Alaska so productive for fisheries. Read the rest here 08:24
Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program – 900K for UMass Dartmouth fisheries research
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recommended a dozen Massachusetts-based marine research programs receive funding this year including more than $900,000 for UMass Dartmouth to conduct four projects whose aim is to improve the cost-effectiveness and capacity of programs to observe fish. Other Massachusetts research projects recommended for funding include: $497,060 for the Coonamessett Farm Foundation, $774,640 for four New England Aquarium Read the rest here 19:35
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for June 26, 2015
Click to read the To read all the updates, click here 18:36:45
By road, lake and river: Part II – From the braids of the Kvichak to shores of Bristol Bay – Molly Dischner
Editor’s note: This is the second of two parts (part 1 here) in reporter Molly Dischner’s journey with a Homer fishing family to Bristol Bay on the eve of sockeye season. About 8 a.m. on June 17, a sportfishing guide tied his skiff to the F/V Eagle Claw and hopped onboard to join our motley crew. It was the final day of our five-day trip from Homer to Naknek via the Williamsport Road. Skipper Louie Flora, his daughter Sidney and brother Jonathan were headed to fish the east side of Bristol Bay. Soon-to-be west side setnetter Joey Kraszeski and I were just along for the ride. Read the rest here 18:23
Algae Bloom Is Toxic For Washington Crabbers’ Bottom Lines
Tom Petersen’s 50-foot crab boat sits idly in the Port of Willapa Harbor, a tiny coastal inlet 40 or so miles north of the mouth of the Columbia River. On a normal early-summer day, Petersen would be selling Dungeness crab to canneries, big-city buyers and even fresh off the back of his boat to locals and tourists. And he’d be making good money doing it. With crab selling at up to $10 per pound, Petersen could be making thousands of dollars a day. But for the past few weeks, Petersen and all the other commercial crabbers who fish,,, Read the rest here 06:35
Cape Ann Seafood Exchange wins $363K S-K grant for facility upgrades
CASE, according to NOAA Regional Administrator John K. Bullard, received $363,604 in this round of funding for its three-pronged strategy that, according to its application, will “enhance and help secure the long-term viability of CASE as a major stakeholder and critical asset to the New England fishing industry and the Gloucester waterfront.” Last year, CASE received $361,670 for its project to build a sustainable redfish fishery by developing new processing methods, purchasing innovative equipment and marketing the species to retailers and consumers. Read the rest here 05:48
P.E.I. lobster season extended four days
The P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association asked for an extension of the season to make up for the late start, and on Thursday Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea announced a four-day extension. “This four-day extension strikes the right balance between ensuring we protect our precious resource while allowing our fishermen to get more days out fishing,” said Shea in a news release. Read the rest here 05:33
A Tale of Two Whales: Seven-Year Study Indicates Steady and Upward Trends for Blue and Fin Whales in Southern California
A new study led by researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego indicates a steady population trend for blue whales and an upward population trend for fin whales in Southern California.Blue and fin whales are common inhabitants of the Southern California Bight, the curved region of California coastline with offshore waters extending from San Diego to Point Conception (near Santa Barbara, Calif.), but little is known about their use of the area. Read the rest here 19:31
‘Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks’, ‘Port Protection’ & ‘Yukon River Run’ to Premiere in July on NatGeo
Following the premiere of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks comes a new series, Port Protection. The remote, fog-shrouded community of Port Protection is tucked into the northwest corner of Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, and surrounded by the freezing waters of the North Pacific. A small band of extraordinary people push the limits of survival, living an isolated and risky life of self-reliance with no roads, no government and no cops. Yukon River Run:On Alaska’s Yukon River, three raft crews each begin preparations for a trek downstream to sell goods to native villages. Read the rest here 18:59
FWC approves lobster incentive to harvest lionfish
Lionfish are pretty to look at but that’s about it says commercial fisherman Rachel Bowman. “The lionfish are gorgeous but extremely detrimental to our environment not picky eaters. A lionfish can consume anything 2 inches smaller than itself,” says Bowman. And that healthy appetite, says Bowman, may one day pose a threat to commercial fishing. She says, “Only a matter of time before snapper, grouper and lobster show a decline because of lionfish.” The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says man is the lionfish’s best predator. Read the rest here 18:39
NOAA Spends $25 Million for 2015 Recommended Projects of the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program
Today, NOAA Fisheries announced that it is recommending 88 projects for a total of $25 million under the 2014-2015 Saltonstall-Kennedy (SK) Grant Program. This is the most significant amount of funding ever granted by NOAA under this decades-old program. The recommended projects — which represent every region of the country and U.S. territories — are listed below. Read the rest here 17:17
Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven to build two new stern trawlers for Icelandic seafood company Samherji
The vessels will be 80m long and with hulls of ICE 1A* class, and equipped with a wide range of Rolls-Royce equipment, including main engines, thrusters, automation, winches and the fuel efficient Wave Piercing design “Our design and equipment will help ensure that these will be among the most effective and modern fishing vessels in the world,” said John Knudsen, Rolls-Royce President Commercial Marine. “The vessels will be equipped with our latest B33:45 main engine, and they will be the first among fishing vessels to feature our Wave Piercing bow design.” Read the rest here 16:20
Alaska – Early salmon catches underweight – “We’ve seen small fish before, But nothing like this.”
Workers statewide from offices of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, or ADFG, are just beginning to notice an early in-season trend of smaller-than-average fish. Throughout the state’s early season salmon fisheries, particularly sockeye and chum, fish are coming in shorter and lighter for their age. “It’s still pretty early in the game,” said ADFG fisheries scientist Eric Volk. “That being said, fish are a little bit smaller than they usually are. It may not be a pattern this early, but we have seen declines in size-at-age.” Even seasoned fishermen are puzzled. Read the rest here 15:23
Mississippi extends recreational Red Snapper season through October
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Executive Director Jamie Miller announced Thursday morning that anglers will be allowed to harvest Red Snapper in state waters from July 16 through Oct. 31. The bag limit will be two Red Snapper per person with a minimum size of 16 inches. Anyone catching Red Snapper is required to report the catch to MDMR. Read the rest here 15:08
Maritime fishermen seek extension to lobster season
Lobster fishermen around the Maritimes who got off to a late start because of the cold spring, are waiting to hear from the federal government about a possible extension to their season. Karen McCavour runs a lobster shop and her husband is a lobster fisherman. She said she thinks landings are down 50 per cent because of the late start to the season. Lobsters migrate with the warmer weather. Fishermen in the area will need to pull their traps out of the water by Monday unless the federal government steps in and offers a delay. Read the rest here 10:56
Khong Yai fishermen threaten to idle boats
The fisheries association in Trat’s Khlong Yai district has threatened to stop work on July 1, the deadline set by the government for all fishing boats to register and comply with the EU’s illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing rules. “The government wants to appease European countries, which buy only 30-billion-baht worth of fishery products per year from Thailand. But this would cause considerable damage to the Thai fishing industry, which is worth more than 100 billion baht. Read the rest here 10:24
California Fisheries in Crisis: impact of drought and illegal marijuana grows
“In our fourth year of this historic drought, we have to find ways to protect our fisheries from the impacts of the driest years on record, and the devestating impacts of rogue marijuana grows. The combination of the drought and rogue grows have resulted in unprecedented fish kills, have put endangered species on the brink in many California watersheds, and are hammering away at our coastal and port economy, which contribute billions of dollars annually to our state,” Senator Mike McGuire said. Read the rest here
Big Jazz and Seafood Shindig at Viking Village commercial fish dock in Barnegat Light Saturday!
Viking Village will host the seventh annual Jazzy Scallop & Seafood Festival this Saturday, June 27 at the Viking Village commercial fish dock in Barnegat Light. Attendees will get the chance to sample “Viking-fresh” seafood prepared by local restaurants as chefs battle for ballots with their original recipes for the “Best Seafood Dish.” Jazz music will be provided by the local musicians of The Jimmy Merchant Band, who performed at last year’s festival. This multifaceted event/fundraiser will run from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Info, Read the rest here 08:17
The most extensive and harmful toxic algal bloom ever recorded on the West Coast continues
“Right now, I’m fishing out of Monterey,” said Porter McHenry, president of Half Moon Bay Seafood Marketing Association, and a local commercial fisherman. “I’m fishing for anchovies. The buyers are shipping them to big pens in Australia as tuna feed. (The anchovies) can’t go for human consumption.” For the most part, McHenry seemed largely unconcerned with the domoic acid levels along the Coastside, especially because the local fishing activity has naturally slowed for the summer months. “It’s not that bad. You just can’t eat the guts,” he said. Read the rest here 07:53
New offshore fisheries science ship under construction in North Vancouver
Construction has started at the North Vancouver shipyard on one of three new fisheries ships for the Canadian Coast Guard, the federal government announced on Wednesday morning. The new offshore fisheries science vessel, which will be named the CCGS Sir John Franklin after the British explorer, is expected to be completed by the spring of 2017. The contract for delivery of the three ships has a ceiling of $514 million, according to a statement released by the government on Wednesday,,, Read the rest here 20:46
