Monthly Archives: June 2015
Lobster boat catches fire in Northeast Harbor
The owner was on the boat at the time but was not injured, according to the local fire chief. The extent of damage to the boat was not clear, Chief Michael Bender said Thursday, but it was still floating and there was no visible damage on the boat’s exterior when firefighters got the flames under control. The boat, Wave Guide, was towed over to the public dock by another fishing boat, Crazy Water, to make the response effort easier, Bender said. Read the rest here 21:20
Dungeness crab season opens strong in Southeastern Alaska
Dungeness crab season is now open, and fishermen are flocking to the sea earlier. This time last year, there were 151 permits registered, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Petersburg Shellfish Biologist Joe Stratman said. The 2014-15 season ended with 192 permit holders. This year, there are already 193 permits registered, he added. “We have an increase in effort this year,” Stratman said. And the results of last year’s season may be a contributor, he added. Read the rest here 20:28
9 fin whales found dead in Alaska waters near Kodiak in recent weeks
At least nine fin whales have been found dead in recent weeks in southern Alaska waters, and researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Alaska Fairbanks are attempting to find out what killed them.The whales were reportedly discovered from Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska to Unimak Pass, which is located near the eastern end of the Aleutian Islands and western tip of the Alaska Peninsula. Read the rest here 19:40
Shrimp imports are one reason Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal shouldn’t be approved
The U.S. shrimp industry is voicing concerns about the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, saying if it were to be passed, it could weaken the ability of regulators to reject unsafe seafood imports. The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, opened tariff-free trade between Mexico, Canada and the United States, there were and still are many aspects of the agreement that are still being argued. NAFTA was signed into law in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. Now, we have the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, a trade deal between the U.S. and eleven Pacific-rim nations that has been negotiated under a cloak of secrecy. Read the rest here 15:56
Small sizes temporarily closes shrimp seasons in Mississippi and Louisiana
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is temporarily closing shrimping north of the Intracoastal Waterway in Mississippi waters at 6 a.m. on June 18. The closing will be in effect until MDMR sampling determines the shrimp count has reached the minimum legal size of 68 per pound. Yesterday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries made a similar announcement. Shrimp season in most inshore waters will temporarily close on June 19. Read the rest here 15:10
State cops, NOAA nab Gloucester seafood haulers for violations
Massachusetts State Police, Environmental Police and NOAA Fisheries law enforcement, said they found 17 violations and took two trucks out of service Wednesday in a surprise Gloucester sweep of seafood-hauling vehicles. “Additionally, Environmental Police officers found untagged shellfish, fish under the legal size limit and a V-notched lobster, which is prohibited from being harvested,” Police would not release the names of either the trucking companies cited or the processors or harvesters that committed the fishing violations,,, Read the rest here 13:45
Report: $1.2 billion of output from Southcentral fishing
Seafood employs more people in Southcentral than mining in the entire state, pays out more in Anchorage than construction, and has enough management and logistics infrastructure in Anchorage to rival that of Seattle, according to a new report. According to the report, the seafood industry is a major engine for Southcentral Alaska, with 2,168 active commercial fishing permits, 35 processing plants, and three salmon hatcheries working to produce $1.2 billion of total economic output for the region. Read the rest here 13:31
By road, lake and river: Boats make way to Bristol Bay – Molly Dischner
Editor’s note: This is the first of two parts in reporter Molly Dischner’s journey with a Homer fishing family to Bristol Bay on the eve of sockeye season. PILE BAY – It’s noon, Iliamna Lake is calm, and half a dozen fishermen are sitting around in the grass outside the bathroom at Pile Bay using free Wi-Fi. A soon-to-be setnetter makes a Facebook page for another fisherman. His brother (and this reporter) pitch in with photos and suggestions for friends. The three of us are riding to Naknek with Louie Flora and his daughter Sidney onboard the F/V Eagle Claw. Read the rest here 13:07
The P.E.I Fishermen’s Association ask’s DFO for response on lobster season extension by Wednesday
The P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association has sent a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada asking for a decision on an extension to the spring lobster season no later than next Wednesday, June 24. The season normally closes June 30. The executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association Ian MacPherson said fishermen need to know what will happen. “For a variety of reasons, certainly so people can plan what they need to do to either leave their traps in the water or take them out,” Read the rest here 12:39
‘A hard day’ following Placentia Bay tragedy, says mayor
The mayor of Southern Harbour says his community is in mourning after the bodies of three men were found by search and rescue crews in Newfoundland’s Placentia Bay Wednesday. The men were in a speedboat, which is believed to have capsized somewhere near Bar Haven. They had departed Southern Harbour Sunday on a longliner, which they then anchored at Davis Cove across Placentia Bay. According to Brewer, the men were in a smaller boat due to quota restrictions for crab. “Crab quotas that he had,,, Read the rest here 10:14
One Dragger Sinks, Another Damaged In Mishap Off Dogfish Bar
According to Menemsha harbor master Dennis Jason, the Robert C, a dragger from Fairhaven, went down in 40 to 50 feet of water. The operator was rescued by a nearby lobster boat. The Robert C is registered to Douglas Soares of Fairhaven.The other boat involved was Pedlar, a 42-foot wooden fishing vessel also out of Fairhaven and owned by Walter Dixon, according to U.S. Coast Guard records. Mr. Jason said because of extensive damage to the bow of Pedlar, it appeared to be a near head-on collision. Read the rest here 09:05
Feds find ‘substantial’ amount of pot in raid of Bay St. Louis seafood market
Agents with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office participated in a joint raid of Cowart Seafood in Bay St. Louis. DMR spokesperson Melissa Scallan said the agents executed a federal search warrant sometime between 8 and 9 a.m. Wednesday. She said Lonnie Mack Ray, 46, who is the owner of the business, of Bay St. Louis, is suspected of violating the Lacey Act, which pertains to interstate commerce involving fish, wildlife or plants. Read the rest here 08:29
Three Lower Keys brothers will serve six months in prison, prosecuted under the U.S. Lacey Act
Senior U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King approved a plea agreement between Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-Fitzgerald and defense attorneys that called for six months imprisonment followed by a year of supervised release and a $25,000 fine. Brothers Charles, Tyson and Ryan Veach already forfeited a 32-foot Invincible center console boat, spent $24,000 to remove the casitas from Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary waters, and gave up their commercial lobster licenses prior to their arrival in court, defense attorneys said. Read the rest here 08:01
NC Commercial, recreational fishermen offer thoughts on proposed flounder rules
Dozens of commercial fishermen and recreational anglers told the Marine Fisheries Commission Wednesday just what they thought about a set of proposals to manage the southern flounder fishery. Six proposals are being considered by the panel. The public comment period opened June 10 and continues until July 10. Written comments may be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Mail comments to: Southern Flounder Comments, c/o Nancy Fish, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557. Read the rest here
Cyberattack crashes Fisheries and Oceans, other Canadian government websites, e-mail
A cyberattack crashed federal government websites and e-mail on Wednesday afternoon, Treasury Board President Tony Clement said. He said it was a denial-of-service attack on the gc.ca domain server, which rendered many federal government websites inaccessible and left many government e-mail accounts unusable. “There’s been a cyberattack on the gc servers of the government of Canada,” the minister told The Globe and Mail. Industry, Employment, Natural Resources, ,,, Read the rest here 17:25
Oil Thirsty N.C. Division of Coastal Management approves seismic surveys off the coast
Seismic surveys are used to search for oil and natural gas deposits for offshore drilling. The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the department that contains the DCM, held a public hearing in April at the Crystal Coast Civic Center on all four companies’ proposals. Most of the 19 speakers at the hearing were opposed to the surveys. These speakers – which included environmentalists, marine scientists and coastal residents,,, Read the rest here 16:24
Inshore shrimping to close Friday across most of La. coast
The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said Tuesday that the closure does not affect: Certain restricted areas in Terrebonne, Timbalier and Barataria bays. Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham said the intent is to provide additional opportunity for shrimpers to continue harvest in areas where white shrimp are somewhat less abundant and somewhat larger than in the interior marshes. Read the rest here 14:32
NY Legislation to Create A Commercial Fishing Advocate and Commercial Fishing Economic Development Program passes
Senator LaValle said, “The commercial fishing industry is part of the fabric of the East End of Long Island. It’s essential that we ensure that the industry is adequately represented before state agencies and is provided the proper tools to thrive. By creating an advocate, fisherman will have a strong voice to assist in the promotion of the industry, and will be part of state economic development plans.” The commercial fishing industry in New York State consists mainly of small or family businesses. (photo,John Derrico) Read the rest here 13:51
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Oxygen levels critically low at site of fish die-off in Peconic River, experts say
Oxygen levels remain critically low to nonexistent along a stretch of the Peconic River that has seen two massive fish kills in recent weeks, creating a large dead zone in which little life can survive, experts said.Over the two-day period since the most recent die-off of menhaden, when tens of thousands of fish massed in Riverhead boatyards,,, Higher levels of nitrogen and the alga blooms that accompany them have been cited as the main culprit for this week’s die-off. Read the rest here 12:14
2nd body recovered, 3rd fisherman still missing in Newfoundland’s Placentia Bay
Three fishermen were reported overdue Tuesday evening, according to a person involved in the search. The body of one of the men was located early Wednesday morning, while the second body was recovered hours later. A family member of one of the men told CBC News they were fishing for crab. The men left Southern Harbour on Sunday on a longliner, which they anchored at Davis Cove. Around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, the three went by speedboat to check fishing pots and were expected back mid-afternoon. Read the rest here 11:45
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 57′ 2006 Wesmac Fiberglass Lobster boat, Lugger
For specifications, information, and 26 photos of the vessel, click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 11:28
Wildlife, including fisheries, management is a bogus enterprise
Now, here’s our point. This whole business of “fisheries management” is simply mass delusion created by people who have a vested interest (money and power) in regulating the fishing industry. They pretend it is based on “science” but that is rubbish. Almost all of the “scientists” make money, one way or another, from creating the delusions that certain species of fish are in danger of becoming extinct. Three years ago we challenged whether the “science” behind the fishery management industry is valid. Read the rest here
A day fishing for crabs in the Outer Banks
Trim with weather-beaten skin, Mitchum, 52, wears khakis, a white tee, and a black visor pulled low on his brow. He reflects a shift in the traditional fishing industry. In response to shrinking stocks and falling prices, Mitchum has expanded his commercial shrimp and crab operations to become OBX Crabbing and Shrimping Charters, which includes hands-on 2-hour and half-day educational charters ($300 to $475 for groups of 6). Read the rest here, 10:12
Environmental groups criticize reconfiguration of Georges Bank closed area’s
Environmental groups quickly criticized the move as jeopardizing the health of the ocean in favor of economic interests, while advocates for fishermen said the changes will allow for better management of resources. Peter Shelley, interim president of the Conservation Law Foundation, said the reconfiguration diminishes protected habitat when New England’s cod stock is in historically bad shape.“Instead of exercising conservation stewardship, the council wrote off the future of critical fish habitat areas that needed additional, not fewer, protections,” Read the rest here 09:38
Your View: Electronic at-sea monitoring and the ‘observer dilemma’ – Frank Mirarchi, Jim Ford
The human monitoring program is outdated, expensive, and in need of an overhaul, but not eradication. Without an effective monitoring program, managers have no idea whether the fish caught and fish discarded are staying under the hard “biologically safe” annual catch limit prescribed by fisheries scientists. If the at-sea program were not eliminated, but instead replaced with electronic monitoring (EM), the entire program would work better for fishermen. Read the rest here 08:14
New England Council Votes to Open Up Parts of George’s Bank to Commercial Fishing
NEWPORT, R.I. – Regional fishery regulators meeting in Rhode Island have voted to open up parts of George’s Bank – off of Massachusetts – to commercial fishing. The New England Fishery Management Council has approved a plan that it says will allow fishing opportunities on healthy stocks for the economically strapped groundfish fleet. In a statement, the council says the plan also allows greater access to a portion of the Georges Bank sea scallop resource that has not been open to the fishery since 1994. CLF crowd feeling bummed. Read the rest here 20:51
Marine Harvest Canada appeals recent aquaculture regulations court decision
The company cites errors in fact and law as grounds for the appeal. The appeal has been filed on a number of grounds, including significant factual errors Justice Rennie made in his findings, according to a Marine Harvest press release. In its appeal, the company says that Justice Rennie erred in law by not placing the evidentiary onus on the applicant to show that the aquaculture license conditions were unreasonable, and the judge applied the wrong standard of review, replacing the Minister of Fisheries’ view of what may be harmful with his own. Read the rest here 20:33
Coast Guard hoists 3 after fire engulfs boat off the Georgia Coast
Three people were rescued in a cooperative effort between a good Samaritan fishing boat and the U.S. Coast Guard, Tuesday, approximately 118 miles east of Brunswick. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center received a Mayday call over VHF Channel 16 stating that the 95-foot vessel, Windy 1, had suffered an engine fire which had engulfed the vessel. The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, stating the location and nature of the emergency to other vessels in the area. Read the rest here 18:53
Omega Protein Vessel, Barataria Bay, Given New Purpose as Artificial Reef in Gulf of Mexico
The 
is the latest Omega Protein vessel to be sunk for the purpose of creating a new reef, as the company is a regular ecological collaborator with the Mississippi DMR. In November 2009, Omega Protein sunk another one of its retired long-time fishing vessels, the Great Wicomico, off the coast of Mississippi for a separate reef project. A third Omega Protein vessel, the von Rosenberg, was sunk in May 2000. Read the rest here 17:08
