Daily Archives: July 21, 2015
Florida Fish and Wildlife arrest Four men for Fishery Violations
“These individuals knew exactly what they were doing. They built their vessels specifically to hide fish, and we knew that,” Pino said. “The level of disregard for Florida’s natural resources and the fact that these individuals just chose to violate the law, blatantly, is astonishing to even the most senior investigator that we had on the case.” The investigation targeted Vazquez Acosta and the owner of the second boat, 43-year-old Jorge L. Escalona. The FWC had received tips about illegal activity, all of which Pino said was confirmed by the arrests Saturday. Read the rest here 17:38
Of Sea Barons and Serfs – Selling off the sea: how our fish lost their freedom to market forces
Over the last two decades, there has been a silent, neoliberal revolution in our oceans. “We are, quite seriously, on the brink.” Jerry Percy, Executive Director of Low Impact Fishers of Europe, a group representing fishers around the continent, is worried about the future for the UK’s small-scale fleet. How did this situation come about? The answer lies in economics. Iceland was one of the first countries to implement this market-based policy in the Eighties. “Many fishermen were dispossessed. It even led to a case before the UN Human Rights Committee. Read the rest here 15:45
Things look bright for the East Coast Scallop Fishery
The management of the scallop fishery is a great example of what’s possible when public and private interests collaborate and natural resources cooperate. Scallop fishermen are hoping for a sustainable harvest of 50 million pounds a year for a decade. That would ensure one of the region’s most important non-tourism industries remains robust. It should give fisheries managers the encouragement to persevere in restoring more challenged species such as summer flounder. Read the rest here 15:08
Old School! Groundfisherman takes up lobstering — with wood traps
Daniel Dunbar is a groundfisherman. So, too, are Robbie Dunn and Randy Mustake, his crew members aboard the fishing vessel Little Mako, which was loading up gear early Monday morning at Capt. Joe & Sons in East Gloucester. But Dunbar, who lives in Swampscott and fishes out of Gloucester, says the federal government’s tight limits on cod and other groundfishing regulations have spurred he and his crew into lobstering — “like I did when I was about 12 years old,” says Dunbar, now 46. Read the rest here 13:48
Raymond Bogan appointed ICCAT commissioner
Raymond D. Bogan, a longtime advocate for the rights of recreational fishermen, has been appointed a commissioner to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, the United States is represented by three Commissioners; a government representative, another representing the commercial fishing industry and a third representing the recreational community. His appointment was designated by the Secretary of State and announced by NOAA. Read the rest here 13:20
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Affected fishermen frustrated with proposed regulations
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is collecting feedback from dozens of fishing areas from Florida up to North Carolina about the snapper-grouper fishery. “We want some controversial items that are opposed by nearly all fishermen removed, like catch shares, which is an effort to privatize the fishery, electronic monitoring of a vessel, and more closed fishing areas,” said Tom Swatzel, a council member with Sustainable Fishing. “We just don’t need those at this time.” “How much consideration was put in about what we the fishermen Read the rest here 13:05
