Daily Archives: August 8, 2015
They’ve tried smashing, cementing, shocking and shaking them to control oyster-killing shrimp
Ever since the shrimp hit the fan this spring, Kim Patten’s life has been a whirlwind. Everyone is asking the same question, Patten said. “What are you going to do about it?” To which he can only shrug.Over the past 13 years, Patten has tried every method he could think of to control the crawfish-sized invertebrates called ghost shrimp that threaten the famed oyster farms of Washington’s outer coast. Patten thought he had the problem licked when the state Department of Ecology (DOE) approved a plan to spray tidelands with a neurotoxic pesticide. Read the rest here 17:59
Tri Marine disappointed with outcome of tuna treaty talks
The Treaty governs access for US tuna boats to fish in the exclusive economic zones of Pacific island countries. Last year there was a drastic reduction in fishing days for the US fleet in waters around Kiribati while fishing fees shot up. He said without affordable fish supply, they will not be able to achieve their industry goals. To put it in a nutshell, Hamby said the American Samoa fishing fleet needs fishing grounds…fishing grounds that are not far away from American Samoa. For now Tri Marine’s new fish plant which was opened in January, Samoa Tuna Processors, Read the rest here 15:48
Negotiations for new US tuna deal fail
South Pacific Tuna Company executives have reported that parties failed to agree on a long-term renewal of the 1987 South Pacific Tuna Treaty, which provides US purse seine vessels access to the Western and Central Pacific Ocean fisheries. “We don’t know what the lack of a US Treaty arrangement will mean to the future of the US fleet, its processors who rely on our supply in Samoa, or the other canneries on the Mainland, our service providers and employees. Read the rest here 15:38
Africa: Secretary Kerry Announces USAID’s Oceans and Fisheries Partnership to Promote Sustainable Fisheries
Kuala Lumpur — Today, Secretary of State John Kerry announced the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans) project with an initial commitment of $4.3 million that will combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud in the Asia-Pacific region. “The catch documentation and traceability system established by USAID Oceans will improve the transparency of Asia’s seafood supply chains, ensuring that fish is legally and sustainably harvested,” Read the rest here 12:39
Marine gear goes glam as Maine makers ride wave of nautical chic
On the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, tourists can scoop up all types of lobster-themed swag, from lobster deely boppers with googly eyes to lobster T-shirts to lobster mugs. But lately, fashionistas are forsaking the obvious for more subtle nods to Maine’s marine industry. A spectrum of nautical-themed products, from bait bags to sunglasses made from lobster traps, made by young designers are attracting discerning shoppers in droves. Read the rest here 11:32
A perfect storm threatens to sink the New Jersey Party Boat Industry
For nearly four decades, Capt. Charles Eble sailed the Doris Mae IV out of Barnegat Light, taking anglers along the Jersey coast in search of fluke and sea bass in the summer, tuna in the fall and to the offshore wrecks in the winter. Locals and visitors would enjoy a day on the water with Capt. Eble and take home dinner for the table. For many, a day on Capt. Eble’s craft or one of the numerous party boats at the Shore was their introduction to saltwater fishing and the beginning of a lifelong passion. But the Doris Mae IV is no more — a victim of regulations intended, Read the rest here 10:24
Tulalip Tribes fish and wildlife director arrested in poaching investigation
State Fish & Wildlife officers have arrested two men suspected of running one of the largest seafood poaching operations ever in western Washington. One of them is the director of fish and wildlife for the Tulalip Tribes. Washington State Fish and Wildlife officers seized a truck, because they believe its owner, Anh Le, of Bothell, bought and sold poached seafood. Investigators believe Le is just a middle man. They say the big fish in this operation is Joseph Hatch Sr, the director of the Tulalip Tribes’ Fish & Wildlife unit. Hatch and his son, Joseph Jr., were arrested,, Video,Read the rest here 09:59
Big Pine Key Lobster fisherman court ordered to surrender 400 traps
David Lee Boggs, 51, was ultimately charged with more than 100 counts of misdemeanor fishing without proper tags after state wildlife officers and the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office uncovered more wrongdoing after his arrest, said Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne. Boggs was initially found to be fishing with about 100 untagged traps, but later confessed to Florida Fish and Wildlife officers that he had more in the water that needed to be removed, bringing the final total to more than 500 illegal traps, records state. Read the rest here 09:35
Pending decisions may change face of Alaska fishing forever
Two hearings this month could change the face of Alaska’s salmon fisheries forever. On Aug. 21, the Department of Natural Resources will hear both sides on competing claims to water rights for salmon streams at Upper Cook Inlet’s Chuitna River or for a proposed coal mine . If the department opts for the mine, the decision would establish a state precedent, according to critics. Following the water rights hearing will be oral arguments before the Alaska Supreme Court on Aug. 26 on the proposed for Cook Inlet and five other “urban, nonsubsistence” Alaska regions. Read the rest here 08:39
