Daily Archives: August 20, 2015
Motive behind the set net ban is reallocation – Jerry McCune
This is about the anti-set net ballot initiative that is before the Alaska Supreme Court and the devastating effect it will have on commercial fishing and other resource extraction industries throughout Alaska if it makes it onto the ballot. Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance (AFCA), the group sponsoring the anti-setnet initiative, claims that its efforts are not an attack on commercial fishing, the group’s actions, however, speak louder than words. Approval of the initiative would change the landscape for commercial fishing and resource extraction industries statewide. Read the rest here 22:48
Controversial commercial fishery on Howe Sound shut down
A commercial fishery on Howe Sound was shut down by the federal government last week after it was discovered there wasn’t “the abundance of fish” originally expected — despite prior warnings from local anglers of low pink salmon numbers. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced the pink salmon fishery for Aug. 10 to 15, limiting it to two seine vessels between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. It was shut down Wednesday, Aug. 12. “The DFO was not yet seeing the abundance of fish that were anticipated for that time, therefore it was prudent,,, Read the rest here 20:16
Humans are ‘unique super-predator’
Humans’ status as a unique super-predator is laid bare in a new study published in Science magazine. The analysis of global data details the ruthlessness of our hunting practices and the impacts we have on prey. It shows how humans typically take out adult fish populations at 14 times the rate that marine animals do themselves. And on land, we kill top carnivores, such as bears, wolves and lions, at nine times their own self-predation rate. “Hunters ‘capture’ mammals with bullets, and fishes with hooks and nets. Read the rest here
2015 sockeye run produced underweight fish across state
With the bulk of the sockeye season over, biologists and fishermen have continued to notice smaller than average weight for one of Alaska’s most valuable exports. Workers statewide from offices of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, or ADFG, noticed an early in-season trend of smaller-than-average fish. Throughout the state’s early season salmon fisheries, particularly sockeye and chum, fish were coming in shorter and lighter for their age. “The biggest reason would be lots of fish equals small fish,” “The catch last year (in Bristol Bay) was 28 million versus 35 million this year. Read the rest here 16:33
Tributes paid on death of pioneering mackerel skipper and fishing industry leader
Martin Howley was known from ‘north Norway to China’. Tributes have been paid to pioneering mackerel skipper, Donegal-based businessman and fishing industry leader Martin Howley who has died after a short illness. Mr Howley (63) was joint owner of one of the largest Irish mackerel vessels, the Atlantic Challenge, and served a number of terms over 18 years as chairman of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO). After he came ashore, he became involved with leading netmaking factory Swan Net Gundry in Killybegs, and was a consultant on fishing techniques in several countries, including Chile, Peru, Iran, Namibia and Alaska. Read the rest here 14:08
Granddaughter of F/V Mary E. O’Hara cook to speak at service
Carol Figurido of Gloucester never knew her grandfather. Thomas Isaac Moulton and five other Gloucester men “went down to the sea in ships” aboard the fishing vessel Mary E. O’Hara in 1941, before Figurido was even born. But through speaking with relatives and tracking down her family history, Figurido says she’s learned a good deal about Moulton, who was lost at sea at the age of 48. So, come Saturday, she will speak of her grandfather — and the 5,383 other Gloucestermen whose names grace the Fishermen’s Memorial Cenotaph — at the annual Fishermen’s Memorial Service. Read the rest here 12:59 The tragedy – Mary E. O’Hara (1941) Here
Rep. Bob Steinburg and W. Douglas Brady named to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Gov. Pat McCory has appointed a local member of the state House of Representatives and a former Carteret County commissioner to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Rep. Bob Steinburg and W. Douglas Brady were named recently to serve on the panel that represents the interests and needs of east coast marine fisheries, promotes better utilization of the fisheries and develops programs for promotion and protection of such fisheries, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Read the rest here 12:24
Greater than average returns sets Columbia River Fall salmon seasons with good forecasts
Greater than average forecasts of fall chinook and coho salmon are opening the way for more commercial fishing in the Columbia River. In three meetings in recent weeks, the two-state Columbia River Compact set fishing periods for both treaty Indian and non-Indian commercial gillnetters, select area fisheries, research seine fisheries and recreational fisheries. The compact also set the select area gillnet fisheries (those commercial fisheries not in the main Columbia River channel) at its July 29 hearing. Read the rest here 12:16
State Rep. Goldfinch applauded for stance against offshore no-fishing zones
The Council for Sustainable Fishing, a regional advocacy group for recreational and commercial fishing interests, Thursday applauded state 
, for his letter to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council opposing additional offshore no-fishing zones. “We thank Rep. Goldfinch for standing up for fishing interests and the coastal economy and his recognition that there is simply no justification for any additional no-fishing areas in the South Atlantic,” Council for Sustainable Fishing Executive Director Tom Swatzel said. Read the rest here 09:19
State leaders express concern about NOAAs “oppressive” observer funding decision
The Baker-Polito administration sent an letter to federal partners Monday expressing “serious concern” about the requirement, and urging their support in covering the costs of the At-Sea-Monitoring (ASM) program for the Northeast fishery, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The letter encourages NOAA Fisheries to prove the cost-effectiveness of the “burdensome” monitoring program and support federal funds to pay for the monitoring. It follows a request from the New England Fisheries Management Council to suspend ASM and evaluate the program’s effectiveness, according to the release. Read the rest here 08:30
NOAA Regional Administrator John K. Bullard Sticks to his guns over at-sea monitoring battle
Bullard’s letter on Tuesday to NEFMC Executive Director Tom Nies followed the same rejective tone as his letter about two weeks ago that rejected the council request — also made at its June meeting — for NOAA to use its administrative authority to suspend all groundfish at-sea monitoring for the remainder of the 2015 season. “While we do have authority to make administrative adjustments to the ASM program in-season, none of the options would be consistent with the current regulatory requirements and statistical standards, and as a result, we cannot take administrative action to modify the at-sea monitoring coverage for 2015,” Read the rest here 07:55
