Monthly Archives: August 2015
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update, Aug 9, 2015
The Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance is dedicated to its mission of continuing to help create sustainable fisheries without putting licensed fishermen out of business.” Read the update here To read all the updates, click here 11:33
‘The glow comes back’ to two beacons ‘and, once again, all is well’
Two beacons that guided New England mariners past treacherous shoals for generations are back in the spotlight. The Nantucket Lightship, billed as America’s oldest and largest floating lighthouse, switched on its powerful beacon for the first time in 40 years in Boston Harbor on Friday evening. Iconic Gay Head Light on Martha’s Vineyard is expected to follow suit Tuesday, with supporters holding a ceremony after the 160-year-old light completed its painstaking move from the edge of eroding cliffs on May 30. Read the rest here 10:36
Net-free fishing zones will cost jobs, push up prices: commercial fishermen
A bitter dispute has broken out between Queensland’s commercial and recreational fishers over the Government’s plan to introduce net-free zones. From November 1, commercial net fishers will no longer be able to operate in three areas, including one off the Cairns coastline, one in waters north of Mackay, and the largest zone between Keppel Bay and the Fitzroy River in central Queensland. “It could put in this area 60 to 70 people put of work – that doesn’t include associated industries like wholesalers or ice sales or rope supplies,”,,, Read the rest here 09:06
First Nations fisherman launches reef-net revival
Almost a century after fishing practices unique to First Nations in British Columbia’s Salish Sea were outlawed, members paddled canoes back to traditional waters and dropped their full-sized reef net. It was the start of a long-term mission to revitalize the once-celebrated technique for gathering food and bonding community for the Strait Salish people. The web-like net — about the length of a city bus — was suspended between two canoes in an endeavour by a University of Victoria doctoral student who envisions bringing his nation’s fishing style “back to life.” Read the rest here 08:42
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
Panther Industries Inc. and West Coast Reduction Ltd. Fined for Violating Fisheries Act
Investigators with Environment Canada levied fines against companies based in Alberta and British Columbia in late July, in two separate incidents, for offenses under the Canada’s Fisheries Act. The Canadian agency said that Panther Industries (Alberta) Inc. pleaded guilty on July 28 in Alberta Provincial Court to violations under the Fisheries Act, West Coast Reduction Ltd. in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been ordered to pay $90,000 in Vancouver Provincial Court after pleading guilty to an offense under Canada’s Fisheries Act. Read the rest here 22:20
Lobster fishing starts Monday – Miminegash Fishermen hopeful of price increase
Fall lobster fishermen are not appearing too pressed for time this week. Next week will be a different story, though. The fall lobster fishery is set to open at 6 a.m. Monday morning, weather permitting. This week, with much of their gear already piled on the wharves and waiting, some fishermen are enjoying some down time while others are fussing with last minute details, like tying on bunches or making sure their boats are in good running order. Miminegash fisherman Jamie Ellsworth, who is heading into his 47th fall lobster season said,,, Read the rest here 21:29
Bluefin quota increased for harpoon fishing
Harpoon fishermen will be able to catch an additional 40 metric tons of bluefin tuna this year. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration at the United States Department of Commerce announced in the Federal Register of Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 that it is transferring the 40 tons to the harpoon category from the reserve category. The in-season quota transfer is in effect immediately. Read the rest here Notice @ NOAA 17:41
How to Sear Scallops
I’d been cooking scallops for years in restaurant kitchens with no problems. How different could it be at home? Quite different, apparently. The problem came down to two things: using the wrong scallops and mismanaging moisture. Let me give you some details so that you (and your date!) won’t suffer the same fate. Wet and Dry scallops. The first problem with scallops occurs before you even buy them. Read the rest here, and enjoy your dinner! 14:38
New England: Catch accountability should take place at the dock
NOAA’s denial of the New England Fishery Management Council’s June request to suspend at-sea monitoring has satisfied environmental groups, but it serves as the latest example of their inappropriate and misguided influence in management of the Northeast fisheries. The Management Council had asked the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for emergency relief, as the cost of at-sea monitoring shifted from the government to the fishermen, a $700-$800 cost per trip. Fishermen and regulators alike anticipate that it will make a more trips unprofitable. Read the rest here 12:39
Seabrook, New Hampshire honors fishermen lost at sea
The first days of October had been warm in 1851, and seas were calm in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as much of the New England fishing fleet worked in the waters not far from Prince Edward Island. That picturesque scene would change unexpectedly, when the ocean grew heavy with swells and the winds rose fiercely. What would be known as the “Yankee Gale” struck on the evening of Friday, Oct. 3. By Monday morning, when the storm finally subsided, records show from 70 to 90 boats were sunk, capsized or wrecked ashore, and 160 men lost their lives, leaving families and friends at home in mourning. The Yankee Gale took most of New England’s fishing vessels. In Gloucester alone, 19 fishing boats went down. Read the rest here 10:25
South Carolina eyes protecting the tiger shark
The huge tiger shark caught by a commercial fishing boat last weekend was at least 50 years old. It was brood stock for an important apex predator. It doesn’t even taste that good. And it might not be legal to harvest next summer. A bill now in the state Legislature would restrict fishing for tigers to catch-and-release to protect the large predator and help keep an ecosystem healthy by culling the weak and diseased of other species. Read the rest here 09:52
Mass Delegation pressures NOAA over Lobster Boat Observer coverage
According to NOAA’s figures, Massachusetts-based 
are scheduled for 266 sea days of monitor coverage in the 2015 fishing season, compared to only 218 in Maine where there are significantly more lobstermen fishing. Together, Massachusetts and Maine will account for 78 percent (484 of 619) of all sea days of coverage scheduled in 2015 for lobster boats fishing from Maryland to Maine. “While NOAA has indicated that lobstermen will not be financially responsible for observer coverage during the 2015 season, the agency has not indicated if this will be the case in subsequent years,” the letter said. Read the rest here 09:01
Must Read: Taking the P out of Marine Protected Areas? Dr. Magnus Johnson
The Scottish government has recently announced plans to double the areas of Marine Protected Areas in its waters with plans including 11 new MPAs and 9 Special Areas of Conservation. Somewhat predictably perhaps various conservation groups have been supportive of the measures announced although continue to seek further designations. Also somewhat predictably perhaps fishing organisations such as the Scottish Fishermens’ Federation (SFF) have accused the Scottish Fisheries minister of making irrational and damaging decisions. Absolutely, Read the rest here 07:51
Ocean City Inlet Dredging Set For This Month, But Long-Term Commitment Still Being Sought
While the Army Corps of Engineers will return to the resort area later this month for a short-term dredging project to temporarily fix the chronic shoaling problem in the Ocean City Inlet and commercial harbor, state and local officials continue to push for a long term solution. However, it has come to light in recent months the federally authorized 10-foot depth in the Inlet is not sufficient to sustain the multi-million dollar commercial and recreational fishing industries. “The Army Corps bases its dredging schedule on a cost-benefit ratio looking at commercial boats only,” she said. “There aren’t many left here, and when they leave, they conversely impact that cost-benefit ratio.” Read the rest here20:39
UPDATED: Suit over sea turtles dismissed by federal judge
A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed the civil complaint against state and federal agencies and their officials filed by the N.C. Fisheries Association and Carteret County Fisherman’s Association. Jerry Schill, NCFA president, said they were very disappointed to hear about the dismissal. Mr. Schill said he thinks that those who might applaud the dismissal should read it and ask: if the associations don’t have standing to sue over the ESA, who does? Read the rest here 8/7/2015 12:49
Are climate scientists doom-mongering? Bulk of research on impacts of ocean acidification is FLAWED, new study finds
For years scientists have warned that the oceans are becoming more acidic – and this spells disaster for marine life.But a review of the bulk of laboratory studies into the phenomenon have been flawed and unreliable, experts say.The research is the latest study to highlight difficulties with doom-mongering scientific predictions. The latest review of 465 scientific studies into the effects of ocean acidification on sea life said only 27 used an ‘appropriate experimental design’. And 278 studies were ‘clearly inappropriate’, which means a huge amount of research is not fit for purpose. Read the rest here Read Crucial ocean-acidification models come up short @ Nature 16:59
Lobster catch up in Maine, down in southern New England
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has released a preliminary assessment the U.S. Atlantic coast lobster stock, and it presents a mixed picture. “The Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank stock is not overfished and not experiencing overfishing,” Conversely, the Southern New England stock is severely depleted with poor prospects of recovery, necessitating protection.” Total U.S. landings in the fishery have steadily increased in the past 35 years. Up until the late 1970s, landings were relatively constant at about 30.87 million pounds. However by 2000, landings almost tripled to roughly 86 million,,, Read the rest here 15:45
Movie Zooms In on Commercial Fishing Dangers, Challenges – free premiere at the Viking Village dockside Saturday Night
Chart your course Saturday night, Aug. 8 for the Barnegat Light commercial fishing docks to catch a gripping thriller of true tales on the high seas. “Yesterday’s Fish, Today’s Challenges” documents the extraordinary measures and risks it has taken to haul the ocean’s seafood bounty to the table. Director David Kaltenbach of Barnegat Light will premiere the movie at the Viking Village dockside, 19th Street and Bayview Avenue, Barnegat Light, at 8:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend. At 8 p.m. the program opens with a discussion and questions and answers. Read the rest here 15:18 Some kick ass trailers Click here!
Oregon hunting, angling and commercial fishing fees will go up dramatically to feed a ravenous bureaucracy
Be heard on proposed fishery regulations in the South Atlantic Fishery Council Region
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is keeping fishermen busy this summer with public comment meetings. Last month, there was a series of hearings/listening stations on the snapper-grouper Vision Project, which includes overwhelmingly opposed measures such as catch shares, electronic monitoring, and more closed fishing areas. Next week, beginning in South Carolina, the SAFMC is conducting public hearings (close to final action) and scoping (initial stages of development) on four snapper-grouper amendments and will also continue to take comments on the Vision Project. Read the rest here 13:20
New study suggests catching the slowest swimmers, commercial fishermen are inadvertently helping fish species evolve to swim faster.
Dr. Killen and his colleagues investigated whether commercial fishing was prompting physiological changes, as faster fish had better chances of evading capture by 
. “Over time, the selective removal of poor-swimming fish could alter the fundamental physiological makeup of descendant populations that avoid fisheries capture,” explains Killen. “Fish being trawled will try to swim at a steady pace ahead of the mouth of the net for as long as possible, but a proportion will eventually tire and fall back into the net,” said Killen Read the rest here 12:24
