Daily Archives: September 27, 2015
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update, September 27, 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 13:06
As Black Sea Bass Stake New England Claim, Fishermen are Concerned.
As waters warm off the coast of New England, black sea bass are moving north and, fishermen say, threatening the region’s most valuable aquatic species: the lobster. The influx of sea bass — among a number of species that are appearing in greater numbers off of Maine and New Hampshire as ocean temperatures climb — has some fishermen and lobstermen saying the best solution is to ease restrictions on catching the newcomers. The sea bass prey on lobsters, a much more economically important commercial species and a key,,, Read the rest here 12:18
Great lobster catches in Portland, Maine, just don’t name them
The recommended dress aboard the Lucky Catch
was an orange rubber apron and matching glove. Baiting lobster traps is a messy business. First mate Rachel Ashman distributed the required equipment to our eager, paying crew of 14 on a tour last week. It wasn’t surgery, but things did have to be done a certain way. Quart-sized mesh bags had to be pulled open, five stinky herrings dropped in, and the bag cinched closed. Once filled, they would be used to re-stock the traps. I got a whiff of the herring, stepped back, and took pictures. Read the rest here 11:33
At the Boiling Point – Southern flounder in N.C.
The fish fight has erupted into an all-out battle focused on the state’s nine-member Marine Fisheries Commission, now tasked with finding a solution that will pacify policy makers, unburden fishermen and keep the flounder swimming. “I think this is relatively newer to the legislators, and I think they probably jumped the gun on it,” said commission member Mike Wicker, who is also a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “I think they want to represent what their constituency would like them to represent, but I don’t think they’ve had enough time to understand what their constituency wants.” Read the rest here 10:58
What It’s Like to Fish in the Shadow of a Nuclear Power Station
A beach sandwiched between a nuclear power station, a baron wasteland of shingle, and the vast expanse of the English Channel probably isn’t where you’d expect to find a family fishing operation. But the headland of Dungeness in England’s southeastern corner is home to the Thomas family, who’ve been fishing the waters of this coastal Kent community for generations. As I head down to the water, I’m greeted by a man leaning against a rusty yellow vehicle. Read the rest here 10:40
Researchers are trying to pinpoint just what the allure of fishing in Bristol Bay is.
A group of researchers is trying to figure out what draws people to the Bristol Bay fishery and what new entrants need to get involved. For students in the region, they’re finding that it’s often all about family. Coleman has also been interviewing fishermen in those same communities, greenhorns and old hands alike, to find out why they put a net in the water – and what makes it possible for them to do so. Most of her work so far has focused on people who live in the region. Read the rest here 10:17:05
Coast Guard saves two from sunk fishing boat 50 miles east of Portland, ME
Coast Guard rescue crews from Station Boothbay Harbor, the Coast Guard Cutters Campbell and Ocracoke, and Air Station Cape Cod saved two people from their sunken fishing vessel the Jeanne C. 50 nautical miles east of Portland, Maine, Friday. “Their boat sunk right out from underneath them,” said Lt. Samantha Leon, the command duty officer at the 1st District Command Center. “They had the proper safety equipment, like the life-raft, onboard and were able to get in quickly. They helped save their own lives.” Read the rest here 09:45
Threatened Government Shutdown Threatens Crab Fishery… Again
“It was a huge mess last time,” said Mark Gleason, executive director of the trade group, Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers. “We have a very tight time frame – when the fishery opens on October 15, we need to be out there getting that crab caught, processed and on its way to Japan to take advantage of the holiday market.” A shutdown means no federal workers are on the job to issue permits for those holding catch shares of the crab. No permits, no fishery. Read the rest here 09:13
