Daily Archives: October 2, 2015
Here’s why they’re called killer whales
Seattle Times reader Dale Johnson’s eye-popping photo of a leaping orca with a harbor porpoise in its jaws. Read the rest here 14:08
Restrictions could help Maine scallop fishery as rebuilding continues
Trisha Cheney, the state’s marine resource management coordinator, said the scallops need additional protections along the state’s southern coast, which has lagged in rebuilding, to protect the future of the fishery in that area. The state wants to close some spots to fishing and reduce the number of fishing days from 70 to 60 in the southern area for the upcoming season, which runs December to April. Portland-based scallop fisherman Alex Todd said he supports the new restrictions. Fishing pressure on scallops has been up in recent years because the price has been high, he said. Read the rest here 13:44
Maine elver fisherman to serve 90 days for dodging income tax
An elver fisherman from Waldoboro will serve 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to failing to file income tax reports for years in which he earned more than $370,000 harvesting the tiny eels. Paul L. Griffin Jr., 44, was sentenced Monday in Lincoln County Superior Court to 364 days in jail with all but 90 days suspended, and one year of administrative release, according to a release from Maine Attorney General Janet Mills. Griffin was the third person accused of not disclosing elver fishing income to be sentenced in the past two years, there are half a dozen similar cases pending. Read the rest here 13:20
After scathing report, NY DEC changes policies on fish seizures, records
One of the main problems highlighted in the report dealt with restitutions. Ms. Leahy Scott’s investigation found DEC officers frequently seized catches when they suspected wrongdoing, such as a haul above the state limit or a lack of proper permits, per their common practice. However, the department failed to reimburse fishermen who were acquitted of charges or won court cases until her investigation began. In one instance, a Montauk fisherman was reimbursed last week after a $1,000 take that the DEC took from his boat. The incident occurred 17 years ago. Read the rest here 12:38Processing carp into organic fertilizers
Fully-grown carp in healthy ecosystems typically top 25 pounds. In the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, where carp have completely devastated the ecosystem and dominated the fish assemblage, the fish are stunted, averaging only eight to nine pounds each. Thankfully, a biomass fertilizer plant has been invited to come in and begin . According to the ranger, the arrival of the Pacific Foods subsidiary would come just after the fishing season came to a close, Sept. 15. While commercial fishing cannot eliminate the carpnage, hopefully it can at least get it under control. Read the rest here 11:14
Coast Guard conducts West Coast Fisheries surveillance flight
An 
aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento and members of the Coast Guard 13th District enforcement division conducted a fisheries surveillance flight over 6,000 square miles of ocean on Wednesday, Sept. 30. During the flight, which covered territory between the Canadian border and central Oregon, the team identified and collected information on 32 fishing vessels. Information collected from the vessel observations will be evaluated to ensure compliance with domestic federal fishing regulations. Read the rest here 10:04
Enviro Lobby’s Coordinated Efforts to back door NE Marine Monument’s exposed!
One month ago, environmental groups were strategizing over their latest bid: Get the Obama administration to create its first marine monument off New England. They had talks with fishing groups, lawmakers and think tanks. At the end of August, they exchanged emails over their progress — and in one, the president of the Conservation Law Foundation warned everyone to keep quiet about the possibility of a breakthrough at the upcoming Our Ocean Conference in Chile. The email showed up in response to a public records request that Saving Seafood filed with the office of Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s. Read the rest here Read the email’s here 08:40
No matter which path the hurricane ends up taking, the Mid-Atlantic is in for an absolute rain bomb.
With Hurricane Joaquin swelling yesterday into a Category 4 brute, many along the East Coast must be wondering if they’re in for a hell-ride of shingle shrapnel and swamped basements. The good news: Models suggest the major storm will remain offshore, as shown in this probable path from the National Hurricane Center (always check the center for the latest prediction, though):The bad: Parts of the Mid-Atlantic will probably experience severe flooding, no matter what path Joaquin takes. Read the rest here 07:51
