Daily Archives: October 4, 2015

Seafood development association shifts focus away from Pebble Mine

The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association took another step away from prior efforts to fight Pebble Mine with the election of a new board president. The fishing association, or BBRSDA, is funded by a 1 percent tax on Bristol Bay drift fishermen. Historically it has opposed , including spending at least a fifth of its budget on sustainability and anti-mining efforts over the past several years and a policy statement adopted in 2008 that opposed large-scale mining. But that focus has been shifting away from that work. Read the rest here 21:30

North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Anchorage

The Council will meet the week of October 5, 2015 at the Hilton Hotel in Blue NPFMC Sidebar, AK.  The AGENDA and SCHEDULE are available and will be updated as documents become available.  Public comment information here, and the latest Council mailings are here. Other meetings to be held during the week are: Click here  While the Council meeting is in session, you can follow along at https://npfmc.adobeconnect.com/oct2015. 19:31

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in Galveston, TX October 5 – 8, 2015 Listen Live!

GMFMC SidebarThe public is invited to attend the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting at the Hilton Galveston Island 5400 Seawall Boulevard
Galveston, TX . Read the Committee and Council Agenda, Click here Read the briefing material, Click here, Register here to listen live 19:05

Blessing of the Fleet in Morehead City honors tradition, Joaquin be damned.

blessing morehead city 2015Commercial fishing trawlers cruise around the N.C. State Port of Morehead City as bands a rain and wind zip across the Intracoastal Waterway during the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony on Sunday where family and friends gather to honor and remember the fallen. (Dylan Ray photo)16:01

Massive search on for fishermen lost In the West Philippian Sea – 55 rescued, 42 missing

missing philippean fishermenA massive multi-agency search-and-rescue (SAR) operation is underway to locate 42 missing fishermen, following the rescue over the weekend of 55 of the 97 fishermen who had set out to the West Philippine Sea aboard 15 fishing boats from the towns of Infanta, Bolinao, Dasol, and Agno, this province, during the onslaught of tropical storm “Kabayan.” Reports of the missing fishermen being plucked from the sea by various vessels have come in,,, Read the rest here 14:34

Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update, October 4, 2015

rifa logoThe 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 12:01

Three Maine Lobsterman Organizations weigh in on Cashes Ledge Monument Proposal

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Downeast Lobstermen’s Association and cashes ledge closed are weighing in, along with groups from other states, on the new National Marine Monument proposed for Cashes Ledge and the New England Canyons in the Gulf of Maine. “To unilaterally allow such a designation would usurp the established habitat and fisheries management public process and could be economically catastrophic not only to the commercial and charter fishermen but also to hundreds of small coastal communities in New England,” Read the rest here 11:18:08

It’s simple for Alaska: Fish first means no to Chuitna coal project

Aerial view of the proposed Chuitna Coal Project near Beluga on the west side of the Cook Inlet.In 1920, the Boston Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Even today we recognize that decision as one of the worst in the history of baseball. Today, we Alaskans are facing an even worse trade: wild salmon for coal. In the next two weeks, the Walker administration must decide whether to grant the right to keep water in a salmon stream — something most Alaskans would consider a no-brainer — or instead award the water rights to a coal company so it can dig up the stream, kill off the salmon there forever and export the coal.  Read the rest here 10:03

Bahamas search finds life ring but no other sign of El Faro

Image: Cargo ship El Faro missing in Hurricane JoaquinAn intensive search by U.S. Coast Guard and Navy aircraft has turned up a life ring but no other sign of a cargo ship with 33 people on board that lost power and communications off the southeastern Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin. The life ring was spotted 120 miles (193 kilometers) northeast of Crooked Island, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) from the last known position of the El Faro. “While this reflects that the ship was caught in rough seas and extreme weather, it is in no way indicative of the ship’s fate,” the company said. “Small items such as life rings and life jackets are lost at sea frequently, particularly in rough weather.” Read the rest here 09:15

Winners in New Bedford’s Working Waterfront Festival contests announced

The 2015 Working Waterfront Festival on Sept. 26 and 27 featured a variety of competitions throughout the weekend. Participants participated in whaleboat races; a tugboat muster; net mending, splicing, link squeezing, and scallop shucking contests; a nautical tattoo contest, and a seafood throwdown. Each event showcased a variety of industry skills. Read the rest here 08:39