Daily Archives: October 15, 2015
“CFOOD” – New fact-check on fisheries reporting takes to Web, social media
An international team of experts in fisheries management, spearheaded by UW professor Ray Hilborn, is trying to lead the conversation about sustainable fisheries using a less traditional approach — reaching the general public directly through a new website and social media outreach. Many scientific reports and resulting media coverage about fish stocks collapsing or being overfished are incorrect or widely misinterpreted, they say. They launched the effort two weeks ago to provide a forum for experts to discuss or explain certain claims. Read the rest here 19:33
Mid-Atlantic Council Votes to Reduce Spiny Dogfish Quota for 2016
At last week’s meeting in Philadelphia, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council recommended a substantial cut in the spiny dogfish commercial quota for next year. Following a review of the most recent scientific information, public comments, and advice from the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel, the Council voted to set the 2016 commercial quota at 25.3 million pounds, a 50% reduction from the 2015 quota of 50.6 million pounds. If approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the new measure will,,, Read the rest here 17:20
More Catch Shares – NPFMC adds options to Gulf of Alaska bycatch package
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has added an alternative to the ongoing redraft of the Gulf of Alaska bycatch management plan. The council now has a broad array of options, including 100 percent observer coverage for Gulf of Alaska trawlers, cooperative catch shares, individual catch shares of both groundfish quota and bycatch caps, and reductions in overall bycatch caps. The plan aims to slow the “race for fish” that accompanies derby-style, open access fisheries, where vessels compete with each other to catch as much as possible within the season dates. Read the rest here 15:23
The trial against a Western Isles trawler skipper accused of human trafficking has collapsed
Alex Murray, 49, was accused of exploiting two Ghanaian nationals aboard the Stornoway-based Astra III. The Lewis man also faced three charges relating to the safety of the prawn fishing boat. But the case at Stornoway Sheriff Court was abandoned on Thursday after just two days of evidence. The case went on the rocks after a supposed victim embraced and kissed Mr Murray in the courtroom. Read the rest here 13:54
Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist Doug Pengilly interprets crab catch numbers
Last week the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced catch limits for the state’s crab fisheries. On Monday, a Fish and Game biologist explained how the agency determined those catch limits to a group of crabbers in Seattle. Nine local crabbers gathered at Unalaska’s City Hall to tune into the conference call and ask questions. The biggest drop in total allowable catch – or the TAC – is for Bering Sea snow crab, also knowns as opilio. The total allowable catch this season for snow crab is just over 40 million pounds. That’s a forty percent drop from last season. Read the rest here 12:37
Bay’s 2015 rockfish spawn “robust” in Maryland, average in Virginia
After three sub-par years, the number of juvenile striped bass in Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay this summer climbed to the 8th highest level in more than six decades, according to Maryland natural resources officials. Virginia biologists, meanwhile, reported finding an average abundance of juvenile striped bass in their portion of the bay. Maryland biologists surveying the Choptank, Potomac and Nanticoke rivers and the upper bay tallied an average of,,, Read the rest here 11:54
Qld Parliament votes against motion to stop three net-free fishing zones
An industry body has warned commercial fishers to be very afraid of the precedent Queensland parliament set last night, when it voted to continue with three net-free fishing zones. Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) deputy president Keith Harris said the government had made “an incredibly political” statement by supporting the net-free zones in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton. “They are saying to Queenslanders your rights do not matter, fisheries management do not matter and the exclusion of profitable and viable local small businesses do not matter,” Read the rest here 10:42
‘We were damn near killed’: Atlantic Charger captain speaks out on survival, rescue
The nine men who survived the sinking of the Atlantic Charger off Nunavut last month are trying to put the harrowing ordeal behind them, with the skipper speaking out strongly about why a helicopter was not on the scene to rescue them. “It’s on my mind continually. It just haven’t left me,” Byron Oxford, the Atlantic Charger’s captain, said in an interview with CBC Radio’s The Broadcast. Oxford, who is still recovering from the Sept. 21 incident, also becomes emotional as he describes the gruelling wait the crew endured for an anticipated air rescue that never arrived. Read the rest here 08:43
Oak Hill mayor: County should end ban on smaller-mesh seine nets
The Volusia County Council on Thursday will consider a proposal to roll back its decades-old ban on using seine nets to fish in Mosquito Lagoon and other county waterways. The measure comes at the request of Oak Hill Mayor Douglas Gibson, who would like to improve the economy for his coastal fishing community. However, the proposal is already gathering widespread opposition from the environmental and recreational fishing communities, who were in part responsible for the ban in the first place. The nets can harm fish nurseries and other species and habitats. Read the rest here 08:18
Sam Parisi – Fishermen need a farm bill
Over the past five years NOAA has imposed strict regulations on cod and other groundfish. Our fleet has gone from 200 vessels down to about 65. At the same time, if you can make sense out of this, NOAA has increased rental space by two thirds and has employed three times more workers. In the last two years, our small boats have been particularly hurt due to closures of inshore fishing grounds. Now rumor has it that NOAA,,, Read the rest here 07:41
