Daily Archives: November 1, 2015
200-year-old anchor on display at Port of Kalama
A historic 1,120-pound anchor found years ago at the bottom of the Columbia River is now on display at Port of Kalama’s interpretative center. Commercial fisherman Jim Toteff stumbled on the aquatic antique in 1988, when his net caught something, and he sent a scuba diver down to investigate. After dislodging the massive anchor, Toteff had it towed to his Kalama home where it was displayed as decorative lawn ornament for a number of years. The Toteff family donated the anchor — estimated to be between 190 and 215,,, Read the rest here 17:14
Coast Guard crew assists fishing vessel south of Cape Ann
A rescue crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo assisted a disabled fishing vessel Saturday 40 miles south of Cape Ann. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Boston received the call via VHF-16 radio Saturday at 10:40 a.m. from the captain of the Orion, a 79-foot fishing vessel out of Gloucester, stating the boat was disabled due to engine failure. Arriving on scene at approximately 4 p.m., the Key Largo crew safely put Orion into tow and set a course for Gloucester. At approximately 7:45 p.m, the Key Largo passed the tow to the fishing vessel Captain Joe, who was scheduled to return the Orion and crew to their homeport in Gloucester early Sunday morning. Link, 15:46
Protesters link fish and chips to dolphin by-catch
The group Maui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders says the nets used to catch fish such as mullet and school shark – used in takeaways – trap and kill the dolphins. There are thought to be only 55 adult Maui’s dolphins left. But an industry group called the campaign emotional blackmail. The conservation group protested on in South Auckland yesterday at the use of gill nets. One of the group, 15-year-old environmentalist, Libby Christophers, said 95 percent of Maui’s deaths are caused by the nets. Read the rest here 14:31
Cape ports land more fish, but value slips
CHATHAM — Local fish landings were up last year, but value was down, according to a federal report released Thursday. Commercial fishermen landed 20 million pounds in the Provincetown-Chatham area in 2014, a notable increase over the 14 million pounds landed the previous year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service reported in “Fisheries of the United States 2014.” Compared with all other U.S. ports, the Provincetown-Chatham area ranked 42 in value and 43 in landings. Read the rest here 13:24
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update, November 1, 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 12:30
A Big Ruckus Over a Little Clam Boat – Commercial Clamming Stirs Short Beach Waters
As concerned neighbors organize to prevent commercial clam digging in sleepy Short Beach cove, a new $1.6 million clamming boat, the Cultivator, continues to stir up both clams and controversy in the waters off Johnson’s Beach. The Cultivator came into the area in and around the Short Beach cove in early summer and neighbors who live there report a far noisier, more intrusive, and frequent operation, one that has disrupted swimmers, surfers, kayakers, and, some say, a sailing school for kids as well as other recreational activities. The snobbery gets thick! Read the rest here 11:52
DMWR Director reports on use of Disaster Relief Fund
Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Dr. Ruth Matagi Tofiga has provided a status report on the use of the $1 million Disaster Relief Fund that the US Congress provided in Fiscal Year 2014 to help revive the bottomfish fishery in American Samoa. The grant was in response to the September 2009 tsunami which destroyed fishing docks and facilities and fishing boats. DMWR conducted a survey of alia boat owners and fishermen and determined the priorities for funding. These were direct compensation for damaged or lost alia vessels,,, Read the rest here 11:13
NTSB: Wreckage Believed to be Missing Ship El Faro Found
A search team on board a U.S. Navy tug has found what they believe is the wreckage of the missing American cargo ship El Faro in the search area off the Bahamas, the NTSB said in an update late Saturday. The vessel was located at a depth of about 15,000 feet in the vicinity of the last known position. The NTSB said the target identified is consistent with a 790-foot cargo ship, which from sonar images appears to be in an upright position and in one piece. Read the rest here 09:25
Strangers come to the aid of hero fishermen who lost it all
A Cape Town pupil “who loves Arniston and its people” has plans to start a fundraiser, and people who read about the plight of the fishermen who lost their only means of income, are putting on their thinking-caps. And all of this this was sparked by the story of Gerald Swart, 59, and his ten-man crew, whose boat the Mrs H is now at the bottom of the ocean after trying to save a stricken craft on Monday. When the boat sank, it quite literally also sank the hopes and dreams of the 11 Southern Cape families. Read the rest here 08:46
Study aims to help Ga. and S.C. shrimpers weather black gill
There’s no quick fix for black gill, a disease that affects shrimp from Florida to North Carolina. But as regulators and scientists collaborate with fishermen to work on the problem, they’ve already boosted an iconic coastal tradition. “Generally, we’re seen as the bad guys, the ones that kill the turtles and rape the ocean,” said Micah LaRoche, a third generation shrimper from Wadmalaw Island. “I’m anything but that. I have grandchildren looking to get into the business. As far as conservationists go you’ll never find another one like me.” Read the rest here 07:34
