Daily Archives: November 8, 2015
Coast Guard searching for vessel in distress off New Jersey
The Coast Guard is searching Sunday for a vessel in distress off the shore of New Jersey. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia received a mayday call on VHF marine radio channel 16 at approximately 12:45 p.m. Sunday from the fishing vessel Interlude, stating the vessel was taking on water and heading into port. The Coast Guard launched an MH-65 dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, the cutter Ibis and multiple assets from Station Atlantic City to search for the fishing vessel. Link 19:56
U.S. crab-fishing troubles could boost B.C.
B.C.’s crab fishermen are waiting to see if demand picks up for their catch as the presence of an algae-borne toxin postpones much of California’s crab fishing. Storms have dissipated an algae bloom off B.C.’s coast. Even at its height in the summer, the massive bloom did not have the high concentrations of algae associated with demoic acid that showed up off the U.S., said Ian Perry, a research scientist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Nanaimo, on Friday. That has allowed B.C.’s fishery for sweet Dungeness crab to remain open. Read the rest here 15:29
El Nino shaping up nicely
The numerical models continue to point to a strong El Nino event bringing the promise of heavy winter rains. About two month ago, I had some concerns that it may not bring abundant rainfall; a lot of these apprehensions have gone away, and here’s why. Last year, I and many others predicted abundant rainfall. Obviously, my prediction didn’t come to pass — in large part because of decreasing seawater temperatures in the Nino 3.4 region (an area in the east-central equatorial Pacific) during the vital months of winter. Read the rest here 14:26
Tri Marine reports drop in purse seiners calling into port
Tri Marine International says it has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of purse seiners calling into American Samoa since the high seas were closed to US flagged tuna boats in June of this year. Not only does this affect the supply of fish for StarKist Samoa and Samoa Tuna Processors it also means a loss in revenue for the government and many businesses that supply the purse seiners. Heidi Happonen, spokesperson for Tri Marine says a purse seiner typically spends between $300,000 and $400,000 when in port. Read the rest here 12:46
Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance Weekly Update, November 8, 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 11:52
Grey-Bruce works together to get the fish to the people
When a commercial fisherman in Tobermory was left with a boatload of fish after a buyer backed out Saturday, the community jumped into action to get it to those who needed it most. About 700 pounds of whitefish was trucked back to Owen Sound on Saturday where about 20 volunteers filleted some for the Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort, while others were invited to pick up fish fresh off the truck. United Way of Bruce-Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn was contacted at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday by Guy Nadjiwon of the Gary M fishing boat. Read the rest here 10:48
California’s first offshore wind farm proposed near Morro Bay
This sleepy coastal town of 10,000 people along California’s Central Coast is known for its fishing fleet, nearby Hearst Castle and Morro Rock, a craggy 581-foot-tall monolith that dominates the views to the ocean. But a few years from now, Morro Bay may be known for something else: a huge offshore wind farm. “They want an area where a lot of guys fish,” said Tom Hafer, president of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization. “We’re willing to work with her on it, but we have some problems with it. We have a lot of areas already taken away. I don’t know how much more we can lose. We’re worried.” Read the rest here 09:35
Fishing boat worth £300,000 is scrapped after Britain’s youngest captain smashed it into rocks
A ship skippered by Britain’s youngest fishing boat captain has been broken up for scrap after the teenager smashed the £300,000 vessel into rocks. Jake Bowman-Davies, 17, lost his way in the dark and ran aground after a two-day fishing trip in the Irish Sea. His father, Tim Bowman-Davies, 42, hoped to save the valuable boat, the second one Jake has lost this year. But it was written off by salvage experts and ended up in several pieces on a beach at Angle, Pembrokeshire. Read the rest here 08:18
