Daily Archives: November 23, 2015
Research finds trawling not as devastating as often portrayed
An ongoing two-year independent study on trawling and its effect on benthic sea life — species that live on sea floors where trawling occurs – has found that the practice may not be as devastating as it is portrayed by some NGOs. The major data collection and analysis for the project has been completed, including assessments of mobile bottom contact gear in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa and most of the US, making it six times more extensive than and previous compilations. Read the article here 18:36
Will Scallop Dredging in Cardigan Bay be an Environmental Disaster?
Recently in the UK, George Monbiot, a well-known environmental journalist, criticised the Welsh Government for undertaking a public consultation about the possibility of allowing restricted amounts of scallop dredging (dragging nets along the bottom) within a legally protected marine conservation zone. (Article here) In particular, Monbiot used a quote from Callum Roberts at the University of York to imply that the scientific study which led to this consultation was flawed. Read the article here 16:21
The ENGO Eye’s in the Sky will be watching you.
Sky Truth has partnered with Google and Oceana to launch a global fishing watch project to bring more transparency and accountability to the commercial fishing industry around the world. Because the fishing industry everywhere must be held accountable, and its up to them, google, Oceans, and Pew to watch over all fishermen, honest or not. All your tows will be seen, stripping away generational proprietary information (if they don’t have it already). Read this article and tell me this is a good thing. I say its bunk. 15:42
Wärtsilä Design & Propulsion Machinery for Pelagic Trawler
A new pelagic fishing trawler ordered by Scottish owner Mewstead LLP will be built according to a Wärtsilä design and will feature a broad scope of Wärtsilä propulsion machinery. The ship is to be built at the Nauta Shipyard in Poland and when completed will be the largest and most efficient ship of its type in the world. The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in November. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for mid-2017. Read the article here 10:47
WWF calls for end to harassment and worse of fisheries observers
With World Fisheries Day being celebrated today, WWF is calling upon fishery managers to urgently address the increasing assaults and intimidations targeted at fisheries observers and to immediately take measures to ensure their health and safety onboard fishing vessels. WWF is shocked about the number of disappearances of observers on fishing vessels: marine biologist Keith Davis disappeared at sea in September working as an observer in MRAG Americas’ IATTC Trans-shipment Observer Programme. Charlie Lasisi, another observer,,, Read the rest here 09:35
Fishermen say communities will ‘die’ if new regulations come into force
Fishermen have warned their industry could be ruined and communities will die if planned regulation goes ahead. The Clyde Fishermen’s Association has said the viability of fishing in the firth would be undermined by changes to regulations governing marine protected areas (MPA), leading to economic collapse in the towns and villages dominated by fishing. The change to the regulations means fishing vessels could be restricted from certain areas, including south of Arran and the Sound of Jura, for environmental reasons. Read the article here 08:40
3MMI – Scientist Muzzled on the Sockeye Collapse, Why Coho Prices Have Climbed So High…
We have an exclusive interview with Department of Fisheries & Ocean Scientist Kristi Miller who’s study on the collapse of the Fraser River Sockeye resulted in a direct order from the Prime Minister’s Office to suppress the findings and to STOP talking publicly about it. Pricing on Wild Caught Coho’s have been gradually climbing out of the gutter since we reported on them plummeting in August… So why the Price Incease? Watch the video here 07:50
