Monthly Archives: November 2015
Pew response fails to address EU fishing sector concerns over misleading information
It is disappointing that your response fails to address the issues that we have raised. We drew attention to the startling divergence between the (ICES) view and Pew’s claims about fishing pressure and the state of the stocks off North Western Europe. Turning the Tide, makes the assertion that: Fishing in recent decades, in pursuit of food and profit, off North West Europe has dramatically expanded. Calls by scientists and environmentalists to reduce fishing pressure have been ignored,,, Read the post here 08:07
North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission places emergency limits on Southern Flounder
After five hours of motions, amendments and haggling over details, the 
approved an emergency measure Thursday that will close down most fishing for southern flounder in the state’s sounds after Oct. 16. The restrictions, which are aimed at allowing larger numbers of fish to migrate into the ocean to reach spawning age, were deemed necessary by the Division of Marine Fisheries even though the usefulness of a 2014 stock assessment was challenged by a peer review. Here is what the commission settled on: Read the article here 15:31
FDA approval of AquaBounty GMO salmon decried by environmental and consumer groups
Environmental and consumer groups in the United States and Canada are denouncing a decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approving genetically modified salmon as food. The eggs for the salmon, which grow at twice the rate of regular salmon, are raised in a facility in the eastern Prince Edward Island community of Bay Fortune and exported to Panama, where they’re grown in above-ground tanks. Sharon Labchuk of the group said P.E.I. has been thrust into a negative spotlight with the FDA’s decision. Read the article here 13:18
NPFMC Introduces New Alternative After October Meeting for Gulf trawl bycatch management
The Kodiak Fisheries Workgroup sent a letter of community input to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council before the council’s meeting in early October. The letter focused on the gulf trawl bycatch management issue. “The new alternative does not do catch shares on those fisheries resources such as pollock, but provides a share instead of the bycatch quota, which is either halibut or salmon. Chinook salmon. And so, if you’re given a share of that bycatch, you can take that bycatch share into a co-op.” Read the article here 12:29
Three men charged with fishing offences in Victoria County
Three Cape Breton commercial fishermen were arraigned in Ingonish provincial court Thursday for alleged fishing violations. Robert Courtney, 63, faces eight charges, including two counts of failing to hail, or count, the accurate round weight of fish on board his vessel. He also faces two charges of failing to enter an accurate amount of fish caught in monitoring documents and two charges of producing other documents that contain false or misleading information. Courtney is also twice charged with hindering or obstructing a fishery officer from,,, Read the article here 10:24
Governor pleads to Commerce Secretary for help, NMFS maybe leaning towards longliners in LVPA rule
Two posts – “Less time need be spent on researching how dependent we are on tuna and more time must be spent on getting our fleet to high seas waters.“ That’s a statement in a four page letter from Governor Lolo to US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker expressing his disappointment, Read the post here Meanwhile, The National Marine Fisheries Service says it’s not ready just yet to decide on lifting large fishing vessel restrictions in a 50-mile prohibited area near American Samoa, Read the post here 09:40
Migrant fishermen permit scheme to be capped at 500
A new work permit system for non-European migrant workers in the fishing industry is to be capped at 500 individuals. Minister for Agriculture and the Marine Simon Coveney announced the details of the new scheme, which will initially apply only to people already working in Ireland. The proposals emerged from a working group set up by the Coalition, including a number of Government departments and State agencies. The establishment of the group three weeks ago followed a report in the Guardian newspaper. Read the article here 09:09
Man rescued from Peterhead Harbour after fire breaks out on fishing boat
A man had to be rescued from the water after a fire broke out on a fishing boat last night. It’s unclear if he had jumped from the burning vessel which was docked at Peterhead Harbour in Aberdeenshire. Two other men were rescued from the boat while rescue teams searched the water after reports someone else could have jumped in. Read the article here 08:45
Fishing for facts on the Southern flounder in NC
Some claim that a 40 percent Southern flounder harvest reduction is needed to avoid a collapse of the stock, but there is no science to support that. Perhaps most disturbing is that the Marine Fisheries Commission has yet to receive any recommendations on the options from the Division of Marine Fisheries, professional experts who are supposed to guide the MFC on scientific and economic/social facts. Read the article here 07:46
Unifor calls on federal government to revoke Jim Pattison Group’s fishing licences
If Jim Pattison Group’s Canadian Fishing Company 
(CFC) cannot generate good jobs with a majority control in the salmon fishery, the federal government should revoke the fishing licences, said the union representing cannery workers in Prince Rupert. CFC announced last week that it has plans to close the last production canning facility in British Columbia, costing up to 500 jobs and virtually closing the community’s largest employer. “Fish caught in northern BC waters should be processed in a north coast plant,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor’s Western Director. Press Release here 20:20
Oak Bluffs shellfish constable says seed scallop must be protected
Mr. Grunden first announced the closure at the selectmen’s meeting on Oct. 13. “It was a very difficult decision,” he told The Times on Monday. “A lot of factors had to be considered, including a few people’s wages. But there is a very high percentage of seed in the pond.” Mr. Grunden said it was the first time he has closed Sengie to scalloping in his 16 years on the job. And the closure was not well received. Read the article here 17:16
Third party subpoenas denied in Pebble litigation
A federal court judge has ruled against motions from the Pebble Limited Partnership to compel testimony and documents from third party interests in Pebble’s lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency. In a U.S. District Court decision handed down in Anchorage on Nov. 18, Judge H. Russel Holland quashed the motion in which Pebble sought testimony and numerous documents from the Alaska Conservation Foundation and the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, through former employees Sam Snyder and Bob Waldrop respectively. Read the article here 16:39
Seattle salmon fishing industry reacts to FDA approval of genetically engineered salmon
On Thursday the FDA ruled genetically engineered salmon are just as safe to eat as any other salmon. The news was not well received at Seattle’s Fisherman’s Terminal. “I think it’s a horrible idea,” said Spencer Anderson, who is a commercial fisherman with his father based out of Fisherman’s Terminal. “It kind of feels like they’re choosing the salmon as a guinea pig,” said Paula Cassidy, owner of Wild Salmon Seafood Market. The AquaAdvantage Salmon are the first genetically engineered animal approved for humans to eat. Read the article here 15:28
FDA approves first genetically modified salmon for consumption
AquaBounty Technologies’ salmon became the first genetically engineered animal to receive U.S. approval for human consumption, setting the stage for more such approvals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday the company’s genetically engineered Atlantic salmon was as nutritious as the farm-raised ones and was safe for consumption. (1.usa.gov/1NFfKyd) The company is majority owned by Intrexon Corp, whose shares rose 7 percent at $37.80 Thursday morning. Read the article here 11:45
Is NOAA About to Crack? ‘Pausebuster’ study under intense scrutiny
According to House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), who is leading a Congressional investigation into the infamous Karl et al 2015 “Pausebuster” study, NOAA whistleblowers have come forward, with information which cast doubt on the scientific integrity of NOAA’s global temperature reconstructions. According to the Washington Post; Smith told Pritzker that the whistleblowers’ allegations make it more crucial that he be provided with the scientists’ internal e-mails and communications. If NOAA does not produce the e-mails he is seeking by Friday,,, Read the post here 11:21
Pacific Marine Expo blog: Crabbers hope for better prices with opilio quota cut; Interest in buying halibut quota growing
Undercurrent News is reporting live from the Seattle-based equipment and commercial fishing trade show which is the largest annual show on the west coast of the US. The show, which is being held at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field, brings together over 500 exhibitors including equipment companies, propulsion, builders and suppliers. Covered: Crabbers hope for better prices with opilio quota cut – Vessel broker: Interest in buying halibut quota growing – ‘Chix Who Fish’: Company makes fishing apparel for women, and more! Read the article here 10:22
Heroic father relives rescue of Northumberland fishermen
A heroic father and son helped rescue two fishermen whose boat had sunk off the coast of Amble, pulling one from the sea and alerting crews to the other. Tom Lillico was aboard his vessel, Boy Liam, with son Jason, 38, when he noticed something in the water yesterday morning, near Coquet Island. The 59-year-old originally thought it was a seal, but soon realised it was a man clinging onto a buoy. It sparked a dramatic rescue mission. Read the article here 09:54
Rare blue crab found in Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau
Missouri Department of Conservation resource scientists found an unexpected guest recently when they pulled a net during fish sampling in the Mississippi River. Southeast Missouri State University graduate student Nick Kramer, working with colleagues Wes Sleeper and Mark Hempel, pulled the net containing a male blue crab, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation.,, Read the article here 09:36
Bluefin tuna industry needs more oversight, Pictou County fisherman says
A fisherman in Pictou County wants the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to increase oversight of the bluefin tuna fishing industry in Nova Scotia. Harold Bowen has fished out of Caribou along the Northumberland Strait his entire life, including for tuna. One day, earlier this fall, seven dead tuna — one weighing 317 kilograms — washed up on the rocks, Bowen said Wednesday. Part of the fishing line was still hooked in at least one of them, he said. He says that’s an indication the tuna died as a result of improper fishing practices,,, Read the article here 08:46
Cease and Desist – Judge bars boat from dredging for clams
A judge has temporarily barred a Gloucester fishing vessel from dredging for clams off Herring Cove while a dispute about who governs such dredging in that area makes its way through court. Barnstable Superior Court Judge Raymond Veary issued a order Nov. 3, after the Provincetown harbormaster’s staff followed the 70-foot Tom Slaughter as it dredged for surf clams the previous two days, Harbormaster Rex McKinsey said. The Slaughter is one of three clam draggers whose owners are in court in separate actions fighting cease-and-desist,,, Read the article here 07:31
Feature from 1968 on Portuguese fishermen showing Friday Night in New Bedford – Free Admission!
The Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues on Friday at 7 p.m. with “The Lonely Dorymen,” a 1968National Geographic program about the Portuguese fishermen who fished for cod on the Grand Banks. Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, and the Working Waterfront Festival. Read the rest here! 18:39
Groundfish boosts Alaska fishing jobs, 84% of total fish poundage
Alaska’s seafood industry puts more people to work than oil and gas, mining, tourism and logging combined. And the numbers continue to grow, thanks to increased catches of groundfish, primarily pollock and cod. According to the November issue of by the state Department of Labor, fishing employment grew by 0.7 percent last year, boosted by 350 jobs in groundfish harvesting – a nearly 25 percent increase. Gains were made in every month of the year, with employment records set in March and December. Read the rest here 16:08
Santa Rosa: McGuire and Wood to host hearing on crab season delay
State Sen. Mike McGuire, chairman of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Assemblyman Jim Wood, committee vice-chair, are hosting a hearing focused on the delayed opening of the Dungeness crab season. “The California Dungeness and Rock Crab Fishery: Public Health, Ocean Conditions and Maintaining a Strong Coastal Economy” will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the main room of the Steele Lane Community Center, 415 Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Read the rest here 15:32
Bristol Bay sockeye earnings hit decade low
For the first time in a decade, ex-vessel earnings for sockeye salmon coming out of Bristol Bay, Alaska, have fallen below $100 million, despite a “massive” return of 58m fish, according to a sockeye bi-annual market analysis prepared for the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association by McDowell Group. According to the report, 2014 marked the fourth consecutive year that base ex-vessel prices –the price paid to fishermen by a processor for whole fish — were above $1.00/lb, “Bristol Bay seemed to be on a roll; firing on all cylinders and producing strong earnings”. Value fell sharply, however, in 2015,,, Read the rest here 14:00
‘Tis the season in southwestern Nova Scotia! Fishermen gearing up for Nov. 30 start of lobster fishery
Unless delayed by weather, the lobster season in lobster fishing area (LFA) 34 – which takes in all of Yarmouth County and parts of Shelburne and Digby counties – wll kick off the last Monday of November. This year the opening day falls on Nov. 30. Opening day is also known as dumping day. It’s the day that captains and their crews leave wharfs at 6 a.m. in this fishing district to dump their traps at sea – hoping for good catches when they haul them back up. There are around 980 licence holders in LFA 34. With boats weighed down with hundreds of traps,,, Read the rest here 13:24
“Time is not on our side, so we must act now” – Grassroots petition asks US President to save canneries
A grassroots movement has been formed by local businesswoman Mrs Kathy Pilimai and local businesses and working class people to help save the local tuna industry. This citizens movement has put together a petition and hopes to collect 10,000 signatures for every one living in the territory with a valid ID, calling on President Barack Obama to help save the local canneries. The petition is prompted by a statement by StarKist last week that due to a combination of factors which has driven up their costs and made them less competitive, they are looking at moving,,, Read the rest here 12:40
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 45′ Fiberglass Lobster/Longliner 575HP, John Deere
Specifications, information and 25 photo’s click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 11:55
Two fishermen rescued after their boat sinks off Northumberland coast
Two fishermen were rescued after their boat sank off the Northumberland coast. The alarm was raised by the crew of another fishing boat who spotted a man clinging to a lobster pot marker just before 9am on Wednesday. They radioed for help after pulling him on board their vessel, the Boy Liam. Amble RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats were launched to search for the second fisherman, and Newbiggin and Seahouses RNLI lifeboats were later asked to join the search. Read the rest here 10:10
It’s Showtime! Controversial flounder decision on MFC agenda
A controversial issue over the future of is back on the agenda for this week’s meeting of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission. After postponing action in August, the commission is scheduled to approve management measures for Supplement A to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1. The meeting is set for Nov. 18-20 at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, with a public comment period Wednesday night and the business meeting on Thursday and Friday. Read the rest here 09:24
Canada’s new Liberal government says it is currently developing priorities for the lobster industry
Canada’s new Liberal government is in no rush to implement Stephen Harper’s promise aimed at wooing voters in Atlantic Canada during the recent federal election of $20 million in funding for lobster promotion and research. Harper made the pledge Sept. 10 in New Annan, P.E.I. and promised $5 million for research and $15 million over three years to the Halifax-based Lobster Council of Canada to promote lobster sales. Fisheries and Oceans Canada would not address Harper’s promise, saying new Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo is developing priorities. Read the rest here 08:44
