Daily Archives: February 10, 2016
Maine Lobstermen pack Augusta hearing on controversial proposed licensing changes
Seth Morrissette works as a sternman on a lobster boat out of Friendship. He came to the podium at the Legislature’s Marine Resources committee, Wednesday, carrying his 3-year-old son, Levi, on his shoulders. His voice cracking, he told the lawmakers that his son would get his lobster license before he did. Morrissette was among a group who testified in support of a series of changes that would, in the words of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher, “strike a difficult balance” between 5,800 current license holders and the nearly 300 on a long and unpredictable waiting list. Read the article here 21:21
Coast Guard responding to report of 42 people abandoning fishing vessel 1,800 miles south of Hawaii
The Coast Guard is responding to a report of 42 people abandoning ship after their fishing vessel caught fire approximately 1,800 miles south of the Hawaiian Islands, Wednesday. The 40 crewmembers aboard 258-foot U.S.-flagged fishing vessel American Eagle abandoned ship at 10 a.m. (HST) into two life rafts, three work boats and one skiff. An emergency position-indicating radio beacon was activated and is transmitting information. Read the post here 19:54
H-2B guest-worker program under fire over salary discrepancies
With crawfish season just around the corner, Congress’ decision to quadruple the size of a guest-worker program might be described as a gift to Louisiana’s seafood processing industry, which struggles to fill the seasonal jobs each year. But a recent report from the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute says the H-2B program amounts to little more than exploitation. Although employers and their lobbyists claim there is a shortage of these skilled and semi-skilled workers, wages for the Top 15 guest-worker occupations have remained flat or fallen over the past decade, said Daniel Costa, the institute’s director of immigration and policy research and author of the report. High unemployment rates persist in the top occupations, which suggests at the national level there are no labor shortages in those fields. Read the rest here 15:53
Guest-worker program helps Louisiana seafood facilities
Congress’ decision to quadruple the size of a guest-worker program might be described as a gift to Louisiana’s seafood processing industry, which struggles to fill the seasonal jobs each year. The LSU AgCenter says about 60 Louisiana seafood processing facilities hire more than 2,000 guest workers each year to peel crawfish and shrimp, shuck oysters and filet fish. Most of the workers come from Mexico and Central America and work 60 hours a week for a few months. Read the rest here 15:26
‘Wicked Tuna’ and Tequila’
The fishermen of Gloucester, Massachusetts are in the hunt once again to catch the biggest and largest quantity of their prize bluefin tuna. Often they have a fish on the line for hours, only to lose it when it pulls the hook or the line snaps. See what other troubles befall these warriors on this episode titled, “Tuna and Tequila.” As the episode begins, newcomer to the Gloucester fleet, Erin & Sarah lead the pack as last year’s winner Dave Marciano, captain of the Hard Merchandise, is the lone boat without a fish. The Hard Merchandise is hoping to catch one as they fish at night closer to Gloucester at Jeffrey’s Ledge. Read the rest here 14:41
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 48ft. Fiberglass Crabber/Gillnetter 349HP Cat – Price Reduced!
Specifications, information and 21 photo’s click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 12:06
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OLYMPIA: Public meeting on salmon forecasts, season-setting process scheduled on March 1
Anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in Washington state salmon fisheries can get a preview of this year’s salmon returns and potential fishing seasons during a public meeting March 1 in Olympia. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will present initial forecasts — compiled by state and tribal biologists — of 2016 salmon returns. The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., in Olympia. Those attending the meeting will have an opportunity to talk to fishery managers about the pre-season forecasts and participate in work sessions focusing on conservation issues and possible salmon fisheries. Read the rest here 10:20
Bayshore town wants clammers to shell out
The future of clamming in Highlands is as murky as the waters of the Sandy Hook Bay. Just ask Tom Rhodes, a 50-year member of the clamming collective known as the Baymen’s Protective Association. “Don’t let them put us out of business,” Rhodes, clad in orange waders and bright blue gloves, said as he unloaded his haul at the dock of the local processing plant, following a recent outing. The Baymen’s lease for the James T. White Clam Depuration Plant, where clams — Cherrystone, chowder and littleneck — from the bay are cleaned before they go to market, lapsed at the end of 2015. The borough of Highlands is the owner of the property and elected officials there are keen on renegotiating the lease, including more than doubling the rent and tax payments to $8,700 per month — a tab some clammers say would be prohibitive. Read the rest here 09:02
NOAA issues climate warning for scallops
The NOAA study, formally known as the Northeast Climate Vulnerability Assessment, said Atlantic sea scallops have “limited mobility and high sensitivity to the ocean acidification that will be more pronounced as water temperatures warm.” “The biomass has been increasing over the last 10 years, and there is no sign of it depleting because of the warmer waters,” Richard Canasta said. “They’re talking a few degrees, and that’s not going to make much of a difference in terms of scallop population.” Read the rest here 07:21
