Monthly Archives: February 2016
All about family, and seafood, at O’Neal’s Sea Harvest, A true North Carolina family operation
The family-run fish house is a dying breed on the North Carolina coast, especially in the northeast, where only a handful still exist. Even more rare these days in our part of the state is the dockside seafood market and restaurant, where they literally unload the catch from the boat, walk it into the cooler, clean it, cook it, and put it on your plate in a matter of minutes. That experience can still be found in the bustling Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park at O’Neal’s Sea Harvest. Read the story here 15:13
Captain’s Log: Appreciating Santa Barbara’s Awesome Commercial Fishing Fleet
Do you like seafood? If the answer is “yes,” then join me in appreciation for our local commercial fishing fleet. I’ve come to know many of these guys and gals over the years and I have a deep respect for their workday, camaraderie and for the service they provide — sometimes at great risk and always with great labor — to our seafood-hungry community. A great variety of food from the sea comes into Santa Barbara Harbor. Some of our folks dive for uni (sea urchins), which means they enter the food chain on a regular basis to bring in what the community wants. Read the rest here 14:21
Senator Blumenthal to meet with Fishing Industry Monday, February, 15, 2016 in Stonington Conn.
You are invited to participate in an open discussion with Senator Richard Blumenthal, pertaining to the issues effecting the Commercial Fishing Industry today. Senator Blumenthal is eager to listen to points of the fishermen on the current problems facing the industry i.e. current quota regulations, discarding of fish, etc. Your participation is greatly appreciated as Senator Blumenthal is doing his best to help the industry resolve some of these lingering issues. The Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, located at 26 Main Street in the Stonington Borough will be hosting this meeting on Monday, February 15th at 2:00pm. All are welcome to attend. 13:09
Texas Shrimpboat captain found with illegal lobster tails
The operator of a Texas-based shrimp boat has been arrested after Lee County deputies searched the boat and found undersized lobster tails and fish. 45-year-old Francisco Hernandez of Brownsville, Texas is facing 47 counts of conservation violations. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a marine unit conducted a vessel stop on the “Lady Michelle A” Wednesday and received consent from Hernandez to search the boat. 34 spiny lobster tails were found in the boat’s freezer. All were undersized and separated from the body,,, Read the rest here 10:13
P.E.I. lobster levy will launch this spring
When the lobster fishery begins this spring, P.E.I. will become the first province in the region where a two-cent-per-pound levy will be collected. The levy will take one cent per pound from P.E.I. fishermen for lobster they bring in and another cent per pound from the buyers. The money will be used for marketing. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are expected to launch their own levies in 2017. A lobster marketing board — comprised of six executives from the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) and six lobster fishermen — has been established to decide how to spend the harvesters’ half of the money. Read the story here 08:06
Gloucester is at a crossroads – The end of our rope, Sam Parisi
Another slap in the face! NOAA is out to put our fishermen out of business. The endless regulations make it impossible for our small boats to survive. However, it seems that NOAA is not concerned. Fishermen see plenty of fish. NOAA does not. What else is new? Vito Giacalone is right. No one is listening and it seems that our government does not care. The reason, perhaps, is that our industry is a drop in the bucket compared to other industries. Many forget that the majority of homes in this city were paid for by waterfront dollars from waterfront jobs. Read the letter here 07:10
This is exciting! SMAST scientists improving cod counting technology
A new video system designed by UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) scientists to assess the population of cod has passed its first major test, giving the researchers confidence that they can use this new approach to help improve the accuracy of future scientific assessments of this iconic species. Recent stock assessments indicate that the Gulf of Maine cod population is low and struggling to recover. Members of the fishing industry contest those results, suggesting the stock is much healthier than depicted in recent assessments. Video, Read the rest here 06:03
Coast Guard, F/V Sao Paulo respond to disabled fishing boat 30 miles south of Block Island
Cold? Get on a plane, puke some carbon, and warm up at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend!
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is one of the most popular and most successful events in the Bradenton area every year, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and raising lots of money for an organization that works to preserve the Cortez Fishing Village and the environmentally essential wetland nearby. It’s been so successful that they don’t feel compelled to tamper with its success. So this year’s 34th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will be pretty much like all the others — two days of fresh-from-the-boat seafood, live music from great Bradenton-area bands and tours and displays on local marine life and the commercial fishing industry. Read the rest here 19:44
Maine shrimp – get ’em while they’re hot!
Thanks to a study being conducted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, four trawlers and two trappers have been selected to collect samples of northern shrimp from the Gulf of Maine. Each participating trawler is required to conduct five research trips in one region, and is being compensated $500 per trip. Each would be allowed to sell up to 1,800 pounds of shrimp per trip. Good article! Read the article here 17:30
Video: Coast Guard Aircrew Delivers Dewatering Pump to Vessel Taking on Water North of Depoe Bay, Ore.
A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew lowers a dewatering pump to the crew of the fishing vessel Inseiner as it transits through the Pacific Ocean 11 miles north of Depoe Bay, Ore., Feb.10, 2016. The two-man crew of the Inseiner requested assistance from the Coast Guard after their vessel began taking on water. U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Facility Newport. Watch the video here 17:05
F/V Westward scuttled. She caught a lotta fish, and will for eternity.
The F/V Westward, whose long career focused on catching fish, will now be attracting them. Fuller Marine Services reports the vessel was towed out of Boothbay Harbor, where it has languished for the past few years, and sunk in 100 fathoms of water. Chuck Fuller provided the following statement, as well as photos. “On Saturday, February 6, towed the Westward 32 nautical miles offshore and scuttled her. All pollutants, machinery, and floating material had been removed and the fuel and oil tanks had been cleaned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the permit for the specific location after consulting with local fishermen. Read the story here 12:45
Don’t sell off our fishery to Royal Greenland – Time to “rise up,” Newfoundlanders
I hope I’m not too late, but what is the status of the Royal Greenland company’s plan to seemingly take over the Newfoundland fishery? If it is still under discussion, then I am probably the least qualified person to be entering this fray, but from reading things from much better informed individuals such as Father Ed Brophy, Gus Etchegary and others, it seems that Newfoundlanders are about to lose control of their fishery to Royal Greenland, a foreign company. This cannot be allowed. Read the rest here by Alun Davies, Outer Cove 12:34
VIDEO – Russian Fishermen Catches Giant Squid
There are far too many mysteries that lurks in the deep blue ocean. Among these mysteries are stories of creatures found in the ocean. Ranging from mermaids to krakens or sea monsters. Most of them are stories told by those who claim that they have seen or handed over by those who heard it first hand by those who claimed they saw it. But when these Russian fishermen came across this colossal squid which is nearly close to a giant squid only proves how these mysteries might be true. Watch the video here 11:51
Baker Beach – Body identified as Fisherman Josh Paulus from Eagle III
A body that was found washed ashore at Baker Beach Saturday afternoon has been identified as Josh Paulus, 31, one of the crewmen from the Eagle III, a Port Orford commercial fishing vessel that capsized near the entrance to the Coos Bay bar. Two crewmen — Paulus and Danny Matlock — had been missing from the Jan. 19 sinking. One other, Blaine Steinmetz, was found deceased. The captain of the boat, Glenn Burkhow, survived the incident. Matlock remains missing. Read the rest here 11:12:18 F/V Eagle III Memorial Fund click here
An Important Message From Scott Lang – Please Help Support The Center For Sustainable Fisheries
Greetings from all of us here at CSF, This organization was founded on the principle that our fishermen, and the fishing industry, were not getting their voices heard and we wanted that to change. In the constant clamor over catch limits, stock assessments and bycatch there is little respect afforded to people whose livelihood rests squarely on an ability to discern what is occurring in the ocean month to month. In recent months CSF has ramped up its efforts to highlight the problems facing the industry and our groundfishermen in particular. CSF board members Dave Goethel and John Haran have been highly visible on both local and national media on the issue of industry funding of at-sea monitors. CSF program director Don Cuddy has gained valuable exposure for our mission with his excellent op-ed pieces and also with the recent documentary Counting Fish, filmed on the SMAST yellowtail survey trip. Read the rest here, and please donate. They are in YOUR corner! 10:00Vineyard Fishermen Give Cold Shoulder to Denmark Offshore Wind Developer
A representative from Denmark’s largest energy company had a cold reception in Chilmark this week as commercial fishermen and others discussed a proposed wind farm south of the Vineyard. Andy Revill, a fishermen’s liaison for Dong Energy, traveled from the U.K. to meet with fishermen in preparation for mapping a large area of the sea floor where the company plans to install up to 100 turbines. The 472-square-mile lease area begins 15 miles south of the Vineyard and extends diagonally to the southwest. Mr. Revill said March would be too soon in terms of planning, but he was confident the obstacles could be overcome. “You guys sent people to the moon, so I’m sure we can work this out,” he said. “The moon would be a much better place for a wind farm,” replied Mr. Brighton. Read the rest here 09:21
Polar bears put on show for Labrador fisherman
A fisherman from Labrador got to see a magnificent sight during a fishing trip in the Davis Strait. Jonathon Larkham took a video of two polar bears while he and others were Turbot fishing on factory freezer Saputi on Tuesday. Larkham, who’s from Port Hope Simpson, said they’ve been fishing for four to five weeks, and the thick ice is making it difficult. Watch the video here 09:00
Bodega Bay Crab Fishermen still in Limbo – Crab disaster will headline Thursday’s Fisheries Hearing
Jim Kelly reports from the coast that crab were tested clean a couple of weeks ago which was followed up by a dirty test. Spots up and down the California coast are coming up with two clean tests so we will know soon if tests start coming in consistently clean. But until its consistent – no crab can be harvested. In the mean time the Crab Disaster has become the headline topic at the February 11th 43rd Annual Zeke Grader Fisheries Forum, hearing in Sacramento, Governor Jerry Brown has asked our Federal Government to declare this a “Disaster” to qualify for low interest loans and funding, and re-training for those who want to take a different career path. The list of speakers includes: Read the rest here 08:33
UPDATED! American Eagle Captain, Eight Crewmen board fire stricken Vessel, Suppress fire, Crew Safe
The Coast Guard successfully coordinated the rescue of 42 people who abandoned ship when their 
caught fire approximately 1,800 miles south of the Hawaiian Islands, Wednesday. An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Barbers Point arrived on scene at 5:10 p.m. (HST), established communications with the fishing vessel’s crew and dropped a dewatering pump, flash lights and flares. Fong Seong 888, a Tuvalu-flagged oil tanker, arrived on scene at 5:30 p.m. (HST) to offer additional assistance. The captain of the American Eagle reported smoke had lessened from the disabled fishing vessel and boarded the vessel with eight crew members to suppress the fire. Read the rest here 07:03
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
Always Top Quality! Your Seafreeze Ltd. Preferred Price List for February 10th, 2016 Has Arrived!
Contact our sales team today @ 401 295 2585 or 800 732 273 Click here for the complete price list from Seafreeze Ltd. We are Direct to the Source-We are Fishermen-We are Seafreeze Ltd! Visit our website! 10:49
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
