Daily Archives: March 15, 2016
Coast Guard investigates sunken fishing boat at New Bedford Pope’s Island
A crane pulled out a small fishing boat that sank off Pope’s Island Marina Tuesday morning. The Coast Guard received notification of the sunken 37-foot fishing vessel, named Elizabeth & Jessica of Scituate, at 7:30 a.m. At about 12:15 p.m., workers from Tucker Roy Marine Towing & Salvage who were called by the owner, were pumping water out of the boat. “We are not really sure how this happened,” said Harbormaster David Condon at the scene. “It’s been lifted out by a crane and pumped. It will be hauled out this afternoon.” Read the rest here 21:31
Commercial Fisherman Andy Mays given the first DMR Excellence Award. Congratulations, Andy!
Andy Mays is not often at a loss for words. But when the Southwest Harbor lobster fisherman and scalloper was called up on stage at the Fisherman’s Forum banquet earlier this month to receive a new award from Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner Patrick Keliher, he was caught off guard. “I’m speechless. I think this is the first time I’ve ever been speechless,” he said. The DMR Excellence Award, presented for the first time this year, recognizes industry members who participate with the department to ensure a sustainable future for Maine’s commercial fisheries. Mays was honored for his 25-plus years of service and participation on DMR advisory councils. A great story about a great guy. Read the rest here 14:41
Obama reverses course, won’t allow Atlantic coast oil drilling
The Obama administration is reversing course on opening Atlantic waters to a new generation of oil and gas drilling, after a revolt by environmentalists and coastal communities that said the activity threatened marine life, fishing and tourism along the East Coast. The proposed offshore leasing program to be released Tuesday eliminates the administration’s initial plan to auction off drilling rights in as many as 104 million acres of the mid- and south-Atlantic in 2021, according to an Interior Department official who requested anonymity because the plan wasn’t yet public. Read the rest here 14:10
Audio Report: Supporters Say Lobster Marketing Efforts Paying Off
The first year of Maine’s new lobster marketing effort is starting to pay off. That’s according to supporters, who believe the $1.5 million invested is boosting the profile of a premier brand. And they believe the next four years of the campaign will reap significant rewards for the industry. Given the popularity of the Maine lobster, you might think that chefs everywhere would be comfortable plating it up. But as Matt Jacobsen of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative told a legislative committee recently, that’s not the always the case. Audio, Read the rest here 11:13
Paying It Forward in Blueline Tilefish
Several commercial fishermen from the Outer Banks have been paying it forward this winter with donations of fish to a local food pantry. Buddy Coppersmith (F/V Emily Shay), Jimmy Taylor (F/V Windy Gale), and Dewey Hemilright (F/V Tar Baby), have been commercial fishermen for most of their lives. Recently, they’ve been working under a cooperative research grant collecting data that will improve future stock assessments for blueline tilefish. Read the article here 09:59
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for March 14, 2016
Click here to read the Weekly Update, to read all the updates, Click here 09:55
Canadian Coast Guard accepts new light-lift helicopter in Shearwater, Nova Scotia
The honorable Hunter Tootoo, minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the honorable Judy M. Foote, minister of public services and procurement, and Jody Thomas, commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, have accepted the last new light-lift helicopter into the Canadian Coast Guard fleet. “These made-in-Canada light-lift helicopters are faster, safer, more reliable and more efficient than the models they are replacing,” said Tootoo. “By renewing the fleet of helicopters, our government is providing the women and men of the Coast Guard with the modern equipment they need to better serve Canadians.” Read the rest here 09:10Gig Harbor fishing boat sailed for 77 years
In his younger days, Jim Richards saw dollar signs when storms rolled in at the start of fishing season. The Gig Harbor man knew they’d drive away many of his competitors, giving him and his crew in the steady Bergen more room to rake in the cod they sold to raise their families. “That boat could go out and do anything, and it was better than the bigger boats,” Richards said over the weekend. “The Bergen has caught millions and millions and millions of pounds of halibut and it has provided really good jobs for guys for a long time,” said Richards, 59. “It’s sad that she’s gone.” Read the rest here 08:18
Salvage of fishing vessel Bergen to resume Tuesday in Bellingham
Efforts to salvage the wrecked fishing boat Bergen and pull its remains out of Bellingham Bay will resume Tuesday, March 15, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology. Three fishermen were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard early Thursday when the commercial fishing boat broke free from its moorage in a windstorm with gusts of 70 mph. The 52-foot wooden boat hit a seawall south of Seaview Avenue, after drifting about 300 yards to the west. The boat, which was built in 1939 and based in Gig Harbor, had been moored near Bellingham Cold Storage, 2825 Roeder Ave.as the crew prepared for a three-month trip to Bristol Bay to fish for black cod. Video, Read the rest here 06:50
