Daily Archives: March 23, 2016
Framework 55 slashes groundfish quotas, halves at-sea monitors, enviros pissed
It seems the proposed rule, also known as Framework 55, has a little bit of something for everyone to hate. They have until close of business on April 5 to submit their comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Environmental groups, such as Oceana, are bitterly criticizing the projected reduction in ASM for groundfish boats to about 14 percent from about 24 percent, saying the rule will “weaken the chances of recovery for this historic fishery.” Fishermen point to the further reductions in what they already consider minuscule catch quotas and say those reductions — combined with the absorption of the costs for ASM — could finally be the management initiative that shutters the Northeast multispecies groundfish fishery for good. Read the rest here 20:10
Scientists skeptical over proposed EU ban for North American lobsters
North American scientists are refuting Sweden’s claim that an all-out trade ban is needed to head off an invasion of eastern North American lobsters, a move that would rob the Canadian industry of a multi-million dollar market. Last week, petitioned the European Union to list the American lobster as a foreign species, which would prohibit U.S. and Canadian imports of live lobsters to its 28 member states. The move would pose a major threat to Canada’s East Coast fishery which imported about $75 million in live lobster to European markets last year, a figure that the Lobster Council of Canada says accounts for about 10 per cent of live exports. Read the rest here 16:26
Fishing vessel capsizes in the channel of Coos Bay, three safe, skipper believed to be trapped onboard
Rescuers scrambled to find a fishing skipper believed trapped within his capsized vessel in the channel of Coos Bay near the bar just out of Charleston at Buoy 5 Wednesday morning. Coast Guard spokeswoman Rachel Steiner said the Patty AJ was headed into port with a load of fish when it capsized during a turn. Three other crew members were able to escape. A Coast Guard helicopter, two boats and a dive squad were on scene this morning attempting to find the captain. Read the rest here 15:02
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 135′ RSW Trawler 12 Cylinder (2) CAT 3412, CAT Auxiliary’s
Specifications, information and 14 photo’s click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 12:27
Santa Cruz boaters, crabbers upset with harbor entrance restrictions
Boaters and crab fisherman had a few salty words for leaders of the Santa Cruz Port Commission at its meeting Tuesday night, blaming them for poor management of the harbor entrance that could leave crab fisherman unable to motor out of the harbor when commercial crab season opens Friday. Lisa Ekers, the port director, said dredge operators would work day and night starting Wednesday to take advantage of expected dry weather and smaller surf. Commercial fisherman Jason Collins said he was frustrated that more wasn’t done to prepare for an El Niño winter predicted to have larger than normal surf, rainstorms and tons of sand drifting east from the San Lorenzo River near the harbor. photo gallery, Read the article here 09:44
P.E.I. fishermen have concerns about some proposed safety requirements
The P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association has concerns about some of Transport Canada’s proposed changes to safety requirements for commercial fishing vessels. Transport Canada says these changes are designed to help prevent accidents and loss of life. It notes 58 per cent of the fatalities are caused by stability-related accidents and 27 per cent are caused by falling overboard. The proposed changes include new safety equipment requirements, introducing safe operating procedures for crews, and requiring stability assessments for some existing and all new fishing vessels. Read the rest here 08:56
Alaska trawlers furious about Walker’s council nominations
Two months after a heated meeting, trawlers are again accusing Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Sam Cotten of short-changing their industry. Gov. Bill Walker submitted nominations to fill two seats of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council on March 9, sending waves of dissatisfaction throughout an industry segment that claims Walker’s administration is forcing it out of the process at the worst time possible. Trawlers claim nominees were chosen based on fealty to a specific vision of Alaska fisheries rather than experience. Read the rest here 08:07
Maine: Despite chill, elver fishermen eager for start of season
Along the banks of the Union River on Tuesday morning, between the boat launch on Water Street and the Leonard Lake dam, more than a dozen elver fishermen were staking out their spots, waiting for noon to come so they could set up their nets along the banks. More than 10 miles away, in a marsh at the edge of Hog Bay in Franklin, lifelong fisherman Babe Stanley had the banks of a tidal stream all to himself — except for robins darting about and a fox that ran up a nearby hillside. Stanley, 87, trekked through ankle-deep snow that morning from Route 200 to a bend in the creek where he usually sets his nets to await the start of Maine’s 2016 elver season. Read the article here 07:54
