Monthly Archives: May 2016
Coast Guard medevacs Fisherman off Gloucester coast
A Coast Guard crew medevaced a 47-year-old fisherman Wednesday off the coast of Gloucester. Watchstanders at Sector Boston’s command center received the report at approximately 11:40 a.m. from a crew member aboard the commercial fishing vessel, First Impression II, homeported in Sorrento, Maine, that another crew member was suffering from chest pains. A 29-foot response boat from Station Gloucester arrived on scene first at 11:59 a.m. A crew followed quickly behind with Gloucester Fire Department emergency medical technicians aboard and arrived on scene at 12:03 p.m. The EMTs boarded the First Impression II to give the patient medical attention, and the Coast Guard escorted the vessel back to Station Gloucester. First Impression II moored at 12:20 p.m., and emergency medical services personnel transported the man to Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Link 16:16
‘Wicked Tuna’ captain Jessie Anderson quits Wicked Tuna reality show
Fishing captain Myjestic “Jessie” Anderson, part of the all-women crew on the National Geographic Channel’s hit documentary series, Wicked Tuna – Outer Banks, will not be on the reality show when it airs this summer. Anderson decided to focus on the charter fishing business aboard her boat Carolina Girl out of Hatteras Harbor, she said Wednesday. “I do better fishing on my own,” she said. Anderson did not take part in the filming of season three from January to March. The boat Reel Action will also not be part of the third season, Anderson said. Read the rest here 15:47
Thousands of Chilean fishermen protest low compensation as Deadly Red Tide Blooms in Southern Chile
Thousands of Chilean fishermen blocked roads with barricades in the region of Los Lagos on Monday and Tuesday, saying government efforts to mitigate the economic effects of a harmful algal bloom have been insufficient. For the last four weeks, the southern-central region of Los Lagos has been plagued by what scientists say is the biggest “red tide” in its history. The red tide – an algal bloom that turns the sea water red – is a common, naturally recurring phenomenon in southern Chile, though the extent of the current outbreak is unprecedented. The government has offered to pay each affected family 100,000 pesos ($151) each in compensation, an amount fishermen have widely rejected as insufficient. Read the rest here 14:44
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 42′ Wood Lobster boat, 250HP, 8 Cylinder Detroit 871
Specifications, information and 13 photos click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 11:56
Letter: Lobster decline’s link to warmth not clear
On Saturday, The Bulletin presented an article, “Research supports blaming warmer waters for lobster decline,” which was somewhat confusing. On my weekly visits to the local markets, large marine seawater aquariums are typical and usually overfilled with lobsters with frequent sales available, indicating little or no decline noticeable for the popular lobster. These are animals typical marine bottom-feeders living in cold bottom water temperatures, characteristic of the marine environment. The article reports that the populations in New England waters are booming. The temperature typical of the lobster environment was not reported, and therefore one can only assume that bottom water temperature has not changed significantly and probably is not a factor in the lobster environment. Without the temperature data available, it is hard to understand the suggestion concerning lobster decline in the article. Many of these types of presentations appear to be based on emotion and not on the scientific data. DONALD E. LEONE SR. Norwich link 11:19
N.J. rec fisherman “Johnny Bucktail” faces wave of anger after fish tossing video goes viral
A Monmouth County fisherman is facing a firestorm of criticism — mostly from fellow fishermen — for a video he posted online showing him tossing numerous motionless fish overboard. The video, posted Monday to Facebook and Youtube and which you can see above, shows John Contello of Hazlet on board his father’s 37-foot Sea Hunter boasting of the number of striped bass being caught as he looks down on a pile of fish in the back of his boat. He then proceeds to throw two of them through the air and back into the water. Commenters attacked like sharks. Video, read the rest here 10:41
Last In, First Out review sees duelling public campaigns by inshore and offshore shrimp harvesters
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will review the Last In, First Out (LIFO) policy for the northern shrimp fishery and that has two groups of harvesters launching two very different public campaigns. Earlier this year the federal government announced it would temporarily suspend the controversial policy. Some fishermen fear a review will work against the smaller inshore boats as they were the last to enter the fishery. In an attempt to win favour by tugging on the hearts and minds of people in this province, both inshore and offshore supporters have released videos. Watch the competing videos here 09:16
Saving the Salmon – 38 sea lions killed near Bonneville Dam this year
Wildlife workers from Oregon and Washington have killed 38 California sea lions at Bonneville Dam this year. That’s the most in any single year since getting approval from NMFS in 2008. NOAA spokesman Michael Milstein says it appears the program is working. “These are the fish that a lot of people are working really hard to save by improving habitat and making improvements at the dam and we don’t want to lose ground by having them be eaten by sea lions on their way back to spawn,” he said. The authorization to kill the animals runs out in June of 2016. Oregon and Washington have asked for another five years. NMFS is expected to decide in June or July. Video Read the rest here 08:09
Coast Guard, NOAA resolve two closed area fishing cases for $80,000
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently resolved two civil penalty cases with two separate fishing vessel owners who violated the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act when their crews were found fishing in closed areas. Following up on a referral from the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Vessel Monitoring program, a Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 crew sighted the fishing vessel Warrior, homeported in New Bedford, Mass., on March 21, 2014 fishing for scallops within Closed Area II Essential Fish Habitat, which is about 120 miles east of Cape Cod, Mass. On April 30, 2013 the fishing vessel Crystal Girl B, a vessel homeported in Cape May, N.J. was also detected fishing for scallops inside Closed Area I, an area about 30 miles southeast of Cape Cod, Mass., by a crew aboard the Coast Guard cutter Tybee. The Warrior owner paid a civil penalty of $39,360 on April 1, 2016 for fishing in a closed area and deficiencies with its vessel monitoring system and the Crystal Girl B owner agreed to pay $40,750 on March 18, 2016 for closed area violations, including fishing in a closed area. Read the rest here 18:39
What is Pew really up to?!! The UN and the Oiligarchs Are Teaming Up to Take Over the Oceans
Spiro Skouras joins us today to discuss his recent expose on the UN’s Agenda 2030 global goals, its oiligarch and billionaire backers, and the attempt to take over the world’s oceans. From “no go zones” and hydrocarbon rights to the shady characters and groups that are funding this resource grab, you won’t want to miss this informative interview. Take 13 minutes and 30 seconds to see what the Pew Charitable Trust, and their paid Welfare Queen’s are really up to with these vast area’s they want to become Marine Reserves that exclude fishing, but could include hydrocarbon extraction. Watch the video here 16:56
Terrible weather conditions are blamed for slow start to lobster fishery in Fortune Bay
Exceptional windy conditions resulted in most fishers only being able to haul their pots three or four times during each of the first two weeks of the season, which opened on April 16. Veteran fish harvester Ernest Follett of Grand Bank said his catch rate is down over 30 per cent compared to the first week or so of fishing last year. “It’s not fit,” he said. “With the wind from the northeast, the lobsters just don’t crawl.” Another factor may also have affected catch rates. During the first week of the season, many of the Grand Bank lobster fishers had no choice but to use frozen herring for bait as very little fresh fish was available. Read the story here 16:19
How will battery of new regulations affect Southern New England’s lobster fishermen?
Southern New England’s fading lobster fishery will be subject to a battery of new regulations, possibly closed fishing areas and stricter size standards, to try to save the crustacean’s population locally.,, But the catches on SouthCoast have not been as bad as the numbers may indicate, local lobstermen say. “The past three years have been the best I’ve ever seen,” said Jarrett Drake, a lobsterman in Marion for 26 years. “And that’s the same for everyone around me, the stock assessments are brought down by places off Virginia and Maryland that aren’t doing very well.” The overall decline, however, is here to stay, said Beth Casoni, associate executive director for the Mass. Lobstermen’s Association. “The environmental factors will continue to cause this decline, with what we know about warming,” Casoni said. “But it’s unfortunate that Massachusetts and Rhode Island Area Two, lobstermen are in this stock that is in such a downward spiral.” Read the rest here 14:47
‘Deadliest Catch’ Drama of the Week: Is Captain Wild Bill Questioning His Son’s Manhood?
“Deadliest Catch” is bringing some surprises to the wheelhouse this season, with the many ups and downs of new–and seasoned–skippers. Last week, fans saw Captain Keith deciding to make a change in his life; tonight on Discovery Channel, will Captain Wild Bill ask some similarly life-altering questions? Wild Bill’s relationship with his son has always seemed strained. Wild Bill, of course, is an old-school fisherman, guiding the Cape Caution with all that his years of experience at sea have taught him. And, typically, that approach is much more direct and black-and-white than that of his son, Zack Larson, who grew up with today’s, let’s face it, more forgiving-of-failure attitude. Wild Bill’s expectations for his son are extremely high, but, time and time again, it just seems Zack disappoints. Read the rest here 14:09
China Trains ‘Fishing Militia’ To Sail Into Disputed Waters
The fishing fleet based in this tiny port town on Hainan island is getting everything from military training and subsidies to even fuel and ice as China creates an increasingly sophisticated fishing militia to sail into the disputed South China Sea. The training and support includes exercises at sea and requests to fishermen to gather information on foreign vessels, provincial government officials, regional diplomats and fishing company executives said in recent interviews. “The maritime militia is expanding because of the country’s need for it, and because of the desire of the fishermen to engage in national service, protecting our country’s interests,” said an advisor to the Hainan government who did not want to be named. Read the story here 13:28
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance spokesman blasts NMFS over Red Snapper reallocation
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a decision to re-allocate quota in favor of recreational fishermen, much to the dismay of commercial catchers. According to the rule published on the Federal Register on April 28, the recreational sector will get 51.5% of the quota, not their usual 49%. Eric Brazer, Jr., deputy director of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, lambasted NMFS for the move. “Despite overwhelming opposition from the public, scientists, environmentalists, seafood supply chain, and our legal representative, not to mention unanimous opposition from the commercial red snapper industry, NMFS has decided to take red snapper allocation away from commercial fisherman and give it to the recreational sector that has overfished its allocation for nearly a quarter century,”,, Read the rest here 12:55
An Indonesian Fisherman claims he heard an Angel fall from the sky!
Indonesian villagers were shocked to discover the “angel” they found on a beach was actually a sex toy. The figure was found last month by a fisherman who claimed he heard the “angel child” falling from the sky. Local media said it was “found face down, crying and naked covered only by a white cloth”. It was described as “shining white, with round eyes with red eyebrows”. Pardin, 21, rescued it from the water and took it home, where his mother took care of it like a real human, dressing it every day in a different blouse and hijab and sitting in a chair. Word spread in the small village on Banggai island off central Sulawesi with embellishments added to the story too, such as that the ‘angel child’ was found stranded and crying, according to local media. link 12:41
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoes offshore wind project again
Christie has vetoed a bill that could have resurrected Fishermen’s Energy’s 24MW Atlantic City offshore wind project. The legislation, which passed both houses of the state legislature in March, would have required regulators to open a new 30-day application window for small offshore wind projects. The Board of Public Utilities previously rejected Fishermen’s pilot over cost and viability concerns. It’s the second time Christie has quashed Fishermen’s hopes. He vetoed a similar bill in January. Read the rest here 12:16
Connecticut: Free Safety and Survival Training by Fishing Partnership Support Services May 04, 2016
This hands-on training, provided at no cost to commercial fishermen, is sponsored by Fishing Partnership Support Services, and conducted by Coast Guard Certified Marine Safety Instructors. The one day program includes: on-board firefighting, flooding & pump operations, flares & EPIRBS, survival suits, life raft equipment, man overboard and helicopter hoist procedures. Lunch is provided courtesy of Ocean Marine Insurance Agency. This training is sponsored by Connecticut Sea Grant, UCONN at Avery Point and AMSEA and is supported by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership (MFP). Location: UCONN at Avery Point – 1084 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT, 06340 Date: May 04, 2016 Time: 09:00am – 04:00pm Details, and registration form, click here 09:30
New England fishermen get a break on monitoring costs
Commercial groundfishermen had their projected cost for at-sea monitoring cut in half this year, but fishermen say it is still unfair they’re forced to pay for policing of their own work. NOAA lightened the fishermen’s burden because data shows the federal agency can obtain adequate information on fish populations with less monitoring coverage than initially determined. Fishermen have said it is unconstitutional for NOAA to force them to pay for their own policing. Hampton fisherman David Goethel said NOAA’s reduction in coverage is not enough to satisfy fishermen. “It’s obviously an improvement,” Goethel said, “But it still doesn’t alleviate the big problem, which is we shouldn’t be paying at all.” Read the rest here 08:15
BP Drops drop its bid to avoid paying 1 Billion Seafood Industry Spill Payments
After fighting for more than two years to avoid paying almost $1 billion in oil spill damages to Gulf Coast shrimpers, oystermen and seafood processors it claimed didn’t exist, BP Plc has thrown in the towel. A federal judge in New Orleans Monday allowed BP to drop its bid to avoid paying the second half of $2.3 billion in compensation promised to seafood interests harmed by the blown-out well. The subsea gusher pumped more than 4 million barrels of crude into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, closing fisheries and blackening the shores of five states. BP had paid out about $1 billion of the seafood fund when it balked at paying the remainder after discovering irregularities in one law firm’s client list. The seafood payout is a separate earmark within BP’s Read the rest here 07:23
Humboldt commercial crab season to open, but with an exception
Press release from Department of Fish and Wildlife: Except for one area within Humboldt County, the California coast is open for recreational Dungeness crab fishing. The commercial crab fishery will follow in the same areas, opening May 12. The recreational Dungeness crab fishery is open north of 41° 17.6’ N latitude at the southern boundary line of Reading Rock State Marine Conservation Area (near Redwood Creek), Humboldt County to the California/Oregon border, however the recreational fishery remains closed between 40° 46.15’ N latitude (a line extending due west from the west end of the north jetty at the entrance of Humboldt Bay) and 41° 17.6’ N latitude. Read the rest here 21:28
Dock To Dish Montauk: Local ‘Know Your Fisherman’ Movement Goes International
Sean Barret, a co-founder of Montauk Restaurant Supported Fishery (RSF), grew up on the East End of Long Island. “I have been involved with fishing and restaurants my entire life. Since we were young kids we would make dinner at night with what we caught that day, that’s how we grew up,” he noted. “Then a few years ago I was in Spain’s Basque Country and noticed the fishermen coming in and bringing their catch directly from the harbor straight into the local restaurants. A light bulb turned on.” Read the rest here 19:11
Video: Fisherman airlifted by Coast Guard to South Jersey hospital
A fisherman aboard a scallop boat off the South Jersey coast had to be airlifted when he needed medical attention on Sunday afternoon. The man on board the 90-foot fishing vessel Linda based in New Bedford, Mass. radioed into the Coast Guard seeking help for an unspecified medical issue for a 63-year-old man. according to the Coast Guard. Despite the rain a crew from the Coast Guard’s Atlantic City station hoisted the man off the boat 60 miles southeast of Atlantic City and took him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus in Galloway. Read the rest here Watch video here 16:24
Southern New England Lobstermen face new restrictions
Southern New England’s fading lobster fishery will be the subject of a battery of new regulations to try to save the crustacean’s population locally. The interstate Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Lobster Management Board voted on Monday to use new management measures to address lobster decline. In 2013, the number of adult lobsters in New England south of Cape Cod was estimated at about 10 million. That is one-fifth the total in the late 1990s. The lobster board says new regulations will be fully phased in by June 2019. They could include things like closed seasons, closed fishing areas and trapping cutbacks. Read the rest here 15:44
Lobster fishermen optimistic about catch, worried about price as season begins
As lobster fishing season begins in parts of the Maritimes, many fishermen are expressing both optimism and worry.The season is now open in lobster fishing areas 23, 24 and 26 A and B, which cover northern New Brunswick, the north coast of Prince Edward Island and the eastern portion of the Northumberland Strait, including western Cape Breton Island. Fishermen set their pots Saturday and will begin hauling them Monday. While they are confident the lobsters are plentiful, they’re not certain whether they will get a fair price for their catch. If they don’t, they say their boats could remain tied up at the wharf. Video, read the rest here 11:30
Spanish fish barons admit taking illegal catches in UK waters
Two companies run by Spanish fishing tycoons are set to receive one of the largest ever fines for illegal fishing – expected to be more than £1m – when they appear in a British court this week. Manuel Vidal Suarez and Maria Dolores Vidal Marino, from Galicia, Spain, together with two fishermen who served on their boats, will appear at Truro Crown Court, Cornwall, on Wednesday, following charges against their companies that they “recklessly furnished false information” – falsified log books and landing declarations to hide the amount of fish their boats had caught in UK waters. Read the story here 10:02
Aussie fishermen use drone to catch massive tuna
Forget sitting idly for hours with an empty hook at the end of your line. A pair of WA fishermen have come up with an “ingenious” and remarkably efficient way to nab a catch – all with the help of a drone. In a video uploaded to YouTube late last week Jaiden MacClean from Dunsborough and his mate Byron Leal load their drone up with a baited hook. At the other end of the line Mr Leal is waiting on shore with a fishing rod. Once a school of tuna is spotted, the drone drops the line in with pinpoint accuracy. Within seconds an enormous tuna takes the bait and Mr Leal reels in the prize catch. Watch video, read the rest here 09:22
Companies Express Disappointment in Slow Progress of South Pacific Tuna Treaty Negotiations
“The
has been unable to operate at full capacity due to ongoing Treaty negotiations since August of 2015. Our Fleet was forced to cease fishing operations entirely in the first quarter of this year. Even so, we have not wavered and have been working against the clock since the U.S. announced a formal withdrawal from the existing Treaty in January. As I have stated before, a dissolution of this Treaty would be devastating to the U.S. Fleet and the tuna industry as a whole, collapsing the vessels operating under U.S. Flag, as well as the commercial operations that depend on their harvest. This has a direct effect on thousands of jobs in the Islands Nations, American Samoa and in the continental U.S. Read the story here 08:34
Carp herpes Intervention? Eradication program will damage environment, commercial fisherman warns
A dramatic plan to eradicate European carp from the Murray-Darling river system using a strain of the herpes virus may cause a pollution problem with dead fish littering waterways, a South Australian carp catcher has warned. Commercial carp fisherman Garry Warrick said his biggest fear over the plan was the prospect of water pollution from the dead pest. Yesterday the Government announced the $15 million project that would see a strain of the herpes virus, which was discovered in Israel, released into the river system by the end of 2018. Read the story here 07:59
ASMFC Spring Meeting – May 2-5, 2016, Alexandria, Virginia
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in Alexandria, Virginia at The Westin Alexandria 400 Courthouse Square May 2-5, 2016. The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. Interested parties should anticipate Boards starting earlier or later than indicated herein. Board/Section meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning at 9:00 a.m. on May 2nd and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 2:30 p.m.) on May 5th. Click here for details, Click here for webinar 18:42
