Daily Archives: September 10, 2016
China Fishery against court appointing a US trustee
Beleaguered China Fishery has claimed that the appointment of a United States trustee would subject its bankruptcy estate to “greater costs than benefits” and result in a “severe destruction of value” for stakeholders. The Singapore-listed fishmeal supplier had filed for Chapter 11 protection in New York in June, along with more than 15 affiliates. Its parent firm, Hong Kong-based Pacific Andes International, also filed for bankruptcy in New York. China Fishery said the filing is aimed at stopping a fire sale of its assets, particularly its most valuable – the Peruvian fishmeal business that is valued at up to US$1.7 billion (S$2.3 billion). In bankruptcy papers obtained by The Straits Times, China Fishery argued that the appointment of a trustee would be “perceived as a mandate to comply with the lenders’ desire for a quick sale”. Further, “additional costs would compound” as a trustee would be “entitled to commissions of up to US$30 million for each US$1 billion of asset distributions”, it said in court papers filed on Sept 2. Read the story here 19:15
North Carolina company plans a large-scale test of its artificial lobster bait in Nova Scotia traps later this year
Kepley Biosystems conducted a pilot study here last year and the small Greensboro, N.C., company aims to have local fishermen bait as many as 200 traps in November and December with its hockey puck-shaped tablets that, once immersed in water, mimic the smell of decomposing herring. “There’s definitely a lot of possibility to have this be a very, very disruptive technology that could bring in a lot of money,” Anthony Dellinger, the scientist who heads the company, told Local Xpress. Crustacean fishing is a $66-billion global market that now requires about 18 million tons of baitfish a year. That’s worth an estimated $20 billion annually, he said. The calcium-based tablets, dubbed OrganoBait, could eliminate the effort and resources it takes to catch bait, such as herring, that’s used to catch lobster, said Dellinger, who has a PhD in nanoscience. Read the story here 11:26
Deadliest Catch Dungeness Cove – Meet Captain Kenny Ripka
Tell me about your career. I’m a commercial fisherman. I’ve been doing this since I was 14 years old. It’ the only job I’ve ever had in my whole life. How did you get involved in the show? I was fishing shrimp in Westport Washington and I got a phone call from my dad. He said, “They’re thinking about shooting a ‘Deadliest Catch’ show here in Oregon. They found us, but we never thought we’d be on TV. It all started with a phone call. What can viewers expect to see? Viewers will see exactly what it’s like to fish crabs off the coast of Oregon. It’s highly intense and stressful. They’ll also see what it’s like to manage home life and fishing. And a lot of crappy weather! Read the rest of the interview here 10:47
Swipe card system will help track Maine sea urchin fishery
Maine’s 2016-2017 sea urchin season will be a repeat of last season in terms of the number of fishing days and daily landing limits. But state regulators are launching a new swipe card system to track the activity of harvesters and dealers. The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) hopes the system will create efficiencies for fishermen, dealers and DMR staff. They also hope it will support efforts to keep the fishery sustainable. By automating required weekly dealer reports, previously done on paper, “swipe cards reduce the chance of human error which can occur when transcribing landings information,” said Trisha Cheney, DMR resource management coordinator for sea urchins. Read the story here 10:08
Bluefin tuna – ‘The biggest, baddest fish in the ocean’
The love of the bluefin tuna runs deep in Jeff MacNeill. Captain Jeff, as he’s called, is the third generation in his family to fish for the giant bluefin. As long as he can remember, he has posed for photos next to the giant fish that have been hauled aboard a boat in what he calls “the battle.” “They’re so big, they’re so beautiful, they’re five times stronger than any other fish in the ocean,” said MacNeill. “It’s the biggest, baddest fish in the ocean and they’re right on our door step.” “It’s basically you’re hooking on to a Volkswagen is what you’re doing.” But it’s not all glory. MacNeill recalls many years ago when he went out for 28 days in a row without getting a bite.”I get emotional thinking about it, they’re just the greatest fish in the world. They are.” Read the story here, with more images 09:40
Furuno unveils new radar with Bird Mode feature
Furuno introduced its new DRS6AX “X-Class” Radar, which it said brings a refined 6kW open array to NavNet TZtouch and TZtouch2. For fishermen, the company said the DRS6AX introduces a new “Bird Mode” that delivers bird detection performance to NavNet TZtouch or TZtouch2 display. Furuno said flocks of birds can easily be picked out at various ranges without manual tuning, with a tap of the Bird Mode feature. It is possible to discern the movement of individual birds within a flock utilizing Echo Trails. The maximum pulse length delivers 50 percent more “Power On Target” than previous DRS radars, the company said. Read the rest here 08:17
State of New York finalizes safe harbor rules for commercial fishermen
New York has finalized guidelines for commercial fishing boats seeking safe harbor in storms and other adverse conditions, eight months after the state lost a court case against one East End fisherman because the rules weren’t in writing. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the new safe harbor guidelines will give clarity to fishing boat captains faced with potential dangers at sea by defining the conditions under which they can seek permission to enter New York ports while on federally registered commercial fishing trips. The guidelines require captains to notify the DEC before entering port in the state to seek permission to enter. The DEC said the rules were welcomed by fishermen, but one local fishing advocate argued the guidelines are “toothless” because they don’t grant fishermen any rights. Read the story here 07:56
