Daily Archives: April 12, 2017
Troubled waters, heartfelt stories in ‘Sacred Cod’ – Tonight on the Discovery Channel
Controversy over New England region’s cod population – Now fishermen spend more time avoiding cod than catching it
Three letters to the editor, one from from Jackie Odell, Executive director Northeast Seafood Coalition, Re “dwindling” cod population no fluke in Mass.” (Editorial, April 5): Small family-owned fishing businesses operating in New England rely upon sound science. In recent years, reports for stocks like Gulf of Maine cod have gone from being overly optimistic to overly pessimistic, seemingly overnight. This flip-flop has justifiably created doubt and suspicion among those who participate in the fishery.,, a joint letter from Reps Keating, Lynch, and Moulton, We represent the Commonwealth’s coastal communities and their hard-working fishermen and -women as well as the scientists working to better understand how the fishery is evolving. We share a common goal: understanding the science that can get us to a sustainable fishery.,, and Peter Dorfman. The cod, which used to be abundant and a staple of our economy, are now scarce and possibly on the verge of extinction. It is a genuine shame that the people responsible for this situation cannot bring themselves to accept what has long been scientifically established fact. Click here to read them, and check out the comments. 19:23
Aleutian Dreams: life as an Alaska fisherman – in pictures
Corey Arnold is a fine art photographer and a commercial fisherman, working the stormy waters of the Bering Sea by Alaska. His latest work documents life in this remote wilderness, both at sea and on the shore, capturing trawlers, foxes, eagles and the grandeur of the scenery. Aleutian Dreams can be seen at Charles A. Hartman Fine Art in Portland, Oregon, until 27 May. The photos are stunning, and worth a look. click here to view the images. 18:32
Connecticut Congressional Members Urge Lobster Regulators To Consider Impact of New Rules on Lobstermen
Connecticut’s remaining lobstermen should be heard before regional fishing regulators decide on a new plan to try and restore Long Island Sound’s lobster population, members of Connecticut congressional delegation urged Wednesday. Five members of the delegation signed a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission asking that they get more feedback from Connecticut lobster operations before approving a final lobster management plan. Long Island Sound’s lobster population crashed in 1988-89. Marine scientists believe that climate change,,, Some Connecticut lobstermen argued that the dramatic population decline coincided with the widespread use of a particular pesticide used by Connecticut and New York to combat mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus. click to read the story here 17:43
Seal hunt provokes fury from activists
Humane Society International strongly condemned Canada’s annual Atlantic seal hunt as “absolutely devastating” just hours after it began Tuesday morning. While the federal government says that strict protocols are followed when authorizing commercial seal hunts, HSI Canada says seals are dragged onto boats and clubbed to death after being impaled on metal hooks, while others die painfully after being shot. “Most adult people can’t bear to watch it on video,” said Rebecca Aldworth, HSI Canada’s executive director. Her organization says that Justin Trudeau’s government, by permitting commercial seal hunts to proceed, is “completely out of step with Canadian values and the international community.” But Adam Burns of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said the seal hunt “provides really important economic activity” to Atlantic Canadian coastal communities. click to read the story 14:53
InnovaSea Systems Inc. has raised $15 million for farming fish in the open ocean
Boston-based InnovaSea Systems Inc. has raised $15 million to develop an all-in-one system for farming fish in the open ocean, an approach that the company and its partners say is vital to a sustainable future for the seafood industry. InnovaSea was formed in 2015 from the merger of Maine’s Ocean Farm Technologies Inc. and another company out of Seattle, Washington. Both companies made large underwater pens to contain fish while they grow big enough to harvest for food. The new funding comes from Cuna Del Mar, an investment firm focused on open-ocean aquaculture. Cuna Del Mar formed InnovaSea after buying a stake in each of its predecessor companies. continue reading the article here 13:28 (you may need to register, easy enough)
CETA Deal could be in force for opening day of lobster season on P.E.I.
Canada’s free trade deal with Europe is only steps away from being ratified in Ottawa, and the Lobster Council of Canada is telling exporters to get ready. When CETA is passed an eight per cent tariffs on live lobster shipped to Europe will immediately disappear, and could happen as soon as May 1, the day the spring lobster season on P.E.I. opens. Lobster industry officials in Maine are worried that the disappearance of those tariffs, while tariffs on U.S. lobster remain, could eat into their exports. “For the lobster sector it will mean tariff free access to 27 countries in Europe over the next number of years,” said Geoff Irvine, executive director of the Lobster Council of Canada. Read the rest here 12:32
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 49ft.x27ft. Crab/Lobster vessel, 6 Cylinder Cat C-18
Specifications, information and 30 photo’s click here To see all the boats in this series, Click here 12:05
San Diego’s commercial fishermen and the Seaport development
“The one commitment I’ll give you is — we’ll never trick you,” Yehudi Gaffen told a crowd of more than 20 commercial fishermen gathered for a meeting at the Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute in mid-March. “This project,” he said of Seaport, “we’re going to own it. It’s the legacy of me and my partner, and the last thing we want is our key stakeholder to feel we pulled a fast one on you.” A few grumbles, some head nods. Though it sounds like the start of a tense relationship, Gaffen’s speech came almost two years into working with San Diego’s fishermen, who have had a hard time trusting the man with grand designs on their home. But what other choice do they have? click here to read the story 11:00
How Did ‘The Codfather’ Rise? Some Say Fishing Rules Pull Up Big Fishermen
While Carlos Rafael waits to hear his fate, some wonder whether there could be another “Codfather.” Critics say fishing industry regulations pave the way for bigger and more corrupt fishing enterprises. But, some, like Janice Plante of the New England Fisheries Managment Council, disagree with those who blame the regulatory system, insisting the rules don’t “make somebody a criminal.” Joining Morning Edition is Niaz Dorry, of the Gloucester-based Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance. She explains why she believes Rafael’s success is connected to fishing industry rules. click here to listen to the audio report 08:32
Crossing the Bar – David C. DuBois of Mattapoisett, founder and principal owner of Marine Safety Consultants, Inc
David C. DuBois, 69, of Mattapoisett passed away suddenly on Saturday April 8, 2017 while finishing a good round of golf with a close friend on a beautiful spring day. He was the loving husband of Patricia “Trish” (Chandler) DuBois. Born in Waterville, Maine, the son of Marie (Dionne) DuBois of Torrington, CT and the late Joseph DuBois, he lived in the South Coast area for many years. David was a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy. He later served in the Coast Guard for 11 years until his discharge as Lieutenant Commander in 1980. He was the founder and principal owner of Marine Safety Consultants, Inc. in Fairhaven, where he was still active in running the day-to-day business. He was proud of his professional achievements, but more proud to include many of those associates in his close group of friends. David was known for his generosity to others. He loved people and helped many throughout his life. He had a personal relationship with everyone he met. click here to read the notice 08:02
On this Day: April 12,1977: “Mother ship of the Russian fishing fleet” seized by Coast Guard off Nantucket
On this day in 1977, a so-called “mother ship of the Russian fishing fleet” off New England was taken to Boston to join another Soviet vessel under guard at the Boston Coast Guard Station for suspicion of violating the new US 200-mile fishing limit. The 503-foot refrigerator-transport vessel Antanas Snechkus (shown below) was seized 100 miles southeast of Nantucket with 100 tons of fish believed to have been caught illegally under the new limit, which took effect March 1, 1977. A day before the Antanas Snechkus was seized, the Coast Guard boarded the 275-foot Russian trawler Taras Shevchenko about 240 miles southeast of Boston and 75 miles inside the limit under direct orders from President Jimmy Carter. click here to read the story 06:33
