Daily Archives: April 28, 2017
N.C. State Senate votes to delay changes to shrimping rules
The N.C. Senate voted Thursday to put up a hurdle to proposed rule-making by the state Marine Fisheries Commission spurred by a petition that calls for more limits on shrimping in coastal waters. SB 342 dictates that a collaborative shrimp gear study commissioned in February 2015 must be completed and reported by the stakeholder group created under a partnership of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and North Carolina Sea Grant. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation asked the state to designate waters in the sounds and 3 miles into the ocean as primary nursery areas for various species starting Jan. 1, 2018. The request includes cutting the number of days shrimping is allowed, the amount of time nets can be in the water and the size of equipment that shrimpers can use. It would also set minimum size limits for croaker of 10 inches and spot of 8 inches. “Both of these actions would have a very detrimental impact on our shrimp fishermen,” a statement from the office of state Sen. Bill Cook, R-Beaufort, said. click here to read the story 16:35
Business Opposition Grows Stronger to Offshore Oil Exploration and Drilling
Today we are delivering our clear message to Interior Secretary Zinke—no offshore oil exploration and drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. With the addition of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce this week, BAPAC represents over 41,000 businesses and over 500,000 commercial fishing families opposing offshore exploration and drilling for oil in the Atlantic. We are building a green wall—business by business—to protect our vibrant tourism, recreation and commercial fishing economy that would be seriously threatened by the marine-life devastation of seimic airgun blasting and the inevitable destructive leaks, spills and industrialization that comes with drilling. We are not the Gulf Coast nor are we envious of the industrialization of the Gulf Coast. Their economy is oil. Ours is tourism, recreation and commercial fishing. The two economies are incompatible. click here to read the story 14:51
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for April 28, 2017
Click here to read the Weekly Update, to read all the updates, Click here 12:20
Most of P.E.I.’s 960-boat spring lobster fleet will set gear Saturday – Fishermen from Point Prim to Victoria will set a week later
Some lobster fishermen started transferring traps from the wharf to their boats on Thursday as preparations for Saturday’s opening of the spring lobster fishing season shifted into high gear. Many of the crews, however, are waiting until Friday to load up. “I hope everybody has a safe season, all across P.E.I and I hope the catches are good,” said Francis Morrissey, president of the Western Gulf Fishermen’s Association. Morrissey said many of the fishermen in his area have been able to catch a fair amount of spring herring for bait to get their season started, and he’s encouraged that the weather conditions for setting day, this Saturday are forecast to be good. click here to read the story, and we wish these fishermen well. Stay Safe! 11:55
It’s Friday! Try the “Of the Sea” brew! Brewing Company Used 30 Lobsters to Make This Beer
Founded by Andrew Cooper and Brett Ellis, The Wild Beer Co. has come out with several eclectic flavors, including sake, toffee apples, and mushrooms. However, their shellfish beer is one of their most interesting yet, partially because of the process that goes into the brewing. According to the official website, the flavor was inspired by the team’s love for lobster bisque and shellfish, and so they held a “bisque-off” to develop the best beer idea. Cooper, Ellis, and the rest of the team boiled 30 (yes, 30) lobsters into a big pot to boil for 12 minutes before stripping their meat away. They got to munch on the fresh lobster while the shells were grilled and boiled once again. Click here to read the story 11:27
14-year-old boats massive bluefin tuna out of Grand Isle
On the hit television show Wicked Tuna, grown men take turns battling bluefin tuna, many times for hours each, and the fish frequently pop lines or pull hooks. The Northeast U.S. anglers should just hire 14-year-old Kaleb Richardson. The Lafayette youngster was fishing with his father, Keith, and friends aboard Keith Richardson’s 58-foot Jarrett Bay Saturday when Kaleb landed an 835-pound bluefin in 55 minutes, louisianasportsman.com reported. The crew was fishing out of Grand Isle on a multi-day trip to the Green Canyon. The crew was fishing out of Grand Isle on a multi-day trip to the Green Canyon. The excursion started successfully, with the anglers leadering, tagging and releasing a 500-pound blue marlin on Thursday. Things slowed down after that, so the crew headed to the Neptune platform Saturday. click here to read the story 09:53
Not exactly a breeze: Offshore wind still faces challenges
Amid all of the challenges that could face offshore wind power along the East Coast — legal disputes from commercial fishing advocates, construction plans altered by whale migrations, President Donald Trump’s emphasis on revitalizing fossil fuels and more — some promising news for renewable industry supporters arrived in mid-March. That’s when a telling indication of how offshore wind power might fare under President Trump was delivered, after an uncertain, wait-and-see winter. Following months of silence about offshore wind, a statement by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke gave an early glimpse of the administration’s tone. click here to read the story 09:22
The Plight of ‘Fish Delight’
It’s the kind of headline meant to grab the attention of the president: “Say Goodbye to the Filet-O-Fish.” The New York Times op-ed by Bren Smith, Sean Barrett, and Paul Greenberg warned that the proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had implications for the pollock, the fish used in McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, which Trump has lovingly called the “fish delight.”,,, Smith, Barrett, and Greenberg contend that the Trump administration’s proposed 17 percent cut in funding for NOAA and its subsidiary, the National Marine Fisheries Service, will have an adverse impact not only on the president’s sandwich, but also the fishing industry. ” ,,, The Seafood Harvesters of America, which represents the interests of commercial fishing (lol!),,, click here to read the story 08:37
