Daily Archives: August 15, 2017
Carlos Rafael files a motion of opposition to forfeiture
Carlos Rafael filed a court motion Monday opposing the government’s motion for preliminary order of forfeiture. The New Bedford fishing heavyweight made the request in light of “ongoing discussions” regarding the vessels and permits associated with the guilty plea he made four and half months ago. Rafael pleaded guilty to falsifying labels and fish identification, cash smuggling and tax evasion on March 30. In the plea agreement, Rafael admitted the vessels listed in the indictment were subject to forfeiture. The agreement reserved Rafael the right to challenge the forfeitures. Rafael took advantage of that right,,, click here to read the story 20:49
Alaska’s losing battle
Bristol Bay – Alaska’s highest profile salmon fishery – had a banner year, and yet everywhere in the global market Alaska salmon fisheries look to be in more and more trouble over the long-term. A $2 to $3 dollar per pound commodity in the 1980s ($4 to $6 when corrected for inflation)Bristol Bay sockeye is today a $1 per pound commodity, and there is no sign the pricing is going to get much better. It could actually get worse. Chilean farmed salmon production is again on the rise and production costs in South America are falling. “AquaChile lowered costs by 13 percent in the first quarter of 2017, in line with other competitors,” Reuters reported from Santiago in mid-July.,,, Why does it matter? click here to read the story 19:54
Coast Guard medevacs fisherman off Manasquan Inlet, NJ
The Coast Guard medevaced a fisherman suffering chest pains approximately five-miles off Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey, today. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay were notified via radio, of a 49-year old man aboard a fishing boat, F/V Miss AM, who was reportedly suffering shortness of breath and chest pains at 2:30 p.m. A Coast Guard 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Manasquan Inlet responded, took the man aboard and brought him to awaiting emergency medical services at Station Manasquan Inlet. –USCG– 17:53
Seafood supplier sues over lobster heist
Seafood importer and supplier Maxfield Seafood sued Seneca Logistics over a major seafood theft from its warehouse in Boston, Massachusetts. In the complaint filed in federal court in Massachusetts, Maxfield – which is based out of City of Industry, California – claimed that Seneca was negligent when a truckload of lobster worth USD 318,000 (EUR 271,762) was stolen. In mid-December 2016, Maxfield called Seneca to request transportation of a truckload of lobster which was to be picked up at two locations in Massachusetts, including one in Everett, according to the complaint. click here to read the story 16:45
4R Harvesters want higher halibut quota
Harvesters in the 4R fishing zone may be seeing plenty of halibut this year, but it’s all getting thrown back into the water. Now, they want a larger quota. Some fisherpersons – including Ernest Decker of Rocky Harbour and Stella Mailman of Port au Choix – claim they’re seeing increased volumes of halibut by-catch. They feel, instead of having to release the fish, the quota – currently set at 1,297 pounds per harvester – can be increased substantially without damaging the stocks. Decker says no matter what you’re fishing in 4R – located from Port aux Basques to the Labrador Straits – you’re bound to get a substantial by-catch.,, Mailman believes the quota can be doubled. “They can come in from the Magdalen Islands and have a 12-hour free-for-all, catch 1,400, 1,600, 1,800 pounds,” she said. “But we’re allowed 1,250 pound? Come on, there’s something wrong with that picture. click here to read the story 16:07
Foreign ownership of British fishing fleet investigated
Foreign ownership of the British fishing fleet is being investigated by a government agency, ITV News has learned. There has long been a loophole that allows predominately EU crews to fish in British waters. Operating under a “flag of convenience”, foreign owned and crewed trawlers can fish in British waters as long as they visit a UK port twice a year. Even then, they only need to sell a small part of their catch in Britain. Now, the Marine Management Organisation is investigating the practice. Video, click here 12:25
This article more than appalled me, I was hurt and offended. Genevieve McDonald, F/V Hello Darlin’ II
I am a commercial fisherman out of Stonington, Maine, and though I do not speak on their behalf I am the Downeast Region Representative on the Maine Lobster Advisory Council. I was utterly appalled by the article, What it’s like to kill hundreds of lobsters a day, written by “coastal reporter” Alex Acquisto. click here to read the story The Maine lobster industry is not only vital to the economy of coastal Maine, but is also one of the last natural resource revenue builders in the state of Maine. Through the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative fishermen have invested millions of dollars to promote Maine lobster. But it’s more than that – the Maine lobster industry is iconic. For many of your readers in Washington, Hancock, Waldo, and Knox counties lobster is integral to our culture, identity, and sense of place. click here to read the opinion piece by Genevieve McDonald, F/V Hello Darlin’ II, Stonington, Maine 10:59
Caught on Tape: Vinalhaven Man Formally Charged with Stealing 200 Lbs Lobster, Boat
A man from Vinalhaven accused of stealing more than 200 pounds of lobsters and a boat has been indicted by a Knox County grand jury. 48-year-old Jason Marriner is charged with theft and unauthorized use of property. The Maine Marine Patrol arrested him in April. Investigators started looking into reports of thefts at the Vinalhaven co-op last fall, then again in January – along with thefts at Linda Bean’s facility, Americanus Lobster. Video, click here to watch 10:11
Hurricane Gert forms off East Coast, becoming second hurricane of the season
Gert became the second hurricane of the season Monday night (Aug. 14), National Hurricane Center forecasters said. Monday night, there were no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but forecasters warned that swells generated by Gert are expected to spread northward along the East Coast of the U.S., from North Carolina to Long Island, during the next couple of days. Late Monday, Gert churned about 445 miles west of Bermuda and was moving north at 8 mph, with forecasters calling for a turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed Tuesday night. click here to read the story 09:24
The F/V Akutan’s sad, failed season in Bristol Bay
Fiasco. Disaster. Nightmare. These are words used by those involved with the floating processor Akutan to describe a fishing season gone terribly wrong. The Akutan, owned by Klawock Oceanside, Inc., was supposed to custom process up to 100,000 pounds of Bristol Bay salmon a day for a small fleet of fishermen under the banner Bristol Bay Seafoods, LLC. After July 25, it was bound for the Kuskokwim to give local fishermen their only salmon market.,,, “We’re in peril,” Captain Steve Lecklitner said Saturday. “We know we cannot stay in this river. It’s breaking down our systems. The owners have basically abandoned the vessel. The mortgage holders and the lenders have not established contact. I’m trying to get parts for our generator, and as soon as that’s done, it’s our intention to move the vessel to Dutch Harbor.” click here to read the story 08:16
