Daily Archives: February 12, 2018
Benchmark study of lobsters begins
In 2015, data collected in a benchmark assessment of New England lobster stocks showed record-high abundance for the combined stocks of the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank and record lows for the lobster stock of southern New England. Now, about three years later, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is beginning preparations for the next American lobster benchmark assessment that is expected to be completed around March 2020. “We’re in the very early stages right now,” said Jeff Kipp, senior stock assessment scientist at the Arlington, Virginia-based ASMFC that regulates the Northeast lobster fishery. “The process will be mostly data-driven.” >click to read< 21:10
SMAST meeting brings fishing, offshore wind in the same room
Offshore wind developers spent the majority of a 3-hour meeting Monday attempting to win over the local commercial fishing industry. For much of he meeting, the fishermen in attendance rolled their eyes, scoffed at various PowerPoint slides and even went as far as to say offshore wind is unwanted. “Nobody wanted this,” one fisherman out of Point Judith said. “Nobody wanted problems. We are assured there would be none. And here we are.” Twenty members of the Fisheries Working Group on Offshore Wind Energy sat around a table at SMAST East hoping to solve various issues between the two ocean-based industries. >click to read< 18:09 
Large-scale fraud under investigation at Rockland lobster company
State and local law enforcement agencies are investigating a suspected large-scale fraud and theft case that targeted a local seafood business. Chad W. Salvas, 39, of Rockland was arrested last May and charged with two felony theft and two felony forgery charges. At the time, the business owner of J&J Lobster told police he suspected his dock manager, Salvas, had stolen the money, according to an affidavit filed in court by the Rockland Police Department. >click to read< 17:36
Still No Charges for the Company Behind Canada’s Largest Mining Spill
The company responsible for the Mount Polley mine spill—one of the largest environmental disasters in Canadian history—has found out it’s not going to face any charges in British Columbia. The news likely has billionaire Murray Edwards, owner of Imperial Metals and the Mount Polley mine (and the Calgary Flames) toasting with his rich friends in London (where he lives to avoid paying taxes). If you’re not in BC, there’s a chance the aerial images of the disaster haven’t already scarred you forever. This is what the collapsed tailings pond at the Mount Polley mine looked like in August 2014. >click to read< 16:55
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Raleigh, NC February 13 thru 15, 2018
The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s meeting in Raleigh, NC at the Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh/Crabtree Valley 3912 Arrow DriveRaleigh, NC, 27612 Briefing Materials & Agenda Overview Agenda >click here< Attend Meeting with Adobe Connect >click here< Listen Live! www.mafmc.org 14:40
Fishing boat to be raised from Loch Fyne to give families ‘closure’
Families of two dead fishermen have been given hope that they will be able to bury their loved ones after ministers announced they will look at salvaging the wreck.,,, The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) had been surveying the site to decide if the wreck could be raised but said it could not. But the Scottish Government has said it will now work with salvage specialists and the families of the crewmen to support efforts to retrieve the bodies of the missing fishermen. >click to read< 13:54
HR 200 – 24 Fishing Groups from Around the Nation Call for Magnuson-Stevens Act Reforms
Twenty-four members of Saving Seafood’s National Coalition for Fishing Communities (NCFC) are calling on Congress to enact broad reforms to the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), including allowing for greater flexibility in how stocks are rebuilt and changes to how new management programs are implemented. The proposals, delivered in a letter to Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, would, according to the signers, lead to a reauthorization that “allows for both sustainable fisheries management, and the long-term preservation of our nation’s fishing communities.” >click to read< 13:22 
Fundraiser: F/V Queen Ann’s Revenge – Please support my friend
Paul Matos was the owner of fishing boat Queen Ann’s Revenge. Sadly, his boat sank early Thursday morning. They sent out a call for help aroubd 1:20am, and that was the last time they were heard from. Debris has been found, but no bodies. The coast guard has called off the search as of this morning. Paul left behind my very good friend, Amy Romano, and their daughter, Stella. Any money raised would help towards whatever type of memorial the family would throw, plus it would take some stress off of Amy in this extremely hard time. >click to donate if you can<12:34
Point Pleasant Dad Was ‘Married’ To Ocean. That’s Where He Died.
Dennis Smalling was married to the ocean. And that’s where he went missing, and that’s where he’s lost. And that’s where a cross was erected to remember the fisherman whose likely death has a community in mourning. Even as his mom, and his 12-year-old daughter, still hope he comes home. The Point Pleasant native was only 34 when he and his shipmate, Paul Matos, 30, of Bayville, disappeared at sea last week. >click to read< 11:05
OPINION: Fisheries Act changes bring Canada into the 21st century
Despite warnings in your Feb. 1 editorial that changes to the Fisheries Act were “pure madness,” the opposite in fact is true. For the most part, the upgrades are common sense, enable existing policy frameworks and bring Canada into the era of modern fisheries management. Bill C-68 tabled last week is the culmination of not just the past 18 months of consultation, but more than two decades of pressure to modernize the Fisheries Act. It is 150 years old this year – only the British North America Act is more ancient – and it’s high time that Canada updated the contents. >click to read< 09:58
