Daily Archives: March 14, 2018
Fisheries scientist takes the spotlight in Fishing Heritage Center’s ‘A Day in the Life’ series
The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s A Day in the Life speaker series continues tonight, March 15, with SMAST fisheries scientist Crista Bank. Beginning at 7 p.m., Bank will share her story and discuss the cooperative research she is currently conducting with the commercial fishing industry. Admission to A Day in the Life is free for Fishing Heritage Center members, and $5 for non-members. The Center is handicap accessible through the parking lot entrance. Free off-street parking available. >click to read<22:33
New Washington directive aims to help endangered orcas
With the number of endangered Puget Sound orcas at a 30-year low, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed an executive order directing state agencies to take immediate and longer-term steps to protect the struggling whales. The fish-eating mammals, also known as killer whales, that spend time in Puget Sound have struggled for years because of lack of food, pollution, noise and disturbances from vessel traffic. There are now just 76, down from 98 in 1995. Inslee said the orcas are in trouble and called on everyone in the state to do their part. >click to read<20:49
Sam Parisi sends an update on Senator Markey and S1322, the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act
Dear Readers I am pleased to let you know that thanks to your efforts I have received a call from the Senators aid, Kate Machate, regarding Senator Sullivan’s Bill, S1322 regarding the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act. She relayed Senator Markey’s concern that Massachusetts would be left out. So I called Sullivan office and was told that is not true and that Markey had a problem with sport fisherman being on the Advisory Panel. >click to read< 18:49
Then and Now: Craig cannery
Just about every town in Southeast Alaska has a cannery. Some have several. I don’t know if its true or not but I heard that at one time Ketchikan had 17. For generations, the Craig cannery was like a vital organ, the heartbeat of town and the primary source of livelihood and activity. Craig woke up each spring with the cannery, and went into hibernation each fall when the purse-seining season was over. I’m a commercial fisherman(Ralph Mackie). My deckhand, who graduated from high school last May, wouldn’t describe the cannery that way at all. >click to read< 17:21
Sea otter resolution gets first hearing in Senate committee, asking Congress to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act
A Senate committee Monday, March 12 heard from supporters and opponents of state involvement in the management of sea otters in Southeast Alaska. The Senate Resources committee held its first hearing on Senate joint resolution 13, which calls on the federal government to allow the state or a Native organization to co-manage the rebounding marine mammals and seek ways to increase harvest of otters. >click to read< 14:53
State seeks federal exemption to manage sea otters – The Legislature is considering two resolutions, one in the House and one in the Senate, asking Congress to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act and,,, >click to read<
Some buyers shelling out more than $1M for lobster boat, license
The purchase price of lobster fishing fleets is hitting new highs, according to a P.E.I. broker — in some cases people are paying more than $1 million to get into the lobster fishing business. “I’ve never seen them this high before,” said broker Mark Hackett of Tignish, P.E.I. “A million plus.” The high value of lobster landings, combined with large catch sizes in recent years, are driving up fleet prices, according to Hackett. >click to read< 13:35
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 58′ Steel Stern Trawler, 6 Cylinder Cat 343, Lugger – 8KW Generator, Permits
Specifications, information and 4 photos >click here< To see all the boats in this series, >Click here< 13:01
As Alaskan Waters Warm, Market Squid Extend Their Reach Northward
Market squid could represent an economic lifeline here, and it’s one that Alaskan fishermen are eager to begin experimenting with.,,, Though scientists haven’t yet nailed down the cause, populations of valuable species like king salmon and Pacific grey cod, Schramek says, have fallen to as little as one-tenth of even their 2015 levels. With those populations at historic lows, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game now bans their catch during parts of their historical fishing season. The bright spot, however, is a small, color-changing squid.>click to read<12:26
N.B. First Nation seeking access to fishery has international implications
Another Indigenous fishery is in the works in the Maritimes — and this one has international implications. Fishing rights are one of the big prizes for the tiny Passamaquoddy First Nation in southern New Brunswick as it negotiates “status” recognition with the government of Canada. With that recognition, the Indigenous community, which also refers to itself as Peskotomuhkati, would qualify for fishery access accorded to other status First Nations in the region. There are about 350 members in the Passamaquoddy Schoodic Band in Canada. However, the Passamaquoddy homeland straddles the New Brunswick-Maine border. >click to read< 11:48
We’re back after a loss of internet access due to the storm.
We’ve been offline since around 16:46, 3/13/2018 due to the storm, which shut down our internet access. This is the longest delay we’ve experienced in our seven years of continuing to update. We’ve been experiencing random interruptions in service, and we know we’re not alone! We hope everyone gets their services restored soon, and we can all get back to normal! Cheers, and have a great day! 11:41
