Daily Archives: June 23, 2018
Don Cuddy: Late New Bedford scalloper never got the justice he deserved
It probably passed unnoticed by most people but an obituary for Larry Yacubian appeared in this newspaper on June 13. He died in Punta Gorda, Florida on May 18. But most fishermen still shake their heads when his names come up. I don’t know if he died a bitter man. I hope not, although he had every reason to feel that way after the treatment meted out to him by federal law enforcement. Larry was a New Bedford scalloper and boat owner. In December 1998 his boat, the Independence, was boarded by the Coast Guard while fishing offshore and he was accused of fishing in a closed area. What followed can only be described, euphemistically, as a miscarriage of Justice. The fines imposed on him by an administrative law judge working on behalf of NOAA were so excessive that he was forced to sell his boat, his permits and the Westport farm that had been in his wifes family for 350 years – all this to satisfy the greed of some bad actors who considered themselves above the law because they were carrying a badge. >click to read<20:06
Lets get every Rep. in the House to Co-Sponsor “American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act” S1322
Greetings from Gloucester! My name is Sam Parisi, and as some of you know, I have been concerned with the process of how S-K Funds, and distribution of the funds have been handled by NOAA.
I have asked our Senators to support Bill S1322 and I am happy to say thanks to Angela Sanfilppo, The Mayor of Gloucester, The Mass Lobster Association, the Gloucester Fisheries Commission and fisherman up and down the coast that have contacted Senator Markey who is on the committee, and is now with us in support of this important the bill, which will be going to the House.,, I ask all of you to contact your Congressmen and Senators in your area’s to tell them to vote in favor Senator Dan Sullivan’s bill, the “American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act”, S1322. >click to read<18:01
In the Gulf, Record breaking May reverses poor shrimp landings in first third of 2018 in the Gulf
16.2 million pounds of shrimp was landed in the Gulf of Mexico last month, the highest volume reported for the month since 2009. 3.6 million pounds of shrimp was landed in Texas, with another 1.5 million pounds of shrimp landed in Alabama. Both represent the highest amounts of shrimp landed in these states for the month of May since the Southern Shrimp Alliance began tracking this data in 2002. 10.4 million pounds of shrimp was landed in Louisiana last month, up from 7.9 million pounds in May of 2017 and 6.1 million pounds in May of 2016. In fact, landings in Louisiana last month were the highest for any May since 2013. >click to read<14:59
This competition might be the most Maine way to welcome in summer
If you are looking for something to race, few vehicles are less suited to the task than lobster boats. Squat, squarish, loaded with tons of equipment, lobster boats are essentially floating platforms, working craft from which lobster traps are hauled up or dropped off, often in lousy weather. Yet about 70 such boats are expected to race a mile course just outside Bass Harbor on Sunday as part of the 2018 Maine Lobster Boat Racing season. The races are free and open to the public, according to Wayne Rich, a lobsterman and organizer of the Bass Harbor Lobster Boat Race. >click to read<11:50
BP reports spill of drilling fluids in exploration operation off Nova Scotia
BP Canada has reported a spill of drilling fluids from its oil exploration operation taking place off the coast of Nova Scotia. An incident report on the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board website said there is a “preliminary estimate” that 136 cubic metres spilled from the West Aquarius drilling unit on Friday before it was stopped.The news release said an early investigation by the company indicates the spill occurred in piping about 30 metres below sea level. “Today marks only two months since BP started drilling, and already there has been a significant spill,”>click to read<10:52
Mightier Than the Swordfish: Nova Scotia’s Harpoon Fishermen
A hundred miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, fishermen are in offseason mode. If it were wintertime, they’d be hauling lobster in closer to shore. But now, in July, they’re far from the familiar topography of Shag Harbor. They’re on the lookout for swordfish, and they’re using a deadly tool rarely seen in Western waters anymore: harpoons.,, He’s looking for one thing: a fin as it “nicks” the surface. The swordfish’s crescent-shaped dorsal fin is distinct from that of a sunfish or dolphin, but more easily confused with a shark’s. If the fin seems worth pursuing, the captain steps on the gas, and the harpooner prepares to “stick” the fish. Video, >click to read<09:04
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for June 22, 2018
>Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >Click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA <click here>08:23
4 Fishermen rescued after abandoning burning fishing vessel off St. John’s
Four people have been safely rescued from a life-raft after abandoning their fishing vessel that caught fire off the coast of St. John’s Friday night. The crew members of the Challenger Traveler were brought to safety by the supply vessel Atlantic Raven, following a prompt rescue response that included two coast guard vessels, a helicopter and half a dozen fishing boats. Maj. Mark Morris, the officer in charge at the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax, said a distress call came in around 8 p.m. while the boat was 160 kilometres off the coast of St. John’s. Shortly afterward, the crew were forced to abandon ship for the life-raft and were awaiting rescue for approximately two hours, said Morris. >click to read<07:52
