Daily Archives: September 24, 2018
Dismal returns for chinook salmon on B.C.’s Fraser River reveal latest threat to endangered orcas
A test fishery for chinook salmon on the Fraser River this year is reporting dismal returns, raising new concerns for the endangered southern resident killer whales who rely heavily on these fish for their survival. The federal government announced in May a reduction in harvest of chinook by roughly one-third and closures in some key whale foraging areas after declaring the southern resident killer whales are facing an imminent threat to their survival. The federal government acknowledges that lack of prey is one of the critical factors affecting the whales’ recovery. >click to read<20:36
Mexican national charged with murder, attempted murder in deadly hammer, knife attack on fishing boat off Nantucket
A Mexican national is facing charges after a fisherman on a Virginia-based fishing vessel died during an altercation about 55 miles off the coast of Nantucket over the weekend, officials said. A Boston-based spokesman says the Coast Guard received a call Sunday afternoon from the 83-foot Captain Billy Haver, reporting that a member of the crew had attacked several other fishermen with a hammer and a knife. The Coast Guard placed a law enforcement team on board the vessel and arrested Franklin Freddy Meave Vazquez, 27, on several charges, including one count of murder and one count of attempted murder. >click to read<19:00
Bristol Bay salmon pay day is biggest on record on largest sockeye run since 1893
It’s a record breaking pay day for salmon fishermen at Bristol Bay, topping $280 million at the docks. That’s 242 percent above the 20 year average – and the number will go higher when bonuses and post season adjustments are added in. Bay fishermen averaged just under $215 million at the docks last year. According to a summary by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, the 2018 sockeye salmon run Bristol Bay of 62.3 million fish was the biggest since 1893, and nearly 70 percent above the 20 year average. It also was the fourth consecutive year that sockeye runs topped 50 million fish. Audio report, >click to read<16:30
Fishing insider embraces new role as Vineyard Wind liaison
In 12 years, research biologist Crista Bank spent a lot of hours at sea aboard local fishing vessels, but never once heard wheelhouse chatter about the industrial-sized wind farms planned a dozen miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. “It wasn’t really a topic of discussion,” said Bank, the new fisheries liaison for offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind. “You would think it would be, something this huge on the horizon.” Even for her, deep in research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science & Technology, the magnitude of what will be Vineyard Wind’s $2 billion, 106-turbine offshore construction project didn’t sink in until she happened to pass five turbines off Block Island two years ago. >click to read<14:01
State of Louisiana seeks shrimpers for bycatch study
State fisheries officials are asking Louisiana shrimpers to participate in a study that aims to monitor how much other types of seafood get caught in trawlers’ nets. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the voluntary 2019 study is part of the agency’s commitment to “support the sustainability certification of Louisiana’s shrimp fishery.”,,, Participation in the state study will require commercial trawlers to allow agency staff members aboard their boats during designated trips throughout the 2019 shrimp seasons. The staff members will collect a sample from each haul. A background check and vessel and site inspection is required of each participating fisherman. >click to read<12:12
Body of 2nd fisherman in Kyla Anne capsizing found, says family member
A body has been found on the shore in western P.E.I., on the Northumberland Strait, and a family member has confirmed to CBC News it is Maurice (Moe) Getson. Getson was one of two fishermen who died when the fishing boat, Kyla Anne, capsized off North Cape on Tuesday. The body of Capt. Glen DesRoches was recovered on the weekend. Getson’s body was found near Campbellton, about 45 kilometres from the site of the sinking. One of Kyla Anne’s crew members, Tanner Gaudet, was able to swim to shore after the boat capsized. >link<10:06
One dead, one injured in attack aboard trawler
One mariner is dead after being attacked by a fellow seaman aboard the trawler Captain Billy Haver, according to the Coast Guard. A person who heard the radio transmissions from the trawler to the Coast Guard said the crew member allegedly used a hammer and a knife in the alleged attack, though the Coast Guard would not confirm. Another mariner was allegedly injured by the same man. A call went out to Sector Southeast New England Sunday afternoon from the Captain Billy Haver, which was 60 miles east of Nantucket at the time of the incident,,, >click to read<08:57
