Daily Archives: October 5, 2018
Maine Gubernatorial candidates vow to back lobster industry in upcoming fight
All four candidates for governor pledged to defend Maine’s $434 million-a-year lobster industry a week before regulators consider new rules that could severely affect the industry. Specifically, the candidates addressed onerous right whale protections that environmental groups are seeking in court now from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, proposals such as moving from a rope-based industry to a ropeless fishery, seasonal closures of western Gulf of Maine lobster fishing in April, and cutting in half the number of traps or vertical lines that could entangle whales. Independent Alan Caron, Democrat Janet Mills, Republican Shawn Moody and independent Terry Hayes took turns answering some questions, dodging others and hailing the importance of Maine fisheries,,, >click to read<21:08
Judge tosses fishermen’s suit against Obama ocean monument
A federal judge tossed a lawsuit Friday from a group of fishing associations that challenged the creation of an underwater monument in the Atlantic Ocean. The fishing groups sued in federal court in Washington against creation of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument by former President Barack Obama in 2016. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg granted the Trump administration’s motion Friday to dismiss the suit. His ruling said the groups failed to adequately explain why the monument is too large. >click to read<15:14
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 5, 2018
North Carolina Fisheries Association is trying to compile an assessment of damages sustained to our industry during Hurricane Florence. If you are a commercial fisherman, fish house owner or dealer processer, please email estimated damages and photos to Aundrea O’Neal at [email protected]. It is imperative that we get this information as soon as possible so that we can let our legislators know the needs as a result >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<14:30
Man die’s from sea snake bite in Australia after being attacked while working on fishing trawler
A 23-year-old British man has died after being bitten by a sea snake in Australia while working on a fishing trawler. NT News, describing the man as a “backpacker”, reports that CareFlight assisted, as well as other ships in the area, to provide medical supplies for emergency treatment. But the man was declared dead after the trawler arrived at the town of Borroloola. The British High Commission has been informed of his death. It may be the first recorded death from a sea snake in Australia, say experts. >click to read<12:48
Red tide hurting commercial fishing industry
The red tide has decimated the commercial fishing industry off the coast in southern Florida, bringing it to a halt for those who fish the surf. Rich Vidulich’s sanctuary has turned into a toxic, deserted wasteland, choking out life as he knows it. “It’s 100% deterrent. You don’t catch pompano in this,” he said. It’s a depressant. It really is. It famishes you mentally.” Catching pompano is his identity. Video, >click to read<12:05
Lobster industry blasts proposed regulations intended to protect whales
Maine officials and members of the state’s lobster industry are blasting a new federal report on the endangered right whale, claiming it uses old science to unfairly target the fishery for restrictions.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources, the agency that regulates the $434 million lobster fishery, and the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the trade group representing Maine’s 4,500 active commercial lobstermen, question the scientific merits of the report from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, which was issued in advance of next week’s meeting of a federal right whale protection advisory team. “They’re painting a big target on the back of the Maine lobster industry, but the picture isn’t based on the best available science,” DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher said Thursday. >click to read<09:34
Project Magnet – Stakeouts and microchipped lobster: Inside DFO’s probe of a First Nations fishery
Under the cover of darkness one night last October, a pair of federal fisheries officers in a boat slipped across Nova Scotia’s St. Marys Bay and began to haul up 28 lobster traps belonging to members of the Sipekne’katik First Nation. They carefully planted identifying microchips on some of the lobster inside and then dropped the traps back into the sea. The covert work, in some of the most lucrative lobster grounds in Canada, took about four hours and lasted until 2:42 a.m. The aim was simple — to confirm allegations roiling wharves in southwest Nova Scotia that lobster being caught under Indigenous food, social and ceremonial licences was being illegally sold as part of an off-season black market. >click to read<08:46
