Daily Archives: April 3, 2019
Ottawa reverses cut to Gulf shrimp quota; FISH-NL savours win for inshore harvesters
The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) is pleased to learn that Fisheries and Oceans has reversed its decision to cut the 2019 northern shrimp quota in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the province’s inshore harvesters. “Some fishermen from the Great Northern Peninsula see the decision as a sign that Ottawa may finally be listening to them,” says Ryan Cleary, President of FISH-NL. “What we know for certain is our shrimp fleet in the Gulf has been hit particularly hard by quota cuts in recent years and they’ve worked hard to turn the stock around. FISH-NL savours the win for inshore harvesters.” >click to read<19:39
Canadian-U.S. Lobstermen’s Town Meeting set for this weekend
The University of Maine’s Lobster Institute will host the 15th edition of the Canadian-U.S. Lobstermen’s Town Meeting at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel on Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Two Nations, Two Fisheries: Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities.” Lobstermen, dealers, processors, scientists and policymakers from the Northeast United States and Atlantic Canada will gather together for discussions about the status of the lobster resource and the business of lobstering. >click to read<19:06
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries – Why the herring fishery was allowed in BC this year
As a British Columbian, and the minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, I care deeply about restoring our chinook salmon populations and protecting our iconic southern resident killer whales. That’s why we have made historic investments in conservation through the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan, the $167.4-million Whales Initiative and additional funding of $61.5 million in measures aimed to address all key threats to southern resident killer whales: sound disturbance, contaminants and availability of prey. >click to read<17:31
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 36′ Northern Bay Tuna/Charter, 430HP, 6 Cylinder Volvo
Specifications, information and 19 photos >click here< To see all the boats in this series, >click here<15:42
Jonah Crab Moves Mainstream In Gulf Of Maine After Decades As Lobster Bycatch
Regulators are taking comments on plans to expand a lucrative new crab fishery that’s stirring interest in the Gulf of Maine. Jonah crabs are a native species that, until recently, was mainly caught as bycatch – by accident – in lobster pots.,,, New Hampshire Fish and Game biologist Josh Carloni says in Northern New England and the Gulf of Maine, lobster is still king – but that could change. >click to read<11:42
Chinook fisherman views life afloat as public service
Fishermen make good philosophers. Les Clark is no exception. “I have had a fantastic life,” said Clark, who turned 90 in December. “I had a lot of scrapes, but I survived all of them. All my buddies are gone. I wonder why I am still here. Maybe the good Lord needs me here to fight for the fish?” The concept of giving up his 32-foot F/V St. Frances II and not fishing solo doesn’t arise. “I am one of the older guys still on the river,” he said. His father Gene and Anna Clark of Chinook set the bar. “Dad fished till he was 90 and died at 98, and mom went to 97,” he smiled. >click to read<11:20
California – Commercial Dungeness Crab Season to Close Statewide April 15
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham issued a declaration to close the commercial Dungeness crab fishery statewide at 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2019 due to increased whale entanglement risk anticipated for the spring and summer months. ,,,, Therefore, the Director has declared that the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2019. For more information >click to read<10:08
Mafia tactics employed at New Bedford scallop hearing
On March 20 th at the public hearing for Amendment 21 General Category Scallops in New Bedford an incident occurred in the audience that raises serious questions about IFQ management and the consequences of them. A New Jersey fisherman, who was in the area looking at boats for sale, decided to attend the public hearing that night. As he entered the room he was approached by a well known local fishing industry entrepreneur, who now sells boats and fishing quota , and who he has previously done business with. He is also handling the sale of the boat the fisherman is looking to buy. He aggressively gave the fisherman the fifth degree of questioning about why he was at the meeting, leaving said fisherman with an uneasy feeling of intimidation, as the questioning implied don’t testify against the plan. >click to read<09:00
