Monthly Archives: July 2019
Solar And Wind – Taxpayer-Funded Ponzi Schemes with renewable portfolio laws, or quotas created by your elected politicians
The solar electricity industry is dependent on federal government subsidies for building new capacity. The subsidy consists of a 30% tax credit and the use of a tax scheme called tax equity finance. These subsidies are delivered during the first five years. For wind, there is a subsidy during the first five to ten years resulting from tax equity finance. There is also a production subsidy that lasts for the first ten years. The other subsidy for wind and solar, not often characterized as a subsidy, is state renewable portfolio laws, or quotas, that require that an increasing portion of a state’s electricity come from renewable sources. >click to read< 13:58
Europe Runs Out of Fish
July 9 is European Fish Dependence Day, the moment when the E.U. has used up all its own seafood resources and must rely entirely on imports for the rest of the year to meet demand. This year it falls about a whole month earlier than in 2000. Illegal fishing and over-fishing are eroding food security, says the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) To end this, transparency in the industry must be improved, allowing consumers to make sustainable choices,,, Austria is the first country to run out of fish, only reaching January 17 before exhausting its own supply. The U.K., as a seafaring nation, would reach September 7, still leaving around four months relying entirely on imports. >click to read< 12:43
‘Unheard of’ flood of pinks surprises at Alaska Peninsula
The biggest fish story for Alaska’s salmon season so far is the early plug of pinks at the South Alaska Peninsula. By June 28, more than 8 million pink salmon were taken there out of a statewide catch of just more than 8.5 million. Previously, a catch of 2.5 million pinks at the South Peninsula in 2016 was the record for June and last year’s catch was just 1.7 million Managers at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at Sand Point said at this pace, this month’s catch could near 10 million pinks. By Laine Welch, >click to read< 11:53
Porter family fights for safe passage of fish in the Minas Basin
When Darren Porter knows the tide and water temperature are right for the gaspereau to make their run, he calls the Department of Agriculture staff person capable of opening the gates in the causeway across the Avon River. “If it’s convenient for them to listen to me they open them, if it’s not they don’t,” said the Hants County fisherman. “All I can do is make the call and hope the fish get a chance to fulfil their life cycle.” For Porter the battle for fish passage in the Avon River is already largely lost. >click to read< 11:17
A Petersburg veterinarian floats his clinic to Southeast communities
For most pet owners, visits to the vet are nothing special — maybe even something they take for granted. But what if you don’t have access to medical care for your pet? This is a real problem for many people in Southeast Alaska’s remote communities. A problem Dr. Ken Hill has been trying to address for years at the Waterways Veterinary Clinic. Hill keeps his 50-foot aluminum trawler, the Hallie, in Petersburg’s South Harbor. The Hallie stands out among all the seine boats — she’s obviously not set up for fishing. >click to read< 10:55
Saving Sylvia II: The story of restoring a historic wooden boat from NC
An old wooden boat built in 1934 is less than three months away from being fully restored and tying up in the water on Shem Creek.,, “These fishing villages, like Mount Pleasant used to be, are slowly disappearing and dying. And the boats are dying with them,” he said. A short while later, Graham was skimming through a magazine called Wooden Boat. He flipped to the last page of the publication titled “Save a Classic” to browse the wooden boats for sale and laid eyes on Sylvia II, a core fishing sound boat in Morehead City, N.C. Photo’s, >click to read< 09:24
With billions at stake, Canada to show U.S. its fisheries protect whales
In an effort to maintain access to the lucrative U.S. seafood market, Canada will submit a “progress report” to Washington outlining steps to protect whales and other marine mammals that interact with more than 200 Canadian fisheries. The submission will be the first test of Canada’s ability to meet upcoming requirements in the United States Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and comes as three critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are believed entangled in fishing gear in Canadian waters. Efforts to free them are set for Tuesday, a day after Canada announced additional measures to protect North Atlantic right whales. >click to read<08:37
Louisiana lawmakers request disaster aid for seafood industry
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. and John Kennedy and U.S. Representatives Steve Scalise , Garret Graves, Cedric Richmond, Clay Higgins, Ralph Abraham and Mike Johnson today urged Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to begin the process of implementing a federal fisheries disaster declaration due to the opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway. Opening of the spillway is causing hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of fresh water to pour into Lake Pontchartrain each second, impacting various forms of aquatic life that are crucial to Louisiana’s seafood industry. >click to read< 07:42 >Click to read< the full text of the Louisiana delegation’s
Transport Canada – New protective measures announced for North Atlantic right whales
Transport Canada has announced further protective measures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the North Atlantic right whale. The measures, announced Monday evening, include further reducing ship speeds in the area, increasing zones in which the speed restrictions will apply, increasing aerial surveillance and funding for initiatives to enhance marine mammal response. In 2019, there have been six whale deaths reported and on July 8, there were three North Atlantic right whales entangled in the southern waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,,, >click to read<21:03
“Just put me down as Luke’s best friend,” – Honoring Everyone’s Best Friend at Fluke for Luke Tournament
More than 400 people registered to fish in the third annual Fluke for Luke tournament, the two-day fishing derby that commemorates the life of Luke Gurney, the beloved Island fisherman who died in a tragic fishing accident in June 2016. Many identified themselves as commercial fishermen hailing from the Island and along the Cape. All of them, however, defined themselves primarily as “a friend of Luke.” Each friend had a different story to share about Luke. Throughout those stories, two recurring themes emerged: his love for fishing and his love for helping others. Photo’s, >click to read<18:28
US tuna supplier Tri Marine sold to Bolton Group
Bolton Group, the Italy-based FMCG business, has reached an agreement with fellow tuna supplier Tri Marine of the US to acquire the remainder of the company. Milan-based Bolton has held a “significant” minority interest in the Tri Marine global business since 2013 and will now take 100% ownership, according to a statement, with both parties agreeing not to disclose the terms of a deal that was first mooted in April. Privately-held Tri Marine, which is engaged in the fishing, processing and distributing of tuna, will retain its name, while chief executive Renato Curto will continue to fulfil his role during a transition period. >click to read< 17:45
South Pacific Tuna Corporation cuts fleet by more than half
South Pacific Tuna Corporation announced yesterday that is selling more than half of its 14 U.S.-flagged purse seine fishing vessels to foreign operators, reducing its fleet to six by the end of the year. Approximately 12 U.S. captains and their crew will be relieved of duty. Additionally, the San Diego-based office and management team will be reduced to support the downsized fleet.,,, “Our fleet reduction is due in part to the U.S. government’s continued lack of support and the lack of interest in ratifying the 1988 South Pacific Tuna Treaty, renegotiated in 2016,” >click to read<
Coast Guard, locals and good Samaritans search for 1 person missing after explosion, fire in Whittier, Alaska
Coast Guard crews are searching for one person missing after an explosion and subsequent fire at Delong Dock in Whittier, Alaska, Monday. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, forward deployed to Cordova, searched by air while crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur and Coast Guard Auxiliary 336 continue to search for the missing person. Shortly after midnight, Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders heard the phrase “Whittier fire, Whittier fire” over VHF Channel 16 and contacted Whittier dispatchers, who confirmed there was a fire at Delong Dock. >click to read< 16:23
ASMFC Atlantic Herring Days Out Conference Call, Scheduled for July 10, 2019 at 1:00 PM
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management Board members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts set effort control measures for the Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) fishery via Days Out meetings/calls. Atlantic Herring Board members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are scheduled to convene via conference call to consider changing the start date of the Area 1A fishery on: Wednesday, July 10th at 1:00 PM >click here for more info, and links<13:42
Lack of Trust muddies the water in UK fishing industry, (it muddies all waters, not just in the UK)
A survey of UK fishermen has revealed low levels of trust in key government organisations and scientists. The authors of the study say it is an area that urgently needs to be addressed for a successful fishing industry after Brexit. The study, (another hypothesis) by researchers (someone doing their Masters) at the University of York, involved a questionnaire designed to examine how well fishermen working in the UK fishing industry trusted key governing bodies, scientists and environmental groups. The researchers found low levels of trust in nearly all the institutions included in the survey. This is likely to be down to poor communication, political interference and discontent with the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, the authors suggest. (The authors are biased towards management, actually, so unless you’re an EDF fisherman, none of this makes sense. >click to read< 13:05
Lobster prices range from $7 to $8 per pound in Cape Breton
Lobster fishermen in Cape Breton are getting $7 or more a pound for the last two weeks of the season. Starting prices were $7 and they dropped to $6.50 for a couple of weeks before rising again to $7 for many Cape Breton lobster fishermen. However, some are getting $7.50 or $8 a pound based on who the buyer is. “I don’t understand why in parts of Nova Scotia (like the South Shore) they get fifty-cent more than we do when we’re supposed to have the best product here in Eastern Nova Scotia,” said Garren O’Neil who fishes out of Main-à-Dieu and gets $7 a pound. >click to read< 12:29
Fewer fish, or fishy science? Commercial fishers, biologists at odds over the state of Lake Winnipeg’s walleye
Minutes before dawn, five boats speed out of Hecla Village Harbour on Lake Winnipeg, home to the second-largest freshwater fishery in North America after the Great Lakes. The seven-metre skiffs are small enough to allow gill nets to be hauled up over their bows and pulled along their gunwales, revealing the catch ensnared below the surface of the shallow but enormous lake during the previous 24 hours.,, Walleye is the lifeblood of their business,,, Walleye deteriorating, province says,,, Few fish, or fishy data? >click to read< 09:14
Fatal Port Hood fishing accident probe slowed due to backlog
The Transportation Safety Board says it’s dealing with a large number of marine incidents in Atlantic Canada and that’s slowing down the investigation process. For example, an investigation is still ongoing into a fishing accident that caused two deaths near Port Hood, N.S., more than a year ago. Hugh Watts and Glen MacDonald died after the Ocean Star II capsized about 100 metres offshore in May 2018. The TSB launched what’s known as a Class 4 investigation, which the agency said is a kind of probe that is limited in scope and usually completed within 200 days. It’s been more than 400 days since the investigation started. >click to read< 08:46
On This Day in 1958: Fifty whales stranded on Cape Cod
The United Press International wire story began; Tides Strand 50 Whales Off Cape Cod Island WELLFLEET, Mass., July 5 (UPI) — Tides of the Atlantic Ocean that refloated some 100 small whales brought more than half of them back again today… Townsfolk, aware of the problem of removing dead (and very smelly) whales from the sand bars, were joyful when an early morning tide washed most of the mammals free. But the joy was short-lived. The afternoon tide brought about sixty of the whales back onto the shore. >click to read< 08:06
Oystermen say closures of prime harvest areas was inevitable
St. Bernard fishermen say the state health department made the right call this week with the closure of three main harvest areas. As they struggle to make ends meet they say it’s important to move quickly to save what’s left. Oyster boats that should have been out were instead tied to a Hopedale dock that would normally be bustling Friday (July 5). Two days earlier, the state announced a closure of three oyster zones, which longtime oyster fisherman Van Robin said shut down one of the most productive regions in the world. “The most highly productive areas, they’re closing it, because the oysters are dying in that area. >click to read< 00:02
36th Annual Stonington Lobster Boat Races
From one side of Stonington harbor to the other, lobsterman competed on Sunday to find out who was the fastest of them all at the 36th annual Lobster Boat Races. “The lobster boat races are an opportunity for our fisherman from many different harbors to come together, blow off some steam and see who can win bragging rights,” said Race Coordinator Genevieve McDonald. >click to read< 21:11
A fresh take – Little Harbor Lobster Co. preserves a Marblehead tradition
It’s an overcast, damp and chilly Friday. Within 15 minutes, three customers duck into Marblehead’s Little Harbor Lobster Company.,,, Little Harbor’s latest lobsters arrived early in the morning, hauled from offshore traps by co-owner Tim O’Keefe on his boat, the Lori’O. O’Keefe, 42, has been fishing since he was 14, and helps to supply the market with his catch. He also hauls 800 traps.,, It’s a complex operation with both retail and wholesale sides, says Bryn Brewin, a co-owner with her husband, Andrew.,, Two years ago, the Brewins and the O’Keefes made Little Harbor Lobster their livelihood. >click to read<20:23
Mogul, wandering North Atlantic right whale, spotted off coast of France
A North Atlantic right whale that made headlines last year for his wanderlust in Iceland has decided to take a more southerly European vacation this year. Mogul, an 11-year-old male right whale, was spotted June 21 feeding off the coast of Penmarc’h, France, in the Bay of Biscay. It’s a curious spot for a young right whale to find himself, said Heather Pettis, associate scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium. >click to read<12:47
REWARD! Wanted! Dead or Alive! $100 Bounty for Black Carp Caught in Indiana
Illinois’ Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering fishermen $100 for every black carp caught in Indiana, according to a web page posted Tuesday from Indiana’s DNR. Black carp are a breed of fish native to eastern Asia and populated the U.S. in the 1970–1980s. The fish are a serious threat to the surrounding wildlife in the area, including Indiana’s mussel populations. >click to read< 11:44
Stonington Commercial Fishermen Catch A Break
The New Law Has One Catch, But A Stonington Fisherman Says It’s A Good Catch – The only catch is that the agreement is for a very particular fish and season; the summer flounder, or fluke, from January to April. Andrew Williams 22, a fourth generation fisherman from Stonington, currently working on F/V McKenzie Paige, says being able to offload in more than one state is a good thing and may help sustain the future of commercial fishing in Stonington. Williams praised the new law saying it provides myriad benefits in that important, and short, winter season. >click to read< 10:54
Lobstermen confront host of problems as season gets underway
This year’s delayed lobster season kicked off with a cold, rainy spring and bait worries, but lobstermen haven’t been idle. Instead, they’ve been hunting for a way to cope with looming North Atlantic right whale protections. “The overall feeling around the docks this year is pretty glum,” said Jason Joyce of Swans Island. “Catch is low, expenses are high and (there are) stormy forecasts ahead thanks to wealthy, politically connected multinational environmental groups that have been targeting us as their latest fundraising villain.” >click to read< 09:22
Scallops and squid: Sea creatures with a lot in common
What do a scallop and squid have in common? Well lots, they are both mollusks along with clams and octopus. The squid and scallop both use “jet propulsion” to swim. They both have eyes developed to see well under water, completely different than the eyes humans have. Now, what is different? Well, the scallop has two shells to protect its body, but that makes the animal very heavy, thus they live on the seabed and open and close their shells quickly to swim away from prey for short distances at a time. Squid, on the other hand, are the faster swimmers. >click to read< By Ellen Goethel, a marine biologist and the owner of the Explore the World Oceanarium at Hampton Beach
A Big Wave journey
It’s the dream and goal of anyone who spends significant time in commercial fishing. Unless you’re a moneyed investor, you start on the deck, learn how everything works — from winches to weather to your crewmate’s breaking point. The persistent ones who demonstrate a knack eventually make it into the wheelhouse, where the hard labor of the deck is replaced with the stress of responsibility. Those who forge through this level look to the next — buying so they can have the direct benefit of ownership and of their own work. But ownership is a high bar and it means that the captain is willing to take on the entire responsibility of the operation. The stress doesn’t go away. Those who succeed in the fisheries are eternal optimists — because belief in the next haul, the next season, gets you over the rough patches. On the Big Wave, Ryan Barrett is looking steadily ahead to the goal. >click to read< 16:21
Water conditions causing ‘catastrophic’ season for in-shore and near-shore shrimpers
The Bonnet Carre Spillway has been open for 100 days as of Friday and the influx of freshwater still pouring into the Mississippi Sound is taking a major toll on coast fishermen. The shrimp season opened two weeks ago but, by most accounts, the freshwater in the Mississippi Sound is making it a season to forget for those who make their living on the water. Shrimpers are having to adjust where they drop their nets, said David Veal director of American Shrimp Processors Association. Video, >click to read< 14:56
N.B. baby rides ‘rare’ gigantic lobster on lucky Canada Day catch
“Some kids get to ride a pony, not my grand nephew Ace,” said proud uncle Ed McHugh who shared pictures of his 12-pound nephew Ace on Facebook riding a gigantic lobster in Black River, N.B. The lobster was caught on Canada Day by Ace’s father, Nathan Crawford, who works as a lobster fisherman. The lobster was a 17 pounder, the first Crawford has ever seen. >click to read< 13:22
