Monthly Archives: July 2019
San Diego – Tuna fishing industry monument pays homage to those who served
Calling all past and present members of the tuna industry: It’s time to honor those who served in the industry with a plaque or paver at the Tuna Industry Monument in Point Loma. Located in the front of The Portuguese Historical Center since 2014, the large black monument made of granite pays homage to all those in the tuna industry. With about 85 names engraved on plaques, there is room for more to be added. >click to read<12:48
Todays Offshore Wind Farm Propaganda (from a real pro) – NOIA: VA Offshore Wind is a Win for Americans
NOIA President Randall Luthi issued the following statement after Dominion Energy and its partner Ørsted began construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Project: “This research project will also help all regulators and other ocean users understand,,, >click to read< Its sickening, but, who is this guy? Well connected, and we’ll see a lot of present and former insiders drifting in for the big feed at the Wind Farm Trough. >click to read<11:51
€6m EU funding for Irish fishing suspended in ‘hostile’ row
Some €6 million in EU funding for the Irish fishing sector has been suspended by the European Commission because of the failure to establish a penalty points system for serious breaches of fisheries rules. The commission has also given notice of its intention to take infringement proceedings against Ireland in a long-running dispute that has pitted the Government against the fishing industry, Fianna Fáil and most of the Opposition. >click to read< 09:53
OPINION: #NoPipe activists won’t pipe down
Lobster traps are out of the water now, as fishermen along the Northumberland Strait wrap up a successful season. The wharves are quieter than they were a year ago, when 200 fishing and pleasure boats and 3,500 people readied for the #NoPipe Land and Sea Rally on July 6 in Pictou Town and Harbour. From three provinces and Pictou Landing First Nation, opposition to Northern Pulp’s proposal to discharge 60-80 million litres of treated pulp effluent daily into the Northumberland Strait was visible and strong. >click to read< 08:48
Chesapeake crab count up, but fewer watermen catching them
Stocks of blue crab in the Chesapeake Bay are up from last year by an estimated 60 percent, the best it’s been in six years, according to a group of experts from state and federal agencies and academic institutions. “The winter dredge survey results indicate a strong year ahead for blue crab,”,,, And while that’s good news for watermen, there are fewer of them actually out fishing for crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. >click to read< 18:48
Honduran families receive bodies of sunk fishing boat victims
Families of the 27 people who died after a Honduran fishing boat sank have started receiving the bodies of their relatives, as the country’s president ordered a probe into the incident. The vessel sank on Wednesday in the remote eastern Mosquitia region after heading out to sea when a seasonal ban on lobster fishing was lifted. “We feel deep regret” over the drownings, President Juan Orlando Hernande wrote on his official Twitter account Thursday. “We stand in solidarity with the families,” adding he had demanded an investigation. >click to read< 17:18
Prince William Sound salmon harvests jump to 5 M+
Delivery of wild Alaska salmon to processors in Prince William Sound reached upwards of the five million fish mark as of July 2, as the catch from the Copper River drift fishery alone topped one million fish from the Copper River. For Prince William Sound the overall cumulative preliminary catch data shows 2,889,000 chum, 1,438,000 sockeye, 687,000 pink and 18,000 Chinook salmon. For the Copper River drift fishery,,, >click to read< 15:58
Fight Against Atlantic Menhaden Certification Moves to Next Round
The objections raised by sportfishing groups in opposition to certification of the industrial Atlantic menhaden fishery as a “sustainable fishery” are scheduled to be heard by an independent adjudicator on July 8 and 9. In March, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and American Sportfishing Association (ASA) filed an objection—which was later combined with a similar objection raised by The Nature Conservancy and Chesapeake Bay Foundation—to the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) recommendation that Omega Protein should receive a certification of sustainability for its U.S. Atlantic menhaden purse-seining operations. >click to read<13:53
Has charity’s call to save Fleetwood’s small boat fishing fleet come too late?
Fleetwood’s once great fishing fleet is now down to just three small boats and these remaining fishermen are struggling to make a living.,, The charity called on consumers, particularly in coastal counties and cities, to buy fresh local fish rather than fish imported from foreign waters, and to be more adventurous and try eating varieties of fish and shellfish that are plentiful around the UK’s coastline. But one of the last remaining fishermen in Fleetwood, John Worthington, says the current business is barely sustainable for those catching fish and landing it in Fleetwood. >click to read< 13:06
Grundéns and Gore-Tex® build rugged new line of fishing rain gear
Grundéns, producer of the world’s best fishing foul weather gear, today announces a new, rugged line of fishing rain gear in partnership with Gore-Tex®. 3 jackets and 2 bibs, all designed with specific fishing features and utilizing Gore-Tex’s® proprietary waterproof breathable technology, will provide exceptional wet weather protection to anglers in a variety of climates. Available to Grundéns top dealers and on Grundens.com in Fall 2019, the line will be widely available at all retailers in Spring of 2020. >click to read< 12:26
Lobsters and Lumberjacks on July 4: Is America an Exceptional Country?
From lobster races in Maine to a golf cart parade on Catalina Island and a lumberjack competition in Pennsylvania, Americans spent yesterday celebrating our nation’s independence. President Trump, speaking before the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, declared: “We will never forget that we are Americans and the future belongs to us. The future belongs to the brave, the strong, the proud and the free.”Two hundred and forty-three years ago, fifty-six brave men pledged “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” to adopt the Declaration of Independence. Their act that day in Philadelphia changed the course of the world. The United States became the first nation in history to be founded on an idea: the principle of freedom. From then to today, America has been an exceptional country. Is this a God-given fact? If so, why? I researched that question recently. Here is what I found. By >click to read< Jim Denison 10:44
Assault trial stemming from Ecum Secum lobster dispute starts with surprise confession
Someone beat up Blair Fleet in his own Ecum Secum yard over a lobster dispute last spring. But who did it is even less clear after the first day of the trial of one of the fishermen accused of the assault. “So this is the first time you’ve heard that Jesse Asprey went to the police to admit he assaulted you?” defence attorney Colline Morrow asked the victim in Antigonish provincial court on Thursday. “No one ever told you?” “No,” replied Fleet. No one had apparently told the judge either. >click to read<09:29
At least 27 dead and nine missing after fishing vessel capsizes off the coast of Honduras as authorities scramble to rescue more
At least 27 fishermen drowned and another nine are still missing after a vessel capsized on Wednesday during bad weather off the northern coast of Honduras. The Honduran military rescued 55 from the ‘Capitán Waly’, which set out from Port Ceiba on July 1 to net lobster. Hitting stormy weather, the boat went down some 80 nautical miles from the coast near the Gorda Keys, northeast of the easternmost point of the Honduran coast. >click to read< 16:59
Fuel explosion damages skiff in Cordova Harbor
A fuel explosion sparked by gasoline floating on the water in Cordova Harbor that was accidentally ignited severely damaged a skiff owned by Kade Butler on Tuesday, July 2. The incident began shortly after 2 p.m. when gasoline that had entered the skiff’s bilge compartment was inadvertently pumped overboard. The skiff operator, unaware of the gasoline floating on the water nearby, set the fuel alight as he was burning the ends of pieces of twine. >click to read< 14:24
Right whale protections may not be enough, federal review shows
Measures taken to protect North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence from being struck by ships and getting caught in fishing gear may not be enough, a scientific review by Ottawa shows.,, The review was done late last year by scientists who work in federal departments and universities across Canada, looking at data compiled by marine-mammal experts over the last three years.,, Aerial surveys estimate there were at least 190 right whales in the Gulf last year, half the total known population everywhere. (and none died) >click to read< 12:57
Immediate Action Needed to Save North Atlantic Right Whales – Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries >click to read<
Kennebunk Town Column: Invisible lines threaten lobster fishery – Lobstermen are facing the real threat of being forced out of business and a livelihood that they have relied on for many generations. >click to read<
‘Deadliest Catch’ Captains Discuss What Happened In F/V Destination Tragedy – Sig encourages re-evaluation
It’s no secret that crab fishing is the most dangerous job in the world, and that is why Deadliest Catch fans hero worship the captains and crew that star on this adventurous reality series. On February 11, 2017 the Destination sunk. What happened to this crab fishing vessel and what have the Deadliest Catch captains said about the boat and crew?,,, Although the Destination was not part of the Discovery show, the captain and crew were friends with the captains of the reality show. >click to read< 10:50
Emotional ‘Deadliest Catch’ captain Sig Hansen still haunted by friend lost at sea – Hansen is encouraging all the boats in the community to re-evaluate their boats so that tragedies like the F/V Destination don’t happen again. And while the sinking is a painful memory for Sig, he believes the awareness it has garnered will save lives for years to come. >click to read<
1st whale meat auction held since restart of Japan’s commercial hunt
Whale meat auctions were held Thursday in different parts of Japan, the first since the country ended its 31-year commercial whaling hiatus earlier this week, with some cuts sold for over 10,000 yen ($93) per kilogram. A whaling fleet left Kushiro on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Monday to hunt in coastal waters and took two minke whales later the same day. Approximately 66 kg of meat from one of the two whales was then brought to Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, for an auction because a vessel from the town was among the fleet. >click to read< 09:49
The Reason Renewables Can’t Power Modern Civilization Is Because They Were Never Meant To
Over the last decade, journalists have held up Germany’s renewables energy transition, the Energiewende, as an environmental model for the world. “Many poor countries, once intent on building coal-fired power plants to bring electricity to their people, are discussing whether they might leapfrog the fossil age and build clean grids from the outset,” thanks to the Energiewende, wrote a New York Times reporter in 2014. With Germany as inspiration, the United Nations and World Bank poured billions into renewables like wind, solar, and hydro in developing nations like Kenya. But then, last year, Germany was forced to acknowledge that it had to delay its phase-out of coal, and would not meet its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction commitments. It announced plans to bulldoze an ancient church and forest in order to get at the coal underneath it. >click to read< 21:49
Men from Friendship charged with sinking fellow lobstermen’s boat
Two Friendship men have been charged with sinking a fellow lobsterman’s boat late last year. Jason T. Weeks, 41, was arrested,,, He is scheduled to make an initial appearance Wednesday afternoon, July 3 in the Knox County court.,,,Lyndon R. Harrington, 45, was arrested for aggravated criminal mischief and theft. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. The two are charged in connection to the sinking of the Dec. 16, 2018 sinking of the 34-foot wooden lobster boat Rotten Hog. That vessel is owned by Rodney Genthner II. >click to read< 19:00
Noyo Harbor plan points up longterm needs
The Noyo Harbor District released its long-awaited Community Sustainability Plan on June 13, laying out a roadmap for harbor improvements in coming years. The plan focuses on maintaining sustainable fisheries, harbor-based jobs, and improvements to aging facilities that serve local commercial and recreational anglers and visitors.,,, recommendations are: building a fuel dock in the harbor, increasing the harbor’s supply of flaked ice and cold storage, more regular harbor dredging,,, >click to read< 17:39
The Island celebrates the Third Annual Fluke for Luke fishing tournament this weekend
The tournament commemorates the life of Luke Gurney, a husband, father and commercial fisherman who died in a fishing accident in June of 2016. In addition to celebrating his life and his love for fishing, proceeds of the event will go towards the college fund for his two sons, who currently attend the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The tournament starts at sunrise on Saturday, >click to read< 16:30
I get a lot of e-mails. Sometimes, I’m quite surprised!
Was going through the endless e-mails, and I found this, about a photographer in Washington that takes some magical photo’s of the people and vessels plying the trade.,, The name of my company Wandering 101 Photography was thought up as I was taking one of my favored drives from my home in Washington State down highway 101 to California. My name is Bryan S. Peterson and I am an art photographer based out of Gig Harbor, Washington. >click to read, and review!< OH! He sells them, too! 14:56
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 35′ North Shore Complete Lobster Business/American Lobster – Trap – Area 1 (800 Trap Allocation)
Vessel is in excellent condition. 24 photo’s, 2017: New turbo, heat exchanger and after cooler serviced. 2018: (2) New 8D Batteries, new belts and bilge pumps. 2019: Haulout, paint zincs and waxed hull >click to read< 12:25
2 Wolastoqey bands sue federal government – fighting for rights to fish snow crab for almost 25 years
Two First Nations in New Brunswick have filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government over access to the lucrative commercial snow crab fishery.
Tobique and Madawaska First Nations are seeking permanent access to snow crab fishing and damages for lost revenues dating back to 1995, when they began requesting a commercial allocation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The only year the bands got an allocation was 2017, when the quota was higher than average. The quota was raised again this year, but the two Wolastoqey bands did not get an allocation. >click to read< 11:27
With herring shortage, lobster industry looks to other bait sources
The care and feeding of lobsters in the face of a bait crisis was the focus of a presentation at Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries ,,, With a shortage in herring, most lobstermen’s first choice to bait lobster traps, the industry is looking for solutions. “No bait is a big problem for a state that depends so much on lobster,” Stoll said. With about $60 million in ex-vessel landings value at the Stonington port in 2018, the commercial lobster industry supports thousands of local jobs, he noted. “Lobster is currently the most valuable fishery in the U.S., and 80 percent comes from Stonington.” >click to read< 10:58
Two prolific Charleston chefs escape the kitchen and find peace at sea
It’s a little after 2 p.m. on a Monday and the wooden shrimp trawler, built in 1969, sits low in the water at the Wando Dock on Shem Creek. Emily Hahn takes the leap first, nimbly navigating the portside of the Miss Paula in her clunky fishing boots, leaning one deeply tanned arm against a cable as she nods toward the galley.,, The irony that a former Top Chef contestant would not be able to swing it in the boat’s kitchen makes Hahn smile. She’s smiling a lot, actually,,, Hahn says that after a few months of full-time shrimping, she finally has her sea legs, and she’s been able to wean off her daily dose of Dramamine. “We’ve been making some pretty epic crew food: shrimp and grits, ceviche, fried fish tacos, eggs in a hole with fried onions and bacon.” The crew was understandably happy when they discovered their new mate’s skills, “they’re like ‘Oh — you can really cook!” >click to read<10:17
Stolen lobster discovered in back of broken-down van, police say
Three men from the Charlottetown area are facing charges in connection with the theft of more than $25,000 worth of live P.E.I. lobster, RCMP say.
Sgt. Chris Gunn of the Kings District RCMP said the lobster was discovered when an RCMP officer stopped to help a cube van that had broken down on the side of the road in Shediac, N.B. Gunn said police had received a call the morning of June 27 of a break, enter and theft from LOL Seafood’s storage facility in Murray Harbour, P.E.I. >click to read< 09:30
Four crew rescued as fire consumes F/V Skadi
A salmon seiner homeported in Cordova engulfed in flames in Orca Inlet, roughly one nautical mile north of Cordova, on the afternoon of Monday, July 1. All of the F/V Skadi’s four crew were safely removed by two Good Samaritan vessels. The fire began around 1:40 p.m., according to onlookers. Within an hour, the white hull of the vessel was almost fully engulfed in flame.,, >Photo’s, click to read<22:06
North Sea cod on brink of collapse
North Sea cod population numbers have fallen to a critically low level and are in danger of disappearing altogether if drastic action is not taken. These were the findings reported by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in a recent scientific assessment. In order to protect and restore the population, ICES is advising that the quota for cod fishing be reduced by 70 per cent. >click to read< and I thought Pew was in charge of E.U. fisheries!
