Monthly Archives: December 2019
Coast Guard rescues 4 from a grounded, capsized fishing vessel in Coos Bay
A Coast Guard boat crew rescued four people from a commercial fishing vessel Thursday that sank in Coos Bay. The 40-foot Darean Rose capsized and sank shortly after leaving the fuel pier at the Charleston Marina with four people aboard who reported sustaining minor injuries. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend were notified at 2:54 p.m. that the vessel had run aground and capsized right after departing the pier. >click to read< 06:38
Astoria, San Francisco were once the Detroit of the marine-engine industry
Between 1908 and 1911, something happened that almost certainly saved hundreds of men from drowning on the Columbia River Bar. The salmon canneries in Astoria started fitting their gillnet fishing fleets with small gasoline engines. At the time, the mainstay of the Astoria gill-net fishing fleet was a picturesque double-ended lapstrake design, developed by a California man named J.J. Griffin in 1866 for use on the Sacramento River. >click to read< 15:40
“Human Dimension of Rebounding Population of Seals and White Sharks on Cape Cod.” Study targets public’s views about seals
“We want to bring different perspectives together to see what people value about Cape Cod, see what they understand about the marine ecosystem and the interactions within it,” said George Maynard, research coordinator at the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, one of the collaborating organizations. “Seals are one piece in an increasingly complicated environment.” Jennifer Jackman, a professor of political science at Salem State University, is leading the study, “Human Dimension of Rebounding Population of Seals and White Sharks on Cape Cod.” >click to read< 13:12
A sternman’s thoughts on aquaculture
Are there any other industries in Maine that are allowed to grow with no set limits? Right now, aquaculture leasing is designed this way. There is no cap on the number of leases that the state can issue. The number of aquaculture applications has increased ten-fold over the last ten years, and the Department of Marine Resources has approved 99% of these marine applications. The current regulations will lead to the unsustainable growth of a new industry which is untested along our coast. As a sternman in Martinsville, the people I fish alongside have strict limits. By Kelsey Fenwick >click to read< 10:35
Also read, Issues on the water: licenses, leasing, and aquaculture – William Oliver, South Thomaston, same page.
June Mummery declared EU nations are desperate for Britain’s fish and the Dutch will be finished without it.
Ms Mummery is the Brexit Party’s spokeswoman for fisheries and coastal issues. The Brexiteer also slammed other MEPs for forgetting what the job is and getting too comfortable. She stated that an MEP’s job is to represent the people who pay your wages. “These politicians they’ve got these jobs or they’ve had MEPs over in Europe who have had a nice comfy number and I’ll tell you it is comfy. “They have forgotten, they have forgotten what the job is. >click to read< 10:15
GHL down for Pollock pelagic trawl fishery
A directed fishery for walleye pollock using pelagic trawl gear in the Prince William Sound registration area will open at noon Jan. 20 with a guideline harvest level 2,988 metric tons, down 684 metric tons from last year’s quota. Registration for this fishery will be issued only to individuals who possess a 2019 miscellaneous saltwater finfish permit card for trawl gear. The deadline for registration is 5 p.m. Jan. 13. >click to read< 09:01
Oban Lifeboat rescues grounded fishing boat, attempts refloating the vessel
The vessel, with two people on board, was well aground and listing heavily when the lifeboat was called out at 7.45pm earlier this week. Two lifeboat crew used the craft to reach the fishing boat in shallow water. With the tide still dropping, the decision was made to return later in the evening to attempt to refloat the vessel. The boat was secured and the two fishermen put ashore. The volunteer crew of Oban lifeboat re-assembled at the station at 12.30am on Christmas Eve. >click to read< 17:14
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 79.8′ Steel Lobster Boat, Cat 3412, Auxiliarys, Reduced Price
Specifications, information and 15 photos >click here< To see all the boats in this series, >click here< 13:38
2020 Forecast: Bristol Bay still looks bright, but fishermen face cuts in cod, crab and halibut
Judging by the forecasts, 2020 could be an eventful year in Alaska’s commercial fisheries. Even though not all the forecasts and catch limits are rosy, there are some bright spots, such as an increased eastern Bering Sea snow crab total allowable catch and another promising forecast for Bristol Bay sockeye salmon. However, fishermen this winter are looking at tighter limits in some groundfish fisheries, particularly in the Gulf of Alaska. >click to read< 11:50
Fire Guts Lobster Boat in South Bristol
A lobster boat, the Mona Jean, caught fire at its mooring and was gutted by the flames the morning of Christmas Eve in South Bristol. South Bristol Assistant Fire Chief John Seiders said he thinks the owner of the 32-foot boat was aboard when the fire started, although he was not positive. Firefighters reported seeing the owner in a skiff near the boat when they arrived. >click to read<
Lobster boat catches fire in South Bristol Photos, >click to read< 10:24
December 25, 1939: Flying Santa “bombs” our lighthouses
On this day in 1939, as reported in The Lowell Sun: New England’s flying Santa Claus tuned up the reindeer under the hood of his airplane today, readying Blitzen and Vixen and the others for renewal of his annual Christmas visit to the lonely lighthouse keepers along the bleak northern coast. Santa, who in real life is William Wincapaw, will take off at dawn tomorrow to begin his 126 Yuletide calls upon the isolated posts which watch and wait for him eagerly. >click to read< Read about the origins and the history of Flying Santa >click to read< 08:01
Sam Parisi Sends Holiday Greetings to all Fishermen, Everywhere. Merry Christmas!
To all my fellow readers, and fellow contributors to Fisherynation.com. My family and I wish all of you and your family’s a Merry Christmas, and a safe and prosperous New Year. We are grateful for the blessings of the day, and look forward to a better fishing industry next year. To all of you who are still trying to make a living fishing, you are very important to us, and our economy. We need to keep this industry alive. I will continue to fight for you, and the industry. I am offering a special tribute to those fisherman that were lost at sea this year. God is with you and we will always remember you and your hard work at sea. Forever. Thank You and Merry Christmas! Sam Parisi, Gloucester, Mass. 16:44
Blackmore’s Night – I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas Day; >click to play<
Galveston oysterman suffers burns after boat catches on fire
One man with burns was airlifted Monday night to a hospital in Galveston after a boat caught fire in the Seadrift City Harbor.,,“He was by himself at the time working on his boat, and somehow it ignited; I don’t know whether through a spark or heat, but it caught fire,” he said. “He jumped into the water, and other local oystermen helped him out.” The boat sat afloat in the harbor Tuesday morning,,, Photos, >click to read< 15:18
Boat removed after running aground on Christchurch beach
A 13-metre long fishing boat that ran aground on a Christchurch beach to protect an “inexperienced crew’s safety” has been removed. Contractors had been working intermittently during low tide since Sunday morning to deconstruct and remove the boat, deemed “unsalvageable” after grinding to a halt on Waimairi Beach. The vessel, Debbie Jane, was on its way from Banks Peninsula to Motueka, near Nelson, when it ran aground well off course on Saturday night. >click to read< 14:05
Larsen sees results of legislation at Dakota Creek
It was a little over a year ago that Dakota Creek Industries received a long-awaited congressional waiver to a provision in a federal law that grounded a $75 million Dakota Creek-built factory trawler, America’s Finest, and forced the company to cut its workforce in half to 175.,,, Construction of another large trawler was nearing completion,, Ship construction is booming at the Anacortes shipyard, which also does repair and maintenance of vessels. >click to read< 13:20
Scarborough fisherman Colin Jenkinson celebrates 70 years at sea
The trade is almost woven into his DNA, he can trace his ancestors – all fishermen of Filey and Scarborough – back to the start of the 18th century, and the legacy continues with his grandson William, who still fishes out of Scarborough. His late son Bill also joined him in the trade. This year marks Colin’s 70th year at sea, an incredible feat for such a physical job. Photos. >click to read< 11:56
Edward Arthur Blackmore, 92, passed away on December 23, 2019, in Stonington, the town that he loved.
Edward was a graduate of Stonington High School and served in the U.S. Army in Aschaffenburg, Germany, with the occupation forces following World War II. Ed was a full-time lobsterman for the next 31 years. During this time, he became a charter member of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) and was president and executive director from 1974-1991.,, He was a leader in establishing the lobster co-operative movement in Maine and was a member of the board of directors of the Stonington Lobster Cooperative for many years. >click to read< 10:50
An original song by Paul “Sasquatch” Cohan, Christmas In Gloucester
An original song by Paul “Sasquatch” Cohan celebrating America’s Oldest Seaport, Gloucester Massachusetts. Sasquatch covers the vocals and guitar, John Hicks plays mandolin and bass, Ev Harlow did the video. Special thanks to Joey at Good Morning Gloucester for some of the images. Merry Christmas Cape Ann! Posted by Everett Harlow, Dec 11, 2011, >click to watch video<, and listen! Merry Christmas to all! 08:25
Crab fishermen hope new season won’t have same roadblocks. Next big hurdle is to negotiate commercial prices
Crabbers anticipate being able to set up their gear on Dec. 28 with an official start date just days later. But the fishermen still need to finish negotiating this year’s market prices — a process that could indefinitely delay the season’s start if it doesn’t move quickly. It’s illegal in California to sell crabs commercially without a set market price. “We’re definitely worried,” said fisherman Scott Creps. “We’re hoping to get everything worked out and get a full season this year.” >click to read< 07:22
Water Under the Bridge: Dec. 24, 2019 – 10 years ago this week, 2009 in Oregon
Derrick Ray has survived two divorces and 23 grueling winters crabbing in the Bering Sea. He steered boats through 40-foot breakers and stayed up for five days straight — watching imaginary pink elephants fall from the sky — while his boat pulled in a half-million-dollar haul of king crab.Thirty-five years of commercial fishing has taken a toll,,, and other stories, >click to read< 06:36
New Bedford seafood auction stops sale of Rafael’s boats to Blue Harvest
The fate of Carlos Rafael’s groundfishing vessels is still uncertain, with companies jockeying to get their hands on what’s left of the Codfather’s fleet. According to the CEO of Blue Harvest Fisheries Keith Decker, the company signed a purchase and sale agreement for Rafael’s groundfish vessels, but the agreement was subject to a 30-day Right of First Refusal Period, allowing other members of Rafael’s former sector a chance to match or better the bid. Buyers and Sellers Exchange (BASE) exercised that right, Decker said, “We were notified by Rafael’s attorney on Friday evening.” >click to read< 22:15
In 2020, Climate Science Needs To Hit The Reset Button, Part I
In a remarkable essay last week titled, “We’re Getting a Clearer Picture of the Climate Future — and It’s Not as Bad as It Once Looked,” David Wallace-Wells of New York Magazine wrote, “the climate news might be better than you thought. It’s certainly better than I’ve thought.” The essay was remarkable because Wells, a self-described “alarmist,” is also the author of The Uninhabitable Earth, which describes an apocalyptic vision of the future, dominated by “elements of climate chaos.” >click to read< 13:59
Skipper who ground boat on Christchurch beach blames ‘shocking’ weather. Work under way to remove,,,
David “Crazy Horse” Atkinson was the taking the 13-metre Debbie Jane from Banks Peninsula to Motueka, near Nelson, when it ground to a halt well off course at Waimairi Beach on Saturday night. The conditions were “shocking”, he said. He and his two crew members were rescued by a swimmer from a helicopter, and taken to Christchurch Hospital where they were treated for hypothermia. >click to read< 11:07
Work under way to remove boat from Christchurch beach – >click to read< 11:13
Fishermen blast N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries over southern flounder data
“I’m laughing at some of your data,” said Russ Howard during public comment, expressing the widely held view among the commercial fishermen that the DMF numbers are not accurate. “I don’t know how many nights you’ve spent out on the sound catching flounder,” he asked rhetorically.,, The commission, a nine-member board appointed by the governor, ultimately has the final say in adopting any amendments to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan (FMP). >click to read< 08:49
Japan wants to dump contaminated water from the nuclear plant. Fishermen fear the worst.
The devastating earthquake and tsunami that swept through northern Japan in March 2011 took a lot from Tatsuo Niitsuma, a commercial fisherman in this coastal city of Fukushima Prefecture. The tsunami pulverized his fishing boat. He demolished his home. Most devastating of all, it cost the life of his daughter. Now, almost nine years after the disaster, Niitsuma, 77, runs the risk of losing even more, all his livelihood, as the government considers releasing contaminated water from a nuclear power plant destroyed by tsunami waves. >click to read< 08:09
Ryan Cleary: Newfoundland and Labrador fishery needs outside oversight
Near the end of FISH-NL’s three-year battle with Fish, Food and Allied Workers-Unifor, a senior reporter with the local CBC took exception on Twitter to being tagged to a particular clash between the two unions, and asked to be left out of the “spat.” Now that the spat’s behind us, there’s no excuse for the media not to take a deep dive into the concerns raised by inshore harvesters over their union representation. They could start with the conflicts of interest I contend there are between the FFAW and Ottawa, the FFAW and oil companies, and the FFAW and its own members. What are the consequences of being funded by so many masters? >click to read< 06:58
Fire levels lobster trap facility in Hillsburn
A business that sells and services lobster traps in the rural Bay of Fundy fishing community of Hillsburn was dealt a heavy blow early Sunday morning. Chief Andrew Cranton said the Annapolis Royal Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a fully involved commercial structure fire along Hillsburn Road, off of Shore Road West, shortly before 2 a.m. Photos, >click to read< 20:06
Jim Hightower: Can ‘Powerless Nobodies’ Fight the Corporate Powers?
The many sparkling bays along the Texas coastline of the Gulf of Mexico have long provided both a working-class living and a valued lifestyle for generations of shrimpers, oysterers and other fishing families. People and seafood, however, are not the only creatures here,,, But in the 1980s, a strange and invasive new critter entered Lavaca Bay,,, This marauder was not some monster from the deep but a massive, 45,000-acre factory looming over Lavaca Bay. It is the Formosa Plastics Corporation, founded by the richest man in Taiwan. >click to read< 17:29
Scientists Struggle to Save Seagrass From Coastal Pollution
In parts of the United States and other developed countries, there is growing recognition of the importance of seagrass and its sensitivity to nitrogen-rich runoff from sewage treatment plants and other sources. Too much nitrogen can spike algae growth, which clouds the water and blocks the sunlight seagrass needs to grow. “We think this is a problem that has to be solved,”,, Communities around the Great Bay have spent about $200 million to upgrade wastewater treatment plants,,, >click to read< 13:24
