Monthly Archives: January 2020
It’s time to kill the Gulf dead zone, as Gulf Shrimpers fight for their livelihoods
Anyone who has followed this issue over the three decades or so it has been studied knows progress has been slow. They also know Louisiana, though it bears the lion’s share of environmental and economic harm,,, >click to read< Gulf shrimpers fight for their livelihoods in a fertilizer-fueled dead zone – Dean Blanchard Seafood, headquartered on the barrier island of Grand Isle in the Mississippi River Delta, is one of the largest shrimp suppliers in the United States. >click to read< 11:32
Brexit: Why fishing threatens to derail EU-UK trade talks
If Brexit Britain were to close its waters to foreign vessels, the impact would be immediate and severe on fishing communities such as those in Boulogne, adding to the pressures from climate change and warmer seas that fishermen say have driven away the cod and brought in more squid and spider crabs. Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, fanned the flames last week by insisting that the UK will “take back control” and have full jurisdiction over the UK’s “spectacular maritime wealth”. Ensuring that fishing rights do not die with Brexit is a priority for the bloc’s coastal states, not least France, in future relationship negotiations with Britain that will begin in the weeks after the UK leaves the EU on Friday. >click to read< 07:58
Sea of problems: Port Arthur Shrimpers contend with loss of generational successors
Shrimping is the most important commercial fishing industry in Texas, making up 90 percent of the value of the state’s fish products,,, However, in the last three decades, the shrimping industry has had to face numerous economic problems,,, An important topic discussed at the Port Arthur Shrimper’s Association annual meeting Thursday included the new generation of shrimpers. Kyle Kimball, president of the Port Arthur Shrimper’s Association in response simply said, “There aren’t any.” >click to read< 06:32
Police say fisherman’s death in Portland Harbor was accidental
Portland police said the fisherman who fell into Portland Harbor and died on Jan. 15 had lost his footing as the boat he was aboard docked at the Portland Fish Pier. Police Lt. Robert Martin declined to identify the man, but an obituary posted to the Brunswick-based Brackett funeral home identified him as David Downes, 51, a long-time commercial fisherman who lived in Brunswick. The U.S. Coast Guard said he was aboard the Tara Lynn II. >click to read< 19:30
A Funeral of fisherman who died off Wexford coast takes place
Fisherman Willie Whelan, who was missing for almost three weeks after his trawler sank early this month, has been buried in Co Wexford. Funeral mass for the 41-year-old took place this afternoon in Poulfur, not far from his native Saltmills. A large crowd braved the wet, cold weather to pack into the church and outside for the ceremony, which took place three days after the popular fisherman’s body was recovered from the sea. >click to read< 15:46
Kerry fishermen renew call for immediate seal cull
The fishermen are operating on the Dingle Peninsula, a region which has one of the largest grey seal colonies in the country. Seals are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and the Wildlife Acts. Conservationists say the Irish colonies of grey seals are of international importance. Dingle fisherman Liam Flannery says that seals are actively following their boats now and that fishing for inshore fishermen like himself is now unviable. >click to read< 14:00
New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Portsmouth, N.H. January 28-30. 2020
The New England Fishery Management Council will be meeting at the Portsmouth Event Center, 100 Deer Street at 22 Portwalk Place, Portsmouth, N.H. To read the final agenda, >click here< Register for webinar >click here< to listen live. 12:48
North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Seattle, Jan. 27 thru Feb. 2, 2020
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council will meet at Renaissance Hotel in Seattle, Washington. . Read the Agenda >click here<, Read the schedule >click here< To listen online, >click here< while the meeting is in session. 12:01
Brexit: Fishermen on high alert as EU trade talks loom
The UK is leaving the EU on Friday night after which both sides will get ready to talk about its future relationship with the aim to conclude these negotiations by the end of the year. Documents from the European Commission show that the EU’s negotiation position clearly aims for continuing with the status quo of reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources. Meanwhile the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is quoted as saying that access to UK waters must continue for EU fishing boats if the UK wants a trade deal on banking. >click to read< 11:19
Study connects marine heat wave with spike in whale entanglements
A new study shows how the record-breaking marine heat wave of 2014 to 2016 caused changes along the U.S. West Coast that led to an unprecedented spike in the numbers of whales that became entangled in fishing gear. “With the ocean warming, we saw a shift in the ecosystem and in the feeding behavior of humpback whales that led to a greater overlap between whales and crab fishing gear,” said Jarrod Santora, a researcher in applied mathematics at UCSC’s Baskin School of Engineering and first author of the study,,,,>click to read< 10:02
On this day in 2007: Coast Guard launches a massive search for the missing 75-foot dragger
The Coast Guard launched a massive search for the Fishing Vessel Lady of Grace after the 75-foot dragger failed to return as scheduled to New Bedford. The four-man crew of the boat was last heard from the night before, struggling to cross Nantucket Sound in a winter gale with 6- to 9-foot seas buffeting the Sound. >click to read<, with related stories at the bottom of the page. 08:58
Fishers of men? Here’s the catch
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.,, From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. >click to read< 07:35
Ventless trap survey seeks industry participants
The Maine Department of Marine Resources, in cooperation with the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation, is seeking industry participants for the Regional Ventless Trap Program through a competitive bid process. The cooperative research project between industry and scientists from Maine to New York seeks data on relative lobster abundance and size distribution. All traps, line and buoys will be supplied to participating fishermen, >click to read< 10:14
Port of Bellingham plans Fisherman’s Pavilion for commercial fishermen, events
The Port of Bellingham recently applied for a shoreline permit to build a 9,000-square-foot unheated building in the outdoor storage yard near the park. The building, referred to as the Fisherman’s Pavilion on the permit, will have large roll-up doors to create an open-air atmosphere, Mike Hogan, spokesman for the port, wrote in an email. The building will be used as a work space for commercial fishermen and other members of the working waterfront during the winter months,,, Video, >click to read< 09:42
Florida Man Sentenced for Killing Endangered Sawfish
Chad Ponce, a 38-year old commercial fisherman, is facing 2 years probation, 80 hours of community service and a $2,000 fine for killing an endangered smalltooth sawfish. A judge determined this sentence on December 19, 2019, after a joint investigation by NOAA Fisheries and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed Ponce used a power saw to cut the rostrum (saw or bill) off of the live fish before discarding its body back into the ocean. >click to read< 08:35
Federal review of offshore wind projects raises concerns over delays
The Trump administration’s unexpected review of “potential impacts” of offshore wind-energy projects could be published early this year, but it remains unclear whether publication will clear a logjam that has stalled one of the country’s first large-scale projects, and the dozen to follow.,,, Last year, when the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced an analysis of offshore wind projects slated for construction in U.S. waters, Vineyard Wind, the first affected by it, was caught off guard. Vineyard Wind is proposing a project off the Massachusetts coast. >click to read< 07:31
Northeast Seafood Coalition questioning the NEFMC fish monitoring regulation process
The New England Fishery Management Council is set to resume action on the contentious groundfish monitoring amendment next week, but the Gloucester-based Northeast Seafood Coalition is questioning whether the council is rushing its own process and operating with incomplete information. The council, scheduled to meet for three days next week in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will return Wednesday to the arduous task of completing Amendment 23, which will set monitoring levels for vessels operating within the Northeast multispecies groundfish fishery. >click to read< 13:36
F/V Scandies Rose: Coast Guard board, NTSB, to investigate sinking of crab boat on New Year’s Eve
The Coast Guard has formed a Marine Board of Investigation to determine the causes of the sinking of the Scandies Rose,,, The board was formed earlier this week, and it is still unclear where and when a hearing will be scheduled, according to Chief Petty Officer Matthew Schofield, a public affairs officer with the 17th Coast Guard District in Juneau. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also is investigating, >click to read< 10:49
Support local fishers by buying local! Virus outbreak in China triggers Tasmanian lobster lockout
Tasmania’s rock lobster industry has been left treading water following mass cancellations from Chinese buyers.,, “Because of that the restaurants have cancelled their orders,” Mr Sansom said. He estimated more than 90 per cent of Tasmania’s red rock lobster market was exported to China each year. “The exporters, their tanks are full. Which means the fishermen can’t sell it, so their boats are full,” he said. “As far as I know no one is exporting. >click to read< 10:06
A shifting wreck off SC has become a serious threat, sinking and damaging unaware boaters
The Miss Anne hit something in open seas off Hilton Head Island recently and began to founder. It was the second ship to be damaged in a month by a submerged, invisible hazard. The U.S. Coast Guard is warning captains to be wary of a “shifty” shipwreck.The wreck wasn’t supposed to be where the Miss Anne struck it. On the charts, it was 700 yards away. It’s a steel-hulled fishing boat that sank in 2017 in deeper water but now is just 4 feet below the surface. >click to read< 09:13
The Pro Cat: Innovative New Brunswick-made fishing boat talk of trade show
A new fishing boat with lofty goals of transforming the industry, and bringing much-needed jobs to northern New Brunswick, drew plenty of eyes Friday during the first day of Canada’s largest commercial marine trade show, The Pro Cat stood out because it’s a catamaran, a double-hull, composite vessel that looks nothing like traditional fishing boats in the region, or on the showroom floor. >click to read< 08:23
Assistance for family of fallen Maine fisherman Christopher Pinkham – A fundraiser by Jennifer Adams
Christopher Pinkham passed tragically on, January 23,2020, when the fishing vessel he was working on capsized off the Maine coast. He leaves behind his loving wife and two beautiful young daughters. Chris worked incredibly hard to support his family. We are trying to ease the financial burden of his end of life expenses, and hopefully raise some extra funds to support the family’s immediate financial needs. >click here to read<, and please donate if you can. Thank you. 20:38
A Fundraiser for the Nickerson Family – Assistance for family of fallen Maine Captain
Arnold Nickerson IV, known by most as Joe Nickerson tragically passed away when his fishing vessel the Hayley Ann capsized on January 23, 2020. Joe was a fourth generation lobsterman and Joe has over 50 year experience on the water. He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. We are trying to ease the financial burden of his end of life expenses, and hopefully raise some extra funds to support the family’s immediate financial needs. We appreciate any contribution. Love the Nickerson Family, >click here to read<, and please donate if you can. Thank you. 20:38
F/V Lady Brittany Update: Coast Guard investigating fisherman overboard from New Jersey boat, was deceased when brought to New Bedford
Details are few about the loss of a commercial fisherman who reportedly went overboard off the coast of Nantucket and wasn’t recovered until some 40-50 minutes later. The name of the fisherman hasn’t been released yet and it is not known if he was local.,, The Lady Brittany was still at Sea Watch International Friday afternoon. Two dock workers who didn’t want to give their names said they heard the crew was “throwing the gear” when the fisherman was “in the wrong spot” and got hit by a hose and he fell overboard. >click to read< 18:54
Sinking claims lives of well-known Maine fishing captain, deckhand
A well-respected Maine fishing boat captain and his deckhand have been identified as the two men who died Thursday when their boat sank 45 miles off the coast of Portland. Arnold “Joe” Nickerson IV, a 60-year-old fisherman from Arundel, and 44-year-old crew member Chris Pinkham of Boothbay Harbor died when Nickerson’s 42-foot boat sank, according to the Maine Marine Patrol. Randy Cushman of Port Clyde arrived at the scene shortly after a Coast Guard helicopter, and pulled the bodies out of the water onto his boat. An emotional Cushman said Friday morning that he’s known Nickerson for more than a decade. >click to read< 13:40
UPDATED: USCG identifies Maine fishermen who died after boat capsized
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has confirmed the identities of the two people that were aboard the Hayley Ann vessel off the coast of Maine when it capsized Thursday afternoon. The two fishermen have been identified as Arnold “Joe” Nickerson IV, 60, of Arundel and Chris Pinkham, 44, of Boothbay Harbor. The Maine Marine Patrol escorted the USCG vessel that brought the fishermen’s bodies to shore Thursday night,, >click to read< 13:04
Sinking claims lives of well-known Maine fishing captain, deckhand – A well-respected Maine fishing boat captain and his deckhand have been identified as the two men who died Thursday when their boat sank 45 miles off the coast of Portland. >click to read< 13:40
Coast Guard is actively investigating the death of a fisherman aboard a New Jersey boat
The Coast Guard is actively investigating the death of a fisherman aboard a New Jersey boat,,, The Lady Brittany was reported to be 50 nautical miles off the coast of Nantucket when a fisherman was reported overboard, according to the Coast Guard. Lt. Jordan Ortiz, the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Detachment Supervisor for New Bedford, said a call was received on Jan. 21 at 5 a.m. for a person in the water. He said the crew was able to recover the fisherman >click to read< 12:37
Terra-Gen Critics Said We Should Wait for Offshore Wind, But Will That Project Spark an Even Nastier Debate?
Last month, under intense public pressure, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors rejected the $300 million Humboldt Wind Energy Project, bringing a dramatic end to the most polarizing countywide policy debate this community has seen in years.,, But if anyone thought we could sidestep controversy by moving wind energy proposals from land to sea, well, think again. In conversations with the Outpost, local and regional stakeholders expressed serious concerns about a range of issues, including conflicts with the fishing industry, impacts to birds and marine life and more. FIGHT! >click to read< 10:42
Division of Marine Fisheries Reminder: Large Whale Seasonal Trap Gear Closure in Effect on February 1st
This advisory serves to remind recreational and commercial trap fishermen that the Large Whale Seasonal Trap Gear Closure (Closure) is in effect from February 1 through April 30. The Closure may be extended into May if right whales remain aggregated in the area. The Closure area encompasses the waters of Cape Cod Bay, Stellwagen Bank and eastern Cape Cod (see map). State officials will be patrolling this area in advance of and during the closure to identify gear and notify its owners. >click to read< 08:58
Always willing to lend a hand: Fisherman from Tignish being inducted into Marine Industries Hall of Fame
Dennis Gaudet has been working the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence for more than 50 years, and now he’s being recognized for his life’s efforts. The Tignish, P.E.I., fisherman is being inducted into the Atlantic Canada Marine Industries Hall of Fame.,, Ruby Arsenault is a founding member of the Tignish Fishers’ Awards Banquet committee. Her committee nominated Gaudet. Arsenault said Gaudet is known throughout the community as somebody who is willing to lend a helping hand, especially to new fishermen. >click to read< 07:51
Dennis Gaudet was fishing at 12; he’s still loves the industry nearly 57 years later – He comes from a family of 13. There were seven sons and six of them beca
me fishermen. Five of them still fish. A sixth, Laurie, died in a fishing boat accident nearly 24 years ago. Gaudet said there are inherent dangers in being a fisherman and said it’s best not to panic. Sometimes, the wind is blowing 25, 30 knots. “You’re being tossed around. You’re not panicking, but you’re always watching for everything. You’re on the edge, eh?” >click to read< 2/1.2020 11:27
