Daily Archives: April 26, 2020

How one fisherman brings his wild salmon catch from Alaska to Missouri

Sean Guffey was studying communications at the University of Michigan when he drove to Alaska during the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Soon, he was on a fishing boat with scientists studying the impact of the spill. As he watched, Guffey learned from their observations and concerns about wildlife. Every year since, he has found his way back to Alaska. Today, he is the captain of Watermen, a boat docked in Bristol Bay. And every summer, he catches wild sockeye salmon and brings it back to Missouri to sell. photos,  >click to read< 17:22

DMR Bulletin: SBA to Resume Paycheck Protection Program Tomorrow, Monday, April 27 at 10:30am

The Small Business Administration will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT. This loan provides small businesses, including eligible self-employed individuals, with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits, utilities, mortgage interest and rent. These funds will likely go quickly so we urge people to talk with their bank or credit union soon about this loan. Paycheck Protection Program Loan Information >click to read< 13:20

North Atlantic Right whale trouble: Lawsuit on protections could last for months

Environmental groups sued the U.S. government with a claim that regulators’ failure to protect the North Atlantic right whale from harm was a violation of the Endangered Species Act, and U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled April 9 that they were right. The government, environmentalists and industry members who are involved in the lawsuit must still return to court to determine a remedy. Boasberg ruled that the risk posed to the whales by the lobster fishery was too great to be sustainable, and that a remedy could ultimately result in new restrictions on lobster fishing. Members of the industry, including the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, have vowed to fight to protect the fishery. >click to read< 11:27

As crab season gets closer, Labrador harvesters worry about their health amid Coronavirus pandemic

Crab fisherman Joey Angnatok has been fishing since the mid-’90s and he’s worried not only for his health but also his crew members’ health. “Let’s just say an observer was on board your boat last week, and then he comes on my boat and we find out that one of your crew members had the sickness,” said Angnatok. “There’s so much uncertainty you drive yourself crazy trying to think about all the possibilities.” Last weekend, the provincial Fish Harvesting Safety Association released 12 control measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while fishing. >click to read< 10:02

Coronavirus: Seafood association president lauds relief funding – Snow crab fishers, processors adjust to restrictions

The president of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance is lauding a funding announcement to help Canada’s fish and seafood sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic, despite not knowing many specifics. “The devil’s in the details, which we haven’t seen yet,” he said. Saturday’s funding announcement only applies to processors, but Jordan referred to it as a “first step.” >click to read< 08:47

Northern Cape Breton snow crab fishers, processors adjust to COVID-19 restrictions – Snow crab fishers and processors in northern Cape Breton are taking steps to carry out their work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dave Donovan is a snow crab fisherman who hails from New Haven, N.S. “The co-op would normally unload our boats. That has changed this year,” Donovan said. “They don’t want us to intermingle with the workers. We don’t want that either.” >click to read<