Monthly Archives: May 2020
Snow crab price sees a bump to $3.50 after arbitration decision
On the heels of a federal government announcement in the form of a $470 million COVID-19 relief package for fish harvesters across Canada came more good news for crab fishermen in Newfoundland and Labrador. On Thursday evening FFAW-Unifor, the union representing fish harvesters in the province, announced the price setting panel sided with the union after an arbitration hearing on Wednesday over snow crab pricing. The price setting panel has now set the snow crab price to $3.50 per pound — the FFAW-Unifor minimum price — not $2.90 per pound as tabled by the Association of Seafood Producers. >click to read< 20:59
Coast Guard medevacs Fisherman 5 miles east of Fernandina Beach
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center watchstanders received a medevac request via VHF Channel 16 at 4:50 p.m. from the AMG stating a crew member had sustained a head injury. The Coast Guard medevaced a man from the AMG, a 77-foot fishing vessel, approximately 5 miles east of Fernandina Beach, Thursday. The Coast Guard Cutter Sea Dog crew embarked the man and safely transported him to Dee Dee Bartels Public Boat Ramp where EMS was waiting and transferred him to the Nassau County Trauma Air Unit. >click to read< 19:46
Northport, P.E.I. community celebrates a fishermans life with a parade of boats
The community of Northport came together to celebrate the life of a beloved fisherman this week by holding a parade in his honour. However, it didn’t take place on dry land. It took place where Darrell (Daryl) Milligan loved to be – on the water. A procession of over 70 boats set sail together Wednesday morning to pay special tribute to Milligan, who died on May 10 in his home, surrounded by loved ones following a battle with cancer. He was 58. Friends of the family, Lorna Doyle-DesRoches and Karla Profit, were close to Milligan. Milligan was the husband to Michelle Marie (nee Peters), father to Kelsey (Justin Schurman), Kalyn (Devon Bernard) and grandfather to two grandkids. He is remembered by countless family members and friends. photos, >click to read< 19:16
Fishing vessel aground near St Aubin
A fishing boat ran aground south west of St Aubin’s Fort, in the early hours of this morning (Thursday 14 May) Jersey Police say the two crew members on board the 17m boat called L’Ecume II were attempting to secure it. They were rescued at approximately 3am. The vessel has now been refloated following the high tide and the island’s Harbourmaster, Captain Bill Sadler, says there were no signs of pollution caused by the incident. more photo’s, >click to read< 17:11
Fish Harvesters Benefit: Feds pledge nearly $470m to fish harvesters – Trudeau urges consumers to ‘buy Canadian’
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday (May 14) the launch of the Fish Harvesters Benefit. The new initiative is aimed at harvesters facing a 25% drop in income in the face of the pandemic, covering up to 75% of losses up to a maximum of $10,000. Additional non-repayable grants for fish harvesters who own their own business are also being made available. The prime minister said changes would be made for Employment Insurance claims in 2021, allowing benefits to be based on income from previous years. >click to read< 16:22
Trudeau urges consumers to ‘buy Canadian’ as government pledges $470M for fisheries – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging people to “buy 
Canadian” food to keep fishery workers and farmers in business during the novel coronavirus pandemic. “To everyone who wants to show their support, buy Canadian. Pick up some Canadian cheese to help a local dairy farmer, have a ‘fish fry, or buy Canadian lobster,” he said today during his daily press conference. “Not only will it taste great, it will help the people who keep food on our plates.” >click to read<
Port of Coos Bay: Annual Blessing of the Fleet Memorial Service canceled
The annual Blessing of the Fleet Memorial Service has been canceled this year due to public safety concerns over the novel coronavirus. The Blessing of the Fleet is a service which honors locals in the commercial fishing industry who have died since 1941. According to a release from the Port of Coos Bay, the service has been canceled “due to public gathering restrictions and social distancing recommendations.”,, According to Fiona Bai, with Port of Coos Bay, the decision to cancel the service was difficult for the Fisherman Memorial Committee. “It’s so meaningful to the community, it’s regretful to have to cancel it,” Bai said. While the ceremony will not be held this year, names will still be added to both the plaques in the Charleston Fisherman’s Memorial Garden. >click to read< 15:25
Coast Guard medevacs fisherman near Winyah Bay, Wednesday
A Coast Guard Station Georgetown 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew embarked the man and conducted a hoist with a Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew who safely transported the man to Georgetown Memorial Hospital for further medical care. Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center watchstanders received a medevac request at 8:20 p.m. via VHF-Channel 16 from the operator of the Lillie Jane, a 65-foot fishing vessel, reporting a crew member had fallen and suffered a head injury. The RB-M crew and Dolphin aircrew were in the area conducting training and diverted to assist. Once on scene, the RB-M crew embarked the man, and the Dolphin aircrew safely conducted the hoist. -USCG- 14:19
An open letter to the Alaska commercial fishing fleets from Matt Alward, President, United Fishermen of Alaska
Our industry and communities are facing an unprecedented challenge in the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 2020 salmon season nearly here, we must all take extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of our crews, and the communities we work within. Fishing during the COVID-19 pandemic will not be “business as usual,” and we must all commit to a high standard of caution and personal responsibility.,, To help you through that process, we have put together a summary of what is required. This is not a complete list, however, and should not substitute your own reading and understanding of the document. There are three elements of the mandate: planning, documentation/reporting, and compliance. >click to read< 12:54
Squid fishing season is off to a good start in Monterey Bay after a dismal 2019.
The 2020-2021 commercial squid fishing season started on April 1 and dozens of boats can be seen dotting the horizon of Monterey Bay as the squid return, this year in better numbers. “This has actually been one of the best Aprils we’ve had since 2010,” says Pete Guglielmo, a buyer and processor with Southern Cal Seafood, Inc. “Usually when the squid show up this early in the season, it’s proved to be a very good fishing season for the industry.” The squid are also larger than they’ve been in the last several years, and in high demand. >click to read< 09:04
Trump Executive Order Opens the Door for Massive Industrial Fish Farms in Oceans
Last week, the Trump administration announced an executive order opening the door for large-scale fish farming. That order, as reported by the Food and Environment Reporting Network (FERN), is designed at its core to expand the scope and facilities for aquaculture. What that likely means is a reduction in regulations, and the creation of large offshore fish farms.,, While offshore fish farms would be a boon to major seafood corporations, smaller fishermen would be harmed by it in several ways. Those environmental effects could deplete the health of wild waters, which fishermen depend on. They could also flood the market with cheaper farmed fish, harming the demand for more sustainably caught seafood. >click to read< 08:04
Coronavirus: Uncertainty faces lobster fishermen as season opens in Cape Breton on Friday
The lobster fishing season will begin in area 26B and 27 on Friday, but the uncertainty of the world market has left many wondering what the season will hold for them. “The world market has collapsed, things are opening a little bit, so we’re seeing a little bit of hope,” said Marlene Brogan of Ballast Ground Fisheries in North Sydney. “Should the second wave of this virus hit, we don’t know where it’s going to leave us, so it’s concerning.” For the past six weeks, Brogan has had numerous conference calls with processors, fish organizations, fish harvesters and buyers from the local area, all hoping to receive further guidance from the federal government. “The federal fisheries minister (Bernadette Jordan) has not offered anything to the fishers,” said Brogan. Video, >click to read< 19:31
Concern as trawler crew get Covid-19
The crew on board a Spanish trawler that landed fish in Castletownbere have tested positive for Covid-19, prompting major concerns for the safety of the community, and supply lines to Europe. Six crew and the skipper have been confirmed as having the virus since returning from landing their catch in the West Cork port on April 21st. It’s also believed that another crew member who had felt sick en route from Spain, has tested positive for the antibodies, showing he had the virus, but has recovered. The skipper of the ship informed Spanish authorities that none of the crew went ashore in Castletownbere. However, head of the Castletownbere-based Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, Patrick Murphy, said the situation raised a major red flag,,, >click to read< 17:34
Clare Island fisherman takes action to stop fibreoptic cable project off Co Mayo
A Clare Island fisherman has launched High Court proceedings aimed at stopping the laying of fibre optic cable off the Co Mayo coast as part of a multi-million-euro international communications project. James O’Toole is challenging the granting of a licence to the Irish leg of the project which will see a transatlantic subsea cable system connect Northern Europe and the US.,, On Wednesday, Mr Justice David Barniville granted AEC’s application to fast-track Mr O’Toole’s case in the Commercial Court,,, He and other fishermen are concerned about the risk of fishing gear becoming entangled on the surface laid cable and that fishing gear may have to be abandoned which could entrap marine species and cause environmental pollution. >click to read< 15:37
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 44′ x 11″ x 18′ Novi Lobster/Gillnetter, 340HP John Deere, Kubota – 9.8 KW
To review specifications, information and 15 photos, >click here< Vessel is in good condition. To see all the boats in this series, >click here< 14:05
CARES Act Stimulus: Funding process for Florida Keys fishermen slowly unfolds
Both commercial and for-hire fishermen in the Florida Keys hit hard by the economic shutdown spurred by the novel coronavirus may apply to receive a portion of $23.6 million allocated to the state through the CARES Act Stimulus. Of the $300 million slugged for federal fisheries’ assistance, Florida is to receive about 12.7%, or the fourth largest share behind Alaska, Washington and Massachusetts. While Capt. Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association, says the Keys fisheries have been slighted, he remains optimistic about the upcoming lobster season. NOAA will administer the funds through the interstate marine fisheries arms. For here, that’s the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which will, in turn, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to identify and establish a plan for fishermen to apply for funds. >click to read< 11:44
Dock to Dish 3.0: Online system gives Montauk fleet direct distribution to consumers on Long Island and the NY Metro Area
Montauk’s fishermen have launched a historic and innovative new initiative to deliver fresh, New York State-certified seafood straight from their boats to local residents’ doorsteps. The effort, called Dock to Dish 3.0, comes just in time, as restaurant closures and stay-at-home orders have hurt traditional distribution channels and put perishable catches in danger. Dock to Dish 3.0 is now operating locally as a pilot program for Montauk area residents, offering no-contact subscriptions via an e-commerce platform, with deliveries eventually expanding in June to reach more than 1,000 customers around Long Island and the NY Metropolitan Area each week. >click to read< 10:38
Long Island fishing industry takes a hit during pandemic – On Tuesday morning, commercial fishing boats sat idle in the water at the Montauk town dock—an uncommon sight, especially this time of year. But lately, it’s become the new normal. >click to read<
Ingeteam to Supply Hybrid Propulsion System for New Trawler
Ingeteam was selected as an electrical system integrator for the new environmentally friendly pelagic fishing trawler Gitte Henning, to be built at Zamakona shipyard in Bilbao, Spain. The new vessel, designed by Salt Ship Design, will have a number of environmentally friendly solutions, many of them new in pelagic fishing. Throughout the design process and in the choice of equipment, the focus has been on improving quality of the fish and reducing emissions through reduced energy consumption and efficient power production. >click to read< 09:56
Coronavirus: Crew screening, enhanced cleaning part of P.E.I. lobster season launch Friday
The season was delayed two weeks by the COVID-19 pandemic. That delay was partly in the hopes that depressed markets would recover somewhat, and partly to give the industry time to establish new safety protocols to prevent an outbreak within the industry. Those protocols include Daily health questions for captains and crew before they board a fishing vessel. Minimum number of crew on board. No sharing of equipment, such as gloves and clothing,(more),,, The new rules were developed by the P.E.I. Workers Compensation Board in consultation with the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, and reviewed by the chief public health officer. >click to read< 08:32
‘Level of anxiety really high’: Lobster season to start Friday for some Maritimers – >click to read<
Pilot Project: Dozens of commercial fishermen tested for Coronavirus ahead of Hake season
Commercial fishing is big business in Oregon and on May 15, dozens of trawlers will leave Newport for fishing grounds off the coast. The west coast Hake season is about to start. There’s an effort to make sure crew members on trawlers are Covid-19 free. The Midwater Trawlers Cooperative represents 29 vessels. The cooperative, along with Lincoln County Public Health, the Oregon Health Authority and Samaritan Hospital in Lincoln City put together a pilot program to test crew members. >click to read< 08:01
British Columbia: Steveston-based fisher says industry faces uncertain future amid Coronavirus
Some B.C. fishers may be forced out of the industry if they aren’t able to earn enough income this year, according to Steveston-based fisherman Justin Taylor. As domestic and foreign demand fell dramatically in the wake of COVID-19, processing plants, which fishers directly supply, haven’t been able to sell to the restaurants and hotels that normally make up the bulk of the seafood market. As a result, prices are uncertain, and lower. “This is going to be a survival year for me and my crew, for sure,” he said. “When you’re facing 40 to 50 per cent price reductions, you really don’t know after expenses if there’s going to be much money actually pocketed…There’s a real risk of not making any money.” >click to read< 22:08
Protesting fish harvesters shout ‘We got no union!’
A protest involving 100 fish harvesters was heading Tuesday to Confederation Building after police urged demonstrators to disperse from the St. John’s headquarters of the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union. Tuesday’s protest is the second in the last several days in which harvesters demanded action on several issues, including crab prices, trip limits and safety concerns related to COVID-19.,, While protestors spilled out onto the street to space themselves out, many in the group said they were staying put to drive home their points. Ronnie Bidgood, a Petty Harbour harvester, he and others were standing up for their livelihoods and wouldn’t be leaving. >click to read< 18:12
Maine: Elver price plummets; lobster industry seeks help
Earning a living as a fisherman is tough in the best of times. Right now, times are bad and Maine fishermen have to hope they don’t get any worse.
Last year, according to the Department of Marine Resources, Maine harvesters landed 9,620 pounds of elvers, juvenile eels, and dealers paid $20,119,194 for the catch, an average price of $2,091 per pound for the fishermen. Things are markedly different in this year of the coronavirus pandemic.,, Like elver harvesters, members of Maine’s lobster industry have experienced an extraordinary disruption of their fishery. Most lobsters are consumed in restaurants or other commercial settings,,, >click to read< 16:30
Choice based on experience
When he got his first boat, he named her De Dee Mae – and she worked well for him. In 1979, success led him to Billings Diesel and Marine Service in Stonington, Maine for a larger boat. The 54 by 17-foot fibreglass vessel, known as a Northeast 54, became the De Dee Mae II. Over the next thirty years the boat and its He had a DDC 8V92 main engine served him well, and was overhauled several times. In 2000 he replaced it with the long block version rated for 388hp at 2300rpm. This past winter, he decided it was time to give this faithful boat a new main engine, and went back to the yard that built her and had worked on her over the years. photo’s, >click to read< 12:56
Coronavirus outbreak hits Pacific Seafood processing plant in Warrenton
The scope of the outbreak was not immediately clear on Monday afternoon. A spokesman for Clatsop County described six cases involving workers at Pacific Seafood and one case involving one of the worker’s contacts. In a statement on Saturday, Pacific Seafood said it suspended operations at the Warrenton plant after a worker tested positive for the virus. John King, the general manager of the seafood processor, said the worker was resting at home. King said Pacific Seafood immediately suspended operations and did a professional sanitization of the plant. >click to read< 12:14
FFAW asks for review of crab prices for Newfoundland and Labrador fishers, Panel agrees to hear submission May 13
The FFAW has asked the province’s Standing Fish Price Setting Panel to reconsider the price set for snow crab for the 2020 season. Earlier this month, the panel set the price at $2.90 per pound, after considering submissions from the FFAW and the Association of Seafood Processors (ASP) and assessing market reports. For the past three years crab fishers in this province have been getting exceptional prices for their catches, ranging from $4.50 to over $5 per pound, thanks to high consumer demand. This year, however, the market for crab is in a slump,,, The Coronavirus slump. >click to read< 11:01
North Carolina: Local seafood markets still seeing good business amid Coronavirus
Fresh seafood seems to be in high demand, given grocery stores are running out of stock of other meats such as chicken and ground beef, It’s a win-win situation for the markets and for customers. “It means a lot,” said Jimmy Phillips, the owner of Clyde Phillips Seafood MKT in Swansboro. “People want some good seafood with all the scares of beef and pork being out. So they come in and buy fresh fish an shrimp.” Phillips said that business has increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. Jody Davis, the owner of Davis Seafood in Sneads Ferry agreed that the local seafood industry remains steady. “Things have been pretty good for us,” he said. >click to read< 10:12
Provincetown Portuguese Festival will host Blessing of the Fleet, virtual activities
Organizers of the annual Portuguese Festival have released information about how they plan to celebrate this year amidst the coronavirus outbreak. While many of the in-person celebrations have been cancelled, the 73rd Blessing of The Fleet will still occur, which is held on the last Sunday in June, June 28. However, the event will be downsized and limited so as to not promote big crowds, which is similar to the original Blessing of the Fleet in 1948, according to a press release from event organizers. The time has yet to be determined for the blessing, but it will essentially be the only festival “event” occurring this year. >click to read< 08:34
Top Homeland Security Doctor touring rural Alaska ahead of commercial fishing season openers
The senior medical officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is touring Bristol Bay communities and elsewhere in Alaska this week as commercial fishing seasons get ready to open. Dr. Alexander Eastman will also visit Nome and nearby villages, state officials said Monday. Asked if fishing seasons that start with this week’s opener in Cordova prompted the visit, Eastman said a mix of factors “drove my bosses to give me the order to come to Alaska.” Among them, he said, are “the influx of a large amount of folks to the state in combination with her geography and some of the challenges the state faces on a day to day basis” even without the coronavirus when it comes to health-care resources,,, >click to read< 07:52
No Charges Laid in Connection with Weekend Protest at FFAW: RNC
Despite concerns over the large gathering of protesters outside the FFAW offices on Saturday, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary indicates that no charges were laid in connection with the protest. Frustrations boiled over as crab harvesters face what they call an uneconomic future for their fishery, due to low crab prices and trip limits of 1,500 pounds weekly. Hundreds of harvesters gathered outside the FFAW-Unifor offices in the capital city, calling for the fishery to be shut down and for the federal government to step in with assistance. photos, >click to read< 16:38
Part 1: Port Canaveral – Culmination of A Long Awaited Dream
The original charter in 1939 established a seven-member board of port commissioners but it was not until 1941 that the Port Authority was authorized to advertise the levying of a tax with a three mill cap within the Port District, which consisted of an area bounded in the south by present-day Pineda Causeway and in the north by the southern boundary of the City of Titusville. In 1945, Congress approved the construction,,, Voters Say “Yes!” to Canaveral Harbor,, Fishermen especially were eager to see it happen and worked hard to get it approved because it would be such a quick outlet to the ocean. The closest other inlets were Ft. Pierce and Mayport (Jacksonville). In November 1947, freeholders of the Port District went to the polls and overwhelmingly approved a bond issue that would pave the way for the digging of Port Canaveral. first of a five-part series, photo’s >click to read< 15:23
