A recent update to the state’s Columbia River salmon management policy to change harvest allocations and allow commercial gillnetting on the main stem has anglers reeling. “We’ve made a lot of changes over the last 30 years to how we fish in order to adjust to (federal Endangered Species Act) listings, in order to adjust to harvesting the best fish in the river at the best times,” said Robert Sudar, a commercial fishing advisor based in Longview. “It’s a totally different fishery than it was 30 to 40 years ago.” >click to read< 10:08
Monthly Archives: September 2020
Video – A fisherman is rescued after being adrift at sea for three days in an ice box
This is the incredible moment a fisherman was rescued after spending three days drifting out at sea clinging to an ice box. Udin Diman, 46, was found holding on to the orange box off the coast in North Maluku province, Indonesia, on September 17. He had left his home three days earlier to catch some seafood to sell – but he didn’t return that evening. His boat toppled and capsized over so he clung to the ice chest and had drifted in it for days. >video, photos, click to read< 08:09
Oregon men caught setting stolen crab traps await trial
“Don’t say another word,” he told his friend. “I’ll be right there. Don’t go anywhere and don’t tell anyone.” Two men caught setting stolen crab traps in Cape Falcon Marine Reserve of the north Oregon coast await trial following a joint effort of citizen reporting and solid detective work. Bob Browning has fished Oregon waters all his life. He started fishing off the Garibaldi dock with his family when he was five years old. When he saw a strange object bobbing on the ocean surface, he pointed it out to his client, Dr. Sarah Henkel. Browning steered “The Lady Lee” in for a closer look.,, Browning threaded the rope through his hydraulic lift and started the motor. When a crab pot broke the surface of the water, they knew there was trouble. The line continued. Another crab pot rose from the depths. They reached for their phones to report it. The Investigation,,, >click to read< 18:37
How much like the eel are we?
“The Book of Eels” is as much about origins and meaning as it is about eels. Once people comprehend the eel’s astonishing life journey, it’s difficult not to identify, seek metaphors of association and anthropomorphize. The eels’ mysteries are ours as well. After millennia of study and conjecture, we now know that American and European eels get their start in the Sargasso Sea northeast of Cuba. We also know that the nascent eels – tiny, transparent, flat larvae that are shaped like willow leaves – float off on currents either to America or Europe. Upon arriving at a predestined coast, their transformed little bodies smoothly transition from salt to freshwater. They choose a brook or stream and eventually settle down at some spot – random or not is unknown >click to read< 15:22
Nova Scotia Commercial fishermen turn focus to alleged buyer in Mi’kmaw lobster dispute
Commercial fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia say they are taking a different approach on Monday in the dispute around the new self-regulated lobster fishery launched by Sipekne’katik First Nation. After several days of hauling in traps belonging to the Mi’kmaw fishers, the commercial fishermen now say they are turning their attention toward those who they believe are buying Mi’kmaw-harvested lobster. “It’s with the federal government and it’s with people from within our own community who are facilitating the buying of illegal fishery products.” A large crowd gathered in protest Monday morning in front of an alleged buyer’s home in the community of Comeauville. >click to read< 13:49
Fishing dispute could close Cape Breton moose hunt
“Our people are angry,” said Rod Googoo, the chief of the Waycobah First Nation,,, Googoo was among hundreds of Mi’kmaq who spent part of the weekend in Saulnierville, a small fishing port located between Digby and Yarmouth on the province’s southwestern coast. They were there to support to fishers from central Nova Scotia’s Sipekne’katik First Nation who took to the water last week after being issued lobster fishing licenses by their own band.,, The Waycobah chief, who is a key part of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs’ lands, wildlife and forestry involvement, went to social media with the suggestion that his people shut down this year’s moose hunt in Cape Breton. The idea was met with overwhelming support and encouragement. >click to read< 12:27
Teddy to bring ‘a nasty couple of days’ to P.E.I.
Teddy likely won’t be a hurricane when it gets to P.E.I., but its impact is likely to be felt Tuesday into Wednesday. “It’s going to be post-tropical when it gets here, but it’s going to be a nasty couple of days,,, The rain is expected to start Tuesday morning, first in Kings County and working its way west. It will be breezy, with gusts up to 50 km, and those winds will get stronger as the day goes on. By afternoon winds could reach 50 km/h with gusts to 80. >click to read< 10:49
Coast Guard rescues 2 fishermen from disabled 48-foot shrimp boat
The Coast Guard rescued two people from a commercial fishing vessel Sunday near Lake Borgne. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report of two people aboard the disabled 48-foot shrimp boat Sau Nguyen taking on water due to inclement weather. >video, click to watch< 09:50
Nova Scotia Indigenous fishermen not backing down after traps removed
Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishermen have been locked in an ongoing dispute. Both sides say things were heated on the water on Sunday. “A Mi’kmaw fishermen went out to check his gear, and he was swarmed by commercial fishing vessels that were cutting him off and hauling their gear, stealing their traps – preventing our people from fishing,” says Sipekne’Katik First Nation Chief Michael Sack. “One of our boats was chased by a First Nations vessel, and they made an attempt to ram him and to board him,” says Sproul. “He immediately turned around and retreated here to Meteghan.” Sack says, while having their gear hauled up by commercial fishermen slows their operation a bit, they are in it for the long haul – with no plans to stop fishing. >video, click to read< 08:35
One of nature’s miracles: the salmonid species life cycle
This article describes the amazing way these species begin their lives in clear flowing creeks and streams near the coast, anywhere from the northwest to Northern California, travel miles downstream to enter the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean, mature for a number of years while traveling great distances, and then return to their home stream’s birthplace. At the beginning, the following verse from a popular illustrated children’s text titled Salmon Stream sets the scene: The egg of a salmon, born to travel, Hides in the nest of rocky gravel, Far beyond the shady pool,,, >click to read< 20:02
Tied-up fishing boats signal overseas worker crisis for industry
One fishing company is effectively out of business while others are bracing for large financial hits as the deepwater New Zealand industry, unable to get skilled foreign workers into the country, have begun tying up vessels. At least three New Zealand-flagged big autonomous trawler reefer (BATM) deepwater vessels associated with Canterbury based Independent fisheries have been tied up at Lyttleton as it repatriated its Russian and Ukranian crew following the end of their visa periods. Sealord now urgently needed 160 skilled fishers to crew the two vessels >click to read< 18:49
Fishermen say they are removing Indigenous lobster traps in western Nova Scotia
Non-Indigenous fishermen say they are in the process of removing lobster traps set by fishermen from the Sipekne’katik First Nation in waters off western Nova Scotia. Colin Sproul, of the Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association, says a large number of boats are in St. Marys Bay and intend to remove the traps and take them to the wharf in Meteghan, N.S. Sproul says the fishermen are taking action on what they believe is an illegal out-of-season fishery because the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has refused to do so. But the Sipekne’katik First Nation says its people have a treaty right to fish at any time. ,, A clarification was issued by the court, which said the treaty right was subject to federal regulation. >click to read< 13:15
Asian carp processing facility might be headed to North Peoria
A former government adviser and official, Brian Colgan, leads a company that intends to convert a 4,000-square-foot building at 8606 N. Pioneer Road into an Asian carp processing, packaging and distribution facility. There the fish would be fashioned into bait for domestic crab, crawfish and lobster harvesters on all coasts. “Our company, Colgan Carp Solutions Inc., by creating these markets and working with others in the area who want to do the same, can drive up demand, can reduce the population in the Illinois River and hopefully create some jobs, economic opportunity and show that there’s a market-driven strategy for invasive-species management,” Colgan said. >click to read< 11:33
Weymouth Lifeboat crew pay emotional tribute to their friend and colleague
A spokesman for the lifeboat station said: It is with deep sadness that Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station and the family of the station’s Deputy Second Coxswain Trevor Brooker pay tribute to Trevor who passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 13, in tragic circumstances for the crews at the lifeboat station. “Trevor was a professional local fisherman who owned and skippered a Weymouth fishing trawler. “He was a quiet man whose calming influence under the most challenging of conditions at sea could always be relied on. >click to read< 08:57
Application deadline extended for fish harvester benefits program – will have until Oct. 5th
Fishers financially impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic have two extra weeks to apply for the federal government’s Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program. The original Sept. 21 deadline is now extended to 3 p.m. on Oct. 5 for self employed harvesters to submit their applications online. In a press release Sept. 18, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan encouraged anyone who thinks they may be eligible to visit the DFO website and learn how to apply. >click to read< 17:44
Nova Scotia: Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan asking sides to meet to de-escalate lobster fishing tensions
And late Friday afternoon the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs declared a state of emergency for mainland Nova Scotia because of what it calls political unrest and violence. Early Friday evening Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan issued a statement,, “Our Government’s first priority is to ensure everyone involved remains safe. In Canada, anyone can participate in peaceful protests and that process is fundamental to our democracy,” she said. “At this time, it is imperative that all parties, and the public work together to lower tensions on the water and in our communities, to foster understanding between one another,,, “To that end, I’m extending an invitation for Indigenous leadership and industry leadership to meet with me as soon as possible. >click to read< 15:13
Southeast’s commercial Dungeness crab summer season the second highest on record
Commercial salmon fisheries in Southeast are looking to be a bust this year, but that’s not the case for Dungeness crab. This summer’s harvest ended up being the second highest on record. But the value of the fishery was not near a record breaker. Fishermen brought in 5.81 million pounds of crab in a commercial season that ran from mid-June to mid-August. Joe Stratman leads crab management in Southeast for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “What was taken this summer is more than double the previous ten year average,” he said. >click to read< 11:40
Two fishermen rescued from Westray creel boat
Kirkwall RNLI came to the aid of a stricken fishing vessel aground on rocks off Westray on Friday. Two people were onboard the Kirkwall-registered creel boat Kingfisher. Kirkwall’s volunteer lifeboat crew arrived on the scene at 10.50am to find the vessel hard aground on a shelf of rock. They were assisted by two other vessels along with the Westray Coastguard team on the cliff top. >click to read< 10:31
Hurricane Teddy continues its path toward Atlantic Canada
Hurricane Teddy will likely impact Atlantic Canada and the Gulf of St. Lawrence region as a strong post-tropical storm over Tuesday and Wednesday, said an information statement issued by Environment Canada. In the statement issued early Saturday morning, Environment Canada said Teddy is currently a category three system over the Tropical Atlantic well southeast of Bermuda. Over the next two days, it will slowly move up, passing east of Bermuda on Monday, when it will begin to accelerate towards Nova Scotia. >click to read< 09:48
Seafood Trade Relief Program: Funding available for Maine lobster fishermen affected by China’s tariffs
Lobster fishermen have started applying for a portion of a $527 million relief program recently unveiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help offset losses incurred due to China’s new tariff policies. The Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) is paying 50 cents for every pound of lobster; in 2019, Maine landed roughly 100 million pounds. The Notice of Funds Availability notes President Donald Trump’s June 24 memorandum, “Protecting the United States Lobster Industry,” directs the USDA to consider appropriate action to provide assistance to eligible U.S. commercial fishermen whose business has been impacted by foreign government trade actions that have led to the loss of exports. >click to read< 08:11
Magwood death a blow to Mount Pleasant. A Letter by Jimmy Bagwell
When I think of my hometown, my thoughts always go to Shem Creek and the shrimp fleet that has been the most recognizable image of our town for 70 to 80 years. On Sept. 11, one of the icons of that creek was killed in an accident on Coleman Boulevard. Wayne Magwood’s death was met with great sadness by all who knew and loved him. Wayne’s family began the shrimping industry on Shem Creek in 1930 when Capt. C. Magwood became the first fisherman to bring ocean shrimp into the creek. >click to read< 17:23
Lobster protests: Nova Scotia RCMP arrest two at wharf in Weymouth
RCMP say two people were arrested Friday and accused of assault at a wharf in western Nova Scotia, where there were reports of ugly confrontations over a First Nation’s commercial lobster fishing operation. Some non-Indigenous fishermen say they believe the Indigenous business is illegal because the regular fishing season is now closed, but the Sipekne’katik First Nation says their people have a treaty right to fish at any time. The Mounties say no one was injured at the wharf in Weymouth, and the two suspects were arrested and escorted from the scene. >click to read< 15:16
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Eric Trump tells Maine lobstermen: ‘We will never, ever let you down’
When Seth Dube was growing up in Camp Ellis, Saco’s gritty seaside community boasted a robust ground fishing fleet, but the draggers are mostly gone now, replaced by lobster boats like his. The sixth-generation fisherman blames government overregulation for that industry’s demise, and used to worry lobstering could be next. That was before President Trump became a friend of the Maine fisherman, Dube said – reopening marine monuments to fishing, delaying environmental rules that would have forced some lobstermen to install greener diesel engines, inking a trade deal allowing tariff-free lobster trade with Europe and giving lobstermen trade relief for lost China sales. >click to read< 11:19
Yelling, cursing, but no physical confrontation – Lobster dispute between Indigenous and commercial fishers boils over again
Another contentious chapter in a very long dispute over Indigenous fishing rights and federal laws on conservation has begun. Thursday saw a handful of Indigenous lobster boats head out of southwestern Nova Scotia to lay traps using ‘licences’ handed out by a local Mi’kmaw chief and not from the federal Fisheries and Oceans Canada department (DFO). Commercial lobstermen in the area staged protests this week saying the Mi’kmaw are fishing out of season and illegally. The fishery is closed as it’s molting season when lobsters renew their shells, and mating season. They say the law closing the fishery for several months is necessary for conservation purposes and fishing at this time is not sustainable. >click to read< 10:11
Dale Lisi launches his book “Good & Evil”, real life account of his life after losing his arm
Captain Dale Lisi recently announced the release of his breakout literary debut, Good & Evil. Lisi was inspired to write after reflecting on the incredible events of his life and his personal search to find God. He hopes that his work will inspire others to consider their pasts and embrace the possibilities of the future. Lisi is quick to point out, “If you do not take advantage of the opportunity you are given, it is no one’s fault but your own.” Good & Evil is the true account of Lisi’s life after the loss of his arm in a boating accident in 1992, which would ultimately go on to change his life completely. >click to read< 09:14
North Carolina Fisheries Association sends aid to Louisiana fishermen, seafood dealers
The N.C. Fisheries Association, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the state seafood industry, announced in a press release Tuesday it recently sent several pallets of seafood and bulk ice to Louisiana to assist in relief efforts from Hurricane Laura, which made landfall in that state in late August. In an email to the NCFA from Louisiana Fine Food Companies President and CEO Jim Gossen, Mr. Gossen thanked the association and its partners for their assistance. “Thanks for everything your fishermen have done to help us here,” Mr. Gossen said. “Make sure you let them know how much help they’ve been on the western side of the state (of Louisiana).” According to the NCFA release, Mr. Cross called NCFA Executive Director Glenn Skinner and suggested the organization get involved with the relief effort. >click to read< 08:17
Coast Guard medevacs injured fisherman near Cold Bay, Alaska
The Coast Guard medevaced an injured fisherman approximately 40 miles west of Cold Bay, Alaska, Wednesday. At 2:30 p.m. an Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew hoisted the injured man and transferred him to awaiting emergency medical services in Cold Bay for further transport to Anchorage. At 8:34 a.m., command center watchstanders received a medevac request from the 89-foot fishing vessel Atlantico for a 40 year-old crewmember who sustained a back injury. Video, >click to read< 22:17
Second attempt to get Kiwi fishing crew home from Mauritius ready for take off
The crew of Sealord fishing vessel Will Watch have been unable to return to New Zealand due to Coronavirus, so the Nelson-based company has chartered private jets to finally enable a crew changeover after seven months’ fishing. After being scuppered by red tape and mechanical delays, fishing company Sealord’s second attempt to bring its crew home from Mauritius is set for take-off. >click to read< 18:53
Locals Tow Burning Fishing Vessel Away from Port Saunders Wharf to Limit Damage
A Port Saunders fishing vessel was gutted by fire this week, but quick action from first responders and bystanders helped limit the damage to other vessels. >click to read< 15:59
