Monthly Archives: January 2021
F/V Chief William Saulis: Delaps Cove fisherman calls for raising the scallop dragger
“There’s a huge desire here amongst the communities on the bay shore to see the vessel raised, and for a number of reasons,” said Colin Sproul. Sproul, a fifth-generation fisherman, was working out of his family’s boat-building business at the Delaps Cove wharf on Jan. 17 as word started to spread that the missing vessel was located nearby. For just over a month, searchers scouring land, air and the sea scanned the quiet Bay of Fundy fishing communities in and around Annapolis County’s Delaps Cove.,, >click to read< 08:20
Crab Boat Sinks – Coast Guard Rescues Distressed Fishermen
A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed this evening. that members of the agency “rescued three fisherman” this afternoon near Patricks Point State Park north of Trinidad but said he wasn’t able to provide more information until he had gathered more facts. photos, >click to read<– A crew of commercial crabbing fishermen were rescued by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay today after their boat experienced engine failure in turbulent water off the coast of Agate Beach. video, >click to read< 06:58
Cork TD criticizes ‘shocking’ Brexit deal as value of fishing rights loss revised
A new study of the fishing rights subject to Britain’s trade deal with the European Union (EU) published by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has contradicted the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue. When the Brexit trade deal was announced on Christmas Eve, Mr McConalogue said the fishing rights going to UK fishermen would cost €35m per year. However,,, Independent TD Michael Collins has said this agreement is not fair and described the Brexit trade deal as a “shocking deal” for Irish fishermen. “[French] President Macron has come out and was one of the first to praise the deal of course for his own fishermen but sadly it was a shocking deal for Irish fishermen. >click to read< 16:02
Testing Concepts for Floating Offshore Solar Panels
A unique test is getting underway exploring the potential of floating offshore solar panels as the latest contributor in the search for new renewable energy sources. Norwegian energy company Equinor, which has already expanded into offshore wind, is collaborating with a developmental energy company, Moss Maritime, to test the solar technology including in the harsh Norwegian environment. “We have been working on this concept for the past three years, most recently through our partnership with Equinor,” >click to read< 13:01
F/V Chief William Saulis: Commercial fishing vessel located upright after month-long search
One month and one day since it was lost at sea, the Chief William Saulis scallop dragger has been found. The RCMP says the fishing vessel was located underwater more than two kilometres from the shore of Delaps Cove, Annapolis County. The vessel, the RCMP said, was upright. Because of the depth of where the vessel is – which is greater than 60 metres and exceeds the maximum depth for the RCMP Underwater Recovery Teams (URT) – the RCMP says the next steps to search the inside of the vessel are to be determined. >click to read<, to be updated. 09:50
Del Norte Fishermen Experiencing A Disappointing Start To Dungeness Crab Season
Though his was one of the first boats to pull up at Citizens Dock after fishermen pulled their pots on Saturday, Kurt Ivison didn’t have much,,, Kept from plying their trade initially due to poor quality crab and later because of a price dispute with seafood processors, Del Norte County fishermen, and others on the North Coast, set their pots at 8 a.m. Thursday. According to LCZ Unloaders employee Kevin Wilson, fishermen had a “gentleman’s agreement” to start bringing in their catch at 8 a.m. Saturday. Wilson and his coworker Justin Green noted that everything was going at a slower pace, rough weather earlier in the week might have contributed to the lack of crab coming in. >click to read< 08:44
Scots fisherman who spent almost £1m on new boat told he can’t export his catch
A fisherman who spent almost £1million on a new boat has told how he can’t export his catch due to Brexit delays. Alistair Roberts spent two years having the trawler, named Guide Them, built to add to his River Clyde fleet, which catches scallops and prawns to sell in Europe. But the 64-year-old says three weeks after the vessel went to sea, export hold-ups caused by post-Brexit regulations mean he can’t get his produce out of the UK. >click to read< 08:05
‘It scared me’: Olmito man shares story of dramatic rescue from shrimp boat off South Padre Island
An Olmito man is sharing his story after the Coast Guard rescued him and three others near the jetties at Boca Chica on Monday. Felipe Hernandez says he feels lucky to be alive. “The sea is incredible,” Hernandez said in Spanish. “It gives, but it takes.” A four-person crew had been taking advantage of the shrimping over the last few weeks. On Monday as they were heading back, they ran into dangerously high seas and a monster wave crashed into them. video, >click to read< , Coast Guard rescues 2 people from vessel taking on water near South Padre Island – >click to read< 07:10
Term limits bumping four members from NEFMC
The New England Fishery Management Council will assume a decidedly different composition later this year when four councilors with almost 40 years combined tenure exit because of term limits. On Aug. 10, the terms of Chairman John Quinn of Massachusetts, Matthew McKenzie of Connecticut, Chairman John Quinn of Massachusetts, Matthew McKenzie of Connecticut, Vincent Balzano and Terry Alexander, both of Maine, are set to expire. >click to read< 17:50
Taiwanese fishing trawler saves crew of 22 from sinking Panamanian ship
A Taiwanese fishing trawler rescued 22 crew members from a sinking Panamanian freighter after a fire southeast of Taiwan’s southern tip, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said Saturday (Jan. 16). The 13,880-tonne Yong Feng first issued a call for help early Wednesday (Jan. 13), telling the rescue services it was letting in water after a fire on board. >click to read< 17:15
Struggling seafood processor hopes to come back stronger under new ownership as ‘New Peter Pan’
Peter Pan, the seafood processing company with an array of plants in Southwest Alaska, had been struggling to keep up with competitors. So when its owner, Japanese seafood giant Maruha Nichiro, initially announced its sale of Peter Pan to three private equity groups, it said it expected a loss of almost $28 million. The deal means the company is now vertically integrated, so all stages of production and marketing — usually operated separately — are now under one owner. It also places Peter Pan under American ownership. >click to read< 15:46
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for January 15, 2021
Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here<15:15
A life-long fisherman – Lawrence “Larry” Edward Goodell Sr., 71, of Aberdeen, Washington, has passed away
Larry was raised within a commercial fishing family where the Columbia River provided a way of life that sustained Larry and his family for generations. Larry’s childhood home, located at Pillar Rock, Washington, was part of a small but historic fishing community where the tide ruled and salmon provided. Prior to graduating from Naselle High School in 1968, at the age of 14, Larry took ownership of his first gillnet boat and fished for Point Adams Packing Co. as a young commercial fisherman. At 14, Larry also became a member of the Altoona Snag Union and fished among his dad, relatives and other comrades for over 50-years. >click to read< 12:28
Shipwreck in the English Channel: the bodies of the three sailors found lifeless in the wreck of the ship
At the end of the day, Thursday, January 14, 2021, the trawler “Breiz”, located off Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, is in a bad position in raging seas. During the towing by the SNSM, the fishing boat “embarks a blade and suddenly sinks” around 11:30 p.m., the maritime prefecture said in a statement. The Cross then broadcasts a Mayday Relay message.,,, The bodies of the three missing young fishermen have been found,,, >click to read< 10:50
Stocks head for weekly loss as economy’s coronavirus pain deepens – Seafood industry hit hard
A federal report says the coronavirus pandemic has taken away about a third of the commercial fishing industry’s revenue. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says revenues from catch brought to the docks by commercial fishermen fell 29% over the course of the first seven months of the year. The report says revenues declined every month from March to July, including a 45% decrease in July. The NOAA report says the seafood industry at large has been hit hard by restaurant closures, social distancing protocols and the need for safety measures. >click to read< 09:15
Chief William Saulis: Search for missing scallop dragger shifts to new areas
The RCMP says the search for five missing scallop fishermen and their boat that sank off southwest Nova Scotia has moved to new targeted areas. The Mounties say a search of areas in the Bay of Fundy identified by GPS co-ordinates and other information failed to locate the Chief William Saulis. >click to read< RCMP eliminate some potential sites of missing scallop boat – underwater recovery teams have checked several areas of the Bay of Fundy where they had indication that the missing scallop fishing boat Chief William Saulis may be located, but has determined that the targets identified were not the vessel. The recovery teams, which are from Nova Scotia and British Columbia,,, >click to read< 07:55
Crescent City Crab Fleet Hits The Water; Catch Expected To Reach Citizens Dock Starting Saturday
Fresh Dungeness crab is expected to hit Citizens Dock on Saturday. After haggling over the price since Dec. 23, fishermen were able to drop their pots on Thursday. >click to watch video< 06:58
Made In Macduff
Adam Tait and his sons Adam and Jonathan went back to Macduff Shipyards for a new F/V Jacqueline Anne, replacing a trawler delivered by the same yard in 2013, with the new trawler built to the yard’s latest design. Built to fish around Scotland but mainly on North Sea grounds, Jacqueline Anne has been built using the same hull from as F/V Crystal Sea, which Macduff delivered in early 2020 to the Stevens family in Newlyn. The 24.50 metre LAO, 7.60 metre breadth design is an evolution of the yard’s older 24 metre design, with modifications made to reduce hull resistance and improve fuel efficiency. photos, >click to read< 15:48
Western Alaska villages, two CDQs acquire more crab quota, vessels
Thirty western Alaska communities, along with two community development quota entities are anticipating a boost in their economic future in a buyout deal in which they are acquiring $35 million in opilio and king crab quotas, plus full ownership of seven crab vessels. The buy-out of Mariner Companies in Seattle offers the rural communities a value equal to 3 percent of the total crab fishery, while Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp. will acquire four of the fishing vessels and Coastal Villages Region Fund will acquire three vessels. >click to read< 12:49
Capt. Douglas M. Swain, 78, of New Bedford has passed away
Captain Douglas M. Swain, 78, of New Bedford died January 12, 2021 peacefully at home. He was the husband of Claudette E. (Verville) Swain. Born in New Bedford, son of the late Robert J. and Helen F. (Goss) Swain, he lived in New Bedford all of his life. He was formerly employed as a fisherman for many years retiring as captain of F/V Ambassador. Doug had a great relationship with his crew and the owner Geir Tonnessen. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Doug received the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars. >click to read< 10:40
New York Selects Equinor for Largest US Offshore Wind Award
“Together, Equinor and the State of New York will create a robust offshore wind supply chain capable of manufacturing, assembling, and staging these projects at scale. As Equinor works to expand its renewable energy presence across the United States and the globe, New York’s leadership clearly illustrates the transformative benefits of offshore wind on climate goals and economic activity alike,” says Siri Espedal Kindem, President of Equinor Wind U.S.,,, “Governor Cuomo has taken the necessary actions to position New York as a national hub for the U.S. offshore wind industry, >click to read<09:34
In Loving Memory: Nick McGlashan, By the McGlashan Family
Bruce “Nick” McGlashan was born in Anchorage on Aug.1, 1987. He was the second child to Bruce Lanford and June McGlashan. Nick was baptized at the Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension in Unalaska two weeks later by the late Father Ishmael Gromoff. Nick would serve with Father Ishmael as an altar boy. He grew up in Akutan, AK.,, Nick McGlashan loved his family, friends and fans. He passed away on Dec. 27, 2020. This handsome, bright, and caring young man was taken from all of us, much too soon. He was very outspoken about his struggle with addiction in recent years and became a mentor for those going through similar battles. >click to read< 08:34
Photo’s: Humboldt Crab Fishermen are Finally Out There Catching You Some Deliciousness
After a much-delayed start to this year’s crab season, Humboldt’s crab fisherman fleet is finally on the water with industry insiders predicting commercially caught crustaceans could be on local tables as soon as next week, thank God. Local photographer Matt Filar awoke way too early this morning to head to Trinidad to capture some images of our hopeful crabbers as they headed out to sea to drop pots. >click to view 9 photos<07:36
A wild life
Cancer has claimed Dan Gabryszak, a backwoods Renaissance man who built a life for himself and his family along the Yentna River north of Anchorage when it was still a wilderness a world away from his California roots. Everyone who traveled the now popular, Alaska waterway in the past three decades knew, or knew of, Dan and the Gabryszak family at Yentna Station Roadhouse. Today it is a refueling stop or place to grab a burger for riverboat drivers in summer and a winter swarm of snowmachine riders, mushers, fat bikers or the occasional skier. Forty years ago, it was a considerably different and quieter place where Gabryszak and his wife Jeannette – Jean to friends – nearly starved to death their first winter. >click to read< 17:40
A World First: Activation of Commercial Iridium Global Maritime Distress Safety System on board Norwegian Trawler
The Norwegian trawler F/V Trygvason has put to sea following installation of two Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS terminals by local marine services company Brommeland Elektronikk A/S, with Iridium GMDSS service provided by remote communications solutions provider, Applied Satellite Technology (AST). The terminal manufactured by Lars Thrane A/S is the only GMDSS terminal paired with Iridium’s global network. >click to read< 12:48
New regulations delayed the 2020-21 Dungeness crab season, forcing crab fishermen to rely on staples like black cod
Like many other fishermen, Blue doesn’t just fish for one kind of seafood. He fishes for black cod and Dungeness crab with a small team—himself and two other men. He’s been in the industry since 1974, when he moved to Morro Bay at the age of 18 and got his first job as a deckhand. Three years later, he bought his first boat when, he said, it cost about $100 to be in business. Things have changed a lot since then.,, >click to read< 11:11
Longtime, devoted Galveston shrimper Joseph “Captain Joe,” Grillo dies
Joseph Anthony Grillo, a commercial shrimper for more than 50 years who fought for legislation to protect the island industry, died on Jan. 1 at his home. He was 89. Grillo, affectionately known as “Captain Joe,” was born Jan.10, 1931, in Apalachicola, Florida. He moved to Galveston with his family in 1940. Grillo was a loving family man, a hard-working commercial shrimper and devoted Roman Catholic, his family and friends say. Grillo purchased his shrimp boat, which he named Santa Maria, in 1952 and he and his wife operated it until they sold the boat at their retirement in 2003 to the Galveston Historical Foundation, which made it a part of its Texas Seaport Museum on Harborside Drive. >click to read< 09:55
The President vetoed a bill that would have decimated family fisheries and the ocean
Thanks to a last-minute veto by President Donald Trump on January 1, dozens of American family fishing businesses will be saved from going out of business, and the ocean ecosystem will be better protected—both of which were being threatened by a bill that was more rhetoric than science. In mid-December, Congress passed S. 906, the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act. The legislation would have phased out the use of drift gillnets, the only proven commercially viable way to catch swordfish, and would have effectively closed the West Coast swordfish fishery. This comes amidst particular uncertainty for fishermen in the region, who were already facing daunting challenges. >click to read< 09:15
Three fishermen saved after shrimp boat sinks off North Topsail Beach
On Dec. 30, Lawrence Hansley and two others headed out to sea with Hansley’s shrimp boat, Salty Boy. It’d been six or seven months since he was on the inlet. While out on the water, the team entered a channel not far off NTB. “We went through a set of buoys, and I know we had to line up for the red buoys, but we didn’t see the red buoy,” said Hansley. That’s when they were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. The boat touched the bottom of the seafloor, coming up onto a sand bar, and ran aground. >video, click to read< 08:10
North Pacific pollock fleet preps for season after tough 2020
Skipper Kevin Ganley spent most of the summer and fall pulling a massive trawl net through the Bering Sea in a long slow search for pollock, a staple of McDonald’s fish sandwiches. The fish proved very hard to find. “We just scratched and scratched and scratched,” Ganley recalls. “It was survival mode.” Ganley’s boat is part of a fleet of largely Washington-based trawlers that have had a difficult year as they joined in North America’s largest single-species seafood harvest. >click to read< 19:28
