Monthly Archives: March 2021
The diet of seals – What to make of what winds up in seal stomachs
I wasn’t invited for a free lesson on seal digestion: this was wharf-style politics. The Rideouts are betting on the power of an image and the strength of social media. They believe my camera’s presence can drive home their argument: They say seals play a huge part in slowing the growth of weak crab stocks. They also think its high time the federal government acknowledges it. “Only this week, Labrador got a report back from scientists that their female crab is declining [and] they don’t know why. Well, we know why!” he said. “They are in the stomachs of these seals, and DFO will not let people know that they are in there.” >click to read< 08:20
Big Blow Joe – Biden’s Rush to put Windmills off the Coast of Massachusetts
It didn’t take long for fishermen to realize that Joe Biden is not their friend. Biden, or whoever is calling the shots these days in Washington, rushed through a review of the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm, moving the project, expected to be online by the end of 2023, closer to becoming a reality. It’s not the first time Joe Biden has dealt the fishing industry a losing hand. The Obama-Biden Administration closed fishing grounds off the New England coast by declaring the area a national monument. Trump reversed the decision upon taking office. >click to read< 07:10
Vineyard Wind hopes to have offshore wind farm up and running by 2023
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released its final environmental review of the Vineyard Wind project Monday, which included a favorable assessment of the proposal. Vineyard Wind’s proposed 84-turbine offshore wind farm would generate 800 megawatts of clean energy and power 400,000 homes. The final step in the lengthy federal assessment of the project, according to the company, is an official decision from the BOEM, which could come as early as this spring. >video, click to read< 20:05
A Magnitude of Evidence: Seal Processing Company Accusing DFO of ‘Hiding Evidence’ of Seal Predation
A group of sealers are accusing DFO of “hiding evidence” of seal predation on crab stocks and they intend to take the matter further if need be.,, This year’s crab stock assessment showed some improvement in certain areas, but fishing activity is still only a fraction of what it was 15 or 20 years ago and there is little information on the impact of natural predation on crab stock recovery.,,, Rideout claims they’re keeping the evidence to launch a possible court case against DFO—if necessary. >click to read and, listen to the audio< of Brad Rideout! We’re not just talking crab, and he describes it so even DFO can understand it! 13:36
The Alaska Wilderness Prepared Me For Coronavirus
Every summer I make the long trip up to Naknek, Alaska — an outpost of human settlement among the tundra, volcanoes, and wildlife of southwestern Alaska to be part of the commercial sockeye salmon fishing season in Bristol Bay. From the airport at King Salmon, we drive the lonely stretch of pavement a half hour north, to the boatyard in which the Epick, a 32-foot-long, aluminum-hulled gillnetter that I call home for several weeks out of the year, resides through the winter. My crew and I prep the boat and put her in the water, where we make use of the abundance of daylight typical to Alaskan summers to try and catch as many salmon as possible. >click to read< 11:47
“Networks”: A rare, real look at the lives of lobstermen
“That funny looking water’s moving closer, Brooke,” Wallace says, motioning off in the nearby distance with his head as his hands work on the mooring. “That’s awful funny looking.” “Networks” is Mohnkern’s first film, and it tells a tightly focused story of a group of lobstermen from the Phippsburg village of West Point who hope to catch the shiny, surface-breaking fish known as pogies, or menhaden, causing all the ruckus in the water. It’s a story for the ages, men chasing fish and the consequences of their quest. But in just a few minutes, Mohnkern also manages to tell a story of a community of fishermen coming together for their common good and spotlights the economic impact of the migratory patterns of baitfish. >click to read< 09:32
Conserving lobster stocks: Lobster landings data released by DFO show complex picture
Both Mi’kmaw fishers and people who work in the commercial fishing industry say conservation is a key concern. Some in the commercial fishing industry have pointed to declining lobster catches as evidence of potential harm to the fishery. The Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association has said it has concerns about the amount of lobster being landed in St. Marys Bay, which it says has declined 68 per cent since 2016. Fisheries and Oceans Canada released data showing a decline from the record highs in 2015-16. However, an examination of the 18 years of data shows a nuanced picture. >click to read< 08:10
Momentum building for California offshore wind farms
Last month, Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, introduced a bill that sets a target of generating 3,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030, which could power hundreds of thousands of homes, and 10,000 megawatts by 2040. “Put in perspective, the larger target is nearly equal to the electrical generating capacity of all the large solar farms in California today and nearly double all the wind farms now operating on land in California,”. Chiu said his Assembly Bill 525 would create 14,000 jobs. (sure!) Commercial fishing organizations also have expressed concerns about whether the wind farms would put fishing areas off limits. >click to read< 13:02
Cortez: Net Spreads and Stilt Houses
“I want to be a fisherman when I grow up.” Being a fisherman is a highly regarded job. Here, it’s a last resort.
Tom Lambourn is a 24-year-old fisherman based in Newlyn. He comes from proper fishing stock with both parents heavily involved in the fishing industry. Tom also has a degree in chemistry having studied at Cardiff University. Despite studying nearly 200 miles away, he couldn’t wait to return to Cornwall during holidays and spend time around the harbour and out on the boats.,, James Roberts is a 29-year-old who also fishes out of Newlyn Harbour. But unlike Tom, he didn’t get into it through his direct family. “I was about 8-years-old when I started going down the quay,” >click to read< 09:33
Obituary: Fred W. Bayley
Fred W. Bayley, 83, passed away on Feb. 26, 2021. Born on Nov. 17, 1937, Fred was the son of Russ and Bessie Bayley. Fred started clamming at the age of 7, lobstering by the age of 10. After lobstering, Fred went to Commercial Dragging for all types of fish and fished aboard the fishing vessels Kathleen M., Kathleen and Julie 11, and Kathleen and Julie 111. These were the state of the art high-liners on the East Coast. He owned various lobster boats, tuna boats and trawlers all of his life. Fred and Kathleen built and established the Bayley’s Campground in 1970, which became one of the largest camping resorts on the East Coast. Later on, they developed the Bayley Hill Deer and Elk Farm, with one of the finest herds in the country. >click to read< 08:55
Angry North Sea fishermen dump rocks in front to Greenpeace headquarters
“Fishermen bring back dumped stones,” “dumped stones deadly to fishermen,” and “Greenpeace illegally dumps stones in the sea,” were read on banners and posters hanging on the windows of the Greenpeace headquarters in Amsterdam. In addition to the posters, about twenty to thirty stones were dumped in front of the building. It seems to be a reaction of angry North Sea fishers to Greenpeace. The activists of the environmental organization have, once again, thrown large natural stones into the North Sea. Greenpeace said it would invite the fishermen “for a cup of coffee,,, >click to read< 08:05
Remembering John Picinich, 1949-2021
John Picinich, 71, a longtime resident of West Seattle who retired to Las Vegas, passed away on February 23, 2021. He was born December 19, 1949 in Tacoma to John and Johanna Picinich. He found the love of his life at the age of 20 in West Seattle, when he married Carol Ewing. John attended West Seattle High School. He went on to become a marine pipefitter and commercial fisherman. John was a member of Local 32 Plumbers & Pipefitters Union and worked at various shipyards in Seattle for many years. He fished for salmon in Alaska and the San Juans. and was the co-owner of the F/V Joanna. >click to read< 14:50
VIDEO: Newfoundland fisherman provides proof seals eat crab – No Doubt!
When Natasha Rideout took a knife and cut through the thick membrane, more than 100 small crab spilled out, along with red clumps of crab roe. And that was just from one seal. The seals were caught by local fish harvester Trevor Jones, When cleaning the seal, the crew noticed that the stomachs were bursting with female snow crab, more than 100 in some. The company noted there are six species of seal found off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, all at the highest population ever recorded, and with few natural predators. The current quota for seals is 400,000 animals, but Rideout says only about 50,000 to 60,000 animals are taken each year. >video, click to read< 12:47
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for March 05, 2021
Legislative updates, Bill updates, Calendar, Recently many legislators received an email from Allen Jernigan about his frustrations with fisheries management in our state. Glenn Skinner, NCFA’s Executive Director, went through Mr. Jernigan’s email point by point and offers this response to help clarify some really bad information. Mr. Jernigan’s comments are in black and NCFA’s in red. (read it in the update) >Click here to read the Weekly Update<, to read all the updates, >click here<, for older updates listed as NCFA >click here< 11:42
Cordova Chronicles: Saga of the North Cloud, Part 1 thru 4
The North Cloud, a 105-foot power barge purchased from Army surplus, departed Cordova on Sunday, Feb. 20, 1949. It was bound for Seattle shipyards to be outfitted for fish processing cold-storage operations in Alaska. Aboard the craft was a skeleton crew consisting of new owner Fred Howard and his wife, their son-in-law Robert Zentmire, and engineer Leonard Holeman. >click to read part 1<, >part 2<, >part 3<, >part 4< ! Next week: Saga of the North Cloud, Part V: Rescue, At Last! Dick Shellhorn 09:52
Three crew members missing after life raft from F/V Nicola Faith washed ashore
The raft was found off the coast of Kirkcudbrightshire in southwest Scotland by the HM Coastguard yesterday. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has positively identified the raft as being from the Nicola Faith, which went missing with its three crew members off the coast of Colwyn Bay in North Wales on January 27. “The search for the vessel, which is being co-ordinated by the MAIB, is continuing. >click to read< 08:37
F/V Scandies Rose: Inaccurate Design Calculations May Have Put Scandies Rose in Harm’s Way
According to the Marine Safety Center, the hydrostatics model that the naval architect provided for the vessel “did not accurately represent the F/V Scandies Rose,” for multiple reasons. MSC alleged that it did not accurately model poop deck or forecastle enclosed volume, did not model the bulwarks, had significantly less superstructure windage than the actual vessel, appeared to have much different tank capacities than the vessel capacity plan, and neglected downflooding in calculations. >click to read< 07:50
Commercial Fishing Captain Gregorio Rodriguez – Lived the American Dream
Captain Gregorio Rodriguez, a commercial fisherman in Key West of nearly 50 years, went home to the Lord peacefully in his home on Monday, March 1, 2021, in Key West, Florida at the age of 75. Gregory (Goyo to those who knew and loved him) was born in Mariel, Cuba in 1945 and came to the U.S. in 1961. In 1971 he started a life of fishing and never looked back. He loved his career and his boat F/V Trinity with all of his heart. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Maria Rodriguez, whose strength and care in his last days was remarkable. The love he had for his wife and the bond they shared was unheard of and the envy of many. >click to read< 17:36
F/V Scandies Rose: U.S. Coast Guard and NTSB conclude formal public hearing proceedings of the tragedy
The joint investigation board reviewed and considered evidence related to the loss of the fishing vessel, which occurred on Dec. 31, 2019. The board heard from 43 witnesses, who provided testimony into the conditions influencing the vessel prior to and at the time of the casualty. Testimony also focused on weather, icing, training fisheries, the Scandies Rose’s material condition, owner and operator organizational structures and culture, the regulatory compliance record of the vessel, Coast Guard policy, and practices related to vessel design, engineering and inspections.,,, Recordings of the proceedings are available,,, Documents, exhibits, helpful videos, Board biographies, and other hearing information is available >click to read< 15:43
Stokesbury’s image-based, drop camera survey has been pivotal in the revival of the scallop industry
Stock assessment is one of the many key areas of research being conducted by several professors at UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST). Efforts led by Professors Steve Cadrin, Pingguo He, and Kevin Stokesbury help characterize how offshore wind development interacts with the marine environment, including important fisheries and critical habitat. Their findings are also critical in advancing offshore wind in a sustainable manner while minimizing impacts to existing marine activities and resources. >click to read< 13:34
Athearn Marine Agency Weekend Special – 49’2″ X 22’6″ Millennium Marine Lobster Boat, 1000HP Cat C-18 – Loaded!
Price Reduced! To review specifications, information, and 37 photos of this vessel, watch the video, >click here<, To see all the boats listed here with the Boat of the Week feature, >click here<10:53
P.E.I. Mi’kmaw chiefs denounce DFO’s ‘moderate livelihood’ fishery plan
A news release from P.E.I.’s Mi’kmaw chiefs Thursday called the plan “both unlawful and disrespectful.” “DFO’s continued paternalistic approach to our rights-based fishery goes against the very spirit of reconciliation,” Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould said in the release. Lennox Island First Nation Chief Darlene Bernard said she was “blindsided” by Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan’s announcement, especially since she had taken part in a roundtable discussion with Jordan Wednesday during which they talked about the moderate livelihood fishery. >click to read< 09:36
Massachusetts captain offers classes for aspiring fishermen
Capt. Joe Sanfilippo fished out of Gloucester for more than 20 years alongside siblings and family members. For much of that time, a seed was germinating. Sanfilippo, 46, is the youngest of five boys and his training came from tough-love, working tutorials aboard the family’s three 80-foot fishing vessels, particularly from his brother Dominic aboard the F/V Captain Gus.,, Now he is trying to pass along the very mechanics of working on a commercial fishing boat in a shoreside course called Extreme Gloucester Fishing that could serve as a template for reintroducing a new generation of fishing crew members to Gloucester’s proudest profession. >click to read< 08:39
Feds say all fisheries must operate within the commercial season. Mike Sack says ‘not going to happen’
Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan said in a statement on Wednesday that Ottawa will not issue licenses to fisheries that operate outside the federal commercial season. Last fall, the Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia launched its own self regulated, rights based lobster fishery outside the federal fishing season, sparking a violent backlash from commercial fishers. Sack says the federal government has no right to impose its rules and regulations on the Mi’kmaw, and that Sipekne’katik’s fishery will be back this year — bigger and better than ever. >click to read< 07:51
Obituary: Todd Arlen Chase
Todd Chase, 51, passed away Feb. 20, 2021, in a tragic commercial boating accident, aboard the F/V Coastal Reign, on the bar of Tillamook Bay and Garibaldi. Todd was born in Portland on Jan. 9, 1970. He spent his teenage years in Tillamook County. His surviving parents are Frank and Charlotte Chase, of Warrenton. Todd was always known for his strong work ethic and a love and appreciation of the water. From the age of 14, Todd was working on commercial fishing boats, in canneries and in construction. At the age of 21, he met Angeline Steinman at a Christian event. From that moment the chase was on. In August 1991, they married. There will be a funeral service to honor his life and what it stood for. >click to read< 22:43
An Alaskan fish story, with a longline to Midland, Michigan
“It started with me and my mom commercial fishing together on an adventure together up in Alaska. I needed a deckhand and I didn’t have one, and I called my mom up. … She was in her mid-60s and she was up for it.” That was over ten years ago. For the past four and a half years, Caven and his mother, LoLita Pfeiffer, who lives in Midland, have sold fresh, wild-caught Alaskan fish to Midland. Fishing is normally a tradition passed down in families, but Caven had to learn fishing on his own. He spent nearly 15 years learning how to fish as a full-time fisherman, >click to read< 21:51
F/V Haida Lady Update: Vessel has been raised, Coast Guard concludes monitoring diesel fuel clean-up near Sitka, Alaska
The fishing vessel, Haida Lady, has been raised with lift bags and dewatering pumps, and is tied off to shore. Approximately 1,550 gallons of diesel fuel and oily water mixture were removed from the vessel’s fuel tanks. An additional 275 gallons of oil products were recovered from the water with the use of absorbents, which included 72 sections of absorbent boom and 1,000 feet of harbor boom was deployed and recovered on-scene. All recovered oil products and the net were transferred to the vessel Eyak,,, photos, >click to read< 18:53
Bill 534 could eliminate whale entanglements, hurt (destroy) the crab fishery
The Whale Entanglement Prevention Act introduced on Feb. 10 proposes that trap fisheries such as the crabbing industry use ropeless gear by Nov. 1, 2025,,, Authored by Rob Bonta-D California, in collaboration with Social Compassion in Legislation and the Center for Biological Diversity, Assembly Bill 534 argues that crabbers use antiquated trapping gear that needlessly harms marine life. California Coast Crab Association President Bejamin Platt said the industry has been against ropeless gear because it’s not cost-effective the current price for the gear is more than $1,700. >click to read< 15:37
Gina M. Raimondo Sworn in as 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Gina M. Raimondo was sworn in as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Secretary Raimondo was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris after a bipartisan vote of 84-15 in the United States Senate. In her role as Secretary of Commerce, Raimondo will lead a key agency focused on promoting economic growth, >click to read<11:20
