Monthly Archives: July 2021
Wild Wild West sets new record at Stonington lobster boat races
Lobstermen put away the traps and opened the throttles this weekend at the Stonington lobster boat races. About 75 boats participated in the races this year, with a strong local presence and a contingent for Vinalhaven and North Haven, said Jon Johansen, the president of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association. Cameron Crawford’s Wild Wild West, always a top contender at the races, clocked 61.6 mph, setting a new diesel record by about 1 mph, en route to first place in the diesel free for all, Johansen said. >click to read< 08:59
Bristol Bay Fisheries Report: July 14, 2021
Bristol Bay’s run is 3 million fish over its pre-season forecast — more than 54 million fish have returned so far. The Naknek-Kvichak’s fleet had the biggest catch of the day, as more than 700,000 fish were hauled in, and the Kvichak saw a sizable escapement. Ugashik’s harvest was over 600,000 for the third day in a row. Messages to the fleet – To Jessie Peraleg, on the Sandie Marie: please call me at my mom’s, 842-4000 ASAP,, To Doug Walling: Wishing my favorite guy in a uniform, DW, is having the time of his life and staying safe!! Missing you… Your Chicago Fisher Girl- J >click to read< 08;07
Profit and turnover down as UK fishing fleet weathers a challenging year.
Our first economic performance estimates for 2020 show impact of pandemic on fishing industry. Fishing fleet performance in 2020 The total operating profit of the UK fishing fleet fell by almost a fifth in 2020 as the sector dealt with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The data we’re publishing today shows that: Operating profit fell by 19% from £264 million in 2019 to £214 million in 2020. Turnover, which had been above the £1 billion mark for the previous three years, fell to £843 million. This is a 17% reduction. These totals,,, photos, >click to read<22:26
Used. Fishermen say MPs who hyped Brexit fishing benefits have abandoned them
Conservative MPs who hyped the potential benefits of Brexit for the fishing industry have been accused of quietly abandoning any mention of the issue after promised gains failed to materialise. “Those Conservative MPs that were our most vociferous supporters were very quiet, about the implications of the TCA [trade and cooperation agreement]. That’s the world that we’re having to adjust to,” said Barrie Deas, chief executive of the NFFO in a briefing with journalists on Wednesday. “The European Research Group, for example quite often referred to fishing as a poster child [for Brexit] but I don’t think any of them came out and said this is a bad deal for fishing. Their eye was on the main prize, which of course was the trade agreement.” >click to read< 15:30
The Battle for the Ocean Floor
Mining rare minerals and metals from beneath the ocean could avoid the environmental damage of on-shore mining, and fuel our sustainable transition. In the most common version of deep-sea mining, huge excavation robots scour the seabed for polymetallic nodules, small potato-sized clusters of key minerals such as cobalt and nickel. Resources like these are in high demand for building technologies like new batteries, which will be crucial to electrifying our society. These mining activities, however, might damage deep-sea ecosystems we know very little about. Which is why NGOs such as Greenpeace and even some companies, like BMW, are calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. >click to read<16:14
Illegal trawling trial concludes after 10-month hiatus
Fishing company Amaltal has maintained its position that a vessel found trawling in an unauthorised area was the fault of the skipper and not the company. Amaltal, the deepwater division of Talley’s Group, and skipper Charles Shuttleworth are on trial in the Nelson District Court for allegedly trawling in an area closed to fishing in the Lord Howe Rise in the Tasman Sea – from an incident in May 2018.,, The Amaltal F/V Apollo left Nelson in May 2018, on a trip to fish for orange roughy and alfonsino. During the trip, there was confusion over the area the vessel was fishing in. >click to read< 14:44
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 40′ Young Brothers Lobster Boat, 650HP Mack E-7 Diesel
To review specifications, information, and 17 photos, >click here< , To see all the boats in this series >click here< 12:38
Huge Displacement: The United Kingdom is ‘sacrificing’ it’s fishing sector for offshore wind farms
The government has been accused of sacrificing the fishing industry for a second time since Brexit in order to burnish its green credentials with offshore wind farm’s.,, Boris Johnson, last year said the UK had an opportunity to become “the Saudi Arabia of wind”, as part of a goal to become carbon neutral by 2030. But in an echo of Brexit political divides, fishing officials said on Wednesday the government had failed to carry out impact assessments or recognise the huge “displacement” that wind turbines at sea were causing the fishing industry. “What we seem to have is a government that is in thrall to the conservation lobby, and you can see why – there are green votes that are there,” >click to read< 11:26
Higher shrimp prices causing problems for packers and retailers
The inflated price of shrimp in Southeast Texas has had a varying economic impact for both consumers and industry professionals. While restaurants were closed during the pandemic, consumers flocked to grocery stores and markets. Great news for packers, fishermen and seafood market owners, but not so good for consumers who saw prices increase. video, >click to watch< 10:45
110 ignorant elected “officials” back New Jersey offshore wind farm. Who says its clean?!!
The New Jersey chapter of Elected Officials to Protect America, which announced 110 elected officials from across New Jersey have signed a letter of support for the responsible development of offshore wind, held a virtual news conference Tuesday to highlight the benefits of developing this clean energy source. The group Save Our Shoreline has recently raised concerns about the impact of the planned wind farm on electric rates, marine life and tourism. >click to read< Its not clean, its NOT responsible. Vote them out, forever! 09:38
Endeavor to join DMR’s patrol fleet
Endeavor made its first trip on Tuesday, July 13 on its way to becoming the newest addition to the fleet of the Department of Marine Resources in Boothbay Harbor. Near completion by Farrin’s Boat Shop in Walpole, the patrol boat was carried to its launch site at Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol. “We are waiting for a replacement computer for the engine,” said Bruce Farrin Jr. >click to read< 08:52
Fisherman Lance Eric Norby bought a boat sight unseen and named it PNEUMA. “can’t” was not in his vocabulary
Lance Eric Norby entered God’s kingdom on July 1st, 2021, doing what he loved most, in hopes that soon he would be living his dream of giving up his mandatory 6-7 day workweek and begin enjoying the adventurous lifestyle Alaska had to offer. He had an eidetic memory and knew every job at the General Motors Assembly plant where he worked. About four years ago, Lance was introduced to the world of commercial fishing by his good friend, David Schwantes. After a couple Summers of working with and for David on his boats, last year he bought a 32′ aluminum commercial fishing boat, sight unseen, during Covid, naming it PNEUMA. >click to read< 07:55
Rory Rodger Ahern, Jr., Greenfield, N.J. Scallop Fisherman has passed away
After years of struggling with mental health and substance use, Rory (Rodger) Ahern lost his battle at 29 years old. While his illness often took the forefront of conversations, we want to remember him as the dynamic and hysterical young man that he was while on this earth. His passion for fishing began at three years old and filled him with immense joy throughout his life. His last few months working as a commercial scallop fisherman on The Atlantic Warrior brought him the most happiness he’s experienced in years, thanks to a kind and supportive group of fishermen who encouraged him to set goals and envision a bright future. Rory had a beautiful heart and was always willing to help others without judgement, particularly because he understood how it felt to be judged and isolated. >click to read< 19:30
Elephant tusk recovered off Kerry coast by trawler fishing for prawns
An elephant tusk recovered at sea by a Kerry fishing vessel may have originated onboard a slave ship bound for England or America. The Ivory tusk was discovered by the Dingle based Cú na Mara in the Porcupine Basin. The trawler had been fishing for prawns about 120 miles off the Kerry coast when they discovered that the elephant tusk had become entangled in their nets. >click to read< 17:59
The Activists Who Embrace Nuclear – Shellenberger to Discuss Offshore Wind Farms Thursday 7 p.m. at OC Music Pier
Heather Hoff discovered a Web site called Save Diablo Canyon. The site had been launched by a man named Michael Shellenberger, who ran an organization called Environmental Progress, in the Bay Area. Shellenberger was a controversial figure, known for his pugilistic defense of nuclear power and his acerbic criticism of mainstream environmentalists. Hoff had seen “Pandora’s Promise,” a 2013 documentary about nuclear power, in which Shellenberger had been featured. She e-mailed him to ask about getting involved, and he offered to give a talk to plant employees. Hoff publicized the event among her colleagues, and baked about two hundred chocolate-chip cookies for the audience. On the evening of February 16, 2016, a couple hundred people filed into a conference room at a local Courtyard Marriott hotel. >click to read< , just like they will at the O.C. Music Pier, on Thursday evening! >click to read< 15:50
‘Why is the fishing industry having to fight their own government for survival?’
The fishing industry is seeking urgent clarification from government in the light of growing evidence that local vessels are being prevented from fishing traditional grounds by foreign owned and crewed fishing vessels. The issue was raised by Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael during a fishing debate in parliament on Tuesday morning. The Orkney and Shetland MP told UK fishing minister Victoria Prentis that he had urged her to give powers to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to police the waters out to the 200-mile limit at the time the post Brexit fisheries bill was passing through parliament last autumn. >click to read< 13:22
F/V Hard Merchandise, F/V Wicked Pissah fight to the finish of “Wicked Tuna” Season 10
One of the most challenging seasons ever experienced by the “Wicked Tuna” captains drew to a close Sunday, with Wicked Pissah, captained by Gloucester-based fisherman Paul Hebert, coming out on top. With the crews overcoming a global pandemic that severely impacted the bluefin market, the season came down to a battle between the Wicked Pissah and the Hard Merchandise, captained by Dave Marciano of Beverly. “These final days, we’re off on our own again, doing whatever we can to set ourselves up for success,” Marciano said. “The fleet may be mad that we’ve done our own thing this season, but the fact of the matter is, we do our best when we keep quiet and fish away from everyone.” >click to read< 11:55
Soaring crab prices leave Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters out in the cold
On July 3, Ocean Choice International frozen snow crab sold at Sam’s Club in Orlando, Fla., for $16.60/lb US, or $20.41 CAD. That works out to a 171 per cent mark up from the most recent $7.53/lb price paid to Newfoundland and Labrador inshore harvesters for the snow crab they land. Let there be no doubt, the 2021 price paid to harvesters for snow crab is fantastic, the highest it’s ever been, but the question that must be asked is whether it amounts to a reasonable sharing of market returns? >click to read< 09:55
Brexit: Deep and growing anger – “I cannot think of a single red line that was not crossed.”
Those were the words put to me by a senior figure in the fishing industry last week, a sentiment shared by fishermen across the country who feel betrayed by Boris Johnson. Indeed I cannot remember a time when I saw every sector of the fishing industry this despondent about the future. That is why this morning we are – together – challenging the government to change course. A year or two ago, you couldn’t find a harbour in the country that didn’t have a Tory politician standing on the deck of a trawler posing for pictures. >click to read< Brexit: Fishing industry faces ‘existential threat’ over export costs – Seafood firms have seen export costs “treble” in the six months following Brexit, leading MPs to warn that the industry now faces an “existential threat”. >click to read< 08:40
Town Dock to offer vaccine clinic for commercial fishermen, employees
The Town Dock in Narragansett is partnering with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Management to host a vaccine clinic this week. The free, walk-up clinic is for crews of the commercial fishing fleet, as well as employees of shoreside businesses in the Port of Galilee. The clinics will be held Tuesday, July 13 and Wednesday, July 14 from 12-4 p.m at The Town Dock. Clinicians will be administering the single shot J&J vaccine. Coronavirus testing will also be offered at the clinic. >click to read< 07:35
Generosity Overflows at Fluke for Luke Tournament
Since 2017, the Fluke for Luke fishing tournament has raised money for the college education of Jacob and Sam Gurney, the sons of Luke Gurney, an Island fisherman who died in a fishing accident in 2016. This year, these funds will be put to use when Jacob heads off to the University of Rhode Island in the fall to study marine biology. Luke’s wife Robyn said Jacob wants to use his education to carry on his father’s legacy. >click to read<,To read more about Luke, and the past tournaments, >click here< 21:37
Widow, daughter of crab fisherman sue judge, lawyer for alleged negligence and misrepresentation
A woman and her daughter on the Acadian Peninsula are suing a judge and a lawyer for $13 million for alleged negligence and misrepresentation in handling a family dispute involving the estate of her late husband, a crab fisherman. Rita and Corinne Noël of Lamèque recently filed the lawsuit against New Brunswick Court of Appeal Justice Charles A. LeBlond and Jocelyne Moreau-Bérubé with the New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench in Bathurst. But their legal battle dates back to 2013, when Raymond Noël died. At the heart of the conflict is his fishing licence and boat, the Régine Diane, according to the court documents. >click to read< 18:30
NIOSH: Work-Related Deaths in Alaska Remain High After 15 Years
NIOSH investigators reviewed work-related deaths from 2004 to 2018 as recorded in the Alaska Occupational Injury Surveillance System, which tracks workplace deaths and injuries, and found 517 work-related deaths had occurred over the 15-year period. Most deaths were among white men working in the commercial fishing industry, with the average age of 42 for fatally injured workers. Commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States, with a fatality rate 29 times higher than the national average, according to NIOSH. The leading cause of work-related death over the 15 years studied was water vehicle incidents,,, The institute also announced the availability of commercial fishing safety research and training grants. >click to read< 16:15
There is hope! Missing F/V Falling Star crew identified, could be on a 12-man raft and a 12-man skiff
This was the optimistic view of Glenn Tuttle, co-manager of Boatwatch.org, an international network of resources to aid mariners that are missing or overdue, adding that they could be “floating around anywhere”. The missing Hondurans have been identified as Sergio Green Castro, Domingo Peri Suazo, Dilson Omar Suazo, Geraldo Martinez, Jose Victor Calsido, Dayton Sabino Martinez, Geraldo Alvarez Castillo, Jose Marcelo Castro, Edson Alejandro Castillo, Jose Angel Suazo, Claudio Castro, Henry Morales, Leonidas Martinez, Lander Nuñez, and Victor Manuel Castillo, according to Boatwatch.org. The family of the missing people are trying to locate a company in Jamaica that can actually fly out there with a plane that can go out miles over the ocean and carry enough fuel to conduct a proper search,” >click to read< 13:05
Michael Shellenberger: “I’m going to argue that everything we were told about renewable energy is wrong,”
Author and environmental advocate Michael Shellenberger will be the guest speaker Thursday evening at the Ocean City Music Pier. Best-selling author and nationally known environmental advocate Michael Shellenberger scoffs at the notion that ocean wind farms, like the one proposed off the South Jersey coast, are a good source of renewable, green energy. He regards them more as an industrialized threat to the environment, to the commercial fishing industry, to marine life and wildlife. “The big push to industrialize the East Coast will ruin the East Coast. It’s a gross environmental injustice,” he said. Video, >click to read< 11:57
Another ‘red tide’ left 15 tons of dead fish on Tampa Bay’s shore. Experts warn of more destruction
The dead fish have been washing up on the shores of Tampa Bay in West Central Florida since at least early June, thanks to a natural phenomenon known as “red tide”, large “blooms” of toxic algae that spread through the water. They can harm sea creatures and even humans. Since Tropical Storm Elsa swept Florida last week, the problem has become worse, as strong winds pushed scores of lifeless fish onto the shores of St. Petersburg, surrounding residents and visitors in a miasma of rotting death. >click to read< 11:01
Bristol Bay Fisheries Report: July 11, 2021
Messages to the fleet, – Hey Pooh Bear. Did your satin pillowcase arrive OK? Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve checked in. You know that guy from last summer I thought was your brother? But then he turned out not to be your brother? He’s visiting again. I guess he’s a massage therapist, and is back in town for an internship. I’ve been more relaxed lately, so have been keeping busy and bedazzled your Carhartt coveralls and will work on snowmachine bibs next. Is Chartreuse still your favorite color? Miss you! Montana Chick (PS. Tell Matt Hakela that I couldn’t find that pumpkin spice beard oil he likes. Will look for alternative.) The Numbers! >click to read< 09:50
Hope is fading – 15 fishermen heading to Jamaica presumed dead at sea
A multiagency search was still under way late Sunday for the F/V Fallen Star fishing boat that set sail from Honduras but disappeared in the vicinity of the Pedro Cays. Fifteen Honduran fishermen were said to be on board. The boat was reportedly laden with lobster traps. >click to read<– Fifteen Honduran fishermen who were on their way to Jamaica for the lobster fishing season are presumed dead after their boat went missing at sea. The boat, linked to Rainforest Seafoods, has been missing since Friday, law enforcement officials have revealed. >click to read< 08:37
Jamaican lobster fishing vessel with 15 onboard missing since Tuesday
A search is ongoing for a Jamaican vessel with 15 people onboard that has been missing since Tuesday afternoon. The lobster fishing vessel, Falling Star, is owned by Rainforest Seafoods, according to reports reaching Observer Online. According to reports, the lobster fishing vessel was returning from dry routine maintenance overseas, when it stopped sending tracking signals on Tuesday afternoon, July 6. >click to read< 16:27
More Florida manatees died in 2021 compared to any other year
There have more manatee deaths so far this year in Florida compared to any other year in the state’s recorded history. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports 841 manatees have died through July 2, topping the previous record of 830 deaths that were recorded in all of 2013. That occurred following a red tide outbreak,,, This year, the FWC says, there has been “unprecedented manatee mortality due to starvation.” video, >click to read< 15;04
