Monthly Archives: October 2021
In Maine, a push to enumerate a constitutional right to food
For Maine state Representative Billy Bob Faulkingham, amending the state Constitution to recognize a constitutional right to food is just common sense. “In the last decade I think everybody, no matter where you are in the country, has probably seen an expansion of the farmers’ markets and such because people want to get that food closer to home, healthier food, get away from the big corporate producers,” said Faulkingham, a fifth generation lobsterman who has captained a lobster boat since he was 15. Thanks to a resolution he helped introduce into the legislature, Maine voters will decide on Election Day whether to become the first state to codify a right to food in their state Constitution. >click to read< 15:13
In a bayman’s death is a lesson
On a summer day in August, a memorial was held at Green River Cemetery in Springs for a man named Dan King, who had died in North Carolina in April 2020. Dan grew up in the Springs section of East Hampton, where his family had roots going back three centuries to the first European settlers. Dan was a fisherman, specifically a member of the haul-seining community. That’s a method of fishing in which dories are launched from the beach into the surf and nets are spread out to encircle schools of striped bass that are then winched onto the shore. The Kings had done it for generations, as had members of the Lester family. >click to read< 13:09
Saturday Fishermen’s Market: Commercial fisherman Joe Garrigan sells fresh caught seafood
At 7:30 a.m., the plastic tub is full, stacked with several dozen lobsters. By the end of the day, all will be gone, fresh spiny lobsters captured off the Santa Barbara coast, straight into people’s homes. It’s a spot where people can buy fresh fish caught by commercial fishermen. There’s no middle distributor.,, Joe and Melissa Garrigan have been selling lobster every Saturday morning for the past 11 years. >click to read< 10:52
Commercial Fisherman Captain Stanley Russell Bayley of Scarborough, Maine, has passed away
Stanley was born on Nov. 26, 1943, in Biddeford to Russell and Bessie Bayley. Raised on Jones Creek in Pine Point, Scarborough, Stanley started his first job digging clams at the early age of 9 when clams were $1.50 per bushel. Commercial fishing with his grandfather by 13, he bought his first lobster boat by 16, the “Dirty Shame.” After owning three smaller boats, Stan bought his first commercial dragger, the “April Gale” in 1970. In the years that followed he would go on to acquire an additional five draggers and becoming one Maine’s most successful commercial fishermen. He was known and admired by many. >click to read< 09:55
The heroic efforts of the Ernestina’s crew during the No Name storm of 1991
The 1991 No-Name Storm became a “where were you when” moment,,, Two of our close friends, Brad Anderson and Alexandra de Steiguer, were out in the storm, having set sail from Buzzards Bay two days earlier. They were part of a professional crew on board a 100-year-old tall ship, the 114-foot Ernestina, a teaching vessel carrying 24 first-time student sailors on a six-month voyage. The Ernestina was en route to the Cape Verde Islands and, unlike the other sea dramas associated with the Perfect Storm, this story is little known. >click to read< 08:39
Trawl Task Force Wins But Fishing Methodology Between N.O.A.A. and Commercial Fishing Today Is Vastly Different
To Whom This May Concern: First I will talk about N.O.A.A.‘s methodology of fishing when their fishing survey was started to find the abundance of fish, but tows were randomly picked, tows were 20 minutes long, using a net which was too small for the boat and the area covered by the bouncing net and wire was minor compared to today’s commercial fishing tows. At that time, these surveys had No Quota Effects on Commercial Fishing. Times have changed since then, BUT NOW N.O.A.A. surveys control fish given to commercial fishing by their inadequate surveys methodology. >Click to read< by Sam Novello, a Gloucester fisherman who cares about the future of fish and fishermen. 23:30
No Offshore Wind! Maine voters torn by Hydro-Québec plan as referendum set for Tuesday
In communities near the 233-kilometre route of the Appalachian-Maine interconnection line, the worksite raises both environmental fears and hopes for economic revitalization. The line passing through Maine to export 9.45 terawatt-hours annually to Massachusetts could bring billions of dollars to the Crown corporation. A rejection by voters would represent a second setback for Hydro-Québec after the initial plan to run electricity through New Hampshire in 2019 was abandoned due to public opposition. (Shame on non-green NH!) >click to read< 19:26
Owner of vessel aground in Cape Breton en route to recover it – “I’m hoping to get aboard,,,
A Newfoundland man whose family purchased a fishing vessel three weeks ago was on his way to Cape Breton Thursday afternoon to work on recovering it. Jeremy Anstey, of the family-owned Anstey Fisheries in Summerford, N.L., said the Northern Tip is one of four vessels in his family’s fleet that he manages. Although they had just purchased the boat, about two weeks ago they leased the vessel to a First Nations band in Cape Breton. While being leased out, the vessel broke from the mooring in stormy weather and went aground in Iona on Wednesday. “I’m hoping to get aboard (Friday) to see if there’s any damage,” he said, adding it looks fairly sandy where it went aground, so he’s hopeful. photos, >click to read< 12:40
Baffin Fisheries buying $72M fishing vessel
Baffin Fisheries says it’s buying what will be the largest Canadian owned fishing vessel. The new ship will be much safer and cost efficient than the vessel it replaces, says CEO Chris Flanagan. The company held a news conference Friday morning to announce the newest addition to its fleet: a $72.5 million, 80-metre stern trawler that can carry a max of 1,320 tonnes of frozen turbot or 930 tonnes of cold-water shrimp. The trawler will be designed by Norwegian company Skipsteknisk A/S and constructed in Turkey by Tersan Shipyard. Baffin Fisheries is expecting it to be delivered in February 2024. >click to read< 10:04
Moulton’s Trawl Task Force wins $500K to count groundfish
“When I took office, I was told I had to make a choice: stand with the fishermen or the environmentalists. I thought that was crazy because both want, and fishermen need a sustainable fishery. So instead, we rallied both groups around getting better science, and that is exactly what this historic partnership has produced,” Moulton said in a prepared statement. “This work will protect the livelihoods of thousands of people, it will protect our ocean, and it will preserve New England’s identity as a place where people can make a living fishing.” >click to read< 08:44
Sipekne’katik fisherman’s protest dumping of lobster ‘not acceptable,’ chief says
A Sipekne’katik First Nation fisherman who appears in a video showing him dumping crates of banded lobsters into Digby harbour has been rebuked by the band’s chief. In the video, Robert Syliboy objects to a new Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) compliance measure that marks the tail fins of lobster with a paper hole puncher. The hole punch aims to identify lobsters harvested under Indigenous food, social and ceremonial (FSC) licenses in St Mary’s Bay. The conditions of those licenses prevent the sale of the catch. In the video, Syliboy says DFO is harming the lobsters by punching holes in their tail fins. >click to read< 07:39
Proposed Industrial Salmon Farm near Acadia an Environmental and Economic Disaster for Maine
Frenchman Bay United, the coalition leading the opposition to a proposal by Norwegian investors to build a massive salmon in Frenchman Bay next to Acadia National Park, today submitted extensive and detailed comments on the wastewater discharge applications now under consideration by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). “This project will be an environmental and economic disaster for Maine,” said Henry Sharpe, president of the group. “Thirty huge salmon pens will pump 4.1 billion gallons of untreated effluent into some of the most pristine waters on the Maine coast, and information submitted by the company about its wastewater discharge is grossly inaccurate and misleading.” >click to read< 17:56
North Carolina Fisheries Association Weekly Update for October 29, 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< 17:07
‘Pirate trawlers’ destroying Grand Banks under DFO’s nose, says Captain of Faroe Islands longliner
The captain of a Faroese longliner says “pirate” factory-freezer trawlers are destroying the Grand Banks by directing for moratorium species such as cod and other illegal fishing activities. While Fisheries and Oceans is said to be aware of what’s happening, Capt. Christian Mathisen says enforcement officials have told him their hands are tied because Covid-19 protocols Covid-19 protocols from boarding and inspecting the huge foreign draggers. photos, >click to read< 15:08
Outer Banks shipwreck being removed from the beach
Cape Hatteras National Seashore this week began a $295,000 removal of the F/V Ocean Pursuit, a 72-foot scallop trawler that ran aground 18 months ago on the beach near Oregon Inlet.,,, On Monday, Cape Dredging, Inc. of Buxton began digging out the accumulated sand around the trawler and will eventually cut up the remains into smaller, “more manageable” pieces, which will be placed on a tractor-trailer and hauled away for appropriate disposal. >click to read< 12:53
Prohibition? Crab traps may be banned as Dungeness season approaches
Recreational Dungeness crab season opens Nov. 6 and, in response to new regulations by the Fish and Game Commission, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife may prohibit crab traps in an effort to prevent marine life entanglement. Charlton Bonham will review data from the department’s Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program to assess the environmental impacts of crab traps for both recreational and commercial crab fishing. The first hearing will be held on Nov. 1, which could impact gear policies for the season opening five days later. >click to read< 10:18
Feds, con groups file appeal to reinstate seasonal lobstering ban
In their appeal, the federal government and the conservation groups, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Conservation Law Foundation and the Defenders of Wildlife, argue that not only did the National Marine Fisheries Service use the best available science, but also that the lobstering groups did not present any actual evidence of the “certain economic harms” the judge referenced. Also in the appeal, the groups claim that the plaintiffs’ criticism of the availability and quality of data to support the restrictions is misplaced. The fisheries service admitted that more data would be beneficial to refine the agency’s understanding of right whale distribution, but it argued that the data already available is sufficient. >click to read< 08:02
Commercial Fisherman Leroy “Roy” Wilbur Cabana has passed away in Homer, Alaska,
Leroy “Roy” Wilbur Cabana passed away peacefully at his home in Homer, Alaska, surrounded by his family on Oct. 22, 2021, at 10:22 p.m. Even in his final moments he was still full of his quick wit and banter. Some of his final words were “turn it loose,” which was a tribute to his life as a commercial fisherman. Through his employment as a longshoreman, bus driver, body shop co-owner, professional hunter/trapper, or his later careers of a boat builder, catcher/processor, vessel owner, crabber and commercial fisherman, the legacy of his life is the fishing enterprise that he and his wife started for his children and grandchildren and future upcoming great grandchildren. >click to read< 21:20
Kittery woman, owner of Southern Maine Crabs, creates seafood niche
Twenty-three-year-old Jillian Robillard is the owner and founder of Southern Maine Crabs, a processing facility based out of Kittery that specializes in Jonah crabs and lobsters. Growing up on the docks, Robillard noticed lobster fishermen were catching crabs in their lobster traps and throwing them back or crushing them up for bait. When Robillard noticed the price of lobsters increased and the crab prices remained the same, she saw an opportunity in the market. photos, >click to read< 13:27
Texas to Suspend Flounder Season as stocks continue to decline throughout the Gulf and South Atlantic
One of the most sought after saltwater fish on the Texas Coast will be off limits to commercial and sport fishermen starting Nov. 1. Citing negative trends and large scale declines in flounder populations over the past several decades, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will suspend the year round flounder season during a six-week period ending on Dec. 15.,, The fish’s native range stretches from North Carolina southward into Mexico, and nearly all of the states in this coastal region are witnessing similar population declines. >click to read< 12:30
Sipekne’katik chief ‘optimistic’ about newly appointed fisheries minister
The chief of Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia says he’s looking forward to a clean slate with the newly appointed fisheries minister. MP Joyce Murray, who represents Vancouver Quadra, was named minister of fisheries and oceans when Justin Trudeau unveiled his new cabinet Tuesday.,, Mike Sack said since the federal election, he has been “waiting patiently” for Trudeau to name a new minister. He adds he plans to reach out to Murray soon for a one-on-one chat. >click to read< 10:33
Oil spill victims could get financial help from Small Business Administration
Local victims of the oil spill off the coast of Orange County could be eligible for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration, which on Wednesday declared the county a disaster area. While the move falls short of the broader federal disaster designation requested by some in Orange County, it could pave the way for companies to resume any operations, or claw back revenue, stopped or lost because of the spill that first was reported Oct. 1.,,, Terese Pearson, who helps run a family fishing business in Newport Beach, said her primary interest is resuming work, not borrowing money. >click to read< 09:15
UK boat detained by France amid fishing rights row
A British trawler has been seized by France and another has been fined, amid an escalating row over post-Brexit fishing rights. French maritime minister Annick Girardin said the ships were cautioned during checks off Le Havre overnight. She said the first did not comply right away and the second was not allowed to fish in French waters so was detained. >click to read< 08:28
Canadian Coast Guard responds to fishing vessel aground in Iona
“The boat is on its side now, very, very close to the beach,” said Jim MacNeil, a resident of Iona, late afternoon Wednesday, adding conditions were stormy at the time. Stephen Bornais, a spokesperson with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said the coast guard was made aware of a fishing vessel that was aground after breaking free from the wharf in Iona, Wednesday morning. There were no individuals on board when the report was received. >click to read< 07:10
NLGIDC Applauds the appointment of new Ministers to the Federal Cabinet
The Newfoundland and Labrador Groundfish Industry Development Council congratulates the Honourable Joyce Murray who was recently appointed as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “The NLGIDC are looking forward to meeting with Minister Murray in the near future to discuss many issues of concern to the Newfoundland and Labrador Fishing Industry”, said James Baird, the chair of the NLGIDC. >click to read< 14:43
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 49′ Novi Scalloper with Permits
To review specifications, information, with 12 photos, >click here< , To see all the boats in this series >click here< 12:17
Amid Hamptons Mansions, East End Fishermen Beat On Against The Tide
On Gosman’s dock in Montauk, seagulls hovering above, I was greeted by the smells of gasoline and fish as I walked on the worn, white-speckled planks. The water looked invitingly blue, and a group of fishermen were readying their vessel for a day’s work. One of the fishermen and I exchanged nods. A cigarette hung from his lips and he wore heavy work gloves, thick orange waders with suspenders and a greasy baseball cap. The romanticized life of Montauk fisherman seeped into my head,,, >click to read< 10:48
OC residents worry offshore wind farm will destroy coastline without easing climate change
“When I first heard about it, in my imagination, it was just going to be one or two, similar to what they have off Block Island [in Rhode Island],” Hornick said. “And I thought, well, if it’s good for the earth and it’s going to be good for the environment, then we should think about doing it. And then I started to research it, and I found out that it’s not what it’s promised. And the magnitude of the project is such that I believe it will devastate our coastline.” The Biden administration has opened up the East Coast to massive commercial offshore wind farms, stretching from Massachusetts down to North Carolina,,, >click to read< 09:29
Local man takes pride in delivering fresh seafood to our people
Blake Baudoin operates Baudouin Seafood with his wife Beth. Together, the family offers crabs, crawfish and shrimp seasonally to both wholesale distributors and also to members of the community. The work isn’t easy. But Blake Baudoin said it’s a passion, and that there’s no better feeling than delivering a fruitful catch to a satisfied customer. He said he believes he’s a good trapper because of the passion he has for doing the best for his customers. “I’d say I’m good at my work because I’m dedicated, a very hard worker and I never give up,” Baudoin said. “But most of all, I love what I do.” >click to read< 08:47
The Story Behind ‘The Perfect Storm‘
When the 70-foot longliner Andrea Gail was lost off Canada’s Grand Banks on October 29, 1991, Sebastian Junger was living in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the boat’s home port, working as a tree climber to support his freelance writing career. The F/V Andrea Gail was on day 40 of an extended commercial swordfishing trip when three powerful storms converged on the Northeast. Data buoys measured waves as high as 100 feet, and the boat was hit with winds measuring 80 knots (almost 150 miles per hour). The night before the storm, on October 28, Andrea Gail’s captain, Billy Tyne, radioed to area fishermen, “She’s coming on, boys, and she’s coming on strong.” >click to read< 07:20
