Monthly Archives: November 2021
Maine lobsterman giving away buckets of lobsters to some lucky veterans
A lobsterman in Harrington who gave away some of his catch to a few lucky veterans last year is at it, again. Dozens of others have chipped in buckets, too, ahead of the Veterans Day holiday. “I wanted to give back a little bit. So I posted I’d give five buckets away if anyone knew a veteran, throw their name down and I’d draw it out,” said Frank Thompson. “Before it was over fellow fisherman jumped on. Video, >click to read< 09:25
Finding Common Ground Off to a bad start
The opinion piece “Finding common ground on fisheries data”, reflects the biggest impediment to solving the problems it addresses – lots of false assumptions. First and foremost is blaming reductions in survey fish stocks on “overfishing”. Yes, overfishing did occur when massive, mostly foreign, commercial fishing operations scooped up fish stocks indiscriminately, often purging the bottom of everything needed to sustain acquatic life. But this was not done by the small boats of the New England fishing communities, which now, after thirty years of draconian restrictions, are no longer capable of catching enough fish to sustain their boats and their families — never mind “overfishing”. >click to read<, Capt. Salvatore “Sam” Novello, Gloucester, Mass. 08:30
UK inquest finds submarine did not cause 2004 sinking of French trawler
The judge Nigel Lickley QC, who has overseen an inquest on the tragedy, ruled that the French trawler F/V Bugaled Breizh sank after its fishing gear snagged on the seabed, causing it to heel – tip to one side – and take in water. Relatives of the men lost in the tragedy have long believed the boat sank after a submarine became tangled in its fishing gear, and they saw the inquest in London as a last chance to get to what they believe is the truth. The judge said he believed that the sinking, on 15 January 2004, was a fishing accident. >click to read< 22:15
“Focus on our Fishermen” – JEDCO, Town of Jean Lafitte to Host Seafood Industry Event
Hurricane Ida and COVID-19 have had a devastating impact on our seafood communities,,, Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO), in partnership with the Town of Jean Lafitte, announced plans to host “Focus on our Fishermen,” an evening event to provide fishermen and fisheries-related businesses with access to tools and resources that can guide recovery and beyond. Local partners will be available to provide information on recovery assistance, small business financing programs, and more to help our fishing industry come back stronger and more resilient than ever. for more information, >click to read< 18:48
Judge rejects efforts by feds, enviro’s to impose immediate restrictions on lobstering
Last month, Justice Lance Walker sided with the Maine Lobstering Union and granted a temporary injunction to stop a new federal closure of a roughly 960-square mile area off the Maine coast. The federal agencies appealed that decision and asked for an emergency “stay” of the order, contending the closure is essential now to protect endangered right whales. On Friday, Justice Walker denied that request, meaning the area remains open to fishing. >click to read< 16:10
Biden’s Offshore Wind Farm Target Will Increase Costs, Reduce Reliability
Congress passed the first temporary production tax credit for wind in 1992 and extended it 13 times since then. The Democrat’s reconciliation package contains about $235 billion in incentives for wind and solar,,, The reconciliation package Build Back Better would make the PTC and investment tax credit direct payments, instead of a tax credit against any taxes owed. That is, renewable energy developers would receive a check from the government for the subsidy. Further, solar, which has long qualified for an investment tax credit but not the production tax credit available to wind, would now qualify for both. The legislation would also restore the PTC and ITC to their original values as follows: >click to read< 14:41
New Leadership at the Helm
Gloucester, Massachusetts, one of the oldest seaports in America has a new Mayor. Mayor Greg Verga was elected to take the helm of the City, and is aware of our problems and wants to help. He is reaching out to those in the seafood industry and will see what we can do as a team, I supported him and am confident he will help. He is the son of Antony Verga, who was our Fisheries Commissioner, and Massachusetts state representative that did a lot to help our fisherman. Regardless of who is in office we need to unite. Together we can do better. Sam Parisi, Gloucester, Massachusetts. 13:25
Groundfish Trawl Task Force – Finding common ground on fisheries data
Building consensus between commercial fishermen, conservationists and marine regulators is no easy task. But a long, patient effort led by Congressman Seth Moulton’s office seems to be making progress,,, For years, NOAA has relied on data from two research trawlers. The Albatross IV was used between 1963 and 2008, and the Bigelow since then. NOAA currently combines data from both vessels when making regulatory decisions. That is despite the often-flawed data supplied by the Albatross IV over the years. The Albatross IV was at the center of the “Trawlgate” controversy of the early 2000s, when NOAA scientists had to concede the trawler used the wrong nets, likely missing hundreds of thousands of fish. Yet regulators stood by that data to set low catch limits based on the admittedly flawed numbers. >click to read< 10:25
Impounded fishing trawler docks in Shoreham – Donegal skipper thanks supporters
The scallop dredger Cornelis Gert Jan left Le Havre on Wednesday after being held there since last week, when France accused it of fishing in its waters without a proper licence. “We are pleased to have this matter resolved and delighted that our crew and vessel are now able to return home. The crew have acted with calmness and professionalism throughout the entire incident. photos, >click to read< Donegal skipper ay centre of fishing row thanks supporters – In a message to west Donegal independent councillor, Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, Mr Ward said: “Just busy now trying to get all ready to get to sea. “Please tell everyone at home that I am so grateful for all their messages and support.” >click to read< 09:51
NTSB: Fishing vessel didn’t heed danger signals before fatal collision
The captain of a fishing boat that collided with a chemical tanker near Galveston, Texas, killing three people, did not respond to danger signals from the ship before the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday. The federal agency issued a report in its investigation of the Jan. 14, 2020 collision that killed three crew members on the 81-foot (25-meter) fishing boat Pappy’s Pride. A fourth crew member survived but was injured. No one aboard the tanker Bow Fortune was hurt. >click to read< 08:30
Category B lobster licence holders still facing 50-year-old punishment
In 1976 DFO created the “moonlighter policy” which was aimed at removing people from the fishery as a conservation method. The result is that it has unfairly targeted fishers who held other jobs or professions almost 50 years ago. DFO deemed fishing was not their primary source of income and they became the “Class B” fishers.,, “It hangs over my head, that when I am gone, I leave nothing to my son. It all goes to the grave with me – boat, traps, licence. This is not fair,” said Clayton Smith of Salmon Beach, N.B. >click to read< 07:45
The U.S. is hungry for seafood, but more industrial aquaculture is not the answer
An often cited statistic to prove the need for industrial aquaculture is that as a country, we import as much as 90% of the seafood we consume. A lesser-known fact is that U.S. seafood exports have grown to record levels over the past decade. Rather than allowing destructive fish farming practices that can pollute our environment and displace commercial fishing in our markets, we should support our domestic fishing communities, so they can sell more of the higher-quality wild-caught seafood we produce here at home. Right now, megacorporation’s are pushing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies to gut existing regulations and fast-track permit approvals to build new floating factory fish farms and control even more of the seafood market. >click to read< 14:11
A grievous assault on the lobster resource
In recent years, the federal government in the form of the National Marine Fisheries Service has been expanding restrictions on fin fishermen throughout the U.S.,, The federal government allows each (lobster) fishermen a maximum of 800 traps when fishing in federal waters,,, I take no pleasure in writing this, but as a former New England Fishery Management council member, I feel bound to report a grievous assault on the lobster resource even though the council does not manage lobsters. The goal of writing the article is for the public to apply political pressure to force a solution. I realize that by submitting this request/complaint that I am opening myself up to possible retaliation on the water. I ask both the reader and bureaucracy to keep that in mind. >click to read< By David Goethel 10:30
‘Pissed off!’ – Jersey fisherman warns of rising tide of anger at ‘disrespectful’ French
A Jersey fisherman has said he and colleagues are becoming increasingly “p***ed off” at the behaviour of French counterparts, while warning he “won’t back down no matter what”. Third-generation fisherman Jack Bailey has accused them of having “no respect” and of cutting shellfish pot lines amid anger over Brexit. Mr Bailey, who catches lobster and crab aboard his 20ft boat, said piles of red tape have put the island’s fleet at a disadvantage. However he refuses to give up the trade he has worked in for 20 years, saying: “I won’t back down no matter what the French do.” >click to read< 09:24
Crab boat disaster survivor dies in Alaska motorcycle accident
One of the two men who survived the deadly sinking of a crab boat in the Gulf of Alaska in 2019 has died in a motorcycle accident in Alaska, local media reported. Anchorage police on Sunday said they responded to the scene of a motorcycle accident in which it appeared the driver had lost control in a roundabout. They later identified the driver as 36-year-old Jon Lawler. >click to read< and >click here< 08:10
4 fishermen adrift in life raft rescued by Coast Guard off Block Island Monday
Smoke could be seen on the horizon for hours on Monday as the commercial fishing vessel F/V Mattie and Maren burned two to three miles off the shore of Block Island. A call to the Coast Guard was made at about 11:45 a.m., just as the Block Island Ferry was about to complete its 11 a.m. run to Block Island. The ferry diverted to the scene and although it offered assistance, the four people who had been on the fishing boat preferred to remain on their life raft until the Coast Guard arrived and rescued them. >click to read< 07:12
France lets UK fishing trawler depart – Vessel reappears on licensed list amid claims of an admin error
A director of a British fishing trawler that was impounded by French authorities in a row over post-Brexit fishing rights, said he was relieved the vessel had been allowed to leave and would set off for home later. The Scottish-registered scallop dredger, the Cornelis-Gert Jan, had been held in Le Havre. >click to read< – British Trawler detained in fishing row reappears on licensed list amid claims on admin error – When the Cornelis-Gertjan was detained last week the owners claimed their vessel was legally fishing for scallops in EU waters. Now the Cornelis-Gertjan is back on the list and in the spreadsheet section marked ‘EU Waters Access’ it says “YES”. Video, >click to read< 14:32
Puppy found alive on beach after fishing boat capsizes off Sitkalidak Island
The fishing vessel F/V Laura, a 93-foot trawler based out of Kodiak, capsized Monday morning after striking rocks near Sitkalidak Island. The four-person crew safely boarded a life raft. But their puppy, Grace, an eight-month-old, 80-pound lab mix, jumped into the freezing water and was presumed lost. The next day, another Coast Guard helicopter crew searched the area for evidence of a fuel spill from the F/V Laura, but they still held a shred of hope that Grace might still be alive. And there she was, on a nearby beach. >click to read< 13:36
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 42′ H&H Lobster Boat, 750HP John Deere
To review specifications, information, with 62 photos, >click here< , To see all the boats in this series >click here< 11:00
Crab traps restricted in zones 3 and 4 because of potential entanglement
The commercial Dungeness crab fishery south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line was scheduled to open on November 15, 2021 in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6. However, the season opener has been delayed in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point) due to presence of humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles and the potential for entanglement. Fishing Zones 5 and 6 are scheduled to open November 15 under a Fleet Advisory, pending Domoic Acid testing results. >click to read< 09:47
Offshore Wind Farms: ‘I am not yet convinced’
This rollercoaster of renewable energy developments is being built, we are told, to replace our dependency on the oil industry for our power supplies, but will it? The wind turbines will require regular maintenance and oil changes during their lifetime,,, But the maintenance of the offshore developments proposed in the seas around Shetland and beyond, in unpredictable and often extreme weather conditions will be a whole different matter. If the regular maintenance cannot be provided by sea, will it then be done by helicopter, what would be the environmental cost of that? Has the environmental cost of the lifetime maintenance of any of the windfarms been taken into consideration? >click to read< 07:23 By William Polson
Southeast Alaska commercial salmon harvest 4 times higher than last year
Commercial fishermen in Southeast harvested 58 million salmon across the five species this year: almost 7 million chum salmon; 48 million pinks; 1.5 million coho; 1.1 million sockeye and 216,000 king salmon. That’s a marked improvement in harvest for every species. Even the embattled Southeast king salmon had a commercial harvest increase of more than 16,000 fish. In total, commercial salmon fishermen in the region caught and sold 44 million more salmon than last year. Even taking into account the odd-year pink salmon peaks, this year’s pink salmon harvest was more than double 2019’s Southeast Alaska pink salmon catch. >click to read< 19:10
1 dead, 1 survived overturned shrimp boat near Warsaw Island in Chatham County
Georgia DNR Wardens responded to a call from the Chatham County Marine Patrol Monday around 2 p.m. about a shrimp boat that overturned with two people o it, according to a release from DNR. The boat was about one mile south of Warsaw Island. One person was able to jump free of the boat as it went over and survived. The coroner’s office identified the victim as Charles Dixon, 73, of Eden. >click to read< 12:05
Canadian Perspective: France and the U.K. are feuding over fish. What is this war of words really about?
It’s war! Well, it’s a fish war. And like past fish wars, the words are ferocious, the stakes are tiny, gunboats make an appearance, but the shots fired are almost always verbal. This conflict pits France against Britain — and not for the first time. Think of the Napoleonic wars in the 1800s, the Seven Years’ War in the 1700s (when Canada was a prize) and, of course, the big one: the Hundred Years’ War. That was some time ago. It ended in 1453. At stake in the current conflict are — wait for it — a couple hundred fishing licences for small French boats. These were introduced after the Brexit vote in 2016, when Britain took back control of its coastal waters. >click to read< 10:20
DEP officials hear opposition to salmon farm – “I am still shocked that we are talking about it”
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s will and capacity to adequately appraise American Aquafarms’ proposed plan to discharge a combined 4.1 billion gallons of diluted wastewater daily from both the Norwegian-backed company’s two 15-pen sites in Frenchman Bay were questioned during a 2.5-hour public meeting held online by the state agency Thursday night. The scientific studies and analysis underlying the industrial-scale project also were disputed and independent scientific data, which paints a different picture, submitted. “It’s just a big accident waiting to happen. I am still shocked that we are talking about it,” >click to read< 09:36
The Coast Guard rescued four fishermen from Black Rock in Kodiak.
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed a rescue swimmer, hoisted the crewmembers, and safely transported them to Air Station Kodiak. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center received a call from the master of the F/V Laura at 0700, who notified them that the vessel had run aground and the crew planned to abandon ship in life rafts. photos, >click to read< 08:22
Slim pickings for Nantucket scallopers on opening day
Optimism was in short supply as commercial scalloping season opened this morning, but the dock price, the price paid to fishermen for a pound of shucked scallops, was almost double what it was on opening day last year: $22 per pound, compared to $12 in 2020. At Sayle’s Seafood, scallops were selling retail for $35 per pound this afternoon. Souza’s Seafood had yet to set a price. Bob DeCosta, who has been working the waters here for decades, “I just think there aren’t a lot of scallops. It’s not like last year. But we’ll see. The fleet is small and the price is good. >click to read< 17: 11
Coast Guard medevacs a crewmember from a fishing vessel near Manasquan, New Jersey
The Coast Guard medevaced a fisherman Monday morning approximately 46 miles east of Manasquan. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a call from the captain of a fishing vessel that a crewmember was losing and regaining consciousness while having difficulty breathing. A Coast Guard Air Station MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew was launched to medevac the crewmember after it was determined that weather conditions would not allow for a boatcrew to safely transfer him ashore. The aircrew arrived on scene, hoisted the crewmember, and transported him to Atlantic Care Hospital in Atlantic City. The vessel has been identified as F/V John and Nicholas. USCG 5th District, Mid-Atlantic, 14:03
SEA-NL calls on new federal Fisheries and Oceans minister to investigate allegations ‘pirate’ draggers destroying Grand Banks
“Canada may have the toughest fishery enforcement within its own waters, but as long as it’s a free-for-all once migratory stocks swim over the imaginary line that is the 200-mile limit those efforts are in vain,” says Ryan Cleary, Interim Executive Director of Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. “Fisheries and Oceans Minister Joyce Murray must investigate the magnitude of the overfishing, and take immediate actions to stop it,” said Cleary. “This is not just about Newfoundland and Labrador, but a national food-security issue, as well as propelling a blue economy. >click to read< 10:33
Britain’s fishing industry: Jim Portus exposes the government’s betrayal of the fishing industry
The UK’s fishing industry was almost universally ecstatic about the referendum vote to leave the European Union in June 2016. Meanwhile, United Kingdom Independence Party leader Nigel Farage stated at the time that the way the UK would deal with its fisheries would be the acid test for the whole of Brexit. The industry was under no illusion that the vote to leave the EU would be the start, not the end, of a process that could take a decade to complete. Many feared that the UK’s fisheries would yet again be used as a bargaining chip by the government,,, >click to read< 09:42
