Daily Archives: May 7, 2022
Wooden Hull Scalloper built in Paimpol
‘For me, a boat is made of wood. That’s what I prefer,’ said Normandy fisherman Lilian Guadebois, who has been skipper for eleven years. Sainte-Thérèse was launched in Paimpol at the end of January, after eighteen months of work. This 11.98 metre long, 6.55 metre beam shellfish vessel will be worked with a crew of four to fish for scallops in the Bay of Seine. To build this new vessel, which will be based in Honfleur (Calvados), the young 
skipper turned to Fabien Hémeury’s yard in Kerpalud. ‘The boat is made from 100% French oak because we want to support the local timber industry,’ said Fabien Hémeury, who works with a team of six carpenters. According to him, wooden newbuilds are coming back into fashion, particularly because of their long-term solidity. Excellent photo gallery, >click to read< 17:41
Coast Guard Medevacs ‘Deadliest Catch’ Fisherman During Arctic Storm with Three Minutes of Fuel Left
On a recent episode, a man very nearly did die after being crushed by 2,000 pounds of steel crab pots aboard the F/V Patricia Lee, captained by Rip Carlton. Fisherman Todd Kochutin was hit by a single crab pot and died on the ship in February 2021. This time it was Francis Katungin, another fisherman, who was gravely injured after a wave hit and left him with pelvis trauma and a damaged iliac artery. Without immediate medical attention, he would likely die. When a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter showed up, the pilot was doubtful they’d be able to extract Katungin. With quickly depleting fuel, a moving target, dangerous winds and unruly water, the likelihood that they would rescue the fisherman was extremely slim. >Video, >click to read< 12:22
Nearly $132 million allocated for Alaska fishery disasters
The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Thursday that several Alaska fisheries are eligible to share in almost $132 million of federal disaster relief. The Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers are included after a chum and king salmon collapse last year. Impacted fishermen can share in $55 million, but that is also set to be split between fishermen from Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound and Chignik. Gov. Mike Dunleavy submitted the disaster declaration to the federal government when applying for relief. >click to read< 10:53
San Fernando fishermen call for nationwide strike over gas hike
With several fishermen going out of business in San Fernando, San Fernando Fishing Cooperative president Salim Gool is calling for an island-wide fishing strike in the hope that this will force the Government to reduce gas prices for fisherfolk. If Gool’s call is successful, this could mean no fresh fish in any fishing depot or marketplace across the country. “We do not think the Government is taking us seriously. Since April 22, we called for a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Land and Fisheries and he has not responded. We are now calling for a strike of fishing islandwide.” >click to read< 09:58
Massachusetts lobster industry feels impact of right whale protections
If you live in Massachusetts and you want locally caught lobster on Mother’s Day weekend, you’ll be out of luck. Commercial lobstering in Massachusetts waters is off-limits until later in May, which means, for the time being, any lobster being sold in Massachusetts has to be caught in Canadian waters. “It’s getting harder and harder every year,” lobsterman Tom Reilly said. “They make it more and more difficult for us with the closures.” Video, >click to read< 09:19
Louisiana shrimpers worry high diesel fuel prices will impact profits
Shrimpers are getting ready to cast their nets, but not without major concerns for the upcoming season. Rising fuel prices could also mean higher prices for the tasty crustaceans. “I know we are going to get hit hard by the fuel prices… You better catch a lot of shrimp,” said Cheryl Granger, owner of Granger’s Seafood in Maurice, La. “I think we’re going to have a very hard time,” Granger said. “Very hard and not just us, the crabbers, the shrimpers; everybody fishing on the water.” >click to read< 08:06
