Daily Archives: October 15, 2022
New Report Makes Recommendations on Fish Price Setting Process
The provincial government is reviewing the 20 recommendations made following a review of the province’s Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Model. David Conway was asked to review the fish price setting process outlined in legislation – a process many in the fishing industry have called “broken.” The fish price setting panel relies on final offer selection, which led to a chaotic summer fishery. The process selects the price offered by either harvesters or processors, with no middle ground if there is a gap between the two offers. >click to read, with link to full report< 17:10
DeSantis requests federal support for Florida fisheries in aftermath of Hurricane Ian
Gov. Ron DeSantis is requesting that the areas affected by Hurricane Ian be declared a federal fisheries disaster by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which would open up channels for more aide for those in the fishing industry. DeSantis announced the request Saturday at a press conference providing updates on Hurricane Ian relief efforts, highlighting support for those who work on the water. If approved, NOAA will be able to provide more support to commercial fishermen, wholesale dealers, charter boat captains and fisheries, he said. “Clearly a storm of this magnitude — this is appropriate for this declaration,” DeSantis said. “So once this is approved, then that provides these groups and people in the industry to work with NOAA to be able to get more support. So we’re happy to help facilitate that request.” >click to read< 14:58
Bycatch task force considers new rules, more research to protect Alaska fish intercepted at sea
In the search for a solution to the problem of bycatch, the unintended at-sea harvest of non-target species, the stakes in Alaska are high. Now a special task force is nearing the end of a year-long process to find solutions that satisfy competing interests to the problem of bycatch, which refers to fish that are caught incidentally by commercial fishers who are targeting other fish. The Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force, created by Gov. Mike Dunleavy last November, is due to release its final report by the end of next month. At least two additional meetings are to be held between now and then. >click to read< 11:50
Maine Congressional delegation backed HUGE spending increases for agency threatening lobster industry
Maine’s congressional delegation has voted to increase funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) by more than $6 billion under Democratic President Joe Biden. NOAA has come under increased scrutiny in Maine as the result of a series of regulatory actions aimed at limiting lobster fishing in the Gulf of Maine. Maine’s lobstering industry, already pressed by low prices for their catch, has been raising hell at public meetings. The recent NOAA spending increases were contained in the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill, Biden’s massive infrastructure spending bill, and the so-called “Inflation Reduction” Act. Maine’s entire congressional delegation voted in favor of all of these bills, with the exception of Sen. Susan Collins’ vote against the IRA. The bill increased NOAA’s funding from the previous year by $447 million. >click to read< 10:04
Party time! N.B. village sends off lobster boats in style
The sky above Alma, N.B. was lit up with fireworks early Friday morning. Hundreds of people gathered on the wharf at 1:00 a.m. to wish lobster fishermen a safe voyage and to send them off in style. Around a dozen boats left filled with traps and men heading to sea as a bagpiper played during the impressive fireworks display. Terry Rossiter has been a lobster fisherman since 1979. “We’ll start tonight and they’ll [fishermen] put at least 24 hours in before they go to sleep, maybe 36. It’s a lot of time, a lot of hard work,” said Rossiter. The fleet launch began around 11:30 p.m. Thursday with live music, lobster rolls, and of course Alma’s world-famous sticky buns. Party on! >click to read< 08:17
