Daily Archives: February 15, 2023
Are cod ‘severely depleted’ in the Gulf of Maine? Fishermen, scientists view ocean depths differently
When fishermen and women look at the gray Atlantic waters off New England, they see a marine environment literally swimming with cod, the popular white fish prized around the world for its mild flavor. Scientists, on the other hand, say Atlantic cod stocks in the Gulf of Maine are severely depleted and possibly vulnerable to extinction. The question of how fishermen and marine scientists employed by government agencies can view cod numbers so differently has puzzled Micah Dean, a marine biologist with the state of Massachusetts, for years. While a doctoral student at Northeastern University, Dean believed he came up with an answer. >click to read< 19:00
F/V Miss Ally remembered: 10 years since tragedy claimed five Shelburne County fishermen
It will be 10 years ago on Feb. 17 that life forever changed for the families and friends of five Shelburne County fishermen, forever known as the crew of the Miss Ally. Caught in a huge storm with waves larger than 10 metres and hurricane-force winds, the 45-foot fishing vessel was on its way into port from a halibut fishing trip when it ran into trouble about 120 kilometres southeast of Liverpool on Feb. 17, 2013. The vessel’s emergency locator beacon was activated at 11:06 p.m. The Canadian Coast Guard was dispatched. But to the heartbreak of families and friends – and communities in southwestern Nova Scotia – there would be no rescue. None of the crew came back home from that fishing trip. Photos, two stories. >click to read<
Miss Ally remembered: ‘Would do it again in a heartbeat’ says diver who searched capsized vessel – >click to read< 16:10
Portugal: Fishermen ‘betrayed’ over wind farms request urgent parliamentary meeting
The movement of fishing associations that has emerged from the government’s latest wind farm policy has described today how it feels utterly betrayed. “We feel that the government has betrayed the fishing sector” by setting the country on course to have what he believes will be “the largest oceanic desert in the world”, all in the name of renewable energies. Yes, wind energy will be produced – but at the cost of the livelihoods of traditional fishermen who will be banned from fishing their usual routes, even if the fish remain available. As reports have explained at stake is the proposal (currently under public consultation) to create five areas for off-shore wind farms near Viana do Castelo, Leixões, Figueira da Foz, Ericeira-Cascais and Sines. >click to read< 14:47
Valentine’s Day drama at sea as trawler sinks off coast of Cornwall
A Royal Navy helicopter on a training flight stood ready to act as a trawler crew abandoned their sinking boat off the coast of Cornwall yesterday evening. Sennen Cove Lifeboat ultimately rescued the crew-of-four as their Belgian fishing boat rapidly sank beneath the waves south of Land’s End. The alarm was raised at around 6pm by the trawler’s skipper. Sennen’s RNLI volunteer were scrambled by Falmouth Coastguard following a mayday call from the 24-metre fishing vessel taking on water approximately two miles south of Porthgwarra. >click to read< 13:20
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 95′ Raised Forecastle Steel Dragger, 1400HP Detroit 12V-149
To review specifications, information, and 28 photos’, >click here<, To see all the boats in this series >click here< 12:10
Ocean City calls for a halt on wind farm development after latest whale death
Ocean City officials are demanding answers tonight and calling for a halt on wind farm development. This comes after yet another dead whale washed ashore along the East Coast. The dead North Atlantic right whale washed ashore on Virginia Beach over the weekend, the fourth such case across the region this year, and while the cause of death hasn’t yet been released, the Town of Ocean City is urging both State and Federal officials to get involved. Mayor Meehan said other areas along the East Coast are also taking steps in an effort to halt the projects, citing conversations he’s had with other mayors who share the same concerns. >click to read< 09:56
Republicans Want to Defend Maine Sovereignty Over Lobstering Waters, Punish Lobster Boycotters
Republican leaders in the Maine House and Senate are taking aim at those who target the state’s iconic lobster industry by introducing legislation to repeal tax exemptions on equipment for companies that “red-list,” or otherwise boycott the products of Maine industry, they said in a joint press conference at the state capitol Tuesday. Together with this bill, another legislative initiative calls on the state to restore Maine’s sovereignty out to the 12-mile mark offshore. Currently waters beyond three miles are considered federal domain. >click to read< 08:46
Republicans take aim at Whole Foods’ tax incentives after chain pulls Maine lobster off shelves – >click to read<
Scottish fishers blast Holyrood for ‘scandalous’ marine policy tantamount to ‘greenwashing’
Mike Park was speaking as the clock ticks down on a Scottish Government consultation on its controversial proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). Another industry leader, Elspeth Macdonald, branded the plans as “greenwashing”. And Banff and Buchan Tory MP David Duguid claimed they were “the biggest threat to the north-east fishing industry for decades”. But the government hailed its proposals as “a step change in the protection of our marine environment”. It aims to have at least 10% of Scottish waters designated as HPMAs by 2026. >click to read< 07:45
