Daily Archives: January 8, 2024

NOAA Fisheries Extends Emergency Measures for Gulf of Maine Haddock Quota through Remainder of Fishing Year 2023

Effective January 9, 2024 – At the New England Fishery Management Council’s request, NOAA Fisheries took emergency action to increase the Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the 2023 fishing year. NOAA Fisheries increased the fishing year 2023 ABC to the fishing mortality associated with the maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) (2,515 mt). The emergency measures were included in the final rule for Framework Adjustment 65 (88 FR 56527; August 18, 2023). The emergency measures will expire on February 14, 2024, under the Magnuson-Stevens Act’s initial 180-day limit on the duration of an emergency action. more, links, >>click to read<< 19:40

Before a door plug flew off an Alaska Airlines plane, an advisory light came on 3 times

An advisory light on the Alaska Airlines plane that lost a piece of its fuselage last week had come on during previous flights, preventing the aircraft from being used on long flights over water, the National Transportation Safety Board said. Additionally, the flight crew and attendants described the atmosphere aboard last Friday’s Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing 737 Max 9 flight as chaotic, “loud” and “very violent” once a door plug flew off and left a vast hole on the side of the plane. The flight carrying 171 passengers and six crew safely returned back in Portland, Ore. There were no injuries. On three flights prior to Friday’s, the plane’s auto pressurization fail light came on, Homendy said. more, >>click to read<< 16:57

Fisheries Association still contends tough new rules for mullet fishery are unnecessary

With three N.C. Marine Fisheries advisory committees set this week to make recommendations for changes in the striped mullet management plan, a trade and lobbying group for commercial fishermen is still saying tougher restrictions on the fishery are not needed. In an email Monday, Glenn Skinner, executive director of the Morehead City-based N.C. Fisheries Association said, “The most current DMF data and anecdotal reports from stakeholders seeing more mullet than have been seen in decades suggest that the striped mullet stock is rapidly expanding. “Yet,” Skinner added, “DMF has disregarded these obvious and undeniable signs of improvement and, once again, recommended draconian reductions that seem totally unnecessary when all relevant data is considered. more, >>click to read<< 13:35

Michael Burden Clarkin “Captain Mike”, of North Carolina, has passed away

Michael Burden Clarkin, born in Corpus Christi, Texas on October 21, 1950, died on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on January 5, 2024, after a long illness. On the Outer Banks, Mike found his happy place and spent the rest of his life there. This is where “Captain Mike” was born. He spent years at the helm of multiple charter and commercial fishing boats, even gaining the honor of Captain of the Year in 1994. If you were to look through the annals of captains on the Outer Banks, you would find many who started under the guidance of Captain Mike. more, >>click to read<< 11:30

Massive bluefin tuna weighing more than 500 pounds reels in almost $800,000 at Tokyo auction

The most expensive piece of seafood at Tokyo’s largest fish market sold for a ton-a money at auction on the opening day of business. The mammoth bluefin tuna weighing nearly 525 pounds was purchased by seafood wholesaler Yamayuki and a sushi chain for nearly $800,000. Yamayuki and sushi chain Onodera group have purchased the market’s priciest fish of the new season for four years running. “If we were going to do it, we wanted to win,” Yamayuki president Yukitaka Yamaguchi told a throng of reporters that had assembled upon the auction’s conclusion. Video, photos, >>click to read<< 09:08

Crew members found safe on stranded fishing vessel located in St Francis Bay

With help from various role players, the National Sea Rescue Institute in Kouga were able to rescue 24 crew members of a fishing vessel which ran aground at Shark Point in St Francis Bay on January 6. Sarah Smith, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander said that at 22:36 on January 6, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were activated following a call to NSRI Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) from (MRCC) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre reporting a local 29-meter stern trawler fishing vessel, with 24 crew onboard, running aground at Shark Point, St Francis Bay. more, >>click to read<< 08:06

Project launched to support fishermen in Pembrokeshire

The Fishermen’s Mission is concerned about the ever-increasing need for support and assistance in coastal areas by struggling fishermen and are trying to bridge the gap to ensure that everyone is able to access the support they may need, when they need it. As a result of this, they are launching a pilot outreach project in Pembrokeshire to highlight the support that is on offer to those with a background in fishing. They are able to provide some help with finances and arrange access to support with issued including mental health, benefits and support for bereavements and relationships. more, >>click to read<< 07:14