Daily Archives: March 13, 2024
Newfoundland capelin out of ‘critical zone,’ but not because there are more fish
Scientists say they no longer consider the capelin off Newfoundland’s east coast to be in the critical zone, but it’s not because there are more fish. Federal Fisheries Department scientists say they’ve adjusted the benchmark for the critical zone designation, which is used for fish stocks struggling to recover. The adjustment follows a similar decision last year to adjust the critical zone benchmark for the region’s cod stocks. The shimmery sardine-sized pelagic fish are an important food source for cod, and scientists say the coinciding adjustments reflect cod’s dependence on capelin. more, >>click ti read<< 18:55
Lobster prices hit record high in southwest N.S.
A record high for lobster prices in southwestern Nova Scotia. It’s going for about 19 dollars a pound on the wharf. It’s a great price for captains, but catches are reportedly down this year. Dan Fleck with the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association says the price is great, but they have to consider the market. “Will some restaurants or buyers in overseas markets take lobster off their menu because it’s being priced out of range? That’s something that’s being dealt with,” said Fleck. more, >> click to read<< 14:28
BOF declines to lower hatchery production levels
A proposal to lower hatchery production to its 2000 level went down in defeat at the Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting on Monday, March 4 in a 1-6 vote, after the majority of the board concluded that hatchery raised salmon were not causing undue harm to wild stocks. The decision came after extensive testimony, mostly from fishing industry activists opposed to Proposal 43, which was offered by the Fairbanks Advisory Committee to the Board of Fisheries. The board also took testimony at its Lower Cook Inlet meeting in Homer Nov. 26 through Dec. 1, but postponed any action until its Upper Cook Inlet meeting, from Feb. 23 through March 5 in Anchorage. more, >>click to read<< 13:09
For a 2nd day, harvesters call on N.L. government to open market to outside buyers
For a second day in a row, fish and crab harvesters voiced their grievances at a Newfoundland and Labrador government building over constraints imposed on their catches. On Wednesday morning, harvesters congregated at the parking lot of the provincial government’s Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture building, also known as the Petten Building, located on Strawberry Road in St. John’s. They blocked the entrance, preventing employees from entering. John Efford, a harvester who was part of the protest, said they were gathered to reiterate their message from the previous day. He said companies have taken advantage of government policies “to create a cartel and collude to control the fishery” and that the government could change that policy and fix the situation. Photos, Video, more, >>click to read<< 11:28
Fishing boat sinks in St Helier Harbour during second-biggest tide ever recorded in Jersey
The big spring tides appeared to have claimed another casualty yesterday… when a fishing boat sank in St Helier Harbour. Jersey Coastguard launched a recovery operation and put pollution-control measures in place to prevent oil from the vessel spreading throughout the Old Harbour. Jersey Fishermen’s Association president Don Thompson said that, although it was not clear what had caused the boat to sink, the particularly high tide could have been a contributing factor. more, >>click to read<< 10:22
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 48′ Steel Day Scalloper, 400 HP Volvo Diesel
To review specifications, information, and 14 photos’,>click here<, To see all the boats in this series, >click here< 08:37
Annual blessing of the fleet helps after Hurricane Ian’s devastation
The blessing of the historic shrimping fleet is an annual tradition on Fort Myers Beach. After the devastation of Hurricane Ian, the shrimping fleet could use some blessings for even more hurdles ahead. Still, the Fort Myers Beach shrimping community was happy to have at least one day to celebrate. Photos, video, more, >>click to read<< 07:49
Surry lobster dock destroyed by Sunday storm
Two months after many wooden piers along Maine’s coast were severely damaged or destroyed by a pair of storms, another storm has brought some additional destruction. Perry’s Lobster Shack in Surry, which functions as a lobster buying pier for local fishermen and as a seasonal takeout restaurant, was destroyed Sunday when it was submerged by storm surge in Union River Bay. “There’s nothing left but pilings,” Seth Michael Cote, the pier’s owner, said Tuesday. But Cote said the conditions in Union River Bay appeared to be worse Sunday than in those other storms, with the surge completely covering the top of the fixed pier, and wind gusts in the Blue Hill area surpassing 60 mph. photos, more, >>click to read<< 06:47
