Daily Archives: April 20, 2024

Commercial Fisherman Carl D. Schwab, of Port Clyde, Maine, has passed away

Carl D. Schwab, 89, died peacefully, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Sussman Hospice House following a brief period of declining health and a lengthy fight with Alzheimer’s disease. He spent his last days surrounded by the love of his family. Born in New York City, November 10, 1934, Carl was the son of Irving and Bessie Schechter Schwab. A few mentors and friends in particular helped set him on his path as a man of the sea, not the city: Levi Hupper, Bertie Simmons, Stanley Stone, and Alfred Stanley. He spent most of his working life as a commercial fisherman on many boats, of many types, including dragging, seining, and lobstering. Carl is one of the founding members of the Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op, where he has served as president, vice president, and as a member of the board of directors for many years. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:36

Alaska Senate proposes $7.5M aid package for struggling fish processors

The Alaska Senate has proposed a new aid package for the state’s fish processing companies — some of which have been teetering among a crash in prices that’s caused an industry-wide crisis. The Senate, in its capital budget passed last week, included the $7.5 million grant to a nonprofit organization called SeaShare. Most of the cash would go toward buying out what SeaShare calls an “oversupply” of seafood from last year’s harvest, which it says is costing processing companies money to store in freezers. The program would add to more than $100 million in salmon and Alaska pollock purchases, more than 1,500 truck loads announced earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:46

The last Cornish fishing lugger of its kind sets sail for repairs around the British Isles

An historic Cornish lugger has sailed out of Newlyn for the start of a 1,000-mile journey to the Scottish Highlands. Barnabas is the only surviving fishing vessel of her kind in the world and is on a six week round trip to fit out new masts at Ullapool. 30 volunteer sailors from the Cornwall Maritime Trust are taking it in turns to crew Barnabas during different legs of the journey across the Celtic nations of the British Isles. Toby Floyer the Chair of the Trustee is the first to be the ship’s skipper. He says sailors will get to experience what it would have been like for generations of people who “got their living from the sea”. Video, Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:43

3 New York wind farms scrapped – Cost implications for Mass., Conn., and R.I.

New York pulled the plug Friday on three offshore wind projects that encountered pricing problems after GE canceled the development of a larger turbine that the developers had been counting on. The decision is a setback for the US offshore wind industry and may have some cost implications for Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, which are in the midst of a joint procurement for offshore wind power. The three wind farms proposed for the coast off New York were all tied to a plan by GE Vernova to start producing giant 18-megawatt turbines at a facility on the Hudson River to be subsidized by the state. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:04

New documentary reveals Scottish Government believe Rockall dispute over fishing rights could be resolved

The sovereignty of the rock has been the source of a long running dispute between Ireland and the UK. The UK authorities claim Rockall is part of its territory lying within its territorial seas – a claim not recognized by Ireland. Ireland has not claimed ownership of the rock and does not recognise the British claim of sovereignty on the basis that uninhabited rocks should not be claimed by any state. The British Navy annexed Rockall in 1955 – hoisting the Union flag and cementing a brass plaque on the summit. It later sought to incorporate it into part of UK law in 1972. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:12

Coast Guard, partners rescue 14 boaters in active week off Florida’s Suncoast

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg crews responded to multiple cases throughout the week after receiving, a combined, 17 distress and marine safety calls. Throughout the week, Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received requests for help from several disabled vessels resulting in the rescue of 14 boaters. In one case, an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon alert and mayday call were made, allowing a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater aircrew to locate the vessel. Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a mayday call, Friday, April 12, around 11 p.m., from three people reporting that their 47-foot commercial fishing vessel was sinking, 1 mile southwest of Johns Pass. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:54