Daily Archives: May 23, 2024
CT man allegedly flees from police in stolen vehicle loaded with lobster traps
A Connecticut man is facing multiple charges after attempting to flee from police in a stolen vehicle loaded with lobster traps on Wednesday in New London, state police said. A trooper on patrol on Interstate 95 at the Gold Star Bridge spotted an unusual vehicle as it passed by his location around 11:37 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Connecticut State Police. The vehicle, a white 1999 Isuzu NPR, was reportedly loaded with yellow lobster cages. According to state police, the vehicle, which was previously confirmed as stolen out of Narragansett, Rhode Island, fit the description of a car allegedly involved in two evading motor vehicle crashes earlier in the day within New London County. The driver, later identified as 32-year-old Lindsey Brown of New London, allegedly attempted to flee from police, which ended quickly as he crashed into a parked vehicle, state police said. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:59
Cat to deploy methanol dual-fuel 3500E marine engines in 2026
Caterpillar Marine reports that it has made significant advances in the development of its methanol dual-fuel Cat 3500E marine engines. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Damen Shipyards, it will deploy the first set of field demonstrator 3500E marine engines in 2026. The Cat 3500E marine engines will use innovative dual-fuel technology based on proven diesel fuel systems that will supports vessels’ low-pressure – below 10 bar – fuel systems. The methanol dual-fuel Cat 3500E engine targets the same performance and durability as the current 3500E diesel engine while meeting emission standards and delivering 100% power. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:53
Commercial Fisherman Harlan Lloyd Wallace of Friendship, Me. has passed away
Harley followed into the family business and became a commercial lobsterman, purchasing his first lobster license when he was just 6 years old. He continued lobstering throughout his life and, after 65 years, retired from the industry that he loved in January 2023. In 1996 Harley and 14 other Friendship fisherman purchased Wallace Shellfish, a successful lobster-buying wharf, and created the Friendship Lobster Co-op. Throughout his life, he engaged in other commercial fishing industries, including musseling, scalloping, urchining, clamming and shrimping. Every spring, Harley would build and repair wharves, ramps and floats, along the mid-coast with the help of his sons. Harley was an extremely hard worker and a respected member of the lobstering community. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:57
The Lobster Institute at UMaine has a new executive director
Maine native and University of Maine graduate Christina Cash has been named executive director at the university’s Lobster Institute. Serving as the interim director since last summer, Cash succeeded Richard Wahle, who retired from the role at that time. Cash has been with the institute since 2021. Before serving as interim director, she was the assistant director of communication and outreach. Cash is a former first mate, captain and lobster boat owner and operator, and holds an active captain’s license. In her new role, she will oversee the creation of a new executive committee, with subcommittees planned for outreach, research, workforce and other focus areas. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:50
A Historic Agreement – Canada and U.S. suspend all fishing for Canadian-origin Yukon River chinook salmon
Canada and the United States are suspending all fishing for Canadian-origin Yukon River chinook salmon for seven years in an attempt to protect the dwindling species. The agreement covers the length of one life cycle of the fish and recognizes that the “persistent decline of chinook salmon” has led to an inability to meet conservation objectives in both countries. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< – Canada and Alaska sign a historic agreement to protect Yukon River Chinook salmon, To ensure the protection and recovery of Yukon River Chinook salmon, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have signed a historic seven-year agreement. more, >>Click to read<< 10:33
Dungeness crab fisherman expand testing of pop-up traps amid CA’s continuous early season closures
For Brand Little and the crew of the Pale Horse, fishing for Dungeness crab is an increasingly tight business. Like the rest of the fleet, he’s watched the crabbing season shrink, with early closures meant to protect migrating whales from becoming entangled in trap lines. But this season, he’s still pushing his traps into the sea, weeks after last month’s official closing. It’s part of an experimental program that’s now expanded to more than two dozen boats. All using special pop-up trap systems, designed to avoid entanglements. “It’s a lot more work. Takes maybe three to four times as long as traditional gear. It’s not easy, but what we’ve been going through isn’t easy either. I mean, we’ve had 80% of our opportunity taken away,” Little said. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:09
N.B. lobster fishermen defy DFO, leave traps in despite closure for North Atlantic right whales
Several fishing zones in the area were officially shut down early by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans at 5 p.m. Wednesday because of a North Atlantic right whale sighting. But at a meeting in Lamèque at the time of the deadline, about 200 members of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union decided not to remove their roughly 60,000 traps in the area. However, the fishermen say they will not go out Thursday in order to give the federal agency one more chance to negotiate. On Wednesday, a release from DFO said that the fishing zone closures, initially scheduled to last 10 days, would stay closed for the rest of the season. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:56
