Daily Archives: June 14, 2024

‘Deadliest Catch’ Fisherman Nick Mavar Has Passed Away – The Former Northwestern Deckhand Was 59

Nick Mavar, who appeared on Discovery Channel’s reality franchise Deadliest Catch, died Thursday in Naknek, AK, Bristol Bay Police Chief Jeffrey Eldie confirmed to Deadline. He was 59. Mavar suffered a medical emergency at a boatyard in Naknek Thursday afternoon, according to Eldie. Paramedics were called and he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead of what was determined to be natural causes, Eldie says. He was a familiar face to fans, given his status on the Northwestern, which is captained by the franchise’s de-facto elder statesman, Sig Hansen. Mavar was also uncle to onetime Northwestern greenhorn turned-deckhand turned-Saga captain, Jake Anderson. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:10

DFO Rejects FFAW Working Group Proposal for Buddy Up in 2J3KL Northern Cod, Harvesters Forewarn of Offshore Draggers Coming 

Despite an overwhelming majority voting in favour of buddy-up in cod, late yesterday afternoon DFO advised the FFAW that buddy-up will not be implemented in 2J3KL for the 2024 season. Harvesters fear that DFO is failing to manage the fishery in a way that supports the continued economic success of coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and warn that the Department is threatening to allow offshore draggers access this fishing season. “Owner-operator fish harvesters who rely on the cod fishery have systematically and democratically worked over the last several months to find ways to improve our northern cod stewardship fishery, for the economic feasibility of the 2J3KL fleet,” says FFAW-Unifor Greg Pretty. “This fleet determined that the way to move forward was approving buddy-up but including important criteria that would ensure the fishery lasts more than a few days,” Pretty explains. “Moreover, harvesters are very fearful that the Liberal Government is positioning themselves to give away the northern cod resource to offshore draggers this fishing season,” Pretty says. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:23

Flex Doors Provide Flexibility

Mørenot’s distinctive red Injector doors can be seen in practically every Icelandic port as its Sparrow and Cobra designs are becoming increasingly popular. Cobra doors have two sets of louvres, while the Sparrows have three. ‘If you’re fishing with twin-rig gear and need to go down to one trawl, then the doors are going to be too large, so the crew can reduce the surface area by opening louvres in the doors. Or if a trawler works more than one set of gear for different fishing grounds or target species, then the doors can be adjusted to match the trawl, so this would be ideal for the Spanish fleet that operates over so many areas,’ said Mørenot Ísland’s Björn Jóhannsson. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:50

$3 million Shem Creek dock renovations aim to boost shrimping, fishing fleet

In a show of support for the longstanding shrimping industry, the Shem Creek docks are undergoing major renovations. The $3 million repair and rebuild of the dock, pier and processing building on Haddrell Street began June 11. Construction for the project was awarded to Cape Romain Contractors in April. Crews will remove and rebuild the existing boardwalk and pier to create a wider walking clearance for shrimpers and improve accessibility for workers and visitors. The shrimp docks are not the same as the boardwalk at Shem Creek Park and are tucked away from the restaurants and nightlife that surround the creek. Crews will also repair the shrimp processing section of the building where Tarvin Seafood operates. The back portion of the building has been condemned for years and is unsafe, said Cindy Tarvin, owner of the family-operated business. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:13

Mi’kmaw fishermen say they’re being threatened, prevented from selling catch in Cape Breton

Some Mi’kmaw lobster fishermen say they’re still being prevented from earning a moderate livelihood, more than two weeks after the Department of Fisheries and Oceans began investigating allegations of trap tampering near Louisbourg, N.S. Last month, Eskasoni First Nation fisherman Charles Francis said 70 of his 178 traps were damaged. Since then, some Mi’kmaw fishermen say they have been threatened, denied fuel sales and mechanical work on their boats, and are being prevented from selling their catch by some people in or associated with the commercial fishery. “It’s pure racism,” said Michael Basque, the moderate livelihood fishery co-ordinator for Unama’ki, which is the Mi’kmaw name for Cape Breton. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:50

Staffing Shortages Cause Coast Guard Canal Station To Cut Service Hours

The Cape Cod Canal Coast Guard Station at the Sandwich Marina will no longer support search and rescue 24/7. Staffing shortages have forced the Coast Guard to cut the station’s hours to eight hours a day, five days a week. The Coast Guard is currently facing the largest workforce shortage in its 233-year history, Coast Guard First District spokeswoman Lieutenant Samantha Corcoran said. The Coast Guard is anticipating shortages to worsen; they have already begun to impact frontline operations and readiness. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:25