Monthly Archives: July 2024
Retired Commercial Fishing Captain Leo C. Tuttle of New Bedford, has passed away
Leo C. Tuttle, 96, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on Saturday, July 6, 2024. He was the loving husband of the late Marion L. (Ostman) Tuttle. Leo was a Veteran of the Merchant Marines during WWII and was very proud to tell everyone the countries he visited during that time. He went on to become a Captain of various fishing boats for the Marder Fishing Corp. for over four decades of working on the water. Lastly, the F/V Columbia before retiring. After retiring Leo enjoyed spending time with his wife and family on Long Pond and fishing with his grandchildren. Leo also enjoyed carpentry, landscaping, and watching Westerns while sitting in his recliner. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:01
Lobster fishers get good weather, up and down catches
The best thing that can be said of the 2024 lobster season on PEI is the weather was good enough that many boats never missed a day on the water. That helped make up for lower catches in some areas, although the amounts coming to shore were different depending on the harbour. “The fishing was good right to the last day,” said captain Edwin McKie, who fishes out of Fortune. “It’s not going to be a year to run to the record books with, but I don’t think any of us will be at the food bank.” There was lots of spawn during the last couple of weeks, something he said bodes well for next year. As of mid-June prices were between $6.25 and $7, according to the PEI Lobster Marketing Board. That’s lower than what fishers have received toward the end of the season in most recent years. Mr Poole said it was the first time in recent memory his crew didn’t miss a single day. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:58
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 36′ Crowly Beal Lobster Boat, 375HP Volvo, Video
To review specifications, information, and 14 photos’, >click here< To see all the boats in this series, >click here< 21:00
Fishing Industry Remains Concerned with Offshore Wind Power
East End residents will soon be another step closer to wind power and away from fossil fuel; but local commercial fishermen are raising objections. And East Enders are waiting to hear how much this wind power project will mean for new utility rates. The federal government earlier this spring approved what it calls a “record of decision” for a Denmark-based company, Orsted, to build one of the largest offshore wind farms planned for Nassau and Suffolk counties. The decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior is among the last steps to build the windfarm, known as Sunrise Wind, an 84-turbine plant, before actual construction can begin. Both Sunrise Wind and South Fork Wind are in the waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island. South Fork Wind’s cable comes ashore in Wainscott. Sunrise Wind has a power cable running more than 100 miles to Smith Point County Park, before beginning a 17 mile trip through Brookhaven Town to a substation in Holtsville. more,>>CLICK TO READ<< 18:05
Sleeping skipper caused vessel collision in Sussex – ‘Could have had disastrous consequences’
The skipper of a fishing trawler has been ordered to pay £10,000 after falling asleep during his watch, causing the vessel to collide with another in Sussex, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said. On January 15, 2022, Maurice Reid, aged 44, of Fraserburgh, was in charge of the fishing vessel Margaret Anne’s journey when he ‘started to fall asleep’, the government agency said. A spokesperson added: “Moments later the vessel collided with anchored fishing vessel Blackbird in the Shoreham area, off the south coast of Sussex, causing minor injuries to the two men onboard. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:38
Fisheries minister announces external review of Mi’kmaw fishermen’s case
Two Mi’kmaw fishermen who were dropped off in the middle of nowhere in rural Nova Scotia in their sock feet on a cold and rainy March night, their cellphones seized by federal fisheries officers, hope an external investigation will shed some light on the actions of the officers that night. “Even though I went out and did what I did, still at the end of the day, it’s wrong what happened to me,” said Blaise Sylliboy of the Eskasoni First Nation in Cape Breton, one of the men detained for fishing for elvers at night along a river in Shelburne County early last spring. Federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier announced in a news release Monday morning that an external review process will examine the incident on March 26, 2024, as well as department policies, enforcement practices, and “procedures to eradicate the potential for systemic biases or racism.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:24
Shrimp Trade Action
For several months, shrimpers, packers and dealers have been working on trade action which is a new anti-dumping investigation of frozen warm water shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. Those working on this are from the states of North Carolina thru Texas. This next stage requires those involved in the fishery to fill out questionnaires which needs to be submitted to the International Trade Commission before July 26, 2024. This ITC investigation is being carried out to determine if unfair trade practices by other countries importing shrimp to the U.S have caused harm to our domestic shrimpers and if higher tariffs are necessary. In order to show harm, the domestic industry MUST FILL OUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE ACCURATELY AND SUBMIT IT TO THE ITC BY JULY 26th!!!! more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:44
DFO drops investigations into alleged controlling agreements; inshore fisheries advocate calls for independent inquiry to find out why
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has shut down three separate investigations in this province into alleged illegal controlling agreements that give processing companies control over inshore boats and quotas — including one case that included a harvester’s confession— with no charges laid. DFO officials have yet to say why the cases were closed last week, and whether controlling agreements remain illegal as a means to prevent the corporate takeover of inshore fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. DFO officials have yet to say why the cases were closed last week, and whether controlling agreements remain illegal as a means to prevent the corporate takeover of inshore fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. In a July 4th letter to Foss, Paul Didham with DFO’s Conservation and Protection division confirmed the department has decided “not to proceed in this matter.” “Therefore, please be advised that this investigation is now concluded, and no charges pursued.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 19:11
Horror on an Alaska fishing boat when a young crewman gets pulled into the sea
A 21-year-old fisherman died after his gear dragged him into the water in Southwest Alaska, officials said. Commercial fishing crewmember Corwin Wheeler fell from the boat in Kvichak Bay Friday, while fishing salmon. A mayday call reported him overboard at 12:31 pm, spurring a rescue operation. Officials said Wheeler first became tangled in his fishing gear, before being pulled overboard and into the water. Tributes have since poured in for the young angler, headed by his father. According to his social media, Corwin lived in Madison, and was born in Salem. Photos show him happily working the Bering Sea, as a salmon fisherman for Alaskan Leader Fisheries. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:10
Will offshore wind presence get even bigger off Ocean City?
The first auction of 2024 for more land leased for offshore wind off the Delmarva Peninsula was cleared for Aug. 14 after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released the Central Atlantic Final Sale Notice. The notice is the last step required by the agency to hold a lease auction for the Central Atlantic region, which includes offshore areas in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. In total, the area available for lease covers more than 275,000 acres, enough to develop up to 6.3 GW of offshore wind energy capacity. Detractors for the expansion of offshore wind in Maryland, like Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md-1st, took aim at the decision, noting there were still a number of environmental issues surrounding plans for turbines. “We should never allow foreign-owned offshore wind companies to control our energy supply — much less harm our marine life while doing it,” said a spokesperson for Harris. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:51
Canada lifts 30-year cod fishing ban off Newfoundland and Labrador to mixed reactions
The Canadian federal government has lifted the 30-year fishing ban for Northern cod off the north and east coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador – a “historic milestone” for the seafood industry in Canada’s Maritimes. This means that commercial fishing for Northern cod will resume in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL for the 2024 season. “We will cautiously but optimistically build back this fishery with the prime beneficiaries being coastal and Indigenous communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard in a press release. “As a government, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering sustainable and economically prosperous fisheries that honor our shared resources for generations to come. I encourage all participants to prioritize safety and enjoy a rewarding season on the water.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:51
SFF Looks Forward to Engagement with New UK Government
Scottish fishermen are ready to engage with the newly elected UK Government and new MPs on pressing issues, industry leaders indicated today. SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said: “We will continue to work with both governments north and south of the border. While most domestic fisheries management is devolved to Holyrood, there are other matters within reserved UK competence, and we look forward to working with the new UK Government on these. “We also look forward to building relationships with Scotland’s new MPs as well as working with those who will continue to represent Scottish interests at Westminster.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:05
Hurricane Beryl Makes Landfall in Texas as a Category 1 Storm
Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the central Texas coastline before dawn on Monday, bringing dangerous storm surge and whipping winds to millions of people in the state. Beryl was a Category 1 storm when it came ashore at just before 4 a.m. local time, meaning it had sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. The storm made landfall in Matagorda, Texas, a city between Galveston and Corpus Christi. The storm was expected to carry enough rain to cause significant flooding in the Houston area and beyond. A flood watch was in effect for a swath of the United States extending north from Texas to Illinois. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:31
Hurricane forecasters warn Beryl will strengthen before slamming into Texas
Tropical Storm Beryl marched toward the Texas coast Sunday morning as forecasters warned the storm will regain hurricane strength and slam ashore early Monday. However, Beryl’s impacts – such as strong winds, heavy rain, and rough seas – will begin in South Texas well before landfall, the National Hurricane Center warned. “Winds are first expected to reach tropical storm strength by late today (Sunday), making outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous,” the Center said. The storm made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Friday morning, after it plowed through the Caribbean and Jamaica earlier this week, killing at least 11 people. At 8:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Beryl was located about 220 miles southeast of Corpus Christi in the Gulf of Mexico, traveling northwest at 12 mph. It was expected to continue moving northwest throughout the day Sunday, then north-northwest by Sunday night. Video, photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:37
Coalition Responds to Federal Agency Decision Approving the Atlantic Shores South Offshore Wind Project
Save Long Beach Island, the coalition of citizens dedicated to protecting our oceans and New Jersey Shore communities, on July 3, 2024 denounced a federal agency’s decision to approve the Atlantic Shores South project as misguided and vowed to continue its fight against the destructive impact of placing hundreds of wind turbines in the ocean in close proximity to Long Beach Island (LBI) and other shore communities. “The project approved yesterday by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for the construction of up to 195 Wind Turbine Generators and up to 10 Offshore Substations’ off the southern coast of New Jersey is an aberration, no other country in the world is considering a wind turbine project of this turbine size and number within 9 miles off their coastline,” said Bob Stern, president and founder of Save LBI. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:50
Warning of Potential Conflict Between Fishing Industry and Energy Developers
There is a potential for conflict between fishermen and the ‘blue economy’ strategists, according to one of the leading figures in the fishing industry. The fishing industry says that it supports the need for climate change, but it is being claimed that it is being “squeezed out” of traditional fishing grounds and that the role of the industry as a food supplier is not being understood by Government, offshore renewable energy developers or environmentalists. The Chief Executive of the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation, Aodh O Donnell, has now warned of potential conflict and that there is a commercial motive of exporting power outside Ireland, while fishing operations and practices could be closed. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:38
Crewmember on Bristol Bay fishing vessel dies following net entanglement
A commercial fishing crewmember in Western Alaska died Friday after he was swept up in fishing gear and taken into the water, according to the Alaska State Troopers. In a dispatch on Saturday, Troopers identified the victim as 21-year-old Corwin Wheeler of Wisconsin. Troopers began a rescue effort shortly after noon Friday upon receiving a mayday call from a fisherman in Kvichak Bay, a body of water near Naknek, part of the Bristol Bay Borough. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:47
Shediac, N.B., marks diamond anniversary celebration with annual Lobster Festival
The event schedule has been posted for weeks, the sound-checks are done and now all that’s left to do is wait for 7 p.m. – the official start of the 75th annual Shediac Lobster Festival. “This is the longest running festival in the province and Shediac has always been a very welcoming town, welcoming tourist town, so this is our flagship event, hands down,” said Shediac Mayor Roger Caissie. Before festivities even kicked off, several shows were already sold out. Licence plates from the Maritimes and beyond filled the parking lot and excitement was evident at the big lobster on Friday. Officials say this year’s celebration will see expand to mark the major milestone in “grand style.” The 10-day celebration runs from July 5 until July 14. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:09
Gloomy in Looe as fishermen reflect on Labour coup
Richard Chapman mends his nets in a gloomy Looe harbour and considers whether his new MP will bring Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s promised “sunlight of hope”. South East Cornwall’s long-standing Conservative MP Sheryll Murray has been ousted by Labour’s Anna Gelderd – a constituency first. The clouds break but Mr Chapman barely glances up from his task as he reflects on an industry he believes has been overlooked. “I voted Conservative, it seemed the lesser of two evils. I’ve no clue what Labour’s policy is on fishing but every government so far has been a letdown,” he says. “You look around the port, it’s dying,” Mr Chapman adds. “When I started from school there were 50 boats – crabbing netters, handline mackerel boats, trawlers. “There are just six trawlers left. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:38
Lesion-Causing Disease in Chesapeake Bay Bait Fish Alarms Watermen
The disease, characterized by ulcers and lesions, is affecting menhaden, acrucial bait fish. Commercial crabber CJ Canby reports seeing dead menhaden floating in the bay on a weekly basis. “Last year, we had a 5-gallon bucket of menhaden, and 3 or 4 out of them had lesions. The other day, we cast-netted 23 fish, and 4 of them had lesions. So, the rate of lesions in menhaden has astronomically increased,” said Captain CJ Canby of the FV Miss Paula. Canby emphasizes the seriousness of the issue for watermen. “The fish are telling us there’s a problem, and it’s showing. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:46
Who dumped a pile of lobsters alongside the highway?
Ontario Provincial Police are looking for information after a large quantity of lobsters were found dumped along Highway 17 near Bonfield. On Tuesday, police started receiving calls about the lobsters alongside the highway. Officers found a large pile of lobsters. “It did look like quite an abundant number,” Const. Renne Taylor said. “Probably over 100 lobsters were there.” How they got there? Police admit they have no idea. As a result, they’re asking the public to get in touch if they have any details. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:45
How an old Peterhead trawler was turned into a luxury Airbnb in Inverness
In 1972, when much of Britain’s fishing fleet became locked in “cod wars” with Iceland, a new wooden-hulled trawler was launched in Peterhead. Made in the shipyard of Richard Irvine, the Achieve FR100, under the watchful eye of Andra Buchan, was about to take to the seas. “White fish fishing” was its one purpose. And for 28 years that’s exactly what she was used for. Now, more than half a century since the launch, herring has been exchanged for hospitality, and choppy seas for the Caledonian Canal. We look back at one of the Blue Toon’s most iconic trawlers and its journey to becoming a luxury bed and breakfast today. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:21
Bristol Bay Fisheries Report: July 4, 2024
The baywide catch yesterday topped a million for the first time this season, with a haul of 1.6 million fish. Messages to the Fleet – Shout out to Rylan Burnett on his 17th birthday: we love you and miss you! From mom and dad, that’s Wendy, Ryan, and Paul. A very happy birthday to Rylan Bernett, sending lots of love -from Grandma. Happy birthday to Virgil, and happy 4th of July to the whole family. From Christine, Julie, and Smokie. Happy Birthday to Virgil Delkittie Jr. From your sister. Happy 4th of July to Mary Delkittie, and goodluck fishing. From your daughter. more, The Numbers. The baywide catch on Wednesday topped a million yesterday for the first time this season. Yesterday’s catch was 1,624,889 fish, bringing the total season catch to 6,950,483., more, >>CLICK TO READ 20:19
Herring quota in southwestern Nova Scotia, Bay of Fundy, reduced again
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has again lowered the Atlantic herring quota in southwestern Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy, this time for 2024 to 2027. DFO has announced the total allowable catch for the fishery will be 16,000 tonnes per season over those four seasons. The 2023 allocation was 21,000 tonnes. “Atlantic herring, like many fisheries, faces challenges as a result of climate change, which has led to herring that are smaller in size and that have more difficulty surviving and reproducing in their ecosystem,” says a news release from the department. “We recognize the economic impacts this decision will have on the families and communities that rely on income from fishing and processing herring. But such a decision is necessary to ensure recovery and protect the resource for future generations,” said the DFO release. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:40
Company to pay £100k after unsafe vessel sinks causing deaths of two fishermen
Laura D Fishing Ltd, a company operating fishing vessels from Brixham, has pleaded guilty to failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a vessel was operated in a safe manner, under Section 100(1) and100(3) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. On 21 November, 2020, Robert Morley, Adam Harper and David Bickerstaff were onboard the Joanna C, five miles south of Shoreham, when the vessel’s gear snagged on the seabed. The vessel’s lack of stability meant it could not recover, causing the Joanna C to rapidly sink. Out of the three crew members, only Mr Bickerstaff survived. Prior to the incident, Joanna C, owned by Laura D Fishing, had undergone a major refit in 2019, including the addition of a whaleback, extension of the wheelhouse and fitting raised bulwarks. These, along with other modifications, affected the stability of the vessel. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:29
UK elects new government
NFFO chief executive Mike Cohen had already made a series of key points ahead of the election, when the polls were clear that the UK was already heading for change. ‘Above all else, policy makers need to remember that fishing is about food. It is not a conservation problem. It is not a heritage activity, or a hobby. It is a modern industry that produces food,’ he said. ‘People are finally waking up to the fragility of a food supply system that is over-reliant on time-sensitive imports and the rapid, affordable international transport links that make them possible. The British fishing industry provides healthy, affordable, free-range food, with a carbon footprint that compares favourably to any other source of dietary protein.’ more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:49
Nigel Farage Elected to Parliament on Strong Night for Reform UK as He Blasts TV Coverage of Election Night: “It’s Almost Comical”
Nigel Farage has won a seat in the UK parliament at the eighth attempt on a strong night for his Reform UK party, as he branded the election night TV coverage “almost comical.” Donald Trump’s pal won in the seaside constituency of Clacton, which was previously a Conservative majority but had in the past elected a candidate from his former party, UKIP. His victory comes with Reform outperforming expectations, predicted 13 seats by the exit poll, of which it has so far won two, and taking thousands of votes away from Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives in many of its heartlands. Keir Starmer’s Labour Party was predicted a landslide majority by the exit poll and the results so far have shown that things are headed in that direction, but Reform is proving to be one of the big stories of the night. more, >>CLIP TO READ<< 09:52
Electrical fire aboard the Hannah reduces Northline Seafood’s processing capacity
A steady stream of frozen, whole fish emerges from a large spiral freezer. Each fish landing on a conveyor belt gets whisked away to the next stage in the production line. These frozen fish are some of the first sockeye salmon deliveries of the season from Bristol Bay fishing vessels to the Hannah — Northline Seafood’s brand-new floating freezer barge in the region. But on Sunday, June 30, an electrical fire under one of the Hannah’s freezers threw a wrench in that plan. According to Northline, the vessel’s team of marine firefighters were the first to respond to the incident and extinguish the fire. No one was injured. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:45
Commentary: Bill would provide relief to SC’s hurting shrimp industry
First as a shrimper but also as the vice president of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association and as a director of the U.S. Shrimpers Coalition, I write to voice strong support for the Save Our Shrimpers Act (H.7932) that recently was introduced in Congress by U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas. This critical legislation would prohibit U.S. funding for foreign aquaculture projects, specifically shrimp farming, financed through international monetary institutions such as the World Bank that are in turn sold back into the United States, hurting our citizens. The influx of foreign shrimp into our markets has created a severe oversupply, driving down prices and inflating cold storage costs — a double blow to our domestic shrimp industry, which includes both wild-caught and locally farmed shrimp. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:10
$18,000 penalty for diesel spill after fishing boat sinks
In August 2022, a 58-foot fishing boat sank off the western shore of San Juan Island, kicking off a complex, lengthy response to prevent additional diesel from spilling out of the sunken vessel, and to eventually raise the boat back to the surface. Now, the Washington Department of Ecology is penalizing Matthew Johnston, the boat’s owner, $18,000 for the spilled diesel. Johnston actively participated in cleanup efforts and fully cooperated with Ecology’s investigation, the agency said in a news release. This penalty is based on strict liability under Washington State law for spills to Washington waters, regardless of fault. Ecology’s investigation did not find that the spill was caused by negligent or reckless operation. The incident happened on Aug. 13, 2022, when Johnston noticed water rising from the aft scuppers on his boat, F/V Aleutian Isle. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:14
