Daily Archives: August 8, 2024
JMT tragedy: Looking for answers – and an apology
I’m writing this after my annual trip to sit at Rame Head and look over the spot where my son Michael and his colleague Shane Hooper died nine years ago. Shane was 33 when he died, and Michael was 22. I’ve been fighting since then for some kind of justice, and for changes that will prevent other needless deaths at sea. The fundamental issue that saw my son go to sea in a boat that was certified as safe, but most certainly was not, has never been addressed. Michael was fishing at the age of 14, whelking as soon as he was able to leave school and work full-time, and well used to weights on deck. He wanted to go scalloping, and I found what was advertised as the ideal boat for him. The boat, called JMT, was an under- 10m scalloper, and had just passed its MCA survey, then conducted through Seafish. If I had had an additional independent survey done (this haunts me to this day), it would have been deemed unsafe immediately. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:01
New regulations on lobstering delayed amid pushback from Seacoast lobstermen
New federal regulations on the lobstering industry are being delayed after months of pushback from local lobstermen. The rules would increase the minimum acceptable size for lobsters that can be caught and require bigger escape vents to be added to traps. Regulators with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission told News9 the goal of the new rules, laid out in policy called Addendum 27, are aimed at protecting the population of younger lobsters and allowing them to grow to a size where they can reproduce and be suitable for harvesting. Starks said the number of those younger lobsters have declined in research counts in recent years, triggering the new regulations. However, local lobstermen have cast doubt on those studies and railed against the rules laid out in Addendum 27. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:18
A new Battle Between Worcester County and U.S. Wind
The offshore wind company is still moving forward with plans for a facility in the West Ocean City Harbor. County leaders have taken issue with this, because U.S. Wind’s desired location could uproot the commercial fishing industry. The packhouse at the end of the harbor allows commercial fisherman to make their living in West Ocean City. That packhouse however, sits on the property where U.S. plans on building a new facility. Dave Wilson with U.S. Wind told us on Wednesday, they didn’t find the property on their own. “We were approached by the two property owners at the harbor, we did not approach them they approached us, and we needed some space there,” said Wilson. Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said the size of that pier, in relation to U.S. Wind’s overall plans, makes him skeptical. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:17
Fishers excited as opening of fall lobster season arrives
As the fall lobster season approaches, fishers in LFA 25 are looking forward to hitting the waves. “It’s always a challenge,” said Kristian Bernard, who fishes out of Skinners Pond. “You’ve always got to try and do your best at what you can catch, and it’s nice to be on the water.” This year, fishers will be starting earlier than what was originally planned, something that hasn’t received much complaint. “Everybody was really pushing for earlier because of bad weather at the end of the season,” said Travis Shea, who also fishes out of Skinners Pond. “Due to weather, the last few seasons, we’ve all been pushed back a few days extra, so we’re trying to get a bit of leeway.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:55
Shrimp boat captain grateful for community support
For just over a week, it has been a sight for the curious: a mysterious shrimp boat that washed up along the beach in Port Aransas. For Phillip Lara, Captain of the Second Chance boat, it has been one crashing wave after another. “Well, the whole thing has been a nightmare,” he said. “We accidentally busted our anchor line, and we were coming in to replace it, and then we had a fuel issue, which killed the boat. I had a secondary anchor, and it wasn’t big enough. We did everything we could to stop it.” The community has taken notice of his plight. A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $5,600 and early Wednesday morning, a few of the faithful gathered in prayer to ask for help of another kind. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:21
