Daily Archives: August 26, 2024
Newly reinstated Newfoundland cod fishery temporarily paused as landings hit limit
The federal government has temporarily paused parts of the newly reinstated commercial northern cod fishery off the east coast of Newfoundland as landings approach the seasonal limit. Fisheries and Oceans Canada says that as of Monday evening, fishers from the east coast of the island cannot fish cod until Sept. 15, when the second half of the season is set to begin. The first half of the season was set to end on Sept. 14, but officials say fishers have almost caught the maximum amount of fish allowed during that period. Labrador fishers will be confined to the region’s southeast coast until Sept. 15. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:23
Organized crime linked to illegal lobster fishing ‘terrorizing the community,’ N.S. minister claims
Nova Scotia’s fisheries minister says the federal failure to stop what he calls illegal out-of-season fishing in some of the most lucrative lobster grounds in the country has fuelled organized crime that is “terrorizing the community” along a stretch of the province’s southwest. Kent Smith made the comments in a letter last week to his federal counterpart, Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier, in which he claims the illegal fishery has “entrenched itself” in the region of Clare and surrounding areas. “This is not related to Indigenous harvesting,” Smith said. “This is illegal lobster fishing that is causing havoc on the ground down there, causing havoc in the community and causing a lot of fear and anxiety in Clare and Meteghan.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:50
Overall impact of disastrous pink salmon fishery still being calculated
Fallout from what’s being described by commercial fishermen as a pink salmon disaster in Prince William Sound is still being calculated, but troubling times began earlier this year when high insurance costs kept some from ever going out in their boats. Low runs of humpies, mounting fuel costs and some processors opening up late all appear to be spelling big economic challenges for the Prince William Sound economy. “It’s going to be a big hit for the town,” said Cordova City Council Member Kristen Carpenter, who is anticipating a significant loss of raw fish tax dollars to the city this year. “It was an absolute disaster,” said veteran salmon harvester John Renner, chair of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Copper River/Prince William Sound Advisory Committee. One young man lost his boat, said Renner. “Anyone who has payments to make is in trouble unless they have dual permits and are making money off of gillnetting or longlining,” he said. “Fuel is $5 a gallon and insurance costs are up 25%.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:55
Personal Locator Beacon tips the scale for fishermen adrift in Western Pacific
A group of fishermen adrift in the remote Western Pacific made their recent rescue significantly easier because they carried a personal locator beacon, according to the U.S. Coast Guard search coordinator. The six fishermen were about 30 miles north of Satawal Atoll in the Caroline Islands, a widely scattered archipelago, when their engine failed around 9 a.m. Aug. 17, according to a news release from Coast Guard Sector Guam. The fishermen activated a personal locator beacon, or PLB, which issued a distress signal and transmitted their location to Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam, more than 430 miles away, the Aug. 19 release said. The center relayed the information to the USCGC Oliver Henry on patrol about 270 miles northeast of the fishermen, and a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel about 160 miles north of the disabled vessel. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:50
Fishing Flotilla Protests at Still-Damaged Vineyard Wind Turbine as Debris Continues to Wash Ashore
A flotilla of fishermen from across the East Coast gathered yesterday near the site of a damaged Vineyard Wind turbine to protest the perceived risks posed by offshore wind projects to the ocean and maritime communities. The protest, which also included a “Hands Across the Beach” demonstration on shore, highlighted growing concerns among fishermen about the impact of large-scale wind farms on their livelihoods and the environment. Vineyard Wind, which has been constructing towering turbine structures off the coast, has faced increasing criticism from local fishing communities. The concerns have escalated following a turbine blade failure in July that left fiberglass debris in the surrounding waters. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:53
FFAW-Unifor Blames Federal Government for Shortened NL Cod Fishery Season
The Union that represents commercial fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador is calling out the federal government for continued mismanagement of fisheries. This time, the criticism is again directed at the northern cod fishery in 3KL, which has been cut short after just a month of being open. With a closure taking place today, many harvesters found themselves with just a few days of fishing this season. “Federal MPs and Ministers like Diane Lebouthillier, Gudie Hutchings, and Seamus O’Regan are all responsible for the mass, premature layoff during what should be a booming season for our province,” says FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:12
Fish and chips price rise tops UK takeaways
The average price for a portion of fish and chips rose more than 50% to nearly £10 in the five years to July – while the cost of a kebab went up 44% and pizza 30%. Chip shop owners cite a “perfect storm” of costs in recent years, including soaring energy bills, tariffs on seafood imports and extreme weather hammering potato harvests. This all means a family of four won’t get much change out of a £50 note once they’ve forked out for their tea and added some mushy peas and cans of pop. “I’ve never known an onslaught of pressures in terms of costs going up,” said Jon Long, of Long John’s Fish and Chips in Dorset. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:08
