Daily Archives: September 18, 2024

Fishermen Thank Governor Youngkin for Declaring “Commercial Waterman Safety Week” in Response to Growing Threats

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared this week, September 15-21, 2024, ‘Commercial Waterman Safety Week.’ The governor’s   proclamation recognizes that Virginia’s more than 1,500 commercial watermen ‘risk their lives sustaining a tradition passed down through generations,’ help generate over $1 billion in economic impact for the Commonwealth, and deserve ‘access to a secure and safe work environment. The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition and the Virginia Waterman’s Association are grateful to Governor Youngkin for recognizing the vital role of Virginia watermen, including menhaden fishermen and watermen harvesting crabs, oysters, clams, fish, and other shellfish. Governor Youngkin has taken important steps to ensure Virginia’s fishermen and watermen have a safe place to work on the water. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 19:15

Trudeau Government’s Fisheries Mismanagement is Cutting Through Atlantic Canada

Clifford Small, MP for Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame and Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and ick Perkins,The Canadian Coast Guard; Rick Perkins, MP for South Shore-St. Margarets and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry; John Williamson, MP for New Brunswick Southwest; Chris d’Entremont, MP for West Nova, and the Hon. Rob Moore, MP for Fundy Royal, released the following statement: “After nine years of Justin Trudeau, the Liberal Government’s job-killing agenda is cutting through Atlantic Canada. Liberal failure to stop illegal lobster fishing is delivering hardship for our coastal communities along the Bay of Fundy. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:47

F/V Capt. Jack II – Matanzas Pass Bridge shrimp boat makes it under on 3rd attempt

FDOT released a statement on Tuesday noting that the shrimp boat had made contact with the bridge sometime that morning; however, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office marine unit, there was no visible damage to the bridge. According to FDOT, the Matanzas Pass Bridge remains open to vehicle traffic. On Monday, the boat, named F/V Captain Jack Two, crashed into the bridge at around 10 a.m. before being dislodged at 1 p.m. The family-owned business just bought the new shrimp boat named Captain Jack Two from Texas and was trying to bring it home, where they have big plans for her. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:05

Will pop-up crab pots save Bodega Bay’s crabbing industry?

For nearly five years, Dungeness crabbers have watched their incomes diminish by up to 80% as the California Fish and Game Commission mandated seasonal closures, catch limits, and gear restrictions. The situation, as many crabbers attest, has driven many to their breaking points. “There’s people thinking, why even live?” said Tony Anello, fisher and owner of Spud Point Crab Company in Bodega Bay. Much contributes to the financial and emotional strain on the fishing community: the closure of salmon season, shortened and restricted Dungeness crab seasons, devalued boats, gear and permits, and, as existential background noise, the continued menace of climate change portending rising seas, extreme weather and a warming ocean. Dungeness crab populations do fluctuate from season to season, but, overall, the population has remained steady. The problem for crabbers isn’t crabs. It’s whales.  Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:50

Save Our Shrimpers: Texas Fishermen In Danger

Congressman Troy Nehls believes American money is being used to endanger America’s shrimping industry and he wants to put a stop to it through the Save Our Shrimpers (SOS) Act. “Our American companies are trying to compete with this shrimp coming in from Ecuador, and it’s just killing the prices,” Nehls (R-TX) noted. He said he heard from fishermen across his district and the entire Gulf region who told him they are no longer sending out shrimping trawlers because foreign competition has driven prices too low and inflation has driven expenses so high that it is no longer profitable. “Our American shrimpers are being squeezed to the point that they’re going to lose their businesses. And many of these businesses are second, third, fourth generation,” he added. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:50

Concerned residents file second lawsuit against New Jersey offshore wind project over noise pollution

Save Long Beach Island, a community group created in opposition to a massive offshore wind project off the coast of New Jersey, filed its second lawsuit to block the construction of an Atlantic Shores South project. In its lawsuit against Atlantic Shore South Offshore Wind, Save Long Beach Island requested that the court require offshore wind developers to conduct a full “airborne noise assessment and pilot project before the project can proceed.” Bob Stern, president of Save Long Beach Island, notes how the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Atlantic Shores South failed to conduct an analysis of the project’s construction and operation on generating noise pollution for residents and beachgoers. However, the Bureau of Ocean Management did find that noise from the construction of turbines would have a negative effect on marine life. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:41

Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 50′ Duffy Gillnetter, Lobster,Longliner,Scalloper

To review specifications, information, and 26 photos’, >click here< To see all the boats in this series, >click here< 06:38