Daily Archives: October 12, 2024
Central Coast fishermen sue California Coastal Commission over wind energy
Fishermen from Morro Bay and Port San Luis recently filed a legal challenge against the California Coastal Commission for not requiring wind energy companies to abide by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management rules before providing permits for sonar testing, the second lawsuit the groups have filed against the commission. In 2022, the federal government auctioned off three offshore wind energy sites located between 20 and 30 miles off the coast near Morro Bay. Then in Dec. 2023, the state issued a permit allowing survey work to begin. The fisherman organisation’s latest lawsuit, filed on Sept. 6, argues that the Coastal Commission required the wind energy companies, including Equinor, to “have an independent liaison that is responsible for the coordination and communication of site activities with affected commercial and recreational fishing communities and harbor districts.” The fishing liaison is required to work with fishing communities and the harbor districts to coordinate survey and other activities. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:18
Nodosa delivers Falklands factory trawler
The largest new vessel to join the Falklands fleet operating on squid in the South Atlantic has been delivered by the Nodosa Shipyard in Galicia to the Petrel Fishing Company, a joint venture between Percapuerta Group in Vigo and its Falklands partner, the Fortuna Group. The 85-metre Prion has a 14-metre beam and is the yard’s own design. The handover of the new vessel took place in the Port of Marín, chaired by the President of the Xunta Alfonso Rueda, and attended by Pescapuerte Group president Jose Puerta Prado, Stuart Wallace representing the Fortuna Group, and José Ramón Regueira on behalf of Nodosa, along with around 400 guests who included staff of the yard, the two companies, suppliers and various authorities. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:25
Galveston business entangled in net of fraud allegations and whistleblowers
A shrimp business and former market that has been a cornerstone of Galveston for more than 45 years is in the muck, as it and its parent company are mired in a number of lawsuits alleging everything from fraud to shorting an employee. Galveston Shrimp Company was founded in 1978 by Sicilian immigrant Rosario Cassarino. For nearly 20 years, Rosario and wife Giovanna sold fish and shrimp that was brought onto the island. Their son Nello Cassarino assumed a leadership role in Galveston Shrimp Co. in 1994, and in 2011 he re-formed the company under the umbrella of Pacific Seafood, a family-owned market and business out of Portland, Ore. But now there’s a rift between Cassarino and Pacific Seafood, which owns 80 percent of Galveston Shrimp Co. According to ongoing litigation as reported by the Galveston Daily News, Cassarino is suing Pacific Seafood for $1 million, accusing the company of shorting him on revenue and self-dealing. Cassarino originally filed the lawsuit in Texas in 2023, but a judge moved the suit to Oregon. More, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:04
On US coast, wind power foes embrace ‘Save the Whales’ argument
Whether from real concern for marine animals or doubts about renewable energy, the anti-wind power movement has been growing along the US East Coast, with some trying to blame a surge in whale strandings on the growth of offshore energy projects. Their attempt to link the two seems to be resonating, despite what scientists say is a clear lack of evidence. When Lauren Brandkamp and her team from the nonprofit Whale and Dolphin Conservation organization in Massachusetts carry out a rescue on an area beach, one of the first questions bystanders ask is: “Was this wind?” Wind power critics have organized coastal town gatherings, posted “Save the Whales” signs and filed lawsuits in a bid to bury new wind projects under crushing litigation fees. A recent surge in whale strandings or deaths has given them added ammunition. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:41
‘Boats can be replaced, but not a human’: Peoria fisherman shares crewmate’s memorable Hurricane Milton rescue from sea
A Coast Guard crew from a Miami base rescued a commercial fisherman who rode Hurricane Milton out inside a fishing cooler. Steven Hawley of Peoria owned a boat called “Capt. Dave” that now lies at the bottom of the sea. The vessel is part of his commercial fishing company off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Hawley wasn’t in Florida when Hurricane Milton hit, but his fishing crew was. On Monday, Hawley’s employee was riding into shore when the alternator and battery on Capt. Dave died about 20 miles from St. Petersburg. According to Coast Guard District 7, a rescue boat and helicopter crew lifted two people from Capt. Dave but left the watercraft in the ocean. On Wednesday, Hawley’s crew made an effort to bring Capt. Dave in before Hurricane Milton made landfall. Hawley said his crew dropped the captain off and rode into shore. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:38
