Daily Archives: October 14, 2024
Spirit in the Sound: Fishing with Mattituck’s Sea Queen
Plenty of commercial fishermen are still plying the waters of the East End despite the occupation’s stressful nature: High operating costs, climate change, onerous regulations and physically exhausting work are all part of the job description. But one fisherman has made a practice of staying positive and recognizing the spiritual element of working on the water. Regina Migdalski works as a deckhand out of Mattituck Inlet. She and her husband, Rob (who she fondly calls “the Cranky Captain”), have a lobster boat named after her, the Regina Ann — outfitted for conch and fish pots (a die-off in the late 1990s resulted in too-few lobsters left in the Sound to fish for). They also work on a dragger, a type of fishing boat that tows a net, called the Stinky, owned by the pair and their partner Teddy Szczotka, a fellow fisherman. They work year-round catching fluke, scup, sea bass, blackfish, conchs and striped bass, depending on the season. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:37
Burning fishing vessel presumed sunk off Cape coast – 20 crew members rscued
A large South African fishing vessel that caught alight in deep sea at the weekend is presumed to have sunk off the Cape coast, the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said on Monday. All 20 crew of the MFV Armana are safely back on shore after being rescued by another fishing vessel. The incident on Sunday night took place about 60 nautical miles south of Gansbaai in the Western Cape. Samsa said they had discontinued the search after losing sight of the stricken vessel. “[Samsa] herewith confirms the safe arrival and disembarkation of all 20 crew members of the abandoned fishing vessel, MFV Armana, at the port of Cape Town last night, as well as the discontinuation of a search for the vessel after sight was lost of it early on Monday. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:01
Fisherman’s Wharf future divides SF boaters, port
The Port of San Francisco and Fisherman’s Wharf business owners agree parts of the area need maintenance and repair. That’s where the agreement ends. The Port Commission voted Tuesday to endorse the term sheet for a $550 million revitalization of Pier 45 and a parking lot currently operated by SP+ Parking, beginning progress on an effort that would construct a seafood market, food hall, and events center and performing arts space that port officials say will revitalize the wharf’s surrounding area. “As working fishing families, we can’t simply relocate for the sake of an amusement park,” Bates said. “Fisherman’s Wharf should be for fishing.” The wharf currently supports nearly 90 commercial vessels, 21 charter fishing boats and nine historic vessels. As the only sizable commercial fishing port remaining in San Francisco Bay, boats from other ports occasionally rely on its fuel, ice and bait facilities. Bates said that out-of-town crews and vessels will also take up space along the wharf during abundant salmon and crab seasons. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:42
Fresher trawler heads home to Iceland
The new trawler’s future may be uncertain as its operating company is restructured. The newbuild order was placed prior to the volcanic activity that broke out inland of its home port of Grindavík in the south of Iceland, which subsequently resulted in the town being evacuated and the population being dispersed to other communities. F/V Hulda Björnsdóttir was initially expected to supply Thorbjörn’s groundfish processing in Grindavík, but the resulting turmoil in both the community and the port’s business activities has led to the situation being re-thought. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:37
Is New Bedford the top commercial fishing port in the United States?
New Bedford takes great pride in its port, and its scallopers account for a significant portion of its value. It’s proven that the Port of New Bedford has great value. New Bedford still ranks as the top commercial fishing port by value as recently as 2022, according to figures released by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, known as NOAA Fisheries. New Bedford had landed $443.2 million worth of seafood in 2022, again placing it at the top of NOAA Fisheries’ revenue list. That’s thanks in large part to all the scalloper landings in New Bedford contributing to the port’s value. Scallop landings accounted for 84 percent of the value. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:22
