Daily Archives: January 10, 2025
Jonathan Robert Gonzalez of Santa Barbara, Calif. has passed away
Jonathan Robert Gonzalez passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 24, at the age of 44. Born on April 21, 1979, at Goleta Valley Hospital in Santa Barbara, Calif., Jon was known for his big heart, dedication to his faith, and relentless passion for advocating for what’s right. Jon is survived by his beloved wife, Bronte, and their one-year-old daughter, Beretta—the light of his life and his greatest joy as a first-time father. He also promoted U.S.-sourced seafood through his website, EatUSSeafood.com, where he shared recipes alongside his advocacy. Jon’s passion ultimately led him to his “dream job” as Government Affairs Manager at Pacific Seafood. Engaged in efforts across the West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and in Washington, D.C., Jon became one of the most well-known fisheries advocates in the United States. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 20:15
Statement to the Maine Lobster Industry from Commissioner Keliher Regarding Decision to Pull Lobster Gauge Regulation
Last night, after hearing loud and clear from Maine lobster industry members that they are unified in their opposition to a proposed rule change that would increase the minimum gauge size starting in July of this year, with approval from Governor Mills I decided to pull the regulation. As many of you know, this regulation, which was set to go into effect on July 1st of this year, was a proactive measure intended to respond to declines we have seen in sub-legal lobsters, which are the lobsters that are just below the current legal size limit. The objective of this measure was to leave those small lobsters on bottom for another year so they could mature and reproduce, which would buffer this vital resource against the effects of a changing climate. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:32
Notorious B.C. poacher who led authorities on boat chase found guilty of illegal sea cucumber harvest
B.C.’s most notorious poacher has been found guilty again, this time of illegally harvesting and selling sea cucumbers, and breaching previous bans against owning a fishing vessel and fishing gear. Scott Stanley Matthew Steer was found guilty Wednesday of eight counts of contravening the federal Fisheries Act, based in part on information seized from his cellphone wallet that was tossed overboard after a boat chase in Vancouver harbour. Steer had already spent time in jail for illegally fishing, and had been slapped with a lifetime ban against fishing or even being on board a fishing vessel until 2038 — the first such ban in the Pacific region in over a decade. more, >>CICK TO READ<< 10:49
New lobster minimum catch sizes could lead to industry change, Golden reacts DMR decision
A potential change to the lobster industry would impact the allowable lobster catch size. Dozens of lobstermen who do not support the change spoke out at a Department of Marine Resources public hearing in Augusta on Thursday night. The public hearing discussed a proposal that would change the minimum allowable catch size for lobsters from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches. A change of 1/16 of an inch may seem small, but to fishermen, it’s a big deal. “It’s our livelihoods you’re messing with,” lobsterman Wayne Delano said. “The question here is not will lobstermen and processors go out of business because of this increase, but rather how many will be put out of business because of this increase,” said Dustin Delano, lobsterman and chief operating officer at the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:35
Oak Island’s Hisler family endures Gulf Coast fishing trials
I had the pleasure of visiting with George William “Bill” Hisler of Oak Island and his son, George Hisler, both involved in the fishing industry of Oak Island, Texas. Bill is the grandson of George W. Hisler and Lois Gertrude Gregory. Lois was the granddaughter of John Thomas and Jerusha Watson of Chambers County. During the early 1900s, John Watson operated a schooner between Galveston and Lake Charlotte. In 1926, at the tender age of 14, Lois married George W. Hisler, who was 36 years her senior. She moved to the Pelly oilfield, where George had lived since 1906. Together, George and Lois had one daughter, Thelma Louise, and three sons, Robert, Billy Gene, and Johnny. George died in 1946, leaving Lois a widow at the age of 34 to raise their four children. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:50
