Daily Archives: January 15, 2025
Trump on Track to Halt Wind Farms Approved Off LBI
A local grassroots organization is continuing its battle in the courtroom to have offshore wind farms off Long Beach Island and Brigantine scrapped in perpetuity without a chance of being revived in the future, even as President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to deliver on his campaign promise to permanently stop offshore wind energy projects off the East Coast under his administration. A presidential executive order halting wind turbine activity off the East Coast is expected to be finalized in the first few months of his second presidency. “These offshore wind projects should never have been approved in the first place,” Congressman Jeff Van Drew said Jan. 13, adding he has been working closely with Trump to draft the order, which also lays the groundwork for permanent measures against the projects. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:32
Setting the Record Straight on Louisiana’s Shrimping Challenges
Against this diverse backdrop, the shrimping and energy industries stand out as particularly significant pillars of this economy, but ones that some environmentalists have increasingly tried to play at odds against each other. While the energy industry in Louisiana continues to grow, shrimpers have unfortunately struggled. Just a few years ago, local shrimpers were fetching nearly four dollars per pound of shrimp. But last year, locals said they were lucky to sell shrimp at $.80 per pound. As Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper said, “shrimping is a way of life passed down through generations. It offered decent pay at one time, enough to provide for a family.” Never to let a good opportunity go to waste, environmental activists have taken to national news outlets to smear liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies for these issues, inaccurately accusing them of hindering local shrimping operations and running fishermen out of business. But the reality is that massive seafood imports mostly from Asia, not LNG projects, are the true cause of shrimpers current woes. Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:02
Trawler sinks off Moturekareka Island in Kawau Bay – warning for boaties to watch out for debris
Two fishermen have been rescued after their trawler rapidly sank near Kawau Island. The trawler was returning home when its skipper reported the vessel taking on water off Moturekareka Island, in Kawau Bay north of Auckland. The fishermen turned the vessel towards the nearest land to investigate but the boat sank before they could do any more.Kawau Volunteer Coastguard crew was alerted at 8.49pm yesterday and launched within 35 minutes, thanks to a quick response from volunteers. The Coastguard unit transferred the fishermen from the yacht to a waiting trawler, with both men shocked but unharmed. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:41
NH and Maine lobstermen push back against new size rule amid economic fears
The regulation involves an increase in the size of the gauge used by fishermen to measure lobster length to determine if they can be caught or must be released. The new rule, however, has received blowback from local lobstermen. Maine has opted not to implement the change in response to concerns from the lobster industry, while lawmakers in New Hampshire are advocating for their leaders to make a similar decision. State Rep. Aboul Khan, R-Seabrook, warns that the new rule could lead to a loss of a third of lobstermen’s catch this year, adding to the challenges already posed by existing regulations. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:06
Jan. temps put summer shrimp haul at risk. What’s behind SC’s decision to help?
Jeff Brunson, the state Department of Natural Resources’ crustacean fisheries manager, said the general trawl zone will close at 7 p.m. Wednesday, except for certain provisional areas located at the outer edge of inshore state waters, which will close Jan. 31. Shrimpers can still fish in deeper federal waters. The reason for the closure of the inshore state waters is cold water brought on by continued below-average temperatures. “As water drops, they migrate out farther to areas where it’s a little warmer,” Brunson said. “We’re trying to protect those overwintering shrimp and their migration this time of year is largely driven by water temperature.” Protecting these young shrimps is critical because they develop into adult white roe shrimp up to 8 inches long. And it’s those adult shrimps that make up the valuable spring and summer harvest. The value of the state’s entire shrimp harvest averaged $8 million between 2019 and 2023. “It’s our highest value fishery,” Brunson said. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:57
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 45′ Peter Kass Lobster Boat, 700HP CAT C-18
To review specifications, information, and 16 photos’, >click here<. To see all the boats in this series >click here< 06:03