Daily Archives: January 21, 2025

NH Gov. Kelly Ayotte joins Maine in rejecting new lobster regulations to protect industry

New Hampshire has joined Maine in rejecting new regulations that would increase the minimum length of catchable lobster this summer. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) that oversees lobster caught by New Hampshire and Maine fishermen, stating New Hampshire would not comply with the guidelines set to go into effect July 1. The new regulation requires an increase in the size of the gauge used by fishermen to measure lobster length, determining whether they can be caught or must be released. Lobstermen measure the size of a lobster by gauging its carapace (shell) from the eye socket to the tail. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:36

St. John’s business leaders waiting to see if Trump moves on tariffs as presidency begins

As U.S. President Donald Trump begins his second term in office, the president of the FFAW says she’s playing the waiting game to see how threatened tariffs will take shape. FFAW President Dwan Street voiced concern about how a proposed 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods — including fish — could affect local markets. For example, she said, 90 per cent of snow crab exports from Newfoundland and Labrador go to the United States. “A 25 per cent tariff, we see it as being absolutely devastating,” Street said Monday. An official with Trump’s administration confirmed to Reuters on Monday that Trump will hold off on tariffs for now but will direct agencies to “investigate and remedy persistent trade deficits and address unfair trade and currency policies by other nations. The majority of Canada’s premiers, including Andrew Furey, have said they’ll stand against any tariffs. “Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:46

Marine Patrol Continues Search Effort for South Addison Commercial Fishermen

The Maine Marine Patrol today will continue its search efforts on shore and on the water between Lubec and South Addison for Chester Barrett and his son Aaron Barrett, commercial fishermen from South Addison. The two men were reported missing Saturday evening by a family member when they failed to return as expected after transiting from Edmunds to South Addison. They were on board Chester’s fishing vessel F/V Sudden Impact. Marine Patrol began its search Saturday evening and resumed it Sunday, temporarily postponing search efforts both days due to poor visibility. Using sonar, local fishermen were able to locate an object that might be a vessel Sunday in 160 feet of water near Moose Cove at the mouth of the Moose River. Efforts by local fishermen to recover it Sunday were halted by the US Coast Guard due to safety concerns but are planned to resume today. In addition to its search efforts, Marine Patrol will be on-scene during recovery efforts to provide support. link 10:05

Commercial fishermen express frustration with late open to Dungeness crab season

Last week, commercial Dungeness crab fishery began in Humboldt County. On Wednesday, Jan.15, after a 10-day delay, the season opened throughout the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Northern Management Area, a region spanning from the coast of Sonoma County to the Oregon border. Many commercial fishermen in Humboldt County expressed frustration with the wait — and with these types of delays becoming a perennial problem. They say frequent delays to the opening of a crabbing season that once relied on December holiday sales have left fishermen feeling squeezed. “The biggest downhill path for our fishery began five years ago when the state of California, in their lack of defense of the most lucrative fishery on the California coast, settled a lawsuit with the Center for Biological Diversity,” Rotwein said. “We’re on a trajectory to … being regulated out of business. Economically, I don’t know if the fleet can survive … Every single year since then has been something — a season delay, season closure.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:15

Coast Guard, good Samaritans, rescue crew of sinking vessel near Gloucester Harbor

It was a race to the rescue for U.S. Coast Guard officials and good Samaritans when a fishing vessel began sinking on Friday. According to authorities, the crew of the F/V Miss Sandy issued a mayday call 7 nautical miles off Gloucester Harbor, when the boat began flooding rapidly with 4 to 5 feet of water in the engine room. Exhaust fumes also started filling the space, making the situation more dangerous. Within 30 minutes, officials say the CGC William Chadwick, along with local partners and good Samaritans, were on the scene, fighting to save the boat and its crew. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:00

A rundown of Trump’s executive actions

President Donald Trump wasted no time announcing steps to implement many of his campaign pledges, including on immigration, energy, the military and federal workforce, casting many as reversing the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. “We will immediately restore the integrity, competency and loyalty of America’s government,” Trump said in his inaugural address on Monday (Tuesday AEDT). “With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America, and the revolution of common sense.” While Trump is still signing more orders on Monday night in Washington, here’s a brief rundown of what we know so far that his administration plans to initiate, taken from his speech, public information about the orders, briefings by incoming officials and public statements. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:23