Daily Archives: January 31, 2025
Ventura fisherman missing since Wednesday night prompts search effort
A fisherman from Ventura reported missing Wednesday had not been found as of midday Thursday. His boat was found Wednesday night with no one aboard about 10 miles off the Ventura coast, authorities said. The U.S. Coast Guard was leading the ongoing search for the 71-year-old after he was reported overdue from a fishing trip shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, said Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Richard Uranga. The Coast Guard found the man’s 40-foot commercial fishing boat just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, Uranga said. Crews towed it to the Ventura Harbor. As of 9 a.m. Friday morning, Ventura Harbormaster John Higgins said he had no update on the search despite continued efforts to search local waters. Photo, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:48
Maine: Local fishermen praise bill limiting offshore wind
From Brooksville to Blue Hill to Stonington, local fishermen are applauding Congressman Jared Golden’s co-sponsorship of a bill prohibiting commercial offshore wind energy development over nearly 14,000 square miles in the Gulf of Maine. The Northern Fisheries Heritage Protection Act of 2025 would protect Lobster Management Area 1, the nearshore fishing waters stretching from the Canadian border to the north shore of Cape Cod, from wind development. “I support that all the way,” said Marsden Brewer, who has fished out of Stonington his entire life. Brewer, who has fished commercially for lobster, shrimp, ground fish and sea urchins, currently scallops and, with his son, Bob, runs a local aquaculture scallop farm. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:47
Letter to the Editor: US Wind project is not good for Sussex County by David T. Stevenson
The federal US Wind Final Environmental Impact Statement concludes on page 135, “U.S. offshore wind projects would likely have a limited impact on global emissions and climate change.” So no impact on sea-level rise. US Wind claims the $200 million they will invest in building transmission lines will offer general upgrades to the local transmission systems. However, if the project isn’t built, the transmission upgrades are unnecessary. Their claim of lowering homeowner electric rates $9 per year is statistically zero given the model’s plus/minus $17 error range. Consultants employed by the Maryland Public Service Commission stated the offshore wind projects would simply replace onshore wind projects that cost 80% less. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:57
Norfolk businesses reflect on backing Brexit
It has been five years since the UK officially left the European Union and became an independent nation. Opinion polls suggest a majority of people now believe Brexit has been bad for the UK – and it is widely accepted it has, in the short term at least, adversely affected some of those who trade with the EU. Two Norfolk business owners, who both voted Leave, have shared their views on whether it was right to back Brexit. Steven Williamson is the director of Lynn Shellfish, based in King’s Lynn. His factory processes freshly caught whelks, shrimps, cockles, mussels and scallops, most of which are sold to the European and Asian markets. Rachael Waring is the co-owner of Warings Furniture, which makes products for the hospitality trade and employs about 60 people in Larling. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:42
Suffolk Bill Aims to Protect Commercial Fishing Industry
The Suffolk County Legislature is considering a bill that, it says, will help commercial fishermen. The bill, now in committee, will allow property owners of commercial fishing businesses to apply for a conservation easement that would restrict future development. The bill was supposed to come to a vote late in 2024 but is now being studied to broaden its scope. The bill did receive positive support at a public hearing in November before the full legislature. Earlier in 2024, Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine signed legislation increasing spending for farmland preservation to $15 million annually. He said the commercial fishing industry needed support as well. According to the legislation, any type of business that contributes to working waterfronts, such as gear storage, aquaculture, docks, boat repairs, could benefit from the pending legislation. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:50