Daily Archives: March 3, 2025
Broken Vineyard Wind Turbine Struck by Lightning
The same Vineyard Wind turbine blade that snapped in half last summer now appears to have been struck by lightning, according to the company and the U.S. Coast Guard. On Sunday, officials confirmed that the turbine at the southernmost end of the Vineyard Wind lease off Martha’s Vineyard was apparently hit by lightning late last week, damaging the already broken blade. The Coast Guard reported a strike occurred on Feb. 27, and it was working with Vineyard Wind to ensure there were no navigational hazards in the area. Vineyard Wind, in a statement Sunday afternoon, said a preliminary inspection indicated that the blade had been hit by lightning, and the company was continuing to assess the damage. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:52
Sen. Cassidy to Sec. Bessent: Halt U.S. Funding for Foreign Shrimp Aquaculture
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, has called on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to block U.S. taxpayer dollars from financing foreign shrimp aquaculture projects through International Financial Institutions (IFIs). In a letter to Secretary Bessent, Cassidy urged the Treasury, in coordination with the State Department, to take all necessary actions to prevent any future funding of shrimp aquaculture development, which would exacerbate the financial crisis facing U.S. shrimpers. The Southern Shrimp Alliance, representing the U.S. shrimp industry in eight states, commends Senator Cassidy’s action and echoes the urgent need for action. Links, graphs, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:23
NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE FOR March 03, 2025 – From The Executive Director, A Few Agenda Items of Interest
As we’ve mentioned before, the NCFA does not believe the Marine Fisheries Commission can make any changes to the Blue Crab FMP without an updated stock assessment or a peer reviewed and approved benchmark assessment. We have emailed DMF Director, Kathy Rawls, outlining our concerns and are waiting for a response explaining why the DMF believes they can move forward using the adaptive management strategy, approved in Amendment 3, and the results of the 2018 stock assessment, which, when updated, was not approved for use. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:57
‘Andrew went above and beyond’: Lucky Seven crew member thankful for Furey’s support
After enduring 52 hours in a life raft in the open ocean, the seven crew members were rescued and brought home to New-Wes-Valley, where a crowd of loved ones, including the premier, welcomed them home. “When I shook hands with Andrew in front of the fire hall in New-Wes-Valley, he said, ‘How are you feeling?’” Tiller recalled. “I said, ‘Jesus, I’m feeling perfect’ — he couldn’t believe it, that I was in all good spirits.” Since then, Furey has done far more than just staying in touch with the crew; Tiller said they’ve become good friends. When Tiller first heard the news of Furey’s resignation, he was shocked. Like many others, it was the last thing he expected. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:55
Guest writers: Bellingham’s SE Alaska salmon fleet threatened by lawsuits, misinformation
We appreciated Ed Johnston’s opinion editorial on Feb. 19, calling for cooperation in how we manage our salmon fisheries under the Pacific Salmon Treaty. As Washingtonians and Alaskans, we know that our shared Pacific salmon fisheries must be managed in a manner that considers how interceptions of salmon bound for distant watersheds may impact ecosystems, salmon populations and communities coastwide. That is why Washington sits alongside Alaska — as well as Canada — at the negotiating table under the Pacific Salmon Treaty. In order for our salmon and people to thrive, interceptions of salmon between the two countries must be managed using sound science and a cooperative approach. Our commitment to cooperative management and working collaboratively under the Pacific Salmon Treaty is as strong as our commitment to sustainable fishing livelihoods. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:24
Fishermen frustrated after DFO extends gulf herring moratorium by 2 years
Scientists say there are no signs that the Atlantic herring stock is improving, but some fishermen aren’t convinced. Fisheries and Oceans Canada placed a moratorium on herring fishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2022, saying urgent action had to be taken to give the stocks a chance to recover. Three years later, DFO said that recovery hasn’t happened, prompting the agency to keep the fishery closed through 2026. “The stock status is currently very much like it was the past few years,” said Jacob Burbank, a research scientist with DFO. “The stock is still in the critical zone, and it has been in the critical zone since the early 2000s.” Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:42
