Daily Archives: March 11, 2025
Bermagui loses part of its fishing history with loss of fishing vessel Volition
When the fishing vessel F/V Volition broke up on the night of 27 February after running aground very early that day, Bermagui lost a piece of its history. As the closest port on the mainland to the continental shelf, fishing was central to Bermagui’s development and economy during the 20th century. Rocky Lagana, CEO of the Bermagui Fishermen’s Co-operative, said the boat had been working in the tuna longline industry from Bermagui for the past 20 years. According to the Bermagui Historical Society, Volition was built in Adelaide in 1972 by Tony Franov. The first owner, Mario Basile of Ulladulla, named it Angelica. Third-generation Bermagui commercial fisher Michael Jubb knows a fair bit about Volition’s history. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:17
Commercial fisherman sentenced to 6 months in prison for falsifying fishing records and taking an endangered sperm whale
A Southeast Alaska commercial fisherman was sentenced today to six months in prison for falsifying fishing records in violation of the Lacey Act and illegally taking a sperm whale in violation of the Endangered Species Act. According to court documents, between October and November 2020, Dugan Paul Daniels, 55, of Coffman Cove, knowingly submitted false records about his commercial fishing activities to make it appear that he lawfully caught sablefish, aka “black cod,” in federal waters on two separate occasions. An investigation revealed he harvested the fish illegally in State of Alaska waters, specifically, in Chatham Strait and Clarence Strait, respectively. The total market value of the illegally harvested fish was $127,528. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:10
The ‘sustainable’ cod in your shopping basket may be no such thing – new study reveals mislabelling
Cod sold in some European supermarkets is being mislabeled and is actually fished far from its claimed origin, according to our new study. We sampled cod sold in Germany, Spain, France and the UK and found that about 30% of it originated in a different location. Seafood mislabeling, in which one species is sold as another, is a common problem. It may happen by mistake or by deliberate fraud, in which case, there is at least hope for improvement, as various DNA methods are now available for testing species. But our new research highlights another problem: the mislabeling of geographical origin. As with species mislabeling, this issue can affect the sustainable management of fisheries, the conservation of fish in the wild and consumer trust. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:53
VESSEL REVIEW | Ecofive – New Norwegian shrimp and whitefish trawler boasts innovative catch handling setup
Norway’s Westcon Yards recently delivered a new factory trawler to local seafood company Bluewild. Designed by Norway’s Ulstein Design and Solutions, the DNV-classed Ecofive (an abbreviation of “Eco-Friendly Fishing Vessel”) was developed to ensure 100 per cent catch utilisation, minimised quality losses during handling, and reduced energy consumption. The concept focuses on utilising resources so that the main product, the by-products, and residual raw materials will be of very high quality. The newbuild has a steel hull, a length of 74 metres (240 feet), a beam of 16.8 metres (55.1 feet), a displacement of 2,200 tonnes, a speed of 14.5 knots, and accommodation for 30 personnel. The propulsion delivers bollard pulls of 85 tonnes at 2.5 knots and 75 tonnes at 4.5 knots. Photos, specifications. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:15
New Laws, Fines, and Genetic Testing in the Battle Over Shrimp Labeling
When considering things that are distinctly American, several spring to mind. Baseball. Hot dogs. Apple pie. And . . . really good shrimp? While shrimp aren’t unique to the United States, few varieties are as lauded as those caught in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean by southeastern states such as the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Recent testing has shown that as much as 80% of the shrimp being touted as Gulf- or Atlantic-caught are instead coming from farms in foreign countries. Many diners are getting shellfish considered inferior to what they ordered. And that’s a problem. Efforts are being made on federal and state levels to ensure truth-in-labeling becomes the norm. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:30
NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE FOR March 10, 2025 – MFC Meeting This Week
The time has come for the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) to discuss and vote on the six fisheries on the chopping block. This is your chance to come together and show unity and support as a fishing community. Public comments are important, but showing up in large numbers sends a strong message as well. We have talked about these issues for weeks leading up to this MFC meeting. You know the issues, you know the problems, and you want to do what is right. Just attending this meeting shows solidarity and the urgency of our situation. If you can, we also encourage you to give public comment, talk with MFC members, and/or DMF staff. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:15
Trump firings hit NOAA scientists, analysts on South Coast
Federal cuts ordered by the Trump administration reached Massachusetts in late February, when the NOAA Fisheries’ workforce from Maine to North Carolina was slashed. Hundreds more cuts may happen this week, when department heads must meet a deadline to submit proposals for “large-scale” reductions in force at their respective agencies to not only terminate people but eliminate their positions altogether. This means more scientists and analysts who protect and manage the country’s commercial fisheries may soon lose their jobs. Their terminations have raised concerns about the future of the fishing industry, the science that underlies its management, and the people who rely on it for work and for food. “How many fishermen are left, and how many regulators and scientists are left to manage us? Try to get that number,” Tony Alvernaz said, suggesting there are too many regulators for what he sees as a struggling and overregulated industry. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:50
