Daily Archives: March 24, 2025
St. Bernard couple’s shrimp boat takes them on a 5-month, 6,000-mile journey around Great Loop
If this were a romantic comedy, it would be called “Tracy and Stacie’s Big Adventure.” If it were a seafaring adventure novel, the title could be “Around the Loop in 125 Days.” Whatever you call it, the five-month nautical journey that St. Bernard residents Tracy and Stacie Alfonso recently completed was the trip of a lifetime. Now the couple is home and their shrimp boat docked once again at Delacroix Island after completing the 6,000-mile Great Loop. Tracy Alfonso, who grew up in a commercial fishing family and shrimped all of his life, had dreamed of navigating the Great Loop since he heard about it. Called the greatest boat adventure in North America, the journey entails circumnavigating much of the United States and parts of Canada. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:03
FFAW to meet with federal fishery minister, DFO on Monday morning
Richard Gillett says harvesters are fighting for their livelihoods.
It might have taken a show of numbers, but representatives of Newfoundland and Labrador fish harvesters are scheduled to meet with the federal fisheries minister and Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials on Monday morning. Hundreds of fish harvesters gathered outside of the St. John’s Convention Centre on Sunday evening as Liberal Leader Mark Carney made his first campaign stop. The group was protesting recent cuts to the snow crab catch in some regions. FFAW president Dwan Street, speaking outside the convention centre, said after days of trying to get a meeting with Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, she was finally able to meet with her about DFO cutting snow crab quotas in areas like 3K. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:51
Trump’s Regulatory Freeze Throws US Fishing Industry Into Chaos
President Donald Trump’s regulatory freeze has injected chaos and uncertainty into a number of lucrative American fisheries, raising the risk of a delayed start to the fishing season for some East Coast cod and haddock fleets and leading to overfishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna, according to Reuters interviews with industry groups and federal government employees. America’s $320 billion fishing industry relies on a branch of the federal government, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to manage coastal fisheries. Under a 1976 law, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service develops management plans for 45 fisheries, setting quotas and determining the start and close of fishing seasons, in consultation with federal government scientists and local fishermen. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:19
Collapse of Germany’s offshore wind subsidies a cautionary tale for Canada
It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good. And in Germany, it might be better if the wind didn’t blow at all after the European Union member moved to start dismantling its flagship Alpha Ventus project after just 15 years. Despite its role as a pioneering wind farm, Alpha Ventus is being shut down — not because of technological failure, but because it is no longer financially viable without massive government subsidies. For Canada, which hopes to use offshore wind to support industries like green hydrogen production, the German experience raises critical questions about the long-term economics of offshore wind power. Without sustained financial support, will Canada’s ambitious offshore wind plans suffer the same fate? Germany has long been a global leader and pioneer in renewable energy. Alpha Ventus was built in 2009 as its first offshore wind farm, benefiting from generous state subsidies. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:44
Carney acknowledges protesting N.L. fish harvesters during 1st campaign stop
Liberal Leader Mark Carney kicked off his election campaign in St. John’s on Sunday, promising tax cuts and also addressing the hundreds of protesting fish harvesters outside the city’s convention centre. Protesters continued to block the lobby, despite securing a meeting with Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson and a promise to look at restructuring the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. A heavy police and security presence remained at the centre on Sunday evening, as police guided Liberal attendees through alternative exits. During his speech, Carney acknowledged the protesting harvesters, and said he is there to listen. He said his government will take a closer look at the department of Fisheries and Oceans, with the goal of creating a sustainable fishery and potentially restructuring the department. Videos, photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:31
