Daily Archives: April 4, 2025
Sonoma County crabbers face new limits as state restricts season for 7th year — but can keep working
For the seventh year in a row, California officials are limiting commercial Dungeness crab fishing along the coast — including off Sonoma County — to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in fishing gear. Dick Ogg, a commercial fisherman who represents Bodega Bay in the Dungeness Crab Gear Working Group, said the decision was difficult but reflects a fair compromise between conservation and livelihoods. “It is an awkward situation, but every chance that we can get to help guys be able to continue to fish a little bit safely, we’re gonna take it,” he said. “We have made good logical decisions based on data.” Ogg said most crabbers are relieved to be able to keep working — even in a limited capacity. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:49
More fish, for now: Offshore welcomes latest NL northern cod assessment, union questions DFO science
The latest scientific assessment of northern cod is being touted as good news by companies with stakes in the offshore fishery but is being met with condemnation from the union representing inshore harvesters. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced its findings during a Thursday, April 3, technical briefing. One year ago, DFO’s stock assessment moved northern cod out of what’s known as the critical zone — a level where serious harm is occurring to the stock — to the cautious zone, a designation in which the stock can sustain some fishing pressure. That led to the lifting of the moratorium on commercially fishing for northern cod — the stock of the species found in the waters off Newfoundland’s eastern coast and as far north as the southern shores of Labrador. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:49
To be determined: Tariffs threat gone, but NL crab price still a contentious issue
The immediate threat of tariffs has dissipated, but there is no word that the fish processors and harvesters might head back to the negotiating table to hammer out a new price for crab to get the season going. The sides have been caught up in a legal drama since Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Minister Gerry Byrne approved a delay in the date the parties involved were to have a pricing arrangement in place. The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), which represents most of the processing companies in Newfoundland and Labrador, took exception to the minister’s decision because it was not a joint request to change the date. Byrne changed the date from April 1 to April 13 due to the extenuating and unforeseen circumstances when FFAW-Unifor, the union that represents most fish harvesters and plant workers, had to change its lead negotiator. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:58
Alabama’s ‘demolished’ seafood industry could be saved by Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs
President Donald Trump rolled out his tariff regime on Wednesday, also known as “Liberation Day,” by raising tariffs, including 34% more on imports from China, 46% on Vietnam and 32% on Taiwan. While the world reacted, people in Alabama’s coastal community are hopeful the move could save a dying industry. Billy Parks, the owner of Billy’s Seafood in Bon Secour, said his business has struggled for nearly two decades. “We’ve had a lot of influx of the imported, farm-raised Asian shrimp coming in and has pretty much demolished the shrimp seafood market as far as the local shrimp sales,” Parks explained. “So, when the fuel price started spiking real high, the shrimp prices started going way down, then it just put a lot of boats out of business.” Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:41
Carl Wilson gets committee nod to lead Maine Department of Marine Resources
A legislative panel on Thursday voted unanimously to advance the nomination of Carl Wilson to lead the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Fishermen and the aquaculture industry told lawmakers that Wilson’s long tenure with the department and experience as a scientist make him a good fit to lead DMR. He joined the department in 1999 as lead lobster biologist and since 2015 has led the Bureau of Marine Science. “We need somebody who can hit the ground running,” said Patrice McCarron of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. “He is well prepared to lead on day one.” He said the industry may not always agree with him, but that he’s willing to listen and wants to work more closely with them. “As a scientist, I was always the one throwing a hand grenade into the room and now I’m the one who has to jump on it,” Wilson said. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:20
