Daily Archives: April 9, 2025
Fields family faces charges in Alaska fishery fraud case involving illegal permits
A high-profile fishery fraud case has surfaced in Kodiak. After a lengthy investigation, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers have filed criminal charges against four members of the Fields family and their company, Fields & Sons Inc. Charged are 69-year-old Duncan Fields, 64-year-old Wallace Fields, 66-year-old Beth Fields, and 67-year-old Leslie Fields, all residents of Kodiak. The charges stem from alleged violations of Alaska fishing laws and regulations committed between 2020 and 2024. According to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, the Fields family illegally transferred commercial salmon setnet permits by falsely gifting them to crewmembers, only to reclaim them later—actions strictly prohibited under state law. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:30
No authority: Court rules NL fisheries minister erred in changing crab pricing date
It may not have any effect whatsoever on the start of the snow crab fishery, but the courts have decided Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne overstepped his authority by changing the deadline by which a price must be set. The issue landed before Justice Alexander MacDonald of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador when Byrne decided to change the date from April 1 to April 13. The date is crucial because the snow crab fishing season cannot open until the price and sale terms are set, provided the opening date has also been set by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Negotiations between FFAW-Unifor, the union that represents inshore fish harvesters and plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), which represents fish processing companies in the province, failed to reach an agreement on price. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:05
In fishery-dependent N.S. ridings, industry turmoil is central in this election
Michael Cotter. He says he wants an MP who shows they understand the headwinds his industry is facing.
In coastal towns around southwest Nova Scotia, where lobster fishing holds communities and economies together, headwinds facing the industry are a central campaign issue drawing the attention of voters and candidates alike. Michael Cotter is a resident of one of those towns. In Lockeport, he operates Cotter Seafood Products, buying lobster from fishermen around Atlantic Canada and selling it to markets around the world. Cotter employs about 25 people, and he said his business — along with the rest of the seafood industry — is integral to the town of about 500. “The whole lobster thing, it trickles down through to the guy that’s selling the bag of potatoes on the corner…. We need the lobster industry ’cause that’s all we have,” he said in an interview at his lobster pound. But so far in this election campaign, Cotter said no candidates have shown him that they understand his community and his industry. His vote is undecided. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:52
Shelling it out: New $3.5-million fund aims to give NL more control over its lobster fishery
The provincial government is planning to infuse $3.5 million into the burgeoning lobster fishery. In a press release Tuesday, April 8, the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture announced it is requesting applications through a Newfoundland and Labrador Lobster Technology and Innovation Request for Proposals as part of government’s effort to support new technology, processes and innovation in the lobster fishery. According to the release, the funding will be available to both commercial and non-commercial applicants. The level of support will vary from project to project with non-repayable contributions available to a maximum of $100,000 and a rate of assistance of up to 80 per cent, depending on the level of technology and risk of the project. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:02
Fisherman reported missing, found dead in Alaska was an Escanaba native
A 28-year-old Escanaba native has been found dead at the scene of the fishing boat he worked on in Alaska. The man, Jacob Riley Veeser, was originally reported missing on the afternoon Friday, April 4, by crewmates of the ship, F/V Lady Alaska, which was featured on the popular show “Deadliest Catch.” They were docked on Unalaska Island, just one of the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands chain in southern Alaska. The crew said Veeser was last seen walking down the G1 “dolphin” dock at Unisea Inc. in Unalaska around midnight. The day before that, Thursday, April 3, local news stations warned about a winter storm coming in. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:57
NOAA Fisheries: Surveys in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
We conduct comprehensive surveys to better understand the interactions between the environment, marine life, and people living and working in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Our survey data and information provide reliable and sound science advice to policymakers. We examine the impacts of management actions on the individuals, businesses, communities in our region. Our surveys help support the requirements outlined in the Magnuson–Stevens Act. This act fosters the long-term biological and economic sustainability of marine fisheries by preventing overfishing, rebuilding overfished stocks, increasing long-term economic and social benefits derived from fishing, ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of seafood, protecting habitat that fishery species need to spawn, breed, feed, and grow to maturity. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:39
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 38′ Calvin Beal Lobster/Tuna Boat, 700HP Volvo D13 Diesel
To review specifications, information, with 20 photos, >click here<. To see all the boats in this series >click here<. 06:08
