Daily Archives: April 16, 2025
Trump Admin Halts New York Offshore Wind Project, Orders Review of All Existing Biden-Era Wind Permits
The Trump administration is halting construction of a massive offshore wind project being built in federal waters off the coast of New York and ordering a sprawling review of existing offshore wind permits, the Washington Free Beacon has learned. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Wednesday to order foreign energy developer Equinor to cease all construction activities on its Empire Wind project, according to a memorandum obtained by the Free Beacon. Burgum said the Biden administration green-lit permits for the project and ultimately approved it without conducting proper analysis. “Approval for the project was rushed through by the prior administration without sufficient analysis or consultation among the relevant agencies as relates to the potential effects from the project,” Burgum wrote. He said the halt on Empire Wind will be in effect indefinitely until further review is completed to “address these serious deficiencies.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:31
Fishermen Urge DOGE-Style Reforms Of ‘Leviathan Bureaucracy’ That Throttled Industry Growth
The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) sent the letter to DOGE Wednesday outlining the “unnecessary bloat” of federal regulations that are “destroying the fishing industry.” The group urged DOGE to begin the process of deregulating the industry by reallocating National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ funds currently used to “destroy” the industry by placing regulations that have benefitted “foreign competitors” to instead go to “supporting and marketing” the fishing industry. “Fishing is one of the most dangerous and challenging trades in existence, but it is an invaluable source of food and commerce,” the letter reads. “Overregulation by climate-focused, ideological bureaucrats is destroying the fishing industry, making it nearly impossible for working-class fishermen to make a living.” Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:05
F/V Miss Montie: Stranded shrimp boat is towed away near Flagler Beach
A shrimp boat that had run aground just north of Flagler Beach was towed off the sand on Tuesday. Corey Thomas, the captain, of the 50-foot-long Miss Montie had said on Monday that he planned for another shrimp boat to haul the stranded boat off Beverly Beach on Tuesday night. But Thomas wrote in a text on Tuesday that the boat was taken off the beach in the morning and was “underway.” He said bad weather was on the way so he couldn’t take a chance on waiting for the other shrimp boat and went ahead with the salvage company. Video, links, more, >>CLICK TO READ><< 12:43
Southwestern N.S. commercial lobster fishery entering season homestretch
With just over a month to go before the six-month commercial lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33 and 34 closes, fishing effort is picking up after a long, hard winter. “The biggest problem has been the weather. It’s been bad,” says Lockeport lobster dealer Mike Cotter. Dan Fleck, executive director of the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association, says for some fishermen landings are up, and for others they are down. For much of the winter in LFAs 33 and 34 the shore price was $15 a pound for lobster, dropping to $12 in mid-April. With lobster seasons opening up in other areas of Atlantic Canada starting April 19 there will probably be another drop in price, says Cotter. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:53
Fishermen, scientists differ on whale mortality, wind energy
At first glance, the stretch of coast near the Bennett Street beach access point in Kitty Hawk blends seamlessly with the rest of the coastline. It’s impossible to tell that, just a few months ago, this sand cradled the lifeless, 19,000-pound carcass of a humpback whale. North Carolina coastal communities are actively debating the cause of the increase in whale mortalities, with concerns surrounding political agendas at the heart of the discussion. Marine scientists have identified human interaction with ships as the leading cause of these whale mortalities, causing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to attempt tightening vessel speed restrictions. Fishermen have largely opposed stricter regulations, blaming numerous economic struggles on what they see as a mountain of NOAA rules. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:50
Defamation Lawsuit from Maine Lobster Groups Back on Hold
A lawsuit from lobster groups against a California aquarium is back on hold in a reversal of a Maine federal court. A pause on the case by a judge Tuesday, reversed his ruling in February that said the suit could move forward. The lobster groups, including the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, claim they was harmed and defamed when the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation downgraded its rating for Maine lobster in its Seafood Watch program, and said the lobster industry threatens the North Atlantic right whale. An appeals court in Boston is now considering whether the case is justified. In his decision released Tuesday, Maine U.S. District Judge John Woodcock said the stay was granted partly based on the likelihood the aquarium would prevail in the case. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:52
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 62′ Fiberglass Dragger, Cat 3408 Diesel
To review specifications, information, with 25 photos, >click here<. To see all the boats in this series >click here< 05:26
