Daily Archives: May 7, 2025
Maine aunt turns tragedy into a mission for fishermen’s safety
After her family went through the loss of a family member in a fishing accident, Liz Michaud turned grief into action by founding a non-profit aimed at preventing similar tragedies among Maine fishermen. Michaud’s nephew, Tylar Michaud, went missing in July 2023 while hauling lobster traps alone. His body was found nearly a month later. The loss shook his family and the tight-knit coastal Downeast community. “It was so obviously impactful to all of our family and our community,” Michaud said. “I just felt like it was Tylar telling me, ‘Hey Auntie Liz, you’ve got to do something about this.’” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:10
Baby eel fisher calls for enforcement against illegal harvesting on N.S. river
A licensed baby eel fisher says he’s been sending evidence to the federal Fisheries Department of illegal fishing on a Nova Scotia River, but he says Ottawa is not acting. Stanley King, manager of Atlantic Elver Fishery, says he has sent videos and images of unlicensed fishers on the Ingram River, about 40 kilometres southwest of Halifax. However, King says he’s unaware of any fisheries officers showing up at the location to enforce the law. He says he believes the total allowable catch of the tiny eels — which have been selling for about $1,500 per kilogram — has been far exceeded on the river. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:32
Why Isn’t Big Fishing Putting America First?
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump proclaimed his love for America’s fishermen and coastal communities. He’s right to do so considering that the rank-and-file fishermen are part of our new Republican coalition of blue-collar workers that contribute enormously to our economy. While the president continues to do his part to deliver for them, most recently through an Executive Order, it’s growing clearer that the love isn’t reciprocated. So, it’s fair to ask: why isn’t commercial fishing doing their part to put America First? For decades, the elites have pushed policies that favor massive industrial fishing operations, many of which use foreign vessels and foreign labor. Meanwhile, hardworking American fishermen are pushed out of business by overregulation and unfair competition. It’s the same playbook they used with manufacturing – ship the jobs abroad, let foreigners overexploit our resources, and leave Americans holding the empty nets. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:15
Sullivan Presses Commerce Nominee on NOAA Surveys Needed for Alaska Fishermen
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today pressed the nominee to serve as deputy secretary of the Department of Commerce, Mr. Paul Dabbar, on concerns about the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) ability to complete fisheries stock surveys in Alaska if staffing and approved funding from the department are not prioritized. Sen. Sullivan noted in the committee hearing that conducting surveys is one of the Commerce Department’s core responsibilities with regard to fisheries, and surveys are needed in order for Alaskans to harvest in various fisheries across the state. Sen. Sullivan also demanded that Dabbar and Commerce officials work promptly with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to sign the pending maintenance contract for the Kodiak, Alaska-based NOAA research vessel, Oscar Dyson, which conducts these critically important surveys. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:36
Blaming low P.E.I. lobster prices on low P.E.I. lobster prices not a good excuse, says marketing board
Some fishermen on the south shore of Prince Edward Island say there’s no good explanation for the low prices they’ve been getting for lobster so far this spring season. Charlie McGeoghegan, chair of the Lobster Fishers of P.E.I. Marketing Board, said smaller canner lobsters are selling for between $6 and $6.50 per pound. Larger market-sized crustaceans are fetching around $6.50 to $7. McGeoghegan said buyers are blaming the threat of U.S.-imposed tariffs on Atlantic lobster exports for the low prices — but without those actually in place at this point, he insists fishers should be getting more. “They’re saying, well, ‘Trump could do this and Trump could do that.’ Well, he could,” he said. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:40
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 72′ Steel Stern Trawler, 3408 Cat, with State and Federal Permits
To review specifications, information, with 25 photos, >click here<. To see all the boats in this series >click here< 06:18
