Daily Archives: May 13, 2025
Fishers optimistic heading into eastern Cape Breton lobster season
When it comes to the lobster fishing season, there’s usually an air of cautious optimism and a wait-and-see approach to catch, weather and price. That’s the case with Garret Truckair of Glace Bay, as he was on the wharf on Monday preparing for the season to open this week on the east side of the island. “There’s always rumours at the start of the season that it’s going to be low, it’s going to be high. I usually ignore them and I wait until what we actually get,” said Truckair, who owns the boat Another Truckair. He was docked alongside his father, Wes, and his vessel, Leeside. “We just hope for high numbers, hope for a high price and size it up from there.” “I was lucky enough when I was working as a deckhand with my dad, he taught me everything he knew,” said Truckair. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:32
Nova Scotia lifts seafood buyer, processor ban to boost industry
Nova Scotia has ended its seven-year moratorium on seafood buyer and processor licenses to help expand seafood exports and grow the vital seafood industry. “Now more than ever, we have the opportunity to reimagine the economic potential for our traditional and natural resources,” said Kent Smith, the minister of fisheries and aquaculture in Nova Scotia. “Accepting applications for new entrants, or established businesses that want to diversify or expand their products, will help drive the economy and grow out seafood sector.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:49
Lobsterman Samuel Jack Macleod of Matinicus, Maine has passed away
Samuel Jack Macleod left this world too soon on Sunday, May 4, 2025. He passed peacefully, and unexpectedly, in his sleep on Matinicus, on the morning of what was to be his first lobster haul of the season. Sam was born on January 16, 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand and was raised on the Gold Coast of Queensland, on Australia’s east coast. He was the beloved son of Craig Macleod and the late Michele Macleod and brother to Daniel and Billy and stepson to Loretta DiPietro and stepbrother to Zach, Sammy and Alejandro. From an early age, Sam loved the water and fishing, especially rod and reel fishing, and by the age of 5, he also was hooked on the sport of rugby. His father, Craig, coached him for many years and it was rugby that eventually brought Craig, then Sam, to the United States where Craig came to coach rugby. Craig eventually moved to Maine and settled on the island of Matinicus. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:34
Video: Commercial fishermen thank Trump for protecting oceans from wind turbines
Seafood lovers depend on our hardworking commercial fishermen for our supply of fresh local seafood. That industry, and our seafood supply, has been under threat from the climate grifters pushing offshore wind turbines. Not only does industrializing our oceans with these structures greatly increase the cost of electricity to consumers and kill wildlife like seabirds and whales, but it threatened to put commercial fishermen out of business. The Trump administration has ridden to the rescue with a number of actions to block this destructive offshore wind boondoggle. Commercial fishermen are expressing their gratitude to President Trump for saving their industry and their jobs from the climate kook left. Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:01
Good faith gesture: Company says it offloaded NL crab at its NS dock so it wouldn’t spoil
The company accused of not allowing a harvester from NL to offload his catch in Nova Scotia says the harvester’s account of what happened is not true. On May 9, 2025, FFAW-Unifor, the union representing fish harvesters and plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador, issued a press release, alleging that fish processing companies were using intimidation tactics. It accused Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) members of blocking Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters from offloading snow crab in other Atlantic Canadian provinces. The Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company issued its own statement after the union released its account of what happened. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:04
Friends share memories of Newport fishing boat captain, missing after ship capsized
Friends of a Newport fishing boat captain feared dead after his vessel capsized off the Washington coast are sharing stories of the beloved husband, father and friend as the community tries to come to terms with the tragedy. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three other crew members who they pulled from the water Friday, but the Coast Guard said the captain, Jon Stevenson, appeared to go down with the 68-foot F/V Captain Raleigh off the coast of Westport Friday morning. The Coast Guard said a distress call reported the vessel was taking on water, and pumps were not keeping up with the water. Commercial fisherman Kyle Retherford spent years working with Stevenson, and he echoed the sentiment, saying that spending days at a time on a boat together meant his crewmates really got to know him as a person. “He was selfless in a way, because he cared so much for other people and his family. He loved his family, and it was inspiring,” he said. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:02
A GoFundMe page for the family of Jon Stevenson – An outstanding man who spent his life taking care of and entertaining all with his wicked sense of humor, Jon was deeply cherished by everyone who knew him. More importantly, he has always been an exceptional husband to Jennifer and father to Bella, Ava, and Larry. They were his priority and his greatest joy. Photos, >>CLICK TO READ<< and please donate if you can.
