Daily Archives: May 30, 2025
Scottish fishing body urges meeting with Prime Minister
The Prime Minister must meet Scottish fishermen to explain the recent UK-EU trade deal, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has demanded, arguing ministers have been “insulting and patronising” about concerns over the deal. The EU trade agreement was hailed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as a “win-win” for both the UK and the bloc, but groups representing fishing vessels were dismayed that a further 12 years of access to UK waters for EU boats was allowed. UK ministers have pointed out that the deal has been welcomed by Salmon Scotland, which represents the salmon farming industry, which praised it for slashing red tape for exports. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:46
NCFA WEEKLY UPDATE FOR May 30, 2025 – 50/50 Quota Reallocation or Odds Recreational Fishermen Will Get A Season
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) voted last week 6-3 to reallocate quota from commercial to recreational to symbolize an “increase recreational access to Southern Flounder”. For more than four years, the CCA has been trying to convince recreational anglers that splitting the Southern Flounder quota 50/50 will allow for a longer recreational harvest season and ensure a season each year, but will it really? At the 50/50 allocation split, the Total Allowed Landings (TAL), or harvest, would be just 266,176 pounds and the Total Allowed Catch (TAC) would be 274,017 pounds for each sector. While this does represent an increase for the recreational sector, is it enough to do any good? more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:42
Rare gold lobster wins reprieve from restaurant, donated to North Kingstown aquarium
A lobster’s extremely rare gold color saved it from the dinner plate and delivered it to the tank at Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown, where it was already impressing fourth-graders on Thursday morning. “The blue (lobster) is everybody’s favorite, but there’s something about the gold that really jumps out at you,” Mark Hall, owner of the marine biology center, said Thursday morning. “Most people assume it’s a different kind of lobster.” How rare is a gold lobster? About one in 30 million, according to Hall. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:00
NY Wind Farm, 19 Miles off Long Branch, Resumes Construction
Work on the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind farm project has officially resumed following the lifting of a stop-work order issued in April, federal and company officials confirmed this week. Once completed, the 80,000-acre wind farm will be located about 19 miles east of Long Branch and 15 miles south of Long Island. Local opposition to wind farms off the Jersey Shore remains, with some environmental groups and elected officials expressing disappointment with the resumption of construction on Empire Wind 1. “The Trump Administration capitulated to NY Governor Hochul’s demands to reinstate the paused project without any new protections or improvements for the ocean, including for marine mammals,” said Clean Ocean Action executive director Cindy Zipf. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:40
South Carolina shrimp trawling season kicks off June 2, promising harvest
South Carolina’s commercial shrimp trawling season will officially open in all legal state waters at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Despite a brief cold snap in late January, biologists report stable conditions for the state’s valuable white shrimp population. The full season opening follows the April 24 launch of eight smaller provisional areas farther offshore. Those areas allowed shrimpers to begin limited harvesting while helping protect the main spawning population inshore. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:48
