Daily Archives: June 18, 2025
‘Shrimpgate’: New bill to protect waterways would ‘destroy’ shrimp industry in North Carolina, critics warn
Trawlers wouldn’t be allowed to net shrimp in North Carolina’s inland waters or within a half-mile of the coast under a proposal in the North Carolina Senate that has divided Republicans. Critics say the measure, if approved, would destroy the state’s shrimping industry. The new shrimp trawling prohibition was added Monday without much notice to a bill previously passed by the House. That bill was intended to create a pilot program to allow recreational fishing for flounder and red snapper. Members of a Senate agriculture committee engaged in bitter debate. One lawmaker later called it “Shrimpgate.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:59
Federal judge to deny Trump administration’s motion to dismiss lawsuit over block on wind projects
A federal judge in Massachusetts said Wednesday he plans to deny a motion by the Trump administration to dismiss a lawsuit over its blocking of wind energy projects, siding with a coalition of state attorneys general. Led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C. are suing in federal court to challenge President Donald Trump’s Day One executive order halting leasing and permitting for wind energy projects. Judge William G. Young said during a hearing that he plans to allow the case to proceed against Interior Secretary Doug Burgum but will dismiss the action against Trump and cabinet secretaries other than Burgum named as defendants. Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:54
Quota increase: DFO more than doubling total allowable catch for NL northern cod
One year after lifting the moratorium on the commercial northern cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, the quota for the second season has been more than doubled. The increase from 18,000 metric tonnes to 38,000 metric tonnes, announced by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on Wednesday, June 18, is still a far cry from the heyday of the province’s iconic fishery. The restart of the commercial fishery one year ago also triggered Canada’s obligation to NAFO to provide foreign offshore fleets with a percentage of what was being made available to the domestic fishery. So, in addition to the 18,000 tonnes allocated to Canadian harvesters, foreign vessels were given 1,000 tonnes. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:20
Northern cod commercial fishery from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. >>CLICK TO READ<<
Brixham Trawler ‘Race’ returns — with a twist
A spectacular event which was one of the highlights of Torbay’s seasonal calendar is making a welcome return. But there will be one major change — the Brixham Trawler Race won’t be a race, it will be a time challenge to fall in line with safety requirements. That won’t stop 24 of the port’s fishing vessels from taking to the seas off the Bay on Saturday as part of a special celebration weekend to raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission. The last trawler event was in 2019 after running safely and successfully for 55 years, raising many thousands of pounds for charities and communities. Darren Passmore, who owns and skippers the trawler Resolute, said: “It’s a tradition that has been going for many years and brings the fishing fleet and families together to celebrate the fishing industry. The funds raised go towards the fishermen’s mission and other charities. In particular, the Mission is there to support us when times are hard.” More, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:23
Plymouth fisherman calls for ‘reset’ as industry hit by ‘exploding costs’
A Plymouth fisherman has joined a call for his peers to have their say over vital changes urgently needed to halt a “slow decline” brought about by “exploding costs”. The Great British Inshore Fishing Survey, hosted by the Lyme Bay Fisherman’s CIC, wants all small-scale fishermen across England, Scotland and Wales to have their voices heard. It aims to let the Government know what needs to be done to make the lives and livelihoods of small-scale fishermen, their families and community, better. Plymouth fishermen Brian Tapper said: “Owner operators and other small scale fishing fleets do not have the time or PR machines to be heard where it matters, this is our chance to make sure that the Government and its regulators can be in no doubts about what we think, what works well, and what needs changing. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:26
NC considers ban on inshore shrimp trawling to protect estuaries. Opponents call it ‘disgraceful.’
On Tuesday morning, the provision was inserted into House Bill 442, which deals with recreational fishing of flounder and red snapper. It’s scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon. It would outlaw shrimp trawling except in Atlantic Ocean waters at least a half-mile offshore, matching regulations in Virginia and South Carolina. “We’re the only state on the East Coast that allows that,” Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, told reporters late Tuesday, saying the issue has “needed attention for a long time.” Commercial shrimpers say their industry would be decimated. “Shrimping is the lifeblood of a lot of counties,” commercial fisherman Thomas Newman said during the Senate Rules Committee meeting Tuesday. “You’re going to cut off 75% of the shrimp we produce.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:22
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 54’ Fiberglass Dragger, 451HP Cummins Diesel
To review specifications, information, with 21 photos, >click here<. To see all the boats in this series >click here< 06:28
