Monthly Archives: July 2025
Search called off for missing shrimper after trawler capsizes in South Texas
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a shrimper whose vessel capsized in South Texas over the weekend, just days before the 2025 shrimp season was set to begin in the Gulf of Mexico. The shrimp trawler capsized in the Brownsville Ship Channel, a 17-mile-long deepwater channel that runs from the Port of Brownsville and into the gulf just south of South Padre Island in the Rio Grande Valley. The Coast Guard, which deployed search and rescue assets from Air Station Corpus Christi and Station South Padre Island, was able to rescue one person from the vessel, which went down near the Gayman Channel. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:22
Video: Coast Guard medevacs 77-year-old man 138 miles southwest of Sanibel Island
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater aircrew medevaced a 77-year-old man, Sunday, experiencing stroke-like symptoms approximately 138 miles southwest of Sanibel Island. The man was safely transported to Gulfcoast Medical Center for a higher level of care. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a phone call at 7:33 p.m. from the owner of F/V Honey Bee, a commercial fishing vessel, reporting the captain was experiencing a medical emergency. Watchstanders coordinated the launch of an Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew. Air Station Miami launched an HC-144 aircrew for communication assistance due to the distance from shore. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:35
Charleston commercial fishing legend seeks support for repairs
A
sk just about any chef or professional in the food and beverage industry in Charleston who exemplifies what it means to be a Lowcountry fisherman, and the answer likely will be Mark Marhefka of Abundant Seafood. Marhefka and his wife, Kerry, opened Abundant Seafood in 2006 and won a James Beard Leadership Award in 2020 for their sustainable fishing practices. Marhefka is known as one of the best fishermen in the country and he is as humble, hardworking and conscientious as they come. On June 28, the unthinkable happened. While fishing 50 miles off the coast, his boat – the Amy Marie – was struck by lightning. Marhefka and his crew were uninjured, but the boat lost all electronic and other critical navigation equipment. The team was able to make the grueling 20-hour journey back to land and once there, the Amy Marie was sent to a shipyard for an assessment. The cost for repairs and new equipment as well as the income lost while out of commission is exorbitant. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:49
Captain Joseph “Joe” Angevine III of Greenport, N.Y., has passed away
Captain Joseph “Joe” Angevine III, a lifelong commercial fisherman and well-known figure on the North Fork, passed away on July 9, 2025. He was 77. Born in Brooklyn, on May 12, 1948, to Joseph Jr. and Dolores Angevine, Joe was drawn to the water from an early age—working alongside his father in the waters of Sheepshead Bay and sneaking out at night, jumping subway turnstiles just to fish the lakes in Central Park under the moonlight. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he returned to Greenport and built a life doing what he knew best—fishing. He spent decades working on the water, running boats, hauling traps, and earning a reputation as one of the most seasoned and knowledgeable captains in the area. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:43
Nantucket’s Big, Beautiful Blunder
It’s always been about the optics. The optics of the Nantucket Select Board signing the original Good Neighbor Agreement in August of 2020. The optics of the damaged GE Vernova Halide-X blade dangling perilously above the ocean from Vineyard Wind’s turbine in July of 2024. The optics of Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller, and later, State Senator Julian Cyr, sheepishly walking out of a Select Board meeting. The optics of the “non-toxic” debris washing up on our south shore beaches. And now, the optics of a $10.5 million settlement paving the way for the establishment of a “Community Claims Fund” to help compensate those negatively impacted economically by the blade failure disaster. The net effect after attorneys’ fees is roughly $8.7 million headed to Nantucket and local businesses. That’s nothing to sneeze at, and with an independent third party hired to review claims and dole out the checks, I feel confident the money won’t end up in Nantucket’s black hole for a new dump, but instead, in the pockets of island business owners such as Gaven Norton and ACK Surf School who deserve it. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:54
Expert warns of mysterious threat impacting beloved US seafood industry: ‘We’re actually at risk of losing it’
From shrimp and grits to overloaded po’boys, shrimp have long been a staple on Georgia’s coast. However, a perfect storm of climate pressure, imports, and a mysterious disease is now threatening the future of the local shrimping industry — and the impact could ripple far beyond coastal kitchens. In the early 2000s, around 1,500 shrimp boats were operating off Georgia’s coast, as Marc Frischer, a professor at the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, told Grist. Today, there are fewer than 200. Frischer expressed concern for the shrimping industry in the Peach State, telling the publication, “We’re actually at risk of losing it.” He’s not just talking about Georgia — shrimpers throughout the Gulf and South Atlantic are struggling. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:57
‘Woke nonsense!’ British fishermen face being ‘decolonised’ as museum accused of pushing ‘patriotic guilt’
Britain’s North Sea fishermen are set to be decolonised as a museum seeks to address possible links between the heritage and “colonialism and racism”. The Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre is reviewing its collection of material on decimated fishing fleets, assessing objects related to the work of the trawlermen. The centre will look at items used by the fishermen to determine whether they were “problematic”. Connections to slavery will be analysed by the centre, which plans on focusing on information of individuals from diverse backgrounds and “protected characteristic groups”. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:19
Lawmakers Urge Release of $7 Million in Fishery Disaster Aid as Southern Oregon Faces Economic Fallout
Southern Oregon’s coastal communities may soon receive long-awaited federal relief after a group of Democratic lawmakers, led by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, renewed pressure on the Trump administration to release $7 million in congressionally authorized disaster aid. The funding is intended to support Oregon’s struggling salmon fishery industry, which has suffered severe losses over recent seasons—disrupting the livelihoods of commercial fishermen, processors, and small business owners in port towns across the southern Oregon coast. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:34
Algal bloom ‘disaster’ prompts royal commission call as impact spreads to mussel farms
A royal commission is needed to tackle the long-term effects of the devastating algal bloom off South Australia’s coast that has killed countless sea creatures and is damaging industries, the state’s opposition says. The call comes as the impact of the bloom continues to spread, with mussel farming sites around Port Lincoln shut down after shellfish toxins were detected in the area. The “precautionary closure”, which came into effect on Wednesday, has suspended mussel harvesting at the Boston Bay, Bickers Island, Lower Eyre and Proper Bay sites, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:28
Hey old bird: A 33-year-old puffin on New Brunswick island 33-year-old puffin
Daniel Oliker held a 33-year-old puffin from Machias Seal Island in his hands and was in awe about how it was a decade older than him. It felt like he was holding a world of knowledge and history in that puff ball of black and white feathers. The University of New Brunswick graduate student, researching Atlantic puffin ecology, found a bird with a plastic band dating back to 1992. It showed the tuxedo bird to be a wise and worldly 33. And it had a chick. Machias Seal Island is a flat, treeless sanctuary for seabirds located about 19 kilometres southwest of New Brunswick’s Grand Manan Island at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. It has about 8,600 breeding pairs of puffins. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:38
Wes Moore, developer vows to push forward with offshore wind despite major blows from feds
Maryland’s governor and an Italian wind energy developer said they remain undeterred in bringing offshore turbines to the state’s coastline despite facing three major setbacks from the federal government this past week that could jeopardize the projects’ immediate future. Spotlight on Maryland asked Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office on Friday and Saturday about how a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s corrective action letter, a presidential executive order targeting wind energy, and a federal judge’s decision to allow a lawsuit against offshore wind development, all occurring within the last nine day, might impact the governor’s energy goals. Moore’s spokesperson, Carter Elliott, said in an email Saturday afternoon that the governor plans to move forward with offshore wind projects the state has approved. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:44
Jackpot at sea: Trawler nets Tk 38 lakh worth hilsa haul
Defying stormy seas and a 58-day fishing ban, the crew of the fishing trawler FB Sadia-2 struck gold in the Bay of Bengal, hauling in 65 maunds of hilsa fish worth nearly Tk 38 lakh. The massive catch, landed at the Alipur Fisheries Landing Centre on Sunday afternoon, has brought a glimmer of hope to fishermen battered by recent challenges. The journey began on July 10, when 23 fishermen, led by skipper Shahabuddin, set sail from Alipur Ghat. Venturing 150 kilometres east-southeast of Kuakata, they cast their nets in the deep sea on July 12, navigating turbulent waters after months of restrictions and hostile weather. Their persistence paid off with a staggering catch, which was auctioned at M/s Khan Fish for Tk 39,60,140. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:50
Commercial fishing school refunds $1m for subsidy errors over four years
A commercial fishing school has repaid more than $1 million to the government, after errors that included claiming funding for students who never attended. Westport Deep Sea Fishing Ltd said an IT change and a decision to waive fees for flood-affected students contributed to the problems. A Tertiary Education Commission report said the private tertiary institution received funding for 523 full-time equivalent students in the four years from 2020 to the end of 2023. An audit last year “revealed significant issues with how student data was reported” and a subsequent investigation found it should have received funding for only 413 FTE students, a difference of almost 110 FTE. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:02
Shrimp Festival To Select New Poster After Uproar
Throughout history there have been many accusations of artistic plagiarism. Warhol, Picasso, and the Mona Lisa have all been famously copied. But it is rare that a local artist is accused of such an act to win a poster contest for a beloved annual event. In Gulf Shores, the annual Shrimp Festival draws over a hundred thousand visitors each October. One of the rituals for the event is selecting that year’s poster which is submitted by various artists. The winner is honored with the coveted selection, and their poster prints are sold by the thousands during the event. Many buyers will stand in line to have the original artist sign their poster. The contest is one of the most cherished art events on the coast. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:37
Lobstermen navigate rising costs of living and working on the coast of Maine
Lobstermen along Harpswell’s working waterfront say they’re facing considerable challenges associated with the high costs of living and working on the coast, raising concerns about the near and distant future of the local industry. Those witnessing some of the challenges firsthand say the lack of affordable housing and increasingly high costs that come with the job have deterred younger generations from choosing to enter the industry. Others who have made a career of lobstering say they have been priced out, unable to make a living. Lobsterman Bernie Johnson ménage’s Glen’s Lobsters and reflected on how the once competitive industry has changed from when he started roughly 30 years ago to the state it’s in today. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ << 18:14
Noem honors Coast Guard heroes in Kerrville ceremony
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem presented military medals Friday to four U. S. Coast Guard aircrew members for their heroism during catastrophic flash flooding at Camp Mystic on July 4, 2025. The ceremony recognized the courage, judgment and devotion to duty demonstrated by the aircrew members in the face of danger. “This is what the men and women of the Coast Guard do,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “The selfless courage of this crew embodies the spirit and mission of the U.S. Coast Guard.” “In the face of devastating floods in Texas, this Coast Guard aircrew’s courageous actions saved lives and reaffirmed our vital role in protecting American communities,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant, U.S. Coast Guard. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:24
Notice to Lobster Industry from DMR Commissioner Regarding Important Survey
Dear Lobster Industry Member: This summer, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and the Lobster Advisory Council (LAC) are conducting a survey of all lobster industry harvesters and dealers to collect input on Maine’s lobster resource and fishery. A paper copy of the survey has been sent to the mailing address we have on file for you, along with a prepaid envelope for you to use to return the survey to DMR. Your participation is critical to the future of this very important industry, and I hope that you will take the time to respond. The survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. I encourage you to read all of the survey questions before beginning to answer. If you would prefer to complete the survey electronically, a QR code will be included with the mailed survey which, when scanned, will take you to an online version. Please be aware that the QR code included in your mailing is unique to your license, so please do not share it with others for their response. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:54
GE Vernova to Pay Nantucket $10.5M for Offshore Wind Turbine Blade Failure
Nantucket’s city government has reached a $10.5 million definitive settlement agreement with GE Vernova, the manufacturer of the offshore wind turbine blade that failed in 2024 and littered the coastline with debris. The Town of Nantucket commended GE Vernova for its leadership in reaching the agreement, while it was noted by observers that the developer of the Vineyard Wind farm is not a direct party to the settlement. A portion of the settlement money will be placed in a third-party administered Community Claims Fund to provide compensation for claims of economic harm made by residents and local businesses. The administrator will accept claims for the next six months but will require proof of the expenses or losses. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:39
Algal bloom fears grow as video shows dead fish in ‘neon green’ waters near Ardrossan
New vision of South Australia’s toxic algal bloom shows scores of dead fish lying in “dark neon green” waters, highlighting the extent of the ecological disaster unfolding underwater. Marine scientist and filmmaker Stefan Andrews, who captured the footage near the Ardrossan jetty on SA’s Yorke Peninsula, said he saw “hundreds, if not thousands” of fish — mostly garfish — strewn across the seabed. Mr Andrews filmed the vision on Wednesday after marine life began washing up on the Yorke Peninsula coast around two weeks earlier. He said among the dead were wobbegong sharks and stingrays. Video, photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:31
NC shrimp trawling ban bill saga ends
House Bill 442, introduced in April, aimed to extend the recreational flounder fishing season to six weeks and establish a year-round red snapper season with catch limits. The bill passed the House in May with bipartisan support and was sent to the Senate. After that, the bill’s focus shifted dramatically when the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Energy, and Environment met June 17. During that meeting, Sen. David Craven (R-Randolph) proposed a committee substitute with a ban on shrimp trawling in all inshore waters, including sounds, estuaries, rivers and within a half mile of the Atlantic shoreline. The change, which would go into effect Dec.1, proposed making it a Class A1 misdemeanor for violating the bill’s ban. The shrimp industry, including the North Carolina Fisheries Association and Southern Shrimp Alliance, opposed the ban. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:50
‘Deadliest Catch’ Season 21: Premiere Date, Cast, Trailer, and More Updates
In 2024, Deadliest Catch aired its milestone 20th season. The season premiered in June 2024 and aired 19 episodes before concluding in October. Now that it’s been nine months since new episodes of the beloved Discovery Channel show have aired, fans are itching for more. So, when will we see Season 21? Scroll down for everything we know about what’s next on Deadliest Catch. “To claim their share of the billion-dollar bounty, captains and crews must brave unforgiving 50-foot seas to reach abandoned Adak Island, venturing farther west than anyone has dared in over 30 years and beyond the bounds of rescue,” a description says. Video, Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:04
A parasitic worm may help rebuild blue crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay
Parasitic, egg-eating worms might sound like the stuff of nightmares, but they’re simply a fact of life for blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. Interestingly, a new study published in the journal PLOS One by researchers at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS suggests these worms could serve as a valuable biomarker for managing the fishery. The most recent Winter Dredge Survey, conducted by the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS in collaboration with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, recorded historically low numbers of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. The findings have sparked concern among the fishery’s many stakeholders and highlight a need for new tools that can help balance economic and ecological priorities—this study may help with that. Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:48
Study sheds light on redfish deaths in commercial menhaden fishing
The largest commercial fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico is accidentally killing and discarding more than 22,000 redfish annually in Louisiana waters, according to an independent study released Tuesday, though state regulators noted that is still fewer than the number of dead redfish recreational anglers discard each year. Scientists with LGL Ecological Research Associates presented results of its “menhaden bycatch study” to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, unveiling the most up-to-date, comprehensive accounting of how the menhaden industry is impacting other fish species in the ecosystem. Menhaden, also known as pogy, are small foraging fish that live in large shoals off the Gulf Coast. Rich in omega-3 fats and oils, the fish are harvested primarily for pet food, dietary supplements and food ingredients. Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:48
Nearly $50K raised for Charleston commercial fisherman whose boat was struck by lightning
Mike Lata has been working alongside Mark Marhefka for nearly 20 years. The James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of FIG and The Ordinary recalls the early days when Marhefka first started selling the fish he caught from offshore trips to Charleston chefs. They collaborated to see which varieties could be viable in a restaurant setting. Many of the species Marhefka was reeling in — amberjack, barrelfish and others — are on local menus today because the commercial fisherman was willing to spend days out on the open water in order to get them back to shore. But two weeks after his fishing boat was struck by lightning, Marhefka’s Abundant Seafood business is fighting for survival. Charleston’s food and beverage community is stepping up to help. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:27
Statement from Dare Board of Commissioners chair on HB 442
I’m really proud of everyone involved—including the Dare County Board of Commissioners—for standing united with our local fishermen and fighting against HB 442. This win is not just about today; it’s a powerful reminder of the deep heritage we share as a coastal community built on generations of hardworking fishermen. It shows just how strong and resilient our community can be when we come together to protect our way of life. A special shoutout goes to the fishermen and their families, local restaurateurs and the many supporters of the local seafood industry who made the trip to Raleigh to rally against this proposal. Their passion and dedication to protecting their livelihoods—and the legacy passed down through their families—was inspiring. It’s great to see them stand proud and make their voices heard. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:55
Vineyard Wind Blade Break Reverberates One Year Later
One year ago Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard got a report it had never received before. At 7:01 p.m., about 20 miles off the Vineyard’s southern shore, large pieces of debris were scattered in the water near the Vineyard Wind wind farm. Green and white bits of fiberglass and foam, some the size of kitchen tables, were floating in the water, and eventually, with the help of wind and tides, would make their way onto Nantucket beaches. Nantucket charter fishing Capt. Carl Bois was one of the first people to see the bobbing detritus off the outer continental shelf when he was out on his boat the next day. Not long after, Vineyarders, Nantucketer’s, state lawmakers and some of the highest-ranking officials in Washington, D.C. learned all too well what Mr. Bois was seeing: pieces of a broken Vineyard Wind turbine blade. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:46
A 90-tonne Liebherr RT crane arrives on the remote Aleutian Islands
In the remote Aleutian Islands, Alpha Welding and Boat Repair have taken delivery of a 90 tonne Liebherr LRT 1090-2.1 rough terrain crane. The crane will be used for multiple projects around the island including, construction, fishing vessel modification and repair, as well as lifting fishing gear and related equipment. Due to the enhanced lift capacity and reach of the new crane, docked ships can be worked on without the need for turning them in both directions. “This crane is by far the newest and most advanced piece of machinery to come to the island in decades,” said Ian Bagley, President of Alpha Welding and Boat Repair. The Aleutian Islands are a chain of 14 main, and 55 smaller, islands off the coast of Alaska. Alpha Welding and Boat Repair was founded in 1990 as a small welding shop. The company has since grown into one of the largest locally owned fabrication shops in Western Alaska, supporting Dutch Harbor, the largest grossing fishing port by tonnage in the United States. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:30
State leaders recognize Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen for advocacy efforts
As Louisiana shrimpers continue to fight to keep the industry alive, one young crusader is working to bring change, and she’s succeeding. Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen Gracie Bourque hopes to help the Louisiana shrimping industry for years to come. “I went shrimping with one of the shrimpers local to Delcambre and to see how hard they work it was truly eye-opening and amazing,” Bourque said. Bourque fell in love with a way of life that day. One which she was willing to fight for. Video, more, >>CLICK TO WATCH<< 14:43
Fisherman drowned after equipment pulled him overboard
A lone fisherman was dragged overboard by his equipment and drowned, a marine accident investigation has concluded. Hugh MacLachlan was creel fishing while near the Isle of Luing, off the Argyll coast, when the tragedy occurred on 13 December 2023. A report found the 58-year-old became entangled in a rope while releasing creels and was dragged through an opening at the back of his boat, Nista, into the sea. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch said the accident showed that creel operations pose “persistent and enduring hazards” to the lives of fishermen. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:12
As ‘Jaws’ Marks 50 Years, Montauk ‘Monster Shark’ Fisherman Who Inspired ‘Quint’ Remembered
For the more than 67 million who sat, terrified, as “Jaws” captivated moviegoers after the film opened on June 20, 1975, the 50th anniversary has brought back that creeping fear of the surf, the dread of inflatables in the crashing waves, the chill of the iconic words spoken, as blood soaked the sun-splashed water on that long-ago July 4: “The beaches are open and people are having a wonderful time.” But what locals on the East End of Long Island and beyond know is that Quint’s character was based on real-life “monster” fisherman Frank Mundus of Montauk, whose life was spent on the open seas, his daughter Pat Mundus, who lives in Greenport, told Patch. Reflecting on her father, Mundus said in reality, the character of Quint was nothing like the man who shaped her life. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:29
