Daily Archives: July 4, 2025
Sixth-generation fisherman’s sad admission amid calls to declare national disaster off Aussie coast
An Aussie angler has made a difficult admission: he hasn’t caught a single squid since April. Nathan Eatts, a sixth-generation commercial fisherman, is increasingly worried he’ll be the last in his family to carry on the trade, because a toxic algal bloom is killing all the fish in waters around Adelaide. A perfect storm has killed sharks, rays and other marine life across the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula where he’s traditionally fished, and the squid have disappeared. The outbreak is being caused by naturally occurring Karenia mikimotoi algae mixed with higher than average nutrients in the sea, increased ocean temperatures, and calm weather. It had been hoped that cooler weather during winter would break up the bloom, but instead it’s continued to spread. more, >>CLICK TO READ<<14:52
NTSB Calls For Better Fire Detector Placement After Fishing Vessel Fire
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stressed the importance of installing smoke and fire detectors in key areas of vessels after investigating a fire that sank the fishing vessel Tarka II near Tatoosh Island, Washington, on September 2, 2024. The investigation revealed that the Tarka II did not have a smoke or fire detector inside its engine room, which is where the fire started. Although the engine room was fitted with a CCTV camera connected to the wheelhouse, the camera was not active during the incident. Due to this, the captain only became aware of the fire when he noticed smoke coming from the vessel’s exhaust stacks. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:01
Dare County Board Chairman proposes the formation of a Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition
On July 3, Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard sent out a letter to fellow leaders from coastal North Carolina counties proposing the formation of a Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition, aimed at protecting the state’s commercial fishing industry. Sent on the heels of late June’s Shrimpgate, Woodard argues that a coalition would allow North Carolina’s coastal regions to address critical issues with a unified voice. The letter was addressed to the “Board Chairs of North Carolina Coastal Counties,” as well as fellow Dare County commissioners. The full text of the letter is below. Dear Board Chairs of North Carolina Coastal Counties, more, >>CLICK TO READ 09:59
Asleep at the Helm: Fatigue Blamed in Prawn Boat Sinking
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its investigation report into the November 2023 grounding and subsequent total loss of the prawn trawler Sustain (UL 45) at Loch Broom, Scotland. According to the report, at approximately 1946 on November 16, 2023, the vessel ran aground on rocks at the entrance to Loch Broom after the skipper fell asleep in the wheelhouse. Despite rescue attempts involving the vessel’s crew, other fishing vessels, and a Royal National Lifeboat Institution all-weather lifeboat, Sustain could not be refloated. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:46
The New England Fisherman: Entwined with America
The history of New England fishermen is one that is passed down over early morning small talk at portside breakfast joints, through faded pictures taped to the walls of institutional tackle shops, online message boards, and a fair share of lies and tall tales whispered on the docks and beaches. Stories of legendary catches, adventures, pitfalls and friendships tell the history of the local fisherman. Beneath layers of flannel, surf tops and splash gear, one can sense a patriotic twang from these watermen, and for good reason. The history of New England fishing extends much further beyond fish tales traded over morning coffee—to the birth of our nation. When war broke out in the American colonies, not only soldiers took to the muskets—many fishermen did, too. The salt-caked New England mariners spent their days battling the elements, but when the British Empire tightened its grip upon oceanic thoroughfares, these wind-whipped men found their calloused hands destined for guns and axes rather than linen hand lines and hooks. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:22
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