Tag Archives: commercial fishing fleet
Proposed bill would make offshore wind developers create compensation fund
The fund would provide compensation if construction or operation of a facility damages fisheries or the marine environment, and if the developer creates fewer jobs than promised in an agreement. Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, co-introduced House Bill 5223 with four Democratic state representatives, while three Republicans and two Democrats are co-sponsors. “This is new territory,” Somers said. “It’s an industrialization underneath the ocean that we have not seen before, and we do not have the data.” Somers’ district has the last commercial fishing fleet in the state, in Stonington, and she said “if the impact is such that they can no longer fish or their career is not viable, it was important for us on the committee to not prioritize one industry over another.” >click to read< 08:02
Fishing industry gets hooked up again after Santa Barbara harbor was closed by sand
With the weekend reopening of the Santa Barbara harbor, the fishing industry is getting back on schedule, and some are calculating losses. While weather conditions are always a variable, the sand blockade was said to be one of the biggest and fastest hits to the harbor entrance in recent memory. The commercial fishing industry saw many boats docked instead of out in the Santa Barbara Channel. Island Hooker boat owner Robert Church was asked about the harbor issues while working on his vessel in a harbor slip. “Nobody likes to see the sandbar shutting anyone out. There’s a lot of commercial fishermen in the harbor and it affects everybody who is a commercial fisherman.” >click to read< 07:53
Southampton makes $1.5 million in renovations to Shinnecock Commercial Dock
The Town of Southampton says it has made major renovations to the Shinnecock Commercial Dock to support the fishing industry on the East End. A total of $1.5 million was spent to repair the second largest commercial fishing fleet in New York. Hampton Bays fishermen say the commercial pier needed some work – from crumbling docks, deteriorating bulkheads and parking lots with potholes. Video, >click to read< 19:52
Captain Happy
He got his first boat in 1969; he named it Miss Tina. It was old, needed lots of work, and was small. He was young, somewhat handy when it came to fixing things, and she was big enough to get him started. For the next seven years he and she were part of the commercial fishing fleet that called the port of Cape May/Wildwood in New Jersey home. With a great deal of hard work, no small measure of persistence, and a clear savings plan, he positioned himself to finance a new boat. He named her Lady Christine. He is an optimistic sort by nature. His outgoing, sometimes gregarious, optimism won him the nickname Captain Happy. Shortly after Lady Christine was launched, he began training a second mate. This mate was new to the port, and she was pleased to be hired by a captain with Happy’s reputation. >click to read< 18:21
Drugs on deck: Meth abuse hampers use of fisheries observers
Methamphetamine abuse aboard the commercial fishing fleet is preventing officials from placing observers on high-risk vessels. Reports released reveal hard drug use and the erratic behaviour of crew has led to observers feeling unsafe. And in some cases, the Ministry for Primary Industries have refused to put staff on board. And a survey commissioned by Maritime NZ reveals 30 per cent of fishers knew someone who used drugs while on deck. It follows the death of 26-year-old Steffan Stewart, who died after becoming trapped in a piece of machinery aboard a factory trawler. He was found with methamphetamine in his system likely consumed at sea, a Transport Accident Investigation Commission review found. >click to read< 11:37
Coronavirus is making it difficult for Whatcom’s commercial fishing fleet this season
A new report from the Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham indicates the local fishing fleet is dealing with a host of hurdles this summer, particularly for fishing boat captains who want to go to Alaska. Crew safety is proving to be particularly tough to figure out, as shown by the three American Seafoods fishing boats that had more than 100 crew members test positive for the virus after docking at Bellingham Cold Storage in late May and early June. The report surveyed 69 businesses tied to the industry, including 59 commercial fishing boats. >click to read< 09:11
Biloxi, Mississippi: The 91st annual Blessing of the Fleet is happening Sunday!
After being pushed back a week due to bad weather, the 91st Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet takes place Sunday. The 91st Blessing of the Fleet is set to start at 2 p.m. in the Biloxi Channel when they drop the Memorial Wreath to honor deceased fishermen. Boats will form in the west end of the Biloxi Channel near the Beau Rivage and the parade will float east. The Committee encourages the boat owners from St. Michael, Vietnamese Martyrs and Blessed Seelos churches and the community to come out and celebrate this long-standing tradition in Biloxi. >video, click to read< 17:30
Port of Newport nets $1.2 million grant for new pier construction serving the largest commercial fishing fleet in the state.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million grant to the Port of Newport, Oregon, to support the construction of a new pier, serving the largest commercial fishing fleet in the state. ,, Senator Jeff Merkley also acknowledged the grant funding. >click to read< 07:59
UPDATED: Charleston Ice Dock on fire; Charleston Ice House a complete loss
According to a press release from the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, the ice house fire began releasing ammonia at 9 a.m. today and is why the public is being told to keep a distance. The ice house is located across from the US. Coast Guard Boat Station. Video, photos, >click to read< Crews respond to ammonia spill in Coos Bay -The facility produces commercial ice for the area’s commercial fishing fleet. >click to read< 14:26
Update 6:30 p.m.: Charleston Ice House a complete loss; toxic smoke evacuation order lifted – >click to read< 12/21/2019 07:52
New London commission submits input for State Pier plans
The New London Harbor Management Commission is asking state environmental officials and the Connecticut Port Authority to retain a diverse mix of water, rail and land-based operations at State Pier. The request is one of several contained in a six-page letter,,, The commission requests that consideration be given to the movement of the commercial fishing fleet now operating at the Central Vermont Railroad Pier. At least four vessels operate from that pier. Mayor Michael Passero said he is working with stakeholders to explore the idea of Fisherman’s Pier, on the city’s waterfront, as a new location for the fleet. >click to read< 07:32
Port of Newport evaluation – some good, some not so much
An evaluation audit of the Port of Newport brought up a number of issues that are common knowledge – the main one being it’s all about the Newport International Terminal (NIT) which has been, for a number of years, in various stages of partial completion. The auditor told the Port Commission this month that the port’s income is rather thin because they have haven’t finished the terminal. Money pledged from the federal government wasn’t spent in time because the port didn’t have an operator for the facility. click here to read the story 09:50
Westport Marina ranked 10th in the nation for commercial seafood landings
Westport Marina was 10th nationwide in seafood landings in 2016 with 108 million pounds of crab, salmon, hake and other seafood landed, according to statistics compiled by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Westport placed 14th in the nation in total value of seafood landed in 2016, with a little more than $59 million in product. That is down from $65 million in 2015, due to lower prices in 2016 for many species. “We are extremely proud of our commercial fishing fleet and the hundreds of fishing and processing jobs they support in our region,” said Westport Marina Business Manager Molly Bold. “We are committed to providing the infrastructure, facilities and services our fishing industry needs to continue to thrive.” click here to read the story 07:25
Premiering Saturday – ‘Dead in the Water’ showing in Rockport to benefit Fisherman’s Fund
When he embarked on his documentary “Dead in the Water” in 2013 as a cinematic army of one, David Wittkower operated with the sense that he was capturing, if not the final act, then certainly the denouement of the Gloucester fishing crisis. He had, on visits to his native Rockport from his home in Los Angeles, seen the atrophying of the once-proud commercial fishing fleet and decided it was a Gloucester story worth telling. Little did the veteran filmmaker know of the national and global nature of what he was witnessing along the waterfront of America’s oldest commercial fishing seaport. click here to read the story Watch the trailer click here 08:06
Working Waterfront – Chatham voters back purchase of historic pier
Living in a community nearly surrounded by water, it was perhaps natural voters at town meeting on Monday night approved the $1.5 million purchase of a historic private pier and fish house. Although the decision was primarily intended to guarantee access for the on the Nantucket Sound-side of town, plans are underway to look at how the use of the town pier next door and a pier owned by the Chatham Yacht Club could be coordinated to help improve access for all boaters. The Eldredges, who have a long history as a fishing family and have owned the pier on Stage Harbor for more than 60 years, approached the town about buying it because the family wanted to preserve access for fishermen to offloading facilities and felt selling to the town was the best way to do so. Read the rest here 08:25
The Pirates of Bodega Bay – Crab Fleet still testing crabs with Domoic Acid
A little-known fact is, Pirates in the 17th and 18th Centuries created one of the first democracies, voting for their captains and quartermasters, and voting them out if things didn’t work out. They weren’t made to walk the plank afterwards, they were merely demoted to the rank of members of the crew. Amazingly these high ideals are still held today, at least by the commercial fishing fleet in Bodega Bay. On Feb. 15, a hearty battle broke out (only verbal) among the fishermen who have recently seen their world fall apart with the dispute over tainted crab. It was somewhat like a manly square dance with captains and crew changing sides frequently but in the end, they all came to an agreement. Lots of info, Read the article here 09:20
Long Island, NY: County Attorney To Explore Legal Action On Behalf of Commercial Fishing Industry
The Suffolk County Legislature at its July 29 General Meeting unanimously passed a resolution, sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk), asking the County Attorney to explore legal action against the Federal Government on behalf of Suffolk’s commercial fishermen to correct inequitable fishing quotas. Read more here 19:06
Will Suffolk County Fight for Fair Fishing Quotas?
(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) announced today that he has filed legislation asking the County Attorney to explore legal action against the Federal Government on behalf of Suffolk’s commercial fishermen. Read more here 11:10
Uncivil War Brews Over Summer Flounder as Waters Warm
The summer flounder – one of the most sought-after catches on the U.S. East Coast – is stirring up a climate change battle as it glides through the sand and grasses at the bottom of a warming North Atlantic. Some scientists say in recent years the species has begun adapting in another way. As the Atlantic Ocean has warmed, they say, the fish have headed north. (like codfish? yellow tail flounder? hmm?) Read more here 10:05
The Will of Wanchese by Susan West
Wanchese, North Carolina, wears its heart on its sleeve. Located on the southern tip of Roanoke Island, where the Roanoke and the Croatan sounds spill into the Pamlico, the fishing port holds a fiery grip on the lashes binding it to the sea. “We might go down, but we’ll go down swinging,” says fish dealer Billy Carl Tillett, sitting in his office at Moon Tillett Fish Company in Wanchese. The office sits high above the harbor, like the osprey nests over the marsh on the outskirts of town. more@workingwaterfront 08:12
“Thanks for all the fish” series – Part II – Fishy business – What, you didn’t know this city was built on cod?
At the beginning of the 20th Century, Seattle’s economy was based on natural resources and the processing of them. Timber from the region’s vast forests was turned into lumber. Wheat and produce were milled and canned for consumption elsewhere. Coal from places with names like Black Diamond fueled industry and was exported to other areas. Fish from Alaska was processed in the canneries that lined the waterfront. more@crosscut Part1: Thanks for all the fish 10:23
Gloucester Fishermen’s sea time spent on the docks – NOAA slashed groundfish quotas based on scientific data suspect to be purposefully inaccurate
“I haven’t been out (fishing) in a month,” Cottone said. “I’m like everyone else. Everyone is devastated.” It is a common lament throughout the harbor, as the city’s commercial fishing fleet struggles through one of the worst years in its long and vivid history, a year in which NOAA slashed groundfish quotas based on scientific data that fisherman not only question, but suspect to be purposefully inaccurate. more@GDT 00:54
Stonington Blessing of the Fleet a mix of solemn ritual, colorful party
A throng filled the streets of the borough Sunday morning to remember fishermen lost at sea and watch Bishop of Norwich Rev. Michael R. Cote bless the vessels that comprise the state’s last surviving commercial fishing fleet. continued@theday
