Tag Archives: commercial fishing industry
Study to focus on fishing port of Belford, North Middletown
“We’re going to explore options, meet with people in the community, the various property owners and fishermen, and try to develop a vision for the future.” While the area has a rich maritime history connected to the commercial fishing industry, many of the third- and fourth-generation fishermen have been struggling in recent years to compete with the larger port areas in New York or Cape May. “Whatever we do here, we don’t want to lose the fishing industry — we want to preserve it,” Mercantante said. Read the rest here 08:07:42
NY Legislation to Create A Commercial Fishing Advocate and Commercial Fishing Economic Development Program passes
Senator LaValle said, “The commercial fishing industry is part of the fabric of the East End of Long Island. It’s essential that we ensure that the industry is adequately represented before state agencies and is provided the proper tools to thrive. By creating an advocate, fisherman will have a strong voice to assist in the promotion of the industry, and will be part of state economic development plans.” The commercial fishing industry in New York State consists mainly of small or family businesses. (photo,John Derrico) Read the rest here 13:51
New Jersey Seismic-testing debate continues amid NOAA/NMFS approvals
A research project green-lighted to begin off the New Jersey coast this summer is the source of concern for legislators and environmentalists who see the project’s use of seismic testing as a potential threat to marine life and the commercial fishing industry. “It was a bad idea for the NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] to allow for seismic testing off the Jersey Shore last year, and it’s a bad idea this year,” Read the rest here 07:31
Video: High winds hurting commercial fishing industry on the Grand Strand
MURRELLS INLET, S.C, The commercial fishing industry is how Reese Hair has been making a living for more than 30 years. Tuesday afternoon, he was at the dock because 15 foot waves were keeping him from doing his job on the ocean. Mershon said the big problem is while commercial fisherman in the Inlet are stuck on the docks, other fisherman from North Carolina to the Florida Keys may be catching the quota in calmer conditions. Read the rest here 10:28
BARNEGAT LIGHT – Commercial fishermen ready for 2015 whatever comes
The fishing party boats like the Doris Mae, about to get out of the business. (See story by Dan Radel in this issue) are not the only ones to be affected by changes in fishing regulations. The commercial fishing fleet — with the really big boats, has been operating out of Barnegat Light for more than 175 years. “Our commercial fishing industry has. Without it, our businesses like the bars, gas stations, restaurants, and deli would not be able to stay open all year.” Read the rest here 12:45
Fish Distribution: Warmer waters shake up Shore fishing
“Marine fish are very sensitive to a change in temperature — they can only survive in a narrow range, so they are seeking out cooler waters toward the poles and deeper in the ocean,” he said. “And deeper generally means farther from shore.” As the species shift north, fishing industries are hampered in making adjustments because federal fishing quotas that determine how much of each species can be caught are based on decades-old data. “The regulations are based on the idea that fish distributions are static. Read the rest here 11:06
Jim Talbot left ‘huge legacy’ in Bellingham, but his biggest deal was with Soviets
A prominent Seattle resident who had a profound impact on the Bellingham community is also being remembered for his role in the regional commercial fishing industry. 
It was a prickly time for the West Coast fishing industry, as U.S. Sen. Warren Magnuson was proposing legislation to establish a 200-mile “exclusive economic zone” for U.S. waters that would become a part of the Magnuson Act in 1976. Read the rest here 17:03
San Mateo County Harbor District defends itself: Board of Commissioners responds to civil grand jury report calling for dissolution
The district has come under strict public scrutiny after a stack of uncashed rent checks surfaced, commercial fishing industry representatives claims that they’re misrepresented and commissioners slinging insults in public forums. Read more here 10:51
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) proposed revisions to its regulations for commercial fishing vessels carrying flammable or combustible liquid cargos in bulk.
The proposed revisions would reflect a 1984 statutory change that eliminated fishery-specific and geographical limitations on a statutory exemption that, effectively, permits certain commercial fishing vessels to carry and dispense flammable and combustible material including petroleum products. The proposed revision would additionally simplify regulatory text. The USCG said it does not expect the proposed rule to result in any economic impact on industry. ( yeah, ok) 13:26
As numbers of gray seals rise, so do conflicts
ROCKLAND, Maine — Decades after gray seals were all but wiped out in New England waters, the population has rebounded so much that some frustrated residents are calling for a controlled hunt. Read more here 12:56
Rise in human trafficking impacts Hawaii – Oahu farms, Commercial fishing industry, Child Prostitution
The State Department report said forced labor on inland, coastal and deep sea fishing vessels is growing. Bryant Carvahlo, a former federal investigator with the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said the Hawaii commercial fishing industry is rife with the exploitation of illegal aliens. Read more here 08:06
UPDATED: Court Rules Seismic Blasting off Ocean County Can Move Forward
The state’s commercial fishing industry, boating industry and environmentalists all strongly came out against the seismic blast testing, which will involve air gun blasts 11,500 feet underground that will reach sounds of 250 or more decibels and occur every five seconds, 24 hours a day, for a month. Read more here 18:00
Millennium Marine launches boat building business in Maine
Scallops giving New Bedford fishermen a welcome break – Lucrative shellfish lift fishermen — and the port they call home
NEW BEDFORD Gail Isaksen remembers when the commercial fishing industry in New Bedford Harbor collapsed in the mid-1980s: Cash-strapped boat owners scrimped on maintenance, borrowed to buy supplies they couldn’t afford, only to see their livelihoods destroyed. “I have a list of guys who still owe me money,” said Isaksen, 68, the owner of Fairhaven Shipyard. “I’m not getting paid. They’re not coming back.” Today, though, Isaksen’s shipyard is busy again with customers who can afford to pay: scallop fishermen. more@bostonglobe 10:21
This one should be bookmarked to your favorites! – Inthetote – … an online archive of fisherpoetry, story and song
These are the writings, musings, song lyrics and tales tall and small of the commercial fishing industry and the life and adventures that float within it. I’ve listened to a few cuts this evening, and they have been extraordinary. Bookmark this and enjoy the talent! http://www.inthetote.com/index.html 22:41
“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
Proof that people don’t understand the food production sector. Mr. Hill from the Watershed Watch proves it. Video
The commercial fishing industry has long claimed it strives to ensure salmon that can’t be legally kept are released alive and well. But a video shot for a conservation group in British Columbia shows seine boat crews kicking salmon across decks, or waiting for fish to stop moving before picking them up and throwing them overboard. more@globeandmail
California shark fin ban heads to appeals court with federal backing for reversal
The brief late last month states that California’s new law “obstructs the use of fishery resources lawfully obtained in federal waters.” Federal acts, including the Shark Finning Prohibition Act in 2000 and Shark Conservation Act in 2010, sought to protect the endangered species without sinking the commercial fishing industry. more@sfexaminer
No more shrimp from Pamlico Sound?- North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission to Consider Trawl Ban – Petition
A possible reclassification of most internal waters of North Carolina will be the subject of a special meeting of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries later this month. This reclassification into “Permanent Secondary Nursery Areas” would b
e one of the biggest regulatory blows to the state’s commercial fishing industry – a complete ban on trawling in North Carolina waters. continued@okracokecurrent
Petition by Megan Spencer Ocracoke, North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission: Save local seafood! No permanent secondary nursery areas in NC!
Serving up Asian Carp
It’s survival of the fittest for fish in the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Asian Carp, a non-native fish, are rapidly multiplying and threatening other species of fish. Now Shafer fisheries in Thomson, Illinois is harvesting them. They’re catching an average of 80,000 lbs. of asian carp a week, and they’re cashing in on this fish with a bad rep. “We’re pretty much the only ones left,” said Owner Michael Shafer. Shafer said times are definitely changing in the commercial fishing industry. continued
First stage of review of fish rulemaking released
The inspector general started the investigation last year after requests from former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank and U.S. Rep. John Tierney. The lawmakers say rulemakers had forgotten their mandate to develop and involve the commercial fishing industry. Among the review’s findings: Financial disclosure by regional managers did little to increase transparency and record-keeping was inconsistent. Read more
View the links to the report documents here
Editorial: Fishery ‘disaster’ aid out of place in Sandy bill – disaster was largely created by Lubchenco and NOAA
Yes, fishermen are entitled to disaster aid stemming from the economic calamity documented more than a year ago by Gov. Deval Patrick through the marine science program at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. And the Sandy relief bill — which would grant aid to Middle Atlantic fishermen directly affected by that storm — gives Kerry and other fishing state lawmakers an avenue to seek the aid that was never even referenced in the September economic disaster declaration announced by acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank. Read more
Jensen Maritime Awarded for Vision and Innovation in Design of the Northern Leader Fishing Vessel
Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime Corp’s Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm, has been honored with the New Wave Award, which recognizes the company’s vision and innovation for the concept and design of the Northern Leader, a 184-foot long, environmentally-friendly longline fishing vessel owned by Alaskan Leader Fisheries LLC.
The New Wave Award is issued each year by National Fisherman and WorkBoat magazines during Boatyard Day, an event held during Seattle’s Pacific Marine Expo. Boatyard Day celebrates the boatbuilding industry with a series of special events honoring excellence in vessel design, construction and gear for the commercial fishing industry. Read More
