Tag Archives: commercial fishing
Bi Partisan push to stop East Coast Oil/Gas Exploration
U.S. Rep Mark Sanford and nearly three dozen fellow House members increased pressure Thursday to curtail the search for oil and gas off the Atlantic coast because of environmental and economic concerns. In a letter Thursday to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s director, the House members said using seismic testing “is an enormously disruptive activity in the ocean’’ that could hurt both and endangered whales. Read the article here 15:26
Prospects unclear in ‘crab country’; state committee to discuss delay’s impacts
Being the sole proprietor of his commercial fishing operation for the last three years, Eureka resident Bob Borck said one of the important skills of the job is being able to live with uncertainty. While he’s seen delays in the Dungeness crab season caused by price disputes or meat quantity requirements, Borck said the indefinite delay caused by the presence of a potent neurotoxin along the entire West Coast is making the prospects of this season unclear. “We’ve never been here before,” he said. “There is no real way to tell.” What Borck does know is that he still needs to pay the bills — not only for moorage and insurance for his fishing vessel,.. Read the article here 08:34
From croaker to clams: Commercial fishing in OC
Ocean City is home to a substantial commercial fishing fleet that works our surrounding waters to harvest marketable resources from clams to swordfish. Visitors to the resort can see the commercial boats tied up at the West Ocean City harbor and some might wonder what they fish for and how. The following is a short description of a few of the commercial fishing operations that go on around Ocean City. Read the rest here 08:00
Net Effect: A different tack, and Campbell: Fishing regulations
Our new WRAL documentary takes a different tack. It’s the result of a growing chorus of recreational fishermen, associated organizations and environmental groups that have raised legitimate concerns about certain commercial fishing practices. They practically beat down our door, giving us information, showing us data and offering up experts to interview. Their concerns are backed up by a number of state officials, including a scientist. Read the rest here – Campbell: Fishing regulations: After publishing my column about this topic in September, a coastal newspaper that had long printed my offerings immediately said they would no longer publish me. Read the rest here 09:49 Australia: Calls for a long-term strategy to protect threatened marine species from commercial fishing
There are calls for the Federal Government to develop a long-term strategy to protect threatened marine species from commercial fishing. Every year thousands of protected species are killed as bycatch. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) publishes a quarterly report detailing how many protected species have been killed in Commonwealth waters. The Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Tooni Mahto said the numbers were unacceptable. (but they never are, eh Tooni?) Meanwhile, In the Small Pelagic Fishery,,, Read the rest here 20:07
What’s the Catch? Commercial Fishing and the Risks Needed to Get Your Fancy Supper.
By Guest writer Matt Rhoney – Commercial fishing. It’s gone from an obscure asterisk of a profession to a household name recently. With the advent of reality television and America’s recent fascination with dangerous careers, commercial fishing has become one of the world’s most famously risky gigs. Like oil field workers, scuba divers, and extreme wildlife chasers, commercial fishermen are icons of bold living. People tune in to their sets nightly to watch the exploits of hirsute men who live for the thrill of the chase. Read the rest here 10:49
What about the jobs?! Assateague National Seashore: Commercial fishing, Aquaculture ban proposed
Chincoteague officials are preparing to respond to a plan that could put an end to commercial fishing, aquaculture and the horseshoe crab harvest within the boundaries of Assateague Island National Seashore. Assateague Island National Seashore Superintendent Deborah Darden presented an overview of a draft general management plan for the national seashore — including the proposed prohibition on commercial seafood activities — to the Chincoteague Town Council on Thursday, Sept. 17. Read the rest here 08:27
At the State Department’s Glacier conference, nations urge caution in opening the Arctic to fishing
There are five nations whose borders surround the Arctic Ocean — and each has their respective fishing jurisdictions offshore. But none yet extend into the central Arctic Ocean, or what’s called “the high Arctic.” David Balton is the State Department’s deputy secretary for oceans and fisheries: “No commercial fishing has ever taken place in this area and that is because, of course, at least until recently, it has been ice-covered year round. But that, as most of you know, is changing.” Read the rest here 17:15
Bad Fraser River sockeye run has salmon watchers worried
The latest estimate pegs the run size at 2.4 million salmon, barely a third of the 6.8 million mid-range projection of fishery managers. Commercial fishing that was anticipated for August never happened because of the low returns. About 150,000 sockeye have been taken in First Nations food fisheries. “We don’t have the abundance we were expecting,” said Jennifer Nener, Lower Fraser area director for DFO. Last summer, 1.7 million late-run sockeye that were counted as having gone upriver never reached the spawning beds and Taylor fears a repeat is in store. Read the rest here 14:52
10 Years Forward: Fishermen ride out rough waters after Katrina, clear skies ahead
Long before Hurricane Katrina roared through, south Louisiana’s commercial industry already faced major challenges. Katrina just became the next hurdle fishermen had to endure to stay afloat. In the decade since, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes have faced more storms, the BP oil spill, and the continued disappearance of valuable wetlands. Still, they’ve managed to survive and thrive. “I’m going to be dancing at 100! That’s my goal,” said Tommy Gonzales. All his life, he’s trapped and fished the waters of Delacroix Island and the Gulf of Mexico. For hundreds of years, commercial fishing has been a way of life in Shell Beach. Video, Read the rest here 10:43
In The Upper Midwest, Summertime Means Fish Boils
Long ago, when settling the Great Lakes, Scandinavian immigrants brought with them an ingenious method of feeding lots of people, on the cheap. Mark Weborg, whose family immigrated to the area in the 1800s, says his family has been doing fish boils for generations. “I’m the fourth generation, my son-in-law is the fifth generation, here, at commercial fishing in Door County,” Weborg says. “My great-great-great-grandfather brought [the fish boil] over here from Norway. And we used to have it around the sheds just for the crew.” Read the rest here 20:02
New York, and Connecticut Lawmakers seeking $65 million to clean up Long Island Sound
With new legislation proposed to protect and restore the waters of the Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York lawmakers are hoping to reverse the effects of decades of over-development and pollution. The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act would combine two water quality and shore restoration programs to be funded at, respectively, $40 million and $25 million per year through 2020. Read the rest here 19:22
US Navy holds community forum in Kodiak over war-game misinformation
Navy representatives held a community forum in Kodiak yesterday to address concerns about its training in the Gulf of Alaska, which they say begins Monday. They say many people believe this month’s training will include bombs, sonar, and exercises that will disturb commercial fishing, but say much of that is misinformation. Captain Raymond Hesser says the Navy’s exercises will not disrupt commercial fishing. Read the rest here 17:55
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council – No red snapper take in 2015
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council announced Friday, there will not be commercial or recreational season in 2015 because the total number of red snapper removed from the population in 2014 exceeded the allowable level. In other news, the SAFMC also announced that no more recreational harvest of blueline tilefish in South Atlantic waters will be allowed after 12:01 a.m. (local time) Wednesday. The commercial sector for blueline tilefish was closed to harvest on April 7. Read the rest here 13:02
“The Briefcase” – Marathon fishing family in new CBS reality show
The program, “The Briefcase,” finds couples in need of financial assistance, whether backlogged on loans or dealing with other hardships, and offers them an out. One of the episodes will feature John and Amanda Musolino, who reside part of the year in Marathon, as a struggling family who works wherever commercial fishing jobs pay. Amanda Musolino stays at their home raising the children, ages 12, 10 and 7, while John fishes seven months out of the year. Read the rest here 08:19
A great migration is under way – Spring brings fish by the millions to Chesapeake Bay
Tourists aren’t the only ones flocking to our waters this time of year. A great migration is under way beneath the surface, too. Triggered by warming seas, hidden by tea-colored waves, propelled by the hunt for food and sheltered nursery grounds, all sorts of creatures are swimming or crawling their way up from the south. Their destination: the Chesapeake Bay. In the winter, only 30 or so aquatic species ply the bay. In the summer, that number explodes beyond 250.The catch flooding into the Lynnhaven Fishing Company tells the tale of the seasonal commute, Read the rest here 08:56
Father passes down the fishing tradition
Keith Bruno loves commercial fishing and crabbing, but he hesitates when it comes to suggesting the same occupation to his sons, Zach and Ben. “It’s certainly not for everybody and being harder every day and more regulation all the time, I probably hope that they don’t get into this,” said Bruno, owner of Endurance Seafood at Oriental. “I fish because I love it and at this point in my life I really don’t know what else I can do.” Read the rest here 21:41
America’s Most Dangerous Job Is Still Fishing
Alaska’s commercial fishing industry remains one of the most dangerous in the United States, despite a series of government regulations designed to help fishermen in the state. But as Willem Marx reports, safety training that is currently voluntary may prove the best survival solution for those operating in this deadly environment. Video report here 08:54
Commercials to fish Tuesday night in lower Columbia – 14 hours of commercial fishing for spring chinook
Washington and Oregon officials have approved 14 hours of commercial fishing for spring chinook salmon Tuesday in the lower Columbia River. The Columbia River Compact on Monday adopted a fishery from 4 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday from Beacon Rock downstream to the ocean. Tangle nets with 4.25-inch-maximum mesh are required. Read the rest here 20:48
Fish Wars Australia – Tension flaring on commercial fishing and sustainability
TENSION between commercial and recreational fishing groups has again been in the spotlight with the release of a fishing population report. The commercial fishing industry says the report shows fish populations continue to be sustainable but the Fraser Coast Fishing Alliance says the report is “flawed” and was little more than a “desktop exercise”. The Federal Government, along with Queensland Agriculture and Fisheries Department, released data which assessed 36 nationally important species for 2014. Read the rest here 16:11
Thai police find graves of suspected trafficking victims
Last June, the United States put Thailand in its lowest category — “Tier 3” — in its annual assessment of how governments around the world have performed in fighting human trafficking. The ranking took into account the smuggling of Myanmar’s long-persecuted Rohingya community, as well as cases of migrants from neighboring countries who are forced or defrauded into working against their will in the sex industry, commercial fishing, garment production, factories and domestic work. President Barack Obama waived invoking action,,, Read the rest here 16:29
North Carolina: Area lawmakers seek to protect, improve industry
Commercial fishing is a huge industry in coastal North Carolina, and easy access to and from the Atlantic Ocean, Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound are key to keeping that industry healthy. That’s why area legislators have filed bills or support bills dealing with commercial fishing and related items. From dredging to oysters, to commercial fishing, these Reps from North Carolina should be an example for other’s, Nation wide. BH Read the rest here 21:55
Really, Rosemary
Lifelong Alaskan Rosemary McGuire, 38, who grew up in a home here without electricity or running water, has commercially fished out of Cordova, paddled miles of wild Alaskan rivers (many of them with her dad, Tom), and now — to no one’s surprise — published a book of Alaska short stories. “Creatures at the Absolute Bottom of the Sea” comes out this month from the University of Alaska Press. “Everything I’ve ever written has been about Alaska in some way or another. It’s the place I know,” McGuire says. Read the rest here
Dispute continues over herring roe fishing rights in Barkley Sound
A confrontation between the Tseshaht First Nation and commercial fishing boats was avoided Sunday when a federal department postponed a herring fishery in Barkley Sound. A herring roe fishery was scheduled to open at sunrise by the Island’s West Coast area, but a last-minute announcement from Fisheries and Oceans Canada held off this activity, citing that stocks were not ready for harvesting. Tristan Nano photo Read the rest here 09:35
Study: Bellingham, Blaine commercial fishing fleet plays big part in local economy
While Whatcom County’s economy has diversified in the past two decades, commercial fishing remains a significant contributor of jobs and revenue. That’s the conclusion of a newly released economic impact study that looked at commercial fishing and seafood processing activity in the Blaine and Squalicum marinas in 2013. According to the study, the industry employed 1,781 people, creating 870 jobs through spending money at other businesses, and another indirect 165 jobs. Those 1,781 people earned $94.5 million in 2013, according to the report. Read the rest here 08:17
To Be A Crab Fisherman. by Joe Hall
Fishing is one of the most growing, beneficial forms of hunting, I have found. I was raised in Idaho by a father who would take me fishing on the Owyhee River in Oregon. It was always a fun activity for the both of us, and I’ll never forget the talks and the times spent with him as we patiently learned to be patient, waiting for just the smallest bite, and sometimes coming home with nothing. Unfortunately, fishing with my dad isn’t something that happens very often anymore with me living in Alaska. Read the rest here 16:06
Indoctrinated Youth: What young people are writing about Commercial Fishing.
One problem that’s being hotly debated all over the world is the issues of commercial fishing. Some say that fishing is all for us and we should keep fishing until its all gone. While protesters say that the fish will be gone if we don’t stop these fishing practices. While some say that sports/commercial fishing provides us food, money and jobs the truth is that these fishing practices are destroying our ocean, slowly but surely. Some of the reasons fishing is bad is Bottom Trawling is destroying ocean beds, Using nets is snagging innocent fish and in most cases dolphins, Fishing is destroying the ocean ecosystem and it could be wiped out by 2048. Read the rest here 07:12
Fish expert sounds off on seismic surveys
The impact of the surveys on whales and other marine life has been hotly debated. In August, William Yancey Brown, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s chief environmental officer, asserted in an agency newsletter that there’s no documented scientific evidence of noise from air guns used in seismic surveys “adversely affecting marine animal populations or coastal communities” or commercial fishing. But Grant Gilmore, a senior scientist with,,, Read the rest here 12:15
New England: Fishing regs have widespread impact
In mid-December, Les Eastman sent out one of his fishing charter party boat full of tourists who were in the region to fish in New Hampshire’s ocean waters.,, For decades, the increasingly restrictive fishing regulations handed down by Washington, D.C. bureaucrats were primarily a burden to small boat commercial fishermen in the inshore fleets found along coastal New Hampshire, Maine, and parts of Massachusetts. Read the rest here 09:53
“I’ve been commercial fishing since I was a kid,” – Pass Christian man says tonging, fishing, shrimping a family tradition
Work doesn’t really feel like work for Adam Toler, for he spends six days a week surrounded by the Mississippi Sound. He and his small crew leave the Pass Christian Harbor around sunrise each morning and return in the early afternoon with sacks of oysters to sell to seafood dealers as soon as they hit the harbor launch again. The South Mississippi seafood industry is a tradition for Toler’s family. Read the rest here 13:41
