Tag Archives: Jeff MacNeill
Bait Crisis: Lobstermen worry fishery closures will create bait supply issues
Last week, Fisheries and Oceans Canada shut down commercial harvesting of herring in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Atlantic mackerel in Atlantic Canada and Quebec amid dwindling stocks. The two species are important sources of bait for the lobster industry. Some Island fishermen say they were caught off guard by the announcement as they prepare for setting day about a month from now. “It’s tough on fishermen because … we need the bait to fish lobster,” said Mallory Harris, who fishes in North Lake. Other fishermen said they’re already seeing the price of bait for lobster traps increase. >click to read< 08:14
‘We’re all her sons’: Harbour manager Sheila Eastman is like family to North Lake fishermen
Sheila Eastman is a statistician, an adviser, a traffic cop and sometimes even a nurse to hundreds of fishermen in North Lake, P.E.I. As the longtime harbour manager, she’s helped guide thousands of fishermen for almost two decades in and out of the second largest port in the province. Being responsible for the safe passage of 90 boats making three to four trips each day, she has a big job. And the fishermen have a deep respect and affection for her. “She’s the heartbeat of the harbour of North Lake,”,, >click to read<18:52
Bluefin tuna – ‘The biggest, baddest fish in the ocean’
The love of the bluefin tuna runs deep in Jeff MacNeill. Captain Jeff, as he’s called, is the third generation in his family to fish for the giant bluefin. As long as he can remember, he has posed for photos next to the giant fish that have been hauled aboard a boat in what he calls “the battle.” “They’re so big, they’re so beautiful, they’re five times stronger than any other fish in the ocean,” said MacNeill. “It’s the biggest, baddest fish in the ocean and they’re right on our door step.” “It’s basically you’re hooking on to a Volkswagen is what you’re doing.” But it’s not all glory. MacNeill recalls many years ago when he went out for 28 days in a row without getting a bite.”I get emotional thinking about it, they’re just the greatest fish in the world. They are.” Read the story here, with more images 09:40
More than 15 fishing boats rush to aid P.E.I. lobster fisherman whose boat caught fire 3 km offshore
About 15-20 fishing boats rushed to the aid of a fellow lobster fisherman when his boat caught on fire Saturday morning about three kilometres off the northeast coast of P.E.I. Joey Hennessey had just left North Lake Harbour on his boat The Lady Jenalee when a fire started in the motor and worked its way to the back of the boat, said fellow fisherman Jeff MacNeill, one of the fisherman who came to Hennessey’s aid. “There were probably 15 or 20 different vessels that rushed right to him,” MacNeill said. Additional images, Read the rest here 17:57
