Tag Archives: lobster fishermen
Honored for Bravery. Fishermen brothers honoured 63 years after rescuing 13 people from drowning
Three fishermen who rescued 13 people from drowning have been given an award for their bravery — 63 years after the disaster. Brothers James and Mickey Gallagher, 80 and 85 respectively, received honours at the National Bravery Awards yesterday and even picked up an award on behalf of their late father, Michael Gallagher Sr.,, The Gallaghers had been lobster fishing nearby when they spotted the chaos and quickly threw out firing ropes to help save passengers, before towing the boat to safety. >click to read< 08:49
New England lobster fishermen are asked to keep an eye out for tagged lobsters
New England’s lobster fishermen are being asked to keep an eye out for tagged lobsters that are part of a survey of the valuable crustaceans. The lobsters are tagged with green bars that say “SNECVTS” and black acoustic tags. They are part of a tagging program that’s part of a southern New England lobster study being conducted from May to November by Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation and the University of Rhode Island. >click to read< If you find a lobster with a green “SNECVTS” t-bar tag behind the carapace or a black acoustic tag on the carapace, please contact: Michael Long at (401) 515-4892 or [email protected] >click to read<08:33
Fishing industry taking steps to protect endangered whales, says association
The president of the Western Gulf Fishermen’s Association says he is proud of the efforts undertaken by spring lobster fishermen to help prevent fishing gear entanglements by endangered North Atlantic right whales. Craig Avery said fishermen went with larger bunches during the fishing season to reduce the amount of rope in the water. Shortly after the season closed, Avery estimates more than 30 boats assisted Fisheries and Oceans personnel in a two-day sweep of the lobster grounds, looking for missing or forgotten lobster gear. >click to read<18:32
Four P.E.I. fishermen net fines for illegal practices, charged under the federal Fisheries Act
Several lobster fishermen reeled in hefty fines Thursday for illegal fishing practices. The biggest hit was delivered to Eric Leard MacKinnon, 53, of Murray River. He was fined $28,200 and suspended the first day of the 2019 lobster fishing season after pleading guilty to hauling in 82 undersized lobsters. MacKinnon said he was prepared to pay the fine in full right away. He was nabbed on May 30 at Machon’s Point wharf following a routine inspection by fisheries’ officers. MacKinnon, like three other lobster fishermen appearing in provincial court in Georgetown Thursday, was charged under the federal Fisheries Act. >click to read<11:37
Cape Breton lobster fishermen trying to salvage traps after wind storm
Lobster season has taken a devastating turn in Cape Breton after strong winds and rough seas caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to traps and gear. CTV’s chief meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says a peak wind gust of 91 kilometres per hour was recorded in Sydney on Tuesday. Since then, lobster fishermen from Sydney to Louisbourg have been finding their equipment scattered along the shoreline of eastern Cape Breton, and now they’re trying to salvage whatever they can. “Trying to find everything, can’t find nothing,” said one fisherman in Glace Bay on Wednesday. “It’s all up on the beaches. It’s terrible.” Video >click to read<13:45
New DFO orders ‘hard pill to swallow’ for N.B. lobster fishermen
Lobster fishermen off the coast of Miscou Island, N.B., will spend Sunday morning hauling gear from the waters in order to comply with the latest fishing zone closures imposed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. On Friday afternoon, the DFO re-opened four areas previously closed to fishing due to the presence of right whales. But with more closures being imposed on Sunday, frustrations continue to mount. Carl Allen, president of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union, organized the most recent protest and met with LeBlanc on Friday.,,”I have a lot of respect for Minister LeBlanc, but we just don’t agree with the basis of the whole plan — it’s a hard pill to swallow,” he said.,, LeBlanc did offer the fishermen an alternative, however. He offered a paid training program for crew members and plant workers affected by these closures. >click to read<18:20
Lobster fishermen create wall of empty traps at protest against closures
Nearly 500 fishermen brought empty lobster traps to Caraquet on Thursday to protest against the closure of fishing areas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence while endangered whales swim there. The protest came after another round of fishing area closures was announced by Ottawa this week because five North American right whales were spotted between Miscou and the Gaspé Peninsula. “We’ve never entangled one in lobster gear in these areas, ever,” said Carl Allen, president of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union, who organized the protest. Allen said the closures not only hurt fishermen and processing plant workers but also local economies on the Acadian Peninsula. >click to read<22:03
Opinion: Alliance defends prices paid to lobster fishermen
I am writing on behalf of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance, in response to the editorial reprinted from the Charlottetown Guardian in Friday’s Chronicle Herald complaining about the price Prince Edward Island lobster fishermen are getting in 2018 for their lobster. The Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance represents many Nova Scotia lobster buyers and processors, some of whom buy lobsters in P.E.I.,,, The suggestion of collusion among buyers to increase profit at the expense of fishermen is ridiculous and quite honestly insulting. >click to read<09:01
Turf War: Eastern Shore lobster fishermen say vandalism, threats continuing
Jason Keating had a buoy on the hauler Saturday morning when another lobster boat steamed slowly by with eight people aboard. “You move your (expletive) gear right now you (expletive),” was shouted at him, among other things, from Colin McKay’s passing cape islander. Keating recorded the interaction with a video camera he’d purchased the night before. In fact at least four of Little Harbour’s eleven fishermen have begun carrying video cameras to record their interactions on the water with McKay. “I bought the camera to protect myself,” said Keating. Graphic Video, >click to read<10:31
After Irma: Storms leave lobsters, stone crab seasons underwater
The Florida Keys have re-opened, but Capt. Billy Niles and his fellow lobster fishermen have to find their traps before they are really back in business. “We’re locating them, but it takes a while,” said Niles, a veteran of the Keys lobster trade for the past seven decades. “Some storms lose more than others.” Irma lost plenty of them. Or better said, the Keys lost plenty in Irma. In the lobster sector, said to be the Keys second most-important industry, the damage is underwater. click here to read the story 09:12
N.S. lobster fishermen protesting outside DFO offices against illegal poaching
Hundreds of fishermen are expected to spend Thursday protesting outside Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) offices in southwest Nova Scotia in an effort to draw attention to problems they see with the lobster industry. “This is a peaceful protest,” said Matthew Theriault, a spokesperson for the fishermen. By 8 a.m., about 80 lobster fishermen had gathered outside the DFO office in Digby, N.S. Theriault alleges fishing is still taking place, despite the fact the lobster season for Southwest Nova closed on June 1. “There’s people…on the water and they’re fishing. The season is closed for commercial lobstermen,” said Theriault. click here to read the story 12:18
Lobster fishermen in Yarmouth County continue to draw attention to concern over illegal lobster sales – click here for photo’s, article 14:25
South West Nova Lobster Fishermen to demonstrate Sept. 14
Stakeholders in the lobster fishing industry will be demonstrating at Department of Fisheries and Oceans offices in Digby, Tusket, Meteghan and possibly Barrington on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 8 a.m. Spokesperson Alan Thurber says there will be a designated person at each location to provide information about the fishermen’s agenda and strategies towards the “problems that are at hand now.” “The demonstrations are to express concern with the failure in the systems between DFO and Ottawa,” he said. click here to read the story 14:31
Some N.B. lobster fishermen tie up in protest over price
Some lobster fishermen in eastern New Brunswick have tied up their boats in a protest over the prices they’re getting for lobster. Fishermen in ports such as Pointe Sapin and Richibucto remained at the docks Thursday, saying landings are down and prices are low. Michel Richard, an organizer with the Maritime Fishermen’s Union, says processors suggested much higher prices before the fall season began on Aug. 8, but instead they’re paying about $2 per pound lower. Fishermen say right now they’re being paid about $4.25 a pound for canners and $4.75 a pound for market lobsters. Richard says fishermen are upset because they aren’t getting a clear answer from the buyers and processors on a reason for the lower prices. link 12:22
Lobster fishermen tie up boats after meeting processors about low prices – Fishermen have been getting paid, but none have received official pay stubs, so Richard said there is no proof of what the current prices really are. click here to read the story 16:37
N.B. lobster fishermen discouraged by lower prices
The Maritime Fishermen’s Union is voicing concerns about the low prices its members are getting paid for their catches in southeastern New Brunswick this season and suggesting protests could follow. Wages currently sit at $4.75 a pound per market lobster and $4.25 a pound per can of lobster — nearly $2 less than what was expected, according to MFU organizer Michel Richard. There is “no excuse for such a low price,” Richard told CBC’s Information Morning Moncton on Monday, as lobster season entered its second week. “It’s very troubling, and our fishermen are trying to reason why this is happening, and the excuses are not realistic,” he said. click here to read the story 18:33
Metro lobster fishermen hauling in solid catches — and good prices
Lloyd Robicheau has endured broken bones, a torn meniscus, arthritis and more than a few lean seasons over the 33 years he’s stubbornly made a living fishing off the shores of Three Fathom Harbour. He’s even convinced his son, who’s now a Red Seal diesel mechanic, to stay clear of the business. “You won’t find a fisherman over 50 who’s not beat up,” said Robicheau, exhausted but still chatty after 11 hours on the water last Thursday. This balmy day, when temperatures soared above 20 C, served as a much-needed salve for Robicheau and the 10 or so other lobster fishermen who earn a living out of this small port called Fisherman’s Reserve, located a few kilometres beyond Lawrencetown Beach. Mother Nature has not been kind to these souls since the lobster season opened in Lobster Fishing Area 32, which stretches from Cole Harbour to Ecum Secum. A combination of high winds and driving rain deprived fishermen here of a week of fishing. The season lasts just nine weeks. Click here for more images, read the story 11:22
Donated, discounted traps going to lobster fishermen whose gear was destroyed
People in Cape Breton are rallying to help lobster fishermen after stormy seas drove traps onto the rocks over the weekend, destroying expensive gear and killing crustaceans. The weather station on St. Paul Island reported a northwest peak wind gust of 93 km/h. Bay St. Lawrence and Smelt Brook were especially hard hit. Stephen Bornais, a spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said the number of destroyed lobster traps is in the thousands. He expected to have more concrete numbers later this week. Osborne Burke, manager of Victoria Co-operative Fisheries in New Haven, said some fishermen lost as many as 150 of their 275 traps. Burke spent Tuesday trying to round up replacement traps. click here to read the story 08:00
Bay of Fundy lobster fishermen pleased with quality, size of catches
Two days into the fall lobster season and Bay of Fundy fishermen coming ashore at the Dipper Harbour wharf Wednesday night said they are encouraged by what they’re seeing. Fishermen set off early Tuesday morning to set their fall traps in lobster fishing areas 36, 37, and 38. Those areas span from Grand Manan to Alma in a season which will continue until Jan. 14. On the first night of bringing in his catch, Bill Verbeek is happy with what is coming out of the water. “It was very good today, we had a real good day,” he said after unloading. Lobsters in the area were looking firm and full and sizes were also encouraging, he said. “A majority are between 1-2.5 pounds,” said Verbeek, but he said his boat was often pulling three to five pound lobsters also. Read the rest here 07:49
It’s time for P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association to grow up
‘Will fishermen assume their traditional role of bitching and complaining, and doing little else?’ General speaking, lobster fishermen fishing the spring season on the Island had a “pretty good year.” While catches were down from last year in some harbours on the north side and on the south-east coast, prices ranging from $6.50 to $8 a pound made up for it. There wouldn’t be many boats that grossed less than $100,000 and there’d be a good many that grossed well over $200,000.,, Recently the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) decided to gradually increase the minimum legal size for lobsters caught in District 25. Scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests that following an increase in the carapace size, catch sizes also increase. There seems to be general acceptance of this change. However, no one was surprised when PEIFA opposed the measure. Read the story here 12:00
Lobster fishermen optimistic about catch, worried about price as season begins
As lobster fishing season begins in parts of the Maritimes, many fishermen are expressing both optimism and worry.The season is now open in lobster fishing areas 23, 24 and 26 A and B, which cover northern New Brunswick, the north coast of Prince Edward Island and the eastern portion of the Northumberland Strait, including western Cape Breton Island. Fishermen set their pots Saturday and will begin hauling them Monday. While they are confident the lobsters are plentiful, they’re not certain whether they will get a fair price for their catch. If they don’t, they say their boats could remain tied up at the wharf. Video, read the rest here 11:30
Cheap dollar paying off for lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia
Yarmouth – After being trapped by low shore prices in past years, this is a good season for lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia. What’s the catch? Many people are attributing the turnaround to the low Canadian dollar. Fishermen were paid around $6 a pound for their catches at the start of the season, compared to prices of $4 and even closer to $3 in recent years. Last week the price had climbed to around $10 a pound – not so great for the consumer, perhaps, but good for the fishermen. Read the story here 09:39
Lobster fishermen enjoy tide of good prices, landings
Prices and landings remain high nearly a month into the South Shore lobster season. The average price to fishermen is $6 per pound for canners and $6.25 for larger lobsters, up about $1.50 per pound from last year. That’s despite concerns raised in American media in recent days that continuing economic woes in southern European countries would result in a decline in demand there for Christmas lobster. Read the article here 09:07
Lobster Fishermen Reminded of Safety as Season Starts
Lobster fishermen in southwest Nova Scotia are reminded to stay safe as they launch the start of their season Monday, Nov. 30. “Fishermen have led the change to improve safety across the fishing industry with more man-overboard training and an increased use of personal flotation devices,” said Kelly Regan, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. “I urge all fishermen to continue with the great progress they’ve made, and keep safety a priority as they head out,,, Read the article here 19:54
Busy readying boats at Digby wharf
LFA 35 lobster season opens Wednesday in upper Bay of Fundy Area lobster fishermen are busy at Digby’s wharf today, loading traps in preparation for the opening Wednesday of Lobster Fishing Area 35. Fishermen from Digby east will be dumping their traps in the water starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Read the rest here 13:35
Lobster levy regulations approved – New P.E.I. legislation sets out rules for collecting a levy for lobster marketing
The P.E.I. government has approved lobster marketing board regulations that will allow for a lobster levy to be collected next spring. The new legislation allows for the establishment of a board to administer the levy for the marketing of lobster, and to represent the interests of lobster fishermen provincially and nationally. The regulations require lobster fishermen to pay a levy of one cent per pound of lobster sold to buyers and authorizes the board to ensure that the levy is collected. Read the rest here 18:48
Lobster fishermen in Sambro have mixed opinions on the idea of paying a one cent a pound levy!
“I think it’s totally unnecessary. We’ve survived with the past 50 years without this stuff,” said Nick Henneberry, one of a handful of people who turned out for a government sponsored meeting about the levy on Friday. “More involvement. More bureaucracy.” Paddy Gray, another lobster fisherman, believes fishermen are ready to be convinced. Read the rest here 14:29
Lobster fishermen look to fill local plates, including selling their catch off their boats
There are no official numbers as to how many people buy at local wharfs, although Brzeski believes fishermen do stand to benefit from people’s buy-local preferences. “People are starting to think about that: if I sell my lobsters directly to the consumers, it’s fresher, it’s better, maybe I can make a little bit more and become a little bit independent of the buyers that are trying to keep the prices as low as they can. Read the rest here 22:10
N.S. won’t introduce lobster levy right away
A proposed new levy on lobster will not take effect this winter, Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell said Thursday. “We want to consult more with the industry on how the levy will be collected and how it will be dispersed,” Colwell said of a proposal that has divided the industry. Read the rest here 08:39
Lobsters pack up and move north
Climate changes have made scientists speculate about the possible future shift in range of many species, but in the ocean waters off the southern coast of New England, one major ocean species isn’t waiting for further changes — it’s already packed up and headed north, primarily for Canada. Lobster fishermen across southern regions of Connecticut and New York,, Read more here 17:09
3-month closure – Connecticut Lobster fishermen taking enforced break
As the start of the second seasonal closure approached, the state’s few remaining lobstermen said they’re once again left taking a hit from what they characterize as a futile attempt to restore the dwindling numbers of the popular crustacean. The real culprits, they contend, are pollution from sewage treatment plants, pesticide residues and the effects of climate change,,, Read more here 07:35
Fishermen are still at the mercy of Mother Nature
But fishermen today can take heart from the following story written by Frank Weeks and published in The Guardian May 29, 1961. “Lobster fishermen in Alberton and Tignish set their traps on 30 May 1961, possibly the latest date ever recorded for the spring season in,,,In his story, Weeks writes of some of the older fishermen who remember times when they had to fish lobster through the ice and special gear had to be used. “They say it has been 50 years since they were forced to fish lobsters through the ice. Back in the years around 1911, Read more here 23:27
