Tag Archives: Sport fishermen
Canning conundrum Slow tuna season cuts cannery production
ASTORIA — Back-to-back poor albacore tuna seasons have slashed production for canneries on both sides of the Columbia. In Astoria, Northwest Wild Products has canned approximately half their typical total, about 25 cases, an amount they say will likely sell out before the New Year. Sportmen’s Cannery in Seaview reported canning around 8,000 pounds of albacore — 20,000 pounds less than last season. Sportsmen’s Cannery co-owner Tina Ward estimated that tuna canning, including retail sales and processing for sport fishermen, usually accounts for “at least 70 percent” of their business. click here to read the story 21:52
Corporate Menhaden Harvesting Off Coast Raises Concerns For Local Sport fishermen
Dead fish washing up on Ocean City beaches, a reduced inshore recreational fishery and a diminished stock of the most important species in the ecological food chain are just a few of the impacts likely caused by a large commercial menhaden processer off the coast of the resort in recent weeks, but, for now, it appears there is no immediate way to stop it. (When I read stuff like this, I can tell the direction the article is headed.) According to Captain Jeremy Blunt of the sportfishing boat Wrecker out of the Ocean City Fishing Center, the Omega Protein’s mega-purse-seining operation has been working off the coast for at least the last week. “We’ve seen them off and on over the last week or so as we head out and come in,” said Blunt. “They aren’t allowed to work in state waters in Maryland, so they are hanging just outside the three-mile line. They are working up and down just out the three-mile line well aware of the boundary for state waters.” (They are fishing in compliance of the regulations) Read the story here, and hold your nose! 13:13
