Category: June ’13

SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Electrical systems – Vent, ground, protect to prevent onboard fires

by Fred Mattera – Faulty or compromised electrical systems are a primary source of engine room fires.  These fires are often exceedingly hot, allowing you little or no time to manually extinguish them.  So, let’s talk about some steps you can take to be sure your boat’s electrical systems are properly installed, used, and maintained. …

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New Bedford breaks ground for terminal to support offshore wind construction

NEW BEDFORD, MA – State and congressional dignitaries, led by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking on May 6 for the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects. “Today, we’re celebrating the birth of the offshore …

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Guest Column – Wind farms: Ecosystem effects differ depending on species, seafloor features

As the siting of ocean wind energy projects continues along the East Coast, many fishermen are left wondering how wind energy development will affect fishing resources. What is involved in testing an area for a wind farm and installing the turbine array?  How will the underwater drilling, jet plowing, cable laying, and turbine installation affect …

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2012 lobster settlement numbers down throughout the Northeast

by Rick Wahle  WALPOLE, ME – In a year that might be remembered as one that brought climate change home to many in the lobster industry, the 2012 ocean heat wave that broke all records and triggered an early shedder season did not seem to have a corresponding positive effect on lobster settlement. [pullquote align=”left|center|right” …

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Paul Shuman: Innovative net designer revolutionized Northeast trawl fishery

by Joyce Rowley CHARLESTOWN, RI – The fishing industry lost an important contributor to its history with the unexpected death in March of net designer and innovator Paul Shuman. Shuman Trawl nets, distinctively made from green poly twine, were a mainstay for New England and Mid- Atlantic fishermen from 1976 on. “What an impact he …

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No breaks for the groundfish industry: NMFS institutes crippling cuts for 2013

 GLOUCESTER, MA – The menacing threat that had filled industry members with worry and dread for many months became all too real by the May 1 start of the 2013 groundfish fishing year. The day before, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a flurry of notices announcing final rules and allocations that delivered the …

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Fishing industry rallies to demand aid, MSA flexibility

 BOSTON, MA – About 300 people, including fishermen and their families from around New England, fish buyers, boat owners, and concerned citizens, attended the Groundfish Industry Rally held at the Boston Fish Pier on April 29.Organized by the Northeast Seafood Coalition (NSC), more than a dozen speakers urged Congress, consumers, and the National Marine Fisheries …

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New England council asks NMFS to modify monkfish emergency action

MYSTIC, CT – The New England Fishery Management Council has asked the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to expeditiously modify its recent monkfish emergency rule so that groundfish fishermen can keep more monkfish while working under a groundfish day-at-sea in the northern area, which covers the Gulf of Maine and northern Georges Bank. The council …

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Wind farm advice: Accept, engage, negotiate

LONDON, ENGLAND – Over the last few years, European fishermen have been forced to grapple with the sudden reality of wind farm construction on their fishing grounds.  Their experiences offer important lessons for fishermen here in the Northeast. In mid-March, a team of people involved in fisheries in this region traveled to England to learn …

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Two new boats from SW Boatworks

J-Lynn Zrae is the first of SW Boatworks new Calvin Beal 30s to hit the water.  Designer Beal said SW’s Stewart Workman wanted to know if he could come up with “a 30-footer that was 12′ wide … and I told him no problem.”  Built for Calvin’s son-in-law Roger, the J-Lynn Zrae proved be an …

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