Category: February ’14

SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: PFDs, grappling with fishing’s ‘safety culture’

by Fred Mattera –  During safety training sessions in December and January each year, I break out the “Cold Water Boot Camp USA” DVD.  It’s a great tool for reviewing coldwater safety with fishermen now that the water temperature is a frigid 45°F or less. In the video, selected volunteers agree to immerse themselves in …

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EDITORIAL – Disaster aid secured: Now, how to spend it

A rare political thaw in January led to an encouraging turn of events as Congress managed to put aside seemingly intractable differences to agree on a fiscal year 2014 federal budget bill.  The bill, which was awaiting the President’s signature as CFN went to press midmonth, included long-anticipated funding for fisheries disasters. While that was welcome …

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Yellowtail flounder possession ban in pipeline for limited-access scallopers

DANVERS, MA – In the near future, limited-access scallopers may be prohibited from keeping any yellowtail flounder at all if a new measure in Framework 51 to the groundfish plan is approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The New England Fishery Management Council adopted the yellowtail prohibition by a one-vote margin during its …

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Maine scallop success leads to early closures; lobster marketing progresses

HALLOWELL, ME – At press time, Maine scallopers were having to come to grips with the realities of the state’s commitment to rebuild the resource as a combination of growing abundance of small scallops and increased fishing effort prompted closures and other restrictions in key fishing areas. On Jan. 18, the Maine Department of Marine …

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39th Maine forum highlights include visit from ‘Deadliest Catch’ captain

ROCKPORT, ME – Anyone who’s a fan of the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” reality series might want to make an extra effort to arrive early for this year’s Maine Fishermen’s Forum, which begins on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Samoset Resort here. Keith Colburn, captain of the F/V Wizard, a 155′ Bering Sea crabber that’s …

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Block Island Wind Farm sets precedent for bringing fishermen to the table

POINT JUDITH, RI – Offshore wind farm proposals are advancing in Maine, New Jersey, Virginia, and elsewhere, but the 30-megawatt, five-turbine Block Island Wind Farm, which is being developed by Deepwater Wind Holdings LLC for construction entirely in Rhode Island state waters, is on track to become the nation’s first offshore wind farm.  This project …

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NOAA FISHERIES NAVIGATOR – February 2014

Insert to the February 2014 Commercial Fisheries News (Click Page to Download)  

Maine Line — Dirigo II – New addition to Maine’s Marine Patrol fleet

Mother Nature must’ve liked the looks of the new Maine Marine Patrol vessel Dirigo II.  The old gal saw fit to warm things up in the middle of what had so far been a bitter January, even clearing the ice out of Somes Sound for the 38-footer’s christening ceremony at the Henry R. Abel yard …

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