Category: 2016

Farrin’s Boatshop: 45 years & counting

by Brian Robbins WALPOLE, ME – For years I’ve referred to it as “the crow’s nest” – Bruce Farrin Sr.’s office high over the back bay in Farrin’s Boatshop in Walpole, ME. You have to climb some stairs to get to the crow’s nest up there on the third floor, but it’s worth it.  For …

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EDITORIAL: Thankful for the bounty of lobsters and scallops

If you somehow missed the headlines, landings data in NOAA’s recently released Fisheries of the United States 2015 reminds us once again of the vital role lobsters and scallops play – not just in this region – but in the overall health and vitality of the nation’s entire extended commercial fishing community. While Dutch Harbor, …

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Feeling good about WOOD

By Brian Robbins   When it comes to new lobster boat construction, it’s unlikely the pendulum will swing from fiberglass, as the most popular material, back to wood any time soon here in New England. There is a bit of a grassroots movement afoot, however – and if you want to take a deep, clean …

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Final rule issued for NS1 revisions to Magnuson-Stevens

 SILVER SPRING, MD – As part of an effort to streamline and clarify management guidelines, NOAA Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) finalized changes to the guidelines for National Standards 1, 3, and 7 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The new guidelines became effective in October. The MSA, of course, governs …

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Veteran scientist Jon Hare named new director at NEFSC

WOODS HOLE, MA – With 20 years in fisheries research experience at NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center, newly appointed Science and Research Director Dr. Jon Hare, has an intricate understanding of the center’s mission, facilities, programs and partners extending from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Maine. Serving first at the NEFSC Beaufort Laboratory …

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SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Safety on the job…

…raining, orientation essential for inexperienced crew   One of the most common concerns and subjects of discussion among commercial fishing vessel owners and captains these days is not about fisheries management regulations. It’s about the lack of good, experienced crew. Maybe you know this scenario.  The plan is to meet at midnight at the boat …

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Deadline looms: Young lobstermen urged to apply…

 … for Maine lobster leadership institute   KENNEBUNK, ME – Maine lobstermen, younger than 40 years old, are invited to take part in the second Maine Lobster Leadership Institute, offered by the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance. The deadline for application is Dec. 15. The institute, first offered in 2014, provides young lobstermen with a hands-on overview …

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Sharing stories with Paul McFarland

by Brian Robbins ROCKLAND, ME – I’d heard Paul McFarland’s voice nearly 40 years before I met him face-to-face.  I can’t tell you that I recognized the voice when the tall, smiling man met me in the main office of the O’Hara Corporation in Rockland; I’d only heard it over the single sideband radio back …

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CFN Shakedown Cruise: Osmond 47

SOUTH ADDISON, ME – Truth be known, Alex Thompson says he’s been wanting an Osmond 47 from H&H Marine ever since the Steuben, ME boat builders first started producing the 47’4”x19’2” model back in 2007. But, at the time, Alex elected to go with a smaller boat (although you can’t really refer to an Osmond …

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NMFS to hold two November hearings…

… on draft EA for Atlantic highly migratory species management plan amendment ST. PETERSBURGS, FL – NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for public comment on the proposed Amendment 10 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (HMS FMP) that would update the Essential …

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