Category: 2012

Dogfish quota hike hailed, but processors face challenges

PHILADELPHIA, PA — It’s hard to believe that just over a decade ago, the directed commercial fishery for spiny dogfish was eliminated and fishermen in the Northeast were restrained by a 4-million-pound bycatch quota. Now, the fishery is on track to be allocated over 40 million pounds per year for the next three fishing years.  …

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ASMFC alerts lobstermen to CA II agreement, future area changes

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Concerned that lobstermen might be caught off guard by recent developments at the federal level, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) American Lobster Management Board has initiated a new addendum to the interstate lobster plan to raise awareness that groundfish fishermen soon may be able to fish in previously closed areas …

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Bluefin: Assessment bodes well for recovery

GLOUCESTER, MA — Armed with reliable catch data and an enhanced understanding of bluefin biology, scientists conducted a new Atlantic bluefin tuna stock assessment this fall.  And they concluded there’s a good chance stock-rebuilding targets for both sides of the Atlantic will be achieved by 2022 under current — or even slightly higher — harvest …

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MA pushes to modify ‘ambiguous’ zero tolerance lobster v-notch rule

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is trying to persuade the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to allow the commonwealth to change its “zero tolerance” v-notch possession rule to a 1/8~ standard in Area 1. Area 1 covers the Gulf of Maine, and most Massachusetts lobstermen fish there primarily in …

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Sandy slams the Northeast; NJ shore takes biggest hit

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — Superstorm Sandy struck the New Jersey shore on Oct. 29 midway between New York City and Philadelphia.  However, the huge weather system radiated cyclonic bands of wind hundreds of miles from its center for days before making landfall, pounding working waterfronts and disrupting fishing and seafood marketing operations throughout the Northeast …

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In praise of the mighty biscuit

There was a time when the coast of Maine ran on biscuits.  Cold biscuits were standard dinner pail fodder for lobstermen headed down the bay in the morning; there was a good chance you’d find a tin of biscuits (in the pre-Tupperware days) in the foc’sle of most sardine carriers; and any dragger cook that …

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Trawl to Table connects fishermen to consumers

RYE, NH – What does it take to get fish from the boat to a local restaurant? Right now, it may be a lot easier for most fishermen to stick with the status quo, accept the auction price, and let the fish end up … well, who knows where? But growing numbers of consumers  are …

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GET INVOLVED! It Might Change Where You Fish

As many stakeholders know, the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires Councils to designate essential fish habitat, or EFH. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also mandates that the Councils evaluate whether fishing activities adversely affect essential fish habitats. Importantly, the Councils must develop measures that minimize the impacts of fishing activities. provided by the New …

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Another Working Waterfront Festival success

NEW BEDFORD, MA – Overcast skies and damp conditions didn’t dissuade visitors from attending the 2012 Working Waterfront Festival held Sept. 29-30, which organizers described as a “tremendous success.” Fishermen, musicians, storytellers, and poets took various stages for workshops and performances focused on themes ranging from “storms and close calls” to “superstitions and magical creatures.” …

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Dam removals aid groundfish rebuilding

GLOUCESTER, MA – In recent years there’s been little news to cheer fishermen in the Gulf of Maine, but they have reason to be encouraged by the 40 to 50 dam removal and fish passage improvement projects that are in various stages of planning and implementation over the next few years. As these project are …

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