Taking up the theme of fishing vessel safety can be a hazardous thing to do in a CFN editorial since it entails walking that fine line between helpfully calling readers’ attention to a fundamentally important topic and alienating them with nagging. However, this month’s “Along the Coast” column features a particularly pointed example of the …
Category: 2014
ASMFC to address Area 1A spawning provisions in herring amendment
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Gulf of Maine herring fishermen who have been frustrated in recent years by problematic spawning closures in Area 1A soon will have a chance to discuss how those closures could be improved to better protect ripe and running fish. During its Feb. 4 meeting here, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) …
Invasive green crabs destroying shellfish resources, intertidal habitat
I admit it. I was a skeptic. How could one little critter cause so much devastation – and apparently overnight? Not surprisingly, the warning bell being sounded by harvesters was warranted. I was converted the minute I saw with my own eyes evidence of the green crab’s destructive powers in Freeport, ME in August of 2013. …
Maine DMR to hold coastwide lobster meetings in March
HALLOWELL, ME – Over the last year, Pat Keliher, commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR), has held many meetings with the lobster industry on a range of issues as part of his commitment to bring information to the industry and have a dialogue about potential changes. That process will continue in March when …
UMaine seeks second DOE grant to build pilot wind farm off Monhegan
ORONO, ME – In February, the Maine Aqua Ventus I (MAV-I) team submitted its proposal for a demonstration-scale offshore wind farm to the US Department of Energy (DOE) in the second qualifying round for $46.5 million in funding. If successful, the grant will go towards designing, deploying, and monitoring two six-megawatt wind turbines at the …
LMR – Chinese New Year provides lobster sales uptick
January and February used to be the slowest months in the year for the lobster marketplace, back before US and Canadian exporters began selling to China. But no more. This year they sold every large lobster they could buy to the Chinese for that nation’s week-long New Year and Spring Festival celebrations in late Jaunary. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
BOATS of the YEAR 2023
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