Category: 2015

WHEEL WATCH: Lori’O – J.O. Brown rebuilds a wooden classic

If you’re a longtime Commercial Fisheries News reader, you may remember it: a double-page ad featuring the late Wesley Lash of Lash Brothers in Friendship, ME.  Wes had just repowered Massachusetts lobsterman Billy Bartlett’s 45’ wooden Rebecca & Heather with a 6140 Lugger.  And when asked what he thought of the big-displacement Lugger, the always-quotable …

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US/Canada TRAC finds Georges Bank cod and yellowtail stocks stagnant, haddock best ever

ST. ANDREWS, NB – US and Canadian research teams on the Transboundary Resources Assessment Committee (TRAC) met here to discuss eastern Georges Bank cod, haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder stock status at a July 7-9 meeting. While surveys in both countries show good recruitment in haddock, cod, and yellowtail flounder, stocks still are not …

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SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Keeping single-handed fishing safe and smart

Less than two weeks ago, a good friend that’s an inshore lobsterman called me and said “I don’t seem to be able to find or keep a crewman, so I’m going single-handed.  What would you recommend for safety equipment?” I recommended a Mustang Elite auto-inflate lightweight PFD and a PLB (Personal Location Beacon) with built-in …

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Bearin’s: From the Sports Desk – Lobster Boat Race Report

SOUL’S HARBOR, ME – Controversy reigned supreme when the 2015 Maine Lobster Boat Races roared into Soul’s Harbor for what has become the circuit’s most popular event. As always, there were plenty of whispers, mumbles and murmurs prior to the season’s start about some new contenders.  Some old dogs had new tricks to show off …

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CFN Shakedown Cruise: FV-Tuna.com

Welcome to another CFN Shakedown Cruise. Periodically, we will focus on a new launch and dig a little deeper into what went into the project – whether it be a new model or a hull well-known to the New England commercial market.  What we hope to do is provide insight and information our readers can …

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CFN Shakedown Cruise: FV-Tuna.com

by Brian Robbins Welcome to another CFN Shakedown Cruise. Periodically, we will focus on a new launch and dig a little deeper into what went into the project – whether it be a new model or a hull well-known to the New England commercial market.  What we hope to do is provide insight and information …

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TUNA FOCUS: Slow start to this year’s bluefin season, few fish around so far

CHATHAM, MA – “It’s dead.  We are just not seeing any fish on the Cape,” said Andy Baler, president of Nantucket Fish, based here and in Dennis, MA. Baler was echoing comments heard from other tuna buyers throughout the region who were lamenting a very slow start to this year’s bluefin tuna season which opened …

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So you want to find fish? Start by finding a professional fishing forecasting service

by Mitch Roffer WEST MELBOURNE, FL – As all of you out on the water already know, time and fuel costs are always important considerations when fishing. Deciding on where you are going to fish before you leave the dock is as critical today as it was in the days before the various electronic aides …

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OPEN MIC: Clive Farrin’s Fish House Punch

As we all know, New England’s commercial fishing community is made up not only of hard workers, but a surprising number of artists, as well. Be it music, poetry, painting, photography, storytelling – or baking a perfect batch of biscuits in a wildly-pitching fo’c’sle – we know there are a lot of talented folks among our readers. …

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FISH SAFE: Safe and salty – Learning from island fishermen

Island fishermen living on the islands off the coast of Maine area a creative group. Early on the Tuesday after Memorial Day, six of us packed up and headed out from Stonington on the Sunbeam, the Seacoast Mission’s boat. This was the Sunbeam’s last trip to the islands before being hauled out at Billings Marine …

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