August 2014

SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Abandoning ship-Surviving aboard the raft

Wrapping up this three-part series on abandoning ship, let’s focus on surviving aboard the life raft. Immediately after abandoning ship and gaining shelter in the life raft, survivors are likely to be cold, wet, exhausted and suffering from varyi...

BOEM readies to auction wind leases in huge WEA off Martha’s Vineyard

NEW BEDFORD, MA – About 30 people attended a June 24 public meeting convened by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to get an update on leasing plans and environmental reports for what is now the largest offshore wind energy area (WEA) in ...

CORRECTION:

The permits for sale in our classifieds this month were erroneously listed under PERMITS WANTED - Thanks go out to the guy who told us about the problem. FOR LEASE - General Category Scallop Quota. Also 21 "A" days for lease. Call (508) 274-5201...

Vertical line rule: MA lobstermen lose big

GLOUCESTER, MA – The latest adjustment to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), published by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on June 27, includes significant new requirements that will affect many people in the lobster...

EDITORIAL - It’s your future: Prepare for habitat hearings

Just when you thought things couldn’t get more complicated, they have. The New England Fishery Management Council is gearing up for public hearings on proposed Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Amendment 2. Once finalized, this massive amend...

Herring industry struggles with haddock cap; Area 1B concerns

PORTLAND, ME – Prompted by a request from industry, the New England Fishery Management Council in mid-June considered but rejected a motion seeking emergency action regarding the haddock catch cap that is expected to constrain the herring midwater ...

Bluefin tuna harpooners doing well; hook bite getting a good start

HARWICH, MA – The bluefin tuna fishery was chugging along in mid-July. Dealers reported a somewhat slow though steady stream of landings. Most were coming from boats fishing off Maine, as well as “a few here and there” from around Cape Cod....

LMR - Late July start for shedders; price holds

The July lobster market changed markedly from that of the overabundance of Canadian product in June. A number of Canadian fishing seasons closed and two that still remained open by the July 8 reporting week, the Bay of Fundy, Lobster Fishing Area (...