SavingSeaFood - Rockweed harvesting concerns likely will resurface Down East

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Rockweed harvesting concerns likely will resurface Down East

A half-dozen harvesters have approval this year to take rockweed from Cobscook Bay, a 40-square-mile body of water considered a biological hotspot for its biodiversity and the epicenter of a long-simmering dispute over the commercial harvest of rockweed.

The controversy made national headlines in 2008.

While the issue no longer dominates the agenda of Washington County commissioners -- complaints about unusual amounts of cut rockweed floating about have abated and many of the harvest boats have disappeared from the bay -- the issue continues to fester. Many believe it is just a matter of time before it resurfaces as the demand for rockweed products keeps rising.

Read the complete story from The Portland Press Herald.

JESSICA HATHAWAY: 'National Fisherman' editor says New York Times misrepresented catch share support

May 18, 2012 - The New York Times heralds catch shares for saving summer flounder and Northeast haddock, which is like crediting a freshman class for the seniors' high college placement rate. By the same token, we could blame catch shares for the demise of Northeast cod stocks. But we don't.

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