October 14, 2014 — In North Carolina, men were out fishing stumbled across more than 100 sharks attacking a school of blue fish as seagulls and pelicans joined in on the meal.
NEW YORK: New fishing regulations proposed
October 15, 2014 — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is accepting comments on proposed changes to the freshwater fishing regulations through December 1, 2014, Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.
“New York provides some of the best fishing in the nation, and the continuous assessment and modification of sportfishing regulations helps ensure that this remains the case,” said Commissioner Martens. “I encourage anglers to review what is being proposed and provide input if they wish to do so during the public comment period.”
DEC modifies the sportfishing regulations approximately every two years as part of DEC’s commitment to enhance fishing opportunities and protect the State’s freshwater resources.
DEC assessed the status of existing freshwater sportfish populations and the desires of anglers in developing the proposed regulations. In addition, many of the proposed changes are the result of DEC’s efforts to consolidate regulations where possible and eliminate special regulations that are no longer warranted or have become outdated.
Read the full story at the Glens Falls Post Star
Japan to pressure South Korea at WTO meeting to lift ban on seafood from Fukushima, other prefectures
October 15, 2014 — Tokyo hopes to boost international pressure on South Korea to remove its import ban on seafood produced in eight prefectures, including Fukushima, according to government officials.
The central government will continue expressing its concern about South Korea’s import ban at meetings of the World Trade Organization, by saying that the South Korean measure runs counter to international trade rules.
Tokyo will appeal to the international community in the hopes that exports of seafood will be able to resume from the eight prefectures to South Korea, the officials said Tuesday.
Read the full story from The Japan Times
Stone crab season forecast upbeat, but prices could be high
October 15, 2014 — After two years of meager harvests, the forecast for this year's stone crab catch is cautiously upbeat, though prices likely will remain high.
Crabbers won't know until they start hauling up traps on Wednesday, the official start to the season, but Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, pointed to the absence of crabs' two biggest nemeses: a blood disease in the crabs called hematodinium parasite triggered by red tides in the Gulf of Mexico, and tropical storm interference during the harvesting period.
"If we don't have any storms, we are fairly upbeat that it will be a productive season," he said, noting that concerns about the blood disease have abated but still exist in the Panhandle (where he also said "there is a lingering question about whether there's any correlation in northern gulf (crab numbers) and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill").
"Here in the Keys we have not had some of the algae blooms and red tides that you've seen elsewhere, so that's a very positive sign. And we're getting to the end of storm season and that bodes well for the industry."
The Keys are an important area to watch for crab enthusiasts, since more than 60 percent of crabs harvested come from Southwest Florida. Two years ago the state's total catch was a disappointing 2.6 million pounds of claws (a historic average year is around 3) and last year was hardly better at 2.7 million pounds.
Read the full story from the Tampa Bay Times
Illegal Fisheries: Green Cards for Five Countries, Red Card for Sri Lanka
October 15, 2014 — In its fight against illegal fishing activities worldwide, the European Commission has proposed to ban imports of fisheries products from Sri Lanka to tackle the commercial benefits stemming from illegal fishing.
The move comes after four years of intense dialogue with the country after which it could not demonstrate that it sufficiently addressed illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
In contrast, the Commission confirmed that Belize, Fiji, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu, which had received warnings at the same time as Sri Lanka, have successfully taken measures to tackle illegal fishing. Consequently, the Commission proposes to lift the trade measures imposed in March this year against Belize.
European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, said: "Our policy of resolute cooperation is yielding results. Five countries receive today our appreciation for getting serious on illegal fishing. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Sri Lanka. I hope that the message we are sending today will be a wake-up call for this country."
Read the full story at The Fish Site
Summary of Yesterday’s Tweet Chat on Mussel Aquaculture
October 15, 2014 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Missed yesterday's tweet chat on the first federally permitted mussel aquaculture project in Federal waters? Not a problem. Read a summary of the discussion here .
At the end of this story, you can also find links to other tweet chats that you may have missed on sea turtles and skates.
Gulf shrimp are present, but prices are low
October 15, 2014 — Dock owners say they have done what they could to keep prices at a fair rate, but that the market overall is causing low prices.
Battered by squalls that tore across the Louisiana coast Monday, Ronnie Anderson of Montegut kept his 60-foot trawler steady in waters south of the Atchafalaya River.
Anderson, a veteran fisherman, counted his blessings for safety through the storms and for what have been good catches of white shrimp.
But like other local shrimpers, Anderson is still dismayed by what he said are the lowest prices in a while.
“God has been good to us,” he said. “We have been blessed with what’s turned out to be a good season.”
Rene LeBreton, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said it’s too early to supply numbers on the shrimp catch for this season.
“We are usually a few months behind on the numbers because we spend so much time on our protocols,” she said.
The season, which began in August, is expected to run through mid-December.
Between now and then, Anderson and other fishermen are hoping for a break in price, however.
Read the full story from The Tri-Parish Times
MARYLAND: Crab Prices Dip Heading Into End of Season
ST MICHAELS, Md. — October 13, 2014 — It was a difficult crabbing season for many watermen and for folks looking to pick up a bushel of crabs as well. But now it seems like everyone's catching a break.
Crabs were scarce and the prices for a bushel were through the roof earlier in the season. One bushel of crabs averaged around $200. But now things seem to be turning around.
The number of crabs being caught has increased, and the price per bushel is closer to $130.
Read the full story from WBOC
North Pacific council asks for analysis of pooled halibut quota purchases by charter industry
October 15, 2014 — The North Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously agreed to initiate an analysis of a program that could change how the charter halibut industry purchases quota from the commercial fleet.
Currently, charter operators must buy the quota individually. The analysis will look at how the charter sector might buy it as a pool through a regional quota entity, and use the purchased quota to adjust the regulations for guided halibut anglers in an entire region.
Council member Ed Dersham, considered the sport representative on the council, made the motion for action.
The council’s advisory panel had recommended forming a committee to discuss the issue further, but the council’s action will instead direct staff to do an analysis of a regional quota entity structure that could purchase and hold quota on behalf of the industry. That’s the first step toward possible action, although the analysis will come back for review several times before the council votes to authorize the pooled purchases — or opts not to do so.
Read the full story from the Alaska Journal of Commerce
Live Streaming – Tomorrow, Tues. Oct. 15, EBFM Plan Development Team Meeting
October 14, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The notice announcing the EBFM Committee's Plan Development Team meeting, Oct. 15 EBFM Plan Development Team Meeting, has been revised to accommodate the details about live-streaming for anyone interested. Please note, this is a listen-in only opportunity. The agenda is posted on the NEFMC’s website.