State and Local

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.

 

View the video at NBC News 

 

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to consolidate regulations where possible and eliminate special regulations that are no longer warranted or have become outdated.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

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

October 13, 2014 — Chefs, seafood wholesalers and culinary educators recently traveled across the Chesapeake Bay to see oyster beds and crabmeat being picked.

The trip on a chartered fishing boat from Solomons Island to Hooper's Island wasn't a sightseeing expedition. The state-sponsored voyage was designed to show the bounties that reside in the bay and emphasize the value of locally harvested seafood.

Getting stakeholders onto the water allowed state natural resources officials to demonstrate the vested interest members of the culinary community have in ensuring the state seafood industry flourishes.

Such trips for chefs are one of the many tools Steve Vilnit employs to promote all things Maryland seafood. Vilnit, director of fisheries marketing for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, aims to boost local appreciation for the seafood industry.

"A lot of people here take seafood for granted just because of how easy things are to get these days," said Anthony Jones, the sous chef at Harry Browne's restaurant in Annapolis who was among those on the trip.

Jones, who trained at Johnson and Wales, said whether it's cod from Iceland or tuna from Hawaii, seafood is easy to source and where it comes from isn't always given priority in purchasing.

Read the full story at the Capital Gazette

October 3, 2014 — Cruise ships are continuing to stoke their passengers’ appetites for Maine lobster.

Celebrity Cruises ordered 1,600 lobsters for delivery Friday to its 2,000-passenger boat, the Celebrity Summit. When the ship returns to Portland later this month, it plans to buy another 1,600 lobsters. That’s on top of the 640 lobsters the company bought last month, according to a press release from U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.

Two years ago, Pingree wrote to the chief executives of several major cruise ship companies urging them to buy local lobsters while in port. At the time, there was a glut of lobster, depressing prices for the entire industry.

Celebrity and Norwegian cruise lines responded by buying Maine lobsters. Others have as well.

Erik Elvejord, a spokesman from Seattle-based Holland America Line, which brings approximately 35,000 passengers to Bar Harbor and Portland each year, said they continue to make an effort to buy local lobster during stops in Maine.

“It was a positive thing for both sides of the equation,” Elvejord said. “There’s no question that people enjoy eating their lobster, and it’s great to get great local fish, and certainly help out the local lobstermen.”

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald

October 13, 2014 — The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection is making more than $2 million in grant funding available to certain fishing-related businesses to help with Superstorm Sandy-related costs. Owners of bait-and-tackle shops, commercial dealers, commercial fishermen, for-hire party and charter boat operators, marinas and those involved in shell-fishing and aquaculture may apply for grants of up to $10,000 each to help offset some of the costs of the storm damage to their operations.

According to a DEP press release, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is providing the funds as part of a federal fishery disaster declaration for states impacted by Sandy.

“Superstorm Sandy dealt a severe blow to all sectors of the state’s commercial and recreational fishing industries,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “We have worked closely with both groups to develop an online application system and make the process as easy as possible for them. The program will focus on helping small businesses, which are the backbone of our state’s fishing industry.”

As the press release states, “New Jersey’s commercial fishing industry is one of the largest on the East Coast, landing roughly 175 million pounds of seafood and generating over $1.1 billion in economic activity in 2012. The economic impact of recreational fishing also supports approximately 10,000 jobs and $1.74 billion in annual sales.”

Read the full story at The Sand Paper

October 10, 2014 — The Family Pantry of Cape Cod operates out of a nondescript building in an industrial section of Harwich. It’s open three days a week, and offers a lifeline for many Cape Cod residents and families who come here to stock up on much-needed food items. Recently, frozen bluefish fillets have been added to that list.

Dennisport resident Steve Young moved slowly along the grocery line at the Family Pantry, placing items in a paper bag. He’s currently on disability, and is unable to work. His most recent job was making custom countertops.

“That was 15 years of doing that,” Young said. “And I’ve been a licensed plumber, and in the trades all my life since I was 16.”

Young said having the Family Pantry as a resource is a big help.

“Just takes off that edge, you know? When something goes wrong, you know, there’s no extra money,” said Young.

At the end of the line, a volunteer reaches into a nearby freezer and offers Young a two-pound package of frozen bluefish. The bluefish are courtesy of the “Fish for Families” program started by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance. They partner with local fishermen to supply fish for the Family Pantry at reduced prices. The effort is supported by grants from Cape Cod Healthcare, Cape and Islands United Way, and the Kelly Foundation. Nancy Civetta is Communications Director for the Fisherman’s Alliance.

Read the full story at WCAI

October 12, 2014 –When it comes to claws, there could be cause for cheer: Stone-crab season opens Wednesday, with commercial fishermen seeking the legal-size claws that rank as Monroe County's most lucrative harvest after spiny lobster.

"No one ever knows for sure until the first pull of the season, but we do have some things that are looking good," Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, said Friday.

A strong season would be welcome since the two previous crab seasons were below average and bleak, respectively.

The 2013-14 season could have been less than 2 million pounds, which is 30 percent below the typical historic season of about 3 million pounds, according to estimates.

Many fishermen survived financially only because customers were willing to pay record-high prices for the claws, Gary Graves of Marathon's Keys Fisheries said at the season's end in May.

Wholesale prices last season often ranged from $9 per pound of medium claws to more than $30 per pound for larger claws. Retail prices paid by consumers were significantly higher.

Read the full story from KeysInfoNet

October 11, 2014 — As first dates go, this one seemed to hold some promise.

Seth Moulton, the upstart Democrat congressional candidate who defeated incumbent John Tierney in the Democratic primary, traveled to Gloucester this week to meet with about 15 fishermen and fishing advocates at the offices of the Northeast Seafood Coalition.

In a wry turn of events so deep into a campaign, Moulton didn't seem to arrive with the overt motive of courting votes. Instead, the first-time candidate seemed to be courting information, seeking the perspective of the fishermen and advocates on the complex science and policy issues involved in the management of the Northeast multi-species groundfish fishery.

Moulton didn't show up with a five-point plan to save the fishery or a bag full of promises. The only promises he made were to listen to what the fishermen have to say and — if elected over Republican opponent Richard Tisei — be a hands-on advocate with a congressional staff that would include one position dedicated to fishing issues.

"I don't walk in a room proclaiming I'm an expert," Moulton told those assembled around the long table in the coalition's conference room Wednesday night. "My background, education-wise from my undergraduate years, is in science. I'll take the time to understand the science so I can be your best advocate. But my purpose here tonight is really to listen."

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

October 12, 2014 — The 2014 Working Waterfront Festival held Sept. 27 and 28 featured a variety of competitions throughout the weekend. Participants tested their mettle in whaleboat and survival suit races; a tugboat muster; fishing skills such as net mending, splicing, link squeezing, and scallop shucking; and a seafood throwdown. Each event showcased a variety of industry skills, engaging the public in learning about different aspects of the fishing industry.

The Buzzards Bay Rowing Club hosted whaleboat races on Saturday morning. Tropicans won "Best Dressed" and "Most Theatrical," while Shiverin' Timbers were deemed "Most Enthusiastic." Race results can be found on the club website, www.buzzardsbayrowing.org, under Events.

Area tugs converged on the harbor Saturday afternoon for the annual tugboat muster organized by Charlie Mitchell, captain of the Tug Jaguar, and emceed by his brother Bob, of R.A. Mitchell Company. While not a formal contest, tug crews showed their skill and the strength of their boats of all sizes with demonstrations of hawser tossing, turning, and pushing.

Rodney Avila and Ted Williams of Hercules SLR US presented safety demos including a life raft deployment and man overboard drill, as well as a survival suit race to give visitors a sense of the dangers of commercial fishing and the safety protocol that fishermen practice to remain safe at sea.

On Saturday ,groundfishing skills were highlighted with a net-mending competition emceed by net designer Tor Bendiksen of Reidar's Manufacturing, and a rope splicing contest emceed by Barbara Merry of Marlinspike Artist. Winners of the net mending competition were Meghan Lapp, Geoffrey Hatfield and Sarah Fortin, while Kevin Curole of Grand Isle, Louisiana, won the splicing contest.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times