State and Local

September 18, 2013 — If you're in the mood for a lobster roll so fresh that you can practically smell the ocean, or a heaping plate of mouthwatering fried clams that evoke fond memories of warm summer days at the beach, a visit to the 2013 Working Waterfront Festival will certainly please your palate.

Celebrating its 10th year, the Working Waterfront Festival offers the public a unique opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of the area's vital commercial fishing industry and taste an array of tantalizing seafood dishes.

The festival will be held rain or shine, Sept. 28-29, at Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 3 and Steamship Pier on the waterfront. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

"Food is of course a central element of the festival," begins Laura Orleans, festival director. "We try to give people a myriad of experiences to understand all that goes into bringing seafood from the ocean to the plate."

Orleans adds that the much-anticipated annual event will showcase local seafood in an effort to inspire festival visitors to serve more of the ocean's bounty at home and also to experiment with new recipes that incorporate fresh seafood and locally grown produce.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

HONOLULU — September 19, 2013 — A Hawaii state official in charge of cleaning up the spill of 1,400 tons of molasses in Honolulu Harbor says no endangered species have been hurt in the accident.

Dr. Keith Kawaoka of the Hawaii Department of Health said Wednesday that no endangered species have been identified among the more than 26,000 dead fish, shellfish and other marine life that have been collected from nearby waters.

Water samples tested from different points in the harbor and a nearby lagoon have shown improved oxygen levels, while the water also looks visually better from flyover surveys, said Kawaoka, chief of the department’s Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office.

‘‘We will see this thing through until we see a final resolution,’’ Kawaoka said.

State and federal agencies have been responding since the spill of about 233,000 gallons was discovered last week. Matson Navigation Co. is responsible, and has pledged to pay all costs to clean up.

Read the full story by the Associated Press at The Boston Globe 

 

September 18, 2013 — MARSHFIELD, Mass. — Local fishermen say a proposal to close a portion of Stellwagen Bank to recreational fishing would drive them out of business.

The plan, proposed by the New England Fishery Management Council, would turn the 638-square-nautical-mile Stellwagen Bank National Marine Fishery into a “dedicated habitat research area” where commercial fishing would be banned.

Within that area would be a 55-square-nautical-mile zone where all groundfish fishing, including charter boat fishing, would be prohibited.

Charter boats could still be allowed to fish for bluefin tuna in that zone, however.

About 75 to 100 people attended a dinner meeting at Haddad’s Cafe on Tuesday to find out more about the proposal.

State Rep. James Cantwell, D-Marshfield, attended, as did representatives from the offices of state Sen. Robert Hedlund, U.S. Rep William Keating, and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Read the full story at the Quincy Patriot Ledger

September 18, 2013 — People within the fishing industry have much more in common with people outside the industry than they think.

According to Working Waterfront Festival Director Laura Orleans, many are bound to draw this conclusion during the 10th annual festival Sept. 28-29.

The Working Waterfront Festival is a project of the non-profit Community Economic Development Center.

According to a written release, this free festival, a “celebration of New England’s commercial fishing industry, features live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen’s contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, author readings, cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities and more.”

This free event takes place on three working piers in New Bedford and waterfront parks in the city.

Orleans says the festival — which once encompassed only one pier — has evolved since its inception in 2004.

“While many of the original programs continue (fishermen’s contests, vessel tours, cooking demonstrations, performances of maritime and ethnic music and fishermen’s poetry), over the years we have incorporated many new elements including a tug boat muster, whaleboat races, Blessing of the Fleet, and a farmers’ market,” Orleans said.

“In spite of these changes, we continue to stay true to our original vision of creating an authentic event to honor the men and women who work in the commercial fishing industry and provide the public with a window into this world.”

Read the full story at the Fall River Herald News

September 18, 2013 — The following was released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

The 2013 recreational season for bay scallops will close Wednesday, Sept. 25. The final day of harvesting is Sept. 24.

FWC scallop researchers will conduct underwater surveys after the season closes to reassess the scallop population.

Read the full press release at WCTV 

September 17, 2013 — The following was released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources:

It’s the position of the Maine Department of Marine resources that statements made today by PETA are nothing more than another disingenuous attempt to advance their agenda and negatively impact Maine's most important coastal industry and the economy it supports.  PETA has not sought to change the animal-welfare statutes as they affect lobster through legitimate public processes, but prefers to seek media attention by attacking Maine businesses.

Furthermore, after consultation with the DMR’s lead lobster biologist Carl Wilson, it is the position of the Department of Marine Resources that what is shown in the video is compliant with state and federal laws and regulations, including Maine’s animal-welfare statute.

The Maine lobster industry is a state-of-the-art industry selling the best seafood in the world.  Through its strict adherence to all laws and regulations, the Maine lobster-processor sector consistently demonstrates its commitment to food safety, as well as the freshness of Maine’s iconic lobster. As a result, Maine lobster is known around the world as a unique, high-quality product.

 

September 16, 2013 — HAMMOND, Ore. — They came, they saw, they had fun with fish.

More than 1,000 people were on hand Saturday for the first day of the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival.

And none went away from the Hammond Marina disappointed, having had the opportunity to eat lots of fish, take part in competitions and meet fishing “celebrities.”

Among the latter were Capt. Rick and Donna Quashnick, of the fishing vessel Maverick. The couple, who appeared in the earliest seasons of Discovery Channel’s “The Deadliest Catch,” were on hand and people flocked to the boat throughout the day. They even conducted cooking demonstrations featuring tuna and crawdads, said Cyndi Mudge, one of the organizers.

“It was awesome to get a ride on the boat,” one visitor, Tina Protsman, posted on Facebook afterward.

Fans of “The Deadliest Catch,” which, while entertaining, has also helped the world learn about the perils of commercial fishers, waited in line throughout the day to meet visiting captains and crew, including Johnathan Hillstrand from the F/V Time Bandit and Bob Perkey from the F/V Seabrooke. Author Spike Walker, who now lives in his hometown of Yacolt, Wash., was also on hand. Walker’s much admired book “Working on the Edge,” about the dangers of commercial fishing in Alaska, helped spawn the TV show.

Read the full story at The Daily Astorian

September 16, 2013 — The National Marine Fisheries Service is offering vessel owners a chance to avoid having to carry a fishery observer in 2014.

The agency plans to exempt up to 14 boats that agree to take part in a pilot project to test electronic monitoring systems.

Find out more at the Deckboss Blog

 

August 16, 2013 — Alaska’s record salmon season has permit brokers hopping as buyers seek to break into or expand their opportunities in many fisheries. 

Notably, brokers say there is “a lot of great buzz” at Bristol Bay, despite a lackluster sockeye fishery that saw the bulk of the red run come and go eight days early.

“Prior to the season the drift permits went for under $100,000, but we just sold one for $125,000,” said Doug Bowen of Alaska Boats and Permits in Homer. Most of the bump is due to optimism about the sockeye base price of $1.50/lb, a $.50 increase from last year.

Data from the state Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission show that Bristol Bay driftnet permit values have remained near or well over $100,000 since 2010, and increased steadily each year after dropping below $20,000 in 2002.

This summer also was a great one for salmon seiners, which has driven up interest in those fishing permits.

“These folks had good seasons and made some money. They’re going to be looking to expand their operations, pick up another permit, another boat or upgrade,” Bowen said.

Salmon seine permits at Southeast Alaska have the distinction of being the highest priced at more than $300,000.

Read the full story at The Fish Site