Saving Seafood

Lobster amendment could win industry support for Young’s MSA update

July 16, 2018 — By adopting an amendment submitted by the US state of Maine’s two representatives Bruce Poliquin, a Republican, and Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, proponents of Alaska representative Don Young’s update to the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) may have won over at least one seafood group: the Maine lobster industry.

Young’s bill, HR 200, cleared the House of Representatives by a 222-193 vote on Wednesday after a heated debate that involved both sides displaying lists of commercial fishing industry organizations that they said agreed with them, for and against the measure.

The bill now awaits a Senate companion, a similar circumstance faced by Young’s attempt in 2015 to update MSA. His bill that year, HR 1335, expired when the session ended, as a Senate bill never arrived. Young and others are hoping for a different outcome this time.

The amendment proposed by Poliquin and Pingree would help pave the way for lower federal inspection fees, and wait times, on lobster sales to Europe, the Portland (Maine) Press Herald reports. Though China has been growing as a more important export destination, Europe accounted for 31% of US lobster shipments abroad in 2017, the newspaper notes.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Fishing groups divided over proposed update to fisheries management law

July 13, 2018 — Fishing groups are divided over what a proposed update to the nation’s marine fishery management law would mean for Maine.

Some groups worried the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization approved Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives would hurt efforts to rebuild Maine’s cod, haddock and scallop fisheries, while others say giving regional councils flexibility to decide what kinds of science they will use to guide their decisions could help rebounding fisheries and fishermen.

Lobster dealers will be happy with at least one part of this reauthorization bill – an amendment submitted by Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-2nd District, and Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, that would help pave the way for lower federal inspection fees, and wait times, on lobster sales to Europe, which despite China’s growing demand still accounted for 31 percent of U.S. lobster shipments abroad in 2017.

This would give lobster dealers a break at a difficult time for the industry, which is facing new trade barriers in Europe. European nations can buy lobster for less from Canada because of a new trade deal and a weak Canadian dollar. Chinese buyers are also turning to Canadian lobster to avoid steep new Chinese import tariffs on U.S. lobster levied as part of the U.S.-China trade war.

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald

China threatens tariffs on US lobsters as business booms

June 18, 2018 — A set of retaliatory tariffs released by China on Friday includes a plan to tax American lobster exports, potentially jeopardizing one of the biggest markets for the premium seafood.

Chinese officials announced the planned lobster tariff along with hundreds of other tariffs amid the country’s escalating trade fight with the United States. China said it wants to place new duties on items such as farm products, autos and seafood starting on July 6.

The announcement could have major ramifications for the U.S. seafood industry and for the economy of the state of Maine, which is home to most of the country’s lobster fishery. China’s interest in U.S. lobster has grown exponentially in recent years, and selling to China has become a major focus of the lobster industry.

“Maine’s lobster industry is an irreplaceable piece of our state’s economy that supports thousands of jobs and entire coastal communities,” the state’s congressional delegation said in a statement. “Just two weeks ago, the Maine delegation heard directly from our state’s lobster industry about the economic hardship a trade war with China would cause them.”

The delegation — Republican Sen. Susan Collins, Independent Sen. Angus King; Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree and Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin — said they plan to outline their concerns to federal trade officials.

“Hopefully cooler heads can prevail and we can get a solution,” said Matt Jacobson, executive director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. “It’s a year round customer in China. This isn’t good news at all.”

Read the full story at the Associated Press

As potential trade wars loom, lawmakers step up to protect Maine lobster

June 4, 2018 — Lobster has a way of bringing people together – particularly Mainers.

The prized crustacean’s magnetism was on full display on Friday, 1 June, when the state of Maine’s four congressional representatives convened in Portland, Maine, U.S.A., with a group of U.S. federal trade officials to start a dialogue about the economic importance of the state’s USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.2 billion) lobster industry.

Concerns that Maine lobster could become a casualty in international trade wars spurred U.S. senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin to come together for the closed-door trade meetings, which were organized by the Maine Lobster Dealers Association (MLDA).

“This is an incredibly unique opportunity for all of us to have the entire delegation from Maine here in Maine, all under one roof, working together for a really important, common goal,” said Annie Tselikis, who serves as the association director for MLDA, during a press conference at Portland’s DiMillo’s on the Water restaurant, before the delegation moved into their private session with the trade contingent.

“You almost never see all four of us together,” King said. “That’s an important statement in itself.”

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Maine: 43rd Fishermen’s Forum opens on Thursday

February 27, 2018 — ROCKPORT, Maine — The weathermen may be predicting snow for the weekend but Maine fishermen, or at least the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, say that spring is nearly upon us.

The 43rd annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum gets under way on Thursday at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

The event features three days of seminars and workshops that bring fishermen from the along the entire New England coast together with: state and federal fisheries scientists, regulators and managers; political incumbents and hopefuls; and maritime enterprises hawking everything from new lobster boats and giant diesel engines to lobster traps, marine electronics, refrigeration systems and foul weather gear.

“This is our biggest trade show ever,” forum Coordinator Chiloa Young said Monday.

The forum also draws a variety of nonprofit organizations involved in fisheries research and conservation, preservation of working waterfronts and similar marine-related causes.

There is also no shortage of social opportunities, including an opening day seafood reception Thursday evening, the fresh fish dinner on Friday and the final banquet and dinner dance Saturday.

Thursday is Shellfish Day, with programs relating to the economics and business innovation in the shellfish industry.

On Friday, the forum will host programs relating, among other topics, to new herring fishing rules, electronic monitoring of fishing vessels and the increasingly fraught issue of the coexistence of the lobster fishery and endangered right whales. The Maine Lobstermen’s Association will hold its 64th Annual Meeting, and mark the retirement of David Cousens after 27 years as the organization’s president.

Friday is also the day for political visitors. According to Young, U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) will be on hand between 9:30 and 11 a.m., Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) will visit during the morning and Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) is planning to attend the fresh fish dinner in the evening.

Read the full story at the Ellsworth American

 

Maine’s congressional delegation unites against drilling off New England coast

January 12, 2018 — U.S. Reps. Bruce Poliquin and Chellie Pingree of Maine are among the co-sponsors of a bill that would prohibit gas drilling off the coast of New England.

Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King on Thursday signed on to a similar measure introduced in the Senate.

The House bill, which is also supported by representatives from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, comes in response to a plan announced by President Donald Trump’s administration last week to expand drilling in U.S. coastal waters.

“I am opposed to oil drilling off the coast of our state of Maine,” said Poliquin in a written statement. “So much of our state’s economy and tens of thousands of Maine jobs along our coast depend on our marine and tourism industries. I am committed to protecting Maine’s unique natural resources.”

Pingree has also vowed to fight the president’s policy.

“President Trump’s offshore drilling plan is unprecedented and will face major opposition from Mainers,” Pingree said in a statement last week.

The House bill was introduced Thursday with Rep. David N. Cicilline, R-Rhode Island, as the lead sponsor. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King have also announced their opposition to Trump’s plan and wrote a letter to that effect to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke earlier this week.

“With our environment so closely tied to the vitality of Maine’s economy, we cannot risk the health of our ocean on a shortsighted proposal that could impact Maine people for generations,” Collins and King said in a joint statement.

Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News

 

House Natural Resources Committee Announces Markup on 16 Bills

December 8, 2017 — WASHINGTON — The following was released by the House Committee on Natural Resources:

On Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 5:00 PM in 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Full Committee will hold a markup on the following bills:

  • H.R. 200 (Rep. Don Young), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, and for other purposes.  “Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act”
  • H.R. 1157 (Rep. William R. Keating), To clarify the United States interest in certain submerged lands in the area of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes
  • H.R. 1349 (Rep. Tom McClintock), To amend the Wilderness Act to ensure that the use of bicycles, wheelchairs, strollers, and game carts is not prohibited in Wilderness Areas, and for other purposes
  • H.R. 1350 (Rep. Richard M. Nolan), To modify the boundary of Voyageurs National Park in the State of Minnesota, and for other purposes;
  • H.R. 1675 (Rep. Suzan K. DelBene), To establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from landslides hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, and for other purpose.  “National Landslide Preparedness Act”
  • H.R. 2888 (Rep. Jason Smith), To establish the Ste. Genevieve National Historic Site in the State of Missouri, and for other purposes.  “Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Establishment Act”
  • H.R. 3400 (Rep. Rob Bishop), To promote innovative approaches to outdoor recreation on Federal land and to open up opportunities for collaboration with non-Federal partners, and for other purposes.  “Recreation Not Red-Tape Act”
  • H.R. 3588 (Rep. Garret Graves), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide for management of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes.  “RED SNAPPER Act”
  • H.R. 4033 (Rep. Doug Lamborn), To reauthorize the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.  “National Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization Act”;
  • H.R. 4264 (Rep. Rob Bishop), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Bureau of Land Management land in Cache County, Utah, to the City of Hyde Park for public purposes.  “Hyde Park Land Conveyance Act”
  • H.R. 4266 (Rep. Bruce Poliquin), To clarify the boundary of Acadia National Park, and for other purposes.  “Acadia National Park Boundary Clarification Act”
  • H.R. 4465 (Rep. John R. Curtis), To maintain annual base funding for the Upper Colorado and San Juan fish recovery programs through fiscal year 2023, to require a report on the implementation of those programs, and for other purposes.  “Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017”
  • H.R. 4475 (Rep. Don Young), To provide for the establishment of the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.  “National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act”
  • H.R. 4568 (Rep. Raul R. Labrador), To amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under geothermal leases, and for other purposes.  “Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act”
  • S. 825 (Sen. Lisa Murkowski), To provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium located in Sitka, Alaska, and for other purposes.  “Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017”
  • S. 1285 (Sen. Jeff Merkley), To allow the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Klamath Tribes, and the Burns Paiute Tribes to lease or transfer certain lands.  “Oregon Tribal Economic Development Act”
WHAT: Full Committee Markup on 16 bills
WHEN: Tuesday, December 12
5:00 PM
WHERE: 1324 Longworth House Office Building

On Tuesday December 12, 2017, the Committee will convene at 5:00 P.M. in 1324 Longworth House Office Building for opening statements only. The Committee will reconvene on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. in the 1324 Longworth House Office Building.

Visit the Committee Calendar for additional information once it is made available. The meeting is open to the public and a video feed will stream live at House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Keep Carlos Rafael Permits in New Bedford

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) — October 5, 2017 — In a letter obtained by Saving Seafood this week, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren urged NOAA “to do everything possible to ensure that [fishing permits belonging to Carlos Rafael] stay in the Port of New Bedford.”

Writing to Chris Oliver, NOAA’s Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, Senator Warren wrote “those permits cover a substantial proportion of several important fishing allocations in the area, including of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, Georges Bank cod, Georges Bank winter flounder, Georges Bank haddock, and southern New England Winter Flounder. Mr. Rafael’s business accounts directly for three quarters of the value of New Bedford’ s groundfish, which are necessary to diversify the Port’s fishing industry…”

“Removing Mr. Rafael’s permits from New Bedford would do needless, immense damage not only to hundreds of responsible, law-abiding New Bedford fishermen, but also to the economy of New Bedford at large. That is why New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and the New Bedford City Council, as well as the Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council, have urged federal officials to, if possible, reissue Mr. Rafael’s permits in a manner that retains these important jobs in the community.”

Read the letter here

Several other elected officials in New England have also written letters regarding the future of Mr. Rafael’s permits. Some of those letters are included below.

Read the letter from Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker to NOAA

Read the letter from New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell to NOAA

Read the letter from R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo to Judge William Young

Read the letter from members of Maine’s Congressional delegation to the Commerce Department

Maine congressional delegation asks forfeited groundfish permits be redistributed through Northeast

June 19, 2017 — Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Reps. Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter Monday to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross asking that the 13 groundfish permits forfeited by Carlos Rafael — a New Bedford fisherman who has pleaded guilty to 28 federal counts of tax evasion, falsifying fishing quotas and conspiracy — be redistributed to fishermen throughout the Northeast, not only New Bedford.

In their letter, the Maine congressional delegation said that groundfish permits embody a shared resource and, as such, should be returned to groundfish fishermen in “a fair and uniform manner.”

“Mr. Rafael’s grave and extensive disregard for both the law and sustainable fishing practices is a setback to the recovery of the beleaguered Northeast multispecies (groundfish) fishery, and has done, and will continue to do, financial harm to fishermen from Maine to New York,” the delegation wrote.

“These fishermen, who have complied with federal quotas and regulations, were forced to compete with this illegal activity and now must endure its repercussions on future stock assessments,” they wrote. “For these reasons, we believe the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) should cancel each of the groundfish permits that Mr. Rafael currently holds and reallocate the fishing privileges associated with such permits to all eligible permit holders in the fleet.

“We are specifically troubled that the City of New Bedford (where Mr. Rafael’s enterprise is based) is seeking to acquire control of his permits. We believe, instead, that all members of the fleet, including those in New Bedford, who have been disadvantaged by Mr. Rafael’s illegal activity, deserve a share of the rights to access these permits once remanded back to NMFS,” the delegation wrote.

Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News

Maine lawmakers split on bill to block funding of new monuments

July 18, 2016 — The U.S. House passed legislation Thursday that would block federal funding for new national monuments, including one in Maine, though the president has threatened to veto the measure.

The House of Representatives voted 231-196 to pass a $32 billion Department of the Interior spending bill for the next fiscal year that bars funding for potential monuments in 47 counties within eight states, including Penobscot County.

No money from the budget “may be used to make a Presidential declaration by public proclamation of a national monument,” according to HR 5538.

President Barack Obama is said to be considering signing an executive order that would create a monument of about 87,500 acres east of Baxter State Park owned by the family of Burt’s Bees entrepreneur Roxanne Quimby. Quimby and her son, Lucas St. Clair, have campaigned to donate the land as a national park since 2011. The campaign’s focus shifted to creating a monument in November, when it became clear that Maine’s federal delegates would not submit a bill seeking a park.

Maine’s two representatives split on the Interior budget bill. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat representing the southern district, voted against it. U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican from the northern district where the monument is proposed and a vocal critic of the plan, voted for it.

Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News