Saving Seafood

MAINE: Luke’s Lobster, fishermen’s co-op join forces as wharf gets new life

July 5, 2016 — TENANTS HARBOR, Maine — Nearly seven years after selling his first lobster roll, Cape Elizabeth native Luke Holden has opened the first Luke’s Lobster in Maine, a seasonal shack on Millers Wharf in Tenants Harbor.

Why did Holden, a 32-year-old who splits his time between New York City and Biddeford, choose to make his Maine debut in this scenic but out-of-the-way spot in coastal Knox County, 10 miles south of Thomaston? For the lobster, of course.

The Tenants Harbor shack actually sits on the wharf where 20 local lobstermen who fish Penobscot Bay will land over half a million pounds of lobster this year.

“This is about as close to the source as you can get,” said Holden, gesturing out to the lobsters sunk under the buy float just off the dock. “High-quality new shell Maine lobster. That’s my secret.”

But Luke’s has been buying lobster from a dozen Maine docks since he opened his first shack in New York City’s East Village in 2009. He could have opened a shack in any one of those places.

If he was going to come home to Maine, where most fishing villages have a good, if not great, local lobster shack, Holden wanted to do something different, something that would help the industry.

Then the owners of the wharf – the Miller brothers – and their lobstering pals gave him an opportunity to do that.

At Millers Wharf, Luke’s Lobster is now more than just a buyer. Luke’s sister company, Cape Seafood, is the guaranteed buyer of every lobster hauled by the 20 members of the newly founded Tenants Harbor Fisherman’s Co-op.

In a cooperative, fishermen bond together to split the overhead costs of running a dock, such as insurance, electricity and staffing the buy float, where boats unload their daily hauls for underwater storage.

The Tenants Harbor co-op is built to make money by shortening a lobster’s route from trap to table, eliminating middlemen such as lobster dealers and redistributing that savings to members.

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald 

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Actions to Implement a Commercial Trip Limit for Dolphin in the Atlantic

July 1, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA:

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the proposed rule implementing Regulatory Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic (Regulatory Amendment 1). The proposed rule for Regulatory Amendment 1 published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2016 (81 FR 42625). The comment period ends on August 1, 2016.

Regulatory Amendment 1 would establish a commercial trip limit for dolphin of 4,000 pounds whole weight after 75 percent of the commercial sector annual catch limit has been reached. The trip limit applies to dolphin caught commercially from Maine through the east coast of Florida. The trip limit would remain in place until the end of the fishing year or until the entire commercial annual catch limit is met, whichever comes first. The purpose of the trip limit is to reduce the chance of an in-season closure of the dolphin commercial sector as a result of the annual catch limit being reached during the fishing year and to reduce the severity of social and economic impacts caused by these closures.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has submitted Regulatory Amendment 1 to NOAA Fisheries for review and implementation. All comments specifically directed toward the proposed rule will be addressed in the final rule.

For more information on Regulatory Amendment 1, please visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Website at:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/dw/2016/reg_am1/index.html.

Waters changing off Maine coast

June 30, 2016 — As I gear up to head back out onto the ocean, hoping for another strong lobster season, I’m reminded just how much these waters have changed.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed the impacts changes in our climate have brought to our fisheries — differing molt cycles, lobster migration into deeper, cooler waters and the effects that warming waters have had on shrimp and other species. We’ve all experienced the increased severity of weather events and heard the warnings about an increasingly acidic ocean.

Now we’re also hearing the clamor of those who seek to use ocean space for their industries, including renewable energy production, offshore aquaculture and others. Many of these new users require leases that restrict access for traditional ocean users.

With all of this happening simultaneously, it’s become more important than ever to find a balance between existing and new uses while also protecting everything that our ocean has to offer for future generations.

As more and more people — from recreational fishermen to major businesses — put demands on our ocean and coastal areas, it’s clear that it will require us to make many tough decisions. That’s why I’ve supported the regional ocean planning process as prescribed by the National Ocean Policy.

The process brought together representatives from across six New England states, six federally recognized tribes, nine federal agencies and the New England Fishery Management Council to produce a plan that provides a data portal of information about the region’s ocean and better coordinates and improves ocean management at all levels of government. Last month, this group — the Northeast Regional Planning Body — became the first in the nation to release a draft of its regional ocean plan (neoceanplanning.org/plan/).

I think back to when I served on the Maine Ocean Acidification Commission. At that time, it became clear to me just how much information is still needed to answer all the questions that come with complex ocean issues.

By gathering that needed information and data, we will be able to chart a course to help our coastal communities decide whether to gear up for the economic growth of new ocean uses such as renewable energy or aquaculture, expand efforts toward climate mitigation and remediation or try to retain the qualities and spatial freedom of our wild-caught fisheries. Now, through this plan, we have so much more of that information all in one place.

Read the full story at the Kennebec Journal

Federal lawsuit over at-sea monitoring still a go

June 29, 2016 — Fishermen opposing the cost-shift of at-sea monitoring say they are moving forward with a federal lawsuit despite the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration concession that it will help pay for the cost of the monitors for New England fishermen.

The at-sea monitoring program analyzes the fishing area, as well as the catch and gear type, in order to monitor sector quotas. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the research arm of NOAA Fisheries, is required to collect scientific, management, regulatory compliance and economic data for fisheries.

Read the full story at Mainebiz

MAINE: Marine officials investigate dead whale

RYE, Maine — Crowds gathered Monday morning to witness a 45-foot humpback whale that washed onto rocks outside of Rye Harbor State Park and Foss Beach. Marine investigators quickly identified the whale as an 18-year-old female named Snow Plow.

The whale, which lay on its back, was guessed to have been dead for days before the tides pushed it to shore.

Fisherman had reported seeing the corpse floating 20 miles out at sea Sunday.

“A once in a lifetime experience!” said Rye resident Denise Levin after witnessing her first beached whale. Levin has been living in the area for almost 50 years and had never seen a whale so close.

Marine scientists responded to the scene and were working to determine the cause of death and scientists said a necropsy would be necessary to determine the cause definitively.

Jooke Robbins, senior scientist at the Center for Coastal Studies, said it would be unusual if Snow Plow had died of natural causes at her age.

Diane Schulte of the Blue Ocean Society was able to identify Snow Plow, who had been observed by scientists since she was a calf in 1998 in the southern Gulf of Maine.

Snow Plow’s mother, Fern, is still alive and was seen as recently as two days ago in the Gulf of Maine, Robbins said.

“There’s no obvious signs for reasons of why the animal is deceased,” said Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh. State officials at the National Marine Fisheries Service have already determined that the cause of death was most likely not caused by a boat or entanglement in fishing line.

Mike Henry, a special agent for the National Marine Fisheries Service, said it will remain to be seen if a necropsy will be conducted.

See the full story at the Portsmouth Herald

EU wants bolstered lobster claim

June 27, 2016 — As if the European Union doesn’t have enough trouble with Britain pulling the big vamoose Thursday. It still has the whole issue of American lobsters to resolve.

An EU scientific forum has given Sweden until July 31 to respond to the avalanche of U.S. and Canadian diplomatic, scientific and commercial opposition to the Swedish-led proposal to label the American lobster an invasive alien species and ban its import by the EU.

The action by the EU scientific forum, announced in a statement from the Maine congressional delegation, gives Sweden’s scientists until the end of the month to reinforce or expand their scientific basis for the American lobsters as an invasive species posing a threat to the indigenous European lobster population.

According to the office of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, an EU official told the Maine delegation that “the feedback provided by Canada and the U.S. provided new elements, some of which were not yet considered in the (Swedish) risk assessment” and that led to the forum’s request that Sweden “update the risk assessment taking into account these elements as appropriate.”

Combined, the U.S (about $160 million) and Canada (about $75 million) ship about $235 million worth of live lobsters to the EU, which sits at 27 members with Britain’s departure.

“We’re very happy with the EU scientific forum’s ruling,” said Beth Casoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association. “We’ve had discussions with everyone from Secretary of State (John) Kerry’s office to our state and local officials and everyone has been unbelievably supportive. Now we’re in sort of a holding pattern, waiting to see what Sweden does.”

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

JACK WHITACRE: When a fish is more than a fillet

FREEPORT, Maine — The expression “Waste not, want not” originated in America. By surveying the best seafood utilization practices around the world, Maine could lead the United States in reviving thrift and increasing profits and sustainability.

Maine lobster has become synonymous with value. But what if there were additional profits waiting to be unlocked in what we currently toss out?

Surprisingly, chitin, a natural polymer found in lobster shells, can be harvested and amassed for high-value agricultural, industrial and medical applications. Chitin from crustacean shells is just one example of 100 percent seafood utilization.

Just like Native Americans used every part of the buffalo, there are now opportunities to fully use seafood and push upward on the value chain. Investing time and resources in the utilization movement could generate new jobs, products and startups in Maine and beyond.

The Center for a Livable Future at Johns Hopkins University estimates that the United States wasted 4.6 million metric tons of edible and inedible seafood from 2009 to 2013. During this same period, the center calculated, at least 1.8 trillion milligrams of fish oil was wasted.

With raw fish oil selling for $9 a pound and fish oil capsules selling for $370 a pound, the raw oil wasted in the United States represents millions of dollars in potential value if worked up to pharmaceutical quality. This is just one example of an opportunity for economic and environmental improvement.

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald

Rift over sustainability leads to cancellation of Maine Seaweed Festival

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — The Maine Seaweed Festival is a dream day for New England’s natural food lovers, who spend the day munching on seaweed granola and schmoozing with kelp harvesters at a daylong party astride sun-splashed Casco Bay.

But this year, it’s not happening, and a rift between the event’s organizers and some seaweed harvesters is the reason why. The planners of the popular festival, located in the country’s biggest seaweed state, said they are canceling the event this year over concerns about lack of sustainability.

Organizer Hillary Krapf, who runs a seaweed products and education company called Moon And Tide, said Maine’s seaweed industry has been besieged by a “Gold Rush mentality” that threatens sustainability as seaweed grows in popularity. New players are getting involved in Maine seaweed farming before there is anywhere near the infrastructure needed to sustainably process and sell it, she said.

“I would like to see more regulation and accountability. We can feel good about what we are promoting and make sure we are doing right by the ocean and its resources,” she said.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Portland Press Herald

Elaine Jones Receives Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment Visionary Award

June 24, 2016 — The following was released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources:

IMG_7245

Elaine Jones is presented the 2016 Visionary Award by Don Hudson of the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment.

Elaine Jones, the Department of Marine Resources’ Director of Education has received the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment’s 2016 Visionary Award.

The annual award recognizes innovation, creativity, and commitment to protecting the marine environment. Recipients may work in the fields of environmental science, education, conservation or policy. They may be engaged in projects that involve public awareness, grassroots action, or business/manufacturing practices.

Jones was presented the award during the organization’s annual meeting on June 7th in Fredericton New Brunswick.

Jones, who has led the Maine Department of Marine Resources Education Division since 1991, was recognized for her work developing programs for Maine students, teachers and residents, along with designing and constructing the Maine State Aquarium, which attracts about 40,000 visitors every summer.

Jones was also honored for spearheading efforts to secure Burnt Island for the Department and restoring the Burnt Island Light Station into an educational and recreational facility unequaled in New England. In 2003 she initiated a living history program on site that attracts thousands of people every summer.

The award also recognized Jones’ efforts to conduct outreach programs to schools and colleges around the State, supplying classroom aquarium systems with marine animals, working on educational programs with the Marine Patrol as “Officer SALTY”, and establishing aquarium based internships for students at the University of New England, University of Maine at Orono and University of Maine at Farmington.

“This is a well-deserved award for Elaine,” said Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher. “She is a visionary leader for Maine students, educators and residents, guiding and supporting their appreciation of Maine’s marine environment.”

“I accepted the award on behalf of a lot of DMR people who have assisted me along the way. They are all unsung heroes,” said Jones.

The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment is a regional partnership among Gulf jurisdictions in the United States and Canada that works to protect and enhance environmental quality.

Government’s Northeast Regional Ocean Plan nears completion

June 23, 2016 — ELLSWORTH, Maine — Six years ago, President Obama signed an executive order establishing a National Ocean Policy that called for the creation of nine regional planning boards to develop plans “to better manage the nation’s oceans and coasts.”

Four years ago, the Northeast Regional Planning Board was formed to develop a plan for the waters off New England. The board includes representatives of nine federal agencies with authority of one sort or another over activities in the ocean, six federally recognized tribes, the New England Fishery Management Council and all six New England states.

Since then, the Northeast board has worked to draft a plan that will promote “healthy ocean and coastal ecosystems,” effective decision-making and “compatibility among past, current and future ocean uses.”

On Monday, the board held a hearing at the Ellsworth Library to solicit comment from the public and from “stakeholders” on what it anticipates is a near-final draft of the Northeast Ocean Plan. The public comment period began May 25 and ends July 25.

Monday’s hearing was one of nine scheduled throughout New England during the month of June. The first was held in Rockland on June 6. The final hearing — and the third in Maine — is scheduled for June 30 in Portland.

The current schedule calls for the Northeast board to meet in September after staff members have incorporated public comments to approve final version of the plan. The final step will be for the National Ocean Council to review and approve the plan which is subject to revision at five-year intervals.

Read the full story at the Ellsworth American