Saving Seafood

New York State gives fishing industry extra time to seek Sandy aid

December 7, 2015 — New York State extended the application deadline for marinas, aquaculture facilities, commercial boat operators, harvesters and other fishery industry professionals to apply for superstorm Sandy recovery money.

The new deadline to apply for the Superstorm Sandy Fishery Disaster Grant is Jan. 29 and is open to businesses and individuals that lost more than $5,000 in revenue or gross income as a result of the 2012 storm.

Eligible businesses must have at least $15,000 in annual earnings and be in operation at the time of the application.

The Governors Office of Storm Recovery and state Department of Environmental Conservation will issue up to $3.6 million in grants, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Eighty applications have been filed since the grant program was announced in September.

Read the full story at Newsday

 

House Panel Supports Efforts to Safeguard Atlantic Coast Fisheries Access, Protect Against Obama Administration’s Potential Unilateral Fisheries Closures

December 7, 2015 — RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – The following was released by the House Committee on Natural Resources: 

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight field hearing in Riverhead, NY on public access to Atlantic fisheries and the impact and implementation of federal decision-making on the commercial and recreational fishing industry and local economies.  The panel received testimony from fisheries stakeholders and a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

One focal point of the hearing was the possible designation by the Obama Administration of National Marine Monuments along the Atlantic Coast using the Antiquities Act, which would deny public input and usurp established habitat and fisheries management plans. Commercial and recreational fisheries stakeholders before the panel supported Committee efforts to ensure public input in future potential designations.

“I know firsthand what happens when a President abuses the Antiquities Act against the wishes of local residents as a means of shutting off multiple uses of lands and waters. There’s a reason we have laws on the books to ensure federal management decisions are informed by experts at the regional level, in full consultation with states and local users – not under the cover of darkness,” Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) said.

“Fishing and the maritime economy have been a key part of the economy, culture, and history of Long Island for centuries. Now more than ever our fisheries and the dedicated men and women who work in this important industry face challenges that must be addressed,” stated Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) during opening statements. “And now more than ever we must strike the right balance between a strong fishing economy and protecting our critical natural resources. Fairness, transparency, and giving our fishermen and boaters a seat at the table is why we are here today.”

“Designating marine monuments is a relatively new practice that only began in 2006, with a monument designation larger than all of America’s National Parks combined, approximately the size of Germany,” Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) said during the hearing. “I find it particularly troubling that there is no concern given to local fish and wildlife commissioners or the state and local elected officials when sites are considered. There are serious implications to this designation and local communities should be involved in these designations, rather than a decree from Washington.”

In recent months, Members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle have voiced opposition to the potential Marine Monument designations and called upon the Obama Administration to seek local input on any potential actions.

Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 1335, a bill to reauthorize and modernize the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the primary federal law that governs federal fisheries management.  This bill makes key reforms to reflect scientific advancements and regional needs, and includes provisions to ensure that state and local interests are protected from future Marine Monuments designated under the Antiquities Act.

Click here to view witness testimony. Video footage of the hearing will be available here later today.

Read the release here

The loss of Greenport, NY’s fishing fleet is another sign of a changing village

November 25, 2015 — Just a few decades ago, Greenport Village looked very different.

Fishermen describe as many as 50 towering fishing vessels crammed into the deepwater port, making pit stops at Claudio’s dock before their offshore expeditions in the Atlantic. The docks were swarmed with fishing crews unloading their stock for sale at fish markets across the East Coast.

But today, the dozens of captains whose boats once fed Greenport’s fishing industry have either fled for other ports or been scuppered altogether.

Greenport is sold to tourists as a fishing village (the village crest features a sailing ship from its whaling heyday). And while many commercial baymen, oyster farmers and charter boat captains still operate out of the harbor, the huge commercial fleet that powered the working waterfront is almost completely gone.

That once-great fleet took its penultimate blow this fall.

Third-generation fisherman Sidney “Sid” Smith III sold his 63-foot fishing boat, Merit, and left the industry in October, leaving just one offshore commercial fleet fisherman operating out of Greenport Village — Mark Phillips.

“Am I happy about selling the Merit? Not at all,” Mr. Smith said while recuperating from back surgery at his Southold home. “To me, it’s a sin to just let something go.”

Mr. Smith — a 61-year-old outspoken captain who’s had his run-ins with state and local officials over his fishing operation — said he’s tired of fighting the trend of a dying industry.

“It was hard work, but it was a good living,” he said. “But I’ve been watching boats disappear, docks disappear, whole businesses disappear.”

Mr. Phillips, who operates out of Greenport Harbor in the 83-footer Illusion, repeated the old saying: The more things change, the more they stay the same.

He thought the idiom would always apply to Greenport, he said. He’s not convinced anymore.

Read the full story at The Suffolk Times

First day of Peconic Bay scallop season ‘not so good,’ according to fishermen, shop owner

November 2, 2015 — It’s the day North Forkers wait for all year — the first day of Peconic Bay scallop season, when dinner means delectable, sweet scallops, sauteed with butter and a hint of lemon — the day that can mean a booming season for fishermen, or a disappointing bust.

Unfortunately, according to fishermen and fish store owners, today’s first day signaled a disheartening kickoff to the season.

“It was okay,” said Andrew Myslborski, who set off with high hopes soon dashed this morning. He returned home with 11 bushels, less than last year. “It wasn’t a banner year like last year,” he said.

When asked what he thought the reasons might be, Myslborski shook his head. “It’s just nature,” he said. “We were very lucky last year. But it is what it is.”

Charles Manwaring, owner of the Southold Fish Market, agreed. The first day, he said, was “not so good. Not as good as last year.”

Read the full story at Southold Local

 

NEW YORK: Commercial fishermen blast new state report

October 1, 2015 — NEW YORK — Commercial fishing advocates Thursday lambasted a new state report that criticizes New York’s top fisheries regulator, saying it failed to address fishermen’s complaints and took too long to complete.

At a rally beside a commercial fishing trawler in Hampton Bays, two state lawmakers joined several dozen fishermen and fisherwomen and an attorney for fishermen in blasting the report as a “whitewash.” They vowed to press for legislation and to take legal action to address their concerns.

The report by the state inspector general, released on Wednesday, said the state Department of Environmental Conservation failed to process years of paperwork that fishermen are required to fill out every time they fish; DEC enforcement officers were improperly directing plea agreements, leading to possible “coercion” of defendants, and that property seized in arrests wasn’t returned after fishermen’s acquittals.

Read the full story at Newsday

 

 

Federal grants aim to help fishing industry businesses hurt by Sandy

September 22, 2015 — Local fishing industry businesses that took losses due to Super Storm Sandy will now have access to $3.6 million in grant funding being made available by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The grants are aimed at reimbursing sectors of New York’s fishing industry impacted by the October 2012 storm. Sectors include: bait and tackle; for-hire fishing boat operators; marinas; commercial harvesters; commercial seafood dealers, shippers or processors; and aquaculture facilities.

Fishing businesses in eligible counties must complete an application and provide documentation to demonstrate more than $5,000 in revenue or gross income loss as a result of Superstorm Sandy, and have at least $15,000 in annual earnings in one of the eligible fishery sectors. Businesses in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties are eligible to apply.

Read the full story from Riverhead Local

New York Tautog PID Public Hearing Date Changed from October 1 to September 28

September 15, 2015 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE REVISES THE MEETING DATE OF NEW YORK’S PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TAUTOG PUBLIC INFORMATION DOCUMENT. THE HEARING WILL NOW BE CONDUCTED ON SEPTEMBER 28TH FROM 6 TO 8 PM. THE MEETING LOCATION REMAINS THE SAME.

ASMFC Releases Tautog Public Information Document for Public Comment

States Schedule Public Hearings for late September/early October 

Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Tautog Management Board is seeking public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The PID responds to the findings of the 2015 benchmark stock assessment which, unlike previous coastwide assessments, evaluated stock status regionally to reflect differences in life history characteristics and harvest patterns. Based on its endorsed regional approach, the assessment also recommended associated biological reference points to guide management at the regional scale. Since tautog are currently managed on a coastwide basis, the Board initiated the PID to consider a new regional management approach.

As the first step in the development of an amendment, the PID seeks to gather information concerning the tautog fishery and to provide an opportunity for the public to identify major issues and alternatives relative to the management of this species. Input received at the start of the amendment development process can have a major influence on the final outcome of the amendment. Issues presented in the PID include FMP goals and objectives, adaptive management, monitoring requirements and illegal fishing of tautog.  In addition, in order to streamline the development of the plan amendment, the PID seeks specific input on the selection of regional stock areas for management use.

The states of Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the PID. The details of those hearings follow.

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 PM

Fairfield Inn & Suites

Vineyard Conference Room

185 MacArthur Drive 

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Contact: David Pierce at 617.626.1532

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Wednesday, September 30th from 6 – 9 PM

University of Rhode Island Bay Campus

Corless Auditorium

South Ferry Road

Narragansett Rhode Island

Contact: Jason McNamee at 401.423.1943

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Thursday, September 24th at 7 PM

CT DEEP Marine Headquarters

Boating Education Center (Rear Building)

333 Ferry Road

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Contact: David Simpson at 860.434.6043

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Monday, September 28th at 6 – 8 PM

Bureau of Marine Resources

205 North Belle Mead Road

East Setauket, New York

Contact: Steve Heins at 631.444.0435

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

Tuesday, September 22nd from 6:30 – 9:30 PM

Ocean County Administration Building

Public Hearing Room 119

101 Hooper Avenue

Toms River, New Jersey

Contact: Russ Allen at 609.748.2020

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Thursday, October 8th at 6 PM

DNREC Auditorium

89 Kings Highway

Dover, Delaware

Contact: John Clark at 302.739.9914 

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Wednesday, October 7th at 5 – 6:30 PM

Ocean Pines Library Conference Room

11107 Cathell Road

Ocean Pines, Maryland

Contact: Michael Luisi at 410.260.8341

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Tuesday, October 6th at 6 PM

2600 Washington Avenue, Third Floor

Newport News, Virginia

Contact: Rob O’Reilly at 757.247.2248

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. The PID is available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/TautogAm1PID_PublicComment_Aug2015.pdf and can also be accessed on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org) under Public Input. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 23, 2015 and should be forwarded to Ashton Harp, FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at aharp@asmfc.org (Subject line: Tautog PID). For more information, please contact Ashton Harp, at aharp@asmfc.orgor 703.842.0740.

                                                               

Can Boston’s Cult-Favorite Sushi Bar Cut It in New York?

August 25, 2015 — You know from that first bite of nigiri, a ripple of Japanese amberjack under pureed banana pepper, that you’ve arrived at the beginning of something good. The fish has been torched at the counter, and it’s glossy with melted butter. The rice is this close to falling apart in your fingers. It’s simply composed, but every element—fish, pepper, rice—is on the same level, warm and mellow and soft around the edges, like three friends who’ve been smoking from the same pipe all afternoon.

Boston-based restaurateurs Tim and Nancy Cushman opened their sushi bar O Ya in South Boston back in 2007. A year later, then-New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni declared it one of the best new restaurants in the country. Some dishes the Cushmans served back then have made it over to their new location, which opened a couple of months ago in Manhattan’s Curry Hill; the bare, sliced chanterelles and shiitake mushrooms under a sesame-flavored froth, for example, are still slick with a beloved rosemary-garlic oil.

Read the full story at Bloomberg Business

 

 

New York Seafood Marketer Sentenced for Illegally Selling Over $100G in Fish, Shellfish

July 29, 2015- WESTBURY NY — A Westbury seafood marketer was sentenced to pay $100,000 for trafficking shellfish without the proper permits and licesnes, Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced Wednesday.

Richard Scores, Jr., 57, of Commack, illegally sold more than $100,000 in fresh fish and shellfish to Long Island restaurants through his company Westbury Fish Co., authorities said.

Scores reportedly sold shellfish to restaurants in Garden City, Carle Place, Port Washington, New Hyde Park and Westbury, as well as in Commack in Suffolk County.

He was arrested in February for the illegal actions that occurred from January 2014 to February 2015.

Scores and Westbury Fish Co. pleaded guilty to one count each of Failure to Possess Shellfish Shipper’s and Processor’s Permit/Illegal Commercialization of Fish, Shellfish Crustacea and Wildlife as a misdemeanor and to one count each of Trafficking in Marine Food Fish and Crustacea for resale to other than the final consumer without a valid Food Fish and Crustacea Dealer and Shipper License/Illegal Commercialization of Fish, Shellfish Crustacea and Wildlife as a misdemeanor.

Read the full story at Plainview Patch