Saving Seafood

Coast Guard saves crew of 4 from sinking New Bedford vessel

February 15, 2018 — A New Bedford-based fishing vessel sank Wednesday night off Martha’s Vineyard, but its crew of four is fine thanks to their fast action in taking safety measures, the Coast Guard said.

The Sea Star radioed about 6:20 p.m. that it was quickly taking on water, listing heavily and crew members were donning their survival suits, Petty Officer Nicole Groll, a Coast Guard public affairs specialist said about 9:10 p.m. Wednesday.

A Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter and plane from Sector Southeastern New England, in the area for a training exercise, were diverted to the scene, Groll said. Determining that the vessel couldn’t be saved, the Coast Guard ordered the crew into the waters about 18 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, where they plucked them to safety via basket, she said.

The water temperature was 37 degrees, with 5-foot seas and 20 to 25 knot winds, making conditions difficult, Groll said.

The crew members were airlifted to Air Station Cape Cod where they were checked out by medical personnel and pronounced in good health, she said.

“The most important thing the crew did was to activate their EPIRB” (a positioning beacon) and don their survival suits, said Scott Backholm, the command duty officer at Sector Southeastern New England. While the EPIRB automatically goes off when a boat is sinking, the fact that they had the presence of mind to activate it before that “allowed us to get their exact location and get to them as quickly as possible,” he said.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

Massachusetts: Sunken boats owned by ‘Codfather’ now back on surface

February 14, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Two sunken fishing boats owned by the imprisoned “Codfather” have now been pulled back up to the surface in New Bedford.

Crews got the Dinah Jane afloat Monday, while the Nemesis was pulled up during the weekend.

The two scallop boats sank a week earlier as they were tied up together at Homer’s Wharf.

The salvage was made a little tricky because the boats got a little tangled up as they went down.

“It seems like it worked out pretty well, in terms of the salvage operation,” said Edward Anthes-Washburn, who is the executive director of the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission.

The Coast Guard is trying to determine why the boats sank, noting that not much fuel leaked into the water during the mishap.

Both boats are owned by Carlos Rafael, now infamously known as the “Codfather” after he was sent to prison in 2017 for falsifying fish catch records to evade quotas and smuggling cash to Portugal.

The two scallop boats that sank were working recently, but much of Rafael’s big fleet is not.

The government shut down more than a dozen of his groundfish boats as part of the punishment.

Read the full story at WJAR

 

New Jersey: Missing fishermen presumed lost at sea, family says

February 12, 2018 — Two New Jersey commercial fishermen are presumed lost at sea after their boat went missing early Thursday about 40 miles off the coast of New Jersey, according to a family member.

The Coast Guard has been searching for the Queen Ann’s Revenge and the two men – 30-year-old Paul Matos, of Bayville, and his crew member, Dennis Smalling – after a distress call was sent at 1:20 a.m.on Thursday reporting that the 46-foot vessel was taking on water.

“Unfortunately my brother and Dennis are presumed lost at sea,” Matos’ sister, Milene Oliveira, wrote on Facebook. “Again thank you everyone, your words of comfort mean everything to us.”

The Coast Guard said the search is ongoing. Rescuers tracked a signal from the vessel’s emergency beacon, but there were no signs of the boat near where the signal was emanating.

“They went to where the signal is being emitted, but there is no visual of it,” Coast Guard Petty Officer Seth Johnson said Friday.

The Coast Guard sent helicopters, planes and ships for the search.

The two men had set out on a multi-day fishing trip on the 46-foot boat late Monday night from what’s locally known as “the clam dock” in Point Pleasant.

Read the full story at NJ.com

 

Search continues for missing New Jersey fishing boat

February 9, 2018 — BARNEGAT LIGHT, N.J. — The Coast Guard is continuing its search for a fishing boat off the New Jersey shore, more than a day after it issued a distress signal.

Around 1:20 a.m. Thursday, the Coast Guard received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon for the 46-foot (14-meter) Queen Ann’s Revenge approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) off the Barnegat Light coast. Fishermen also reported hearing a distress call on the radio.

A fishing boat helping in the search found possible debris several hours later.

The Coast Guard dispatched boats, a helicopter and an airplane to the scene.

Read the full story form the Associated Press at the Seattle Times

 

NOAA Announces New Marine Mammal Stranding Response Organization in Nantucket

February 9, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:   

Today, NOAA Fisheries announces that Marine Mammal Rescue Nantucket is now an authorized marine mammal stranding response organization for Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and Muskeget Islands.

After four years of no stranding coverage on Nantucket and the outer islands, Marine Mammal Rescue Nantucket (known as MMRACK, after ACK – the call letters for Nantucket Airport) fills an important gap in the GARFO network. Led by Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket CEO Scott Leonard, who spent more than a decade working as a stranding volunteer with New England Aquarium, MMRACK will respond to both live and dead whales, dolphins, and seals. In addition to assessing and providing transportation for animals in need of treatment, Leonard’s team, which consists of seasoned volunteers who have worked or trained with the New England Aquarium, will also perform necropsies (animal autopsies) on dead animals.

“Nantucket is a unique place with a rich marine mammal history,” says Leonard. “MMRACK’s mission is to provide public education and outreach with the focus on raising awareness of human and marine mammal interaction, while providing humane care to our marine species. We are looking forward to being part of the network, and plan on working closely with International Fund for Animal Welfare, Marine Mammals of Maine, U.S. Coast Guard, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and other regional partner organizations.”

NOAA Fisheries looks forward to working with MMRACK to increase stranding response capabilities on Nantucket, and to help with monitoring marine mammal populations and health.

“Nantucket is an important area for marine mammal populations, particularly gray seals that breed and pup there,” says Mendy Garron, NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region Marine Mammal Stranding Response Coordinator. “Having a stranding response organization on the island will help us track the health and welfare of these populations and help reduce conflicts through education and outreach.”

Please report stranded marine mammals on Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and Muskeget to the Marine Mammal Rescue Nantucket Hotline: 833-667-6626.

Learn more about about NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region by visiting their site here.

 

‘Cod Is Dead’: New Netflix Series Details Challenges Facing U.S. Fishermen

January 5, 2018 (Saving Seafood) — The challenges facing American fishermen, ranging from declining quotas to disputed science to fleet consolidation, are highlighted in a new Netflix documentary series premiering today.

The new series, Rotten, “travels deep into the heart of the food supply chain to reveal unsavory truths and expose hidden forces that shape what we eat.” The series’ sixth and final episode, “Cod is Dead,” focuses on the domestic seafood industry, and the business and regulatory climate that has made it increasingly difficult for fishermen to make a living. Special focus is given to the ongoing fallout from the Carlos Rafael seafood fraud case and the continuing impact of the controversial catch share management system.

The episode interviews fishermen, scientists, environmentalists, and other stakeholders, with special emphasis placed on industry members in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The full list of interviewees is:

  • Steve Welch – Commercial Fishing Captain
  • Richard Canastra – Co-Owner, The Whaling City Seafood Display Auction
  • Peter Baker – Director, U.S. Ocean Conservation-Northeast, The Pew Charitable Trust
  • Ian Saunders – New Bedford Dock Worker
  • Dr. Jonathan Hare – Science and Research Director, Northeast Fisheries Science Center
  • Seth Macinko – Professor of Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island
  • Aaron Williams – Commercial Fishing Captain
  • Scott Lang – Former Mayor of New Bedford/Lawyer
  • Jake Kritzer – Director of Fishery Diagnostics and Design, Environmental Defense Fund
  • Tor Bendikson – Vice President, Reidar’s Trawl Gear & Marine Supply
  • Arthur Bogason – Chairmen, Icelandic National Association of Small Boat Owners
  • Ragnar Arnason – Professor of Economics, University of Iceland
  • Charles Smith – U.S. Coast Guard
  • Tom Williams – Commercial Fishing Vessel Owner

Rotten is available now on Netflix

 

MASSACHUSETTS: F/V Misty Blue Missing Crewmembers Found

WASHINGTON – December 18, 2017 – The bodies of two missing fishermen from the F/V MISTY BLUE have been recovered by Massachusetts State Police divers. Jonathan Saraiva, 32, and Michael Roberts, 49, were on board the vessel when it rolled over and sank on Dec. 4.

“Our divers recovered two bodies from the sunken vessel Misty Blue today. The first recovery was at 10:30 a.m., the second at 4:20 p.m. We offer our deepest condolences to their families. I have no further information to relay,” said Massachusetts State Police spokesman Dave Procopio.

Atlantic Capes Fisheries issued the following statement this evening:

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. (“ACF”) is thankful and saddened to receive the news that divers have recovered the bodies of the missing crewmen of the F/V MISTY BLUE. All of the ACF team members extend their deepest condolences to the families of Michael Roberts and Jonathan Saraiva.

“This is a sorrow-filled day for everyone, not only at Atlantic Capes but also in the greater New England fishing community,” said Danny Cohen, President of ACF. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts and Saraiva families during this difficult time.”

“Michael was a five year veteran of Atlantic Capes, and Jonathan had just joined our team. We were all devastated to lose an old friend and new colleague. We join with their families and the rest of the harbor in mourning their loss,” said Chad Brayton, the Vessel Manager. “The divers deserve our deepest respect.  That was a difficult dive, in strong currents on Nantucket shoals, which has to be accomplished in very limited time.”

“We recognize the great risks and technical difficulty involved in this recovery effort, so on behalf of Atlantic Capes, we wish to thank the Coast Guard, the Massachusetts State Police, the dive teams, and everyone whose brave efforts made it possible for Michael and Jonathan to be returned to their grieving families,” said Sam Martin, Vice President of Operations. “We hope the recovery brings some comfort to their friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”

 

MASSACHUSETTS: State police divers search for Misty Blue fishermen

December 18, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — State police divers are searching the waters off Nantucket for two missing fishermen who were aboard the vessel Misty Blue when it sank Dec. 4, a spokesman said.

Lt. Tom Ryan, a Massachusetts State Police spokesman, confirmed today that divers are searching for the two missing fishermen. He did not have any other details.

Monday’s dive followed the postponement of at least five previous State Police dives because of weather conditions.

After hearing reports by the Coast Guard on the police scanner about the search on Monday morning, a Coast Guard spokeswoman referred The Standard-Times to State Police for information.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

James G. Stavridis & Johan Bergenas: The fishing wars are coming

September 14, 2017 — Lawmakers are finally catching up to something that the Navy and Coast Guard have known for a long time: The escalating conflict over fishing could lead to a “global fish war.”

This week, as part of the pending National Defense Authorization Act, Congress asked the Navy to help fight illegal fishing. This is an important step. Greater military and diplomatic efforts must follow. Indeed, history is full of natural-resource wars, including over sugar, spices, textiles, minerals, opium and oil. Looking at current dynamics, fish scarcity could be the next catalyst.

The decline in nearly half of global fish stocks in recent decades is a growing and existential threat to roughly 1 billion people around the world who rely on seafood as their primary source of protein. No other country is more concerned about the increasingly empty oceans than China, whose people eat twice as much fish as the global average. Beijing is also the world’s largest exporter of fish, with 14 million fishers in a sector producing billions of dollars a year.

In order to keep its people fed and employed, the Chinese government provides hundreds of millions of dollars a year in subsidies to its distant-water fishing fleet. And in the South China Sea, it is common for its ships to receive Chinese Coast Guard escorts when illegally entering other countries’ fishing waters. As such, the Chinese government is directly enabling and militarizing the worldwide robbing of ocean resources.

Read the full opinion piece at the Washington Post

5 rescued off Cape Charles after fishing boat sinks

September 12, 2017 — A Coast Guard helicopter rescued five people off Cape Charles in Northampton County after their fishing vessel took on water in severe weather Monday and sank.

The Coast Guard said in a news release two of the crew members of the fishing vessel, Langley Douglas, were in a life raft while three others were holding on to a piece of wreckage after the boat sank about 60 miles east of Cape Charles on Monday, Sept. 11.

It said a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew already in the area was diverted to the scene after watchstanders in the 5th District Command Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert from Langley Douglas.

Read and watch the full story at the Salisbury Daily Times