Saving Seafood

Fishing boat sinks, crew saved hundreds of miles off Hawaii

March 27, 2018 — HONOLULU — A commercial fishing crew and a federal observer were rescued after their vessel sank and they spent hours in a life raft hundreds of miles off the coast of Hawaii, the U.S. Coast Guard said Monday.

The agency said it received an emergency distress alert from the Princess Hawaii late Sunday morning about 400 miles (644 kilometers) north of the Big Island. A few hours later, a Coast Guard plane got to the area, where rescuers saw a flare and found eight people in a life raft.

The 61-foot longline fishing boat was mostly submerged with only the bow above water.

Officials said the Coast Guard air crew dropped a radio to the life raft and helped establish communication with the vessel’s sister ship, the Commander, which was fishing nearby and went to rescue the survivors. It arrived nearly 12 hours after the distress call and brought the crew aboard, Coast Guard spokeswoman Tara Molle said.

She said the crew was in good condition and was expected to arrive back in Honolulu later this week.

Most longline fishing vessels in Hawaii use foreign crews with no U.S. work visas. The workers cannot legally enter the United States so they are required to live aboard their vessels for the duration of their contracts, often a year or two at a time.

Most workers come from impoverished Southeast Asia and Pacific island nations and are paid between $300 and $600 dollars a month.

The observer on the boat was part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration program that monitors the actions of commercial fishing crews at sea. Observers log data about catch, interactions with endangered species, vessel conditions and crew safety.

NOAA officials said they could not identify the observer who was aboard the Princess Hawaii. The agency is working with the Coast Guard to determine what role the observer played in alerting authorities to the sinking, spokeswoman Jolene Lau said.

A request for the NOAA observer’s log from Sunday’s Princess Hawaii voyage was denied.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act states that “all observer information is confidential and may not be disclosed, subject to certain very narrow exceptions,” said NOAA’s Office of General Counsel Pacific Island Section Chief Frederick Tucher in an email. “Observer information includes all information collected, observed, retrieved, or created by an observer.”

The boat was inspected by the Coast Guard in February, and no safety violations were found. It was in 10-foot (3-meter) seas with winds around 20 mph (32 kph) before it sank, authorities said.

The Coast Guard said in the statement Sunday that it “called the registered owner, who confirmed the vessel had gone out early that morning to fish.” The agency said Monday that it could not confirm the name of the owner or any information about the crew.

According to NOAA permit records, the Princess Hawaii is owned by Holly Fishery LLC. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission lists the captain of both the Princess Hawaii and the Commander as Loc Nguyen of Honolulu.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at ABC News

 

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments for an Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit to Test Trap Targeting of Lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Federal Waters

March 16, 2018 — The following was release by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Salty Bones Fisheries. The applicant proposes to test various spiny lobster traps and a fish aggregation device based, non-containment purse trap to harvest lionfish from in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic federal waters. Sampling is proposed to occur during the spiny lobster closed season (April 1 through July 31). This study intends to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the various trap designs for targeting lionfish while limiting bycatch, and adverse effects to protected species and habitat. The research would also derive biological life history information to improve lionfish control. In addition, the project would provide information on potential ecological and economic benefits of a lionfish fishery. These results provide the opportunity to gain industry support and provide management information on the use of traps as a viable lionfish harvest gear in the Gulf and South Atlantic. Only lionfish would be harvested under this EFP.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE APPLICATIONS:
The comment period is open now through April 2, 2018. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

Application information: 

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/LOA_and_EFP/index.html

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

  1. Go to  https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0013 
  2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Kelli O’Donnell, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Program Concepts

  • Sampling would occur in two regions off the lower Florida Keys in the Gulf and South Atlantic, up to four times per month in each region during the Florida spiny lobster closed season, April 1 through July 31.
  • Spiny lobster trap designs would include all wire traps, in addition to wood and wire traps.  In year 1 and 2 1,000 of each design in the Gulf and 500 of each design in the South Atlantic, would be deployed for a total of up to 3,000 total traps. All traps would have modified funnel dimensions and would be deployed at depths from 65-300 ft.
  • Vessels would also deploy up to 15 purse traps in year 1 (all 15 could be fished in Gulf or South Atlantic or the 15 could be divided between the two regions) and up to 120 total in year 2 (80 in Gulf and 40 in South Atlantic). All traps would be deployed at depths from 65-300 ft.
  • Data to be collected per trip would include: gear configuration and fishing effort data (e.g., date and time of deployment and retrieval, latitude, longitude, and water depth of each deployed trawl, bait type used); soak time per area for each trawl; alternative weight and trawl configurations used in different sea states and conditions; trap loss and movement from original set position; protected species interactions; bycatch species, amount, and disposition; and lionfish catch data for each trap type.
  • Only lionfish would be harvested.

NOAA Fisheries finds this application warrants further consideration, and is seeking public comment on the application. A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NOAA Fisheries’ review of public comments received, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recommendations, consultations with the affected states, and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws.

Access this and other Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office by clicking here.

 

Upcoming Free Safety Trainings for Commercial Fishermen in Marshfield, Massachusetts

March 12, 2018 — The following was released by Fishing Partnership Support Services:

Fishing Partnership Support Services is a non-profit organization devoted to the health, safety and economic security of commercial fishermen and their family members.

Among the current free programs it has scheduled are two trainings this month in Massachusetts. A team of U.S. Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors will lead both programs.

A summary of the programs is provided below:

Safety and Survival Training for Commercial Fishermen; Thursday, March 22, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Harbormaster’s Office, 100 Central St., Marshfield

Hands-on training offered at no cost to commercial fishermen by Fishing Partnership Support Services.  Trainers are Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors.  Includes on-board firefighting, man overboard recovery, rescue helicopter hoist procedures, flooding and pump operations, proper use of survival suits, life rafts and accompanying equipment. Pre-registration recommended.  Contact: Lori Caron, 781-635-0011.

Drill Conductor Training for Commercial Fishermen; Friday, March 23, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Harbormaster’s Office, 100 Central St., Marshfield

One-day course meets latest drill conductor certification requirements for commercial fishermen.  Offered at no cost by Fishing Partnership Support Services.  Conducted by Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors.  Participants must have attended safety/survival training within past 12 months; upon successful completion, they will be certified to conduct emergency drills.   Session includes classroom instruction and practice drills aboard local vessel.  Pre-registration recommended. Contact: Lori Caron, 781-635-0011.

Scary and True

Falls overboard are the most common causes of death for fishermen at sea, which is why the Fishing Partnership always includes a module in its training programs devoted to showing fishermen how to recover a crew member who has gone overboard.  There are specific steps that must be taken immediately after a fall overboard.  According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 545 commercial fishermen in the U.S. who died from 2000 to 2010; of those fatalities, 170 (31%) died because they fell overboard.

That is why Man-Overboard Recovery Procedures are one of the centerpieces of Safety and Survival Training.

In addition to the topics listed above, this training also includes a module on Basic First Aid.

Drill Conductor Training – What Is It For?

Prepares and certifies fishermen to conduct emergency drills at sea.

Federal regulations require monthly drills on commercial fishing boats operating beyond the U.S. boundary line.

Emergency situations addressed in this training include: Man Overboard; Fire; Damage Control; Abandon Ship.

There will be an emergency procedures class in the morning and practice drills aboard a docked vessel in the afternoon.

 

Coast Guard risks rough seas stopping red snapper poachers

March 2, 2018 — SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas — A small but swift U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat bounced violently over the choppy Gulf of Mexico last week, becoming airborne more than once before the chief ordered the pilot to slow down.

Five-foot waves and constant swell are typical February conditions at the U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary — even pleasant compared to other days the armed and ready crew members search for Mexican fishermen poaching in U.S. waters.

Four or five men in a simple Mexican watercraft, or “lancha,” can easily take tens of thousands of dollars in fish on a single run. The boats don’t look like much — rickety white fiberglass hulls with no steering wheels, powered by standard Yamaha outboard motors, equipped with simple fishing gear and rusting navigational equipment. But Mexican poachers are mostly winning the cat-and-mouse game, slipping through the violent chop and back into Mexico’s territorial seas, coolers laden with fish.

Their goal is one of the most popular commercial and recreational fish species in the Gulf today: red snapper.

“Almost exclusively what we’re seeing being targeted is red snapper,” said Capt. Tony Hahn, commander of the Coast Guard regional crew out of Corpus Christi, Texas. “Where they’re going and the reefs they’re fishing in are definitely populated by red snapper, which aren’t migratory. They’re hitting places where they know they’re going to catch red snapper, and that’s what we’re seeing from their catch.”

The U.S. has protested to the Mexico government, but the response has been lacking. Last year, NOAA decertified Mexico under compliance rules aimed at tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The decertification means that no Mexican fishing vessel can enter any U.S. port, accept under exceptional circumstances and only with the Coast Guard’s approval.

Several million dollars’ worth of red snapper have already been stolen from U.S. waters by Mexican fisherman. As the problem persists and may worsen, NOAA may go even further next year. An officer with NOAA’s enforcement division says the next step could entail restrictions or an outright ban on imports of fish from Mexico.

Read the full story at E&E News

 

Sea Star crew thanks Coast Guard for rescue

February 21, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The fishermen aboard the vessel Sea Star, which sank last week, expressed their appreciation Tuesday to those who rescued them as they returned to work.

Chad Maguire, the managing member of Old Testament Fisheries, sent his “sincere and very heartfelt thanks” to the Coast Guard through a news release.

“Without the outstanding response by these brave Coast Guard men and women, the crew of the Sea Star may have had a much different experience,” the release said.

Aircrews from an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and HC-144 Ocean Sentry arrived about 18 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard to find the Sea Star taking on water on Feb. 15.

The Coast Guard ordered the four fishermen to abandon and a rescue swimmer pulled each person up to the helicopter.

“Old Testament Fisheries is elated that the crew were quickly and safely reunited with their families,” the release said. “It is clear the significant impact that the crew’s drills instruction training played in their successful rescue.”

Atlantic Capes Fisheries owns the Sea Star through which it charted it to Old Testament Fisheries. A spokesperson for Old Testament Fisheries said it’s a common practice for companies to finance vessels acting as a bank for fishermen.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

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.