2008 Archives

Human Connection To Our Nation’s Fisheries Comes Alive Through Oral History Project; ‘Stories To Tell’

Voices from the Fisheries, an archive of oral histories of recreational and commercial fishermen and the communities and families that rely on them, documents the human experience with the nation’s coastal, marine and Great Lakes environments and living marine resources…. Read More

World’s oceans turning acidic faster than expected

Acidification caused by carbon emissions could bring some oceans to a tipping point…. Read More

Lubchenco Will Helm National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

President-elect Barack Obama has tapped Oregon State University professor Jane Lubchenco, one of the nation’s most prominent marine biologists, to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration… Read More

YOUR VIEW: Pulse of the Ports: Gloucester fisheries

Angela Sanfilippo immigrated to Gloucester in 1965 at the age of 15. She came from a fishing village in Sicily, Italy. She is married to a commercial fisherman. She has been the president of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association for the last 31 years… Read More

Lawsuit filed to stop discharges of pollutants into Cook Inlet

Fishing groups, Alaska natives and concerned citizens have joined in a lawsuit to stop discharges of pollutants into Cook Inlet. The case challenges the Environmental Protection Agency for issuing a permit that will almost triple the amount of oil and gas discharges each year into Inlet waters… Read More

Governor’s Veto Of Fuel Tax Exemption Makes Waves Among Fishing Fleet

New York Governor David Paterson vetoed a bill that would exempt commercial fishermen from paying fuel tax at the pump, rather than applying for reimbursement from the state tax assessor… Read More

Restored wharf dedicated in Port Clyde

PORT CLYDE, Maine — More than 200 people turned out Saturday afternoon to celebrate the dedication of the restored and expanded historic Port Clyde wharf… Read More

Feds set regulations on fish shipment in Great Lakes region to contain deadly virus outbreak

Federal regulators trying to contain a fish-killing virus in the Great Lakes region have issued rules for shipping live fish across state lines that some wholesalers say will be financially devastating… Read More

Historic East Coast Fisheries faces demolition

Just a few years ago, the city of Miami declared the old East Coast Fisheries building on the Miami River a historic landmark, over the objections of its then owner, who contended it was so rundown as to be unsalvageable… Read More

LDWF examines damage to state’s fisheries in wake of Gustav

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists are reporting varying degrees of damage to the state’s fisheries resources in the wake of Hurricane Gustav’s Sept. 1 landfall. Advertisement… Read More

New program helps fishermen replace or retool engines to boost energy efficiency

A new low interest loan program will help fishermen replace or retool their engines to boost energy efficiency. It is packaged in the state’s new energy plan and is available through the existing commercial fisheries loan program…Read More

U.S. OPPOSES ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA OVERFISHING ANNUAL ICCAT MEETING ENDS WITHOUT APPROVAL OF KEY MEASURES

The annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ended last week without final agreement on several key measures because of U.S. opposition to continuing overharvest practices by Eastern Atlantic fishing nations of the highly-prized Atlantic bluefin tuna… Read More

Shrimpers net fewer profits

Plenty of shrimp, not enough shrimpers NORTHEAST FLORIDA — Corey Thomas’ family has been shrimping since his great-grandfather came to the Mayport area from France in the late 1800s… Read More

CONGRESS PASSES MURKOWSKI BILL FOR A MORATORIUM ON DISCHARGE PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS

Congress today passed and sent to the White House legislation authored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski and co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Stevens, that would provide commercial fishing boats and other small commercial vessels a two-year moratorium from permits for discharges under the Clean Water Act. … Read More

PRESS RELEASE

Susquehanna Shad: Is All Lost?

Only a few years ago, it all seemed so promising. American shad, once a prized spring staple of locals’ diet and an economic linchpin up and down the Susquehanna, at last seemed headed for a comeback… Read More

Intelligencer Journal

14 designs submitted for fishing monument

A committee that wants to build a fisherman’s monument at Fort Taber said Sunday it has received 14 design submissions from artists across the country … Read More

Standard-Times

New Wis. regulations for commercial fishing

Wisconsin has proposed new regulations to govern commercial fishing on the Great Lakes, giving the state new tools to make sure the fishery is protected while reducing burdensome paperwork for fishermen, a state expert says … Read More

Associated Press

Aid rises from the ashes

On the afternoon of the fire, Senator Susan Collins released this statement:

“I am so saddened to learn about the loss of this facility and the many workers and their families who will be hurt by this devastating event… Read More

Boothbay Register

Justices Cut Damages Award in Exxon Valdez Spill

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reduced what had once been a $5 billion punitive damages award against ExxonMobil to about $500 million … Read More

The New York Times

Working Waterfronts Get Another Look In Alabama

Members of the Alabama Working Waterfront coalition want to make sure these guys have a place to park. “There’s fewer and fewer dock spaces available for … Read More

WKRG-TV - Mobile, AL

Sen. Montigny proposes $25 million waterfront revival around State

The New Bedford Democrat said the first priority must remain the “working waterfront” serving the marine and commercial fishing interests — and a portion of … Read More

SouthCoastToday.com - New Bedford,MA

AHA! night to feature PBS documentary on fishing communities

NEW BEDFORD — As part of tonight’s AHA! night, the Working Waterfront Festival will present a preview screening of “New England Fishing Communities: The … Read More

South Coast Today - New Bedford,MA

Bullish on America’s oldest marine-industrial harbor

Our working waterfront is legally protected by the state as a valuable — since very rare — marine-industrial entrepreneurial zone through its DPA … Read More

Gloucester Daily Times – MA

Cost of Fishing and Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecosystems to Highlight June 18 Fishers Forum

PRESS RELEASE Read More

Western Pacific Fishery Management Council

Alaska salmon may bear scars of global warming

TANANA, ALASKA — With a sickening thud, another hefty and handsome salmon lands in the waste barrel, headed for the dogs. Read More

Los Angeles Times June 15, 2008

Waterfront isn’t worried

NEW BEDFORD — City fishing industry members aren’t threatened by proposed plans to develop tourist attractions on the New Bedford waterfront because a state law protects traditional maritime industries from being displaced by commercial or residential development. Read More

Standard-Times, June 15, 2008

Scientific Committee Makes Recommendations To Western Pacific

A variety of recommendations for commercial and non-commercial fisheries in offshore waters… Read More

Pacific – Honolulu,HI

Fed relief plan will help about 250 commercial fishermen on Cape Cod

Fishermen idled by federal rules designed to chop the catch of ground fish (cod, haddock, flounder) will get relief aid, nearly $13.4 million … Read More

Wicked Local Dennis - Yarmouth Port, MA

Gulf fishermen win round in fight over monitoring system

Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico have won a round in a legal battle against a 2006 federal… Read More

WWSB - Sarasota, FL

Global warming’s twin, ocean acidification, is here

The impacts of CO2 emissions on the marine realm have surfaced in Pacific waters. Since the Industrial Revolution, oceans have absorbed an estimated 525 billion metric tons of human-generated CO2 and become 30% more acidic. Read More

Science News, June 11, 2008

Fishing industry to get $13.4m in aid

State officials announced a $13.4 million relief package yesterday for the Massachusetts fishing industry, which has been struggling against staggering fuel costs and fishing regulations, but fishermen said it is not enough to permanently keep the fleets afloat. Read More

Boston Globe, June 10, 2008

Louisiana Business Shorts: Loans, Grants, Fisherman Help

Louisiana fishermen may be eligible for grants, loans and direct aid to assist in recovering from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to programs outlined today by the state. The Louisiana Recovery Authority, Louisiana Economic Development and Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries have committed and are coordinating the distribution of millions of dollars in direct aid to fisherman and to repair or rebuild fisheries infrastructure. Read More

BayouBuzz, June 4, 2008

SBA offers loans after salmon closure

The California district of the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that low-interest loans are available to small businesses that have suffered financial losses because of the closure of the commercial salmon fishing season on the southern Oregon and California coasts. Read More

The Oregonian, June 03, 2008

Deadline Extended! Seafood Summit 2009 Request for Proposals

Deadline Extended for Online Proposal Submission: FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008!

Thank you for your interest in the 2009 Seafood Summit – Sharing Responsibility for Real Change. Due to many requests for additional time, we have extended the Request for Proposal deadline by TWO WEEKS. Read More

www.seafoodchoices.org, May 30, 2008

Sea change: Through the prism of Gloucester’s past, Mark Kurlansky surveys new pressures on the city’s fishing heritage

The Last Fish Tale: The Fate of the Atlantic and Survival in Gloucester, America’s Oldest Fishing Port and Most Original Town. Read More

Boston.com, June 8, 2008

N.C. fishing industry feels strain from reduced harvests

For the fifth year, North Carolina’s harvest of fin fish and shellfish fell, a decline that commercial fishermen blame on tightened regulations, higher fuel prices and an increase in imported seafood. Read More

The Virginian-Pilot, June 8, 2008

Wiggins calls on Congress for fishermen’s insurance

State Sen. Patricia Wiggins has introduced legislation calling on Congress and the president to approve two federal bills that would provide coastal states with funding to implement health care programs for commercial fishermen. Read More

The Times-Standard, May 29, 2008

Bush May Create Largest Marine Reserves in World

The Bush Administration is planning to launch one if the biggest conservation programs in U.S. history. It could create several vast marine reserves in U.S. territorial waters in the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico and off the Atlantic Coast. Supporters say it’s an opportunity for President Bush to leave a “blue legacy.” Alex Chadwick talks with John Nielsen about the plan. Read More

Day to Day, May 23, 2008

SEN. MENENDEZ HELPS DEFEAT PROPOSAL THAT COULD LEAD TO DRILLING OFF THE JERSEY SHORE, HELPS PASS SEPARATE PLAN FOR GAS PRICE RELIEF

Member of Energy Committee says drilling would threaten NJ environment, economy without any short-term effect on gas prices. Read More

Menendez Press Office, May 13, 2008

FISHERIES: NOAA to propose new rules for assessing management plans, quotas

The Bush administration is preparing sweeping new rules for how fishery management councils assess the environmental impacts of their management plans. Read More

Energy & Environment News, May 13, 2008

Fishermen, museum unite to save waterfront access

Fishermen and the Old York Historical Society have formed an unusual partnership in an attempt to secure the working waterfront in York’s squeezed harbor. Read More

Portland Press-Herald, May 12, 2008

Nonprofit announces new aid center for SE La. Fishermen

BELLE CHASSE, La. (AP) – A national nonprofit organization has announced the opening of the Southeast Louisiana Fisheries Assistance Center in Belle Chase, which will provide financial assistance and services to commercial fishermen. Read More

Associated Press, May 12, 2008

SD scientists say bacteria could be a red tide killer

San Diego, CA (AP) — Scientists believe they’ve found a red tide killer.

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego has discovered that RCA bacteria — a natural marine microbe — can attack and kill the single-cell plankton that produce red tide algae. The blooms often foul coastal waters, giving them a rust-colored tinge and some can even kill fish and birds. Read More

Associated Press, May 12, 2008

Saving the Crab — and the Watermen

Concerns over low crab populations have led the governors of Maryland and Virginia to announce a coordinated approach to reducing the harvest of female blue crabs [Metro, April 16]. In response, watermen have warned that their limited incomes and iconic way of life would be further jeopardized by these regulations. Read More

Washington Post, May 11, 2008

2008 Archives

Read MoreWestern Fishboat Owners Association, May 12, 2008