In Mixed Catch, NF Senior Editor Linc Bedrosian spotlights a wide range of commercial fishing-related news items from coast to coast.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission chose to honor the state’s servicemen on Veteran’s Day by implementing changes to commercial licensing requirements that should make it easier for Florida veterans and veterans with disabilities to enter the commercial fishing industry.
According to the FWC, the changes will modify income requirements for Florida veterans seeking a commercial restricted species endorsement. That endorsement allows commercial harvesters to fish for and sell species that are designated as restricted, such as Spanish and king mackerel, flounder, shrimp, mahi mahi and several reef fish.
The changes waive restricted species endorsement income requirements for one license year for Florida veterans who were honorably discharged between Sept. 11, 2001 and June 30, 2014. After June 30, 2014, the waiver will continue to extend to the state’s veterans, provided they apply within four years of an honorable discharge.
The waiver also extends to honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disabilities, regardless of when they were discharged, the commission says.
Veterans interested in applying should visit the commission’s website and click on “Commercial Saltwater Products,” or call (850) 487-3122 for more information.
It’s nice to see people working to get people into commercial fishing instead of escorting them out of it. But it’s especially refreshing to see officials lending a hand to our service veterans, who have placed themselves in harm’s way for their country.
Imagine if we could start similar efforts in all our coastal states. That would be a wonderful way to truly thank our veterans for all they’ve done.
Callifornia crabbing: Here's a fun video shot on the decks of the Majestik while catching Dungeness crab off the coast of northern California.
Over 500 lots of seafood processing equipment formerly owned by Adak Seafood will be sold at auction on Tuesday, June 18, starting at 10 a.m. Hawaiian-Aleutian Daylight Time at the Hilton Garden Inn in Anchorage Alaska.
The equipment is located in a recently updated 250,000 square foot state-of-the-art processing facility in Adak, Alaska. Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Hilco Industrial, which conducts 75 machinery and equipment auctions in a wide range of industries annually, will conduct the auction.
Adak Seafood opened originally as Ada Fisheries in Anchorage in 1986. The facility, updated in 2005, is located on the island of Adak, the southernmost city in Alaska near the western end of the Aleutian Islands. The facility processed cod primarily, as well as halibut, blackcod, crab and pollock, Hilco says.
Alaska fisherman and commercial fisheries activist Kevin Adams was elected chairman at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors meeting on May 9 in Anchorage.
The governor-appointed board consists of seven members: five seafood processors and two industry representatives actively engaged in commercial fishing. Adams was appointed to fill a harvester seat by Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2004.
With 38 years of fishing experience in Bristol Bay, Adams has long been an active member in the Alaska fishing industry, ASMI says. He has worked for both the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation and the Bering Sea Fisherman's Association, and represents Alaska fishermen on numerous boards.
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