In Mixed Catch, NF Senior Editor Linc Bedrosian spotlights a wide range of commercial fishing-related news items from coast to coast.
Friday, 16 March 2012
In less than a week, commercial and recreational fishermen are converging on the nation's capitol to show their support for legislation aimed at amending the Magnuson-Stevens Act so that fish and fishermen can thrive.
Participants from a variety of coastal states attending the Keep Fishermen Fishing rally in Washington, D.C. this Wednesday, March 21 will meet in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol building. They aim educate the general public and legislators about the onerous and devastating effects the nation's fishing law has upon fishermen and fishing communities.
Trying to figure out how you can get down there? Well, rally organizers are providing buses to transport fishermen to the demonstration and back home again. The Keep Fishermen Fishing website can also hip you to a variety of other things to know, including best ways of getting around Washington, what kind of items you're permitted to bring to the rally site, and suggestions of what kinds of signs to make.
The 2010 rally in Washington garnered plenty of attention from the media, and more importantly, from Capitol Hill lawmakers. Here's hoping this year's rally will build on that momentum and open more eyes to the plight of U.S. fishermen — and more importantly, do something about it.
Callifornia crabbing: Here's a fun video shot on the decks of the Majestik while catching Dungeness crab off the coast of northern California.
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.
The Northeast Regional Planning Body, a group of state, tribal and federal representatives from New England who are working to implement the National Ocean Policy and address critical New England ocean issues, is holding a series of public meetings in May and June.
The meetings are being held to discuss draft regional ocean planning goals and associated potential actions. The planning body seeks input on these goals and actions. Additional information on the group's progress can be found here.
The meetings will also provide an opportunity to review draft maps and products from initial efforts to gather information on the natural resources and diverse uses of the ocean, including fishing, transportation, energy and infrastructure, aquaculture, and recreation.
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