Survival is bicoastal
At fishing expos all over the country, you find fishermen who work different fisheries and oceans comparing stories and debating who goes at it harder, who is tougher, and which area serves up the worst sea states and weather conditions. But no matter the conditions or the region, awareness of your surroundings is the most important aspect of work at sea.
Gulf/South Atlantic Red Grouper
Higher prices signal prosperity coming as reef fish skippers transition to IFQs
Prospects look good as Gulf of Mexico reef fish skippers transition to a grouper-tilefish individual fishing quota program.
On deck: the truth
How many of you can even imagine facing a 15- to 35-year shutdown of your fishery?
Bottoming out
Snapper and grouper fishermen are staring into the abyss of a potential 35-year fishery closure
By Hoyt Childers
Skipper Brian Lloyd stood by his 35-foot reef boat, Charlotte Marie, at Safe Harbor Seafood in Mayport, Fla., pondered the scant options remaining if the snapper-grouper fishery closes, and voiced what troubles the sleep of many South Atlantic fishermen.
Northeast
Two 50-footers are launched; Maine boat goes to California
A pair of 49-foot 11-inch lobster boats was launched in mid-November at Dixon's Marine Group 2000 in Woods Harbor, Nova Scotia. Both are out of the boatyard's new 50-foot mold.
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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