The great white way
A Lake Michigan fishing family still runs traps with its fourth generation of whitefish netters
By Dan Denov
Eric Petersen backs the 52-foot steel trap net boat Petersen Brothers away from the dock on Lake Muskegon just as the sun is popping up over the buildings of Muskegon, Mich., four miles to the east. Steaming toward the pier head of the channel to Lake Michigan, the boat's wake is the only disturbance to the glass-smooth surface. The March day's chilly start is expected to wane with the rising sun and clear skies.
All in the family
Family is the heart and soul of many American fishing businesses. In working waterfront towns across the country, that family often extends to include the larger community of commercial fishing fleets. What develops is a network that expands to create a safety net and often new opportunities for the fleets and their shore-based counterparts.
ATY Northeast
Mass. scalloper bucks a trend;
lobster boats get stretched out
The week before Christmas, the 1,000-hp Caterpillar 3508 in the scalloper Concordia's engine room was fired up for the first time.
Alaska & Pacific Herring
Too many fish in the sea? Seiners have
big nets to fill, but the price is sinking
As 2012 opened, Alaska seiners and fisheries managers pondered the logistics behind catching — and processing — a mind-blowing 29,008-ton guideline harvest level while San Francisco herring fisherman began fishing on a 1,920-ton quota.
Cool under fire
From U.S. Coast Guard reports
In the middle of a calm August night a 314-foot fish processing vessel swung on its hook with a smaller fishing boat alongside unloading salmon. Suddenly the vessel's general alarm sounded and all hands were roused from their slumber.
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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