National Fisherman's 2012 Highliners and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Nowhere in the country is fishery management at a more critical intersection than on the East and Gulf coasts. Yes, that covers a lot of fishing ground, but these industry leaders — Kevin Wark of Barnegat Light, N.J., Dewey Hemilright of Kitty Hawk, N.C., and Wayne Werner of Alachua, Fla. — are making strides that have far-reaching consequences, well beyond the bounds of their fisheries.
I am also honored to present a lifetime achievement award to a man with a seemingly endless list of accomplishments, but you would never know it by talking to him. Lucky for us, those who have worked with Brian Rothschild understand the scope of his commitment to healthy and fairly managed fisheries. — Jessica Hathaway
Time for a change
When the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute decided to stand down as its state's agent for the Marine Stewardship Council last year (effective October this year), my first thought was, "This is good news for the long-term marketability of sustainable seafood." Alaska is known to pave the way to new horizons, and I believe ASMI's move to a less expensive third-party sustainability certifier will level the playing field for more and smaller fisheries.
ATY Northeast
Fast 38-footer is fuel stingy;
lobster boat has Chinese crew
The Labella Vita — Italian for beautiful wife — doesn't waste much time getting out to the grounds and back at day's end. The 38-foot lobster boat cruises at 30 mph. Throw on 80 oversized 4-foot traps and the speed might drop to 28.5 mph. "I'm flying by most everybody," says Jeff Eaton, the boat's owner.
Alaska & Pacific Pollock
School lunches and fast-food chains
supersize demand for Alaska pollock
Flagging surimi production elsewhere in the world, increased popularity with domestic school lunch programs and steady demand from large fast-food chains should bolster markets for Alaska pollock fillets and surimi throughout the remainder of 2012.
Read the bar code
From U.S. Coast Guard reports
The skipper of a 45-foot Dungeness boat out of Tillamook, Ore., checked the Coast Guard's "first light" bar report one November morning. Conditions were poor and bar crossings restricted. The skipper knew he'd have to constantly monitor the conditions, but decided to head out as planned.
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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