National Fisherman

APALACHICOLA — Shannon Hartsfield warned Florida’s fish and game regulators that time is running short.

He told the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday that the bay that has borne his livelihood and thousands of others along the Gulf Coast now faces an existential threat.

If Florida, neighboring states and the federal government cannot overcome decades of legal battles and bureaucratic maneuvers to quickly restore the flow of freshwater to Apalachicola Bay, he warned, his voice quavering, “disaster is coming.”

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Featured Video

Callifornia crabbing: Here's a fun video shot on the decks of the Majestik while catching Dungeness crab off the coast of northern California.

Inside the Industry

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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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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