National Fisherman

After two lean years caused by summer drought and winter cold, it looks as if there will be plenty of crawfish for Super Bowl Sunday — one of the biggest days of the year for Louisiana’s crawfish dealers.

Last year’s wetter summer and a relatively warm and wet winter are boosting the early crop for a season that peaks in April and May. January downpours that flooded crawfish ponds will dent the total, but it’s still the best early season in years, say people in the business.

“I’m buying 150 to 200 sacks a day,” said Ricky Phillips, owner of Phillips Seafood in the Iberville Parish community of Bayou Pigeon. “This time last year and the year before I was buying 30 or 40.”

Read the full story at St. Mary Now>>

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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