AUGUSTA, Maine — When it comes to regulating how seaweed is commercially harvested on Maine's coast, legislators were urged Wednesday not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
The baby in this case is a rockweed management plan for Cobscook Bay that was adopted in 2009.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources is hoping to get approval from the Legislature to develop a statewide management plan for rockweed, kelp, Irish moss and other commercially harvested seaweed species. The proposal, however, also would eliminate the rockweed management plan for Cobscook Bay.
The Legislature's Marine Resources Committee held a public hearing Wednesday on the bill, LD 585, that would give DMR such approval. For nearly four hours, people supportive of DMR's efforts and others more skeptical of the bill's provisions testified about Maine's seaweed industry and their perspectives on regulating seaweed harvesting.
Read the full story at Bangor Daily News>>
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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