Monday, March 15, 2010
Argentine king crab fishery seeks
MSC certification
The Southern Red King crab (Lithodes santolla) bottom trap pot fishery operating within the federal waters of the Argentine Economic Exclusive Zone is entering full assessment in the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) certification program for sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
– MSC press release
More: www.msc.org/newsroom/news
Keyword in California water-for-fish debate: Deception
Who needs absinthe, vodka or even a six-pack of beer? Judging from the quality of our debate on natural resource policy, all it takes to addle the political mind in California is water.
– L.A. Times
More: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/14/business/la-fi-hiltzik14-2010mar14
New NMFS chief focus of complaints
Eric Schwaab sat alone and quiet in the front row of New Bedford's Whaling Museum earlier this week.
The new head of the National Marine Fisheries Service did not so much as flinch as the movers and shakers of the New England fishery repeatedly described his agency as everything that is wrong with out-of-touch government bureaucracy.
– Gloucester Times
More: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_070223549.html
Report: Coast Guard short of people
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its report on Coast Guard personnel issues. It points out that the service has been challenged with expanding mission responsibilities. The Coast Guard workforce today is approximately the same size as it was at the end of fiscal year 1975.
– http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10268r.pdf
Coast Guard suspends search for men off freighter
The Coast Guard suspended its search for two crewmembers reported to have fallen overboard Thursday from the 925-foot Hanjin Pretoria 850 miles south of Kodiak.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
More: deckboss.blogspot.com
Trollers wondering whether to fish
Even the worst case scenario for North Coast ocean sport fishermen this year appears to be substantially better than last year's token fishery. At the same time, commercial salmon fishermen – having struggled with several recent years of closures and heavy restrictions – are trying to determine whether they should fish or not.
– Pacific Fishing correspondent John Driscoll, writing in the Eureka Times-Standard
More: http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_14662070
Shortage of cleanup boats in Valdez
The operator of the trans-Alaska pipeline and Valdez tanker port says there is a shortage of fishing boats ready to assist if there is an oil spill in Prince William Sound.
– Juneau Empire
More: http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/031410/sta_589857298.shtml
Salmon enhancement hatchery needs Cal permit
Central Coast Salmon Enhancement is hoping to revive its marquee activity — raising salmon for release into the wild — but is facing an uncertain future.
– San Luis Obispo Tribune
More: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/03/12/1065252/state-stymies-salmon-raising-program.html
