Tag: commercialfishing

Study: Commercial Fishing May Be Far More Dangerous Than Previously Believed
29Nov By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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Study: Commercial Fishing May Be Far More Dangerous Than Previously Believed

A new study conducted by the FISH Safety Foundation that was commissioned by Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that commercial fishing may be far more dangerous than previously believed. The study, published Nov. 6 on WorkersCompensation.com, says that research shows over 100,000 fishing-related deaths annually, which is three to four times previous estimates. The study found that serious injuries and abuses, including child labor and decompression sickness, from workers being forced to make repeated deep dives to harvest lobster. According to Sam Willis of the FISH Safety Foundation, the original research focused on understanding how many people die, and less on keeping track of how they died. Willis said that given the lack of information worldwide, it’s difficult to report on ...
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Working Waterfront Preservation Act Introduced in Senate
15Nov By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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Working Waterfront Preservation Act Introduced in Senate

Federal legislation that would provide $20 million annually to boost and protect working waterfronts has been introduced in the U.S. Senate. It is backed by the Fishing Communities Coalition, a national association of community-based small-boat commercial fishing groups. The Working Waterfront Preservation Act, initiated with support from the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, was introduced Nov. 1 by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Jack Reed, D-RI. “All across Alaska, fishing communities are facing infrastructure challenges and need upgrades to harbors and boatyards,” said Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association in Sitka, who helped to promote the legislation. “This bill would support that. It’s a great start.” If approved by Co...
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Commercial Harvest in Alaska Exceeds 77M Salmon
26Jul By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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Commercial Harvest in Alaska Exceeds 77M Salmon

The commercial harvest of salmon in Alaska has now topped 77 million fish, according to preliminary data compiled through Monday, July 24, by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Through that date, 44.4 million sockeyes, 23.4 million pinks, nearly nine million chums, 242,000 cohos and 153,000 Chinooks have been delivered to processors. The largest catch continues to be in the state’s central region, including Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound, with a preliminary total catch now exceeding 64 million fish, including 40.7 million sockeyes. The Bristol Bay harvest alone stands at nearly 38 million fish, predominantly sockeyes, while in Cook Inlet, the harvest is at some 1.4 million fish, mostly sockeyes. In Prince William Sound, harvesters have delivered upwards ...
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Canadian Government Offering to Buy Back Commercial Fishing Licenses
21Dec By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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Canadian Government Offering to Buy Back Commercial Fishing Licenses

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has put out notice of $123 million earmarked to buy back Pacific salmon commercial fishing licenses from harvesters who want out of the industry. The effort would also help protect dwindling stocks of the fish. The funds are part of a nearly $650 million Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative announced by the government agency last year. The Canadian Press news agency reported in mid-December that 1,300 licenses would be eligible to participate in a deal that would purchase the licenses at market rate, then remove them from circulation. While there is no way to know how many license owners will participate, the federal agency’s goal is to substantially reduce the size of the fleet. DFO plans multiple rounds of commercial license retirement, with the first round ...
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ODFW Seeks Commercial Salmon Industry Applicants for Fish Restoration Board
12Oct By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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ODFW Seeks Commercial Salmon Industry Applicants for Fish Restoration Board

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking applicants from the commercial salmon industry to serve on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R and E) Program Board. The deadline to apply is Oct. 16. According to the ODFW, the ideal commercial fishing candidate would be an Oregon resident who can effectively represent Oregon's commercial salmon industry. Individuals that can represent seafood processors, the commercial troll fleet, or gillnet fleet are encouraged to apply. Desirable attributes include involvement with local fishing groups or fish management, previous experience with boards or commissions, and knowledge of, or involvement with commercially caught salmon in Oregon. The R and E Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989 to help fund fish resto...
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NOAA Study Recommends Steps to Support Young Fishermen
24Aug By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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NOAA Study Recommends Steps to Support Young Fishermen

New research compiled by NOAA Fisheries supports equipping beginning fishermen facing start-up challenges with tools that have been successful in helping young farmers. The study, led by Marysia Szymkowiak at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, notes the similarities between the two professions, both of which ensure food security, provide jobs and support the well-being of rural communities. “The parallels are really stark,” said Szymkowiak. “Given that, we can really learn a lot from how these issues are being addressed in farming.” For both new fishermen and farmers there are formidable challenges to entry and success, as they are highly risky businesses, subject to weather, variable harvests, uncertain markets, climate change and high start-up costs, plus constantly evolvi...
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Oregon Halibut Poacher Loses Commercial Fishing Rights
10Aug By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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Oregon Halibut Poacher Loses Commercial Fishing Rights

A commercial fishing captain in Tillamook, Oregon, has lost commercial fishing privileges for the next five years after what Oregon state police describe as repeated halibut poaching. Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division brought charges against Charles “Joe” Evens for violating terms of his commercial license by keeping fish he caught instead of selling and documenting the catch with a fish dealer. Evens was suspended from obtaining commercial or recreational fishing licenses for five years, ordered to complete 80 hours of community service and also fined $400 for the violations, which he admitted to in June. The license suspension falls within parameter of the Violator Compact, a reciprocal agreement among most states. The compact dictates that if someone loses thei...
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Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvests Exceeds 101M Fish
27Jul By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvests Exceeds 101M Fish

Commercial harvesters delivered some 101 million salmon to processors through Tuesday, July 26, in the 2022 Alaska fisheries, wrapping up a record harvest season. That includes nearly 59 million fish in the Bristol Bay area alone, led by the Nushagak District with over 22 million fish, the Egegik District exceeding 15 million fish, the Naknek-Kvichak District with over 14 million fish and the Ugashik District with nearly six million fish. Retail prices for the Bristol Bay fillets were holding at about $12.95 a pound for fillets in most Alaska retail shops, but prices dropped in the last week of July to about $10.99 a pound, while retail demand remained high. New Sagaya fish counters in Anchorage had fillets of Alaska salmon at $41 a pound with five-pound purchases. Both New Sagay...
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Norton Sound Fishermen Harvest 308,623 Pounds of Red King Crab
27Jul By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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Norton Sound Fishermen Harvest 308,623 Pounds of Red King Crab

Alaska’s only summer red king crab fishery concluded on Sunday, July 24, with the entire guideline harvest of 308,623 pounds of the succulent crab delivered by Norton Sound small boat fishermen, with retail prices commanding up to $74.95 a pound. Biologists with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said they expected that by that date the quota would be achieved, given the catch rate for the open access fishery which began on June 15. Eight permit holders for the 2022 winter commercial fishery harvested 7,357 pounds of the 27,328-pound guideline harvest level for the winter fishery. The average weight of the king crab caught in the fishery is about 2.8 pounds, according to ADF&G biologists. The total Norton Sound red king crab guideline harvest level is 341,600 pounds, w...
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NOAA Promoting New Steps to Combat IUU Fishing
29Jun By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
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NOAA Promoting New Steps to Combat IUU Fishing

NOAA is proposing new measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and forced labor in the seafood supply chain. The proposed changes are part of a rulemaking process that will include a public comment period after these proposed changes are published in the Federal Register. NOAA’s proposal broadens the scope of activities that can be considered under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act when identifying nations for IUU fishing, including pervasive and persistent fishing activities in waters under the jurisdiction of a nation, without authorization or in violation of that nation’s laws. In addition, fishing activities in waters beyond any national jurisdiction that involve the use of forced labor may be considered by NOAA...
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