National Fisherman articles from November 2004

National Fisherman archives from November 2004

An 'A' for effort.(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... Fishery management is a complicated business, regardless of the abundance of stocks. Natural resources like coal, timber, oil and minerals typically are private property even before they are extracted. This isn't the case with fish. (Some...

Fishing back when.(Classics)
November 1, 2004... Maine is facing pressure to increase the size of its lobster measure, currently at 3 1/8 inches. The Massachusetts measure is 3 3/16 inches, so wholesalers there who buy Maine lobsters must cull out the "shorts." Says one Bay State dealer, "The...

A novel idea.
November 1, 2004... All Fishermen Are Liars True Tales from the Dry Dock Bar By Linda Greenlaw Huperion, 2004 Hardcover, 240 pp., $22.95 Here's the truth about Linda Greenlaw's latest non-fiction book, "All Fishermen Are Liars." She originally intended to...

Fishing is going to the dogs.(Forum)
November 1, 2004... I have been a party boat fisherman for almost 50 years and have seen declines in the fishery. For many years I thought that the commercial industry was the sole cause of this decline, and in some instances this was true. However now I realize...

An ill wind with no name.(Safety)
November 1, 2004... This fall, hurricanes and the devastation riley cause have been very much in the news. But 70-knot winds are not a franchise of the tropics, and most of them never get named. Offshore fishermen around the world must contend, from time to...

Conservationist calls for collaboration.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... The essay "Someone's Blue Vision" in the September issue of National Fisherman [p. 28] highlights an understandable frustration over the extreme views voiced by one speaker at the Blue Vision Conference, which occurred in July in Washington,...

Commentary author responds to reader's letter of protest.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Mary Beth Tooley's response [Sept. NF, p. 9] to my July 2004 "Dock Talk" article, "The risk of midwater trawling in New England," [p. 8] is inaccurate and appears to be deliberately misleading. My efforts to seek responsible regulation on...

Looking back, planning ahead.(A Letter From Bill Hogarth)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... I'd like to reflect on some of the issues I've discussed in past columns as NOAA Fisheries closes out another fiscal year in October and looks forward to 2005. This year has seen concern about the status of our oceans and how best to...

Cap'n Sane says ...
November 1, 2004... Last Sat'day mornin' Shorty Gage n'his cousin from Friendship, Slats Farnum, were down at the Cove sittin' on a driftwood log under an overhangin' dead spruce sippin' a few pick-me-ups when they came up with the idea of a Cove Folk Festival....

Study says anglers significantly affect overfishing; researchers' Pew-funded report asserts recreational catch accounts for 25% of total take.(National)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Saltwater recreational fishermen account for nearly a quarter of the total take of overfished populations, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts-funded study published in the journal Science in August. The study says the recreational take...

Seafood producers hot about COOL requirement: processors favor voluntary labeling option.(National)(Country of origin labeling)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Country of origin labeling, as mandated by the 2002 Farm Bill, was supposed to go into effect on Sept. 30--but as of the end of August, final regulations had not been available. Earlier this year, President Bush signed a law delaying the...

Pollution tainting fish in U.S. rivers and lakes; EPA says state-issued advisories increasing.(National)(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Aquatic life in U.S. lakes and rivers is increasingly contaminated with mercury, dioxin, PCBs and pesticide pollution, according to an Environmental Protection Agency report issued in August that compiled state advisories. State-issued...

Scallop, longline fleets best Oceana in two lawsuits; court rulings reject environmental group's requests for injunctions to halt harvesting effort.(Northeast)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Two federal judges' refusal to close Atlantic Ocean scallop and longline fishing areas in the name of saving sea turtles made it harder for environmental groups to use the Endangered Species Act in East Coast fishing policy disputes. After...

Corps dredging vessel claims lobstermen's gear; lack of notice angers Boston Harbor fleet.(Northeast)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Next time, get it in writing. That's the advice the Army Corps of Engineers is giving to lobstermen fishing in Boston Harbor who are outraged by a loss of traps to a dredging vessel working to maintain the harbor's navigation channels. ...

St. Paul, Alaska.(Home port: where we live)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... THE TOWN Population: 650 in summer, 600 in winter. Number of boats: Permanent, approximately 25 vessels, all members of the local fleet. Seasonally, up to 100 additional Bering Sea crab vessels use the harbor during winter crab...

Scientists seek causes for mid-Atlantic fish kills; environmental stresses play role in deaths.(Northeast)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Large fish kills this summer from New Jersey to Virginia have scientists working hard to determine the causes. Laboratory tests in Virginia have confirmed that a bacterial infection has in part caused a large croaker kill in the Atlantic...

Review panel gives impact statement passing grade; independent group OKs model, but cites areas in fisheries management plans to improve.(North Pacific)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Alaska's commercial fisheries earned a generally positive review from six independent researchers, who concluded that the fisheries pose only minimal and temporary damage to the sea floor habitat. NMFS requested the independent review. The...

Improving Steller data is Aleutian study's goal; focuses on population, what sea lions eat.(North Pacific)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Studies funded by a federal grant to the Aleutians East Borough aim to rectify the accuracy of data measuring the health of the western population of Steller sea lions. Ever since the large pinnipeds earned listing on the endangered...

Tilman Gray: Avon, N.C.(Snapshot: who we are)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Avon, N.C. North Carolina's Outer Banks fishermen are known as an independent and scrappy lot. Ocean gillnetter Tilman Gray, a second-term member on the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission, lives up to the rep. Dogfish...

Specialist to sniff out fish plant odor trouble: Valdez officials fear smell will kill tourism.(North Pacific)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Officials with the City of Valdez are betting that the nose knows best in the case of odors kicked out of a proposed fish meal processing plant. As the preamble to construction phases of a new plant for Seahawk Seafood that will grind up...

Island fishermen angered over new lobster rules; say new minimum size limit could force them to throw back or lose up to 50% of catch.(Canada)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Prince Edward Island fishermen are lobstering in the Northumberland Strait under new regulations set down by Fisheries and Oceans Canada--but they're not happy about it. Before the season opened, there were reports fishermen wouldn't abide...

Tests find fire retardant in farmed, wild salmon; but PBDE levels safe, health official says.(Canada)(Pentabromodiphenyl Ether )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, a flame-retardant compound used in thousands of household items, have been linked to health and development problems in humans. Now a team of international scientists has found them in salmon throughout...

Second Wind: lobster boat.(Boat Of The Month)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... When Albert Lane bought the Second Wind brand new in 1975 for $18,000 it was the first fiberglass lobsterboat in Maine's Pemaquid Harbor. "Everyone said, 'There's no way you can make enough money lobstering to pay for something like...

Fishermen oppose sale of Nova Scotia wharf; fear loss of Digby commercial dock space.(Canada)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Fishermen are uneasy about the prospect of the Maritime Harbours Society selling the Digby, Nova Scotia, Fishermen's Wharf. At issue is public access to the harbor. Fishermen as well as a provincial and a federal legislator oppose the sale....

Scuttling derelict boat becomes a costly enterprise; Victoria M sunk in middle of Canadian trawl grounds when wrong coordinates are given.(Pacific)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A derelict fishing boat, the Victoria M, is proving to be a pain in the pocket book. Washington State taxpayers paid $110,000 to sink her. Now they're going to pay millions to do it all over again. The Environmental Protection Agency...

Honolulu fishing village opens up for business; auction, related businesses get new home.(Pacific)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... September marked a significant change for Hawaii fishing. The brand-new, state-developed fishing village at Pier 38 was scheduled to open for business. The first among the new tenants: The United Fishing Agency that for several years has...

Fried sheepshead: Dan Major, San Diego, Calif.(Galley watch: at-sea cuisine)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 1, 2004... Fried sheepshead Dan Major, San Diego, Calif. One of the main fishes nearshore fisherman Dan Major catches is California sheepshead. It's also one of his favorites to eat. "Since I was 12, we've been referring to it as "poor man's...

Mullet gillnets staying put in Morehead City creek; Marine Fisheries Commission rejects North Carolina community's bid to ban fishing gear.(Gulf/South Atlantic)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission in July rejected a proposal to ban gillnets from the waters of a Morehead City community. The Spooners Creek proposal resulted from a petition alleging that mullet fishermen kept residents...

NMFS plan misses mark on prices, shrimpers say; favor trade policy changes over buyback.(Gulf/South Atlantic)(National Marine Fisheries Service)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A recovery plan for the U.S. shrimp industry federal officials released this summer includes proposed buybacks of shrimp boats and other means of limiting the nation's fleet to cope with flagging dockside prices. But fishermen and others...

Survey suggests population rising, which could mean a longer season.(Northeast: shrimp)
November 1, 2004... Gulf of Maine shrimp harvesters can expect a longer season than last year's, judging from preliminary reports from the summer trawl survey. Data is still being tabulated. But Margaret Hunter, chairwoman of the Northern Shrimp Technical...

Top producers in prime position to reap benefits of healthy outlook.(Gulf/South Atlantic: oysters)
November 1, 2004... Conditions may be favorable for a comeback on public oyster grounds in Louisiana after a couple of disappointing seasons for the nation's top oyster producer. "Public grounds may be on the rebound," says Patrick Banks oyster program...

Strong season would extend cycle, but crabbers buoyant nonetheless.(Pacific: dungeness)
November 1, 2004... Dungeness crabbers hoping for another strong season in 2004-05 may be in luck--despite statistical odds against it. Usually, there's a slow build over seven to 10 years to a whopping season, followed by a sharp drop in landings the...

Rockfish ex-vessel prices still strong, confounding conventional wisdom.(North Pacific: groundfish)
November 1, 2004... It seems not even a glut of product is enough to push rockfish dock prices down. Labor union strikes against major retail grocery chains in Southern California slowed the flow of Alaska's frozen rockfish products through domestic markets....

Conflicted about councils: a bill in Congress aims to 'reel in' the industry's role in management. Fishermen aren't biting.(In Analysis)
November 1, 2004... Critics of the composition of regional fishery management councils, who object to the industry's influence on regulation, like to use the analogy of the fox in the henhouse. From the perspective of fishermen, however, a better analogy would be...

Shakers, sharks and salmon: Pacific City doryman Ray Monroe explores new territory trolling for chinooks off the southern Oregon coast.(At Sea)
November 1, 2004... At oh-dark-thirty in the middle of August three Pacific City dory fishermen--Ray Monroe, Greg Temple, and Jim Allen--slip their boats in the water at the Charleston, Ore., boat ramp. Usually, they launch them through the surf at their own...

National Fisherman's 2004 Highliners.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... DAVID GOETHEL SCIENCE SAYS By Dexter Van Zile At a public hearing regarding the environmental impacts of Brayton Point Nuclear Power Plant in the late 1970s, Dave Goethel had a point to make. One official acknowledged the plant,...

Public education: mid-Atlantic fishermen show visitors what fishing's really like at the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.(Community Fest)
November 1, 2004... Commercial fisherman Steve Meserve of Lambertville, N.J., was hanging a new shad net that will be used on the Delaware River next spring. The white floats, yellow rope and black net contrasted against the thick green grass over which he worked....

The deck boat revisited: a wooden 42-footer proves a worthy namesake of longtime Chesapeake Bay boatbuilder Francis Lee Haynie.(Boats & Gear)
November 1, 2004... Francis Lee Haynie, 75, is in the truest sense an old-time Chesapeake Bay boatbuilder. And his latest boat is proof of it. The Francis L is a wooden 42' x 12' x 2' Chesapeake Bay deck boat that Haynie built on spec and carries Haynie's own...

Surveying the situation: lenders and insurers are as interested in the condition of your future boat as you are.(Value Testing)
November 1, 2004... When the phone rings in my office, it's usually a fisherman who needs to have his boat surveyed. Often he's not too happy about this, because many fishermen see hiring a surveyor as a complete waste of time and money. The fisherman sees...

Bottom lines: when it comes to bathymetrics, PC-powered systems dominate the electronic charting market.(Electronic Charts)
November 1, 2004... Electronic navigation charts and chart plotters are fine for navigating, but they generally are limited in helping a fisherman determine what conditions are like below the ocean's surface. Chart plotters and electronic charts have useful...

Factor in safety: being aware of potential problems and knowing what to do when they occur can keep you and your crew out of harm's way.(Accident Prevention)
November 1, 2004... The lines were untied and the fishing boat pushed her way away from the dock, swung her snout into the tide and headed out of the harbor toward the fishing grounds. Up forward, the stockless anchor was lashed down on the anchor roller....

Exhibitor listings Including products, services, companies, associations and agencies.(Illustration)
November 1, 2004... EXHIBITOR LISTINGS Including products, services, companies, associations and agencies. A J Marine Inc. 922 Portland, ME T: 207-773-4219 F: 207-879-0007 Bait, Fish Hooks & Systems, Fishing Gear,...

Events and conferences: Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.(Fish Expo & Workboat Atlantic)(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... Fishing is getting to be just like the weather: It changes every day. Regulations, technology, politics, the environment--all contribute to the headlong pace of change, not just for harvesters, but for the entire commercial marine industry and...

Building contractor is now a pro at finishing lobster boats.(North)
November 1, 2004... It's not unusual for people traveling along Route 1 in Stockton Springs, Maine, to pull off the road when they see the fiberglass boats that Brian Fraser's Fraser Performance has finished off. But this summer, more people than usual have been...

Hull fractures fixed in Wash.; yard 'slow,' awaits crabbers.(West)
November 1, 2004... A number of commercial fishing boats have shown up at Platypus Marine in Port Angeles, Wash., for conversion work, hull repairs and general maintenance. All of them were from Washington: three from Anacortes and another from Westport,...

Railway 'watermen-friendly'; bay oyster revival anticipated.(South)
November 1, 2004... Deltaville, Va. boatbuilder Robert Green built a pair of deadrise workboats in the 1990s named the Tuff-nut and Tuff-stuff for a Virginia Beach, Va., waterman. The Tuff-stuff ended up on the Northern Neck of Virginia and was renamed the Ashlyn...

Bulletin board.(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... NOV. 11-13 Pacific Marine Expo Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, Wash. www.pacificmarineexpo.com Pacific Marine Expo debuts in 2004 as the dedicated West Coast maritime industry trade show. From commercial fishing...

Presenting a broader scope: Nobeltec's new Insight Radar2 offers sweeping improvements in PC radars.(Product Roundup)
November 1, 2004... In 2001, after a period of development with Si-Tex and Koden, two other marine electronics companies, Nobeltec came out with the first radar that could be displayed on a PC screen. At the beginning of this summer, Nobeltec introduced its newest...

National Marine Representatives Association.(On the move)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The NATIONAL MARINE REPRESENTATIVES ASSOCIATION, headquartered in Gurnee, Ill., announced its new board members and officers at the recent Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show in Las Vegas. The organization's new president is CHRIS BYAL of...

Lenco Marine.(On the move)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Richard DeVito, president of LENCO MARINE, appointed DAVID MARTIN the company's new engineering manager. Martin will be responsible for research, development, design, modification and management of all electronic devices and components. In...

West Marine.(On the move)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... LAURIE FRIED is the new public relations/donations director of WEST MARINE. Fried comes to West Marine from the National Marine Manufacturers Association where she was director of public relations. Fried began her career at "The Oprah Winfrey...

Simrad.(On the move)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SIMRAD, headquartered in Lynnwood, Wash., has announced a series of new hires and internal appointments. SHANE MACKENZIE, CHRISTIAN EAGLEHEAD and MATTHEW WILLIAMS are new members of the company's technical service department. TOM THORSVIG now...

Honda Marine.(Company News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... HONDA MARINE's network of marine outboard dealers has added three new members, announced senior manager Tom Riggle. Signing on are Crews 'N'II Outboard of Jacksonville, Fla., Plantation Marine of Walterboro, S.C., and Soo Sport Sales of Sioux...

Notus Electronics Ltd.(Company News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... NOTUS ELECTRONICS LTD. of Canada announces the opening of its new United Kingdome branch office: Notus UK. Established in 1992, Notus (Canada) is a manufacturer of wireless net monitoring equipment for the commercial fishing industry. The main...

NOAA.(Company News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... NOAA has launched a new Web site (www.coralreef.noaa.gov) featuring information and products regarding the nation's coral reefs. Created by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program, the Web site supports the program's mission to provide effective...

A beacon turned on by water: ACR Electronics' new Mini-B starts working automatically as soon as it gets wet.
November 1, 2004... One minute you are upright on deck and everything's fine. The next moment, the boat takes a heave and suddenly you're over the side and in the water. It's not the best place to be. Your chances are pretty good of being rescued, if someone...

Onset Computer Corp. has expanded its line of HOBO Weather Station Sensor Adapters with a new Pulse Input Adapter.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... ONSET COMPUTER CORP. has expanded its line of HOBO Weather Station Sensor Adapters with a new PULSE INPUT ADAPTER. The adapter connects tipping-bucket rain gauges, flow meters, anemometers, power meters, gas meters, and other pulse-output...

Furuno has added two Marinized Displays to its product lineup: the 12.1-inch MU120C and 15-inch MU155C.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... FURUNO has added two MARINIZED DISPLAYS to its product lineup: the 12.1-inch MU120C and 15-inch MU155C. The units feature bright, color LCDs with special anti-reflective glass filters; wide viewing angles, with exceptional color and contrast;...

Dr. Shrink says its latest Shrinkwrap is a cost-effective and waterproof storage solution for boaters that is easily applied, and costs just pennies per square foot.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... DR. SHRINK says its latest SHRINKWRAP is a cost-effective and waterproof storage solution for boaters that is easily applied, and costs just pennies per square foot. Instructional CDs are available that detail the installation of a support...

Rhino Hide has released 7000 Perfect Barrier, a coating that creates a water-repellent film to control moisture and prevent rot and mold growth on the film.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... RHINO HIDE has released 7000 PERFECT BARRIER, a coating that creates a water-repellent film to control moisture and prevent rot and mold growth on the film. Perfect Barrier will effectively treat all wood, millwork, wall coverings, rope,...

Innovative Lighting's motorized and manual telescoping stern lights now feature an LED lamp and a new lens for boats up to 65 feet.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... INNOVATIVE LIGHTING's motorized and manual TELESCOPING STERN LIGHTS now feature an LED lamp and a new lens for boats up to 65 feet. The All-Round PowerLight and All-Round Extend-A-Light now feature a durable LED lamp rated at 50,000 hours...

Suzuki recently launched a line of fuel-injected V6 4-stroke outboard engines for freshwater and saltwater boats.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... SUZUKI recently launched a line of fuel-injected V6 4-STROKE OUTBOARD ENGINES for freshwater and saltwater boats. The company says that these units are quiet, fuel-efficient and reliable. The 200-hp (DF200), 225-hp (DF225) and 250-hp (DF250)...

Poly-Planar says its WC-3 Splash Cover and WC-400 Stereo Enclosure ensure that exposed receivers stay dry and protected in the harsh marine environment.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... POLY-PLANAR says its WC-3 SPLASH COVER AND WC-400 STEREO ENCLOSURE ensure that exposed receivers stay dry and protected in the harsh marine environment. The WC-3 Splash Cover mounts on the front panel of the dash. When closed, its gasketed...

Johnson Pump now offers the new 4000 Bilge Pump as the primary pump on large boats and a high-capacity, emergency backup pump for smaller craft.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... JOHNSON PUMP now offers the new 4000 BILGE PUMP as the primary pump on large boats and a high-capacity, emergency backup pump for smaller craft. As the premier model in Johnson Pump's line of submersible pumps, the 4000 maintains a 4,000...

Norcross Safety Products introduces the 12-inch Xtratuf Blue Mariner Deck Boot developed especially for boaters and fishermen.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... NORCROSS SAFETY PRODUCTS introduces the 12-inch XTRATUF BLUE MARINER DECK BOOT developed especially for boaters and fishermen. The boot was designed to provide improved slip resistance for all kinds of activities around the water, compared to...

ITT Standard says its Brazepack heat exchangers are designed for applications requiring compact, efficient and economical performance.(At A Glance)
November 1, 2004... ITT STANDARD says its BRAZEPACK heat exchangers are designed for applications requiring compact, efficient and economical performance. A special brazing process is used to bond together 316 stainless steel plates, which feature a corrugated...

Advice on advisers.(Finance)
November 1, 2004... Individuals who receive financial planning advice from a broker should pay close attention. On July 20, the Financial Planning Association filed a lawsuit challenging a proposed Securities and Exchange Commission rule that exempts...

Reader seeks information about jigging machine use.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I am a commercial fishing captain from Southport, N.C. My family and I have been in the industry for over 30 years. I've done it all; from shrimping to longlining before the 50 fathom line was introduced. For the past 15 years I have resorted...

President of blue group irked by criticism of conference.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... TThe Blue Vision Conference began on Sunday July 11, not Sunday July 10, 2004 [as reported in Jerry Fraser's essay "Someone's Blue Vision," Oct. NF, p. 28]. This might explain [Fraser's] claim I had to be "strong-armed" into inviting my...

Last set.(fishing)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... THE OFFSHORE LOBSTER BOAT Freedom, out of Newport, R.I., is getting ready to go fishing. Buffy Dillinger, a deckhand on the Freedom, is taking care of the bait. The bait this trip will be skates, which are strung together in threes and fours...