Articles
What is a sector?
The new fisheries-management system for New England officially began May 1. Roughly 800 of the eligible vessels, representing about 98 percent of the groundfish landings in recent years, have joined one of 19 sectors. Fishermen who have not opted into a sector will continue to fish under the days-at-sea effort-control management system. A sector is
Port Clyde fishermen test fishing gear that reduces bycatch
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) in collaboration with the Island institute and the Midcoast Fishermen’s Association (MFA) has just completed research confirming that fishing gear modifications by the MFA improve trawl selectivity and reduce the capture of non-commercial fish. “In 2007 fishermen from Port Clyde formed the MFA with a goal to restore
Fisheries council takes action on groundfish closed areas
The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) took action regarding groundfish closed areas at a November meeting. Under current regulations the National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) can take action if bycatch of groundfish in closed area by midwater trawlers is projected to exceed 1 percent of their catch. The council’s first action instructed NMFS to
Haddock bycatch upsets groundfishermen
Lobstermen up and down the coast of Maine this month reported finding large amounts of haddock mixed in their herring bait. The haddock, caught as bycatch by industrial midwater trawl ships fishing for herring on Georges Bank, was the most seen mixed in with lobster bait to date this year. Maine Marine Patrol Officer Wesley
Final groundfish management measures upcoming
In early August 2008, officials, industry and interest groups met at NOAA’s Northeast Fishery Science Center in Woods Hole, Mass. to hear the preliminary results of the third Groundfish Assessment Review Meeting. The assessment review, known as GARM III, has the goal of setting benchmark assessments for 19 groundfish stocks (including cod, haddock, flounder, hake,
Fishery management council candidate tours downeast communities
Gary Libby, founding member of the Midcoast Fishermen’s Association from Port Clyde, met with fishermen from seven communities from Stonington to Eastport over the weekend of April 19th. The meetings were designed to allow Libby to listen to fishermen’s concerns and gain a deeper understanding of the issues affecting Downeast fisheries. Gary Libby is Gov.
A Question of Scale Midwater trawlers are transforming the herring industry
The Atlantic herring fishery, long a mainstay of coastal Maine’s economy, took center stage in January at the Maine Environmental Resource Institute (MERI) in Blue Hill. As part of MERI’s winter lecture series, Peter Baker, director of the Herring Alliance (herringalliance.org), explained the significance of the fishery and recent changes that have made the herring
Highlights of the 33rd annual Fishermen’s Forum
Thursday, Feb 28, 1-4 p.m.: a marketing and branding session titled “More Bang for your Buck — Owning Your Products from Dock to Plate?” hosted by the Mid-Coast Fishermen’s Association, Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance and the Island Institute. Find out how to use marketing and branding to get more for your lobster, groundfish or shellfish
Providing Access to the Coast
Projects funded thus far through Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program (WWAPP) have protected access that supports over 475 jobs and a related $8.5 million in annual income. These properties provide berthing, wharfage, parking, supplies, bait, sales, gear storage, landings and access for over 250 boats. To date, this program has provided matching funds to secure
Lobster fishermen, researchers, managers gather at Prince Edward Island
On Sept. 23, over 275 participants representing 22 countries converged in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Canada for the weeklong International Conference on Lobster Biology and Management. This was the 8th annual conference and the second one to be hosted by Canada. It provided an opportunity for lobster fishery mangers, fishermen and scientists from all over