Nantucket appeals SouthCoast Wind project
Published onTown officials on Nantucket, Mass., launched the latest legal attempt to undo federal approvals for an offshore wind project, contending that permits for SouthCoast Wind violated laws protecting the islands historic district and heritage tourism economy. The towns appeal filed March 27 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia aims at the U.S. Department of Interior and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,claiming the agencies violated the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act in issuing approvals Jan. 17 for the project planned 20 miles south of Nantucket. It was one of a flurry of last-minute moves by the outgoing Biden administration to cement its renewable energy plans, ahead of President Donald Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration and his promises to undo that agenda. The project is backed by EDP Renewables, a division of Energias de Portugal, Portugal's largest utility ...
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Alaska’s 2024 salmon hatcheries, catches, values plummet
Published onAlaskas 2024 salmon fishery saw double-digit declines in both catch and value, and the hits also hurt the state's vital hatchery program. Alaska produced a total catch of just over 101 million salmon last year, a 56 percent decrease from the more than 232 million fish caught in 2023. Fishermens paydays also took a beating with the total salmon value at $304 million, down from $398 million the previous year. In all, Alaska's 2024 salmon fishery was the lowest on record for fish poundage (450 million pounds), and the third lowest in value to fishermen since 1975. Alaska salmon that begin their lives in hatcheries and are released to the sea as fingerlings, return home as adults and typically make up about 30 percent of both the state's total statewide production and value. The 2024 season was no exception, but the hatchery output was the 16th ...
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Judge rejects lawsuit for new Bering Sea pollock review
Published onA U.S. district court judge has rejected a lawsuit seeking a new environmental impact study of the Bering Sea commercial pollock fishery, allowing NOAA Fisheries to continue relying on studies from 2004 and 2007 to regulate the fishery. We are deeply disappointed by this decision, which allows the National Marine Fisheries Service to continue relying on outdated studies while our salmon populations collapse, TCC Chief and Chairman Brian Ridley said in a statement. The lawsuit was initially filed in 2023 by the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) and Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), representatives of Tribal communities that claim the commercial pollock fishery is contributing to the decline of salmon populations in the U.S. state of Alaska. Salmon abundance has dropped drastically in recent years, leading to closed fisheries and limits on subsistence fishing, and the salmon that are returning to Alaska rivers are smaller on average. As ...
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Pacific halibut fishery opens to reduced catches
Published onCombined coastwide catch for all users is down by nearly 16 percent, more than 18 percent for commercial fishermen. The 2025 Pacific halibut fishery kicks off today, March 20, in regions spanning from the West Coast and British Columbia to the far reaches of Alaska's Bering Sea. And once again, all users - commercial fishermen, sport charters, anglers, and subsistence - will get smaller takes of the prized fish as the Pacific stock continues to flounder. The coastwide "total removals" of halibut allowed for 2025 is 29.72 million pounds, a drop of 15.76 percent from 2024. For commercial fishermen, a catch limit of 19.7 million pounds is an 18.02 percent decrease from the 2024 fishery. Last year, harvesters took just over 74 percent of their 28.86 million pound commercial catch limit. The catch limits are set each January by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), which ...
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REDDE Marine: Taking the stress out of fishing safety
Published onIn the heart of Stonington, Maine, fishing is more than a career; its a way of life. Two men from the town saw a gap in the industry and set out to fill it. Pat Shepard and Josh Duym, the founders of REDDE Marine Safety, grew up on the water, one from a fishing family and the other from a boat-building background. They both knew firsthand the struggles fishermen face in staying compliant with regulations, and they built a business designed to take that burden off their shoulders. The meaning behind REDDE came from a Norwegian word pronounced reda, meaning to keep safe. As the two were considering naming the company, Shepard's wife advised them to explore other languages to find something that would stick. Shepards journey started young. From about the time I was able to crawl, I was on my fathers lobster boat, he said. By ...
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Public comment opened for proposed Atlantic scallop rule
Published onNOAA Fisheries has announced the opening of a public comment period on proposed changes to the Atlantic Sea scallop fishery, as outlined in Framework Adjustment 39. The proposed rule aims to set annual catch limits, adjust management measures, and implement modifications to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the fishery. According to NOAA Fisheries, the rule would establish 2025 fishing year allocations for both limited access and limited access general category (LAGC) fleets. Additionally, the framework includes measures to maintain rotational area openings and closures, ensuring long-term stock health. Among the key provisions of the proposed rule: Adjustments to total allowable landings and effort controls for the scallop fleet. Modifications to rotational area schedules to balance economic viability with stock conservation. Updates to accountability measures in case of overages. Revisions to research set-aside programs, which help fund scientific studies through industry contributions. NOAA Fisheries emphasized that these adjustments ...
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Washington Sea Grant to offer safety training for fishermen
Published onFor commercial fishermen, safety isnt just a best practice; its a literal lifeline. Washington Sea Grant is offering their new Skills and Drills First Aid for Fishermen course, providing hands-on training to help crews prepare for work at sea. The upcoming two-day course, scheduled for March 28 in Bellingham, Washington, is open to all commercial fishermen seeking hands-on experience performing tasks, such as welding and navigation, that may be required on commercial fishing vessels. The Skills and Drills course will offer: Basics of welding Fiberglass repairs Vessel handling Navigation Maintenance of inboard and outboard engines Fishing gear repair (net mending and knot tying) Marine hydraulics Marine electronics Vessel cleaning and safe product handling Washington Sea Grant will also share that their next Fisherman First Aid and Safety Training will take place April 24-25 in Westport, WA. More details are available here. Commercial fishing is one of ...
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MLA honors board, rallies for the future at annual meeting
Published onThe Maine Lobstermens Association (MLA) annual meeting took place at the Maine Fishermens Forum and was anything but routine this year. As industry leaders gathered to discuss the latest challenges and victories in the states lobster industry, they also took a moment to recognize the end of an eraKristan Porter, the longtime MLA board president and Cutler fisherman, announced his retirement from the role, along with board vice president Craig Stewart from Long Island, and Laurin Brooks who fishes out from Kennebunk. Lawsuits, Offshore Wind, Industry Resilience Among the key updates shared, the MLAs acting COO, Patrice McCarron, reaffirmed their stance against offshore wind development, highlighting progress in its legal battle with Monterey Bay Aquarium, and urged lobstermen to stay engaged in policy discussions, especially regarding the controversial gauge increase. You may have also heard the good news: the Monterey Bay Aquarium lawsuit will get the green light to go ...
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Man sentenced to prison for attempted killing of sperm whale
Published onA federal judge has sentenced Alaskan fisherman Dugan Paul Daniels to six months in federal prison for attempting to kill an endangered sperm whale, underscoring the gravity of wildlife protection laws. Daniels, who had previously agreed to the sentence as part of a plea agreement, was officially sentenced by the judge on March 11, 2025, according to the Alaska Beacon. The Coffman Cove, Alaska native also knowingly submitted false records about his commercial fishing activities, making it appear that he legally caught sablefish (black cod) in federal waters when he harvested fish illegally in Alaska state waters in Chatham Strait and Clarence Strait. Interactions between fishing operations and marine wildlife often occur in Alaska. Sperm whales are attracted to black cod, which are easy prey for them but are also commonly caught by longline fishing vessels. The whales often interfere with black cod fishing activities, leading to significant economic losses ...
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Redefining Alaska’s seafood legacy
Published onPart four of Eriks story. To read the previous article, click here. A change wasnt just looking appealing, it seemed critical if we wanted to stay in business In late August of 2024, Kaia Fisheries made the decision to get off the hamster wheel. We decided to fully adopt the Icelandic chilling and handling method in our Pacific cod fishery, hoping that the rest of the industry would eventually see the utility in slowing down, and embracing quality. Over the last two years, weve gathered reams of insight into the Icelandic industry backed by scientific evidence. We secured grant funding to assist in paying for the upgrades in technology onboard theKaia and for studies aimed at analyzing fish quality. Weve overhauled our vessel, equipment, handling practices, financing, and, hopefully, our future. None of us know how this endeavor will ultimately unfold, but the current model is no longer an option ...
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RODA asks Supreme Court to hear Vineyard Wind case
Published onCommercial fishing industry advocates appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their challenge of federal permits that authorized the ongoing Vineyard Wind 1 project off southern New England. The first approved commercial-scale wind energy project in federal waters, the Vineyard Wind federal approval sets the precedent for all future U.S. offshore wind development, said the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, a coalition of fishing groups and communities. The case was brought March 5 on behalf of fishermen by attorneys Nancie G. Marzulla and Roger J. Marzulla of the Washington D.C. law firm Marzulla Law representing RODA.It asks the high court to reverse a federal appeals court decision that upheld federal permits for the 804-megawatt Vineyard Wind project. RODA organizedin spring 2018 with scallop fishermen and other East Coast operators as its first members, a time when the first Trump administration was still backing offshore ...
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Maine lobstermen weigh in on ropeless gear
Published onBrooke Hachey from the Sunrise County Economic Council led an on-demand lobster fishing gear demonstration on a brisk February afternoon in Jonesport, Maine. Maine Public covered and shared that the innovative technology aims to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whales by reducing the risk of entanglement, a pressing concern for marine conservationists. Traditional lobster fishing methods employ vertical buoy lines that can inadvertently ensnare marine mammals. The on-demand systems, however, utilize acoustic signals from the vessel to trigger the release of a buoy and stowed rope, allowing fishermen to retrieve their traps without maintaining a constant vertical line in the water column. The approach of on-demand gear could significantly minimize the chances of whale entanglements. Although there could be environmental benefits if the gear is used more, many Maine lobstermen have been hesitant to adopt the new technology. Their concerns range from the gear's reliability ...
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Oregon moves to ban net-pen aquaculture
Published onOregon is set to join West Coast neighbors in banning commercial net-pen aquaculture, a move that has sparked debate among industry advocates and environmentalists. Representative Mark Gamba introduced House Bill 2965, which, according to OPB, aims to prohibit the use of net pens for fish farming in the states ocean and estuarine waters. Currently, Oregon is the only West Coast state permitting commercial net-pen aquaculture, a practice not yet established within the waters. This legislative initiative seeks to prevent potential ecological risks associated with such operations. Environmental groups argue that densely packed fish in net pens can release waste, uneaten feed, diseases, and other pathogens into surrounding ecosystems, thereby threatening native fish populations and aquatic habitats. Rep. Gamba expressed concerns that, without appropriate controls, Oregon might attract an industry not known for being particularly careful. He references a 2017 incident in Washingtons Puget Sound, where a net-pen ...
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U.S. Coast Guard honored for heroic rescue at Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Published onDuring a special ceremony at the 2025 Maine Fishermens Forum, the U.S. Coast Guard District 1, was honored for its heroic rescue of the crew of the Maine fishing vessel Three Girls. On Sunday, August 11, 2024, the Three Girls issued a Mayday distress call: United States Coast Guard, this is the fishing vessel Three Girls. We are on fire. We are going to be abandoning ship. The First Coast Guard District command center in Boston also received an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon alert from the vessel. The USCG Cutter William Chadwick and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter were dispatched to respond to the emergency. The fishing vessels Princess Laura and Maria JoAnn stood by to assist. All five crew members and a federal fisheries observer were safely rescued from their life raft by the Coast Guard, with no injuries reported. The survivors were later transferred to the ...
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It’s a way of life, a community, and a commitment
Published onOn the shores of Long Island in Casco Bay, fishing isnt just a job, its the heartbeat of the community. I know firsthand that fishing is about much more than hauling traps or chasing quotas. Its about showing up for each other, working side by side, and leaning on neighbors when times get tough. We might not always see eye-to-eye, but when somebody needs help, were there. Thats what community is. Thats what fishing is. With only about 260 people living on the island year-round, every person counts. Whether fixing a wharf, moving equipment, or lending a truck, no one has to ask for help; its just understood. It doesnt matter if its fishing, dump runs, or taking care of neighbors when they are sick. We all pitch in. Thats the way its always been, and thats how we keep going. This sense of community also drives ...
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Aquaculture Stewardship Council takes the stage in Boston
Published onThe Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) boldly entered one of Americas most distinguished seafood cities this month, elevating responsibly farmed seafood at the James Beard Foundations (JBF) national Taste America event in Boston. Held Feb. 6 at the landmarkState Room, Taste America Boston is one of the citys most distinguished tasting events, showcasing over 25 renowned New England chefs dishing up creative takes on iconic local cuisine. ASC teamed up with Chefs Alex Pineda, Noe Ortega and Boston-based North Coast Seafoods to serve certified, ASC labeled salmon to over 500 wicked hungry dining enthusiasts, culinary influencers and media. Taste America is JBFs perennial nationwide tour of changemaking culinary events. The walk-around tastings span over 20 markets, spotlighting the breadth and unity of culinary creativity in restaurant communities across the U.S., all with a mission of Good Food for Good. Against the backdrop of Bostons revered seafood culture, ASC ...
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