Fishing News 20230619-20230625
Fishing News 20230619-20230625: Here you can check out some international news that has something to do with fishing. Some items are very actual.
Sandwich’s Windsor Bait Shop Closes After Decades (Fishing News 20230619-20230625)
June 19, 2023
(source: cbc.ca by Tyler Clapp)
Owner Charles Tymchuk, who has been serving the fishing community in Windsor, Ont., for over 30 years, has noticed a significant shift in interest towards fishing over the decades. However, customers seeking fishing rods, live bait, and tackle from Strictly Fishing Bait and Tackle will now need to broaden their search.
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After 12 years of operating at 3402 Sandwich St., Tymchuk has made the difficult decision to close the store. Adjusting to the store’s closure will undoubtedly be a challenging process, but Tymchuk admits that he looks forward to certain aspects of it, particularly the freedom from waking up at the crack of dawn.
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Throughout his years of catering to anglers from Essex County and Michigan, Tymchuk has witnessed numerous transformations in the fishing industry. One notable change has been the overall decline in interest among anglers. According to Tymchuk, the ’90s witnessed a flourishing fishing community, with double or even triple the number of anglers compared to the present.
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Stricter border crossings and the rising costs of fuel have had a substantial impact on Tymchuk’s business. Additionally, increasing expenses have altered the motivations behind his customers’ fishing endeavors. Nowadays, more people are fishing for sustenance rather than purely for pleasure, as they seek ways to save money in their daily lives.
Charter operators are divided on whether the ‘catch and cook’ strategy will help during the WA demersal ban.
June 20, 2023
(source: abc.net.au by Kate Stephens and Phoebe Pin)
Fishing charter operators in Western Australia are expressing mixed opinions regarding an announcement made by WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch about the expansion of a “catch to cook” program during a demersal fishing ban. Starting in July, only 21 out of 97 fishing charters will be permitted to fish for demersal species in the West Coast Bioregion, thanks to the availability of special tags.
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However, Mr. Punch clarified that charter boats without tags can still engage in fishing for certain species like pink snapper and dhufish, as long as the catch is consumed onboard the boat. He emphasized that even a single dhufish could effectively feed three or four individuals, and if there are larger groups on board, they may catch a couple of dhufish.
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The new regulations stipulate that there is no specific limit on the number of fish a charter boat can catch and consume, but operators must keep a record of the number of fish consumed. These rules are part of a broader set of changes aimed at promoting sustainability in both recreational and commercial fishing, which were announced earlier this year.
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Mr. Punch highlighted the importance of not building a business solely reliant on fish species that are in recovery and becoming increasingly scarce. The objective is to exert efforts toward restoring the fish populations to sustainable levels and ensuring that future fishing practices align with sustainability measures.
Philippines and China make progress on a ‘fishing ban’: Marcos (Fishing News 20230619-20230625)
June 21, 2023
(source: asianews.network by Nestor Corrales)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday that Manila and Beijing were making significant headway in finding a resolution to their long-standing dispute over China’s annual fishing ban in the South China Sea. This ban has adversely affected Filipino fisherfolk for more than two decades. According to President Marcos, there has been notable progress in terms of coordination between the two nations regarding fishing activities, despite China’s imposition of the fishing ban in the resource-rich waters.
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The President emphasized that they have established a level of coordination with China to anticipate and plan for fishing bans, rather than experiencing sudden and unexpected prohibitions. This development marks a positive step forward in the ongoing negotiations. President Marcos expressed his satisfaction with the progress made, indicating that they are gradually achieving their objectives in this regard.
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China has been imposing an annual fishing ban in the vast South China Sea, which encompasses the West Philippine Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ), since 1999. However, it is important to note that a 2016 arbitral ruling recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights to fish and explore resources in these waters. Despite this ruling, the fishing ban has remained in effect, causing significant challenges for Filipino fisherfolk.
Indonesia plans to extend its ‘smart fisheries’ initiative, which aims to empower communities.
June 22, 2023
(source: news.mongabay.com by Basten Gokkon)
Indonesia’s small-scale and traditional fishers play a pivotal role in the country’s thriving fishing industry, propelling it to become one of the leading fishing nations globally. Recognizing the significance of this foundation, the Indonesian government is expanding a modernization program aimed at empowering fishers to enhance their productivity, adhere to sustainability standards, and enhance their overall socio-economic well-being.
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Initially introduced in 22 fishing communities, the smart fisheries village (SFV) program is now being extended. The program will not only focus on fisheries but will also integrate elements of tourism, banking, telecommunications, and agriculture to support the comprehensive development of the participating communities.
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According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Indonesia achieved a seafood harvest of 84.4 million metric tons in 2018, establishing its position as one of the largest producers of marine capture globally. The fisheries sector provides employment to approximately 12 million Indonesians, with the majority of the fleet, comprising around 650,000 vessels, operated by small-scale and traditional fishers.
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Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono stated that the concept behind the program is not simply to offer assistance but to provide these villages with the tools and resources to develop and collectively progress toward economic growth. The aim is to empower the communities to become intelligent or “smart” in their approaches, thereby stimulating the village economy.
Oklahoma releases revised mercury in fish guidelines. (Fishing News 20230619-20230625)
June 23, 2023
(source: kosu.org by Graycen Wheeler)
Oklahoma boasts a significant number of lakes, with more than 200 in total, out of which 71 have specific advisories regarding mercury levels in fish. This year, Fort Supply Lake in Northwestern Oklahoma is the only new addition to the list, but guidelines for other lakes have been modified.
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The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for monitoring mercury levels in various fish species across the state’s lakes. They release annual updates that inform people about the recommended frequency of consuming fish from these lakes. The most recent update was issued last week.
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Erin Hatfield, the DEQ’s Communications Director, encourages Oklahomans to continue fishing and eating the fish they catch. However, she advises them to be mindful of their choices and have access to all the necessary information to make informed and healthy decisions for themselves and their families.
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Mercury is a metal that enters the atmosphere through activities such as mining, manufacturing, coal-fired utilities, and, on occasion, volcanic activity. It subsequently dissolves into water, where fish absorb it over their lifetimes.
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According to Hatfield, larger fish tend to accumulate more mercury due to their age and prolonged exposure. Predatory fish, which feed on other fish, also tend to have higher mercury content. Therefore, the majority of advisories aim to limit the consumption of large, predatory species such as certain bass and catfish.
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Hatfield emphasizes the importance of referring to the advisory specific to the lake where individuals plan to fish. Each lake has its own unique circumstances and characteristics, making the advisories distinct and tailored to the specific lake.
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Guidelines also differ for children under 15 years of age and individuals who are pregnant, nursing, or able to become pregnant, as these groups are more susceptible to the effects of mercury.
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To obtain information about the specific guidelines for a preferred fishing spot in Oklahoma, individuals can consult the most recent Mercury in Fish Guide. This resource provides information on lakes and species that have been tested and found to contain safe levels of mercury, allowing for the consumption of those species without restriction as long as they are caught.
Cormorant fishing begins near the Scenic Bridge in Yamaguchi.
June 23, 2023
(source: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp by The Yomiuri Shimbun)
In Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the annual summer tradition of cormorant fishing has commenced on the Nishiki River. This river, renowned for the picturesque Kintaikyo Bridge, which is recognized as a place of scenic beauty, has been the site of cormorant fishing for ayu sweetfish for approximately four centuries.
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On June 1, the first day of the sweetfish season, fishing masters responsible for cormorant fishing took to three boats adorned with torches. Dressed in traditional black caps and straw skirts, they expertly guided 17 cormorant birds using ropes tied around their necks, skillfully capturing the sweetfish.
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Around 60 spectators, aboard pleasure boats, observed the spectacle and enthusiastically applauded the collaborative efforts of the cormorants and fishing masters.
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Tours for cormorant fishing will continue until September 10. Interested individuals are required to make reservations, and the boat fare amounts to ¥3,000 for adults and ¥1,500 for children aged 12 and under.
A 14-year-old boy has won the 38th Dolphin Days Family Fishing Tournament. (Fishing News 20230619-20230625)
June 24, 2023
(source:communitynewspapers.com by Community News Releases)
Dylan Rubio, a 14-year-old high school student who has been fishing for only four years, created a sensation in the fishing community by clinching the first-place position in the 38th annual Dolphin Days Family Fishing Tournament organized by the Kiwanis Club of Homestead-South Dade on June 10.
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As the youngest winner in the tournament’s history, Rubio received a winner’s prize of $3,500 and an additional $100 for securing the Junior Division title.
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Competing as part of Team Chiquis-Lesride, led by Captain Frank Revuelta, Rubio participated in only his second Kiwanis tournament. After making an early return with his family, they anxiously awaited the weigh-in of catches by other teams.
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Reflecting on his accomplishment, Rubio expressed his surprise and mixed emotions, stating, “I was pretty anxious, scared, and not very hopeful.”
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Due to prevailing eastern winds, this year’s catches were smaller than usual, as noted by Air Force Captain Arnold Perez, Kiwanis president-elect and one of the official weighers. Rubio’s winning catch weighed 8.4 pounds, a notable difference from last year’s champion catch of 25.1 pounds.
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Dylan’s father, Dayron Rubio, who owns Rubio Auto Sales and Rubio Auto Body in Homestead, acknowledged that they didn’t catch the heavyweight fish they were hoping for. However, he emphasized that the victory was significant for Dylan, not merely in terms of the monetary reward but as a testament to their unexpected triumph in the tournament.
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Securing second place behind Dylan was Alvaro Pastrone from Mission First, with a catch weighing 7.9 pounds, followed by Wayne Stockwell from Reel Deal with a catch of 6.1 pounds.