Fishing News 20230814-20230820
Fishing News 20230814-20230820 – Here you can check out some international news that has something to do with fishing. Some items are very actual.
1.500kg of lost fishing gear is recovered by charity divers. (Fishing News 20230814-20230820)
August 14, 2023
(source: shetnews.co.uk by Shetland News)
A charitable organization, known as Ghost Fishing UK, arrived in Shetland last week with a significant mission: to recover lost fishing equipment from the depths of the sea. Their efforts proved fruitful as they managed to retrieve a total of 1,500 kilograms of equipment that had been lost or discarded. Among the items rescued was a trawl net that was salvaged from the sunken remains of the fishing vessel Froach Ban, along with numerous creels used for catching crustaceans.
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This endeavor was prompted by the concerns of local fishermen, who had expressed worries about the presence of abandoned gill nets in the waters around Shetland. In response to these concerns, Ghost Fishing UK dispatched a team of twelve skilled divers to the region. These divers embarked on the MV Valhalla, a dedicated dive boat that took them out to sea to carry out their challenging tasks.
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Interestingly, this effort wasn’t solely confined to the expertise of trained divers. The community also played a significant role in the retrieval process. Members of the general public stepped in to assist by helping to clean and process the items that were recovered from the sea. This collaborative approach highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing environmental issues.
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Christine Grosart, a representative from Ghost Fishing UK, expressed her astonishment at the volunteers’ dedication. She recalled, “I couldn’t believe it – they just turned up and set about pressure washing, sorting and bagging ropes, net, and stacking pots.
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” A key aspect of their work involved cleaning the recovered ropes, which were primarily composed of polypropylene. These ropes held value beyond just their removal from the sea; they could be recycled thanks to Ghost Fishing UK’s partnership with Ocean Plastic Pots. Grosart emphasized that their main requirement was assistance in transporting these materials back to the mainland.
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Two volunteers, Maggie, and Simon Wilcox, shared their motivations for participating in this cleanup effort. They explained that their passion for beach cleaning had been ignited during the Covid-19 pandemic, when they actively engaged in cleaning up their local beach in Overstrand, Norfolk.
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This commitment had extended beyond their home, as they began to clean up beaches wherever they traveled. When they learned through social media that Ghost Fishing UK was operating in Shetland, they saw an opportunity to contribute and lend a helping hand. The couple expressed admiration for the dedicated individuals who selflessly devote their time to removing ghost gear from coastal waters, ensuring the marine environment’s well-being.
The Reel Fun Fishing Days Program Provides Fishing, Fun, and Environmental Education to Families in Greater Boston.
August 15, 2023
(source: mass.gov by Department of Conservation & Recreation)
In an effort to ensure that families have access to affordable and enjoyable recreational activities during the summer months, a collaborative initiative has been launched by several Massachusetts organizations.
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The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have joined forces with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), National Park Service, Boston Harbor Now, Save the Harbor Save the Bay, The Trustees of Reservations, and Elevate Youth. Together, they are orchestrating a series of community events focused on teaching fishing skills at no cost. These events are taking place in East Boston, South Boston, and Quincy.
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The second installment in this event series, known as “Reel Fun Fishing Days,” unfolded on Castle Island in Boston last Saturday. This event came on the heels of a successful gathering that occurred at Deer Island in June. As the series progresses, the final event is scheduled to be held at Nut Island in Quincy in September. This comprehensive approach aims to cater to a range of audiences, spanning from East Boston to South Boston, and ultimately Quincy.
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Tom O’Shea, the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, emphasized the importance of fostering connections with environmental justice communities. O’Shea highlighted the commitment to providing inclusive opportunities for wildlife-based recreation and conservation. He emphasized that achieving this objective entails the establishment of partnerships rooted in local communities.
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The Reel Fun Fishing Days initiative stands as a prime example of such a community-driven partnership. O’Shea praised its success in delivering accessible and engaging fishing experiences and environmental education for both young people and families residing in the greater Boston area. This initiative showcases a concerted effort to bridge gaps and extend the joys of outdoor activities to a broader spectrum of individuals.
New Herring Quota Policy to Improve Inshore Fishing Opportunities for Families (Fishing News 20230814-20230820)
August 16, 2023
(source: afloat.ie by Afloat.ie Team)
In an important development for Ireland’s marine management, Charlie McConalogue, the Irish Marine Minister, has unveiled revisions to the existing Herring Management Policy established in 2012. These revisions specifically pertain to the Herring 6a South quota allocated to non-ringfenced vessels. Under these changes, the Minister has instituted a notable alteration: a predefined minimum allocation of the Herring 6a South quota will be reserved for non-ringfenced vessels with an overall length of under 20 meters. This allocation strategy comes into effect when Ireland’s allocated quota for this herring stock falls below a predetermined threshold.
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This policy shift stems from a comprehensive and transparent public consultation that took place earlier in the year. The consultation process attracted a considerable level of engagement, with nearly 90 submissions from various stakeholders.
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These submissions voiced a range of perspectives and considerations regarding the Herring Management Policy. In response, the Minister conducted a thorough assessment of the insights and concerns that emerged from the public consultation. Based on this assessment, it was concluded that a specific portion of the Herring 6a South quota should be earmarked for non-ringfenced vessels when Ireland’s overall quota for this particular herring stock diminishes significantly.
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The backdrop against which these changes are being implemented involves scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). According to ICES, both Herring stocks in the North-West region, namely 6a South and 6a North, have reached a stage where they can be managed as commercial stocks. This assessment is the outcome of a period of scientific fisheries exploration conducted exclusively from 2016 to 2022. Notably, the focus of the public consultation led by the Minister was exclusively centered on the southern North-West Herring stock, encompassing Herring 6a South and 7bc.
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For the current year, 2023, Ireland’s designated quota for the southern North-West Herring stock has been set at a total of 1,720 tonnes. This quota allocation reflects careful consideration of multiple factors, including the sustainability of the fishery, environmental considerations, and the broader implications for marine ecosystems. As the government continues to address the complexities of managing herring stocks, these recent changes signal a proactive approach to adapting policy frameworks to ensure the welfare of both the fishery industry and the marine environment.
Ireland’s fishermen are concerned about species migration as sea temperatures rise.
August 17, 2023
(source: phys.org by Callum PATON)
Upon completing his schooling, Daragh McGuinness was resolute in his ambition to become part of a fishing crew. However, at the age of 23, his once straightforward aspiration is now tinged with apprehension. He harbors deep concerns that the industry that has been the lifeblood of his family for generations could be imperiled by the looming specter of climate change.
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Seated within the pilothouse of the Atlantic Challenge trawler, where he serves as a dedicated deckhand, McGuinness voiced his anxieties to AFP. This vessel is securely moored in the port of Killybegs, nestled in the northwest region of Ireland. With a heavy tone of concern, McGuinness stated, “It’s a massive problem… It could really finish the fishing, in Ireland anyway at least.”
The emergence of elevated temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean during the summer months has ignited a palpable sense of alarm within the fishing community. This unsettling development has ignited fears that fish populations might be coerced into colder waters due to the heightened temperatures. The consequence of this ecological shift would be to exacerbate the challenges already besetting the struggling fishing industry.
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A notable milestone in this trajectory of environmental change was reached at the conclusion of July. The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made a resounding announcement: the average surface temperatures in the North Atlantic had surged to an unprecedented high of 24.9 degrees Celsius (76.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
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The Atlantic Challenge, much like numerous other vessels hailing from Killybegs, specializes in capturing blue whiting and mackerel, coveted commodities on the global market. The operational modus operandi involves swift returns to port, typically within a span of one or two days post-catch, to ensure the freshness of the produce. Against this backdrop, McGuinness articulated his concern that the inexorable march of climate change might compel the vessel to venture northward to a point where returning to Killybegs would no longer be financially viable.
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Sean O’Donoghue, at the helm of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, presented a candid assessment of the situation. He declared that climate change is wielding a “dramatic effect” on the stocks of white fish, such as the prized cod, which are inherently adapted to the embrace of colder waters. This grim reality underscores the complexity of the challenge posed by climate change, as it reverberates through every facet of the ecosystem, affecting not only livelihoods but also the delicate balance of marine life.
In Chinese seas, keep an eye out for the possibility of a collision with a fishing vessel. (Fishing News 20230814-20230820)
August 18, 2023
(source: hellenicshippingnews.com by International Shipping News)
Every passing year brings with it a recurring pattern of cases involving collisions between merchant ships and fishing vessels within the maritime expanse of Chinese waters. As the conclusion of the seasonal fishing ban draws near in China, a pertinent advisory is extended to ship operators and captains alike.
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This advisory resonates with the urgency of heightened vigilance and supplementary precautions when plotting the course of a voyage to and from Chinese ports. The rationale behind this call for increased caution stems from the imminent influx of fishing vessels that traditionally accompanies the conclusion of the fishing ban, thereby magnifying the potential for maritime incidents.
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The conclusion of seasonal fishing bans marks a pivotal juncture in the maritime calendar, warranting a discerning evaluation of navigational strategies. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China has, in its proclamation for the year 2023, outlined the schedule for the cessation of fishing bans across various sea regions.
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Specifically, the fishing ban in the East and South China Sea, encompassing the latitudes between 26◦ 30′ N and 12◦ N, is slated to terminate on the 16th of August, 2023. For the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea north of latitude 35◦, the ban is scheduled to be lifted on the 1st of September, 2023. In the remaining expanses of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, confined between latitudes 35◦ N and 26◦ 30′ N, the conclusion of the ban is marked for the 16th of September, 2023.
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The underpinning concern that propels this advisory is the substantial disparity in size and momentum between merchant vessels and fishing boats. Collisions involving these disparate entities carry with them the potential for calamitous consequences. Notably, these consequences extend beyond the realm of mere physical damage to fishing boats; they encompass the gravest of outcomes, the loss of human life. The China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) has compiled data from the span of 2019 to 2021, revealing a staggering toll of 248 fishermen who have tragically lost their lives as a direct result of collisions between merchant and fishing vessels.
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This disconcerting statistic underscores the gravity of the situation at hand and amplifies the urgency of the advisory. It beckons maritime stakeholders to approach the imminent lifting of fishing bans with an enhanced sense of circumspection and proactive measures.
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The preservation of human life and the well-being of the maritime environment are underscored as paramount, necessitating a collective commitment to fostering navigational practices that are both safe and responsible. As the maritime community navigates the complex interplay between economic activities and environmental sustainability, considerations such as these assume a renewed significance, signifying the convergence of safety and conscientious navigation.
A new quota system for cod trawl harvests in the Bering Sea and Aleutians will be implemented.
August 19, 2023
(source: alaskabeacon.com by YERETH ROSEN )
The upcoming year will usher in a transformation for commercial fishermen engaged in the extraction of Pacific cod from the Bering Sea and Aleutians region. This transformation is marked by the introduction of novel individual limits, conceived to mitigate the strain that has afflicted cod harvests in the region. Regulatory authorities have identified a multitude of concerns associated with the existing approach, including the hastiness of the process, the inherent risks posed to the fishermen, and the inadvertent capture of unintended species.
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This impending change takes the form of a revamped system that mandates a shift towards a structure based on individual fishing quotas. Specifically, fishermen employing trawl methods – a technique that entails using net gear to capture fish dwelling near the ocean floor – will be required to be part of designated cooperatives. These cooperatives, in turn, will be allocated quota shares. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service has initiated the process by notifying eligible participants and inviting applications.
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Anticipated to be initiated in January of the forthcoming year, the cod-trawling program stands as the first instance of a new fishery quota system to be established since 2012 in federal waters adjacent to Alaska. This innovative approach underscores the evolving nature of regulatory strategies to ensure the sustainable management of marine resources.
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Within the realm of commercial groundfish catches off the coast of Alaska, the Pacific cod harvest ranks as the second-largest, trailing only behind the pollock catch. As highlighted by NOAA Fisheries, the statistical portrayal of this significance is vividly represented by the 2021 commercial harvest, amounting to 330.4 million pounds with a corresponding value of $86.5 million.
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The Pacific cod harvesting landscape is characterized by its diversity, encompassing three distinctive gear types: longline, pot and jig gear, and trawl nets. These methods cater to different geographic areas and conditions. Pot and jig gear prevail in the Gulf of Alaska’s cod harvest, while the Bering Sea is dominated by the longline method. In the Aleutians region, trawl nets emerge as the principal approach employed for harvesting Pacific cod.
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It’s important to note that the realm of cod harvest has already witnessed the implementation of a quota system for longline fishing. This framework has already apportioned the total allowable cod catch across various categories of harvesters through the collaborative decision-making process of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. This comprehensive system underscores the dynamic nature of fisheries management and the continual pursuit of strategies that align both ecological sustainability and economic viability.
Hasti’s family hadn’t got their fishing lines wet when a wave swept them to their deaths (Fishing News 20230814-20230820)
August 20, 2023
(source: smh.com.au by Julie Power)
The Masoumi family embarked on a rock fishing adventure, an activity they were experiencing for the first time. Opting to savor their dessert during their picnic after acquainting themselves with their brand-new fishing equipment, they set out with eagerness. However, their optimism soon met an unforeseen turn of events. Their fishing lines, belonging to 41-year-old Payam Masoumi and his 10-year-old son Mahan, inadvertently became entangled on the 31st of January, 2022.
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In an attempt to disentangle the lines, both father and son bowed their heads, their focus riveted on the task at hand. Unbeknownst to them, the tranquil sea was preparing to unleash a surging wave that would alter the course of their outing. With their backs turned to the sea, the wave crashed upon them, engulfing Payam and Mahan. Tragedy struck as they were swept off the rock platform located at Little Bay in Randwick.
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The fatalities of Payam and Mahan marked a grim milestone, contributing to a sobering statistic: since 2001, a total of 21 individuals had lost their lives in rock fishing incidents within the Local Government Area (LGA). This unfortunate record bestowed upon Randwick the title of the region with the highest rock fishing fatalities in Australia. Furthermore, the waters of Little Bay bore witness to six of these fatalities, cementing its position as a particularly perilous spot for rock fishing endeavors.
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Amid the aftermath of this heart-wrenching event, the surviving family members were left to grapple with the stark reality. Payam’s wife and Mahan’s mother, Hasti Masoumi, voiced her perspective on the tragedy, revealing her previously-held belief in fishing as a tranquil and innocuous pastime. However, this tragic incident has illuminated the inherent danger that accompanies such pursuits, underscoring the vital need for heightened awareness and precaution.
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Statistics provided by Surf Life Saving Australia underscore the sobering reality that fishing activities contribute significantly to unintentional coastal deaths. Over the course of a decade, one in five of the 374 such deaths were linked to fishing activities. Among various fishing techniques, rock fishing stands out as the most perilous, and yet only 46 percent of rock fishers opt to wear lifejackets.
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In response to this pressing issue, a proposition has emerged from the depths of tragedy. Hasti Masoumi, a registered nurse and survivor, has proposed that vendors of fishing equipment integrate point-of-sale safety advice into their services. This suggestion entails warning potential buyers about the inherent risks associated with fishing and providing suitable lifejackets for sale.
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This proactive measure has garnered the endorsement of key stakeholders, including Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker, Surf Life Saving NSW, and the Recreational Fisheries Alliance. It signifies a collective effort to transform the tragic loss experienced by the Masoumi family into a catalyst for change and enhanced safety awareness within the realm of recreational fishing.
