This Weeks Nautical News
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5000 FISHERMEN PROTEST IN WASHINGTON DC
An estimated 5000 men, women, and children gathered in Washington DC for the "United We Fish" demonstration that protested NOAA's law enforcement's heavy handedness in enforcing the ever changing fishing rules and regulations. The protesters also called for a scientific review of NOAA's arbitrary 10 year timeline to rebuild all the different species of the stocks at the same time when the same goals could be accomplished over a period of 15 or 20 years. For the first time, the government was not able to divide and conquer the various types of fishermen. Both recreational and commercial fishermen from Alaska to Florida were present. Massachusetts newly elected Senator Scott Brown surprised the crowd with his support and speech. Also addressing the protesters were Massachusetts lawmakers Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante. The only Massachusetts legislator who disagreed with his colleagues over the re-writng of the Magnuson-Stevens fishing law was Senator John Kerry.
THREAT OF RED TIDE RETURNING TO NEW ENGLAND
Marine biologists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution say that the threat of a severe red tide this year exists in New England waters. They say that it could be as bad as 2005's historic algae bloom that shut down shellfishing from Maine to Martha's Vineyard and led to $20 million in losses for the Massachusetts shellfishermen. The dire prediction was based on the greater number of cysts researchers found in the water as compared to what they found back in 2005. However, local shellfishermen claim that red tide rarely enters our south shore bays, and wants consumers to know that all shellfish sold in Massachusetts at reputable markets and restaurants is safe to eat.
COAST GUARD SEARCHES FOR MARBLEHEAD BOY
A Marblehead woman reported her 12 year old son missing to the Marblehead Fire Department after the boy failed to return home from school. When the Fire Department found the boy's bike on a road leading to Marblehead's Brown's Island, they called in the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard spent the better part of two days searching off the coast of Marblehead for the boy, but fortunately, the next day, the boy was found safe on land.
DIVERS SEARCH FOR MISSING RAYTHEON ENGINEER
Not such good luck for a missing 25 year old Raytheon engineer who was celebrating with friends at Boston's Faneuil Marketplace. He was last seen on the hotel Marriott Long Wharf's surveillance camera, leaving the hotel at 2:24 in the morning last weekend. Divers spent three days searching nearby waters in Boston harbor to no avail. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the safe return of the young man.
WHALE CARCASS WASHED UP ON COHASSET BEACH
Last week's powerful n'oreaster that produced hurricane force winds and big surf delivered a decomposed whale carcass on to Black Rock Beach in Cohasset. Authorities remind everyone that federal law prohibits the removal of whale parts and bones. It wasn't clear who or how the whale carcass would be removed.
SENATORS OPPOSE CUTS IN COAST GUARD BUDGET
Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut and Senator Susan Collins from Maine are objecting to the proposed Obama administration's cuts in the Coast Guard's 2011 budget. Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen said he would partially offset the cut in his budget by eliminating more than 1,100 uniformed personnel. Lieberman suggested that at least $200 million be added to the Coast Guard's budget, claiming that the Coast Guard was essential to the nation's maritime and homeland security.
COAST GUARD'S ANTI-TERRORISM MISSION TO BE CUT
In a related story, President Obama's choice to replace Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen next month said he would make major cuts to the agency's counterterror mission. In an internal memo from Vice Admiral Robert Papp Jr., the Coast Guard commandant nominee wrote that he would slash funding for programs in the agency's homeland security plan, including homeland security patrols and training exercises. The memo which was marked '"sensitive - for internal Coast Guard use only," was obtained by the Associated Press.
WOMEN TO JOIN U. S. NAVY SUBMARINERS
Women have been assigned to U.S. Navy surface ships for the past 17 years, but have been kept off submarines in fear that the small space would create problems. For years, the Navy said it was too expensive to refit the submarines with separate living quarters so women could serve. Defense Secretary Robert Gates notified congress that he wants women to be allowed to serve on submarines for the first time in the Navy's history. Congress has 30 days to pass a law to stop or delay the policy. If they do not act on it within 30 days, women could be aboard Navy submarines in 18 months.
SOLAR POWERED CATAMARAN TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE WORLD
The largest solar powered catamaran was just unveiled in Germany. The boat is 102 feet long, 50 feet wide, and has 5,382 square feet of solar panels. Its name is Planet Solar and will soon depart for a voyage around the world. The captain hopes to navigate at a speed of 8 knots.
CLINTON TRIES TO SELL INVASIVE ASIAN CARP TO ISRAEL
And last on today's Nautical Talk news, one of the more traditional Jewish foods on the Passover table is gefilte fish, which is made from Asian carp, the same species of fish that is now threatening to invade the Great Lakes. An Illinois legislator wants to catch the Asian carp before it enters the Great Lakes and sell them to Israeli seafood distributors. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been asked to make this trade happen. She got a few chuckles from a congressional panel when she said that getting nine containers of Asian Carp filets from an Illinois fishery to a processing plant in Israel in time for the Jewish holiday next month "is one of those issues that should rise to the highest levels of our government." She made a pledge to take that mission on.
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