This Weeks Nautical News
FISHERMEN PROTEST HOPING TO CATCH OBAMA'S ATTENTION
At least 20 boats, mostly large fishing trawlers, began circling Vineyard Haven's harbor, blowing their horns and displaying banners to protest President Obama's administration's latest restrictions on commercial fishing. The boats came from as far away as New York and Maine. Two Coast Guard boats stood by, but made no attempt to stop the fishermen. The fishermen claim the new regulations are based on political science that is forcing them out of business. The fishermen were hoping that they would catch the attention of President Obama who was vacationing on the island, but were disappointed when told by reporters that the President never saw or heard their protest. However, Massachusetts senators Scott Brown and John Kerry, as well as Congressmen Barney Frank and John Tierney have spoken in favor of the fishermen.
NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE CLAIMS ITS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL FISHING LAWS
The Coast Guard charged the master of a commercial fishing boat working off Nantucket with illegally fishing for scallops in federal waters using only a permit written by the native American Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine. The Coast Guard did not identify the sanctioned boat, or the individuals charged, but said that the captain of the boat admitted that there was no federal fisheries permit issued to the boat to catch scallops. Instead he produced a document from the Passamaquoddy Tribe that gave him permission to fish in federal waters. Native Americans believe they are exempt from local and federal fishing laws. The action could set the stage for a legal battle regarding tribal and federal jurisdictions over fishing rights. Lawyers with the federal government were exploring informal claims made by tribe members of inherent fishing rights to federal waters. So far, NOAA has rejected the tribe's initial claims.
DOGFISH QUOTA SATISFIED 3 MONTHS SOONER THAN EXPECTED
Sand sharks, also known as dogfish, are now so plentiful that fishermen have reached the current catch limit in half the time they were allowed to catch them. That triggered an announcement from the National Marine Fisheries Service advising fishermen the fishery for dogfish is now closed and will stay closed until November. Fishermen claim telling them not catch dogfish is like telling a gardener not to kill weeds. Scientists agree that the most abundant species to be brought up in NOAA's research nets are dogfish. Now, the new closure requires fishermen to throw back all dogfish caught in their nets, even if the fish are dead. NOAA says that is all done in the name of conservation.
"DIRTY MARTHA" SINKS OFF GLOUCESTER
A 40-foot fishing boat, named the Dirty Martha, sank three miles off Gloucester. The captain, the only person on board, was rescued by a passing sailboater who witnessed the fishing boat sink and saw the captain get into his life raft. The sailboater called the Coast Guard who brought the fisherman back to shore. The captain was 41 years old and was not injured, but his name was not released. The cause of the sinking is under investigation as the fishing boat lies on the bottom in 162 feet of water.
TWO MOTHERS AND THEIR YOUNG SONS RESCUED ON CAPE COD
Two mothers and their young sons from New York on vacation on Cape Cod were rescued after their canoe capsized. Fortunately, the four were wearing lifejackets and stayed with boat, holding on to the sides of the canoe. A woman walking along the shore heard screams for help and called police. The Dennis Fire Department launched its rescue boat and found the four in the water about a quarter of a mile from the shore. The two women and their 12-year-old and 5-year-old boys were pulled out of the water and treated for hypothermia. The four said they were in the water for about an hour before anyone saw them.
SMALL OVERTURNED BOAT CAUSES COAST GUARD TO SEARCH FOR MISSING BOATER
And a small overturned boat with no registration numbers or ownership contact information had the Coast Guard searching in Buzzards Bay for a possible man overboard. The Coast Guard believed the small power boat might have broken free from a mooring, a dock, or even from a larger boat, but the Coast Guard still conducted its search at taxpayers' expense. The search could have been avoided if the owner's name and phone number was marked inside the boat.
ENGINE MANUFACTURERS URGE EPA TO VOTE DOWN INCREASE IN ETHANOL IN GAS
And last on today's nautical news, ethanol is back in the news. Thirty-nine different industry groups including the recreational boating industry have requested House and Senate hearings on the pending Environmental Protection Agency action that would increase the amount of ethanol from 10% to 15% or even 20%. The groups requested that hearings to be held in September before EPA officials decide on whether to approve E15 in gasoline. Marine engine manufacturers claim any ethanol percentage greater than 10% will cause severe damage to their engines and fuel systems.
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