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Capt Lou's Nautical News 1/31/10
Posted on: Mon 01-Feb-2010
| | A) The New England Fishery Management Council bowed to political pressure and reversed their recent decision that drastically reduced the scallop catch. The federal fishery management council in a 10 - 5 vote, now agree that the scallop stock is fully restored and will now allow 47 million pounds of scallops to be landed in 2010. Rhode Island Council member David Preble - who voted against the larger allocation - blamed "filthy political maneuvering that produced a campaign of propaganda from a malignant and ignorant press." The motion to up the allocation was made by David Pierce, deputy director of the Division of Marine Fisheries. He had the approval of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. In a statement released by Governor Patrick he said "the council did right today by Massachusetts scallopers."
B) A Nantucket scrimshaw artist has been convicted of smuggling whale teeth and elephant ivory into the United States in violation of international treaties and federal endangered species protection laws. Fifty four year-old Charles Manghis was found guilty in a U.S. District Court in Boston after a four-day bench trial. He now faces a lengthy federal prison sentence. Prosecutors claimed Manghis etched pictures onto ivory and whale teeth for sale after conspiring with a Ukrainian man to import the parts into the United States.
C) The U.S. Supreme Court "took no action" regarding the lawsuit to close the Chicago Sanitation and Ship Canal to prevent the invasive species Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. Every state bordering the Great Lakes participated in the lawsuit hoping that the Supreme Court would save the Great Lakes. Experts testified that Asian carp will within 10 years consume all other fish species in the Great Lakes, devastating the sport fishing and recreational boating industries. Another problem for boaters will be Asian carp jumping out of the water into passing boats, causing personal injuries and damage to boats. Officials of the Federal Fish and Wildlife department have already said it is just a matter of time until someone is killed by a flying Asian carp.
D) It appears all the legal challenges in court about the America's Cup are over and the 33rd America's Cup race will start in Valencia, Spain on February 8th. This year there are only two teams racing - the defender of the Cup, Team Alinghi from Switzerland, and the challenger for the Cup, Team BMW Oracle from California. It will be a best of 3 series and for the first time will feature very large, 91 foot long multi hull boats that can reach a speed of 50 miles per hour.
E) Dr. Jane Lubchenco, the head of NOAA, has directed the agency to take steps to promote greater transparency in law enforcement, ensure fairness in penalties, and improve lines of communication with commercial and recreational fishermen. The action comes in response to the Inspector General's recent criticism of the agency's enforcement operations. Dr. Lubchenco also announced that NOAA will convene a national summit on enforcement policies and practices in order to hear from constituents and experts in the field.
F) Thirty shipping containers fell off a freighter off the coast of the Florida Keys. The shipping company that owned the freighter said there was no hazardous cargo in any of the containers that fell off the ship. Most of the containers were empty refrigerated units that quickly sunk. However, there were containers on the ship that carried "severely hazardous chemicals" such as chlorine gas and a pesticide called cyfluthrin, but it is believed these containers were placed in the bottom of the ship's hold. It is not yet clear what caused the 544-foot ship bound from Miami to South America to begin listing about 30 miles south of Key West. The Coast Guard said the seas were not rough, but believed ocean currents could carry some of the containers that didn't sink as far north as Palm Beach if they are not found.
G) Management at Target stores announced that farm raised salmon will no longer be sold in their 1,744 stores in the United States. This includes fresh, frozen, and smoked farm raised salmon. Only wild Alaskan salmon will be sold at Target stores. Target is the second largest discount retailer in the United States. The Minneapolis-based company consulted with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to make this decision.
H) The third annual Creative Clam Challenge will be held at the upcoming 2010 International Boston Seafood Show. Sea Watch International is the sponsor of the event. Sea Watch is the largest U.S. processor and marketer of offshore clams. Culinary students from across the United States will be participating in the contest and the person who has created the year's tastiest clam dish at the Boston seafood show wins $2,500.
I) Eels in Europe are getting harder to find. Researchers from the Zoological Society of London claim that eels in London's Thames River have declined by 97 percent in the past five years even though that river has been dramatically cleaned up and other species of marine have made a significant recovery. Now, conservation groups across Europe are calling for a ban on the sale of eels, hurting eel fishermen, whose businesses have been hit hard by their actions. Along with oysters, eel was once a staple food in London's East End, where jellied eel - cooked and set in its own juice - remains a favorite. The Spanish love fried glass eel, the Belgians, French and Italians have stewed eel, the Germans and Dutch prefer it smoked, and the Poles have it roasted.
J) And last on today's nautical news, police in Florida said a 20 year old burglary suspect wearing only his underwear used a pedal boat to escape from deputies after a homeowner caught him breaking into his house. Deputies said the young man jumped into a docked pedal boat and attempted to cross the waterway. Police got the help of a nearby pontoon boat owner to apprehend the burglar. One veteran deputy said, "We've had suspects try to jump in the water to get away, but never before have I seen a pedal boat used as a means of escape."
Listen to the live broadcast of "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew, Sunday mornings from 11 - 12 noon (Boston time) on radio station 95.9FM WATD, Marshfield, and streaming around the world on www.959watd.com. You can also listen to a replay of the most recent show anytime during the week at www.nauticaltalk.com.
* Winner of Mass/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW"
* Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service
* Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY AWARD"
* Winner of Boston's Achievement In Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" AWARD
* Nominated Boston's A.I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM"
* Recipient of Man of the Year Award - Metropolitan Yacht Club - 2009
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