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Capt Lou's Nautical News 3/7/10
Posted on: Mon 08-Mar-2010
| | NOAA's TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL ASKED TO RESIGN
Four Massachusetts congressmen have called for the nation's top fisheries law enforcement officer to resign after he deleted files and shredded documents while his agency was being investigated. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Congressmen Barney Frank, John Tierney, and Bill Delahunt have all asked that Dale Jones to step down as director of the NOAA's law enforcement office. At a minimum, they want NOAA head Jane Lubchenco to at least remove Jones from authority until an Inspector General's review of his office has been completed. The investigation began after New England fishermen complained of unfair and heavy handed enforcement by the NOAA law enforcement office.
GREAT WHITE SHARK TAGS FOUND OFF FLORIDA
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries shark researcher Greg Skomal said that he was surprised to learn that the great white sharks migrate between Cape Cod and Florida. Satellite tags that were attached to the sharks last summer in Cape Cod are now popping up in Florida. Skomal said until now he thought the sharks headed east, far offshore from the Cape, like the blue and basking sharks do. So far, three tags have popped up off the coast of Florida and two more are scheduled to pop up within the next two months. Skomal expects the next two tags to show that the great whites are heading back to the Cape. He also said that more great whites will be tagged this summer.
BILL TO BAN SALE OF STRIPED BASS DIES IN COMMITTEE
The bill to ban commercial fishing for striped bass in Massachusetts waters, House bill 796, was voted by the state's Natural Resources Committee "back to study". This means that the legislation will not move forward and has effectively died in committee. Hundreds of recreational and commercial fishermen packed a room in the state house last month to give testimony. Most of them opposed the ban.
ANOTHER NEW RECORD YEAR FOR MAINE LOBSTER CATCH
Although scientists said it wasn't possible, another new record was set for the number of lobsters landed in Maine. Since there were record years in 2005 and 2006, scientists had warned the stock would be depleted, but this year's landings proved them wrong. Lobstermen say the lobster stock in Maine remains robust and is sustainable.
FISHERMEN WANT RESCUE HELICOPTERS CLOSER
Maine fishermen expressed their safety concerns to the newly appointed Coast Guard Commandant. The fishermen said that lives were lost after several Maine fishing boats sunk because the rescue helicopters, located at the Cape Cod air station, were too far away. They want one or two rescue helicopters stationed in Maine, but the Coast Guard is now facing significant budget cuts under the Obama administration.
ROGUE WAVES HIT CRUISE SHIP KILLING TWO PASSENGERS
At least three huge rogue waves crashed into a cruise ship near a French Mediterranean port, killing two passengers and injuring six others. Officials said the waves smashed the glass windshields high up on the ship's bridge. The cruise ship Louise Majesty was carrying an estimated 2,000 people from Spain to Italy when it encountered the rogue waves. The ship is currently heading back to Barcelona, Spain.
SS UNITED STATES IN DANGER OF BEING SCRAPPED
The SS United States, America's national flagship, is in imminent danger of being bought by scrappers. This great vessel, which still holds the trans-Atlantic speed record, may soon be destroyed. Bids for purchase of the ship by scrappers are being collected by the ship's owners, Genting Hong Kong, this month. The SS United States was a powerful Cold War weapon disguised as a luxury ocean liner. She sailed from New York to Europe and other destinations from 1952-1969, transporting four American presidents, countless foreign heads of state, many celebrities, and military and business leaders. The ship made over 400 trans-Atlantic voyages without a mishap. A group called the SS United States Conservancy is raising funds with hopes of buying the ship and turning it into a museum.
FISH FALL OUT OF THE SKY WITH RAIN
And last on today's nautical news, residents of a small outback Australian town have been left speechless after fish began falling with the rain from the sky. Hundreds of live perch fell on the the 650 residents in the small Australian town of Lajamanu. Meteorologists said the incident was probably caused by a tornado that sucked up water and fish from a river and then dropped them hundreds of miles away. This was not the first time residents of this small town have experienced fish falling out of the sky. They say it happened once before in the 1980s.
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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