Wednesday, June 21, 2017: This hurricane season is wasting no time getting on the map

[jaymann]

This week's example of: "Why uncles can't be left with babies."

Can you pick the smarter of the two dogs? 

Wednesday, June 21, 2017: This hurricane season is wasting no time getting on the map. We’re already up to “C” via TS Cindy, which will put a watery hurt on the northeastern coastline of the Gulf of Mexico. Some cool waterspout footage related to Cindy is being aired and on YouTube. Flooding will be typically serious.

As to our eventually seeing any fallout from Cindy, it wouldn’t be until late weekend – but, more likely, not at all. The path of the storm will take it well inland, meaning it’ll drop its primary moisture load long before it reaches us.

That said, I always worry when tropical systems get into the US wheelhouse so early on in the hurricane season. Even pro forecasters will admit that the season’s first storms sometimes set a pattern for the landfall tendencies of an entire tropical season, i.e. if you live along the Gulf, you need not worry about empty rain barrels, as was the drought case just a few seasons back.

Of course, it’s way too early to go seeking cyclonic storm path tendencies. Also, we’ve all seen tropical season’s that start off like a ball of fire then go dormant for many week, even months.

Here and now, the beachline waters have upwelled, dropping once 70-degree water temps back into the mid-50s in some areas. Yes, there can be huge water temp difference from one end of LBI to the other, most often during hard SE winds, as we’ve been seeing.

The water right along the beach is turbid and off-color. However, it’s easy to see much cleaner, likely warmer, water not far out at all. Now to coax it in.

Overall, look for constantly switching winds right into the weekend, most commonly going W to SW followed by those SE gust by day’s end. Then, the weekend itself looks like subdued winds and highly fishable conditions. You can thank me later.

Off to the auction in Vincentown. Please don't let me buy any more fishing stuff. 

==============================================================================================

Here's an interesting read from the other side of the seal, so to speak. I'm taking no side here, just passing on some of the seal management complexities. ...

Toronto Cullinary Conference Panel: Seal: Too Cute to Eat? Sparks Chefs Conversation

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [The Globe and Mail] GAYLE MacDONALD - June 21, 2017

Seal: Too Cute to Eat? That's the name of a panel that took place at the Terroir culinary summit late last month in Toronto, and a question that makes Dion Dakins chuckle.

Dakins is the chief executive of Carino Processing Ltd. in Newfoundland, which processed 55,000 animals for meat, oil and hides in the past sealing season.

For him, the question gets to the core of the seal debate. He believes hunting seal is sustainable, humane and a necessary fisheries ecomanagement tool. Opposing him are animal-rights groups (most of them based outside Canada) that have spun the “cute" element into a disproportionate fundraising tool.

A tireless advocate for his maligned sector, Dakins told The Globe and Mail that seal meat is full of healthy omega-3 oils, typically low in mercury and delicious in blood pudding, martinis and even seal-oil ice cream.

You say if seals aren't harvested, they'll have to be culled. Can you explain?

Five centuries of sustained seal harvesting in the northwest Atlantic has kept harp seal populations in check. In 1980, the harp seal population was about two million. In the early 2000s, five million. And now, in 2017, the population is in excess of 7.5 million animals. Biological indicators suggest the ecosystem has reached the maximum carrying capacity … and this overabundant predator could very well eat commercial fisheries to extinction.

As pressure from the fishing sector increases, seals will have to be harvested. So the question is, are we better to use this resource for the sustainable development and maintenance of rural economies, cultures and traditions? Or cull (sight, shoot and sink) the animals with no regard for welfare, sustainability or pragmatic end use?

Is seal sustainable?

Canada's history proves that we manage our seal resource sustainably. The harp seal is not now, nor has it ever been, listed as an endangered animal. Once again, the real question is, are commercial fisheries sustainable with such high numbers of seals in the environment? Recent quota cuts to snow crab, shrimp, capelin and other species in eastern waters indicate that our fish stocks cannot bear the pressure of such a large population of seals, as well as commercial fishing.

The international movement against the seal hunt is powerful. The images are heartwrenching. Is it cruel?

Detractors like to show graphic, emotional videos to stir emotion and outrage. They obtain these videos while hovering over the heads of harvesters in helicopters. It's hard for any person – especially one who has never hunted, fished or trapped – to watch an animal die. Regulations are in place and monitored.

There's always room to improve, but yes, it is humane as conducted today.

In 2010, the European Union banned the commercial, nonIndigenous sale of seal products.

Switzerland followed this past April. What have been the consequences to your sector?

The EU ban was all about politics and not animal welfare. Parliamentarians, often threatened by anti-use campaigners in their ridings, were given plush toys of whitecoats [newborn seals] before the vote. Whitecoats have not been harvested in Canada in 30 years! The result was swayed and the ban passed. The rights and livelihood of sealing people all over the world were ignored and lives negatively affected.

Is seal meat good for you?

A single 100-gram serving of seal meat has 250 per cent of the recommended daily consumption of iron. It has much higher vitamin B12, protein and magnesium compared with beef, pork, chicken or cod. The fat of a seal is processed as an omega-3 naturalhealth product.

Are mercury levels and other contaminants high?

As opposed to fish, seals largely accumulate environmental pollutants (PCBs, mercury, lead, arsenic etc.) in the blubber, not in the flesh. This means the meat is naturally low in mercury and other pollutants. The maximum allowable level of mercury in predatory-fish flesh (tuna and salmon) is one milligram per kilo. Seal meat averages 0.25 milligrams per kilo.

You've done some roguish things, like sell seal products outside a Bryan Adams concert in 2014. Why?

Countless celebrity advocates have been misled by anti-use campaigns, such as PETA, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Humane Society International, who defame our products and vilify our people. Outside the concert, we presented ourselves in a non-confrontational manner, handing out educational materials. We did it to promote the truth and dispel myths.

How far has seal meat come?

Restaurants in Vancouver, Montreal and St. John's are promoting seal on their menus, in dishes such as seal-tongue ravioli, a sophisticated flipper pie and seal pappardelle with cinnamon and cloves. I like it raw, with a bit of mustard, but my favourite is panseared, with a bit of pepper and lingonberry compote. Mediumrare, of course.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

==========================================================================================

Recreational Fishing Alliance   Contact:  Jim Donofrio / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release June 20, 2017

1st District Legislators Fighting to Increase Funding for the Bureau of Marine Fisheries    New Gretna, NJ - The New Jersey legislature is close to passing a FY 2018 budget for the state.  In February, Governor Christie submitted his $35.5 billion proposed budget.  The proposed budget included $2.34 million for Shellfish and Marine Fisheries and maintains the number of full-time positions at 34.  These proposed funding levels are flat-line relative to 2017 and are far too low relative to the size, importance and economic value of New Jersey's commercial and recreational fisheries.  The 1st District delegation of Senator Jeff Van Drew, Assemblymen Bob Andrzejczak and R. Bruce Land have offered budget resolutions to increase the funding level for marine fisheries by 1.2 million dollars in FY18.  These resolutions need to be approved and accepted by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee which are chaired by Senate Paul Sarlo and Assembly Gary Schaer, respectively.  The budget resolutions must be accepted and released from the committees before they can be included in the budget and voted on by the full Senate and Assembly.     "The Recreational Fishing Alliance commends the 1st District delegation for fighting to increase the woefully inadequate budget for the Bureau of Marine Fisheries,"  stated executive director Jim Donofrio.   "As we saw first hand this year with summer flounder, science is need to make and win the arguments for more reasonable recreational fishing regulations."     "New Jersey's marine fisheries staff does an outstanding job working on behalf of the recreational fishing community in the state," continued Donofrio.  "It is now up to fishermen who need to fight to ensure that these dedicated individuals have adequate resources to do their job."   The RFA is asking all fishermen in New Jersey to call Chairman Paul Sarlo and Gary Schaer and ask them to accept the budget resolutions offered by the 1st district delegation.  You do not need to speak to them directly.  You can leave a message with the legislative aids in their offices explaining that you support the budget resolutions put forward by the 1st District that will increase funding for marine fisheries management by S1.2 million to a total of $3.55 million for FY18.  Each call should take only 2 to 3 minutes but don't delay, the budget committees could be meeting as early as June 26th!   Senator Paul Sarlo                    [phone] Assemblyman Gary Schaer     [phone]   Once released from the respective committees, a budget will go before the Senate and Assembly for a full vote.  If passed, the budget will be forwarded to Governor Christie's desk for signing.  At that point, the RFA will again call on anglers to take action and contact Governor Christie's office in support of increased funding the Bureau of Marine Fisheries.     ##### Recreational Fishing Alliance    Contact:  Jim Donofrio / 888-564-6732   For Immediate Release June 21, 2017      CHRIS OLIVER SELECTED AS NOAA FISHERIES ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR   New Gretna, NJ  -  Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the selection of Mr. Chris Oliver to serve as the Assistant Administrator (AA) for NOAA Fisheries on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.  The NOAA Fisheries AA position was one of President Trump's appointments that was being most watched fishermen. Mr. Oliver takes control of the federal agency that oversees commercial and recreational fisheries under federal jurisdiction.  He also will oversee federal data collection efforts which continue to pose a significant challenge for the effective management of recreational fisheries.    "All of us at the RFA wish to welcome Chris Oliver as the NOAA Fisheries AA," stated Jim Donofrio. "Chris has years of knowledge in how the council process works in conjunction to Magnuson. His new position as AA will help serve the Trump Administration in carrying out what needs to be fixed to make fishing great again."   According to the release, Mr. Oliver has worked at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for the past 27 years--first as a fisheries biologist, later as deputy director, and finally as executive director for 16 years. Through his long-time participation in the Council Coordination Committee and various international fishery management organizations, Oliver gained extensive knowledge of national and international fisheries issues. A Texas native, Oliver also worked on Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery management issues prior to moving to Alaska in 1990.   "We look forward to working with Chris and his team at NOAA Fisheries,"  continued Donofrio.     ######

June 20, 2017 Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Scoping Hearings for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment   The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold four scoping hearings in July 2017 to solicit public input on the Excessive Shares Amendment to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog (SCOQ) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The Council is also soliciting written comments on the amendment through July 21, 2017.   The Excessive Shares Amendment will consider measures that define what constitutes an excessive share in the SCOQ Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program. This is necessary to ensure that no individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of the SCOQ ITQ privileges. In addition, the amendment will consider potential revisions to the goals and objectives for the SCOQ FMP.   Additional information is available in the scoping guide for this action, available HERE or on the Council’s website at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment.   Attend a scoping hearing Public scoping hearings will be held on the following dates: Monday July 10, 2017, 6:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Providence Airport, 1 Thurber Street, Warwick, RI 02886. Telephone: [phone]. Tuesday July 11, 2017, 6:30 p.m., Webinar. Audio and visual access will be available at http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/scoqexcessshare/. The webinar can also be accessed via phone by calling 1-800-832-0736, room #9294759. Members of the public may also attend in-person at the Council office (800 North State St., Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901) if they contact the Council by July 7, 2017. Wednesday July 12, 2017, 6:30 p.m., The Grand Hotel, 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204. Telephone: [phone]. Monday July 17, 2017, 6:00 p.m., Ocean Pines Branch Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, MD 21811. Telephone: [phone]. Submit Written Comments: In addition to providing comments at any of the scoping hearings, you may submit written comments by 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time, on July 21, 2017. Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods: ONLINE at http://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment-scoping   EMAIL to [e-mail] MAIL to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Manage... FAX to [phone] Please include “SCOQ Excessive Shares Amendment Scoping Comments” in the subject line if using email or fax or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.   Please direct any questions about the amendment to José Montañez, [e-mail], [phone].   Web Version / PDF Version