November 3, 2023 — Danish energy developer Orsted A/S declared Tuesday that it and Eversource Energy LLC are committed to the 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island, a “final investment decision” that came the same day Orsted scrapped two large offshore wind projects off the coast of New Jersey.
ALASKA: Alaska seafood harvesting jobs decline as fish crashes, pandemic and other factors take toll
November 3, 2023 — Alaska fish-harvesting employment declined in 2022, a continuing yearslong slide caused by a variety of factors, according to an analysis by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Employment for people harvesting seafood dropped by about a quarter from 2015 to 2022, according to the analysis, published in the November issue of Alaska Economic Trends, the department’s monthly research magazine.
The industry lost ground compared to other sectors of the Alaska economy, the analysis found. Seafood harvesting accounted for 7.3% of Alaska jobs in July of 2021, but only 5.7% of Alaska jobs were in seafood harvesting in the following July. Fishery work is highly seasonal, and July is the peak month for it.
ALASKA: Alaska Symphony of Seafood: Showcasing the Best of Alaska at Pacific Marine Expo
November 2, 2023 — The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) is set to take the Main Stage at the Pacific Marine Expo on November 9 from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. to celebrate the 30th year of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood. This annual competition is for commercial-ready, value-added products made with Alaska seafood. The Symphony presents an exciting platform that supports companies investing in product development that helps to further promote new products and competitively position Alaska seafood in national and global markets.
Peter Pan Seafood was deemed the 2023 Grand Prize Winner by creating a recipe of Wild Caught Alaska Salmon with Ribbon Kelp Chimichurri. Michael De Caro previously shared with National Fisherman about his process of creating the recipe.
MASSACHUSETTS: Can a shellfishing license go to a company? Proposals spark controversy on Cape Cod
November 2, 2023 — On a sandbar just off the coast of Barnstable one recent windy morning, Corey Hendricks picked up a metal mesh bag. It’s one of 125 large bags laid out, all full of young oysters.
“Once they get big enough like this, they’re going to go pretty much straight in the cage,” he said.
Hendricks poured the oysters from the bag into one of 100 cages lined up on the sandbar, then evenly spread out the shellfish to line the bottom.
This setup doesn’t look like the typical image of a farm, but that’s what it is: instead of agriculture, it’s aquaculture. Hendricks said the changing tides jostle the oysters and help them grow.
His company is called Duck Island Oysters, and his farm is 2 acres of offshore public land controlled by the town of Barnstable.
“I have roughly a half a million oysters,” Hendricks said. “And last year we planted 200,000 quahogs. This year another 200,000.”
Shellfishermen in Massachusetts farmed nearly $37 million worth of oysters and quahogs in 2022. Unlike other fisheries, shellfishing is regulated locally by individual cities and towns. But in some Cape communities, there’s been a hot debate over changing those regulations and what it would mean for the future of the industry.
VIRGINIA: Cooke Family and Omega Protein pledge $250,000 matching donation to Festival Halle restoration project
November 2, 2023 — Executive director Shauna McCranie and Save Festival Halle committee chairman Diane McGuire recently announced the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum has received a $250,000 donation pledge from the Cooke family and Omega Protein for the restoration of Festival Halle. The challenge grant will match dollar for dollar all donations received from supporters up to $250,000.
Cooke Inc. is a vertically integrated, family-owned seafood company based in New Brunswick, Canada. Omega Protein joined the Cooke family of companies in 2017. Omega Protein originated in 1878 in Reedville and has continued to be a large supporter of the museum and community for many years.
NEW JERSEY: Ørsted pulls plug on New Jersey offshore wind projects
November 2, 2023 — New Jersey’s leaders are blasting a decision by a Danish energy company to back away from two major offshore wind projects off the state’s coastline.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Ørsted announced that it is scrapping two large offshore wind power projects off the coast of New Jersey, delivering a major blow to the state’s clean energy plans and Gov. Phil Murphy’s push to put the coastal state at the forefront of the nation’s nascent offshore wind industry.
Murphy ripped the company’s decision to walk away from the projects, calling it “outrageous” and saying it “calls into question the company’s credibility and competence.”
“As recently as several weeks ago, the company made public statements regarding the viability and progress of the Ocean Wind 1 project,” he said.
Murphy said a provision of the company’s development agreement requires it to pay New Jersey $300 million to support the offshore wind sector if the projects don’t proceed.
“I have directed my administration to review all legal rights and remedies and to take all necessary steps to ensure that Orsted fully and immediately honors its obligations,” he said.
MISSISSIPPI: Mississippi announces USD 6.6 million in relief for 2019 Bonnet Carré Spillway disaster
November 3, 2023 — The U.S. state of Mississippi is set to dole out USD 6.6 million (EUR 6.2 million) in financial relief to commercial fishermen, seafood dealers, aquaculture harvesters, and live-bait fisheries impacted by the 2019 Mississippi Bonnet Carré Spillway disaster.
The spillway diverts floodwater away from populated areas and into the Mississippi sound, but the surge of freshwater can be damaging to ocean life. Officials believe the fresh-water release severely damaged commercial fisheries when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway twice in 2019, leading to millions of dollars in lost revenue from lower oyster, shrimp, crab, and finfish landings.
HAWAII: From Ocean to Plate: How the Longline Fishery Feeds Hawaiʻi
November 1, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
The Pacific Islands have a long history and deep connection with the ocean and all it provides. Sustainable seafood is key to the health and well-being of both the people and the economy. The fishing and seafood industry in Hawaiʻi supports thousands of jobs and generates more than $1 billion in sales each year. This video tracks the path fish caught in the Hawaiʻi longline fishery, such as yellowfin tuna and swordfish, takes from the ocean to your plate—in the form of poke bowls, sushi, and other delicious meals.
The fleet efficiently distributes its harvest to the local seafood community—while retaining its premium quality—through the Honolulu Fish Auction. The auction is the anchor for the commercial fishing industry; it starts between midnight and 1 a.m. each day, when boats begin unloading. Hundreds of fish are carefully inspected to ensure quality and then displayed on the refrigerated auction block, and bidding begins at 5:30 a.m. Restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers bid on seafood that they know will be both fresh and high quality.
Fortunately for fans of U.S. seafood, thriving and resilient seafood communities—like the Hawaiʻi longline fishery—is the goal of NOAA Fisheries’ National Seafood Strategy.
NEW JERSEY: Orsted scraps 2 offshore wind power projects in New Jersey, citing supply chain issues
November 1, 2023 — Danish energy developer Orsted said Tuesday night it is scrapping two large offshore wind power projects off the coast of New Jersey, adding uncertainty to a nascent industry the Biden administration and many state governments are counting on to help transition away from the burning of planet-warming fossil fuels.
The company said it is canceling its Ocean Wind I and II projects in southern New Jersey, citing supply chain issues and rising interest rates.
Orsted CEO Mads Nipper said in a statement the company was disappointed to be halting the projects because it believes the United States needs wind power to reduce carbon emissions.
“However, the significant adverse developments from supply chain challenges, leading to delays in the project schedule, and rising interest rates have led us to this decision,” Nipper said.
Orsted stands to lose a $100 million guarantee it posted with New Jersey earlier this month that it would build Ocean Wind I by the end of 2025. That money could be returned to ratepayers.
NEW JERSEY: ‘David defeats Goliath!’: South Jersey officials celebrate end of Ørsted offshore wind projects
November 1, 2023 — From anger in Trenton to disappointment in Atlantic City to celebration in Cape May County, Ørsted’s decision to end development of its Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects off the Jersey Shore delivered a mix of emotions.
In announcing the move Tuesday evening, executives with the Danish energy company cited high inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain issues.
“We are extremely disappointed to have to take this decision, particularly because New Jersey is poised to be a U.S. and global hub for offshore wind energy,” said David Hardy, group executive vice president and CEO Americas for the Danish energy company.
During a news conference Wednesday morning, Cape May County officials called Ørsted’s announcement a win for local shore communities.
“Anyone thinks that they’re going to walk and put their footprints on our beach better beware that they’re not coming into Cape May County, no way, no how,” said county Commissioner Director Leonard Desiderio.
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