State and Local

MONTVILLE, Conn. (AP) — October 20, 2013 — Nineteen fifth-graders surrounded Project Oceanology instructor Caitlin Lewis on the deck of Envirolab III one morning last week, jockeying for a good view of the net they had just reeled in.

The children were fascinated by their catch, shouting things like ‘‘Fishies come here!’’ and ‘‘Fishy is mad!’’ as they struggled in the net. But once Lewis loosened the net enough to allow the fish to flop out, the students drew back and shrieked in horror.

Diane Monahan’s fifth-grade class from Charles E. Murphy Elementary School was participating in one of Project Oceanology’s boat programs, during which students test water samples and learn how to identify marine species. On Wednesday, the boat sailed to the area where the Thames River meets the Long Island Sound.

School districts that purchase yearly memberships in Project Oceanology can send their students to the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus in Groton for a variety of hands-on experiences in marine science and ecology.

The Montville School District was a founding member of Project Oceanology when it started 40 years ago, but the district took a short lapse from membership for budgetary reasons. Montville rejoined the program this year for $30,000, an expense the Board of Education was able to make room for even though there was no increase in the budget.

Read the full story by the Associated Press at Boston.com

CAMBRIDGE, Md., — October 20, 2013 — The Harvesters Land and Sea Coalition filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on Friday in Dorchester County Circuit Court.

“DNR put regulations upon the menhaden fishery that, in our initial opinion, were unlawful, and after engaging council and attorneys and two months of research, found out that our initial feeling were absolutely correct,” said Rob Newberry, founding member of the harvesters coalition. “Our (watermen) backs are against the wall right now. We have nothing more to lose. We have nothing more to give up.”

The coalition initially alleged that DNR illegally set menhaden regulations upon the fishery near the end of July.

After about a month, the Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee had a hearing in which state senators and delegates could vote for or against extending the emergency regulations until the permanent ones were effective in September, since there was a lapse in time for a few days from when the emergency regulations ended and the permanent ones began.

Ultimately, the regulations were extended with a 8-5 vote.

Read the full story at The Cecil Daily 

 

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — October 19, 2013 — Environmentalists and federal government officials say a "critical habitat" designation will only affect actions by federal agencies in the area, not those of state and local governments. But Simmons and others say they have actually seen local communities affected: They've seen beaches closed to people farther up the coast, in Dare County, to protect turtles and birds, and they fear the same will happen at their beaches.

One of the first sights visitors to Caswell Beach see are signs identifying the town as a turtle sanctuary. At the town hall, the best-selling T-shirt features turtles. And during loggerhead hatching season, volunteer residents watch over turtle nests and help the newborns reach the sea.

But Mayor Harry Simmons is concerned the intense focus on the turtles will be to the detriment of human residents and tourists, who he says could lose access to the beach if environmentalists get their wish to designate it a "critical habitat" for the turtles.

Environmentalists and federal government officials say a "critical habitat" designation will only affect actions by federal agencies in the area, not those of state and local governments. But Simmons and others say they have actually seen local communities affected: They've seen beaches closed to people farther up the coast, in Dare County, to protect turtles and birds, and they fear the same will happen at their beaches.

"I do think the people here are over the top in support of the turtles to the point that they will take some efforts to not have lights on on the oceanside of oceanfront houses" to avoid disorienting the turtles, Simmons said. "Does it mean, though, they want to tear down the houses and move to Chadbourn? No. The human habitat is as important. And it's a good balance we have now."

The proposals that have upset Simmons and other leaders of beach communities in North Carolina come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which regulates turtles on the beach, and the National Marine Fisheries Service, which oversees turtles in the water.

Read the full story by the Associated Press at the Houston Chronicle

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. — October 18, 2013 — RC Creations, a seafood processing company and division of Acme Smoked Fish Corporation, will invest more than $25 million to establish a new facility in Pender County, North Carolina, with plans to create 120 jobs by the end of 2017.

The Currie production facility will import fresh and frozen seafood from around the world to create ready-to-eat seafood products that are packaged and shipped domestically and internationally. The facility will utilize state of the art technologies to continue to meet and exceed current Global Food Safety Initiatives and Food Safety Modernization Act requirements.

“We are delighted to have chosen Pender County as the new home for RC Creations. After an extensive multi-state search and selection process, the combination of the area’s pro-business climate, motivating incentive offerings and high quality of life, made it the most viable option for our organizations rapid growth. We look forward to providing a safe, reliable and attractive workplace for the residents of Pender County,” said Richard Nordt, RC Creations, Vice President of Manufacturing.

Read the full story from Area Development Online

October 18, 2013 — Maine lobster dealers can take advantage of the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council certification, a globally recognized seal of approval sought by the growing number of people worldwide who prefer sustainably harvested seafood.

In March, Gov. Paul R. LePage announced that Maine’s lobster fishery had achieved MSC certification after a thorough, six-year certification process administered by the Fund for the Advancement of Sustainable Maine Lobster. The fund, a group of Maine lobster industry stakeholders who came together to administer the certification, has completed the initial process necessary for Maine lobster dealers and processors to use the MSC logo, also referred to as an ecolabel, in their marketing.

“The MSC ecolabel will tell the world that Maine lobster is not only the best tasting, but is also a resource that meets the most stringent international standards for sustainability,” said Gov. LePage in a press release.

Read the full story from the Bangor Daily News

NEW BEDFORD, Mass., — October 18, 2013 — The following was released by the organizers of the New Bedford Ocean Explorium Gala:

Tantalizing details are emerging for the Ocean Explorium's "Exploring Sustainable Seafood: The ART of Pairing", with Chefs providing more information on courses they will prepare for the Gala Dinner on Tuesday, October 29, from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m.

To start, Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash will serve a sparkling wine cocktail during the gathering reception, while Travessia Urban Winery will pour their latest varietals and pair them with a selection of signature cheeses from Shy Brothers Farm of Westport.

During this time, Gala guests will have an opportunity to view the original artworks and exclusive experiences offered in the evening's benefit Auction.  More information will be released soon about the contributing artists and the items they have so generously donated to the Ocean Explorium.

Lisa DiRienzio and the Waterfront Grille have opened their restaurant kitchen and dining areas for this unique event.  In addition to coordinating all of the action, Chef DiRienzio will present a cheese table for the reception as well as the first course, a Ceviche featuring fresh New Bedford Sea Scallops.

John Bentley of Cork Wine and Tapas will offer the second course, Thai Curry Bisque with Seared Skate.  Chef Bentley will prepare this dish for viewers of WPRI-TV Channel 12's 'The Rhode Show' on Thursday morning, October 24, between 9 and 10.  Be sure to tune in to see how to cook skate, a favorite fish in Europe but an underutilized species in the United States.

The third course, Atlantic Pollock with an Autumn Mash, incorporates the flavors of late summer and early fall, and will be prepared by Steven Worden.  Chef Worden is currently Culinary Arts instructor for the South Shore Vocational School District and was the owner of Worden's restaurant in Padanaram.

Mike Melo of M & C Café will be presenting the entree 'Gigot de mer à la Basquaise', or monkfish prepared in the Basque style.  Chef Melo is well-known in the region as a passionate advocate for local fish, seafood and other ingredients.

For dessert, Sally Myers of Sallycakes will serve her famous double-chocolate "Blackout Cake" among other sweets.  This course will be accompanied by a special Dessert Cocktail served by Jonathan Pogash.

Sponsorships for the "Exploring Sustainable Seafood: The ART of Pairing" Gala Dinner and Auction are still available by contacting Amanda DeGrace, Ocean Explorium Development Officer. 

Seating for the dinner is limited.  Those who have a passion for food and wine, or who are curious to learn about new foods and preparations, should not wait any longer to buy tickets. 

More information about "Exploring Sustainable Seafood: The ART of Pairing" Gala Dinner and Auction can be found on the Ocean Explorium website, oceanexplorium.org, or by calling 508.994.5400.

The Ocean Explorium is located at 174 Union Street in downtown New Bedford and is handicap accessible via the rear entrance.  Fall hours are Thursday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Admission is $8.50-adults, $7.00-seniors and students with I.D., $6.50-children between 3 and 17 years of age. Children under 3 and members are free.  Call 508.994.5400 or visit the website, oceanexplorium.org, for program schedules, directions or other information.

 

BOSTON — October 17, 2013 — The following was released by the office of Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr:

The Massachusetts State Senate has approved a $50,000 appropriation for the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to develop a plan to prevent the collapse of the Commonwealth’s groundfishing industry.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Majority Whip Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Assistant Minority Leader Robert L. Hedlund (R-Weymouth) secured the funding by amending a $94.6 million supplemental budget bill debated in the Senate Thursday afternoon.  The House must still approve the language and funding before it can be sent to the Governor for his signature.

“Our commercial groundfishing industry is on the verge of extinction,” said Senator Tarr.  “With no relief in sight, Massachusetts needs to develop a plan to keep vessels, permits and catch allocations from leaving the state, and to act on that plan as soon as possible.”

The Senate amendment calls on the DMF to conduct at least three public hearings around the state in geographically diverse coastal commercial fishing ports.  It also directs the DMF to consider a variety of strategies to help the industry cope with reduced catch shares under new federal regulations that went into effect May 1, including but not limited to:

· direct grants to commercial fishing vessel owners and crews;

· the purchase, lease and banking of commercial groundfish permits and/or catch quota, loans, guarantees and subsidies;

· the lease of commercial fishing vessels for research and other academic purposes; and

· other mechanisms to prevent the extinction or outmigration of commercial groundfish capacity and allowable catch of commercial groundfish from the Commonwealth.

The Senate amendment requires the DMF to submit its plan, including cost estimates and any proposed legislative or regulatory actions needed, to the clerks of the House of Representatives and the Senate by December 31, 2013.

View a PDF version of the press release here 

October 17, 2013 — The following was released by the Department of Fish and Game:

The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) announced that 250 acres of Joppa Flat in the Merrimack River estuary will be open for the commercial harvest of softshell clams by specially licensed commercial diggers.

“I am happy to credit the city of Newburyport and the staff of our Division of Marine Fisheries for the hard work that was necessary to open this area to commercial clammers,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin.

“Massachusetts’ soft shell clam harvest is worth five to six million dollars annually and the opening of Joppa Flat will benefit commercial shell fishermen in the area who rely on open and productive flats for their livelihood.”

The reclassification and reopening of the Joppa Flat allows the conditionally restricted commercial harvest of softshell clams (Mya arenaria). Under the restrictions, harvesting is limited to weekdays only and must be conducted by specially licensed diggers. The clams must be treated at the DMF depuration plant. Harvesting for direct human consumption remains prohibited.

Read the full release at Boston.com

October 16, 2013 — Food safety inspections at Maine’s seafood processing plants are delayed by a few weeks because of the federal government shutdown, state officials said Tuesday, and if the shutdown persists, it could cause more severe problems with the annual inspection program.

“It has so far had a minimal impact on us. If it went on for too long, we would have to analyze what we could do,” said Ron Dyer, director of quality assurance and regulations for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

As part of the Food and Drug Administration’s sweeping food safety program, the federal agency contracts with Maine, which does 32 unannounced safety inspections per year at about 40 seafood processing plants. Maine receives about $800 for each inspection from the FDA, and coordinates inspections with the agency’s staff.

Dyer said he’s not sure if the state will be permitted to temporarily cover the cost of the program if the shutdown continues. Once the federal government reopens, he said, the seafood inspections could resume late this year or be shifted to the beginning of 2014.

Dyer said the state may do abbreviated inspections of the seafood processing plants in the interim, depending on how long the shutdown lasts.

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald

October 16, 2013 — In the first instance of state financial assistance focused directly on helping the Gloucester fishing industry, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr announced Tuesday that the city will receive a $75,000 state grant to develop a plan for sustaining the industry’s essential shore-side infrastructure.

The funds, part of a fiscal 2014 state budget allocation that also sent $75,000 to New Bedford, will be used to develop a groundfish Port Recovery and Revitalization Plan for Gloucester.

“My goal behind this is to suggest there are some absolutely linchpin resources around the harbor and if we don’t identify ways to protect them then we’re going to lose them,” Tarr said. “That will be a crippling blow to the fishing industry. Once those shore-side uses disappear, given the value of the property and the strategic importance of it, it’s very unlikely they will return.”

The funds became available after Tarr and Sen. Mark C. Montigny successfully worked to insert an amendment into the state budget. That amendment authorized $150,000 in state grants “to assist local fishing communities in identifying port infrastructure that is critical to the continued viability and sustainability of the local groundfish industry.”

Tarr said House Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante helped ensure that the amendment’s language remained in the final conference committee budget that went to Gov. Deval Patrick for his signature.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times