Wedgeport Tuna Tournament and Festival on Tap for Aug. 20-27
Above: Samples of bluefin tuna are graded before being shipped to market at the 2021 Wedgeport Tuna Festival and Tournament weigh-in. Kathy Johnson photo
After a scaled back affair for the past two years due to COVID-19, the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament and Festival will be back pre-pandemic style this year.
“We’re excited to finally be planning on having a more normal Tournament and Festival this year,” says Brandon Doucette, president of the Wedgeport Tuna ...
Record-Setting Replica Mako Shark Unveiled on Yarmouth Waterfront
Above: A life-size replica of the record-setting mako shark caught during the 2004 Yarmouth Shark Scramble has been installed at Rudder’s Wharf on the Yarmouth waterfront. Kathy Johnson photo
In a lead up to this years’ Yarmouth Shark Scramble, a life-size replica of the record-setting mako shark caught during the 2004 Yarmouth Shark Scramble has been installed at Rudder’s Wharf on the Yarmouth waterfront.
The shortfin mako shark was caught on rod and reel on Aug ...
Local Company Aiming to Hit the Ground Running with Ropeless Gear
The final pieces are falling into place that will allow for ropeless fishing to be commercially utilized.
“We’ve been doing a lot of testing lately with partners and learning a lot,” says Ross Arsenault, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Halifax-based Ashored Innovations.
“We’re getting our gear into its more commercial ready form as we test a few more features that are necessary to get it into the hands of as many fishermen as possible.”
Ashored Innovations began ...
Alternative Bait Options Generating Interest but Challenges Persist
Above: Lonnie Snow photo
While interest is growing in an alternative bait product developed on Prince Edward Island, it’s not without some challenges.
“As far as interest, phone calls, emails, there’s a 1,000 per cent increase. Sales have basically doubled from last year,” says Mark Prevost, co-founder of Bait Masters located in Nine Mile Creek, P.E.I.
Prevost said the company has three people employed full time and the occasional part timer in the winter, ...
Eastern Canyons Marine Refuge Established
Almost 44,000 square kilometres of the North Atlantic along the Eastern Scotian Shelf has been established as a deep-water conservation area located offshore Nova Scotia.
The Eastern Canyons marine refuge is located approximately 70 kilometres east of Sable Island and extends to the 200-mile limit, the edge of Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone. It is adjacent to the Gully Marine Protected Area.
“Through engagement with the Province of Nova Scotia, Indigenous organizations and local ...
Moratorium Announced for 3Pn4RS Gulf Cod
Recreational Groundfish Fishery Will Continue in Impacted Regions
Ironically, just two days after the 30th anniversary of the infamous 2J3KL Northern cod moratorium, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) surprised some when it announced there will be no directed commercial fishing of Northern Gulf cod this year in the Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO division 3Pn4RS).
DFO said the moratorium was implemented because the Northern Gulf cod stocks are deep in the critical ...
DFO Increasing Vessel Length Limit for Under 40-Foot N.L. Inshore Sub-Fleets
Above: David Greening photo
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) recently announced that it will increase existing vessel length limits for Newfoundland and Labrador’s inshore fishing boats to provide more consistency in all Atlantic Canada regions.
Specifically, the existing vessel length requirement for inshore sub-fleets, currently restricted to the less than 39’11” length in overall measurement, will increase to 49’11”.
DFO said the announcem...
Herring Quota Cuts in Line with Industry Recommendations
Other Stakeholders Worry That They Don’t Go Far Enough
A 33 per cent decrease in the total allowable catch (TAC) for the Southwest Nova Scotia, Bay of Fundy Atlantic herring is close to what was being recommended by industry, but does not go deep enough to rebuild the stock, say others.
The TAC for the 2022 fishing season was set at 23,450 tonnes, representing a 33 per cent decrease from last year’s TAC of 35,000 tonnes.
“The Atlantic herring stock in Southwest Nova ...
Implementation of First Nations Treaty Rights to Fish in Pursuit of a Moderate Livelihood Continues
Over the 12–18 months, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has reached interim understandings with seven First Nations in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, implementing their treaty right to fish for lobster in pursuit of a moderate livelihood during established commercial fishing seasons.
A landmark, five-year renewable Rights Reconciliation Agreement on Fisheries with the Listuguj Mi’gmaq community in Québec to advance reconciliation in the fisheries was also signed.
In addition, ...
What Lessons Can Today’s Seafood Marketers Learn From the 2009 Recession?
The last time the seafood industry faced a genuine crisis was during the economic recession that started in 2008–09.
During that time, retailers prospered and foodservice contracted. However, retail prospered by giving customers the opportunity to trade down to less expensive products.
Looking at major seafood items, almost every single commodity lost substantial value between 2008 and 2010–2012, as U.S. consumers changed their buying habits.
This is the situation we are heading ...
