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Captain Lou's Nautical News Headlines

Captain Lou's Latest Nautical News 4/15/18 BUSINESSES IN NEW BEDFORD ARE HURTING Groundfish fishing hasn�ft been the same since November after NOAA revoked its operational plan for 14 groundfishing vessels following the arrest, trial, and conviction of Carlos the codfather Rafael. Landings are down by 25 percent at the local seafood auction house, which is now operating only two or three times a week instead of once a day. The owners of the auction house said if the boats don't return to work by May then businesses in New Bedford will be closing. The ice company, the marine supply store, the fuel companies, the grocery stores, even the marine Insurance office are all feeling the pinch. Last year, New Bedford was ranked as the nation�fs most valuable port for the seventeenth year in a row. HERRING ARE HERE George Loring, the Weymouth herring warden has informed us that the herring are now climbing the fish ladder at the Jackson Square herring run on their way to spawn in Whitman�fs Pond. Last week, volunteers helped clear the run of debris just in time for the return of the herring. NEW MOORING POLICIES FOR NORTH RIVER A change in policies for moorings and mooring permits on the North River was approved for the first time in a decade by Norwell selectmen. One of the biggest changes according to Norwell harbormaster Ron Mott was a 10A permit will be required for free standing floats or platforms used for swimming, wave deflection, and/or boat docking. Another big change is the requirement that winter sticks be placed on the mooring line during the wintertime. Although mooring stickers on boats have been previously required, it is now required the stickers be placed on the vessel�fs starboard stern quarter two inches below the rub rail. If not displayed correctly, a $50 fine could be assessed. FISHERMEN BUSY WRITING LETTERS This past week commercial and recreational fishermen from various ports sent a letter to Massachusetts Governor Baker asking to be included in the state�fs plans for offshore wind development. So far, three companies have bid to construct offshore wind farms south of Martha�fs Vineyard, and a decision on which company will receive the bid is expected to come from Governor Baker�fs office by the end of this month. Fishermen acknowledge that the foundations of the wind turbines act as an artificial reef, but the heat, noise, and magnetic field generated from the underwater electric cables also have an impact on the fish, in some cases preventing them from coming close to shore. Other concerns pertain to the impact the wind turbines would have on safe navigation and navigation by radar. STOP INCREASING AMOUNT OF ETHANOL IN GAS BOAT U/S/ sent out the following message to its members, urging them to contact their federal legislators to protect boat engines and keep families safe on the water by reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard Act that is forcing more ethanol into the nation's gasoline supply. The only way to meet the current federal government mandate called for in the Renewable Fuel Standard Act is to increase the amount of gasoline that must be blended with the gas that already contains 10% ethanol. Higher blends between 15% to as high as 85% ethanol will be sold even though it has been proven to damage boat engines. The other problem with the existing Renewable Fuel Standard Act is that it limits the supply of ethanol-free gasoline available. Many states have been offering ethanol free gas. RECREATIONAL TUNA RESCORD SET IN NORTH CAROLINA The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has certified a new state record for a trophy size bluefin tuna that was caught in that state. The bluefin tuna tipped the scales at 877-pounds and measured 113 inches long. Officials said it had a girth of 79 inches. The fisherman who caught it was a retired U.S. Army general. The new mark broke the previous state record of 805 pounds set in 2011.A bluefin weighing more than 1,000 pounds was caught in Beaufort earlier this winter, but because that catch was sold to a dealer it was not eligible for the recreational-only North Carolina Salt Water Tournament record. ELVER SMUGGLERS CAUGHT IN SPAIN Authorities in Spain seized 770 pounds of elvers as they were being smuggled out of Spain. Ten suspects were arrested. The European baby eel is subject to strict European Union regulations just like Maine is the only state in the U.S. to have an elver fishery. Elvers or baby eels can sell for $2500 a pound. According to Europol, the live eels were packed in bags ready to be sent to China. Officials released the elvers back into the ocean. By the way, the European elvers come from the Sargasso Sea off Bermuda just like the Elves in Maine. PRESIDENT�fS 2019 SPENDING PLAN GUTS EPA AND NOAA Nautical Talk Radio has learned that the president�fs 2019 spending plan would gut the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and force NOAA to stop protecting coastal estuaries, Pacific salmon, and marine mammals. ANOTHER ACTIVE HURRICANE SEASON PREDICTED And last on today�fs nautical news, Colorado State University hurricane researchers are predicting an above average Atlantic hurricane season this year. They are predicting 14 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season which starts June 1st. Half of those 14 names storms are predicted to become hurricanes and three to reach major hurricane strength with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater. The researchers base their predictions on more than 60 years of historical data that include Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, and the change in wind direction. As far as ocean warming, they said the western tropical North Atlantic is currently slightly warmer than normal while the eastern tropical Atlantic is slightly cooler than normal.  CELEBRATING 26 YEARS ON RADIO STATION 95.9FM WATD Listen to the live broadcast of "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew Sunday mornings 11-noon (Boston time) on radio stations 95.9FM and 1460AM WATD. Also streamed around the world on www.959watd.com. Listen anytime to replay of recent shows at at www.NauticalTalk.com.  Recipient of 2018 Mass Boating & Yacht Clubs "Gannett Award" Winner of MASS/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW" Winner of Boston's Achievement in Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" award Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY" award Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service Nominated Boston's A,I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM" Judge of IBEX Innovation Products Judge of NMMA's Progressive New England Boat Show's Exhibitors 25 Year Retired Status U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary  Member of Boston Harbor Islands National Park Advisory Council Member of South Shore Harbormasters Association Member of Mass Marine Trades Association Member of Quincy Bay Race Week Member of Mass Boating and Yacht Club Association Member of Stellwagen Bank Charterboat Association Member of Boat Writers International Member of Boat/US Life Member of Mass Striped Bass Association Life Member and Past Commodore of Metropolitan Yacht Club

 

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS ON RADIO STATION 95.9FM WATD"

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, streaming around the world on www.959watd.com. You can also listen to a replay of recent shows anytime during the week a www.NauticalTalk.com.

* Winner of Mass/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW"
* Winner of Boston's Achievement In Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" AWARD
* Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY AWARD"
* Recipient of Coast Guard's Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service
* Nominated Boston's A.I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM"
* Judge of IBEX Innovation Products
* Judge of New England Boat Show's Best Exhibitors
* Member of Boston Harbor Islands National Park Advisory Council
* Member of South Shore Harbormaster Association
* Member of Quincy Bay Race Week Association
* Member of Stellwagen Bank Charterboat Association
* Member of Boat Writers International
* Life Member of Mass Striped Bass Association
* Life Member and Past Commodore of Metropolitan Yacht Club