Sustainable Marine Fisheries Course to be Offered at Shoals Marine Lab!

An exciting new course will be offered this summer through UNH and the Shoals Marine Lab 6 miles offshore of Portsmouth, NH between August 8 and 22. “Sustainable Marine Fisheries” will introduce students to the complex challenges facing our regional fishing industry. Today, marine ecosystems are being managed to simultaneously sustain the livelihood of fishermen while meeting conservation goals; this protects marine ecosystems but places strain on fishermen who are stewards of marine resources. The course will provide students the opportunity for dialogue with a broad range of guest speakers, including fishermen, fisheries scientists, fisheries managers, and those involved with making fish available to consumers, including a chef from a local restaurant. Each guest speaker will present a unique perspective that collectively comprises the marine fishery. Students will have the unique opportunity to spend time on a working lobster boat and trawling and gill-net vessel participating in the groundfish fishery. New England fisheries will be used as a case-study for this course though global fishing practices, management and trends will also be discussed.

Don't miss the chance to be a part of this groundbreaking class! If you're interested in this course, contact Erik Chapman @ erik.chapman@unh.edu.

Letter: FDA must revise fish-consumption advice - SeafoodSource.com

Quoted from http://www.seafoodsource.com/newsarticledetail.aspx?id=9585:

Letter: FDA must revise fish-consumption advice - SeafoodSource.com

14 March, 2011 - U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Tom Coburn (R.-Okla.) on Monday urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to revise its seafood-consumption advice for pregnant and nursing women in light of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which for the time encourage consumers to eat seafood at least twice a week for heart and brain health.

Jumpin' Jays Fish Cafe to Host Benefit for NH Fresh and Local Seafood Brand

Quoted from http://www.jumpinjays.com/:

Fresh & Local 4-Course Dinner
Thursday, April 7th - A tasty 4-course dinner, each course paired with local spirits. Featuring artwork by local artist Matthew Smith. Please join us for this special evening in support of New Hampshire's Fresh & Local seafood.
- click for larger view of the poster

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA: U.S. “Turning a Corner” in Ending Overfishing

Quoted from http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110308_endingoverfishing.html:

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA: U.S. “Turning a Corner” in Ending Overfishing

NOAA: U.S. 'Turning a Corner' in Ending Overfishing

March 8, 2011

At a hearing today in front of the Senate Commerce Committee on the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Assistant NOAA Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab said that the U.S. is making good progress toward meeting the mandate to end domestic overfishing.

“We know that nearly $31 billion in sales and as many as 500,000 jobs are lost because our fisheries are not performing as well as they would if all stocks were rebuilt,” Schwaab said. “While we are turning a corner toward a brighter future for fishermen and fishing communities, many fishermen are struggling in part as a result of years of decline in fishing opportunity.”

Schwaab said that NOAA is committed to working with fishermen and communities during this period of transition.

Our nation’s fisheries have been vital to the economics and identities of our coastal communities for hundreds of years. According to the most recent estimates, U.S. commercial and saltwater recreational fisheries support almost two million jobs and generate more than $160 billion in sales.

Schwaab talked about fishery management challenges, including improving collection, analysis, and accuracy of scientific information used to manage both recreational and commercial fisheries. He indicated that NOAA Fisheries will continue to work hard with the regional fishery management councils, fishermen and the coastal communities to increase confidence in the management system and ensure productive and efficient fisheries.

“We have turned a corner in our management of fisheries in this country, and the sacrifices made and being made by so many who rely on this industry are showing great promise,” Schwaab said. “As we end overfishing and rebuild stocks, we will increase the economic output of our fisheries, improve the economic conditions for our fishermen, and create better, more stable and sustainable jobs and opportunities in our coastal communities.”

Seabrook Fishermen To Offer Consumer-Direct Lobster, Fish - Manchester News Story - WMUR Manchester

SEABROOK, N.H. -- A fishermen's cooperative is planning to offer lobster and fresh fish directly to the consumer. The Yankee Fisherman's Cooperative is made up of 61 local commercial fishermen. The group plans to sell whole shares -- about 10 pounds of fresh-caught seafood each week -- or half shares -- about 5 pounds each week. The cooperative said the goal is to help independent fishermen survive at a time when changes to fishing regulations are being made by the federal government. Click the link below to watch the WMUR video!

Seabrook Fishermen To Offer Consumer-Direct Lobster, Fish - Manchester News Story - WMUR Manchester

Yankee Fisherman's Cooperative Plans to Offer Fresh Fish

By Angeljean Chiaramida Staff writer

The Daily News of Newburyport Thu Mar 03, 2011, 03:45 AM EST

SEABROOK — Selectmen yesterday gave their preliminary OK to what they considered an exciting plan by the Yankee Fisherman's Cooperative to build a fish processing plant that would provide local consumers with a new source of fresh, locally caught and filleted fish.

Click for full story