National Fisherman March 2018

I N F O R M E D F I S H E R M E N • P R O F I TA B L E F I S H E R I E S • S U S TA I N A B L E F I S H MARCH 2018

Cod crunch

Gulf of Alaska fleets feel the squeeze of quota cuts

AT-SEA PROCESSING

New gear, best practices and a fish plant overhaul LOBSTER TRAPPINGS

Maine’s marketers make a pitch for funds www.nationalfisherman.com

Incorporating

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER: Roller man

Brad Lambert hauls in a Pacific cod aboard the Alaska longliner Frontier Explorer.

Photo by Clipper Seafoods Ltd.

NATIONAL FISHERMAN • MARCH 2018 • VOL. 98, NO. 11

Features/ Boats&Gear

On Deck

20 CUTS FOR COD

6 NORTHERN LIGHTS

As cod quality and quantity drops in the Gulf of Alaska, managers make drastic cuts to preserve the fishery’s future.

22 BUG MONEY As the Legislature considers renewing Maine’s industryfunded lobster marketing effort, critics have questions.

An Alaskan illustrator lays out the top tips for proper handling practices for high quality catch.

8 BY THE NUMBERS

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Understanding and translating harvest data for consumers is a key to boosting seafood sales.

2

EDITOR’S LOG

4

FISHING BACK WHEN

5

MAIL BUOY

6

CHRIS OLIVER

7

DOCK TALK

30 PROCESSING

9

WASHINGTON OUTLOOK

Best practices for at-sea processing, whether you’re on a 36-foot gillnetter or a 360foot factory trawler.

12 AROUND THE COASTS

26 PAR EXCELLENCE The 367-foot factory processor Excellence undergoes a major fish plant overhaul in time for the pollock A-season.

34 AROUND THE YARDS Torpedo-stern boat overhauled; Wash. yard busy with repairs; Oystering laws affect building

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16 CREW SHOT 18 MARKET REPORTS

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Last Set Frozen crabbing grounds in Virginia p. 48

38 PRODUCT ROUNDUP A new self-monitoring spinner design allows for cleaner oil; advanced driveshaft seal earns special marine designation

READER SERVICES

40 CLASSIFIED 47 ADVERTISER’S INDEX Table of Contents:

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page 20: Clipper Seafoods Ltd. photo page 22: Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative photo page 26: Kirk Moore photo page 30: J&R Fisheries photo

National Fisherman (ISSN 0027-9250), March 2018, Vol. 98, No. 11 is published monthly by Diversified Business Communications, 121 Free St., P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438. Subscription prices: 1 year - U.S. $22.95; 2 years U.S. $43; 3 years U.S. $62. These rates apply for U.S. subscriptions only. Add $10 for Canada addresses. Outside U.S./Canada add $25 (airmail delivery). All orders must be in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. All other countries, including Canada and Mexico, please add $10 postage per year. For subscription information only, call: 1 (800) 959-5073. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, Maine, and at additional mailing offices.

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