National Fisherman May 2016

MAY 2016

Incorporating

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

Northern pearls New England transplants raise oysters in Alaska’s Homer Bay SMALL WONDERS

Slow Fish has new take on old school BOATBUILDING

Watered down in Maine yard www.nationalfisherman.com

Pg. 17

CONTENTS

Cover: Greg and Weatherly Bates sort and pack oysters from their farm in Homer, Alaska.

Photo by Loren Holmes / Alaska Dispatch News

NATIONAL FISHERMAN • MAY 2016 • VOL. 97, NO. 1

Features/ Boats&Gear

On Deck

20

Party with a purpose

In Search of the Simple Life

22

8

7

Fish tales and tunes all around at the FisherPoets Gathering in Astoria, Ore.

At Slow Fish 2016, fishermen share lunches, laughter and their love for the industry.

Dock Talk

Cover

Prioritizing near-coastal nursery grounds to protect our fishing future.

A hardshell harvest East Coast transplants bring serious shellfish culture with them to Homer, Alaska.

22

26

2 Editor’s Log 4 Fishing Back When 5 Mail Buoy/Eileen Sobeck 6 Northern Lights 9 Science on Your Side 9 Consequences 12 Around the Coasts 18 Market Reports

Secret leaks

Maine yard gets more than they bargained for when a 16-yearold lobster boat comes in.

30

6

Spray n’ fillet

Chemical-free cleaning and knives that don’t dull are the next step in onboard processing.

32

20

Around the Yards

8

Last Set A eclectic catch on Chesapeake Bay. p. 48

Maine boat headed to Maryland; 49-footer won’t stop growing; Two shops work on oyster boat.

READER SERVICES Classified

36

Advertiser’s Index

Product Roundup

A wireless CHIRP radar for small fishing boats; trawl sensor is small, smart and speedy

26

38 41

Table of Contents: page 22: Loren Holmes / Alaska Dispatch News photo page 20: Eric Buchanan photo page 26: Jonesport Shipyard photo

National Fisherman (ISSN 0027-9250), May 2016, Vol. 97, No. 1, 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.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes only to Subscription Service Department, P.O. Box 15116, North Hollywood, CA 91615. Canada Post International Publications Mail product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 40028984, National Fisherman. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept. or DPGM, 4960-2 Walker Rd., Windsor, ON N9A 6J3. READERS: All editorial correspondence should be mailed to: National Fisherman, P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438.