LOBSTERMEN’SMAINEAI ASSOCIATIONNE BBetteretter IInformed,nformed, BBetteretter DDecisionsecisions January 2012 Vol 20, No 1 Lobstermen take part in right whale survey By Heather Tetreault tanding on a dock at 4:00 a.m. is a regular practice for SMLA Board members Bobby Ingalls of Bucks Har- bor and Mike Myrick of Cushing. Early on December Sea lice treatments 13 we all stood at the Southwest Harbor dock waiting to board the 112-foot catamaran Friendship V, bound for Jordan Basin in search of North Atlantic right whales. trouble lobstermen As the boat steamed out in rough, choppy seas, Dr. Moi- ra Brown, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium By Chris Bartlett (NEA) explained to the team — approximately 20 scien- tists and researchers — that the survey trip was funded n early November, 2011, Environment Canada by the Canadian Wildlife Foundation. Two weeks earlier Ibrought charges against Cooke Aquaculture for aerial surveys had spotted right whales in Jordan Basin illegal pesticide use that was linked to dead lobsters and Cashes Ledge so the vessel would spend the day in New Brunswick waters. The pesticide, cyperme- covering both areas. thrin, was allegedly used in an attempt to control sea Previously scientists were unsure where right lice, but it’s not clear how much was used or how whales mated. In the last few years, however, groups it was administered. This has prompted a number of right whales were discovered congregating in Jor- of Maine fi shermen to ask about the potential risks dan Basin and Cashes Ledge during the winter months, to lobsters associated with sea lice treatments on prompting researchers to hypothesize that these areas salmon farms. were where some whales spend the winter and mate. Sea lice are small marine crustaceans that feed Once the sun came up, a team of researchers stood on by rasping mucus, skin, and blood from a fi sh’s ex- the top deck with cameras and binoculars to search for Continued on page 9 Continued on page 16 Bobby Ingalls, right, aboard the RV Friendship V. Heather Tetreault photo. Portland Shellfish Co Proud Sponsor of the MLA Contact Scout at (207) 799-9290 • Email: [email protected] • www.pshellfish.com Work ahead for off shore wind proposal By Craig Idlebrook A week earlier, BOEM announced it had verifi ed the PRST STD completeness of Statoil’s application and would begin First published on December 12, 2011, in The Working Wa- Permit No. 65 Permit No. the lengthy process of evaluating the proposal. An ap- terfront. Reprinted with permission. U.S. Postage Paid Postage U.S. plication for the project must also be approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission; a Maine PUC of- Brunswick, ME 04011 t a recent meeting, federal and state offi cials said fi cial said at the meeting that it was considering several they are just beginning to evaluate a bid for a small A proposals for wind or combination wind and tidal proj- wind farm in deep water off Boothbay, but already ects, including the Statoil plan; a decision on the propos- many ocean stakeholders are concerned. Some environ- als will be released in the next few months. mental and fi shing groups feel they don’t have a strong Aditi Mirani, BOEM Project Director for Maine, enough voice in the process, wind proponents say the emphasized that this was just the beginning of the pro- approval process is moving too slow and some offi cials cess and that BOEM will be looking for public input. admit there are critical data gaps to properly assess the The project would be considered a prototype, with project’s potential impact. just four turbines generating 12 MW on fl oating plat- On December 8, state and federal offi cials of the forms. It would be located within a 22-mile area of the Maine Task Force of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Man- Gulf of Maine. agement (BOEM) met in South Portland to discuss an United States Coast Guard Marine Transportation application of the Norwegian energy company Statoil Specialist George Detweiler said the proposed wind to build a 12-megawatt wind farm. The four wind tur- farm location didn’t seem to interfere with popular ship- bines would be put atop fl oating platforms rather than ping routes that went to Portland. anchored directly to the ocean fl oor, which would make “Statoil picked a fairly decent location, as far as traf- it the fi rst fl oating wind farm in the United States and fi c goes,” Detweiler said. However, he cautioned that the largest such project in the world. this initial assessment was based on a snapshot of 2009 Continued on page 7 INSIDE Building a business Lobster trap economics Why do we V-notch? Maine Lobstermen’s Association Maine Lobstermen’s #1 Ave. 21 Western ME Kennebunk, 04043 page 6 page 13 page 17 2 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 Maine Lobstermen’s Steaming Ahead Association A dvocating for a erhaps it’s the mother in me, but I worry about you lob- overboard or being struck by a piece of equipment while sustainable stermen as you put your lives and health at risk each day working. Those who have survived serious accidents at sea lobster resource P when you go to work. It’s a well-known fact that commercial say that proper training is almost always a factor. None of us and the fi shermen and fi shing is one of our nation’s most dangerous professions. are immune to accidents so you must be prepared. ccommunities that Fishing in Maine is particularly dangerous because the water The winter traditionally has been a time to slow the pace depend on it is so cold, the tides strong and the weather – well, we all know down a little, work on your boat and gear, and get things in SinceS 1954 about the weather. order for the next busy fi shing season. It has also become a I am extremely grateful that Maine fi shermen did not suf- time to replace knees and hips, repair hernias, and get necks fer any casualties at sea this year. This is great news, given that and backs put back into alignment. The lobster industry suf- Board of Directors 27 Maine fi shermen have been lost at sea since 2000. Sadly, fers from a host of occupational injuries sustained on the boat ••• two Massachusetts lobstermen were lost this year, including and from hazards encountered in the workshop. So, as you : David Cousens President Peter Prybot, a well-known lobsterman from Gloucester who work on your boat this winter, think about new ways to set So. Th omaston, 207.594.7518 was a regular contributor to Commercial Fisheries News. your hauler or stack your gear that would minimize strain on : Jim Dow 1st VP It may sound cliché, but being prepared saves lives. Maine’s your body. As you prepare to spend time in your workshop Bass Harbor, 207.288.9846 excellent record at sea this year refl ects development of a true during the cold winter months, please think about your health. 2nd VP: Brian McLain New Harbor, 207.677.3377 culture of safety for our industry. The state has demonstrated Take the time to ventilate your shop or work outside when Sec/Treasurer: Arnold Gamage, Jr. a commitment to keeping fi shermen safe through the estab- you paint buoys or burn rope. So. Bristol, 207.644.8110 lishment of the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Council As so many lobstermen -- both young and old -- work and through the requirement that student and apprentice lob- more and longer days to make up for the weak lobster price, Bob Baines, Spruce Head, 596.0177 stermen complete the drill conductor class in order to qualify the risk of accident and injury increases. It is easy to take your Shane Carter, Bar Harbor, 288.0236 for a commercial license. Popular television shows like “The health and your life for granted when you’re in the daily grind Dwight Carver, Beals, 497.2895 Deadliest Catch” have also done a lot to raise awareness about trying to earn enough money to live a comfortable life. But Gerry Cushman, Port Clyde, 372.6429 the dangers of working at sea and further deepen our empha- that life can’t ever be truly comfortable without your health. Jim Henderson, Camp Ellis, 282.0913 sis on safety. As an industry, lobstermen are known to push hard and Robert Ingalls, Bucks Harbor, 255.3418 I was struck by how pervasive the attention to safety on take a lot of pride in a strong work ethic. I urge each of you to Mark Jones, Boothbay, 633.6054 the water has become when I watched a recent interview of take time to think about your health and safety at sea. Think Jason Joyce, Swan’s Island, 526.4109 a young lobsterman, Abraham Beal from Beals Island, by a about the small things that you can do that will make a long- Jack Merrill, Islesford, 244-4187 student from Husson University. When asked what it takes term difference, such as signing up for a drill conductor class Tad Miller, Matinicus, 372.6941 to be a lobsterman he replied, “You have to have a good un- or making changes on deck or in your workshop. The goal is Mike Myrick, Cushing, 354.6077 derstanding about the ocean. The fi rst thing that my parents to remain healthy enough to enjoy those soon-to-come retire- Brad Parady, Kittery, 337.3141 – my dad and my grandfather -- always taught me was to have ment years – and it could save your life.