Stateside: Casting A Line

We have come a rlong way since the days of hand nets and the kind of catches that would not, in any way, affect the number of fish in the world’s oceans.

But all that has changed, threatening fsh stocks and putting certain species in jeopardy of extinction.

Technology, huge ocean-sweeping factory ships, unsustainable by-catches, climate change, coastal pollution, and an exploding world population have all contributed to the crisis.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) is the primary law governing marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters.

First passed in 1976, the act fosters long-term biological and economic sustainability of our nation's marine fisheries out to 200 nautical miles from shore.

Key objectives are to:

-Prevent overfishing

-Rebuild overfished stocks

-Increase long-term economic and social benefits

-Ensure a safe and sustainable supply of seafood

Prior to its enactment, waters beyond 12 nautical miles were international waters and fished by fleets from other countries. The 1976 law extended U.S. jurisdiction to 200 nautical miles and established eight regional fishery management councils with representation from the coastal states and fishery stakeholders whose primary responsibility is development of fishery management plans (FMPs).

These FMPs must comply with a number of conservation and management requirements, including the 10 National Standards - principles that promote sustainable fisheries management.

The U.S. Congress has twice made significant revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, first in 1996 with the passage of the Sustainable Fisheries Act, and in 2007 with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act.

As a result, the United States is ending and preventing overfishing in federally-managed fisheries, actively rebuilding stocks, and providing fishing opportunities and economic benefits for both commercial and recreational fishermen as well as fishing communities and shoreside businesses that support fishing and utilize fish products.

Why the lengthy background information?

In the U.S., the fishing industry, with both the aforementioned commercial and recreational sectors combined, is responsible for billions of dollars in revenues that covers the gamut from boat builders, including small family rigs right up to the big, super powered, horizon chasing sport fishing machines, to equipment, to electronics, and everything else that has anything to do with catching fish.

Recently, there has been a groundswell of activity to change some of the rules governing saltwater fishing. For example, the red snapper fishery in the States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, as well as on both coasts of Florida, is a very lucrative species.

If the request to extend the boundary is approved, the new margins would put commercial ventures and recreational fishermen in the same waters. Therefore, at issue, and according to White House statements, is the view that should these alterations be administered, the result would be a return to overfishing of this certain stock, harming both the economy and the environment.

Extend that across the board, and there could be trouble.

The latest word from the current administration is that any attempt to alter the current mandate will be vetoed. A fight over fishing could be brewing, bringing with it a lot of economic ramifications.

Under Construction

While I’m on the subject of fish and fishing, one of the central sectors in our boat building industry is custom sport fishing yachts. Fast and powerful, often with luxurious accommodation and one-of-a-kind designs, these super fishing boats ply the waters of the world in search of action and excitement both on and off the tournament circuit.

North Carolina-based Jarrett Bay’s Hull #62, currently under construction, is a 90-foot beauty with an impressive profile: 22’6” beam, a 310 square foot cockpit, six staterooms and five heads, Seakeeper stabilization system, state-of-the-art electronics, and will carry 4,700 US gallons of fuel.

With 61 hulls before her, this project will soon be joining her sisterships and making quite a splash in the Stateside boat building industry.

Biz Buzz

With the proliferation of mega and super yachts sliding down the ways, worldwide developers are constantly on the look out for new locations to accommodate both destination and service yards.

Here, on our side of the pond, the island of Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic, and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, is the latest location to be sighted for a possible big yacht magnet.

Recently, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from qualified developers for the rehabilitation, improvement, and operational maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities on the existing site of the Isla Grande Dry Dock in the city of San Juan. Also included is a superyacht marina complex.   

According to sources, PRPA executive director Ingrid C Colberg-Rodríguez said: "Puerto Rico is going to be the premier destination in the Caribbean for maintenance, repair and overhaul services of luxury vessels, while further fostering the growth of the service and tourism industries on the island.

"The RFP seeks to obtain proposals to transform the IGFF into a leading maritime-industrial centre for yacht and superyacht maintenance, and develop a marina site to provide services and luxury shopping, dining and accommodations for the yachting community."

The area comprises some 600,000 square feet and is near the Puerto Rico Convention Center District, the Isla Grande Airport, and will be part of the Port of San Juan which has received on average 500 cruise ships on 14 cruise lines over the last five years. The port also received around 1.4 million passengers, and 2,340 cargo ships moving about 8.3 million short tons of cargo per year during the period.

A decision on the RFPs is forthcoming and should be announced by late June or early July.

And The Winners Are…

Here in the States, we often look forward to yearly lists. It’s kind of an American thing; I mean look at all the award shows, music, entertainment, or otherwise we have. Obsession with lists is part of our DNA.

Keeping in line with this particular notion, the editors at Boating Industry have compiled a roll call of the top products of the past year and part of 2015.

Products were chosen based on factors such as how each has influenced the industry and improvements made, among other factors.

Mentioned are Dometic’s Smart Touch Integrated Intelligence Control (STIIC), an ingenious device that allows owners to use a mobile device or computer to turn Dometic devices on or off remotely.

Indmar’s ROUSHCharged Raptor 575 is, according to the company, the first emissions certified catalyzed inboard engine to bring supercharging technology to the marine industry and produces the most torque ever offered in a towboat.

Mercury Marine’s 4.5L V-6, 200-hp sterndrive is noted for featuring a newly designed rear facing throttle body, anti-whistle throttle plate, engine cover and mounts, lightweight flywheel, fuel supply module, structural oil pan and Adaptive Speed Control.

Suzuki DF200AP 200-hp outboard offers new features including the Keyless Start System, drive-by-wire electronic throttle and shift control and Selective Rotation for standard or counter rotation from any unit.

Volvo Penta Forward Drive is designed with water sports in mind. It has forward-facing dual counter-rotating props and adjustable-trim drive that pulls boats through the water with undisturbed water flow to the propellers.

The Whale S360EW 12V water heater was mentioned because it does not need connection to a generator, inverter or shore power. Instead, it fits in compact spaces, has a rapid heat up time and heat retention of up to 10 hours.

Yamaha 19-foot FSH Series is the company’s first jetpowered, center console family fishing boat available in a base model, Deluxe and Sport variations. All three come with Yamaha’s 1.8L High Output marine engine.

Fair winds, shipmates. – Capt. Ken

Should you have any special interests that you would like me to look into, please send your request to the OnboardOnline site and I will do my best to track it down for you. I hope to see you around the docks or better yet, out on the water.