GAZA: 1st September 2008, the first day of Ramadan, several volunteers with the Free Gaza Movement and the International Solidarity Movement accompanied a small fleet of seven fishing vessels from Gaza City port. The fishermen exercised their right to fish in Gazan territorial waters, providing them with a livelihood and food for the besieged people of Gaza. The fishing fleet reached approximately nine miles offshore and began trawling along the Gazan coast, well within international limits. Usually the Israeli Navy prevents Gazan fishing vessels from accessing beyond six miles and in many cases only three miles by attacking the boats, sometimes lethally, or by arresting the fishermen. However, this day’s fishing resulted in a highly successful catch due to the ability to access richer fishing grounds further offshore. Two Israeli Naval gunboats approached the fleet soon after leaving port and began firing “warning shots” shortly afterwards. They were aware that internationals were on some of the boats. The Israeli Navy continued shooting multiple times at the fishing vessels, one of which was fired upon at least seven times. They also deployed explosive charges in the water and attempted to de-stabilise some of the boats by creating a strong wake. Communication was established with the Israeli Navy via VHF radio, informing them that everyone onboard were unarmed civilians and requesting that the Israeli Navy stop shooting. The volunteers will continue to join Gazan …
Family-owned, small commercial fishing boats have been a way of life for generations. It’s a tough, dangerous job and a way of life that is seriously in danger of disappearing. Whenever a small boat owner decides to stop fishing, there is an economic impact not just to that fisherman and his or her family, but to the community that harbors the boats as well. If small, family-owned commercial fishing boats stop working the water, America loses an important contributor to a healthy food chain. And we become poorer as a result. This video shows you what it’s like to be a commercial fisherman fishing for salmon and crabs off the coast of San Francisco.
The SeaVee 340 Series represents the benchmark for center console and cuddy cabin fishing boats. The 340 fishing boat is offered in four configurations with an array of options.
New Zealand’s foreign minister says his country’s maritime agency will carry out an investigation into a collision between a Japanese whaling vessel and a boat belonging to the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling protest group. The clash took place in the Southern ocean, in waters which come under Australian and New Zealand maritime authority. Sea Shepherd says its boat, the Ady Gil, was stationary and that the Japanese whaler, Shonan Maru, veered towards it and deliberately sliced off its bow. But Glenn Inwood, who works with a public relations firm hired by Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research, said Sea Shepherd had harassed the Shonan Maru for two hours and was solely to blame for the collision. The Australian government is under pressure to send its own ship to the area to police the standoff. Harry Fawcett reports.
Fishing vessels left New Bedford Harbor for Martha’s Vineyard Thursday morning in order to join a protest of President Barack Obama’s vacation. www.SouthCoastToday.com
