Commercial Fishing on the Great Lakes is a Family Affair
Although the number of fishermen who make a living on the waters of the Great Lakes is much diminished from a half century ago, the region's commercial whitefish fishery continues to be viable and profitable.Henriksen Fisheries is one of about a dozen commercial entities in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan, focused on trap netting whitefish in Green Bay and the waters surrounding the Door Peninsula.Charlie Henriksen started his family-owned fishing business in Door County in 1987.Originally from Illinois…
Wisconsin Awards $5.3 Million in Harbor Maintenance Grants
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, together with the state's Department of Transportation (WisDOT), announced grants totaling $5.3 million for seven harbor maintenance and improvement projects to promote waterborne freight and economic development.“From the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, Wisconsin’s unique geography provides our state opportunities to grow our economy and help our businesses reach markets worldwide,” said Gov. Evers. “These grants will help maintain our harbors and ensure our ports are secure and reliable…
ATB Tug Partially Sinks in Port Milwaukee
Multiple agencies are responding to prevent any potential environmental damages after a tug partially sank at its moorings on the Kinnickinnic River in Port Milwaukee.The Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Lake Michigan were notified by the National Response Center at 11:27 a.m. on Monday that the vessel Michigan, part of an articulated tug and barge (ATB) unit, began taking on water and partially sank in 26 feet of water.Photos shared by the Coast Guard earlier this week show the stern of the 115-foot-long tug submerged while its bow remains above the waterline…
Burger Launches 60′ Research Vessel “Coregonus”
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.A. – April 8, 2011 Burger Boat Company launches the R/V Coregonus, a 60’ Research Vessel for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. R/V Coregonus is replacing the R/V Barney Devine, a steel Fishing Tug built by Burger in 1937. SeaCraft Design in Sturgeon Bay, WI designed the R/V Coregonus for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to meet the demanding requirements of the department. Powered by twin Caterpillar C12 diesel engines, the all welded aluminum R/V Coregonus will provide a cruising speed of 20 knots.
Wisconsin Proposes Modification to Ballast Rule
As a consequence of a year-long feasibility study, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) proposed on Dec. 21 that its Vessel General Permit be modified to harmonize it with international ballast water discharge rules. The requirements become effective in 2012 for new ocean-going vessels and in 2014 for existing ocean-going vessels. When not fully loaded, commercial cargo ships must take on water (ballast) to maintain their stability. Once pumped on board, ballast water is stored in narrow cavities (ballast tanks) built into the hull of a ship. Ballast water pumped onboard in one port may inadvertently contain aquatic organisms that are then released when ballast is discharged in another port.
GLMRI Awarded $750,000 Clean Diesel Grant
The Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute (GLMRI) has been awarded a $750,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative Grant to help reduce air emissions from a 1,000-ft Great Lakes ore carrier. Dr. Richard Stewart, GLMRI co-director, said the grant enables Key Lakes I, Inc., a Great Lakes vessel operator to repower the M/V Edwin H. Gott during the year-long project. The main engine installation will take place at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, concurrent with the vessel’s winter layup and drydocking. GLMRI and Key Lakes I, Inc., are partners in the project that will significantly reduce the air emissions for the M/V Edwin H.
Burger to Build 60-ft Research Vessel
Burger Boat Company and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources signed a contract for the construction of a 60-ft research vessel to support expanded study and survey work of the Lake Michigan fisheries. Named after the fish genus that includes: Lake Whitefish and Lake Herring, the new RV Coregonus will be capable of gill netting and allowing fisheries staff to continue the work done on the previous research ship—the RV Barney Devine. The RV Coregonus will also have expanded features including onboard laboratory equipment…
House Hearing on Asian Carp, Great Lakes
The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted a hearing on Asian carp and the Great Lakes. In his statement, Representative James Oberstar (D-MN) discussed the threat posed by the Asian carp to the Great Lakes ecosystem. Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), testified concerning EPA’s role in the process and the draft Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework. MGEN John Peabody, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), testified concerning USACE’s efforts to date and its plans for upcoming efforts to stop the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes via the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal. Mr.
U.S. Army Attributes Clean-Up Success to New Mud Cat
A major environmental cleanup has been completed at Gruber's Grove Bay, a residential and recreational area of the Wisconsin River located near Badger Army Ammunition Plant (AAP) in Wisconsin. During the cleanup, about 90,000 cu. yds. of sediment were dredged from the bottom of the 25-acre bay. The sediments, deposited prior to 1972 by production at Badger AAP, had shown elevated levels of mercury, lead and copper. Dredging took place during spring, summer and fall 2001. Gruber's Grove Bay was closed throughout the cleanup, an action that demonstrated the strength of the partnership that made the cleanup possible. The partnership consisted of the Army, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S.
