FEA08 Seminars
FEA08 Seminars are presented free of charge to registered attendees. Seating is limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wednesday, April 9
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Commercial Offshore Mussel Culture: A Look at an Alternative Method
Open-ocean mussel farming is an environmentally sustainable practice and an
economically viable option for commercial fishermen. Learn more about this
innovative strategy and how it might be something for you.
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Roundtable with Commercial Fishermen of America: Following the Examples
of Others
Join our staff as we tackle some of the hottest topics surrounding the business
of commercial fishing. Across the nation, issues surrounding the business
of commercial fishing remain consistent: the rising cost of healthcare, pollution
and its effects on fishing, working-waterfront access. We can all learn from
what other states have done. Bring your questions to this informal roundtable
discussion.
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Liferaft Safety Demonstration
Location: ZF Marine Beer Garden & Theater
Presented by IMP Fishing Gear, this free session will provide vital insight into the operation of liferafts. A short video of liferafts being deployed in real-life situation will be shown. Then experts will display an inflated raft from a fishing vessel that was used recently to save six lives. Deployment procedures, boarding and use, and a review and explanation of the raft’s safety and survival gear will be provided. The session will conclude with an EPIRB demonstration and questions-and-answers. If you spend time on the water, this is a must-attend session.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Take Action! Affordable Healthcare can be a Reality.
This panel will describe the successful Massachusetts Fishing Partnership
Health Plan and review bipartisan federal legislation filed in both the U.S.
Senate and House of Representatives to establish a national program to provide
healthcare coverage to all fishing families. Presenters will explain the Massachusetts
plan that has been providing high quality affordable healthcare coverage to
thousands of fishing family members for over 10 years and talk about what
fishermen in other states can do to promote comparable fishing-family healthcare
coverage.
Thursday, April 10
11:00 a.m.–12:00
Herring Challenges
Here’s a growing issue: traditional purse/seiners vs. mid-water trawl
fishing and the by-catch. This topic is important enough for National Fisherman to
feature the herring fishery in its “yearbook” issue for New England.
Come see what all the talk is about and chat with some leaders in the field.
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion: Fuel Issues and Engines. What’s Next?
As fuel costs soar and environmental standards force equipment changes, operators
are looking for alternatives to decrease costs, increase performance, and
balance it all without decreasing machinery service life or dropping the bottom
line. In this seminar, experts look at the controversy around biofuels, fuel
additives, engine warranty issues, and engine-operating efficiency.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Employment Opportunities in the Commercial Marine Industry
There’s a difference between taking a job as a sternman for the summer
when you’re a teenager and actually joining the big boys out on the
water as a career in the fishing or commercial marine industries. There are
also opportunities to work building, repairing, and maintaining commercial
vessels. See what’s available to you, or come to this session to learn
how you can populate your boat or company with qualified marine personnel.
