AOS USA Maritime Updates 

The Professional Association of Catholic Mariners, Cruise Ship Priests and Catholic Maritime Ministers.

 

November 21, 2016

In This Issue
World Fisheries Day Reflection by Capt. Pietro Parravano.
A Port Chaplain's Reflections on Ministry to the Fishing Community.
Texas Shrimp Association: World Fisheries Day Message.
North Pacific Fishing Fleet Plans USD 1.6 Billion Upgrade by 2026!
Our Lady Star of the Sea Prints Available!
Join AOS-USA in saying the AOS Prayer daily!
Upcoming Events
PrayingHands
    Prayer Requests:
 


 For all fishermen on this World Fisheries Day, that God may give them abundant harvests to sustain themselves, their families and their communities. And may they recognize the great responsibility they have to be stewards of God's Ocean and the life within it.





For all seafarers who are just starting their careers, especially those who are struggling to find work in the current economic climate.



 


A Seafarers' Prayer



O God, I ask you to take me into your care and protection along with all those who sail ships.
Make me alert and wise in my duties. Make me faithful in the time of routine, and prompt to decide and courageous to act in any time of crisis.
Protect me in the dangers and perils of the sea; and even in the storm, grant that there may be peace and calm within my heart.
When I am far from home and far from loved ones and far from the country that I know,
help me to be quite sure that, wherever I am, I can never drift beyond your love and care.
Take care of my loved ones in the days and weeks and months when I am separated from them, sometimes with half the world between them and me.
Keep me true to them and keep them true to me, and every time that we have to part, bring us together in safety and in loyalty again.
This I ask for your love's sake.
-Amen-
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


AOS PRAYER 
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon all Seafarers.    
(1 Our Father)
(Hail Mary)
  
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
  
St. Peter, pray for us.
  
St. Andrew, pray for us.
  
Lord save us,  
or we perish.
 
 
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Some went down to the sea in ships,

doing business on the great waters; 

they saw the deeds of the Lord,

his wondrous works in the deep.

(Psalm 107:23-24)





  World Fisheries Day Reflection

By: Capt. Pietro Parravano
Fishing Representative to the AOS-USA Board 
 

Pietro Paravano Gathering Crabs
Capt. Pietro Parravano catches Dungeness Crab in Half Moon Bay, California. 


The origin of World Fisheries Day occurred on the same day that an international fishermen's organization was formed in New Dehli, India. The World Fisheries Forum (WFF) was established on November 21, 1997. On that day, fishing representatives from 18 countries signed a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies. The creation of WFF was founded on the common principles of sustaining the fishing communities, sustaining the fisheries, social justice, and preserving the cultural history of fish harvesters and fish workers.



Earth is covered by approximately 75% of Oceans. Their vastness offer all living species with a multitude of blessings, bounty and life. At times, we are perplexed by the ongoing goodness of this liquid that we call the Oceans. We take for granted this mystique. There are many historical references to this mystique that are documented in the Bible, cultures, society, politics and humanity.

Pictured left to right are Hahn Tran, Capt. Jerry Pannell (AOS-USA Merchant Marine Board Member), Nikki Tran, (AOS-USA Mariner Member), and Capt. Pietro Parravano, (AOS-USA Fishing Board Member).  Nikki and Hahn Tran showed their newest Crab Facility to AOS-USA Board Members during their recent visit to Port Arthur.  
 
World Fisheries Day is rooted in this mystique. It celebrates the vast assortment of connections that are defined by the Oceans. The celebration of World Fisheries Day verifies the diversity of the fishermen that bring us the bounty of the Oceans. The universal language of the fishermen is communicated to us when their harvest is brought to our tables. Their language is heard by all societies around the world. It becomes imbedded in our culinary senses. Its level of appreciation grows with each bite. Its understanding grows with each article we read or each illustration we see. It becomes a source for education, appreciation and knowledge.



The continuance of this celebration for World Fisheries Day depends upon your support and acknowledgement. Each time you see a fish, eat a fish or think like a fish, you are connecting to the oceans and their ecosystems. You are also connecting to the fisherman that brought you that fish. Each fisherman faces many challenges as they go to work on the Oceans. Their success is dependent on your support and bountiful Oceans.



World Fisheries Day is a day that raises our appreciation for the fish, the Oceans and the fishermen. It is a unique celebration.
 


    A Port Chaplain's Reflections on Ministry

    to the Fishing Community

By: Fr Sinclair Oubre, JCL 
AOS Diocese of Beaumont 


Ministering to the fishing community is different from ministering to the merchant marine community. The biggest difference is that most of the fishermen come from the local community, have homes in that community, and are attached to their local parishes or churches. Where as the merchant mariners come from different regions of our country, or from different lands.



The Motu proprio Stella Maris reminds us that fishermen are seafarers, and ". . . the Church accompanies seafarers, caring for the special spiritual needs of those who for various reasons live and work in the maritime world."



For the fishing community, this is not so much a sacramental/spiritual accompaniment, but an accompaniment in solidarity, advocacy, and education. I do not mean to say that there is no spiritual ministry. It is very important to do the blessing of the fleet, visit fishermen who are in the hospital, or attend the funerals of fishermen when they are killed at sea. However, the primary source of pastoral care for our local fishermen comes from their own parishes or churches.

Blessing the Shrimp Boat "Lady Tina" 


The biggest part of my ministry to fishermen in the Diocese of Beaumont revolves around standing in solidarity with them.



Much attention has been given to the terrible slavery conditions that many Asian fishermen are experiencing. As Cardinal Veglio states in the 2016 World Fisheries Day Message, we must be aware of the conditions of these brothers and sisters, and we must advocate to end a system that enslaves human beings to make cat food. Yet, as the port chaplain for the Diocese of Beaumont, I also must advocate for my local fishermen who dock their boats just down from the public port.



Too often environmental organizations target US commercial fishermen. We have seen this in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental organizations blame shrimpers for the death of sea turtles in spite of the Deepwater Horizon incident, and the shrimpers' ever greater compliance in the use of turtle excluder devices.



Often recreational fishing organizations lobby for a greater share of the total catch. In managed fisheries, when recreational fishermen get a larger share of the total allowable catch, the commercial fisherman loses a part of his or her share.

Blessing of the shrimp boat "Captain Tran" and her crew. 


As the port chaplain to the local fishing community, I must know the struggles that my fishermen face, I must know those who are trying to restrict my fishermen's capacity to make a living, and I must challenge the exploitative language that opponents of commercial fishing use to grab the public's attention. I still remember how one environmental group used the term "clear cutting" of the sea to describe shrimping. It does not seem to be relevant to these folks that shrimpers do not trawl in areas where their nets can get tangled on the bottom.



Another aspect of my fishing ministry is education. Ministering to a fishing community that is 90% Vietnamese, they face both a language and an information challenge. Most of the information regarding state and federal fishing regulations is published in English. Because the primary language of most of our fishermen is Vietnamese, real efforts have to be made to communicate that information to the fishermen. In addition, since all fishermen spend most of their time fishing or working on their boats, they do not have time to follow the legislative and regulatory processes that affect their fishing.

AOS Diocese of Beaumont facilitates a training for Shrimpers in Port Arthur, Texas, with Vietnamese translation by AOS-USA Mariner Member, Vui Kim Tran. 


As a port chaplain, I have that ability to work with Andrea Hance of the Texas Shrimp Association, and John Williams of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. These great folks carefully monitor the regional fishing councils, state legislatures, and the numerous federal agencies. Their reports help me to pass on to my local fishing community important changes that will impact their ability to fish.



A good example of this was the March 2016 implementation of automatic identification systems on fishing boats in the Gulf of Mexico. I was able to organize meetings with our shrimpers, the Coast Guard, and equipment vendors, so that when the implementation date arrived, all 160 of our boats were in compliance.

Capt. Mike Eagan of the Sabine Pilots demonstrates AIS identification systems which shrimpers are now required to have on their vessels. AOS Beaumont reached out to the Pilots to assist with this training. 


On World Fishery Day, I remember that fishermen are considered seafarers by the Motu proprio Stella Maris, and, therefore, as a port chaplain, they are one of my primary concerns. I also remember that though there is much work to be done in protecting the human dignity of the thousands who are enslaved in the fishing industry, there are artisanal fishermen just down the road from my seafarers' center who struggle each day to provide for their families.



So, all fishermen, I pray:



"Our Lady Star of the Sea, pray for those who fish this day. May your Son send his protection on you, so that you may return safely to your families."
 


Texas Shrimp Association:

World Fisheries Day Message     
    
Year after year, the bountiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide a distinctive lifestyle for Texas Fishermen.   Generations of Texas Shrimpers trawl the Gulf Coast waters seasonally with cone shaped nets that yield about 45 million pounds of the healthiest seafood each year.  The shrimp boat nets are equipped with devices called TED/s (Turtle Excluder Devices) and BRD's (Bycatch Reduction Devices) that allow larger fish and marine life to escape from the nets without harm. 
 
I am honored to be a part of this industry, and at the end of the day I feel a since of satisfaction knowing that my efforts could possibly play a role in not only saving this industry - so steeped in Texas heritage and tradition - but implement positive changes that will allow the Texas Shrimpers the ability to run their businesses fairly, safely, and profitable.
 
Andrea Hance
Executive Director of the Texas Shrimp Association
 


North Pacific Fishing Fleet Plans USD 1.6 Billion Upgrade by 2026

Courtesy: World Maritime News

20 November 2016


 
USD 1.6 billion is expected to be spent on modernization of the North Pacific fishing fleet in the next decade, with a possibility to bring more contracts to Puget Sound, a new report released by the Port of Seattle and the Washington Maritime Federation shows.



Published on November 17, 2016, the report predicts that shipbuilding will reach a relatively high point in the next ten years, averaging three to five vessels per year, compared to just one vessel per year for the last 15 years. Current vessel replacement costs vary widely by fishery, ranging between USD 15 and USD 118 million.



"Modern ships are safer, more sustainable and more profitable, but also require more capital," Ted Fick, Port of Seattle CEO, said.
Furthermore, the report says that shipyard competition, economic conditions, and public policy will determine how much of the vessel construction will be done in Puget Sound.



The North Pacific fleet includes vessels of a wide range of size and value. The average vessel length ranges from 96 feet for smaller trawlers, to over 400 feet for floating processors, or 'motherships.'
The average 2014 gross revenues for these vessels ranged from USD 2 million for trawl vessels to USD 16 million for American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processors.



"The fishing industry has provided generations of Washingtonians with good paying jobs and sustainably harvested seafood. With the right investment we can keep-and grow-jobs here in our maritime industry." Mark Gleason, Director of the Washington Maritime Federation, said.




Our Lady Star of the Sea: Prints Available!     
Courtesy:  World Library Publications 
 
 
In our October 6th E-News, we featured an image of our patroness - Our Lady, Star of the Sea (copyright � 2004, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission).



This beautiful painting was created by

Brother Michael O'Neill McGrath, OSFS, and was first published in the book Blessed Art Thou: Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen.



The book as well as a poster  and packs of notecards with this image, are available from World Library Publications,

www.wlpmusic.com , 800-566-6150.
 
Hpyerlinks are included so that you can quickly access more information about the artist, and quickly find how to purchase the book, posters and notecards.   We hope you will find this image as beautiful and inspiring as we did. And now you know how to purchase copies for your Chapel at the Seafarers' Center, etc! 
   
 

    Star of the Sea Statue

 Join AOS-USA in saying the AOS Prayer each day!

  

Please take the time to say this pray with us each day:
 
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon all Seafarers
 

(1 Our Father)

(Hail Mary)

 

Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.

St. Peter, pray for us.

St. Andrew, pray for us.

Lord save us, or we perish!

Important Upcoming Events for

AOS-USA Members
 



World Fisheries Day November 21, 2016 

Houston Maritime Ministry Training Program @ Houston International Seafarers' Center

February 12 - 24, 2017



May God Bless you with Smooth Sailing throughout your day!

Contact Info

Doreen M. Badeaux
Secretary General
Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America
1500 Jefferson Drive
Port Arthur, TX  77642-0646
PH:  409-985-4545
FAX:  409-985-5945


Apostleship of the Sea of the U.S.A. | 1500 Jefferson Drive | Port Arthur | TX | 77642