Watersports blog

The fishing industry in the state of Alaska is thriving as always. Despite the ongoing financial crisis in the global market, the fishing industry remains a lucrative market.

According to the data released in the latest issue of Alaska Economic Trends, the number of jobs related in the fishing industry has reached more than 50,000. The numbers usually go higher during peak seasons.

Employment pertaining to fish harvesting declined slightly last year at 0.7 percent thus bringing the 7-year tally to a decline of 17 percent. The figures are affected by the state of salmon markets.

As for fishing jobs, more than 2,300 permits were released in 2007 with 30 percent of the workers connected with the salmon market. Groundfish landings in the state reached four billion pounds and created additional 1,182 jobs last year, not to mention the addition of 1,246 fishermen in halibut fishery.

Overall, the state’s fishing industry helped Alaska’s GDP last year after it contributed more than $770 million. It only shows that the fishing industry in Alaska is not affected by the global economic crisis. Seafood products have generated $2 billion worth of exports for the state in the past two years.

German car manufacturer Audi has reportedly withdrawn its sponsorship of Team Germany sailing team in the America’s Cup. However, team coordinator Jochen Schuemann said that they will continue with their bid despite this setback.

Audi has been the main sponsor of the German sailing team but Schuemann, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, said that they are now looking for a new sponsor.

Audi officials reasoned that the global economic crisis forced them to withdraw the sponsorship to the sailing team. The German sailing team is bidding to win the upcoming America’s Cup, one of the most prestigious sailing competitions in the world.

Schuemann revealed that he knew about the announcement a week before. He added that he wanted to meet with the car maker officials that time but he was called beforehand saying that there’s no need to come.

Team Germany has already withdrawn its participation at the Pacific Series event in New Zealand this coming February.

Schuemann won his first Olympic gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and won his other two gold medals at the 1988 Seoul and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was the sporting director for Swiss sailing team Alinghi wherein the team won the 2003 and 2007 America’s Cup.

The organizers of an international boat show in Germany next year expressed their optimism that the event will still be successful despite the current global economic crisis.

According to press releases, the 40th International Boat Show or Boot 2009 will proceed as planned in Dusseldorf, Germany from January 17 to 25, 2009.

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Boot 2009 Project Director Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel said that the trade center will definitely be filled with representatives from different parts of the world. The watersports and yachting industry will be strengthening its presence during the event.

About 1,650 exhibitors representing 55 countries will be displaying their goods in the allocated seventeen halls in the venue.

Nations that are well-represented will come from neighboring European countries such as Italy, France, Great Britain and Netherlands.

Aside from the yachting and watersports trade event, the Diving Show boot will also take place with 350 exhibitors expected to showcase their high-end products such as Bauer Kompressoren and Aqualung. Diving legend Hans Hass, currently ninety years old, will be signing autographs and present his books as well.

Jungmichel said that the event aims to attract a new demographic that will gain interest in the industry considering the new innovations and exciting opportunities.

After several hours of intense search, divers found the body of 25-year old Sean Patrick Spiegel who was reported missing since Saturday at the Forth Fathom Grotto in Marion County, Florida.

According to the authorities, Spiegel’s body was found in one of the caves at around 8 pm on Sunday. They said that his body was intact and will undergo medical autopsy in order to determine the real cause of death. Spiegel’s diving equipment was also taken as part of the investigation.

Spiegel and four of his friends reportedly stayed at a rented log cabin nearby. They group had their diving adventure on Saturday morning, going as deep as 104 feet. Instead of going with the group in their ascent above water, Spiegel signaled that he still has six minutes remaining and would like to continue diving. That’s the last time they saw Spiegel.

More than 10 divers were hired to do the comprehensive search but encountered no results early on.

Spiegel is said to be an experience scuba diver. This pronouncement prompted the authorities to conduct an investigation for possible foul play.
As of press time, Spiegel’s friends decline to give comments.