Updates
Keep informed with news
concerning Alaskan fishermen today.
· Join the UFA mailing list 
· Past Updates (archives)
· 6/15, 5/12, 3/17, 2/16, 1/28, 1/2, 12/8, 10/30, 10/7, 10/3, 9/22, 8/25, 8/4, (recent updates)
UFA Update
June 15, 2009
UFA At-large election results: Thank you for the high voter turnout by UFA individual and lifetime members.- UFA’s at-large representatives are Bruce Schactler, Bruce Wallace, Cheryl Sutton and Gerry Merrigan, effective June 15, 2009 – 2011.Also effective today are committee chairmanships elected by the UFA Board in March – Paul Shadura is UFA Membership chair and Bob Thorstenson Jr. is new UFA Marketing chair. Tomorrow (June 16th) is deadline for Southeast Alaska gillnet ballots for Regional Seafood development assessment election - see item #2 below. The Halibut Coalition needs your financial support for their fees in intervention proceedings in the ongoing lawsuit against the guided halibut bag limit reduction. To donate by credit card ($200 minimum) see: http://www.halibutcoalition.org/docs/Donation%20Form
%20HC%2012Jul08.pdf
Table of Contents
1. 9th Circuit Court: Exxon To Pay Interest, Own Legal Fees In Valdez Case
2. My turn: Rainforest Wild benefits all Southeast fishermen (Waldrop and Poole)
3. Judge upholds one-fish limit for Southeast halibut charters
4. Charter Lawsuit Ignores Halibut Conservation Concerns
5. Southeast Alaska Dungeness crab fishery set to open Monday
6. Inside look at fisheries meetings, By Howard Delo
7. Bankrupt mine company ordered to clean up acid (Tulsequah / Taku River)
8. Murkowski and Begich Introduce Prince William Sound Escort Vessels Legislation
9. Obama sets National Policy for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes
10. Obama declares June National Oceans Month - 6 things you can do (Daily Green)
11. Senator Begich Supports Development of National Ocean Policy
12. Public asked to weigh in on commercial fishing in the Arctic – by July 27
13. Alaska, Mass. fishing experts up for top job (Fuglvog or Rothschild)
14. Deadline July 31 for USDA Rural Energy for America Program grants to producers
15. Columbia Salmon recovery plan needs work, judge Redden says
16. House Transportation Committee markup on Vessel Safety bill HR 2652
17. NY Times Editorial Of Fish and Flexibility (June 12, 2009)
18. Crab fishery regs garner support, criticism at federal council meeting
19. Critical snow crab count begins in the Bering Sea
20. NPFMC Items From the June Meeting:
21. Washington State Commission adopts ballast water rules
22. Invasive species are greatest threat to Northwest salmon, report says
23. Illegal fishing vessel fined USD 500K
24. Chile fish farm troubles: Marine Harvest refutes further layoffs
25. NOAA Opens 60-Day Public Comment Period for Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture
26. Oysters in deep trouble: Is Pacific Ocean's chemistry killing sea life?
27. $50M in stimulus will help fish farmers buy feed
28. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
29. MMPA 2010 List of fisheries posted – SE Seine reclassified to Category 3
30. The Whale Rescuers: NMFS disentanglement workshops
31. MMRC research: Cutting the Costs of Foraging
32. ESA Short Tailed Albatross - Initiation of 5-Year Status Review; Final Recovery Plan
33. Deadline July 20 for comment on VMS data collection paperwork
34. USCG warns of radio interference with Compact Fluorescent Lights
35. IPHC 2009 Halibut Landing Report No. 2
36. IPHC Requests Vessel Bids for Archival Tagging Charter (deadline July 3)
37. Comment deadline June 22 on ADF&G Aquatic Farming changes
38. Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program Salmon Quality videos available
39. Information Circular 58, Alaska’s Mineral Industry 2008: A Summary
40. USFWS extends comment period on Sea Otter ESA Critical Habitat to July 9
1. 9th Circuit Court: Exxon To Pay Interest, Own Legal Fees In Valdez Case
HOUSTON (Dow Jones)--A federal court ruled Monday that Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) owes $507.5 million, plus 5.9% annual interest accrued since 1996, in punitive damages to plaintiffs affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. In a divided opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit determined that the Irving, Texas-based company and the plaintiffs would have to pay for their own legal costs and court fees. Exxon's legal fees approach $70 million, according to court filings. The ruling follows a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last year to limit the punitive damages awarded the commercial fishermen and other plaintiffs who sued Exxon over the Valdez spill to about a tenth of the $5 billion awarded by a jury in September 1996. Interest payments, however, amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the latest opinion. The company has already paid plaintiffs about $383.4 million, a spokesman said. ExxonMobil, the world's largest publicly-traded oil company, insisted that the interest should run from the 2008 date of the Supreme Court decision. The company also wanted the plaintiffs to pay for at least 90% of the litigation costs…
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090615-715593.html
Decision:
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2009/06/15/04-35182.pdf
2. My turn: Rainforest Wild benefits all Southeast fishermen (Bob Waldrop and Beth Poole)
By voting to pass a 1 percent assessment to fund Rainforest Wild, Southeast's Regional Seafood Development Association, Southeast fishermen have an opportunity to not only tell their story to the marketplace but also realize infrastructure and quality improvements, and conduct education and training programs for new products and methods. Doing so will also allow Southeast's RSDA to seek outside state and federal funds and funnel those dollars directly to member fishermen…
http://juneauempire.com/stories/061209/opi_450230907.shtmlSE Gillnetters – remember to mail your ballot by the deadline tomorrow June 16.
3. Judge upholds one-fish limit for Southeast halibut charters
By ERIKA BOLSTAD, Anchorage Daily News
WASHINGTON -- Anglers who go out on charter-fishing boats in Southeast Alaska will be limited to taking just one halibut a day, a federal judge ruled today. Charter-boat owners and operators had asked U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer for an emergency injunction to stop the rule from taking effect on Friday, but she denied their motion. However, Collyer said, the charters may still go forward with their lawsuit challenging the rule that cuts the daily catch limit from two to one, Collyer said. Charter operators last year successfully blocked the federal government's efforts to impose a one-fish limit.
http://www.adn.com/outdoors/fishing/story/819623.html
&
Federal judge puts limit on Southeast halibut charters (AK Journal of Commerce)
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/061209/fis_13_001.shtml
&
Charter operators sue over one-halibut limit – KFSK audio by Ed Schoenfeld
http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=
sideBlock&syndicated=true&ID=678
4. Charter Lawsuit Ignores Halibut Conservation Concerns
Learning Friday that charter boat operators will sue in an attempt to overturn the new one halibut per day rule, the Juneau-based Halibut Coalition's position was one of disappointment. In a new rule announced on May 6, 2009, NOAA's Fisheries Service reduced the number of halibut that charter vessel anglers in southeast Alaska can keep each day from two to one to protect the halibut stock…
http://www.sitnews.us/0509news/052309/052309_halibut.html
5. Southeast Alaska Dungeness crab fishery set to open Monday
KETCHIKAN, Alaska - A controversial new commercial fishery for Dungeness crab in Southeast Alaska is set to start Monday after a judge denied a request to block it.Superior Court Judge David George in Sitka made the decision Friday, setting the fishery opening in the Ketchikan and southeast Prince of Wales Island areas.In response, attorneys for the Organized Village of Kasaan - the tribal government for the small Haida village on east Prince of Wales Island - are seeking a preliminary injunction against the fishery with Ketchikan Superior Court Judge William Carey…
http://newsminer.com/news/2009/jun/13/southeast-alaska-
crab-fishery-set-open-monday/
6. Inside look at fisheries meetings, By Howard Delo
Last week, the Mat-Su Blue Ribbon Sportsmen’s Committee hosted a public meeting with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Blue Ribbon Committee had asked ADF&G to explain how they planned to manage the Cook Inlet salmon fisheries for this 2009 season and how their management approach would impact sports fisheries in the Northern District specifically. It was an interesting meeting!
… A questioner asked the CFD how they planned to restrict the commercial king set net fishery in light of the Sustainable Salmon Fisheries Policy and these SFD concerns. The biologist answered that the commercial fisheries do not share in the burden of conservation.
That statement was very disturbing to Northern District folks!
…At meeting’s end, the four legislators were given the chance to make closing comments. Each legislator “warned” the two division directors that they should start listening to folks’ concerns about how the fisheries are being managed in Cook Inlet. Rep. Stoltz asked the two directors if they understood the message sent by the failure of Brent Johnson, a Cook Inlet commercial fisherman, being confirmed to a seat on the BOF. He was met with total silence.According to Stoltz, the message sent was that many legislators are unhappy with the way Cook Inlet fisheries are currently being managed and that the management approach must change. Stoltz suggested that if this message was not being received by ADF&G, then perhaps a blunter action by the legislature might be necessary for the message to register!
http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2009/05/27/sports/mat
_su-outdoors/doc4a1b7b4635e51988217027.txt
7. Bankrupt mine company ordered to clean up acid (Tulsequah / Taku River)
Vancouver-based Redcorp to ask court for bankruptcy extension
By Kate Golden | JUNEAU EMPIRE
Redcorp Ventures Ltd. and subsidiary Redfern Resources was planning to clean up the acid leaking out of the old 1950s Tulsequah Chief mine as it redeveloped the site. But now that the company is insolvent and the project is halted, Canadian regulators have ordered Redcorp to clean up the acid. Canadian federal regulators have known since 1990 that water samples from the old mine's drainage were "acutely toxic" to fish. Vancouver-based Redfern installed a pilot water treatment plant, but acid is still flowing into the Tulsequah River. It's 45 miles northeast of Juneau and just upstream of the Taku River and its rich fisheries. Geophysicist David Chambers, at the Center for Science in Public Participation, estimated from the 2003 flow data that the old mine was leaking 23,861 pounds of zinc, 5,099 pounds of copper, 122 pounds of lead, 97 pounds of cadmium and 49 pounds of arsenic a year into the watershed. In court documents the company said its environmental obligations would cost $6.1 million…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/052709/loc_
444272440.shtml
8. Sens. Murkowski and Begich Introduce Prince William Sound Escort Vessels Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mark Begich, D-Alaska, today introduced legislation that would require all tankers transporting oil in Prince William Sound be escorted by at least two towing vessels, as has been the practice for the past 20 years.The current tanker safety system was authorized in the Oil Spill Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90) and currently applies to single hulled oil tankers only. The last single hulled tanker in the Prince William Fleet is expected to be retired from service by August 2012. The legislation would require dual escort vessels for double hulled tankers as well.There have been a number of marine incidents and near misses in the 20 years since the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in 1989. But through the work of the U.S. Coast Guard, the industry, the State of Alaska and the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen Advisory Council to implement the requirements of OPA90, there have been no major oil spills.
http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=
PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=40023996-af
9f-4007-e457-1e08a20d4b1e&Region_id=&Issue_id
9. Obama sets National Policy for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes
Memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies
“…To succeed in protecting the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, the United States needs to act within a unifying framework under a clear national policy, including a comprehensive, ecosystem-based framework for the longterm conservation and use of our resources.In order to better meet our Nation's stewardship responsibilities for the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, there is established an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force (Task Force), to be led by the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. The Task Force shall be composed of senior policy-level officials from the executive departments, agencies, and offices represented on the Committee on Ocean Policy established by section 3 of Executive Order 13366 of December 17, 2004. This Task Force is not meant to duplicate that structure, but rather is intended to be a temporary entity with the following responsibilities:1. Within 90 days from the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall develop recommendations that include…Read the Presidential memorandum online at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-
Proclamation-National-Oceans-Month-and-Memorandum-
regarding-national-policy-for-the-oceans/
10. Obama declares June National Oceans Month - 6 things you can do (Daily Green)
Amid the applause for a new federal oceans policy, scientists and advocates warn of our ocean’s downward spiral. Try these 6 things you can do to protect the oceans…
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/
obama-oceans-47061501
11. Senator Begich Supports Development of National Ocean Policy
U.S. Senator Mark Begich issued the following statement after President Obama ordered the development of a national ocean policy. The president's memorandum calls for a new interagency task force to write recommendations and to develop a framework for allocating and mapping marine resources:
"As the state with the most coastline and most ocean area within our extensive 200-mile limit, I welcome President Obama's announcement of forging a new national policy for oceans and coasts.
"Oceans play a crucial role in Alaska's economy. The oceans sustain Alaska's commercial fisheries which provide over 60% of the nation's total catch. Rural Alaskans depend on the ocean to sustain fisheries resources that meet their subsistence needs, while urban Alaskans enjoy some of best recreational fishing in the world. Millions of visitors are drawn north to view our spectacular shoreline and the North Pacific is a major transportation corridor for international commerce…”
http://begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&
ContentRecord_id=b7d2b10a-9960-46a2-8d27-e961ef3f246
6&ContentType_id=ef710aa3-7e29-440a-b9de-316ee20df1b5
12. Public asked to weigh in on commercial fishing in the Arctic – by July 27
By Laine Welch | Fish Factor
A plan by Alaska fishery "overseers" aims to put the brakes on commercial fishing in the Arctic until more is known about the region's fish stocks and marine environment. Now it's time for the public to weigh in…After two years of tinkering, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council has given its unanimous stamp of approval to adopt a plan that strictly defines parameters before any fishing occurs in U.S. portions of the Arctic. The plan governs all fish and shellfish stocks federal waters, meaning from three to 200 miles offshore. It does not affect Arctic subsistence fishing or hunting…The public has until July 27 to comment on the Arctic fishing plan, before it heads to the Secretary of Commerce for approval…
http://www.capitalcityweekly.com/stories/060309/
bus_446660226.shtml
NOAA Arctic Fisheries home page:
http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/arctic/ .
Federal Register Notice May 26:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-12151.htm
Federal register Notice June 10 – Proposed rule, also for comment by July 27.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-13314.htm
13. Alaska, Mass. fishing experts up for top job (Fuglvog or Rothschild)
President Barack Obama needed less time making a nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court than oceans and fisheries administrator Jane Lubchenco has already used mulling which of two candidates she will appoint to head the National Marine Fisheries Service.But the pivotal choice has emerged between Arne Fuglvog, 45, an Alaskan fisherman, businessman and former appointed fisheries council member turned senatorial aide, and Brian Rothschild, an academic at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local
_story_153224159.html
14. Deadline July 31 for USDA Rural Energy for America Program grants to producers
This notice announces that Rural Business-Cooperative Service is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2009 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements and to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas.Alaska contact: Dean Stewart, USDA Rural Development, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7722. dean.stewart@ak.usda.gov .
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ak/ USDA Rural Development Alaska home page: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ak/
15. Columbia Salmon-recovery plan needs work, judge Redden says
PORTLAND — A judge is telling federal agencies they need to do more to help Columbia Basin salmon survive, or he will find the latest restoration plan in violation of the Endangered Species Act.A Monday letter from U.S. District Judge James Redden to lawyers for all sides in a long-running court battle says he continues to have "serious reservations" because the standard for success is not strong enough.Redden also wants a contingency plan that would include funding, congressional approvals and other steps needed to breach the lower Snake Rivers dams in the event other measures fail to restore salmon runs…
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/
2009235669_salmon19m.html
ESAblawg: http://www.esablawg.com/esalaw/ESBlawg.nsf/
D6Plinks/KRII-7S8N8F
LA Times: Judge doesn't rule out breaching Snake River dams to save salmon
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-
salmon20-2009may20,0,1510925.story
16. House Transportation Committee markup on Vessel Safety bill HR 2652
At the markup (June 5), the committee also addressed safety concerns in the maritime industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, commercial fishing is the most hazardous occupation in the United States. The death rate in this industry is 118 per 100,000 workers. A study published by the Coast Guard in 2006 found that between 1994 and 2004, even as overall commercial fishing levels declined, 1,398 commercial fishing vessels were lost, resulting in 641 deaths.H.R. 2652, the Maritime Safety Act, establishes significant new standards to improve the safety of work and recreation on the water, and particularly in the fishing industry. Specifically, the bill requires safety equipment standards for all commercial fishing, fish tender, and fish processing vessels operating beyond three nautical miles of the coast, and it establishes design and construction standards for new vessels or existing vessels that undergo major conversions…House T&I press release – Scroll down to HR 2652: http://transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=934
To find the text of the bill go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ then select to search by bill number and enter HR 2652. (or contact the UFA office at 907-586-2820 or to this email)*
17. NY Times Editorial Of Fish and Flexibility (June 12, 2009)
Senator Charles Schumer has introduced a bill called The Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act. Flexibility, in this case, means bending to the will of fishermen who want to keep vacuuming up depleted fish populations before they have a chance to recover… http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/opinion/
13sat3.html?ref=opinion &&
U.S. Senator Schumer pursuing flexibility in fed fishing rules (April 20)
In a move hailed by Long Island commercial fishing interests, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that he will introduce a bill this week to add "flexibility" to a federal fishery management law that he said is "decimating" the local fleet.The bill, called The Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009, would provide a series of exceptions to hard-and-fast federal rules aimed at restoring species deemed as over fished.Long Island fishermen by and large question the science and data collection that are behind federal fishing quotas, while environmental groups say the quotas are badly needed…
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-
lifish1212868880jun11,0,5723594.story
Senator Schumer Press Release: http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/record.cfm?id=311945
For the text of S.1255 : “A bill to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to extend the authorized time period for rebuilding of certain overfished fisheries, and for other purposes.”
Go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ then select to search by bill number and enter S.1255.
(Text should be available in a few days
18. Crab fishery regs garner support, criticism at federal council meeting
A federal council edging toward a five-year review of the controversial plan that privatized the multi-million dollar crab fisheries gathered additional testimony June 6-7 in Anchorage in support of and opposition to the program…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/061209/fis_13_002.shtml
19. Critical snow crab count begins in the Bering Sea
The summer survey of Bering Sea crab stocks just got underway - and a lot is riding on the results. Notably, the data collected over the next two months will dictate if Alaska's snow crab catch will be slashed this winter.
Federal fishery scientists have recommended a snow crab harvest limit at 16 million pounds, down from nearly 60 million pounds last year. Industry stakeholders had hoped for a similar catch level for the 2009-10 season…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/061209
/fis_img14_001.shtml
20. NPFMC Items From the June Meeting:
Council motion on BSAI Crab issues http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/c
rab/609motion.pdf
Rockfish Program motion http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/groundfish/
Rockfish_motion609.pdf
GOA Pcod split motion http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/pcod/
GOAPcodMotion609.pdf
Salmon Bycatch Data Collection motion http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current
_issues/bycatch/SBCdatacollectionMotion609.pdf
Pcod Parallel Waters motion
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/pcod/
ParallelwatersMotion609.pdf
June 2009 Newsletter: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/newsletters/news609.pdf
NPFMC home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/
21. Washington State Commission adopts ballast water rules
New ballast-water management rules aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species in state waters were adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission during a meeting here June 5-6.
The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), approved updates to state regulations governing the discharge of ballast water from ships coming into Washington ports, an activity that potentially can introduce harmful, non-native species into state waters…
http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=jun0909a
Washington State Ballast Water home page: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/ballast/ballast.htm (scroll down to the April 2009 New Ballast Water Rule Making
22. Invasive species are greatest threat to Northwest salmon, report says
Most discussions about the causes of declining salmon runs focus on the four H's: habitat, hatcheries, harvest and hydropower. But the most important factor may be an I, as in invasive species.
That's the conclusion of a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle…The study, which was published in the journal Bioscience, is sure to be controversial because much of the Northwest's multi-billion dollar salmon recovery work is centered on improving habitat, mitigating the damage of power-producing dams and curtailing commercial or recreational fishing. This report argues the greatest threat to fish are non-native species like crappie or bass that can eat up juvenile salmon as the make their way downstream from their birthplace to the ocean…
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009
/03/invasive_species_are_greatest.html
Report: Nonindigenous Species of the Pacific Northwest: An Over looked Risk to Endangered Salmon?
http://blog.oregonlive.com/environment_impact/2009
/03/Invasive%20species_1.pdf
Yes, but eradicating commercial fishermen from Cook Inlet seems easier than stopping people from planting pike, and eradicating pike.
23. Illegal fishing vessel fined USD 500K
The owner of a foreign vessel caught fishing illegally within protected US waters in the central Pacific three years ago paid a fine of USD 500,000 earlier this month, jointly announced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement, the US Coast Guard and the US Attorney’s Office, District of Guam, last week.
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=
6-2009&day=12&id=32683&l=e&country=&special=&ndb=1&df=0
24. Chile fish farm troubles: Marine Harvest refutes further layoffs
Salmon firm Marine Harvest announced it will centralise processing operations in its Tepual plant in an effort to “optimise the efficiency of its facilities and reduce processing costs.”
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country
=&special=&monthyear=&day=&id=32675&ndb=1&df=0
Bank will not waive AquaChile’s debt (June 10)
Financial institutions have denied AquaChile the possibility of reducing a percentage of its liabilities, which altogether exceed USD 382 million. Meanwhile, 20 national salmon firms are expected to reach agreements with the bank sector on refinancing their debts…
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country
=&special=&monthyear=&day=&id=32653&ndb=1&df=0
&
AquaChile lays off 180 plant workers from Port Montt (June 3)
Salmon farming giant AquaChile SA dismissed 180 employees Monday – including managers, office staff and workers – from their plant located in the Cardonal sector of Port Montt, Region of Los Lagos. These personnel firings come on the heels of others made by the company in mid April, when it laid off 450 workers from its main processing plant. At that time, AquaChile ejecutives explained theirs was a decision based on the dual impact of the salmon infectious anemia (ISA) virus, and the global credit squeeze…
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country
=&special=&monthyear=&day=&id=32561&ndb=1&df=0
25. NOAA Opens 60-Day Public Comment Period for Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture
On June 4, 2009, NOAA opened a 60-day public comment period for the Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. This plan will be available for public review and comment through August 3, 2009.
NOAA Aquaculture announcement http://aquaculture.noaa.gov/news/welcome.html#60
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-13090.htm
26. Oysters in deep trouble: Is Pacific Ocean's chemistry killing sea life?
By Craig Welch Seattle Times environment reporter
WILLAPA BAY, Pacific County —
The collapse began rather unspectacularly. In 2005, when most of the millions of Pacific oysters in this tree-lined estuary failed to reproduce, Washington's shellfish growers largely shrugged it off. In a region that provides one-sixth of the nation's oysters — the epicenter of the West Coast's $111 million oyster industry — everyone knows nature can be fickle...
Now, as the oyster industry heads into the fifth summer of its most unnerving crisis in decades, scientists are pondering a disturbing theory. They suspect water that rises from deep in the Pacific Ocean — icy seawater that surges into Willapa Bay and gets pumped into seaside hatcheries — may be corrosive enough to kill baby oysters…
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/
2009336458_oysters14m.html
27. $50M in stimulus will help fish farmers buy feed
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. - The United States is about to spend $50 million on fish food.
The money included in the federal stimulus package is intended to help keep afloat an aquaculture industry already struggling from foreign competition after feed prices jumped 50 percent last year.It could provide algae to feed clam and oyster larvae along the Pacific coast, fill the bellies of tilapia in Arizona and feed catfish, trout and gamefish in the Midwest and South. Supporters say it will help keep fish farms going in tough times and preserve jobs in areas that have been hit by the recession and lack other industries…
http://www.cnbc.com/id/31331618
28. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
Monday 6/15/09 Fish Employment
Friday 6/12/09 - Consumers prefer Alaska seafood
Thursday 6/11/09 - Fish Price Drivers
Wednesday 6/10/09 - Deadline nears for Southeast salmon RSDA votes
Tuesday 6/9/09 - Kodiak salmon season starts today
Monday 6/8/09 - Snow crab riding on results of Bering Sea crab surveyListen Online at: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm
& also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html
29. MMPA 2010 List of fisheries posted – SE Seine reclassified to Category 3
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2010, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2010 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must categorize each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of serious
injury and mortality of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery…Alaska change for 2010: NMFS proposes to reclassify the ``AK southeast salmon purse seine'' fishery from Category II to Category III. The current Category II classification is based on one permit holder self-report of an incidental mortality of a humpback whale (Central North Pacific) in this fishery in 1996. There are no further self-reports, known entanglements, or anecdotal information of any humpback whales or other marine mammals injured or killed in this fishery since 1996…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-13714.htm
NOAA List of Fisheries home page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/lof/
30. The Whale Rescuers: National Marine Fisheries Service offers disentanglement workshops
JUNEAU - With the Pacific population of humpback whales growing at seven percent annually, mariners can expect more encounters with the giant mammals. To reduce injury to the federally protected creatures and gear loss to harvesters, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is recruiting volunteers to join a response network to assist the few federal personnel who are authorized to disentangle whales
31. MMRC research: Cutting the Costs of Foraging
Consortium researchers studying the costs of foraging in Steller sea lions recently discovered that the animals spend less energy during longer series of continuous dives than shorter ones. Intrigued, they focused on how sea lions manage their oxygen while foraging and came to an interesting conclusion…
http://www.marinemammal.org/2009/fahlman.php
Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/
32. ESA Short Tailed Albatross - Initiation of 5-Year Status Review; Availability of Final Recovery Plan
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our final recovery plan for and the initiation of a 5-year status review for the short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), a bird species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Our recovery plan describes the status, current management, recovery objectives and criteria, and specific actions needed to enable us to reclassify the short-tailed albatross from endangered to threatened, or from threatened to delisted. It also includes criteria that would justify reclassifying the species from threatened back to endangered…
Federal register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-11700.htm
USFWS Short Tailed Albatross home page: http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.
action?spcode=B00Y
33. Deadline July 20 for comment on VMS data collection paperwork
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995…
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Region, directs a satellite-based vessel monitoring program to locate fishing vessels and monitor compliance with area restrictions in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands. The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) allows the NMFS Office for Law Enforcement to monitor and survey vessels over vast expanses of open-water while maintaining the confidentiality of fishing positions…
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 20, 2009.Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-11566.htm
34. USCG warns of radio interference with Compact Fluorescent Lights
This Safety Alert serves to inform the maritime industry that energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) or lighting, sometimes known as radio frequency (RF) lighting devices may interfere with certain communications equipment. CFLs employ a RF lighting device to excite a gas inside a bulb in order to produce light. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recognized the need for and adopted rules to
control the harmful interference to radio communications services from these devices. During the rulemaking process the Coast Guard provided comments and recommended an advisory label for CFLs / RF lighting devices warning users about potential interference to communication services and particularly with respect to devices capable of producing emissions in the 0.45-30 MHz band. As aresult, the FCC required manufacturers of CFLs to provide an advisory statement, either on theproduct packaging or with other user documentation, similar to the following: "This product may cause
interference to radio communications and should not be installed near maritime safety communications equipment or other critical navigation or communication equipment operating between 0.45-30 MHz."
http://homeport.uscg.mil/cgi-bin/st/portal/uscg_docs/MyCG/
Editorial/20090608/0209.pdf
?id=5b06b26afcf49bf87919b510ae01a52e914f8e6
35. IPHC 2009 Halibut Landing Report No. 2
Non-treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A for June 24 Fishery
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/
2009/nr20090602.htm
36. IPHC Charter Announcement: Requests Vessel Bids for Archival Tagging Charter in Alaskan Waters (deadline July 3)
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is requesting bids from commercial longline vessels to perform a tagging charter during the summer of 2009. The charter will be conducted in one of the following areas: 1) the Ommaney Ground…
2) inner Spencer Spit… 3)Trinity Ground..
The charter must take place between August 10 and September 25, 2009…
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel
/2009/nr20090520.htm
37. Comment deadline June 22 on ADF&G Aquatic Farming changes
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8
925672a0060a91b/da30996fd70fe1b8892575b80001
1886?OpenDocument
38. Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program Salmon Quality videos available
To help both veteran fishermen and greenhorns alike, the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program has released a series of nine videos on improving salmon quality. The videos were produced with gillnet fishermen in mind, but much of the information will be valuable to all gear types.The videos cover topics including quality, boat setup, fishing practices, product handling, chilling, dressing and pressure bleeding, unloading product, and cleaning and sanitizing.All of the videos are available free online at: http://seagrant.uaf.edu/map/fisheries/salmonquality
/videos/index.html
. Single copies of the videos on DVD are free for as long as the supply lasts. For more information, contact the Marine Advisory Program at 907-274-9691, or visit MAP online.
-from Paula Cullenberg, Interim Director, Alaska Sea Grant
39. Information Circular 58, Alaska’s Mineral Industry 2008: A Summary, is now available from the Department of Natural Resources. This summary and the data contained within it will be superseded by the final report, Alaska’s Mineral Industry 2008 (Special Report 63), to be published later in 2009, following final compilation of information, particularly for placer mining and industrial minerals. The mineral industry summary and other reports can be inspected at and obtained from DGGS, 3354 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3707 (907-451-5020) and beginning June 1, 2009, from the DNR Public Information Center, 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1260, Anchorage, Alaska (907-269-8400). Send mail orders to the Fairbanks DGGS office (fax 907-451-5050; mailing address above). The summary is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format through the DGGS website: http://www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?r
eqtype=citation&ID=19601
40. USFWS extends comment period on Sea Otter ESA Critical Habitat to July 9
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-13314.htm
Previous post: USFS reopens comment period on Sea Otter ESA Critical habitat – Deadline July 1, Public meeting June 18, Anchorage
USFWS Press release: http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.
cfm?newsId=2114BB58-959A-D6E2-E727330BCAEC1CEC
May 8, 2009 Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-10715.htm
Maps of areas proposed as critical habitat and other pertinent info are available for viewing at the USFWS Sea Otter ESA home page:
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/criticalhabitat.htm
May 12, 2009
UFA At-large election is underway for four At-Large board seats.
Ballots have been mailed and postmark deadline for
return of ballot is May 31. Vote today!
SE Gillnetters RSDA election approaching –see Item #1 below
Table of Contents
1. SE Gillnet Regional Seafood Development Association Vote coming
2. NOAA Reduces Charter Halibut Catch
3. Comment by June 5 on Halibut Sport Charter Limited Access Proposed Rule
4. Gov. Palin prepares for out-of-session Alaska appointments (BOF)
5. BOF raises sablefish sport limit, cuts Northern Cook Inlet Setnetters
6. Fish & Game Talk Management of Local (Mat-Su) Rivers May 18, Wasilla
7. Fishermen laud ex-Sen. Stevens
8. 50 years of Alaska's seafood industry celebrated in Kodiak
9. NPFMC Agenda for June 1-9, Anchorage Hilton
10. Court ends Alaska offshore drilling plan
11. Sectys. Salazar and Locke Restore Scientific Consultations under ESA
12. Salazar Seeks to Vacate Bush-Era Mining Rule
13. Evaluation of EPA Chesapeake Goals Killed
14. Alaska pink salmon a key element in Global Food Aid Program
15. Lawmakers promote Alaska in New York City
16. State’s seafood employment promotions starting to pay off
17. Federal council acts to restrict Pacific cod fishery in Gulf of Alaska
18. The salmon are coming: Copper River fishery opens May 14
19. Washington State Fish Broker Fined, Sentenced to Jail in Labeling Scheme
20. New NOAA Online Handbook for Oral History of the Fishing Culture
21. Study shows link between air pollution, contaminated seafood
22. Drift River Terminal oil volumes reduced prior to volcano activity increase
23. Welcome to the ASMI Foodservice Review
24. Federal Dollars Prematurely Slated for Offshore Fish Farming
25. Obama admin hands offshore aquaculture oversight to NOAA
26. MMS posts final rule on alternate use of energy facilities – Fish Farms off list
27. SalmonChile offers job services to axed workers
28. Salmon Virus With Potential For Change
29. U.S. News: Which Fish Is the Best Fish? Consider Omega-3s, Sustainability, and Mercury
30. The Rape Of Somalia By European Illegal Fishers
31. Washington Post: Finding Space for All in Our Crowded Seas
32. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
33. IPHC 2009 Halibut Landing Report No. 1
34. NOAA posts List of National System Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
and response to comments on nominations of existing MPAs to the national system…
35. Cook Inlet Beluga Whales ESA: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Designate Critical Habitat - comment by May 14
36. MMRC: Ecopath, Virtual Ecosystems, and the Status of the Gulf of Alaska
37. Comment by May 29 on AFA Bering Sea floating processor location requirements
38. USCG post safety alerts: Shocks & Automatic Identification Systems
39. USFS reopens comment period on Sea Otter ESA Critical habitat – Deadline July 1, Public meeting June 18, Anchorage
40. Comment deadline August 6 on advance notice for import-export Intl Data System
41. NMFS/ADF&G Announce 2009 eLandings Workshops in Anchorage, Kodiak, Ketchikan, and Juneau
42. Deadline June 22 / July 6 for Rural Business Cooperative Value added grants…
43. USDA Seeks Applications for Cooperative Development Center Grants
44. NOAA eases monitoring requirements for dinglebar fishermen
45. Int’l Arctic Fisheries Symposium: Managing Resources for a Changing Arctic
October 19-21, 2009
46. Haig – Brown Symposium on Sustaining Wild Salmon proceedings posted
Previous items, still timely:
47. MMS comment period on OCS 5 year plan - deadline September 21, 2009
48. Comment by July 6 on proposed Councils operations and admin changes
49. Comment by May 26 on GOA Rockfish Program
50. Comment deadline May 21 on Rockfish Program Amendment 85 CP groundfish
51. Comment deadline June 1 on BSAI and GOA Catcher Vessel & Inshore/Offshore Provisions Amendments 62/62
52. Smartgear Competition Deadline June 30.
1. SE Gillnet Regional Seafood Development Association Vote coming Association to hold gillnetters meeting
JUNEAU - Southeast Alaska Rainforest Wild, Southeast Alaska's Regional Seafood Development Association, will hold a last-chance informational meeting for any Southeast Alaska gillnetters who want to learn more, ask questions and share their ideas for the gillnet self-assessment vote this month on whether or not to become the first gear group to join the RSDA…
The meeting is from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at the Buoy Deck in U.S. Coast Guard Building, 345 Egan Drive… Details: Elizabeth, 321-7221 or elizabeth@rainforestwild.org
Juneau Empire item:
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/050309/nei_435978927.shtml
Laine Welch Fish factor: Last chance to get Rainforest Wild off the ground
http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/050409_fish_factor.html
Rainforest Wild home page: http://www.rainforestwild.org/
2. NOAA Reduces Charter Halibut Catch
Long-term solution is catch share program
In a new rule released today, NOAA’s Fisheries Service reduced the number of halibut that charter vessel anglers in southeast Alaska can keep each day from two to one to protect the halibut stock.
“While today’s rule addresses an immediate need to better manage the charter halibut fishery, we believe the long-term solution to sustainably managing the fishery is for the charter halibut fishery to join with the commercial halibut fishery in a catch share program,” said Doug Mecum, acting regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service in Alaska. “Catch share programs that allocate the total allowable catch to participants in the fishery give a strong incentive to fishermen to conserve fish stocks.”
Halibut fishing along the Pacific Coast is managed under overall limits set for each fishing area. Sport charter halibut fishermen in Southeast Alaska have exceeded their assigned harvest levels for several years.
NOAA Press Release: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2009/
charterhalibut050609.htm
NOAA Guided Sport Halibut Management home page:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/halibut/charters.htm
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-10337.htm
3. Comment by June 5 on Halibut Sport Charter Limited Access Proposed Rule
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Limited Access for Guided Sport Charter Vessels in Alaska
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations that would implement a limited access system for charter vessels in the guided sport fishery for Pacific halibut in waters of International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska). If approved, this limited access system would limit the number
of charter vessels that may participate in the guided sport fishery for halibut in these areas. NMFS would issue a charter halibut permit to a licensed charter fishing business owner based on his or her past participation in the charter halibut fishery for halibut and to a Community Quota Entity representing specific rural communities. All charter halibut permit holders would be subject to limits on the number of permits they could hold and on the number of charter vessel anglers who could catch and retain halibut on their charter vessels. This action is necessary to achieve the halibut fishery management goals of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The intended effect is to curtail growth of fishing capacity in the guided sport fishery for halibut…
DATES: Written comments must be received by June 5, 2009.
Federal Register Notice http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/
E9-9110.htm
4. Gov. Palin prepares for out-of-session Alaska appointments (BOF)
JUNEAU — Lawmakers last week turned down two of Gov. Sarah Palin’s appointees to state services, offering her an opportunity to pick new people as attorney general and for the controversial Board of Fisheries…
The Legislature also could have approved the appointment of Brent Johnson to serve a three-year term expiring June 30 on the Board of Fisheries, commonly referred to as the Fish Board. He would have replaced Bonnie Williams of Fairbanks.
Sen. Joe Thomas, D-Fairbanks, spoke out against Johnson and the perceived lack of Interior representation that would have resulted.
While some people see the appointment as an issue of regional representation, Coghill said it comes down to a balance between river fishery and “blue water” fishery interests.
“What more or less should happen is a balance between commercial fish and sports fish,” he said. “But in the Interior we have commercial fisheries that are on the river. That’s true in the Kenai River as well.... that’s the only reason regional issues fall into it. Some people would think the Kenai is the only river in Alaska.”
http://newsminer.com/news/2009/apr/21/gov-palin-prepares-out-
-session-alaska-appointment/
Thanks for the many calls to legislators in support of Brent Johnson, a very qualified Board of Fisheries candidate.
5. BOF raises sablefish sport limit, cuts Northern Cook Inlet Setnetters
I found no news stories, but the BOF has posted this from their April 28 teleconference meeting:
Summary of Actions from April 28 Teleconference
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetsum/2008-2009/
April%2028%20Teleconference/sum-of-act-42809.pdf
BOF member Howard Delo: Board discusses pressing issues
http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2009/05/05/sports/mat_
su-outdoors/doc49ffc1791f75a073853661.txt
BOF Member Bonnie Williams: Good fish science is essential
Facing unknowns, board must punt…
http://www.newsminer.com/news/2009/may/03/good-fish-
science-essential/?opinion
6. Fish & Game Talk Management of Local (Mat-Su) Rivers May 18, Wasilla
MAT-SU— A local sportsmen's group has asked the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game to meet with the Mat-Su public next Mon., May 18, at 6 p.m. at the Central Mat-Su Fire Station in Wasilla.
The Mat-Su Mayor's Blue Ribbon Sportsmen's Committee requested that Fish & Game present their salmon management plans for the upcoming seasons. The work of this group contributed to the Alaska Board of Fisheries designating the Susitna River sockeye salmon as a Stock of Concern in February 2008. Biologists are trying to allow enough fish to pass through to promote healthy returns. In April, Fish & Game placed restrictions on fishing for king salmon on the Deshka River. Last year, less than 8,000 kings returned, in stark contrast to the 58,000 or more Deshka kings that returned in 2004.
Mat-Su Borough Assemblymember Tom Kluberton chairs the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Sportsmen’s Committee. “With the tremendous and growing economic value of sport and personal use fishing to the Mat-Su, it is important that the ADF&G interacts with our residents on a regular basis,” Kluberton said. “We hope this kind of meeting will become an annual event. By keeping a running dialog, Mat-Su fishermen can gain a sense of how the Department’s management practices are intended to improve stocks in Borough streams. And the Department can gain a sense of how significant sportfishing is to the economy of the Borough.”
Specific topics that the Committee asked ADF&G to address include: The recent restrictions on Deshka River king salmon, and the ongoing efforts to correct the chronic low returns of sockeye salmon to Mat-Su streams.
For more information call Assemblymember Tom Kluberton at 841-7107 or email tkluberton@mtaonline.net The Central Mat-Su Fire Station is in Wasilla at Lucille and Swanson streets.
7. Fishermen laud ex-Sen. Stevens
Anchorage Daily News
KODIAK -- In a rare public appearance since a federal judge threw out charges against him for accepting illegal gifts, former Sen. Ted Stevens was in Kodiak on Thursday to be honored by United Fishermen of Alaska.
At a banquet on the U.S. Coast Guard base, he joined 20 other charter members to become part of UFA's "Seafood Hall of Fame."
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/stevens/story/772256.html
UFA Press Release: (April 24, 2009): United Fishermen of Alaska Honors Senator Ted Stevens in Inaugural Alaska Seafood Hall of Fame
http://www.ufa-fish.org/press/2009%20-01_AK_Seafood
_HOF_042309.pdf
Senator Stevens concluded his speech with a call to commercial fishermen to take up his work on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fisheries. We will need your help and membership support to be able to work internationally. Please consider supporting UFA through Individual membership (for permit holders) or Crew/Supporter or Business membership at UFA see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm .
8. 50 years of Alaska's seafood industry celebrated in Kodiak
Fish Factor - By Laine Welch
When it comes to taking pride in Alaska's fisheries, differences are set aside.
That proved true at a statehood anniversary celebration last Thursday in Kodiak that highlighted 50 years of Alaska's seafood industry.
A remarkable mix of roughly 225 people were lucky enough to get tickets to the event at the Golden Anchor on the U.S. Coast Guard base. It included a seafood smorgasbord, entertainment and a rare chance to rub elbows with special guests - Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Ted Stevens…
http://www.capitalcityweekly.com/stories/042909/
bus_434691893.shtml
&
Stevens, Palin all smiles at Kodiak's ComFish event
"We especially welcome the architect of the nation's premier fisheries management act and statehood advocate, Sen. Ted Stevens," said Palin.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/050109/loc
_img_news001.shtml
Thanks to Deb King, Laine Welch, Linda Kozak, Al Burch, Eva Holm, and the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce for their hospitality in hosting this superlative event in Kodiak during Comfish.
9. NPFMC Agenda for June 1-9, Anchorage Hilton
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/Agendas/609Agenda.pdf
NPFMC home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/
10. Court ends Alaska offshore drilling plan
WASHINGTON - A program to expand oil and gas drilling off the Alaska coast was canceled Friday by a federal appeals court that ruled the Bush administration did not properly study the environmental impact…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/oil/story/762894.html
11. Sectys. Salazar and Locke Restore Scientific Consultations under ESA
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the two departments are revoking an eleventh-hour Bush administration rule that undermined Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. Their decision requires federal agencies to once again consult with federal wildlife experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – the two agencies that administer the ESA – before taking any action that may affect threatened or endangered species.
NOAA Press Release: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/
20090428_esa.html
&&
Obama Administration Revokes Rule Changes to Endangered Species Consultation Regulations, By Paul Weiland , George Mannina, and Robert Thornton
http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5e15797d67067e7315&m=feec
13777c6d07&ls=fdf51375706d047e71137275&l=fe5b157572620
7797011&s=fe0415747065057d7d167474&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe3416
737567007c711c72
12. Salazar Seeks to Vacate Bush-Era Mining Rule
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar instructed the Justice Department yesterday to seek a court order to overturn a Bush administration regulation allowing mining companies to dump their waste near rivers and streams, calling the regulation "legally defective."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/27/
AR2009042701810.html
13. Evaluation of EPA Chesapeake Goals Killed
EPA Adviser, Others Squashed Review of How Realistic Cleanup Expectations Are…
…The amount of pollution they would still need to eliminate -- 60 million pounds of nitrogen, a key food for oxygen-depleting algae -- was equal to the load carried down in one entire large river.
Unless they could stop the Potomac from flowing into the bay, the model showed that the cleanup program had much more work to do than previously thought…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009
/05/03/AR2009050302063.html
14. Alaska pink salmon a key element in Global Food Aid Program
…To deal with an overstock of canned salmon in 2001, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute enrolled in the Global Food Aid Program.
It's become a quick success, and has helped feed the hungry in Laos, Jamaica, Cambodia, Bolivia, Guatemala and Swaziland…
"It slowly has become the darling of the USDA's Food Aid Program because we are the only solid animal protein on the list and we are up to almost a million cases of demand now," said Kevin Adams with ASMI.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10293024
15. Lawmakers promote Alaska in New York City
By Rena Delbridge, Fairbanks News - Miner
FAIRBANKS — A handful of legislators are traveling to New York City this week to promote the Great Land as guests of the nonprofit Alaska House, New York and to meet with reporters from major national media outlets…
http://newsminer.com/news/2009/may/07/lawmaker-promote
-alaska-new-york-city/
&
NY Times: Salmon Fishing in SoHo
…The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute arranged a lunch to highlight a program that sends $13 million worth of Alaska canned pink salmon and herring to American food banks as well as orphanages and schools in places like Uganda, Laos and Jamaica.
http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/
salmon-fishing-in-soho/?hp
16. State’s seafood employment promotions starting to pay off
Promotions of job opportunities in seafood processing are paying off in increasing numbers of people applying for jobs, a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development said May 4.
"We had over 1,000 applicants in the Anchorage seafood office last week, and the week before that, over 500," said James Harvey, assistant director of the department's employment security division…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/050809/fis_fish003.shtml
17. Federal council acts to restrict Pacific cod fishery in Gulf of Alaska
Federal fisheries managers have approved new restrictions on who will be allowed to fish for Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska, action likely to be in place for the 2011 season.
At its April meeting in Anchorage, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, voted 10-1 on the final motion to add gear-specific (pot, hook-and-line, and jig) Pacific cod endorsements to Western and Central Gulf of Alaska fixed gear license limitation program, known as LLPs.
The council's action in essence was a case of use it or lose it…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/050809/fis_fisheries002.shtml
NPFMC GOA Fixed Gear Recency motion: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/pcod/
F
ixedGearRecencyMotion409.pdf
18. The salmon are coming: Copper River fishery opens May 14
By Margaret Bauman , Alaska Journal of Commerce
…The celebrated Copper River salmon fishery, renowned for its succulent king and sockeye salmon, opens at 7 a.m. on May 14, signaling the unofficial start of the summer salmon season in Alaska.
The forecast for kings is very good. The forecast for reds, not so hot…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/050809/fis_img_fish001.shtml
19. Washington State Fish Broker Fined, Sentenced to Jail in False Seafood Labeling Scheme
A Washington state man has been fined $160,000 and sentenced to 30 days in jail for intentionally mislabeling 136,000 pounds of turbot from China as much higher priced U.S. halibut—one of the strongest sentences ever imposed for this type of violation, according to enforcement officials from NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement in Seattle…
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090511
_seafood.html
20. New NOAA Online Handbook Helps Teachers and Community Groups Create an Oral History of the Fishing Culture
May 4, 2009
A new handbook published online today by NOAA’s Fisheries Service gives teachers, community groups, and the public a detailed roadmap of how to design and conduct oral history projects that celebrate the people, history and culture of our nation’s coastal and Great Lakes fishing communities.
“Capturing the stories and experiences of local men and women who take part in commercial and recreational fishing and other marine-related occupations is especially important for young people growing up in these towns and cities,” said Dr. Susan Abbott-Jamieson, senior social scientist with NOAA’s Fisheries Service and one of three authors of Voices from the Fisheries Handbook: Preserving Local Fisheries Knowledge, Linking Generations, and Improving Environmental Literacy. “Through interviews with community residents, students explore the rich connections between fisheries, the marine environment, their community, and their own lives.”…
Voices from the Fisheries Handbook: Preserving Local Fisheries Knowledge, Linking Generations, and Improving Environmental Literacy by Julie Bartch, the New England steward for the Rural School and Community Trust, Abbott-Jamieson, and Whitmore is now available to the public online… at http://www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov/
NOAA Press release: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/
20090504_history.html
21. Study shows link between air pollution, contaminated seafood
A federal study released today explains for the first time the link between global mercury emissions and the contamination of tuna and other marine life in the North Pacific Ocean…
USGS showed that methylmercury is produced in mid-depth ocean waters by processes linked to "ocean rain." Algae, which are produced in sunlit waters near the surface, die quickly and "rain" downward to greater water depths. The settling algae are decomposed by bacteria and the interaction of this decomposition process in the presence of mercury results in the formation of methylmercury…
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/05/01/01greenwire-study-
shows-link-between-air-pollution-contami-19116.html
The study is online at:: http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/pacific_mercury.html
22. Drift River Terminal oil volumes reduced prior to volcano activity increase
Following additional measurements and confirmation by a third party it has been determined that approximately 841,860 gallons (20,040 barrels) of crude oil remains in the tanks at Drift River Terminal following the April 30 drawn down.
This amount is about 13 percent of the original 6.2 million gallons (148,000 barrels). The original figure provided immediately after the April 30 draw down was an estimate based on the volumes in the tanks prior to the operation…
http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/271826/
Mt Redoubt page- Alaska Volcano Observatory
http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php
23. Welcome to the ASMI Foodservice Review
In this newsletter you will find an update on the 2009 salmon, halibut and black cod harvest season. There is also an announcement of the new online sustainability training videos, a look at Alaska's history of sustainability, important information and materials to gear up for the salmon season, and recent research that suggests that seafood omega-3s can boost IQ scores…
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/foodservice/news/may09_news/
24. Federal Dollars Prematurely Slated for Offshore Fish Farming
Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter…
“President Obama’s FY 2010 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contains a glaring flaw that would prematurely allocate federal dollars to help fund controversial and unpopular fish farming plans that have not yet been federally authorized.The NOAA budget narrative requests a $2 million dollar increase for marine aquaculture, for a total of about $6.1 million for such programs. As there is no comprehensive federal program that allows marine aquaculture in U.S. waters, requesting increased funds to help review and issue permits is completely inappropriate and an irresponsible use of precious dollars….”
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org:8080/Plone/press/releases/
federal-dollars-prematurely-slated-for-offshore-fish-farming20090511
25. Obama admin hands offshore aquaculture oversight to NOAA
The Obama administration will develop federal aquaculture regulations, including a system that could permit offshore fish farming in the ocean waters for the first time, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said today. (4/23)
Locke addressed a Senate hearing as another Cabinet agency, the Interior Department, turned away from a controversial Bush administration proposal that would have expedited a permitting system for offshore aquaculture under the Minerals Management Service. He said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will oversee the preparation of the Obama administration's fish-farming guidelines…
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/04/23/23greenwire-obama
-admin-hands-offshore-aquaculture-oversig-10648.html
26. MMS posts final rule on alternate use of energy facilities – Fish Farms off list
The MMS is publishing final regulations to establish a program to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way (ROW) for renewable energy project activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), as well as certain previously unauthorized activities that involve the alternate use of existing facilities located on the OCS; …
‘…We received numerous comments on the proposed rule pertaining to the use of OCS facilities for aquaculture purposes. We wish to clarify that this rule does not authorize aquaculture operations. A different agency would be responsible for permitting and managing actual aquaculture activity under any RUE that is granted. In the event that
legislation is enacted that regulates OCS aquaculture, we will reassess this issue and ensure coordination will be accomplished with all relevant agencies…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-9462.htm
UFA opposed letting oil companies get around the costly required dismantling of rigs by converting them to fish farms in our comments to MMS – thanks to the many members, fishermen, and other organizations who helped by weighing in.
We also greatly appreciate Governor Palin weighing in asking that aquaculture be removed from the list of alternative uses.
27. SalmonChile offers job services to axed workers
The Chilean Salmon Industry Association AG (SalmonChile) officially unveiled the Salmon Network, an initiative designed to help salmon farming industry workers who are losing their jobs…
The sharp rise in unemployment is a direct consequence of the crisis caused by the ongoing industry struggle with infectious salmon anaemia (ISA).
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country=
&monthyear=&day=&id=32168&ndb=1&df=0
28. Salmon Virus With Potential For Change
ScienceDaily (Apr. 28, 2009) — Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is one of the most economically-damaging diseases in Norwegian fish farming industry. It is caused by a marine Orthomyxovirus, the same family that produces the influenza A virus that causes disease in birds and mammals. For his doctorate, Turhan Markussen looked at factors of the ISA virus genes that influence its ability to cause disease in salmon.
Infectious salmon anaemia was first recorded in Norway in 1984 and has subsequently appeared in a series of countries around the north Atlantic. In 2008 it was officially confirmed that the disease had also spread to the southern hemisphere, after several large outbreaks in Chile. During the last 25 years, over 460 outbreaks of ISA have been recorded, all of them in farmed salmon…
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421091737.htm
29. U.S. News: Which Fish Is the Best Fish? Consider Omega-3s, Sustainability, and Mercury
It's tough to find species that are good for both you and the ocean. Here's what you should consider…
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/diet-fitness/2009/05/11/
which-fish-is-the-best-fish-consider-omega-3s-s
ustainability-and-mercury.html
It’s a little bit of a nuisance to navigate to the list of eleven choices, then click next eleven times but you’ll see that Alaska Wild Salmon is #1, Black Cod is #5, Oysters are #7, and Pacific Halibut completes the list at #11, among the Alaska species favored.
30. The Rape Of Somalia By European Illegal Fishers
Much of the world’s attention is currently focused on the Somali sea lanes. The navies of big and small powers are converging on the Somali waters in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
The recent hijacking of the Saudi oil tanker and Ukrainian MV Faina, laden with arms for Kenya, off the coast of Somalia by Somali pirates captured world media attention. War has been rightly declared against this notorious new shipping piracy. But the older and mother of all piracies in Somalia - illegal foreign fishing piracy - in the Somali seas is ignored, underlining the international community’s misunderstanding and partiality of the underlying interdependent issues involved and the impracticality of the proposed actions to find ways to effectively resolve the piracy threat…
http://blackstarnews.com/?c=122&a=5615
UN FAO IUU FAQ: Stopping Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y3554E/y3554e01.htm
House Resources Hearing – HB 1080
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_
jcalpro&Itemid=53&extmode=view&extid=234
31. Washington Post: Finding Space for All in Our Crowded Seas
The ocean is getting crowded. Fishermen are competing with offshore wind projects, oil rigs along with sand miners, recreational boaters, liquefied gas tankers and fish farmers. So a growing number of groups – including policymakers, academics, activists and industry officials – now say it’s time to divvy up space in the sea…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009
/05/03/AR2009050301930.html?nav%3Dhcmoduletmv
32. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
Friday 5/8/09 Smart Gear call for entries 2009
Thursday 5/7/09 Invasive species updates
Wednesday 5/6/09 Wounded Warriors supported by AK seafood industry
Tuesday 5/5/09 W.Coast, Yukon, Kodiak king salmon collapse; Fuglvog at NMFS, mercury study
Listen Online at: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/
fishradio.htm
& also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html
33. IPHC 2009 Halibut Landing Report No. 1
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/
2009/nr20090501.htm
34. NOAA posts List of National System Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
and response to comments on nominations of existing MPAs to the national system…
“The following MPAs have been nominated by their managing programs to join the national system of MPAs. A list providing more detail for each site is available at http://www.mpa.gov ...
Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)…Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska)… Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska)… Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska)…
Federal register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-9335.htm )
National Marine Protected Areas home page: http://mpa.gov/
According to this site, All Alaska state marine waters already are an MPA:
“…The official federal definition of an MPA is: “any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.” -- Executive Order 13158 (May 2000)…”
35. Cook Inlet Beluga Whales ESA: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Designate Critical Habitat - comment by May 14
SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will be designating critical habitat for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The designation will involve areas within Cook Inlet, Alaska. This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) identifies issues for consideration and evaluation and solicits comments regarding these issues.
DATES: Comments and information regarding the suggested designation process and areas being considered for designation may be sent to NMFS by May 14, 2009…
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-8519.htm
NOAA Press release: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2009/
cibelugas041409.htm
NOAA Cook Inlet Beluga Whale home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga.htm
36. MMRC: Ecopath, Virtual Ecosystems, and the Status of the Gulf of Alaska
Not all Consortium research takes place in natural ecosystems, or even with live subjects. A team of researchers employed an innovative software program to reconstruct and understand two ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska that are drastically different today compared to the past. They will be presenting their findings at an upcoming conference highlighting the ability of Ecopath software to describe and predict the dynamics of complex marine ecosystems…
http://www.marinemammal.org/2009/virtualecosystems.php
Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/
37. Comment by May 29 on AFA Bering Sea floating processor location requirements
NMFS proposes regulations to increase the number of times per year that a stationary floating processor (SFP) that is qualified under the American Fisheries Act (AFA) may move within State of Alaska waters in the Bering Sea (BS) subarea to process pollock harvested in the BS subarea directed pollock fishery. This action also would require AFA
SFPs to process all Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and GOA Pacific cod where they processed these species in 2002. This action is necessary to increase operational flexibility for AFA SFPs that process pollock caught in the BS subarea directed fishery while continuing to limit the competitive advantage of AFA SFPs in the GOA pollock and GOA Pacific cod fisheries…
Comments on the proposed rule must be received no later than the close of business on May 29, 2009…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-8528.htm
38. USCG post safety alerts: Shocks & Automatic Identification Systems
Electric Shock Hazards
This alert reminds viewers about the need for safe electrical practices and procedures.
http://homeport.uscg.mil/cgi-bin/st/portal/uscg_docs/MyCG/
Editorial/20090416/01_09.pdf?id=b451b467a2bbfb0a9a54
2499e4e12a9ad4ce95ac
Automatic Identification System (AIS) Devices
This alert cautions new AIS Class B users to not assume that they are being seen by all other AIS users or that all their information is available to all AIS users.
http://homeport.uscg.mil/cgi-bin/st/portal/uscg_docs/MyCG/
Editorial/20081030/10-08.pdf?id=9007b1ee8375b6e5a127
c5f5499fd00bab3a1f3b
USCG Homeport safety page: http://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/browse.do?channelId=-18374&channelPage=/
USCG Fishing Vessel Safety Fish Safe home page: http://www.fishsafe.info/
39. USFS reopens comment period on Sea Otter ESA Critical habitat – Deadline July 1, Public meeting June 18, Anchorage
USFWS Press release: http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId
=2114BB58-959A-D6E2-E727330BCAEC1CEC
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-10715.htm
Maps of areas proposed as critical habitat and other pertinent info are available for viewing at the USFWS Sea Otter ESA home page:
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/criticalhabitat.htm
40. Comment deadline August 6 on advance notice for import-export Intl Data System
NMFS issues this advance notice of proposed rulemaking to announce that it is revising procedures to file import and export documentation for certain fishery products to meet requirements of the SAFE Port Act of 2006, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, other applicable statutes, and obligations that arise from U.S. participation in regional fishery management organizations. Specifically, NMFS intends to integrate the collection of trade documentation within the government-wide International Trade Data System and require electronic information collection through the
automated internet portal maintained by the United States Customs and Border Protection. NMFS is seeking advance public comment on the feasibility of electronic reporting by parties involved in an import or export transaction for applicable seafood products…
As a result of unilateral authorities and/or multilateral agreements, NMFS has implemented a number of monitoring programs to collect information from the trade regarding the origin of certain fishery products. The purpose of these programs is to determine the admissibility of the products in accordance with the specific criteria
of the trade measure or documentation requirement in effect. NMFS trade monitoring programs cover tunas, swordfish, billfish, shark fins, toothfish, krill and certain other fishery products under the authority of the High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act (refer to http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/fmd/italy.htm for an exhaustive list.)
(almost all fish products are on the exhaustive list)
Federal Register Notice:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-10820.htm
International Trade Data System home page is online at http://www.itds.gov/ .
41. NMFS/ADF&G Announce 2009 eLandings Workshops in Anchorage, Kodiak, Ketchikan, and Juneau
Anchorage - Friday, May 15, 2009
Kodiak - Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Ketchikan - Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Juneau - Thursday, May 28, 2009
NOAA informational bulletin 09 – 54:: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/
bulletin.asp?BulletinID=5931
42. Deadline June 22 / July 6 for Rural Business Cooperative Value added grants…
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces the availability of approximately $18 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2009 to help independent agricultural producers enter into value-added activities…
Awards may be made for planning activities or for working capital expenses, but not for both. The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $100,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is $300,000…
Paper applications for unreserved funds must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than July 6, 2009, to be eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Paper applications for reserved funds must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than June 22, 2009 to be eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Late
applications are not eligible for FY 2009 grant funding…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-10424.htm
USDA Rural development home page: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/
43. USDA Seeks Applications for Cooperative Development Center Grants
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today USDA is accepting applications for grants for cooperative development centers to improve economic conditions in rural areas.
"These cooperative development centers provide rural Americans with stronger technical and managerial skills helping small businesses become more profitable and creating jobs in rural communities," said Vilsack.
Grants of up to $200,000 may awarded to colleges, universities and non-profit groups to create and operate centers that help individuals or groups establish, expand or operate rural businesses, especially cooperatives. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development's Rural Cooperative Development Grant program.
The centers promote President Obama's goal to bring increased economic opportunities to rural residents by giving them tools to help their businesses grow. Cooperative program grants can be used, among other things, to conduct feasibility studies, create and implement business plans, and help businesses develop new markets for their products and services.
http://www.usda.gov/2009/04/0139.xml
44. NOAA eases monitoring requirements for dinglebar fishermen
NOAA Fisheries in Alaska has eased vessel monitoring requirements—and costs—for boats fishing for lingcod with dinglebar gear in the Gulf of Alaska.
"The eight to twelve fishermen who catch lingcod with dinglebar gear each year in the Gulf fish at fairly shallow depths away from corals," said Doug Mecum, Acting Administrator for the Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries. "We are dropping our current requirement that these few boats carry vessel monitoring systems."
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/
2009/dinglebar042009.htm
45. Int’l Arctic Fisheries Symposium: Managing Resources for a Changing Arctic
October 19-21, 2009
Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska
This symposium is intended to initiate international discussions for conserving and managing future fisheries in the Arctic Ocean including managing migratory, transboundary and straddling fish stocks. Visit the symposium website at http://www.nprb.org/iafs2009/index.htm
North Pacific Research Board home page: http://www.nprb.org/
46. Haig – Brown Symposium on Sustaining Wild Salmon proceedings posted
Continuing Studies in Science is pleased to announce that the proceedings from the Haig-Brown Symposium on Sustaining Wild Salmon: Moving from Words to Action are now available.
The symposium was part of the Haig-Brown Centenary celebrations (www.haigbrowninstitute.org/centenary.html ) and explored how communities can take action to ensure the future of wild salmon in BC and how they can play a role in decision making and management of the resource. Participants examined case studies that featured community conservation efforts from various regions in BC and emphasized that collaboration and partnerships are key to success.
To read more visit our website under the "news and events section" at: http://www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science
Previous items, still timely:
47. MMS comment period on OCS 5 year plan - deadline September 21, 2009
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-4581.htm
48. Comment by July 6 on proposed Councils operations and admin changes
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-6896.htm
49. Comment by May 26 on GOA Rockfish Program
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-6462.htm
50. Comment deadline May 21 on Rockfish Program Amendment 85 CP groundfish
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-7557.htm
51. Comment deadline June 1 on BSAI and GOA Catcher Vessel & Inshore/Offshore Provisions Amendments 62/62
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-7449.htm
Alaska Groundfish Proposed rules are found at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/index/prules/prules.asp?Yr=2009
52. Smartgear Competition Deadline June 30.
Find the easy entry forms at www.smartgear.org .
UFA dues for Alaska commercial fishermen are $150 and we also welcome crew/supporter nonvoting members at $50 per year.
To support UFA see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm
March 17, 2009
At-large election approaching
Elections for four UFA At-Large board seats will be conducted by mail during the month of May. Deadline for nominations is April 15. Nomination forms are going out in the mail this week to paid individual and lifetime members, with results from our March 3-5 board meeting.
UFA Membership drive in progress.
Contact your gear or area group’s UFA representatives to be sure your new or rejoining membership is credited to your UFA group.
To find your group’s representatives see http://www.ufa-fish.org/mo.htm
For membership forms and to pay dues online see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm .
Or call our office to join by phone at 907-586-2820.
Table of Contents
1. ADF&G Book: Sustaining Alaska's Fisheries: Fifty Years of Statehood
2. Board of Fisheries preliminary results from SE Finfish (Sitka) meeting
3. Governor Names Fishery Council Nominees
4. NPFMC agenda and items for the March 30 - April 7 meeting
5. Deadline April 30 for Coastal Impact Assistance Program Competitive Grants
6. PWSRCAC calls for continued two vessel escort on double hull tankers
7. Rep. Young Cosponsors, Votes for Water Quality Act
8. Removal of fuel from Mar-Gun continues near St. George
9. Environmental groups want better shipping, safety rules
10. New rules enacted for fishing guides
11. KwikPak to monitor fish supplies
12. Trident Seafoods tops in Symphony of Seafood awards
13. Cost of (MSC) certifications to fall to private fishing industry
14. Iceland to certify own sustainable fisheries
15. Arctic research ship aims to benefit from stimulus money
16. Alaska Air Cargo Enhances Seafood Shipment Services
17. Bypass mail rate increase reduced
18. Pebble development debate continues before Legislature
19. Renewable Resources Coalition Town Hall Meeting - Anchorage, March 19
20. Southeast harvester (Bloom) is rising star in Alaska fisheries
21. Climate change and the oceans: bleak for fish (except AK, Nor. & Greenland?)
22. Comfish celebrates 50 years of Alaska fishing, April 23-25
23. Row over UN's call for increased fish farming
24. What do you think about aquaculture – Online survey for stakeholders’
25. Judge says Columbia salmon recovery plan is 'very close'
26. MMRC: Putting a Price Tag on Habitat Conservation
27. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
28. Fishermen’s Fund Public meeting April 1 – 3, Juneau
29. NOAA posts GHL for guided sport halibut in areas 2C and 3A
30. NMFS posts 2009-2010 GOA & BSAI Groundfish specifications
31. CIE Peer Review for AK Sablefish stock assessment, March 17-19, Juneau
32. NMFS to hold hearings on IUU fishing – Seattle, April 14
33. Deadline April 13 for BLM Resource Advisory Council nominations
34. NOAA: “Observer Programs' Info That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions”
35. MMS extends comment period on OCS 5 year plan - to September 21, 2009
36. Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2007
37. Comment deadline April 13 on Columbia River Hatcheries EIS scope expansion
38. Appeals court upholds feds' salmon hatchery policy
39. Deadline March 31 for USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grants
40. Global Food Alaska 2009, June 10-12, 2009 Soldotna, Alaska
41. IPHC notifies industry of halibut sales in 2009 and seeks buyers
42. ADF&G draft Community Subsistence Information System ( CSIS ).
43. Air Force and the MMPA
44. Repeat item: IRS documents for EVOS Tax Treatment
45. Smartgear competition deadline June 30
1. ADF&G Book: Sustaining Alaska's Fisheries: Fifty Years of Statehood
Sustaining Alaska’s Fisheries: Fifty Years of Statehood was created by ADF&G as part of Alaska’s 2009 Statehood Celebration. This engaging story of our commercial fishery management heritage was written by Bob King, writer, former fisheries industry journalist, and former press secretary to an Alaska governor
http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/50years/50years.php
Congratulations to fishermen and Alaska’s leaders who put into place the safeguards necessary for sustainable commercial fishing. The controversial limiting of entry in fisheries, and the institution of real time management where fisheries can open or close immediately, rather than after damage is done, are the unique essential components that has provided the state with continued commercial fisheries that sustain our coastal communities and provide revenue and benefits to all of Alaska.
The question remains – will Alaska take the necessary similar steps to ensure that our fish stocks are not threatened by unlimited growth of consumption based tourism fisheries?
2. Board of Fisheries preliminary results from SE Finfish (Sitka) meeting
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetsum/2008-2009
/sitka/presumm-se-finfish09.pdf
3. Governor Names Fishery Council Nominees
March 10, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today forwarded her nominations of Robert “Ed” Dersham and Dan Hull to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for appointment to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Dersham currently serves on the council and is being nominated for a second term. Hull has been an active public participant at council meetings and has served on council committees…
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1698
UFA salutes the outstanding work of Gerry Merrigan in his service on the NPFMC.
4. NPFMC agenda and items for the March 30 - April 7 meeting
Draft Agenda: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/Agendas/409Agenda.pdf
Items posted:
BS Chinook bycatch outreach report 4/09
Fixed Gear Recency 4/09
Salmon bycatch ICA from pollock industry cooperatives
Alternative ICA approach
ICA proposals assessment
Proposed Bristol Bay Trawl Closure and Walrus interactions
Modifying AM80 coop formation criteria (AM 93)
GOA Salmon and Crab bycatch discussion paper
&
Northern Bering Sea Research Area Presentation: Thursday, April 2, 2009 5:30pm -7pm Hilton Hotel, Anchorage Dillingham/Katmai Room FLIER
The above items are online at the NPFMC home page at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/
NPFMC Pacific Northwest Crab Industry Advisory Committee (PNCIAC) meets, Seattle March 23
…The meeting will be held at the Leif Erikson Hall, 2247 NW
57th Street, Suite 403, Seattle, WA 98107 (in Ballard); telephone:
(206) 769-3474…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-5104.htm
5. Deadline April 30 for Coastal Impact Assistance Program Competitive Grants
DCOM is now soliciting projects to fund through CIAP. Applicant eligibility requirements are listed in the Application Information and Instructions. The submittal deadline is 5:00 PM April 30, 2009. Links to the application and instructions are provided below.
Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) home page: http://dnr.alaska.gov/coastal/CIAP/ciap.htm. “
More federal funds have become available and the program has opened to funding of a wide range of fish-related topics. Non profit trade associations (AS 10.20) will be eligible to apply. Eligible fundings include Habitat, Marine debris, Fish data, Preparation for climate change, etc.
6. PWSRCAC calls for continued two vessel escort on double hull tankers
Council seeing progress in oil tanker precautions
…The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 required phasing out single-hulled tankers by 2015. It is estimated the Exxon Valdez spill would have been reduced by 60 percent had the ship been double-hulled.
The transition of the PWS tanker fleet is almost complete, with just one single-hull ship still operating.
The law requires escort for only single-hulled tankers. PWSRCAC is calling for maintaining the tug escort system for double-hulled tankers…
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=7327
&
Spill anniversary teaches lessons of history, by John Devens
http://www.thecordovatimes.com/news/show/5016
&
HJR 19 / SJR 11 - “Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and supporting the continued practice of accompanying each oil tanker through Prince William Sound with at least a two vessel escort.”
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=
HJR%2019&session=26
UFA supports HJR 19.
7. Rep. Young Cosponsors, Votes for Water Quality Act
Washington, D.C. – Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted yes today on H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. Rep. Young is also an original cosponsor of this bipartisan piece of legislation. This bill would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds and provides $18.7 billion over five years to the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. This allows states to grant low interest loans to communities that don’t have enough funds to make improvements to wastewater infrastructure.
“This is a good piece of legislation and especially for Alaska,” said Rep. Young. “There are many communities who need to make major investments to their publicly owned wastewater utilities such as North Pole, Palmer, Kenai, Kodiak, and Wasilla to name a few…
Alaska’s share of funding from H.R. 1262 will be $82,387,173 for the life of the bill.
Rep. Young Press release: http://donyoung.house.gov/Press
R
elease.aspx?NewsID=1970
&
NBC: House Passes Water Quality Investment Act
http://www.nbc26.com/Global/story.asp?S=9998351
8. Removal of fuel from Mar-Gun continues near St. George
Officials issue advice to avoid potential health risks from subsistence harvests
Responders continue to work during daylight hours to remove the fuel from the fishing vessel Mar-Gun grounded on the north end of St. George Island. Ten thousand six hundred and five gallons of diesel has been removed so far.
Crews are working Wednesday to continue the removal of diesel and to effect repairs to the small breach in the engine room. Once the breach is patched the engine room can be dewatered. This will allow access to the engine manifold which is necessary to lighter the 668 gallons of lube oil…
http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/260365/
9. Environmental groups want better shipping, safety rules
…Conservation groups pointed to the second grounding in the Aleutian Chain as another sign of the increasing need for better shipping safety and oil spill prevention tactics.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/031309/fis_
img_fish001.shtml
10. New rules enacted for fishing guides
Juneau Empire
ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has enacted new rules for Southcentral Alaska saltwater fishing guides and crews.
They will be banned from keeping any fish on their own fishing licenses while clients are on their boats… http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/031209/reg_40
8288440.shtml
11. KwikPak to monitor fish supplies
KwikPak Fisheries LLC of Emmonak has contracted with Trace Register in Seattle for access to the firm's Web-based software to promote the traceability of its Yukon River salmon through the supply chain…
Kwik'Pak spokesman Jack Schultheis said the supply chain traceability "will help ensure that the Yup'ik fishermen who supply our company are getting a well-deserved premium for their efforts and their superior salmon…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/031309/fis_
fish002.shtml
12. Trident Seafoods tops in Symphony of Seafood awards
A wild Alaska sesame teriyaki keta salmon fillet won Trident Seafoods the grand prize at the 2009 Symphony of Seafood gala in Anchorage Feb. 19. With the win came a ticket to the International Boston Seafood Show to promote the company's new value-added seafood product…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/022709/loc_img_
local002.shtml
13. Cost of (MSC) certifications to fall to private fishing industry
Managing fisheries for sustained yield is a mandate Alaska fisheries officials intend to keep honoring. But the price of proving that sustainability to the Marine Stewardship Council is a cost state fisheries managers say must be shared more fully within the industry, as the state of Alaska will cease in October to be the client paying all costs of the certification process…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/031309/fis_img_
fish_4001.shtml
14. Iceland to certify own sustainable fisheries
(Seafood Source)
The Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture will unveil a program to certify the nation's fisheries as sustainable at next week's International Boston Seafood Show…
http://www.seafoodsource.com/newsarticledetail.aspx?id=2804
15. Arctic research ship aims to benefit from stimulus money
A planned multi-million dollar federal fisheries research vessel to be used in Alaska waters looks likely to get a $55 million funding boost from President Barack Obama's stimulus package, which has now been approved by Congress…
The new 236-foot ice-capable vessel to support research in high latitudes will be owned by the NSF and operated by the University of Alaska School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences out of its facilities in Seward. It will replace a retired research vessel, the Alpha Helix, which also was based out of Seward…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/031309/loc_img
_local002.shtml
16. Alaska Air Cargo Enhances Seafood Shipment Services
Alaska Airlines implements system wide cool chain training program
SEATTLE — Prized wild seafood from the state of Alaska will arrive as fresh as possible at grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, thanks in part to a new quality control program at Alaska Air Cargo designed to keep seafood shipments cold. Alaska Air Cargo is one of the first air carriers to implement a special training program for employees who handle perishables such as fresh Alaska seafood…
http://www.alaskasworld.com/newsroom/asnews/asstories
/AS_20090314_090547.asp
17. Bypass mail rate increase reduced
Rural Alaskans who depend on the U.S. Postal Service's bypass mail system will still see an increase in shipping rates, but it won't be as high as they feared.
Prices will still go up as much as 12 to 17 percent as part of an overall U.S. Postal Service rate hike, but it's not as high as the 40 percent increases that shippers -- and consumers -- could have faced had the post office not decided to tweak the bypass mail program…
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story
/725278.html
18. Pebble development debate continues before Legislature
Developers of the Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in Southwest Alaska are a least a year away from submitting permits for a large-scale mine project, but the state's regulatory process is already being called into question by some lawmakers and vocal mine opponents.
During a state Senate Resources Committee hearing held in late February, Pebble developers gave a brief overview of the advanced exploration project, followed by a Department of Natural Resources presentation describing the regulatory permitting process. State legislators also took testimony from several opponents who claim a mine at Pebble could damage the Bristol Bay salmon fishery…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/031309/loc_img
_local001.shtml
19. Renewable Resources Coalition Town Hall Meeting - Anchorage, March 19
The Renewable Resources Coalition wants to hear your thoughts on how we can protect Bristol Bay and the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery.
The remaining scheduled meeting:
Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Tanglewood Chalet
11801 Brayton Dr., South Anchorage
TIME: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
http://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/
20. Southeast harvester (Bloom) is rising star in Alaska fisheries
It's still a man's world out there in the raucous Bristol Bay salmon fishery. But among the roughly 1,800 vessels jockeying for position, Southeast Alaska Capt. Lindsey Bloom holds her own aboard the 32-foot drift boat Erika Leigh.
"I really feel like fishing chose me," she said. "There wasn't much choice when my dad called and said, 'You're coming up to be permit holder on the Erika Leigh.'"…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/031309/fis_img
_fish_9001.shtml
21. Climate change and the oceans: bleak prospects for the fish (except AK, Norway & Greenland?)
Climate change is starting to have profound effects on marine ecosystems, according to a session at this year's AAAS meeting. Species are being driven into higher latitudes and deeper waters, which is bad news for countries like Chile and China…
Practically, this means local extinctions in traditional fishing areas (already being witnessed in the Bering Sea), and species invasion into others. Countries are going to lose fish stocks to their neighbors, something we're already seeing with jumbo squid and salmon. Cheung predicts that Norway, Greenland, and Alaska are going to be the biggest winners, with China, the mainland US, Indonesia, and Chile losing the most…
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/03/climate-
change-and-the-oceans-bleak-prospects-for-the-fish.ars
22. Comfish celebrates 50 years of Alaska fishing, April 23-25
ComFish, Kodiak's annual spring fisheries policy forum and trade show, will celebrate Alaska's 50 years of involvement in commercial fishing and processing.
The schedule, set for April 23-25, is still in flux for fisheries forums and related events at Kodiak's new convention center. Current plans are shaping up for a gala seafood dinner April 23, in celebration of 50 years of statehood and the Alaska seafood industry.
AK Journal of Commerce story: http://www.alaskajournal.com
/stories/031309/fis_fish001.shtml
Comfish home page: http://www.comfishalaska.com/
23. Row over UN's call for increased fish farming
Campaign groups criticise as "simplistic" the UN's call for a big expansion in fish farming to protect wild stocks
Seafood-lovers are being urged to eat more "vegetarian" species, including tilapia and carp, as the United Nations calls for a big expansion in fish farming to protect wild stocks…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/02
/un-fish-farming
24. What do you think about aquaculture – Online survey for stakeholders’ perception on aquaculture (estimated 25 minutes)
(Survey extended due to lack of response from fishermen)
The University of Rhode Island is conducting an important survey about the stakeholders' perception of aquaculture in the US and the future of this sector. So far, we got good responses from government officials, fish farmers and researchers. But we only got 30 fisherman's responses. We need more fishing industry management leader's participation. As a person who is concerned about the development and direction of US aquaculture, we think this survey will be of considerable interest to you. We hope you will take the time to respond.
https://ecustomeropinions.com/popup/survey.php?
sid=660958134
Remember to consider shellfish aquaculture as well as Alaska’s salmon enhancement programs when filling out this survey, if your opinion on those differs from your opinion on fish farms and open ocean aquaculture.
25. Judge says Columbia salmon recovery plan is 'very close'
A federal judge had some kind words today for the federal government's strategy to balance operations of its power-generating dams with the needs of endangered salmon they harm.
"I think it is very close," said U.S. District Court Judge James Redden after spending a day grilling government, tribal and environmental attorneys in a downtown Portland courtroom…
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/
2009/03/judge_says_columbia_salmon_rec.html
&
Seattle Times: Federal judge faults plan in NW salmon dispute
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/
2008823428_aporsalmondams1stldwritethru.html
26. MMRC: Putting a Price Tag on Habitat Conservation
Consortium researchers recently developed a method to evaluate the economic costs of habitat-driven fishery closures. By taking spatial considerations and environmental variables into account, they came up with a relevant approach to determining the financial cost of habitat conservation….
http://www.marinemammal.org/2009/berman.php
Marine Mammal research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/
27. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
Tuesday 3/17/09 St. Patrick’s Day fish story
Monday 3/16/09 Consumers by far prefer Alaska seafood
Friday 3/13/09 Deckhand labor data project forms industry advisory panel
Thursday 3/12/09 Fish price drivers in a global recession
Wednesday 3/11/09 Halibut faces tough market in 2009
Listen Online at: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org
/fishradio.htm
& also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html
28. Fishermen’s Fund Public meeting April 1 – 3, Juneau
The Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Fund Advisory & Appeals Council will conduct a full council meeting April 1-3, 2009.
This meeting will begin at 9:00am each day. The meeting will be held at the following location:
Admiralty Room, Ste. 204, Goldbelt Hotel, Juneau.
The agenda consists of the regular business of the Advisory & Appeals Council and the Fishermen’s Fund, consisting of but not limited to: Discussion or approval of changes to the regulations regarding the Fishermen’s Fund, 8 AAC 55, pursuant to AS 23.35.050; discussion of the Fund’s annual performance and other business reports from the agency; prescription of forms; and other business as necessary and useful. A copy of the full agenda will be made available upon request.
http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7
a8925672a0060a91b/358a5fe726b36e4c8925756f00018a
59?OpenDocument
UFA supports increasing the Fishermen’s Fund maximum claim limit from the current $2500 to $5000 (This will require an act of the Alaska Legislature).
29. NOAA posts GHL for guided sport halibut in areas 2C and 3A
NMFS provides notice of Pacific halibut guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for the guided sport charter vessel fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory areas 2C and 3A. The GHLs are benchmark harvest levels for participants in the charter vessel fishery for halibut in each area. This notice is necessary to meet the management and regulatory requirements for the GHLs and to inform the public about the 2009 GHLs for the charter halibut fishery…
The corresponding GHLs are 788,000 lb (357.4 mt) in Area 2C, and 3,650,000 lb (1,655.6 mt) in Area 3A. The GHL in Area 2C has been reduced from the 2008 level of
931,000 lb (422.3 mt). The GHL for Area 3A did not change.
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-3922.htm
NOAA Guided Sport Halibut Management page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/s
ustainablefisheries/halibut/charters.htm
30. NMFS posts 2009-2010 GOA & BSAI Groundfish specifications
NMFS announces 2009 and 2010 final harvest specifications, reserves and apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and associated management measures for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) (and BSAI).
GOA - Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-3295.htm
GOA correction: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/Z9-3295.htm
BSAI - Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-3297.htm
NOAA Fisheries 2009 - 2010 Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specification Tables are online at: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries
/2009_10hrvstspecs.htm
31. CIE Peer Review for AK Sablefish (Black Cod) stock assessment, March 17-19, Juneau
NMFS has requested the Center for Independent Experts (CIE) to conduct a peer review of the agency's stock assessment of Alaskan sablefish. CIE is a group affiliated with the University of Miami that provides independent peer reviews of NMFS science nationwide, including reviews of stock assessments for fish and marine mammals. The Alaska sablefish stock assessment is an area-wide model that includes the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands. The CIE review will examine whether the assessment incorporates the best available scientific information and provides a reasonable approach to understanding the population dynamics and stock status of sablefish in Alaska. The public is invited to attend and observe the presentations and discussions between the CIE panel and the NMFS scientists who collected and processed the data, and designed the underlying model.
DATES: The review will be held on March 17 through March 19, 2009, from
9 AM to 5 PM Alaska Daylight Time.
ADDRESSES: The review will be held at the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science
Center, Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute, 17109 Pt. Lena Loop Rd,
Juneau, AK 99801.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-4022.htm
32. NMFS to hold hearings on IUU fishing – Seattle, April 14
NMFS published a proposed rule for developing identification and certification procedures to address illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and bycatch of protected living marine resources (PLMRs) pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act). This notice is to announce five public hearings and to discuss and collect comments on the issues described in the proposed rule.
DATES: Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 pm Eastern time on May 14, 2009. Public hearings will be held in March, April, and May of 2009…
The hearing closest to Alaska is in Seattle, April 14th:
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 4:00-6:00 p.m., NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Auditorium, Seattle, WA 98112; phone 206-860-3200. Proof of identification will be required for entry…
Federal register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-4478.htm
Correction posted to Silver Spring, MD meeting location: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-5483.htm
33. Deadline April 13 for BLM Resource Advisory Council nominations
The purpose of this notice is to request public nominations for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) that have member terms expiring this year. The RACs provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on land use planning and management of the National System of Public Lands within their
geographic areas…
DATE: Send all nominations to the appropriate BLM state office no later than April 13, 2009.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-4260.htm
Alaska BLM RAC home page for info & nomination form
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/res/rac.html
34. NOAA: Comment by May 4 on “Observer Programs' Information That Can Be Gathered Only Through Questions”
Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-4522.htm
NOAA Observer programs home page: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st4/nop/index.html
35. MMS extends comment period on OCS 5 year plan - comment deadline September 21, 2009
Extension of Comment Period on the Draft Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2010-2015 (DPP) and Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed 5-Year Program…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-4581.htm
36. Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2007
Per an announcement in the Federal Register (FR) [FRL-8778-8], the draft 1990-2007 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory is now available for public comment. To ensure your comments are considered for the final version of the document, please submit your comments by April 9, 2009.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions
/usinventoryreport.html
37. Comment deadline April 13 on Columbia River Hatcheries EIS scope expansion
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces its decision to expand the scope of the Mitchell Act Hatchery Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to include analysis of the environmental effects of hatchery programs in a way that will inform future NMFS decisions about Endangered Species Act compliance for all Columbia River hatchery programs. Our previous notice of intent to prepare an EIS on the funding and operation of Columbia River hatcheries under the Mitchell Act was published on September 3, 2004. We are opening a 30-day comment period on our decision to expand the scope.
DATES: Written or electronic comments from all interested parties are
encouraged and must be received no later than 5 p.m. Pacific Standard
Time April 13, 2009.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-5383.htm
38. Appeals court upholds feds' salmon hatchery policy
GRANTS PASS, Ore. - A federal appeals court Monday upheld the federal government's discretion to use salmon raised in hatcheries to bolster wild runs, but not as a substitute that would lift Endangered Species Act protections…
Jan Hasselman, a lawyer for Earthjustice, which represented the conservation groups, said the good news was that the appeals court recognized that the objective of the Endangered Species Act was to restore wild salmon, not just replace them with fish raised in hatcheries.
"The building industry and Pacific Legal Foundation have engaged in a 10-year effort to reduce protections for wild salmon based on numbers of hatchery fish," he said from Seattle. "That effort is conclusively a failure. The people that supported it within the government are gone. It has been rejected across the board by numerous courts. And wild salmon remain protected. Let's move on to restoring their habitat and put this chapter behind us."
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/
725314.html
39. Deadline March 31 for USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grants
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), an Agency within the Rural Development mission area, announces the availability of grants of up to $50,000 per application from the Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2009, to be competitively awarded…
The deadline for the receipt of applications in the Rural Development State Office is March 31, 2009…
Alaska - USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201,
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7705 /TDD (907) 761-8905.
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ak/
Federal Register Notice:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-5407.htm
40. Global Food Alaska 2009, June 10-12, 2009 Soldotna, Alaska
Commercial Buyers of Food, Beverage, Agri-Products Commercial Buyers for Retail, Restaurant, Manufacturing, Gift, Food Service, Convenience. Registration is FREE for those who have pre-registered by April 1, 2009. (Professional identification required at door please.)
http://www.globalfoodcollaborative.com/global-
food-alaska-2009.html
41. IPHC notifies industry of halibut sales in 2009 and seeks buyers interested in IPHC research fish
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) will be conducting research operations off Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska during 2009 and will be selling halibut caught during the operations to offset costs associated with conducting the survey. This news release is intended to notify the industry of the IPHC plan to sell fish and seeks offers for fish sales arrangements from interested buyers…
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel
/2009/nr20090306.htm
42. ADF&G draft Community Subsistence Information System ( CSIS ).
The link to this public review draft is at:
http://www.subsistence.adfg.state.ak.us/CSIS/
43. Air Force and the MMPA
Incidental Take of Marine Mammals; Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Conducting Precision Strike Weapons Testing and Training by Eglin Air Force Base in the Gulf of Mexico…
Federal register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5079.pdf
44. Repeat item: IRS documents for EVOS Tax Treatment
2008 IRS Publication 525 – Taxable and Non-taxable Income
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p525.pdf ( See page 32 for EVOS filing info)
2008 Instructions for Schedule J – Income Averaging for Fishermen and Farmers
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sj.pdf
2008 Schedule J -– Income Averaging for Fishermen and Farmers
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sj.pdf
45. Smartgear - Call is out for fishing gear that helps fishermen be smarter
Deadline to enter is June 30. Find the easy entry forms at www.smartgear.org .
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/020609
/fis_fish_opinon001.shtml
UFA dues for Alaska commercial fishermen are $150 and we also welcome crew/supporter nonvoting members at $50 per year. To support UFA see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm
|
