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UFA Update
March 15, 2013
UFA At-Large elections will be held this spring for four seats. Individual and Lifetime members are eligible.
Nomination forms will be sent to current paid members this month; elections will be held in April.
Thanks to new UFA Lifetime member Bruce Schactler and new Business members:
Expense Reduction Analysts; Law Office of Bruce Weyhrauch; Vigor Industrial and Edgewater Marine Surveyors of Homer
Please support business members that support UFA.
We welcome new UFA member groups Golden King Crab Coalition and Freezer Longline Coalition
UFA Lifetime dues have been increased to $1750 for 2013 and will increase to $2000 in 2014.
Actions from the February UFA meeting will be sent to members with at-large nomination forms shortly.
UFA Mission: To promote and protect the common interest of Alaska's commercial fishing industry, as a vital component of Alaska's social and economic well-being. Thanks to our 36 member groups that support us in our mission, help you stay in business, and help fishermen bring you Alaska seafood.
Top Action Items:
1. Comment by Wednesday March 20 on Board Of Fisheries’ draft Board-Generated Proposal Criteria
Online Public Notice: http://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.
aspx?id=167374
Draft Criteria: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.findings
UFA Comments (submitted as RC134 at AK Peninsula / Aleutians February BOF mtg):
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/regprocess/
fisheriesboard/pdfs//2012-2013/area-m/rcs/rc134_unof.pdf
Alaska Board of Fisheries Statewide Finfish meeting- Anchorage March 19-24, 2013
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/regprocess/
fisheriesboard/pdfs/2012-2013/statewide_press.pdf
2. Comment deadline extended to April 26 on FDA support (FONSI) of Genetically Modified Salmon
Federal Register Notice Dec. 26:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/26/2012-31118
/draft-environmental-assessment-and-preliminary-finding-of-no-
significant-impact-concerning-a
Comment Extended to April 26 – Federal Register Notice February 14: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-14/html/2013-03445.htm
Electronic submissions can be viewed and submitted online at www.regulations.gov
Docket No. FDA-2011-N-0899
Senator Begich Action Alert: http://begich.com/landing/w1301ffe/?subsource=frankenfish
Contents: Other items, notices and public comment opportunities
3. Senator Murkowski: Fighting Frankenfish Also Good For Business
4. Alaska Delegation Introduces Maritime Lien Reform Act
5. NOAA 2013 Biennial Report to Congress on International Fishing Activities
6. Governor Makes Nominations to Fishery Council
7. Governor Parnell Promotes Alaska Seafood at Boston Seafood Show
8. NOAA report finds commercial and recreational saltwater fishing generated $199 billion in 2011
9. Comment on NMFS Recreational Fishing Survey by April Fools Day (deadline 4/1/2013)
10. ACLU supports Yup’ik fishermen in trial – religion as allocation criteria
11. A bounty on sea otters? Bill proposes $100 per otter in Southeast Alaska.
12. Chinook Salmon Stock Assessment and Research Plan for 2013,
13. Fourth Circuit Strikes NMFS Biological Opinion regarding Pesticide Registrations
14. State Pesticide regulations adopted for pest mgmt plans & state lands
15. Final rule posted on Halibut Catch Sharing Plan
16. High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act; Identification and Certification Procedures To Address Shark Conservation
17. NMFS Final 2013 and 2014 Harvest Specifications for GOA & BSAI Groundfish
18. F/V Safety - Update on U.S. Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Requirements
19. University of Alaska Fisheries, Seafood & Maritime Initiative (FSMI) February 2013 update
20. Comment deadline March 18 on IPHC Nominations
21. NPFMC Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee meets - Anchorage March 21-22
22. Alaska Board of Forestry meeting March 26-28, Juneau:
23. Subsistence RAC applications deadline March 29
24. NPFMC Items for the April 1-9, 2013 meeting, Anchorage Hilton Hotel
25. DNR Comment Deadline April 4, 2013 on Bristol Bay Area Plan
26. Comment by April 5 for Amendment 94 sablefish vessel use caps…
27. COMFISH Kodiak April 11-13
28. Comment deadline April 16, 2013 on NMFS Draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
29. Comment by May 1 on Valdez Ferry Terminal safety zone during salmon openers
30. Managing our Nations Fisheries 3 (all Councils meeting) May 7-9, Washington DC
31. Comment deadline May 13 on BSAI Crab Amendment 42 Economic Data Reports
32. Comment deadline May 3 on USCG vessel documentation fee increase
33. Comment by May 6 on Survey of Coastal Managers to Assess Needs for Ecological Forecasts
34. Comment by May 17 on Sea Otter handicraft clarifications
35. Comment deadline May 29 on USCG MARPOL Annex V Amendments
3. Senator Murkowski: Fighting Frankenfish Also Good For Business
Senator Hails National Supermarket Beginning Label Campaign On Its Own
WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Lisa Murkowski today contacted the President of Whole Foods Markets to commend him for taking the proactive step of making it corporate policy to label all genetically modified foods they sell – a practice she advocated for on genetically modified salmon in a bill she co-sponsored last month. With genetically-modified salmon still being considered by the Food and Drug Administration, Murkowski shared her concerns in a letter…
According to a recent news article, Whole Foods President A.C. Gallo said that labeling has boosted sales on his shelves…
Murkowski responded she wasn’t surprised that labeling items was good for business…
Related NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/09/business/g
rocery-chain-to-require-labels-for-genetically-modified-food.html?_r=0
Senator Lisa Murkowski Press Release & letter are online at: http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Press
Releases&ContentRecord_id=564007f5-4520-4aef-9dd9-da3c
e41a7734&ContentType_id=b94acc28-404a-4fc6-b143-a9e1
5bf92da4&Group_id=c01df158-d935-4d7a-895d-f694ddf41624
4. Alaska Delegation Introduces Maritime Lien Reform Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Alaska delegation today renewed their commitment to protecting Alaskan commercial fishermen by introducing the Maritime Lien Reform Act of 2013. This legislation would prohibit maritime liens from being imposed on commercial fishing permits, while protecting the rights of fishermen as they continue to engage in the commercial industry in order to provide for their families.
Senator Murkowski Press Release: http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=P
ressReleases&ContentRecord_id=b2dcf6d3-bab3-4751-b556-006b
13c1639f&ContentType_id=b94acc28-404a-4fc6-b143-a9e15bf92
da4&Group_id=c01df158-d935-4d7a-895d-f694ddf41624
S. 542 online: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.113s542
H.R. 1147 House Companion bill (Young): http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.113hr1147
5. NOAA 2013 Biennial Report to Congress on International Fishing Activities
…As part of its overall efforts to ensure that the U.S. fishing industry isn't undermined by unsustainable or illegal activities, today, NOAA submitted the 2013 biennial Report to Congress identifying 10 nations whose fishing vessels engaged in illegal unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 2011 or 2012, or had ineffective measures to prevent the unintended catch of protected species in 2012. The report also includes follow-up information for those nations identified in the previous biennial report (2011).
The full report along with highlights and supportive information are posted at
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/slider_stories/2013/01/
msra_2013_report.html
6. Governor Makes Nominations to Fishery Council
March 15, 2013, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell today nominated Duncan Fields and David Long for consideration by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for service on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). The governor also named Stefanie Moreland and John Moller as alternate nominees…
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-
release.html?pr=6397
7. Governor Parnell Promotes Alaska Seafood at Boston Seafood Show
March 11, 2013, Boston, Mass. – Governor Sean Parnell is promoting Alaska seafood during a trip to Boston this week. With more than 19,000 attendees expected, including more than 30 Alaska seafood companies, the Boston Seafood Show is one of the largest seafood exhibitions in North America. The event is being held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
“Alaska’s seafood industry is a crucial part of our state’s economy,” Governor Parnell said. “It’s a pleasure to celebrate and promote one of Alaska’s greatest natural resources – our salmon. The Boston Seafood Show is a fantastic venue for us to tout our message of wild, healthy, and sustainably-harvested Alaskan seafood.”
Governor Parnell press release: http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=6390
8. NOAA report finds commercial and recreational saltwater fishing generated $199 billion in 2011
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/2013/03/07_noaa_report
_finds_commercial_and_recreational.html
Report: NOAA Fisheries Economics of The U.S. 2011
http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/economics/publications/feus/
fisheries_economics_2011
9. Comment on NMFS Recreational Fishing Survey by April Fools Day (deadline 4/1/2013)
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Marine Recreational Information Program Longitudinal Survey of Recreational Fishing Participation…
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…
Federal Register Notice:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-29/html/2013-01743.htm
NOAA Marine Recreational Information Program page: https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/mrip/aboutus/organization/
anglerteam.html
It’s worth reminding that the definition of recreation does not include gathering of food in wholesale quantities – i.e. there is no recreational justification for wholesale fish box quantities as commonly practiced by many tourists, guides and lodges in Alaska. Much of the information they might gather regarding by guided & lodge visitors to Alaska is not about recreation. – Mark V, recreational angler.
10. ACLU supports Yup’ik fishermen in trial – religion as allocation criteria
The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska is joining the Yup’ik fishermen trials. The group has filed an amicus or “friend of the court brief” in support of the fishermen’s right to fish as part of their religious practice…
ACLU’s Mittman says restricting fishermen from fishing for King salmon goes against their fundamental right to freedom of religion and freedom to practice their religious beliefs…
“Unfortunately, currently in the State of Alaska, there is no mechanism for the State in making determinations of resource allocation to take in consideration these religious needs,” Mittman said…
KYUK: http://kyuk.org/aclu-supports-yup%E2%80%99ik
-fishermen-in-trial/
APRN radio coverage:
http://www.alaskapublic.org/2013/02/13/aclu-supports-
yupik-fishermen-in-trial/
11. A bounty on sea otters? Bill proposes $100 per otter in Southeast Alaska.
A Republican from Ketchikan filed a bill proposing to place a $100 bounty on sea otters, a population deemed so out of control it could be responsible for millions lost to the seafood industry. Sen. Bert Stedman sponsored Senate Bill 60, which if passed, would be be used as a management tool.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130315/bounty-sea-otters
-bill-proposes-100-otter-southeast-alaska
SB 60 Text and Tracking: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%2
0%2060&session=28
&&&
UCSC study shows how urchin-loving otters can help fight global warming
http://news.ucsc.edu/2012/09/sea-otters-kelp.html
There are numerous opinion pieces on this available online via Google or other search lookup.
We expect to report on other legislation in a separate update shortly.
12. Chinook Salmon Stock Assessment and Research Plan for 2013,
is now available at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/news/hottopics/
pdfs/chinook_research_plan.pdf
ADFG - Chinook Research Plan and Symposium home page: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=chinook_efforts_
symposium.research_plan
13. Fourth Circuit Strikes NMFS Biological Opinion regarding Pesticide Registrations
Supreme Court Reverses Ninth Circuit: Absent a "Discharge of a Pollutant" Receiving Water Exceedances are not a Violation of Clean Water Act
In a unanimous panel decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that a biological opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding the effects of three pesticides on certain salmonids “was not the product of reasoned decision-making.” The Fourth Circuit refused to “silently rubber stamp” an agency decision where NMFS failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for key aspects of that decision. Further, the court refused to allow NMFS to offer post hoc rationalizations for its decision in the form of an expert affidavit and arguments advanced by counsel in the course of the litigation. In contrast to the lower court decision, which deferred to NMFS and found that it is not the duty of the court to sit in judgment of scientific standards, the Fourth Circuit took a hard look at the agency determination even as it applied a deferential standard of review.
http://connect.nossaman.com/rs/vm.ashx?ct=24F7681ED1AE45
E1C7DD89A5D229991CDBBE7BB3D38714DD4CF371647BF8D9
0DDD78035
14. State Pesticide regulations adopted for pest mgmt plans & state lands
Regulations dealing with pesticides and integrated pest management plans were
adopted by the Department of Environmental Conservation on January 22, 2013,
with an effective date of March 7, 2013. The regulations have been made
permanent and have been filed by the Lt. Governor. The regulations will appear
in Register 205, April 2013, of the Alaska Administrative Code. The regulations
changes are summarized as follows:
The amendments establish standards for state agency integrated pest management
plans, and allow the application of pesticides on state-owned or state-leased
land if the agency adopts an integrated pest management plan...
DEC Online Public Notice:
http://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?
id=166798
15. Final rule posted on Halibut Catch Sharing Plan
The Assistant Administrator (AA) for Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes annual management measures promulgated as regulations by the IPHC and approved
by the Secretary of State governing the Pacific halibut fishery. The AA also announces approval of the Area 2A (waters off the U.S. West Coast) Catch Sharing Plan (CSP), with modifications recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), along with implementing regulations for 2013, and provides notice of the guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for Areas 2C and 3A. These actions are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut and further the goals and objectives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) (Councils).
Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-15/html/2013-06034.htm
16. High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act; Identification and Certification Procedures To Address Shark Conservation
This final action sets forth identification and certification procedures to implement provisions of the Shark Conservation Act, which amended the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act), to address shark conservation in areas beyond any national jurisdiction. This action also amends the definition of illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing for purposes of the Moratorium Protection Act…
…effective January 16, 2013.
Federal Register Notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-16/html/2013-00703.htm
NMFS High Sea Driftnet Report page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/intlbycatch/rpts_driftnet_fishing.htm
17. NMFS Final 2013 and 2014 Harvest Specifications for GOA & BSAI Groundfish
NMFS announces final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2013 and 2014 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA..
Federal Register Notice - GOA:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-26/html/2013-04162.htm
Federal Register Notice – BSAI:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-01/html/2013-04822.htm
& Note correction posted 3/14: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-14/html/C1-2013-04822.htm
NOAA Fisheries 2013 - 2014 Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications page:
http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/specs13_14/
18. F/V Safety - Update on U.S. Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Requirements
On December 20, 2012, the President signed the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (CGMTA). This law made significant changes to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (CGAA) which had previously established safety and equipment requirements for commercial fishing vessels (Chapters 45 and 51 of Title 46 United States Code). The requirements in both laws build upon the standards established in the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988.
While some provisions of both the CGAA and CGMTA are self-executing and do not necessarily require new or amended regulations (for example; vessel construction standards, survey and classification, and loadline requirements for new vessels), changes made by the laws will be implemented through new or amended regulations.
http://www.fishsafe.info/Update%20on%20CFVS%20Requirements
%20-%201Mar2013.pdf
19. University of Alaska Fisheries, Seafood & Maritime Initiative (FSMI) February 2013 update
Fisheries, Seafood, & Maritime Workforce Development Initiative
http://www.alaska.edu/files/fsmi/FSMI-UPdate_2013-February.pdf
20. Comment deadline March 18 on IPHC Nominations
… Section 773a of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C.773a) requires that the United States be represented on the IPHC by three U.S. Commissioners. U.S. Commissioners are appointed for a term not to exceed 2 years, but are eligible for reappointment. Of the
Commissioners:
(1) One must be an official of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
(2) Two must be knowledgeable or experienced concerning the Northern Pacific halibut fishery; of these, one must be a resident of Alaska and the other shall be a nonresident of Alaska. Of the three commissioners described in paragraphs (1) and (2), one must also be a
voting member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council…
Federal Register Notice:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-16/html/2013-00756.htm
International Pacific Halibut Commission home page: http://www.iphc.int/
21. NPFMC Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee meets - Anchorage March 21-22
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee (SSLMC) will meet in Anchorage, AK.
DATES: The meeting will be held on March 21-22, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., each day.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-01/html/2013-04809.htm
NPFMC SSL docs: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/conservation
-issues/ssl.html
SSLMC home page: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable
fisheries/sslmc/
22. Alaska Board of Forestry meeting March 26-28, Juneau:
Fish-related topics include:
Forest road projects and funding
Repeal of regulations referencing the Alaska Coastal Management Program
Proposed mass wasting regulation
Forest practices compliance and effectiveness monitoring
Forestry/fisheries symposium report
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting and forest roads
Southeast Alaska land ownership initiatives: Sealaska land entitlement and Mental Health Trust Authority land exchange
Panel on endangered species listings in Alaska
Briefings on the Tongass 77 Campaign, Chinook Research Plan, and Boreal Alaska Learning Adaptation and Production (BAKLAP) initiative…
http://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=
167198
23. Subsistence RAC applications deadline March 29
The Federal Subsistence Board has extended the application deadline for Subsistence Regional Advisory Council membership to March 29, 2013…
http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/newsrel/r030713.pdf
Office of Subsistence management home page: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml
24. NPFMC Items for the April 1-9, 2013 meeting, Anchorage Hilton Hotel
Observer Advisory Committee: April 1, 2013, 3-8 pm, Dillingham/Katmai Room, Hilton Hotel, AGENDA: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/PDFdocuments/
meetings/413Agenda.pdf
Items posted:
2013 Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures EIS (C3b)
Public review AFA Vessel Replacement GOA Sideboards (C2b)
Public review BSAI Flatfish Specifications Flexibility (C2a)
Initial/Public review CQE Small Block Restriction (C5)
Public review Vessel transit lane near Round Island
For documents see NPFMC home page at: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/
Federal Register notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-13/html/
2013-05786.htm
25. DNR Comment Deadline April 4, 2013 on Bristol Bay Area Plan
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the Public Review Draft (PRD) of the Determination of Reclassification and Plan Amendment to the 2005 Bristol Bay Area Plan (2005 BBAP). Following a 90-day public review period, which may result in changes to the PRD, DNR intends to adopt the proposed revisions to the 2005 BBAP. Once adopted, this plan, as modified by the adopted plan revisions, will serve as the basis for the management of state lands and waters within the planning area for the next 20 years…
These revisions are in response to an agreement between the parties and subsequent court order that dismissed the lawsuit, Nondalton Tribal Council, et. al. v. State of Alaska....
In general, this review involved the classifications of Wildlife Habitat Land and Public Recreation Land in the 1984 BBAP plus the classification of Resource Management Land in the 2005 BBAP. Other aspects of this review are identified in the agreement and include, but are not limited to, assessment of the need to classify all anadromous streams as Wildlife Habitat and specifically those streams affected by Mineral Closing Order 393…
Your written comments are encouraged during this public comment period and must be received, in writing, on or before April 4, 2013 by mail, email, fax, or through the website provided below. To review and download an electronic version of the PRD, including maps, or submit comments online, please visit our webpage at: http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/planning/areaplans/bristol/amend
DNR Online Public Notice 1/4/2013:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925
672a0060a91b/f149375c4e1b264289257ae900685021?Open
Document
26. Comment by April 5 for Amendment 94 sablefish vessel use caps…
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 94 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP), which would amend certain sablefish provisions of the Individual Fishing Quota Program for the Fixed-Gear Commercial Fisheries for Pacific Halibut and Sablefish in Waters in and off Alaska (IFQ Program). Amendment 94 and its proposed implementing regulations would revise the vessel use caps applicable to sablefish quota share (QS) held by Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Community Quota Entities (CQEs)…
DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., Alaska local time, on April 5, 2013.
Federal Register Notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-06/html/2013-05077.htm
&&&
Comment deadline April 23 on Amendment 94 sablefish CQE IFQ vessels…
Federal Register Notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-22/html/2013-04157.htm
27. COMFISH Kodiak April 11-13
http://comfishalaska.com
28. Comment deadline April 16, 2013 on NMFS Draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-16/html/2013-00705.htm
29. Comment by May 1 on Valdez Ferry Terminal safety zone during salmon openers
The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent safety zone on the navigable waters of Port Valdez within a 200-yard radius of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) Port Valdez Ferry Terminal. The purpose of the safety zone is to restrict all vessels except AMHS vessels from entering within 200-yards of the AMHS Port Valdez Ferry Terminal whenever an AMHS ferry is underway within 200 yards of the terminal and there is a declared Commercial Salmon Fishery Opener. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life, property and the environment during periods of vessel traffic congestion during a declared Commercial Salmon Fishery Opener…
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-01/html/2013-02211.htm
30. Managing our Nations Fisheries 3 (all Councils meeting) May 7-9, Washington DC
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2013/01/1_14_13managing
_our_nations_fisheries.html
31. Comment deadline May 13 on BSAI Crab Amendment 42 Economic Data Reports
NMFS announces that the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP) for review by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). Amendment 42 would revise the annual economic data reports (EDRs) currently required of participants in the Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) fisheries. The EDRs include cost, revenue, ownership, and employment data the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and NMFS use to study the economic impacts of the CR Program on harvesters, processors, and affected communities. Amendment 42 is necessary to eliminate redundant reporting requirements, standardize reporting across participants, and reduce costs associated with the data
collection…
Federal Register notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-12/
html/2013-05636.htm
32. Comment deadline May 3 on USCG vessel documentation fee increase
The Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations to
separately list an annual fee for renewals of endorsements upon the
Certificate of Documentation. The Coast Guard is required to establish
user fees for services related to the documentation of vessels. This
proposed rule would separately list a fee of $26 to cover the current
costs of the vessel documentation services provided by the Coast Guard.
DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our
online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before May 3, 2013
or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date…
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-04/html/
2013-04866.htm
33. Comment by May 6 on Survey of Coastal Managers to Assess Needs for Ecological Forecasts
This request is for a new survey of coastal managers to determine their needs and potential uses for ecological forecasts or scenarios. Coastal managers would be staff from state agencies who deal with issues such as coastal water quality and habitat management… 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…
Federal Register notice:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-07/html/
2013-05325.htm
34. Comment by May 17 on Sea Otter handicraft clarifications
Draft Clarification of the Application of Select Terms under the Marine Mammal Protection Act with Regard to Sea Otters
On Friday, March 1, 2013 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska released for public comment a draft document clarifying the interpretation of the terms “significantly altered from their natural form,” “coastal dwelling,” and “mass produced” as they apply to Alaska Native handicrafts and clothing made from sea otter parts under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. We invite your comments on this draft document by May 17, 2013.
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/current.htm
35. Comment deadline May 29 on USCG MARPOL Annex V Amendments
The Coast Guard is publishing an interim rule with request for comments to conform regulations to the adopted MARPOL Annex V amendments which entered into force on January 1, 2013. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V (Garbage) amendments prohibiting the discharge of garbage from vessels unless expressly allowed were adopted by the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environmental Protection…
“… One amendment adds fishing gear to the definition of garbage, but the industry was informed about this requirement in the guidelines published by IMO in 2006. The requirements for other types of garbage, such as plastics and unground food wastes, are unchanged. Thus, we anticipate that commercial fishing vessels are already in compliance with this rulemaking…”
Federal Register notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-02-28/html/2013-04616.htm
UFA Mission: To promote and protect the common interest of Alaska's commercial fishing industry, as a vital component of Alaska's social and economic well-being.
December 31, 2012
The UFA Spring meeting is scheduled for February 19-21 at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.
Thanks to new UFA business members Vigor Industrial / Alaska Ship & Drydock, and .
Edgewater Marine Services of Alaska.
Please support UFA Business members – online at http://www.ufa-fish.org/bm.htm
UFA Alaska Community Commercial Fishing and Seafood Processing facts sheets – 2012 edition - are posted online at http://www.ufa-fish.org/cff.htm .
Changes at UFA leadership and staff:
UFA President Arni Thomson has stepped down after nearly three years as UFA president. UFA Vice President Bruce Wallace will serve as interim President until the full board elects a successor at the February meeting. The UFA Executive Committee has named Paul Shadura to serve as interim V.P. until that time as well.
Also note - this is my last week as UFA Executive Director and we plan to retire the "ufa1" email address.
Starting January 2, 2013, Julianne Curry is new UFA Executive Director and will be set up with email
jcurry@ufa-fish.org .
I am returning to an administrative role at UFA and will be at ufa@ufa-fish.org .
Thanks to UFA members, groups, and board for your support during my nine years as E.D.
Happy New Year!
-Mark Vinsel
Contents:
1. Action Alert -Comment on FDA support (FONSI) of Genetically Modified Salmon
2. Non-Residents – let your delegation in DC know your input
3. USCG Reauthorization extends EPA vessel discharge waiver through 2014
4. Fishing Groups thank AK Delegation on restructured observer program response –NOAA response?
5. NMFS posts Amendments 86/76 North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program amendments
6. Senator Murkowski Hires New Fisheries, Economics Policy Experts
7. Begich Applauds Passage of Critical Funds for Alaska
8. ADF&G Draft Chinook Salmon Research Plan and 2012 Symposium
9. Kenai Watershed Forum study links turbidity with boat traffic, levels exceed state standards
10. Study shows Prince William Sound Hatcheries provide huge economic returns to Alaska
11. Alaska's Fishermen – Harvests, Earnings, and other jobs… featured in Nov 2012 DOL Economic Trends
12. Ketchikan Students attend floating fish school
13. Taku Tlingit oppose Tulsequah mine
14. Keystone Pebble Independent Science Panel video coverage posted
15. NPRB announces the 2013 Graduate Student Research Awards – deadline Feb 15.
16. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
17. NPFMC items from the December meeting:
18. NMFS approves NPFMC Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) amendments for GOA & BSAI Groundfish, Scallops, King & Tanner Crab
19. NMFS / USFWS reopens comment period on ESA Critical Habitat Impact Analysis – comment by Feb. 6, 2013
20. Comment deadline January 23 on NOAA Science Advisory Board R&D review task force
21. North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Observer fees
22. Control date Dec 31,2012 set for GOA groundfish trawl fisheries.
23. NMFS posts Halibut & Sablefish IFQ cost recovery fee for 2012 – 2.1%.
24. NOAA posts GOA Groundfish Proposed 2013 and 2014 Harvest Specifications – comment by January 4, 2013
25. NMFS posts BSAI Groundfish 2013 and 2014 Harvest Specifications – comment by January 7, 2013
26. Comment by February 11 on NPFMC Amendment 41 BSAI Crab plan delivery exemption eligibility
27. NMFS posts final rule on NPFMC AK Salmon FMP
28. Comment Deadline Feb. 19, 2013 on Shadura Natural Gas Development Project EIS (Kenai / Cook Inlet)
29. Board of Fisheries 2012-2013 Meeting Information & documents
30. BOF Call for Proposals for Cook Inlet, Kodiak & Chignik Finfish, Statewide King & Tanner Crab & PCod – proposal deadline April 10, 2013.
31. AK Board of Fisheries additional topics for statewide finfish March 19-24 – comment by March 5.
32. Comment deadline January 8 on Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response, Inc oil discharge prevention and contingency plan
33. Comment deadline January 31 on Forest Practices regulations regarding mass wasting
34. Comment by November 1, 2013 on Subsistence Rural Determinations
35. Shop Online at ASMI Alaska Seafood Retail Store
36. Got pics? - ASMI Fishermen Profile project to begin soon
37. Alaska Seafood Logo Decals – Vessel Size –available free from ASMI
1. Action Alert (sent 12/21 but worth repeating)
Comment on FDA support (FONSI) of Genetically Modified Salmon
This is an obvious sneak attack to slip one by us over the holidays, an FDA present of Frankenfish under your Christmas Tree. Don’t let them get away with it!
Federal Register Notice Dec. 26:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/26/2012-31118
/draft-environmental-assessment-and-preliminary-finding-of-no-s
ignificant-impact-concerning-a
Electronic submissions can be viewed and submitted online at www.regulations.gov
Docket No. FDA-2011-N-0899
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FDA-2011-N-0899
Non Residents – scroll down to FWW online link to alert your delegation in DC
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency) is announcing the
availability for public comment of the Agency’s draft environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed conditions of use specified in materials submitted by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., in support of a new animal drug application (NADA) concerning a genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon. Also available for comment is the Agency’s preliminary finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for those specific conditions of use.
DATES: Submit either electronic or written comments on the Agency's draft EA and preliminary FONSI by February 25, 2013.
Submit written comments to:
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305)
Docket number FDA-2011-N-0899
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061,
Rockville, MD 20852.
Identify comments with the Docket number FDA-2011-N-0899
In addition to opposing, be sure to include that genetically-modified fish should be labeled.
Senator Murkowski Press Release
Murkowski Concerned by “Troubling” FDA Advancement on Frankenfish
“I Don’t Believe These Fish Should Be Approved”
Senator Begich Press Release
Begich Alarmed by FDA Report on Frankenfish
Calls on Alaskans to Make Public Their Opposition to GE Salmon…
Congressman Don Young Press Release:
“I’ve said from the beginning that frankenfish pose a grave threat to Alaska’s wild salmon stocks, and today’s decision by the FDA is foolish and disturbing,” Rep. Young said. “As the final process moves forward, I will continue the fight with the Alaska Congressional Delegation to ensure that this product never hits the market.”
“In the 113th Congress, I plan to reintroduce legislation that will at a bare minimum require genetically engineered salmon to be labeled to ensure that the public knows what they are purchasing at the grocery store and feeding to their families.”
2. Non-Residents – let your delegation in DC know your input
If you don’t already have your contact information to send to your own Senators and Congressional Representative, Food and Water Watch’s action alert will forward your comment as an email. Be sure to customize your message as most recipients routinely discount the multiple form letters they receive:
Food and Water Watch FDA GM Salmon action alert – for email to your Representative and Senators::
http://act.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=
homepage&page=UserAction&id=383
In the News:
Huffington Post, 12/21/12: AquaAdvantage Genetically Modified Salmon Not A Threat To Nature, FDA Says
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/aquaadvantage
-genetically-modified-salmon-no-threat_n_2347757.html
&&
L.A. Times: GM salmon: FDA's assessment of environmental risks
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-aquabounty
-salmon-fda-assesses-risks-20121224,0,2554480.story
&&
Why the delay in release of FDA documents on gene-modified salmon?
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-aquabounty
-gmo-salmon-fda-20121226,0,4213839.story
&&
AK Journal of Commerce - Fast-growing fish may never wind up on your plate
Read more: http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-
Commerce/December-Issue-4-2012/Fast-growing-fish-may-
never-wind-up-on-your-plate/#ixzz2GO3j6WCK
This story of the financial challenge facing AquaBounty Technologies was posted Dec 19, 2012, before the FDA acted.
3. USCG Reauthorization extends EPA vessel discharge waiver through 2014
The bill also requires the Coast Guard to study the feasibility and potential of establishing a deep-water port in the Arctic and to conduct an analysis of projected needs for continuing operations in Arctic and Antarctic regions including shore infrastructure, communications and other logistical needs.
Other major Alaska provisions include an extension of the waiver for incidental vessel discharges from Alaska’s fishing fleet and other vessels under 79 feet. The bill extends the Environmental Protection Agency waiver through 2014.
Senator Begich Press release:
http://www.begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases
?ID=6c2a3b3d-a260-4bc9-a51c-3d3084d4b101
The Alaska delegation was unsuccessful in securing your fishing permits from maritime liens - we appreciate their trying. If you are not an AK resident, please let your delegation know that your ability to earn a living should not be taken away.
4. Fishing Groups thank AK Delegation on restructured observer program response –NOAA response?
Fourteen fishing organizations representing fishermen from Seattle to Kodiak signed a letter asking NMFS for programmatic changes to control costs, prioritizing observer coverage for high bycatch fisheries and provide Electronic Monitoring (EM) as an alternative to human observers on small boats. For the past three years these same organizations have worked in good faith to develop tools that provide at-sea data from Alaska’s previously unobserved, community based fishing vessels without causing fleet consolidation, job loss, or disruption of business operations. Fishermen have stated their willingness to pay for a program that adequately monitors bycatch and gathers at-sea data from previously unobserved fishing vessels — they simply asked for cost-effective deployment and an alternative that works on small boats. Alaska’s Congressional delegation, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and Congressman Don Young, supported the fishermen’s request in a strongly worded letter to Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, urging delayed deployment on small vessels until NMFS resolves outstanding deployment issues and implements EM. To date, the request has been ignored and NMFS apparently intends to implement the flawed program in 2013…
Juneau Empire Letter to the Editor Dec 24, 2012:
http://juneauempire.com/letters/2012-12-24/thanks-alaska
-delegation-listening-fishing-industry
Senator Murkowski Press release:
Delegation to Commerce: Observer Program Unfair to Alaska Fishermen
Letter Urges Delayed Implementation of Controversial New Monitoring Program
http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Press
Releases&ContentRecord_id=de876165-a278-40e3-9f5b-8bf7
2bff9c44&ContentType_id=b94acc28-404a-4fc6-b143-a9e15
bf92da4&Group_id=c01df158-d935-4d7a-895d-f694ddf41624
&MonthDisplay=12&YearDisplay=2012
5. NMFS posts Amendments 86/76 North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program amendments
NMFS publishes regulations to implement Amendment 86 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and Amendment 76 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (Amendments 86/76). Amendments 86/76 add a funding and deployment system for observer coverage to the existing North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program) and amend existing observer coverage requirements for vessels and processing plants. The new funding and deployment system allows NMFS to determine when and where to deploy observers according to management and conservation needs, with funds provided through a system of fees based on the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut in fisheries covered by the new system. This action is necessary to resolve data quality and cost equity concerns with the Observer Program's existing funding and deployment structure…
Federal Register Nov. 21, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/11/21/2012-28255
/groundfish-fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-and-
pacific-halibut-fisheries
6. Senator Murkowski Hires New Fisheries, Economics Policy Experts
Senator Also Promotes from Within to Fill Press Position
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the hiring of Jay Sterne to advise her as she shapes effective federal fisheries policies for the nation – and the hundreds of thousands of square nautical miles off Alaska’s shores that fall under federal jurisdiction. Sterne, a twenty year veteran of fisheries and Arctic policy discussions, brings intellectual heft to a key position for a state where the fishing industry and emerging Arctic possibilities represent a growing economic engine…
Matthew Shuckerow – born in Kodiak and raised in Anchorage – is being promoted from Legislative Correspondent to Press Secretary in the Communications Department to fill the opening left by Mike Anderson joining Congressman Don Young’s staff.
Press Release: http://kucb.org/news/article/murkowski-hires-new-f
isheries-nzhy/
7. Begich Applauds Passage of Critical Funds for Alaska
Begich Uses Chairmanship to Ensure Sandy Supplemental Includes Fishery Disaster and Tsunami Debris Funding…
U.S. Senator Mark Begich, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries, today helped pass the $60 billion supplemental disaster funding bill for Hurricane Sandy. The bill also includes $150 million in relief for fisheries disasters in Alaska and several Northeast states and $56 million for marine debris cleanup…
This is from a press release from Senator Begich, which is not yet posted but is expected to be soon, at:
http://www.begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases
?MonthDisplay=12&YearDisplay=2012
8. ADF&G Draft Chinook Salmon Research Plan and 2012 Symposium
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game hosted a scientific symposium in Anchorage, Alaska, October 22nd & 23rd, 2012. The goal of the Symposium was to identify and discuss key knowledge gaps and assemble a list of potential research priorities to fill these gaps…
Symposium Overview & Information:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=chinook
_efforts_symposium.information
Chinook Salmon Research Plan
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/news/hottopics
/pdfs/draftplan_12-18-12_PubDraft.pdf
9. Kenai Watershed Forum study links turbidity with boat traffic, levels exceed state standards
Posted: November 15, 2012 - Peninsula Clarion
Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series examining a Kenai Watershed Forum study showing violations of state water quality standards on the Kenai River. Sunday’s story will examine community response and a potential impairment designation for the river.
Boat traffic is stirring up enough sediment on the Kenai River to cause violations of state standards for drinking water, recreational use and the health of fish and wildlife, according to a study.
The three-year study, conducted by the Kenai Watershed Forum on contract with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, has yet to be formally released to the public and will not be included in the state’s 2012 biennial listing of impaired water bodies…
http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2012-11-15/kenai-watershed
-forum-study-links-turbidity-with-boat-traffic-levels-exceed-state
Part 2: Clearing the water
Community members voice concerns about turbidity problems in the Kenai River
http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2012-11-17
10. Study shows Prince William Sound Hatcheries provide huge economic returns to Alaska
Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - Dec 6, 2012
An economic study by the McDowell Group shows that Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corp. hatcheries have yielded a 271-1 return on investment, producing $271 worth of salmon for every dollar of state net grant funding since 1975.
The Juneau-based economic research group also found that commercial fishermen received $23 worth of PWSAC salmon for every dollar of enhancement taxes they have paid since 1990, and that PWSAC salmon created an annual average of $51 million in total labor income for an average of 2,495 workers.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/study-indicates-prince-
william-sound-salmon-hatcheries-pay-big
11. Alaska's Fishermen – Harvests, Earnings, and other jobs… featured in Nov 2012 DOL Economic Trends
Alaska has long had one of the most valuable commercial fishing industries in the nation. Four of the top 10 ports for landings by volume and six of the top 10 ports for value are in the state. More than half of commercially captured U.S. seafood is caught in Alaska.
November 2012 Trends – online at http://www.labor.state.ak.us/trends/
(after 2012, if that URL doesn’t work try: http://www.labor.state.ak.us/trends/trends2012.htm )
12. Ketchikan Students attend floating fish school
KETCHIKAN — When the Jack Cotant rumbled out of the harbor shortly after 7 a.m. on Oct. 23, it was the first time maritime students at Kayhi had fished commercially in 15 years — as long a time as some of the students were old.
The 45-foot vessel was carrying students in the Ketchikan High School Maritime II class south of town to lay longline. ..
http://juneauempire.com/state/2012-11-16/students-
attend-floating-fish-school
13. Taku Tlingit oppose Tulsequah mine
By RUSSELL STIGALL, JUNEAU EMPIRE
The Taku River Tlingit First Nation has announced it opposes the Tulsequah Chief hard rock mine near the Taku River in British Columbia…
The Taku River Tlingit First Nation pulled out of negotiations with Chieftain and the Canadian environmental agency on an amendment to a permit to build a road from Atlin, B.C., to the mine site through First Nation land. TRTFN had concerns over the operation of a water treatment plant at the mine and delays with Chieftain’s mine feasibility study.
http://juneauempire.com/state/2012-12-06/taku-tlingit-oppose-t
ulsequah-mine#.UN4aT-Qqbko
14. Keystone Pebble Independent Science Panel video coverage posted
…KTOO video coverage of the Keystone Center’s Independent Science Panels is now available... The science panels were convened in October to review the Pebble Partnership’s environmental and socioeconomic baseline studies.
…Finally, the Keystone Center is planning an additional independent science panel that will review Pebble’s baseline studies on wetlands, vegetation, wildlife and endangered species. We hope to hold the 2-day panel in April at a location in the Bristol Bay watershed. Details will follow.
https://www.keystone.org/policy-initiatives-center-for-science-a-
public-policy/environment/156-pebble/278-pebble.html
15. NPRB announces the 2013 Graduate Student Research Awards – deadline Feb 15.
…announcing the 2013 NPRB Graduate Student Research Awards Competition. This year NPRB is offering up to six awards (three for Master's students and three for doctoral students) of $25,000 each.
More information and the application guidelines are available at http://www.nprb.org/education/gsra.html .
IMPORTANT DATES
Online submission opens: Monday, December 3, 2012
Application Submission Deadline: Friday, February 15, 2013
Winners announces by Thursday, May 31, 2013
16. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
12/31/12 Reflecting on the hopes for 2012
12/27/12 Frankenfish comments; Salmon Forever Initiative
12/25/12 Noisy fish give lots of clues
12/24/12 Gifts to the fisheries
12/21/12 If whales aren’t creaking, their feeding on your hooks
These items and more are online at:
http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/?page_id=4472%22
17. NPFMC items from the December meeting:
- Steller sea lion motion, alternatives
- Observer Program motion
- BSAI chum bycatch motion
- GOA chinook bycatch motion
- Walrus transit zones motion
- CQE small block motion
- Enforcement Committee minutes
- Final BSAI and GOA Specifications 2013-2014
- Discussion Paper to Allow Retention of Area 4A IFQ Halibut in IFQ Sablefish Pots
- Charter Management Implementation Committee minutes 12/4/12
- Area 2C/3A Charter Halibut Management Options for 2013 Analysis; Powerpoint
- Preliminary 2012 Sport Halibut Harvests
Documents are available online at the NPFMC home page at:
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/
18. NMFS approves NPFMC Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) amendments for GOA & BSAI Groundfish, Scallops, King & Tanner Crab
Notice Of Agency Decision.
…NMFS announces approval of Amendment 98 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI Groundfish FMP); Amendment 90 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA Groundfish FMP); Amendment 40 to the FMP for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (BSAI Crab FMP); Amendment 15 to the FMP for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska (Scallop FMP); and Amendment 1 to the FMP for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area (Arctic FMP). These amendments update the existing essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions in the FMPs based on a 5-year EFH review. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMPs, and other applicable laws…
Federal Register Nov. 6, 2012: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/
11/06/2012-27075/north-pacific-fishery-management-c
ouncil-essential-fish-habitat-amendments
19. NMFS / USFWS reopens comment period on ESA Critical Habitat Impact Analysis – comment by Feb. 6, 2013
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the “Services” or “we”), announce the reopening of the public comment period on our August 24, 2012, proposed rule to revise our regulations pertaining to impact analyses conducted for designations of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (the Act). We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties additional time to review and comment on our proposed rule. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule…
Federal Register Nov 8, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/11/08/2012-27248
/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-revisions-to-the-r
egulations-for-impact-analyses-of
Federal Register previous article, August 24, 2012: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/24/2012-20438/e
ndangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-revisions-to-the
-regulations-for-impact-analyses-of
20. Comment deadline January 23 on NOAA Science Advisory Board R&D review task force
NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) publishes this notice on behalf of the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) to announce the availability of the draft report of the SAB Research and Development Portfolio Review Task Force (PRTF) for public comment…
Comments on this draft report must be received by 5:00 p.m. on January 23, 2013.
The Draft Report of the PRTF will be available on the NOAA Science Advisory Board Web site at: http://www.sab.noaa.gov/Reports/prtf.html .
Federal Register notice Dec 26, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/26/2012-30884
/notice-of-availability-of-draft-report-of-the-noaa-research-and-d
evelopment-portfolio-review-task
21. North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Observer fees
…This notice is intended to provide information to vessel owners, processors, and registered buyers about the standard ex-vessel prices that will be used to calculate the observer fee liability for landings of groundfish and halibut made in 2013. NMFS will send invoices to processors and registered buyers subject to the fee by January 15, 2014. Fees are due to NMFS on or before February 15, 2014…
Federal Register Notice Dec 28, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/28/2012-31232
/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-north-pacific-g
roundfish-and-halibut-observer
22. Control date Dec 31,2012 set for GOA groundfish trawl fisheries.
At the request of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), this notice announces a control date of December 31, 2012, that may be used as a reference for future management actions applicable to, but not limited to, qualifying landings and permit history for an allocation-based management or catch share program in the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) trawl groundfish fisheries. This date corresponds to the end of the fishing year for this fishery, so that the full catch history for 2012 may be considered in any such future management actions…
Federal register Notice Dec 26, 2012: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/26/2012-30962/c
ontrol-date-for-qualifying-landings-history-in-the-central-g
ulf-of-alaska-trawl-groundfish
23. NMFS posts Halibut & Sablefish IFQ cost recovery fee for 2012 – 2.1%.
NMFS publishes individual fishing quota (IFQ) standard prices and fee percentage for the IFQ cost recovery program in the halibut and sablefish fisheries of the North Pacific. The fee percentage for 2012 is 2.1%. This action is intended to provide holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2012 standard prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment for IFQ cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2013…
Federal Register December 4, 2012: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/04/2012-
29145/fisheries-of-the-e
xclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-north-pacific-halibut-
and-sablefish-individual
24. NOAA posts GOA Groundfish Proposed 2013 and 2014 Harvest Specifications – comment by January 4, 2013
"NMFS proposes 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2013 and 2014 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska…
Federal Register Dec. 5, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/05/2012-
29137/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-g
ulf-of-alaska-proposed-2013-and-2014-harvest
25. NMFS posts BSAI Groundfish 2013 and 2014 Harvest Specifications – comment by January 7, 2013
Federal Register December 6, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/06/2012-29508/
fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-bering-sea-and-
aleutian-islands-2013-and-2014
NMFS AK home page: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/
26. Comment by February 11 on NPFMC Amendment 41 BSAI Crab plan delivery exemption eligibility
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 41 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP) to NMFS for review. If approved, Amendment 41 would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program (CR program) by establishing a process for eligible harvesters, processors, and affected communities to request an exemption from regional delivery requirements. Federal regulations require that crab harvested with regionally designated individual fishing quota (IFQ) be landed within the designated region; likewise, crab purchased with regionally designated individual processing quota (IPQ) must be processed within the designated region. Natural and man-made situations can disrupt fishing and processing activity making regional delivery requirements untenable in some seasons. Amendment 41 is necessary to prevent disruption to the CR Program fisheries, while providing for the sustained participation of the communities intended to benefit from the regional delivery requirements…
Federal Register notice December 13, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/13/2012-30099
/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-allocating-bering-
sea-and-aleutian-islands-king
NPFMC BSAI Crab FMP page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/fishery-management-plans/crab.html
27. NMFS posts final rule on NPFMC AK Salmon FMP
NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off the Coast of Alaska (FMP). Amendment 12 comprehensively revises and updates the FMP to reflect the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) salmon management policy and to comply with Federal law. This action is necessary to revise specific regulations and remove obsolete regulations in accordance with the modifications in Amendment 12…
Federal Register December 21, 2012:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/21/2012-30839/fisheries
-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-salmon
NPFMC Salmon FMP home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/fishery-management-plans/salmon.html
28. Comment Deadline Feb. 19, 2013 on Shadura Natural Gas Development Project EIS (Kenai / Cook Inlet)
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Shadura Natural Gas Development Project is available for public review and comment. The EIS was prepared pursuant to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA); the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Refuge Improvement Act); and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). It describes five alternatives for accessing the subsurface natural gas estate owned by Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), and provides analysis of the effects of those alternatives. The Service does not have a preferred alternative…
Additional information concerning the Project can be found at http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/planning/nepa.htm .
Additional information concerning the Refuge may be found at http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=74525 .
Federal Register December 21, 2012: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/21/2012-30756/k
enai-national-wildlife-refuge-soldotna-ak-draft-environmental-impact-
statement-for-the-shadura
29. Board of Fisheries 2012-2013 Meeting Information & documents
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard
.meetinginfo
Click on meeting for documents for that meeting.
30. BOF Call for Proposals for Cook Inlet, Kodiak & Chignik Finfish, Statewide King & Tanner Crab & PCod – proposal deadline April 10, 2013.
BOF Public Notice: http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/700bfa35e536a84289257ac400783b80
?OpenDocument
Board of Fisheries home page: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main
31. AK Board of Fisheries additional topics for statewide finfish March 19-24 – comment by March 5.
The following additional topics will be addressed during the STATEWIDE FINFISH AND SUPPLEMENTAL ISSUES Meeting (March 19-24, 2013):
A. IN THE CHIGNIK TANNER CRAB AREA: In the Chignik District Tanner crab fishery, consider changing the weather delay criteria for opening from small craft advisory to gale warning. (newly assigned Proposal 244-ACR2)
B. IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS KING CRAB AREA (REGISTRATION AREA O): In the Aleutian Island Area king crab fishery, consider changing the vessel size limit for the Registration Area O red king crab fishery, in state waters from 172° W. long. To 179° W. long., from 90 feet or less in overall length to less than 60 feet in overall length. (newly assigned Proposal 245-ACR7)
C. IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS KING CRAB AREA (REGISTRATION AREA O): In the Aleutian Island Area king crab fishery, consider establishing a pot limit of 10 pots per vessel fishing for red king crab near Adak Island in Registration Area O. (newly assigned Proposal 246-ACR8)
D. IN THE YAKUTAT FINFISH AREA; In the Yakutat Area, consider modifying the waters in the Tsiu River that are closed to commercial salmon fishing to facilitate an orderly fishery for the commercial and sport fisheries. (newly assigned Proposal 247-ACR9)
E. IN THE COOK INLET FINFISH AREA: A board-generated proposal in the Cook Inlet Area, to identify adjustments to the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan by the actions addressed by the Upper Cook Inlet Task Force. (newly assigned Proposal 249-ACR4 & 17)
Please note that the proposals in the proposal book (Proposals 155 – 161 and 165 – 172) related to Pacific cod fisheries, originally scheduled for the board’s February 26-March 4, 2013 meeting, have been deferred to a Statewide Pacific Cod Board Meeting tentatively scheduled for October 2013. In addition to the additional topics listed under #2 of this notice, the board has added board-generated proposals to its schedule.
For a copy of the proposed regulation changes contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Boards Support Section, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526, tel. (907) 465-4110 or go to the Internet at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main.
You may comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to the private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written public comments limited to no more than 100 single sided or 50 double sided pages to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Boards Support Section, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526, or by fax to (907) 465-6094, so that the comments are received no later than two weeks prior to the meeting during which the topic will be considered…
Public Notice:
http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/a679f529b0b34f0689257aab0002a817
?OpenDocument
BOF meeting information page: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo
ADFG Advisory Committee meetings:
http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/PNByDeptActive?OpenView
&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=8.3#8.3
32. Comment deadline January 8 on Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response, Inc oil discharge prevention and contingency plan
An application for renewal of an oil discharge prevention and contingency plan (plan), under Alaska Statute 46.04.030 and in accordance with 18 AAC 75, has been received by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (department).
Applicant: Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response, Inc.
Requests for additional information must be submitted by January 3, 2013. Comments will be accepted until January 8, 2013. It is the responsibility of the commenter to verify e-mail submissions are received by the applicable deadline. The public comment period will be extended if necessary in accordance with 18 AAC 75.455(d) & (e).
DEC Online Public Notice: http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/3936cd91f762945989257acb0080648
c?OpenDocument
33. Comment deadline January 31 on Forest Practices regulations regarding mass wasting
The Department of Natural Resources proposes to change regulations in Title 11 of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with forestry activities and mass wasting. These changes are part of the regulations that implement the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act and are designed to help prevent or minimize adverse impacts of forestry operations on water quality and fish habitat… comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 31, 2013.
Online Public Notice: http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/9209a005100fe9a389257ad1007a7e
21?OpenDocument
34. Comment by November 1, 2013 on Subsistence Rural Determinations
Federal subsistence regulations require that the rural or nonrural status of communities or areas be reviewed every 10 years. In 2009, the Secretary of the Interior initiated a review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. An ensuing directive was for the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) to review its process for determining the rural and nonrural status of communities. As a result, the Board has initiated a review of the rural determination process and is requesting comments from the public…
Comments on this notice must be received or postmarked by November 1, 2013.
Meetings are scheduled throughout AK during August through October, 2013…
Federal register Notice 12/31/2012: https://www.federalregistergov/articles/2012/12/31/2012-31359
/subsistence-management-program-for-public-lands-in-
alaska-rural-determination-process
Federal Subsistence Management home page: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml
35. Shop Online at ASMI Alaska Seafood Retail Store
Jackets, Hoodies, Mugs, Tshirts, Thumbdrives and more…
http://store.alaskaseafood.org/
36. Got pics? - ASMI Fishermen Profile project to begin soon
The ASMI Communications program will develop a series of fishermen profiles to recognize fishing families and individuals throughout the state. The information collected will be included on the ASMI website and in newly developed print material. If you know of a family or individual interested in participating in the project, please contact Mary Rehfeld at mrehfeld@alaskaseafood.org .
37. Alaska Seafood Logo Decals – Vessel Size –available free from ASMI
Call (800)478-2903 or (907)465-5560 or Email: info@alaskaseafood.org
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute home page:
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/
Inclusion of an item does not mean UFA or any individuals agree, endorse the point of view, or have verified statements presented as facts.
UFA dues for Alaska Individual members are $175 for one year or $300 for two years and are now open to holders of Alaska commercial crew licenses, in addition to CFEC permit holders and IFQ holders.
We also welcome crew/supporter nonvoting members at $50 per year.
To support UFA by becoming a member see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm
We encourage you to support UFA Business members-see list at http://www.ufa-fish.org/bm.htm
To be removed from this email list, please send an email to ufa@ufa-fish.org , including your name.
GOOD FISHING to ALL in 2013!
October 9, 2012
The UFA Fall meeting is scheduled for October 17-19, at the Clarion Suites in downtown Anchorage. Members are invited to attend.
Plan now for Pacific Marine Expo - note date change
The 2012 show will be held after Thanksgiving this year, Tuesday November 27, Wednesday November 28 and Thursday November 29.
http://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/
Thanks to new UFA business member Yukon River Gold. Please support UFA Business members – online at http://www.ufa-fish.org/bm.htm
Contents:
1. Begich proposes national seafood marketing program – S. 3615 posted
2. Unclaimed money in Exxon Valdez fund – last call
3. Alaska Fishing Industry Sends Help to Japan Fishing Fleets
4. Cook Inlet issues set to dominate Board of Fisheries work session
5. Journal of Commerce Editorial: Board must take up kings, take no more from setnetters
6. ADF&G 2012 Alaska Chinook Salmon Symposium - Oct 22 & 23, Anchorage
7. Fish under fire — State officials field questions, answer complaints from fishermen
8. NPFMC reaches compromise on halibut harvesting
9. Items from the NPFMC October meeting:
10. Halibut fleet concerned about new observer plan
11. Pending Gulf rockfish lawsuit has major policy implications
12. U.S. seafood landings reach 17-year high in 2011
13. Taku River Tlingit withdraws all support for Tulsequah mine
14. EPA comes to help; Pebble advocates attack
15. One Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish, New Fish – BB Sockeye in NY Times
16. Cruise ship wastewater panel meets in Juneau
17. Water Quality Antidegradation Workgroup Sixth Meeting October 16th - 17th, 2012
18. DEC Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards – action items posted
19. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
20. NMFS reopens comment period on M-S National Standard 1- comments due by Oct 12
21. NMFS posts Final Rule on Monitoring and Enforcement Requirements in BSAI Freezer Longline Fleet
22. NMFS posts final rule on Amendment 97 BSAI Groundfish vessel replacement
23. ESA 90-day finding on Northeastern Pacific Great White Sharks - Comment deadline November 27, 2012
24. MAFAC meets October 23-25, Silver Spring Md.
25. Aquatic Nuisance Specie Task Force meets Nov 14-15, Arlington VA
26. ANS Task Force – what to do if you find Japanese Tsunami debris with living organisms…
27. Secretaries concur with SE RAC on Angoon Extra Territorial Jurisdiction Petition (ETJ)
28. Federal Subsistence Board Seeks Comments on Fisheries Proposals and Other Issues
29. NOAA Fisheries Fishnews E-newsletter –October 3, 2012
30. Comment by November 30 on AK Environmental Literacy Draft Plan
31. AK Revolving Loan rate hiked from two percent below to two percent above prime
32. DCCED Alaska Microloan Revolving Loan Fund – notice of adopted regulations
33. Comment by October 29 on CFEC fee regulations & residency requirements
34. CFEC notice of proposed class refund – Carlson case
35. 2012 Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium – Nov 7 & 8
Previous items, still timely:
36. Board of Fisheries 2012-2013 proposal book
37. Comment deadline Oct 23 on Simplified ESA Critical Habitat review process
38. Comment by Oct. 26 on NOAA Economic Surveys for U.S. Commercial Fisheries
39. Comment by October 21 on Magnuson-Stevens Confidentiality of Information
40. AK Joint Board Of Fisheries And Game Call For Proposals - Deadline November 30
41. Shop Online at ASMI Alaska Seafood Retail Store
42. Got pics? - ASMI Fishermen Profile project to begin soon
43. Alaska Seafood Logo Decals – Vessel Size –available free from ASMI
1. Begich proposes national seafood marketing program – S. 3615 posted
Alaska’s seafood could get a marketing boost as part of a national effort to spread the word about American ocean products.
A coalition of 75 fishing-related organizations and states are supporting new legislation to enhance seafood marketing throughout the nation and abroad…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/
September-Issue-2-2012/Begich-proposes-national-seafood-
marketing-program/
Senator Begich press release: http://begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=a
c257224-03b2-4503-a7e8-87fe0dc195a2
S. 3615 tracking and text are online at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.112s3615
National Seafood Marketing Coalition home page: http://seafoodmarketingcoalition.ning.com/
2. Unclaimed money in Exxon Valdez fund – last call
A settlement fund set up to pay plaintiffs from lawsuits stemming from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill still has about $1 million left to disperse.
Approximately 900 people have not claimed money from the Exxon Qualified Settlement Fund.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Dave Oesting of Anchorage says there will be one last push to find these people.
If they can’t be found, the money will have to be turned over to the states from their last known address. The claimants are from many places in the Lower 48, including California, Oregon and Washington state…
http://www.ktoo.org/2012/09/26/unclaimed-money
-in-exxon-valdez-fund/
&
Palins yet to claim Exxon Valdez oil spill compensation money
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/03/usa-
alaska-palin-idUSL1E8L2HJH20121003
&
Exxon Qualified Settlement Fund home page:
http://www.exspill.com/News/tabid/1901/Default.aspx
Call 1-800-EXSPILL ((800) 397-7455) to reach the fund administrators.
3. Alaska Fishing Industry Sends Help to Japan Fishing Fleets
Alaska seafood industry group funds ten projects to help fleets return to fishing after 2011 Tsunami…
http://www.sitnews.us/0912News/092412/092412_fishing.html
AFIRM home page: www.akjapanhelp.org
Thank you letter have been mailed to 195 fishermen, processors and others who donated over $375K to help our counterparts in Japan, letting them know how their funds were used.
Thanks to all.
4. Cook Inlet issues set to dominate Board of Fisheries work session
MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
Agenda changes, Chinook research, and stock of concern statuses are up for discussion at the state of Alaska’s Board of Fisheries work session Oct. 9 and 10 in Anchorage.
The board has 21 agenda change requests, or ACRs, to consider, ranging from gear changes in salmon fisheries to a new herring designation.
Several of the agenda change requests ask the board to consider various Cook Inlet issues, which are not scheduled to come up under the regular, three-year meeting cycle until 2014.
http://www.adn.com/2012/10/07/2653612/cook-inlet-issues-
set-to-dominate.html
Board of Fisheries meeting notice Oct 9-10: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/regprocess/
fisheriesboard/pdfs/2012-2013/notice_bof_10_2012.pdf
BOF main page – with audio of meeting: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main
5. Journal of Commerce Editorial: Board must take up kings, take no more from setnetters
The — now official —disaster in Cook Inlet during the 2012 salmon season is back in front of the Board of Fisheries at its upcoming annual work session Oct. 9 to 11 in Anchorage.
Issues between the sport and commercial users that are contentious in the best of times will be front and center against the backdrop of a record-low return of Kenai kings in 2012 with the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, or KRSA, pushing for a full evaluation of king salmon management while Peninsula setnetters and the statewide United Fishermen of Alaska are opposing the KRSA agenda change request…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/
October-Issue-1-2012/Editorial-Board-must-take-up-kings-t
ake-no-more-from-setnetters/
6. ADF&G 2012 Alaska Chinook Salmon Symposium - Oct 22 & 23, Anchorage
Understanding Abundance and Productivity Trends of Chinook Salmon in Alaska
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game will host a scientific symposium in Anchorage, Alaska, October 22nd & 23rd 2012.
The symposium will take place at the Egan Center's LaPerouse Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days.
The symposium will feature scientific presentations and panel discussions from a wide variety of experts from private, state, federal, and academic backgrounds. The goal is to identify and discuss key knowledge gaps and assemble a list of potential research priorities to fill these gaps…
ADFG symposium home page:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=chinook_efforts
_symposium.information
7. Fish under fire — State officials field questions, answer complaints from fishermen
A meeting hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association on Friday at Grace Brethren Church on Kalifornsky Beach Road was meant to explain the unknowns of the declaration process, with Susan Bell, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Gretchen Harrington, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service; and Stefanie Moreland, senior adviser for fisheries, oceans and Arctic policy with Gov. Sean Parnell’s office…
http://redoubtreporter.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/fish-under-fire
-state-officials-field-questions-answer-complaints-from-fishermen/
8. NPFMC reaches compromise on halibut harvesting
Posted 10/08/2012, Cordova Times, by Margaret Bauman
Federal fisheries managers have approved a new halibut catch sharing plan that boosts the allocation to charter vessels at the expense of the longline fleet.
The stated purpose of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's action on Oct. 5 in Anchorage is to create a halibut catch sharing plan that establishes a clear allocation, with sector accountability, between the commercial setline and charter halibut sectors in area 2C, in Southeast Alaska, and area 3A, in Southcentral Alaska…
http://www.thecordovatimes.com/article/1241npfmc-reaches-
compromise-on-halibut
9. Items from the NPFMC October meeting:
Presentation on 2011 Halibut Sport Fishery
http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/PDFdocuments/
halibut/HalibutSportCatch2011_1012.pdf
Halibut CSP Motion, October 5
http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/PDFdocuments/
halibut/CSPMotion1012.pdf
See NPFMC home page for more items as they are posted:
http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/index.html
10. Halibut fleet concerned about new observer plan
MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
Another major concern for the commercial halibut fleet is the restructured Gulf of Alaska observer program on the agenda at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council October meeting.
The National Marine Fisheries Service will outline the deployment plan for the program, which will include halibut boats for the first time in 2013.
Most fishing vessels are required to carry observers onboard at least a portion of the time they’re at sea, although halibut vessels have not been part of the program. The restructured program will include boats less than 60 feet, which captures much of the halibut fleet, random placement of observers and improved data collection. The program, passed by the council in October 2010, is slated to be finalized this fall and implemented in January.
Read more: http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/September-
Issue-5-2012/Halibut-fleet-concerned-about-new-observer
-plan/#ixzz28ppJUNlw
11. Pending Gulf rockfish lawsuit has major policy implications
MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
Motions for summary judgment have been filed in a lawsuit over the new rockfish catch share program in the Gulf of Alaska…
The lawsuit revolves around whether processors should receive a guaranteed share of the rockfish harvest, and has policy implications for the rockfish program, Gulf of Alaska fisheries management, and catch share programs as a whole nationwide.
Read more: http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/September
-Issue-2-2012/Pending-Gulf-rockfish-lawsuit-has-major-policy-i
mplications/#ixzz28pmmIcRE
12. U.S. seafood landings reach 17-year high in 2011
Dutch Harbor-Unalaska, Alaska and New Bedford, Mass. remain top fishing ports…
U.S seafood landings reached a 17-year high in 2011, thanks in part to rebuilding fish populations, and the value of landings also increased, according to a new report released today by NOAA.
According to the report, Fisheries of the United States 2011, U.S. commercial fishermen landed 10.1 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 2011, valued at $5.3 billion, an increase over 2010 of 1.9 billion pounds and more than $784 million. Much of the increase is due to higher catches of Gulf menhaden, Alaska pollock, and Pacific hake, also known as whiting.
NOAA press release:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2012/20120919_fisheries
2011report.html
13. Taku River Tlingit withdraws all support for Tulsequah mine
By RUSSELL STIGALL, JUNEAU EMPIRE (Sept 17)
After recently withdrawing its representatives from the environmental review process for Chieftain Metal’s road project, the Taku River Tlingit First Nations this month withdrew support for all government approval for the Tulsequah Chief Mine.
http://juneauempire.com/local/2012-09-17/taku-river-tlingit-
withdraws-all-support-tulsequah-mine
14. EPA comes to help; Pebble advocates attack
ADN COMPASS by BELLA HAMMOND
With all the news and commotion about the Environmental Protection Agency study of the Bristol Bay Watershed and potential massive-scale mining in the area, some important points need to be considered. I am personally very thankful for the efforts of the EPA in listening to the overwhelming majority of Bristol Bay residents who requested protection of our watershed. EPA's studies are at our request because our own state government has ignored, minimized or swept under the rug years of water violations, fuel spills, wetlands abuse and drilling violations.
http://www.adn.com/2012/09/13/2623912/epa-comes-to-
help-pebble-advocates.html
15. One Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish, New Fish – BB Sockeye in NY Times
One of the most breathtaking shows in Alaska opens every summer and extends into fall, when millions of sockeye salmon (known locally as reds) return from their saltwater habitat to spawn and die in rivers with names like Kvichak, Ugashik and Nushagak. Tourists gather to watch; bears, ignoring them, eat their fill. The Bristol Bay region is the largest sockeye spawning ground in the world, and the fish is the state’s most commercially important salmon species: last year’s catch was worth $296 million. “When the fish first come in, there’s an electricity in the air — you can see all the classic things you’ve heard about salmon,” like their leaping up waterfalls, says Robert Begich, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “And you can catch some yourself.”…
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/magazine/the-sockeye-
salmons-last-swim.html?_r=0
-We note that the NY Times limits the comments posted after the article, so we cannot respond to “Rebecca” from Anc AK, who writes: “Why is it that fishermen in Alaska catch and kill 40 million salmon each year and it is no big deal, but if "drilling and mining" kill a dozen it is a catastrophe?”
16. Cruise ship wastewater panel meets in Juneau
By RUSSELL STIGALL JUNEAU EMPIRE
The Cruise Ship Wastewater Science Advisory Panel reviewed a draft statement to be presented to the Alaska State Legislature in 2013 when its members met in Juneau Sept. 19 – 21. The panel also spent a day answering public questions and collecting public comments.
http://juneauempire.com/state/2012-09-25/cruise-ship-wastewater
-panel-meets-juneau#.UHSQ3i4qbko
Cruise Ship Wastewater Science Advisory Panel home page: http://dec.alaska.gov/water/cruise_ships/SciencePanel/
17. Water Quality Antidegradation Workgroup Sixth Meeting October 16th - 17th, 2012
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has established an advisory Water Quality Antidegradation Workgroup to provide DEC with various perspectives and inform the department’s development of draft implementation methods for the state’s water quality antidegradation policy found at 18 AAC 70.015. A workgroup meeting will be held on October 16th at 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on October 17th at 9:00 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. All meetings are open to the public and will take place in the DEC building at 555 Cordova Street in Anchorage. For more information about the upcoming meetings including meeting dates, agendas, and reference material and to join a listserv for notices of future meetings, please see the Antidegradation Workgroup website at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/wqsar/Antidegradation/index.html .
18. DEC Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards – action items posted
The Department of Environmental Conservation has posted a final list of action items that will be considered during the 2011-2013 Triennial Review process. This item is available at http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wqsar/trireview/ under the heading 2011-2013 Triennial Review High Priority Issues.
19. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
10/9/12 Summary of AK crab catches, 2012/13
10/8/12 Expanded observer program
10/5/12 Tags track black cod travels in Gulf of AK
10/4/12 Cod catches increase, fish are smaller
10/3/12 Expo changes dates, continues to grow
These items and more are online at:
http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/?page_id=846
20. NMFS reopens comment period on M-S National Standard 1- comments due by Oct 12
NMFS is reopening the comment period on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) published on May 3, 2012, on potential adjustments to the National Standard 1 Guidelines, one of 10 national standards for fishery conservation and management contained in Section 301 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The current comment period is scheduled to end on September 15, 2012. Because of the importance of NS1 to U.S. fishery management and the complexity of the issues, NMFS feels reopening the comment period will provide for a fuller range of public input on the NS1 Guideline issues. The comment period will close on October 12, 2012…
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/09/19/2012-23151
/fisheries-of-the-united-states-national-standard-1-guidelines-reop
ening-of-public-comment-period
21. NMFS posts Final Rule on Monitoring and Enforcement Requirements in BSAI Freezer Longline Fleet
NMFS issues regulations that modify equipment and operational requirements for freezer longliners (catcher/processors) named on License Limitation Program (LLP) licenses endorsed to catch and process Pacific cod at sea with hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). These regulations require vessel owners to select between two monitoring options: carry two observers so that all catch can be sampled, or carry one observer and use a motion-compensated scale to weigh Pacific cod before it is processed…
https://federalregister.gov/a/2012-23721
22. NMFS posts final rule on Amendment 97 BSAI Groundfish vessel replacement
NMFS publishes regulations to implement Amendment 97 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). Amendment 97 allows the owner of a trawl catcher/processor vessel authorized to participate in the Amendment 80 catch share program to replace that vessel with a vessel that meets certain requirements. This action establishes the regulatory process for replacement of vessels in the Amendment 80 fleet and the requirements for Amendment 80 replacement vessels, such as a limit on the overall length of a replacement vessel, a prohibition on the use of an AFA vessel as a replacement vessel, measures to prevent a replaced vessel from participating in Federal groundfish fisheries off Alaska that are not Amendment 80 fisheries, and measures that extend specific catch limits (known as Amendment 80 sideboards) to a replacement vessel.
23. ESA 90-day finding on Northeastern Pacific Great White Sharks - Comment deadline November 27, 2012
We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on two petitions received to list the northeastern Pacific Ocean population of great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) as a threatened or endangered distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat concurrently with the listing. We find that the petitions and information in our files present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted…
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/09/28/2012-23963
/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-90-day-finding-on-petitions-t
o-list-the-northeastern-pacific
24. MAFAC meets October 23-25, Silver Spring Md.
The meeting will be held October 23-25, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 240-777-5350…
Agenda topics include
- Seafood Certification Workshop
- Vision 2020 v. 2.0
- ESA & Jeopardy Webinar - Section 7 and MSA overview
Agenda: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/meetings/2012_10/index.htm
Federal Register notice: https://federalregister.gov/a/2012-24159
25. Aquatic Nuisance Specie Task Force meets Nov 14-15, Arlington VA
This notice announces a meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force. The ANS Task Force's purpose is to develop and implement a program for U.S. waters to prevent introduction and dispersal of aquatic nuisance species; to monitor, control, and study such species; and to disseminate related information. The meeting is open to the public…
Topics that the ANS Task Force plans to cover during the meeting include:
- ANSTF recreational guidelines,
- Species management and control plans,
- ANSTF Strategic Plan accomplishments tracking,
- Japanese tsunami marine debris, and
- Rapid screening for aquatic invasive species.
The agenda and other related meeting information are on the ANS Task Force Web site at: http://anstaskforce.gov/meetings.php
Federal Register notice: https://federalregister.gov/a/2012-24644
26. ANS Task Force – what to do if you find Japanese Tsunami debris with living organisms…
http://anstaskforce.gov/Tsunami.html
27. Secretaries concur with SE RAC on Angoon Extra Territorial Jurisdiction Petition (ETJ)
The Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture reached a decision on August 23 regarding the Angoon ETJ Petition. The heart of the decision quoted from the letter signed by the Secretaries is as follows: “We have reviewed the Board’s recommendation; it closely parallels the Council’s recommendation to the Board…
All information on this issue and a full copy of the Secretaries letter can be accessed online at: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/issue.cfml
Secretaries’ letter to Kootznoowoo, Inc:
http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/pdf/etj/secletter.pdf
SE RAC letter: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/pdf/etj/seracrec.pdf .
28. Federal Subsistence Board Seeks Comments on Fisheries Proposals and Other Issues Related to the Federal Subsistence Management Program
Federal Subsistence Board seeks comments on proposals to change the April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2015 subsistence fishing regulations. The Board is also seeking comments on the 2014 Fisheries Resource Monitoring Program draft priority information needs, timing of Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council and Board meetings, and proposed changes to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Subsistence Board and the State of Alaska…
http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/newsrel/r091312.pdf
29. NOAA Fisheries Fishnews E-newsletter –October 3, 2012
- International Countries Agree on a New Plan for Global Shark Conservation
- United States Signs Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Whales and Dolphins and their Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region
- Ocean Acidification: A Scientist's Perspective
- Study Finds that Ocean Acidification Is Accelerated in Nutrient-Rich Areas
- Estuaries-Habitat of the Month
- Want to Help Us Improve Oyster Monitoring?
- Alaska - Ocean Acidification: Monitoring and Measuring the Physiological and Population Response of Living Marine Resources in Alaska…
…and more, online at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishnews/2012/10032012.htm
30. Comment by November 30 on AK Environmental Literacy Draft Plan
The Alaska Environmental Literacy Draft Plan is now available online. If you were unable to provide input to the early drafts, there is still time to do so. We’ve set it up to make it easier to provide your comments online using Survey Monkey. The draft is available on The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development website at: http://eed.alaska.gov/tls/akelp/ The deadline for public comments is November 30, 2012.
31. AK Revolving Loan rate hiked from two percent below to two percent above prime
DCCED notice of adopted regulations – Commercial Fishing, Enhancement, and Community Quota Revolving Loan Funds…
On August 1, 2012, the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development adopted regulation changes in Title 3, Chapters 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 99 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the name change of the division, the Commercial Fishing Revolving Loan Fund, Fisheries Enhancement Revolving Loan Fund, and implementing the Community Quota Revolving Loan Fund, Commercial Charter Fisheries Revolving Loan Fund, and the Mariculture Revolving Loan Fund…
DCCED Public notice: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/b3f5e43a3eaf4a1289257a8a0070a0
6e?OpenDocument
Regulations markup: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8
925672a0060a91b/b3f5e43a3eaf4a1289257a8a0070a06e/$
FILE/DED%20Regulations%20-%20Filed%20Version.pdf
Note minimum interest rate change from “bank prime rate minus two percent” to “cost of funds to the state as defined in AS 16.10.320 (m)” - (Prime plus two percent)
HB0121E - SCS CSHB 121(FIN) final version amended 4/15/12 includes AS 16.10.320 (m):
“(m) In this section, "cost of funds" means the true interest cost expressed as a rate based on the prime rate plus one percentage point plus an additional percentage determined by the department to represent risk of loss, term of credit facility, the allocable expense of operation, cost of issuance, and loan servicing costs.
HB 121 tracking: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%
20121&session=27
HB0121Z - Enrolled HB 121: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/27/Bills/HB0121Z.PDF
32. DCCED Alaska Microloan Revolving Loan Fund – notice of adopted regulations
On August 1, 2012, the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development adopted regulation changes in Title 3, Chapter 74 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the Alaska Microloan Revolving Loan Fund…
DCCED Public notice: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8
925672a0060a91b/56bb34e02b3bad3289257a92000356da
?OpenDocument
Regulations markup:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/56bb34e02b3bad3289257a92000356da
/$FILE/Microloan%20-%20Filed%20Version.pdf
33. Comment by October 29 on CFEC fee regulations & residency requirements
The Commercial fisheries Entry Commission proposes to change regulations on reduced permit fees and on resident/non-resident permit fees.
The Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 20, Chapter 05 of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with miscellaneous regulations, including the following:
The Commission proposes to:
1. Amend 20 AAC 05.245(c-e), 20 AAC 05.250(b), and 20 AAC 05.1910(h) to update the references to the federal guidelines used to determine eligibility for reduced permit fees; and
2. Amend 20 AAC 05.290 to clarify who qualifies as a resident for the purpose of assessing permit fees…
Public Notice:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/e20f4952638f523d89257a8a0064410a
?OpenDocument
CFEC home page: https://www.cfec.state.ak.us/
34. CFEC notice of proposed class refund – Carlson case
To all non-resident alaska commercial fishermen: you are being notified that the state of alaska may owe you a refund with interest for overpayment of commercial fishing fees dating back to
December 1984.
This notice is to inform you about a lawsuit and a proposed refund to some non resident
fishermen who purchased Alaska commercial fishing licenses and permits after December 1984.
The State of Alaska may owe you money…
http://www.cfec.state.ak.us/mnu_Carlson_Refund.htm
35. 2012 Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium – Nov 7 & 8
Registration forms are due October 14th…
Details are listed below on the Symposium Flyer, with Registration, Presenter Abstract Submission form, and copy of symposium flyer attached and found on the symposium website http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/matsusalmonsymposium .
Previous items, still timely:
36. Board of Fisheries 2012-2013 proposal book
Link & info online at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main
37. Comment deadline Oct 23 on Simplified ESA Critical Habitat review process
NMFS Press Release: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/2012/08/23_fws_and_
nmfs_propose_simplified_review_process_for_crithab.htm
Proposal Information http://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/CH_Econ.html
Federal Register Notice 8/24 text:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-24/html/
2012-20438.htm
Federal Register Notice 8/24 with links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/24/2012-20438
/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-revisions-to-the-r
egulations-for-impact-analyses-of
38. Comment by Oct. 26 on NOAA Economic Surveys for U.S. Commercial Fisheries
Federal Register Notice text: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-27/html/2012-21029.htm
...with links: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/27/2012-21029/
proposed-information-collection-comment-request-economic-
surveys-for-us-commercial-fisheries
39. Comment by October 21 on Magnuson-Stevens Confidentiality of Information Proposed Rule
7/26: With this notice, NMFS is extending the comment period to October 21, 2012. Additionally, this action corrects Release of confidential information, in which the paragraphs were incorrectly numbered… https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/07/26/2012-18295/confidentiality-of-information-magnuson-stevens-fishery
-conservation-and-management-reauthorization#p-3
Original May 23, 2012 Proposed Rule notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/23/2012-12513/
confidentiality-of-information-magnuson-stevens-fishery-c
onservation-and-management-reauthorization
40. AK Joint Board Of Fisheries And Game Call For Proposals - Deadline November 30 …for Proposals on local Advisory Committees and Subsistence Uses
Online public notice: http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925
672a0060a91b/991a58392c7c907a892579d5006fc473?
OpenDocument
41. Shop Online at ASMI Alaska Seafood Retail Store
Jackets, Hoodies, Mugs, Tshirts, Thumbdrives and more…
http://store.alaskaseafood.org/
42. Got pics? - ASMI Fishermen Profile project to begin soon
The ASMI Communications program will develop a series of fishermen profiles to recognize fishing families and individuals throughout the state. The information collected will be included on the ASMI website and in newly developed print material. If you know of a family or individual interested in participating in the project, please contact Mary Rehfeld at mrehfeld@alaskaseafood.org .
43. Alaska Seafood Logo Decals – Vessel Size –available free from ASMI
Call (800)478-2903 or (907)465-5560 or Email: info@alaskaseafood.org
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute home page:
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/
Inclusion of an item does not mean UFA or any individuals agree, endorse the point of view, or have verified statements presented as facts.
UFA dues for Alaska Individual members are $175 for one year or $300 for two years and are now open to holders of Alaska commercial crew licenses, in addition to CFEC permit holders and IFQ holders.
We also welcome crew/supporter nonvoting members at $50 per year.
To support UFA by becoming a member see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm
We encourage you to support UFA Business members-see list at http://www.ufa-fish.org/bm.htm
To be removed from this email list, please send an email to ufa@ufa-fish.org , including your name.
And since we do not rely upon luck among professionals – GOOD FISHING to ALL!
August 31, 2012
The UFA Fall meeting is scheduled for October 17-19, at the Clarion Suites in downtown Anchorage. Members are invited to attend.
Plan now for Pacific Marine Expo - note date change
The 2012 show will be held after Thanksgiving this year, Tuesday November 27, Wednesday November 28 and Thursday November 29.
http://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/
Thanks to North Pacific Seafoods for their upgrade to Ocean class membership.
Please support UFA Business members – online at http://www.ufa-fish.org/bm.htm
Contents:
1. USCG: Mandatory Dockside Exams required beginning Oct 16 for vessels that operate or transit outside 3 miles
2. Begich Proposes National Seafood Marketing Program
3. Alaska Fishing Industry Sends Help to Japan Fishing Fleets
4. Alaska election focus shifts to November
5. Coastal management initiative fails by a heavy margin
6. Carlson Case settled finally – $12.5M plus $19.7M interest plus $3 M fees & costs
7. Who's really an Alaskan?
8. Gov. Parnell Requests Upper Cook Inlet Fishery Disaster Declaration (Aug 16)
9. Frowns fill Mat-Su fish forum
10. Humpy harvest is key to forecast as season winds down
11. ADFG In Season Commercial Salmon Summary:
12. Board of Fisheries 2012-2013 proposal book posted
13. ASMI: Alaska’s Fall Pacific Cod Season Opens Today
14. ASMI taps Mike Cerne as new executive director; Collier, Palmer reappointed to board
15. Moreland Named Senior Advisor for Fisheries, Oceans and Arctic Policy
16. Governor Parnell announces Fishermen’s Fund, Transboundary panel, Bald Eagle Preserve and Forestry seats
17. Deadline Oct 1 for Kenai River and Katchemak Advisory Boards
18. Sea otter trade in Southeast gets heightened scrutiny
19. Alaska asks EPA to intervene in mine contamination
20. Rep. Young to EPA: “Listen to Alaskans, not outside interests”
21. Las vegas Chef Rick Moonen stands up for wild Alaskan salmon
22. BBNA lands job training grant; U.S. oceans No. 26 in new survey
23. NOAA Fisheries funds innovative research & partnerships to continue reducing bycatch in our nation's fisheries
24. Comment deadline Oct 23 on Simplified ESA Critical Habitat review process
25. ISER: Price Tag on Managing Invasive Species: $6 Million a Year
26. Comment deadline Nov. 3 on Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan
27. Naked extortion? Environmental NGOs imposing [in]voluntary regulations on consumers and business
28. Alexandra Morton: Current BC salmon testing puts credibility at risk
29. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
30. Deadline Sept. 19 for AK Sustainable Salmon Fund Proposals
31. Comment deadline September 5 on DNR notice on Copper River Oil and Gas Exploration
32. Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium, Nov. 7 & 8
33. NPFMC Halibut CSP Proposed Allocation Options (8/20/12, for October meeting)
34. Comment by Oct 9 on NPFMC Essential Fish Habitat amendments
35. NPFMC Observer Advisory Committee to meet Sept 17-18, Seattle
36. Deadline Oct 15 for USDA Value-added producer grants
37. Comment deadline Oct 1 on content for 2013 Census of Aquaculture
39. Comment by October 26 on Groundfish Tagging Program data collection
40. Comment by Oct. 26 on NOAA Economic Surveys for U.S. Commercial Fisheries
41. DEC Draft Vessel and Small Vessel General Permit Section 401 Certifications
Previous items, still timely:
42. Comment by October 21 on Magnuson-Stevens Confidentiality of Information Proposed Rule
43. AK Joint Board Of Fisheries And Game Call For Proposals - Deadline November 30
44. Seen any Atlantic Salmon or other invasives- report by calling 1-877-INVASIV
45. Shop Online at ASMI Alaska Seafood Retail Store
46. Got pics? - ASMI Fishermen Profile project to begin soon
47. Alaska Seafood Logo Decals – Vessel Size –available free from ASMI
1. USCG: Mandatory Dockside Exams required beginning Oct 16 for vessels that operate or transit outside 3 miles
Beginning October 16th of this year, all commercial fishing, fish tender and fish processing vessels that operate (or transit) more than 3 nautical miles offshore must be able to demonstrate full compliance with the existing fishing industry vessel safety regulations found in 46 C.F.R. Part 28, via a mandatory safety examination. While there are a few options of how to demonstrate this compliance, having a current Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal (not more than 2 years old), is the most straightforward method.
For scheduling a dockside exam in SEAK, contact either Mr. Scott Wilwert in Juneau at 907 463-2448 or Anthony.S.Wilwert@uscg.mil, or Mr. Jim Paul in Ketchikan at 907 225-4496 or James.R.Paul2@uscg.mil. Exams are free, and result in no penalties or fines if deficiencies are noted.
For COTP Western Alaska, contact BMC Jon-Michael Jones at (907) 271-1954.
Federal Requirements for Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels which contains essential regulatory information for vessel owners and operators...available at: http://homeport.uscg.mil/federalrequirementsCFV2009
USCG Letter to Mariners:
http://www.fishsafe.info/Notice_CFVSExaminationRequirement.pdf
2. Begich Proposes National Seafood Marketing Program
Molly Dischner, Alaska Journal of Commerce
Alaska’s seafood could get a marketing boost as part of a national effort to spread the word about American ocean products.
A coalition of 75 fishing-related organizations and states are supporting new legislation to enhance seafood marketing throughout the nation and abroad.
Sen. Mark Begich announced proposed legislation at a press conference Aug. 24 that would spend $50 million per year to market American seafood. The legislation is still being finalized, and will be introduced when the senate reconvenes in September.
Begich said the initiative, “will bring forward a new way to market an incredible product.”
Read more: http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-
Commerce/September-Issue-2-2012/Begich-proposes-national-
seafood-marketing-program/#ixzz259csV3xS
&&&
Begich to Introduce National Seafood Marketing Effort
Noting the success of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), U.S. Sen. Mark Begich is introducing legislation to create a national seafood marketing and development effort to increase value and create jobs in the seafood industry…
Senator Begich press release: http://begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?
ID=ac257224-03b2-4503-a7e8-87fe0dc195a2
3. Alaska Fishing Industry Sends Help to Japan Fishing Fleets
Group funds six more projects to help fleets return to fishing after 2011 Tsunami…
The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission (AFIRM) is delivering aid to help fishing fleets of Northern Japan affected by last year’s tsunamis. The Alaska seafood industry, led by major contributors UniSea and American Seafoods initiated the relief fund shortly after the March 2011 tsunami devastated the fishing communities of Northern Japan. Seattle-based Unisea, American Seafoods, and Glacier Fish Company inspired donations from their vessel, plant and office employees and then matched them, effectively doubling the industry’s grassroots fundraising efforts. All in all, over 180 fishing and processing industry participants donated over $375,000 with the purpose of helping the affected fishing industry of northeastern Japan rebuild their fishing and processing infrastructure...
The group has identified six more projects this month and will be sending over $190,000 to six local fishing organizations across the region.
AFIRM home page: www.akjapanhelp.org
4. Alaska election focus shifts to November
Republicans eye Senate majority as 2 members of bipartisan coalition fall in primary.
By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press, in Anchorage Daily news
JUNEAU -- With the primary in the books, and at least two incumbent state senators defeated, the election focus shifted Wednesday to November and the fight for control of the Alaska Senate.
Sens. Linda Menard, R-Wasilla, and Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai, lost their respective GOP primaries in races Tuesday where their participation in the Senate's majority bipartisan coalition became an issue. Sen. Bettye Davis, D-Anchorage, held a narrow lead over former state Rep. Harry Crawford. While Republicans hold leadership positions in the coalition, Democrats outnumber Republicans 10-6. Breaking up the group has become a priority of some Republican leaders, who prefer instead to have a pure Republican majority or a GOP-led caucus such as the House.
ADN: http://www.adn.com/2012/08/29/2604638/alaska-
election-focus-shifts-to.html
Alaska Primary Election results: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/r
esults/12PRIM/index.shtml
November 6 General election information: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/ei_general.php
5. Coastal management initiative fails by a heavy margin
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce
The ballot proposition that would have reestablished a state coastal management program in Alaska was heavily defeated by voters in the state’s primary election held Aug. 28.
The measure was being closely watched by natural resource industries. Had Ballot Measure 2 passed, the new coastal management program would have added new layers of complexity to permitting for projects in the coastal zone, which has been broadly defined.
As of Aug. 29, data from the state Division of Elections showed that 64,210, or 61.8 percent, had voted against the measure and 39,624, or 38.1 percent, had voted for it. The count showed a total vote of 103,384…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/
September-Issue-2-2012/Coastal-management-initiative-fails
-by-a-heavy-margin/
UFA supports re-establishment of an Alaska Coastal management program.
6. Carlson Case settled finally – $12.5M plus $19.7M interest plus $3 M fees & costs
Out-of-State Fishermen Awarded $33.5 Million, Ending Decades-Long Court Fight…
It’s almost been a three-decade battle for about 5,000 out-of-state commercial fisherman, a battle against the state of Alaska that’s finally winding down.
This week, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Guidi signed a final 33.5 million dollar judgment against the state in a class action lawsuit that originated with a case filed in 1984.
It became known as the Carlson case, after one of the first plaintiffs, Don Carlson, who bought non-resident permits for fishing at a rate that was triple what an Alaskan fishermen would pay.
The courts sided with Carlson and others who joined the case that those fees were too high. The state was ordered to refund some of the fees -- but the litigation dragged out, because the state appealed the case five times in the Alaska Supreme Court.
KTUU News story: http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-outofstate-fishermen
-awarded-335-million-ending-decadeslong-court-fight-20120831,
0,4790971.story
&&&
CFEC Update and forms for awardees change of address:
https://www.cfec.state.ak.us/mnu_Carlson_Information.htm
Carlson Case final judgement:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/104326092/Carlson-final-judgment
CFEC home page – may have updated links by the time you read this:
https://www.cfec.state.ak.us/
7. Who's really an Alaskan?
By Craig Medred | Jul 31, 2012, Alaska Dispatch
Yakutat commercial fisherman David Negus can make a claim impossible for most in the 49th state: He is an officially certified Alaska resident.
And yet, Alaska State Troopers earlier this year charged him with making a false claim to residency. Welcome to the strange game of "Who Is Really an Alaskan?," a contest those in the Northland take very, very seriously…
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/whos-really-
alaskan?page=0,1
8. Gov. Parnell Requests Upper Cook Inlet Fishery Disaster Declaration (Aug 16)
August 16, 2012, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sean Parnell today urged Acting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank to declare a fishery disaster for the Chinook salmon fisheries in the Cook Inlet area. Last month, the governor requested a federal disaster declaration for the 2011 and 2012 Chinook salmon seasons on the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers, and at that time he noted Cook Inlet fisheries were on a similar path.
Governor’s press release:
http://www.frontiersman.com/news/frowns-fill-fish-forum/
article_185b9904-f322-11e1-9e1e-0019bb2963f4.html
&&&
Parnell, delegation seek salmon disaster declaration
MAT-SU Frontiersman — Alaska’s Congressional delegation is throwing its support behind Gov. Sean Parnell in urging federal authorities to declare a disaster for Upper Cook Inlet Chinook salmon fisheries…
http://www.frontiersman.com/news/parnell-delegation-seek-
salmon-disaster-declaration/article_55f30376-ed62-11e1-
8051-0019bb2963f4.html
9. Frowns fill Mat-Su fish forum
WILLOW — If there was a person attending Wednesday’s meeting satisfied with the state of sport fishing in the Valley this summer, he or she didn’t speak up.
Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, called the meeting and brought Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell and some of her staff to the Willow Creek Resort. The meeting came on the heels of a request by Gov. Sean Parnell to declare a federal emergency over low king salmon returns.
“This low abundance period is not specific to the Susitna drainage,” she told the crowd, and the state is hoping to figure out what’s going wrong.
Jeff Regnart, Campbell’s director of commercial fisheries, said the problem is real and statewide.
“We have something that we haven’t seen really in about 75 years,” Regnart said.
He said the state is putting together a list of “significant stocks” of fish. The Susitna’s fish will be on that list. The department intends to study the problem starting with a symposium in Anchorage Oct. 22 and 23.
“I’m hoping people will come in and help us design this study plan,” he said.
http://www.frontiersman.com/news/frowns-fill-fish-forum/article
_185b9904-f322-11e1-9e1e-0019bb2963f4.html
&&&&
Angry Mat-Su fishermen demand more salmon for their streams
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/angry-mat-su-fishermen
-demand-more-salmon-their-streams
One suggestion: How about upsteam limits on fishing like most other places have, so that the salmon that are counted as “escapement” might be able to have undisturbed enjoyment of their spawning beds… unlike this one and many of the others you can find on google images .
10. Humpy harvest is key to forecast as season winds down
By Laine Welch, for the Alaska Journal of Commerce
Salmon season is winding down and it’s still a guess if the statewide catch will reach the 132 million fish forecast. Achieving that all comes down to those hard to predict pinks, whose catch makes up more than half of the total harvest.
“I think it’s going to be close. It all depends on what happens with the pink salmon runs in the three major producing areas: Prince William Sound, Kodiak and Southeast,” said Geron Bruce, assistant director of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game commercial fisheries division…
Read more: http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-
Commerce/September-Issue-2-2012/Commentary-Humpy-
harvest-is-key-to-forecast-as-season-winds-down/#ixzz259duK9hb
11. ADFG In Season Commercial Salmon Summary:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyfishery
salmon.bluesheetsummary
12. Board of Fisheries 2012-2013 proposal book posted
“…You are encouraged to read all proposals presented in this book. Some regulations have statewide application and some regulations may affect other regions or fisheries of the state…”
Submit written comments…no later than two weeks prior to the meeting during which the topic will be covered…
See: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main
&&&&
BOF 2012 -2013 schedule
October 9-11, 2012 Work Session, Anchorage
December 4-12, 2012 Bristol Bay Finfish, Naknek
January 15-20, 2013 Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim, Anchorage
Feb. 26-Mar. 3, 2013 Alaska Peninsula/A.I. Finfish, Anchorage
March 19-24, 2013 Statewide Finfish and Supplemental Issues, Anchorage
Link & info online at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main
13. ASMI: Alaska’s Fall Pacific Cod Season Opens Today
Juneau, Alaska (August 31, 2012): The fall or “B” season for the Alaska cod jig fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands opens today. Fisheries for hook and line, pot, and trawl gear open in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska tomorrow, September 1st, 2012. The U.S. Pacific cod fishery is often hailed as one of the best-managed fisheries in the world, and the Alaska Pacific cod harvest accounts for over 95% of all cod, regardless of species, caught in the United States…
http://pressroom.alaskaseafood.org/alaskas-fall-pacific-cod
-season-opens-today-3/
14. ASMI taps Mike Cerne as new executive director; Collier, Palmer reappointed to board
Retired Coast Guard Captain Michael Cerne has been selected as the new executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and will replace current Executive Director Ray Riutta upon his retirement in December. Cerne served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 31 years and retired in 2011 with the rank of Captain. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in marine science, and also has a master of marine affairs degree from the University of Rhode Island... Cerne’s final assignment was at the Coast Guard District office in Juneau where he managed Alaskan fishery patrol operations and served on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, North Pacific Research Board, and a number of international fishery management organizations.
Barry Collier and Mark Palmer were reappointed to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors.
Read more: http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-
Commerce/August-Issue-3-2012/ASMI-taps-new-executive-d
irector-Collier-Palmer-reappointed-to-board/#ixzz259pLQ0fV
15. Moreland Named Senior Advisor for Fisheries, Oceans and Arctic Policy
August 22, 2012 Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sean Parnell today named Stefanie Moreland to the position of senior advisor for fisheries, oceans and Arctic policy. Moreland currently serves as a legislative assistant for Senator Lisa Murkowski in the areas of fisheries, oceans and the Arctic. She has also held several positions in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, including federal fisheries coordinator and manager of the Extended Jurisdiction Program.
“Stefanie’s knowledge of Alaska’s diverse fisheries and understanding of Arctic issues, and her broad experience at both the state and federal level will be a great asset to my office and the state,” Governor Parnell said.
Moreland will begin her duties on September 17. She will be based in Juneau.
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press
-release.html?pr=6218
16. Governor Parnell announces Fishermen’s Fund, Transboundary panel, Bald Eagle Preserve and Forestry seats
August 29, 2012, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell today announced appointments to the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council, Board of Forestry, Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council, and Transboundary Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission.
Governor Parnell appointed Donald Stiles to the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council...
Governor Parnell appointed Chris Stark and reappointed Mark Vinsel to the Board of Forestry...
Governor Parnell nominated James Becker, Rod Brown, Arnold Enge, Gary Gray, and Dale Kelly to the Transboundary Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission....
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-
release.html?pr=6230
17. Deadline Oct 1 for Kenai River and Katchemak Advisory Boards
(Soldotna, AK) - Landowners, sport and commercial fishermen, recreational boaters and other individuals interested in Kenai River habitat, fish and wildlife, and recreation are urged to apply for seats on the Kenai River Special Management Area (KRSMA) Advisory Board. Three board seats designated for public representatives are open and the board is accepting applications until October 1, 2012.
See these items by scrolling down to them at:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/asp/curevnts.htm
18. Sea otter trade in Southeast gets heightened scrutiny
Jill Burke | Aug 24, 2012 Alaska Dispatch
This week, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe will be in Juneau and Sitka to talk with locals about a sea creature that intersects with the livelihoods of hunters, artists and fisherman. The meetings to discuss all things concerning the sea otter was arranged by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. It comes nearly a year after it became an issue during the politically powerful Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Oct. 2011...
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/sea-otter-trade-
southeast-gets-heightened-scrutiny
&&
Fish & Wildlife director hears sea otter concerns
by Ed Ronco, KCAW, August 27, 2012 7:38 pm
The head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service came to Sitka over the weekend to hear concerns about sea otters.
The marine mammals are protected by federal law, but Alaska Natives are allowed to hunt them. Some of them say the regulations on what they can do with otter pelts are confusing, and have led to scrapes with the law.
Meanwhile, commercial fishermen who dive for shellfish in Southeast Alaska say expanding otter populations are wiping out their fisheries...
KCAW Sitka story and audio:
http://www.kcaw.org/2012/08/27/fish-wildlife-director-
hears-sea-otter-concerns/
&& USFWS press release:
Service Seeks to Clarify Handicraft Standards for Alaska Natives
... “We’re taking our outreach, which has included answering direct questions from individual artisans about their products, a step further,” said Regional Director Geoffrey Haskett. “We want to work with those whose livelihoods involve sea otters to clarify guidance, particularly with respect to handicrafts.”
http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/Query.aspx?SiteName=
FWS&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=13086
0&XSL=PressRelease&Cache=True
Thanks to Senator Murkowski and her staff, and Sealaska for hosting this important meeting.
19. Alaska asks EPA to intervene in mine contamination
Dan Joling, Associated Press, in Alaska Journal of Commerce
An abandoned mercury mine presents a threat to Alaska Native villagers that has not been adequately addressed by the federal Bureau of Land Management, according to Alaska Attorney General Michael Geraghty. He's asking the Environmental Protection Agency to intervene.
BLM officials on Friday said they're following federal environmental law for the cleanup of the Red Devil Mine 255 miles west of Anchorage.
However, in a letter this month to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Geraghty said Alaska since 1988 has tried working with federal land managers to properly investigate and clean up the abandoned mercury mine in the Kuskokwim River, the nation's ninth largest by discharge at its mouth in the Bering Sea.
"Despite Alaska's repeated requests, neither a thorough investigation of the nature and extent of the contamination nor an appropriate risk assessment to determine impacts on Alaska citizens have been completed," he wrote.
Read more: http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/
August-Issue-4-2012/Alaska-asks-EPA-to-intervene-in-mine-
contamination/#ixzz259naRlP6
20. Rep. Young to EPA: “Listen to Alaskans, not outside interests”
Anchorage, AK, Aug 11 - Alaskan Congressman Don Young today challenged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran’s claim that the federal agency had received “well over 90 percent” support for the agency’s Draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment.
“Once again the EPA is not listening to Alaskans – and even worse, they're misleading the public,” said Rep. Young. “The vast majority of these so-called ‘comments’ did not come from the people who should be involved in making a decision – Alaskans. In fact, an overwhelming majority of the comments were actually mass messages sent by radical environmental groups… http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?
DocumentID=306272
UFA noted in our comments on the study that there are active Bristol Bay salmon fishermen permit holders from 42 U.S. States.
21. Las vegas Chef Rick Moonen stands up for wild Alaskan salmon
By Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post All We Can Eat blog:
The battle over Bristol Bay salmon in Alaska has spilled over to Las Vegas, where chef Rick Moonen is fighting a plan to build a gold and copper mine in the bay's watershed. (Al Grillo/AP) Who knew there was a salmon lobby in the middle of the Nevada desert?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/
chef-rick-moonen-stands-up-for-wild-alaskan-salmon/2012/0
8/31/b4e63f8a-f373-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_blog.html
22. BBNA lands job training grant; U.S. oceans No. 26 in new survey
By Laine Welch, for the Alaska Journal of Commerce
Jobs are being put on the fast track in Bristol Bay, with a focus on careers that go hand-in-hand with the region’s culture and economy: commercial fishing and seafood processing.
“The fishery is our largest industry; it’s the backbone of the economy here,” said Patty Heyano, Program Development Director for the Bristol Bay Native Association in Dillingham. “So it made a whole lot of sense to concentrate on that. It seemed like we could make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time because the industry is already here.”
Heyano is referring to a $405,000 Rural Development grant that BBNA has received from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture. In collaboration with the Southwest Alaska Vocational and Education Center, the money will help ramp up industry related training programs.
Read more:
http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/
August-Issue-4-2012/Commentary-BBNA-lands-job-training-g
rant-US-oceans-No-26-in-new-survey/#ixzz259o7KbSk
23. NOAA Fisheries funds innovative research & partnerships to continue reducing bycatch in our nation's fisheries
NOAA Fisheries has awarded 14 grants totaling nearly $2.5 million under its Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program.
...Through the program, NOAA Fisheries provides funds critical for the research and development of innovative approaches and strategies to prevent and reduce bycatch---a shared goal of fishery managers, the fishing industry, and the environmental community alike.
NOAA Bycatch Reduction home page:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/08/08_29_12_brep_splash
_page.html?utm_source=Funding+Innovation+to+Prevent+and+
Reduce+Bycatch+in+Nation%27s+Fisheries&utm_campaign=BREP
+Announcement&utm_medium=email
24. Comment deadline Oct 23 on Simplified ESA Critical Habitat review process
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Service (the Services), the two Federal agencies responsible for administering the Endangered Species Act (ESA), are jointly proposing to simplify and clarify the process through which impact analyses are conducted for designations of critical habitat under the ESA.
The proposed regulation changes would require the draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat to be made available for public comment concurrent with the publication of the proposed designation of critical habitat. Today’s proposal was first outlined in a Presidential Memorandum seeking to improve transparency and public comment by providing the public access to both the scientific analysis and the draft economic analysis of a proposed critical habitat designation at the same time...
NMFS Press Release: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/2012/
08/23_fws_and_nmfs_propose_simplified_review_process_for_
crithab.htm
Proposal Information http://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving
_ESA/CH_Econ.html
Federal Register Notice 8/24 text:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-24/html/
2012-20438.htm
Federal Register Notice 8/24 with links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/24/2012
-20438/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-revisions-
to-the-regulations-for-impact-analyses-of
25. ISER: Price Tag on Managing Invasive Species: $6 Million a Year
The first analysis of the economic effects of invasive species in Alaska finds that governments and nonprofit groups spent about $29 million from 2007 to 2011, or nearly $6 million a year, to manage those species…
Invasive species are non-native plants and animals—introduced accidentally or intentionally—that crowd out local species, damaging the environment and causing economic losses. Scientists say the problem is at an early stage in Alaska, compared with what has happened in other places, but the number of invasive species is growing—and they are spreading into more areas…
Download full report at: http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_07-InvasiveSpecies.pdf
Recommended reading: PSMFC “In a Nutshell” Aquatic Nuisance Sperice newsletter – online at http://www.aquaticnuisance.org/newsletters
26. Comment deadline Nov. 3 on Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces the availability of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan 2013--2017 (Plan), approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF). The Plan is available for public review and
comment.
DATES: Comments must be received within 45 days after September 20, 2012.
Federal Register notice text:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-06/html/
2012-19161.htm
Federal Register with links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/06/
2012-19161/aquatic-nuisance-species-task-force-s
trategic-plan-2013-2017
ANS Task Force home page: http://anstaskforce.gov/default.php
27. Naked extortion? Environmental NGOs imposing [in]voluntary regulations on consumers and business
By Tim Wilson, Director Intellectual Property and Free Trade Unit, September 2011
For the past twenty years environmental non-government organisations (ENGOs) have sought toinfluence the global supply chain of commodities from production and extraction through to their retail sale. Traditionally their attempts to control trade have been thinly veiled through ‘voluntary’certification schemes. Based on their own recent gloating, their attempts are now naked in their attempt to transform markets based on their environmental, social and economic values...
http://www.ipa.org.au/library/publication/1315452023_document
_110906_-_report_-_naked_extortion.pdf
28. Alexandra Morton: Current BC salmon testing puts credibility at risk
By Alexandra Morton, Echo Bay, in Nanaimo The Daily News
Published: Friday, August 31, 2012
…The issue is who is testing farm salmon for European diseases.
When the CFIA announced their surveillance plan for the salmon flu - Infectious Salmon Anemia virus (ISAv) - they did not include farm salmon.
This virus is known to occur in the Atlantic. The positive test results I have received suggest that European ISA virus has reached B.C. and it is well documented that it did spread to Chile in Atlantic farm salmon eggs.
Since most of the farm salmon in B.C. are Atlantic salmon, they must be tested. However, the CFIA is not going to do that.
When I pointed this out the CFIA called my words "untrue" - because the province of B.C. is monitoring farm salmon for this virus. That may well be, but ISA virus is a federally reportable disease and thus it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal CFIA, not the province…
http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/opinion/
story.html?id=95834645-af1b-42ac-b185-1888d3d52d53
29. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –topics from this week
8/31/12 Sails – back to the future for boats!
8/29/12 Frankenfish growers say ‘no worries” about GM salmon
8/28/12 Halibut in the classroom
8/27/12 Set netters challenges and changes
8/24/12 Otter sightings wanted in Southeast AK
These items and more are online at:
http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/?page_id=846
30. Deadline Sept. 19 for AK Sustainable Salmon Fund Proposals
The Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund (AKSSF) is announcing the opening of a statewide call for proposals (CFP) with approximately $8 million dollars in available funding. The following partial list of conditions applies to this CFP:
Proponents must contribute a 35% non-federal match.
Projects must directly relate to one of the following authorized uses:
- conservation of salmon or steelhead populations listed as threatened or endangered;
- maintaining salmon or steelhead populations necessary for subsistence fishing; or
- conservation of salmon or steelhead habitat.
- Projects must directly relate to one or more high priority objectives...
Please refer to the CFP summary document and frequently asked questions section on www.akssf.org for further guidance.
AK Sustainable Salmon Fund home page:
http://www.akssf.org/akssf_org/home.cfm
31. Comment deadline September 5 on DNR notice on Copper River Oil and Gas Exploration
Notice of Intent to Evaluate Exploration License Proposal
Pursuant to AS 38.05.133, AS 38.05.945(b), 11 AAC 82.912 and 11 AAC 82.918, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas (DO&G) provides notice of its intent to evaluate the acceptability of an oil and gas exploration license proposal for the Copper River Basin area...
To be considered, comments on the exploration license proposal within the solicitation area must be submitted to the address provided at the end of this announcement and received by 5:00 p.m. on September 5, 2012.
DNR Public Notice:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7
a8925672a0060a91b/eab407b0e1ddd7a189257a40007c08
c8?OpenDocument
32. Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium, Nov. 7 & 8
Details are listed below on the Symposium Flyer, with Registration, Presenter Abstract Submission form, and copy of symposium flyer attached and found on the symposium website http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/matsusalmonsymposium .
33. NPFMC Halibut CSP Proposed Allocation Options (8/20/12, for October meeting)
…The April 2012 Council motion (see page 2), as corrected in June 2012, results in five options for the Council to allocate Pacific halibut between the commercial IFQ sector and charter sector
based on a Combined Catch Limit (CCL) that would be set each year by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) in Area 2C (Table 1) and Area 3A (Table 2). The tables show both the status quo alternative (the Guideline Harvest Level (GHL) Program) and four proposed alternative allocations. The Council adopted a Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) in April 2012, which includes two adjustments to the 2008 Preferred Alternative:
1) eliminating the ± 3.5% target range around the allocations and
2) converting from the statewide harvest survey to logbooks with adjustments for crew harvests. http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/PDFdocuments/halibut/
CSPalternativesAug12.pdf
NPFMC home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/index.html
34. Comment by Oct 9 on NPFMC Essential Fish Habitat amendments
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted the following essential fish habitat (EFH) amendments to NMFS for review: Amendment 98 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Amendment 90 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Amendment 40 to the FMP for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs; Amendment 15 to the FMP for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska; and Amendment 1 to the FMP for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area. If approved, these amendments would update the existing EFH provisions based on a 5-year EFH review...
DATES: Comments on the amendments must be submitted on or before October 9, 2012.
Federal Register text: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-08
/html/2012-19454.htm
...with links: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/08/
2012-19454/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-essential
-fish-habitat-amendments
35. NPFMC Observer Advisory Committee to meet Sept 17-18, Seattle
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Observer Advisory Committee (OAC) will meet in Seattle, WA.
DATES: The meeting will be held September 17-18, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Alaska Fishery Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Building 4, Observer Training Room, Seattle, WA 98115.
Federal Register text: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-29/h
tml/2012-21320.htm
NPFMC Observer Program page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/c
onservation-issues/observer-program.html
NPFMC home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/index.html
36. Deadline Oct 15 for USDA Value-added producer grants
USDA announces the availability of grants through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program for Fiscal Year 2012. Approximately $14 million in competitive grant funds for FY 2012 is available to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities. At the discretion of the Secretary, additional funds may be made available to qualified ranking applications that respond to this announcement from prior year carry-over funds.
Awards may be made for either economic planning or working capital activities related to the processing and/or marketing of valued-added agricultural products. The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $100,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is
$300,000.
There is a matching funds requirement of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds ... in the
form of cash or eligible in-kind contributions and may be used only for eligible project purposes.
... You must submit your application by October 15, 2012...
... Examples of Harvesters may include, but are not limited to, a logger who has a
legal right to access and harvest logs from the forest that are then converted into boards; a fisherman that has the legal right to access and harvest fish from the ocean or river that are then smoked. For clarification, it is the Agency's position that Harvesters may only apply as an Independent Producer applicant type because harvester operations do not meet Agency definition requirements for a Farm or Ranch....
Federal Register notice: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-15/html/2012-20082.htm
USDA Rural development Value-added Producer program home page: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html
37. Comment deadline Oct 1 on content for 2013 Census of Aquaculture
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS is currently accepting stakeholder feedback in the form of content requests for the 2013 Census of Aquaculture. This census is required by
law under the ``Census of Agriculture Act of 1997,'' Public Law 105-113 (7 U.S.C. 2204g).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 1, 2012 to be assured consideration.
Federal Register notice 8/20 text: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-20/
html/2012-20396.htm
F.R. with links: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/
20/2012-20396/notice-of-opportunity-to-submit-content-request-
for-the-2013-census-of-aquaculture
NASS Census of Aquaculture home page – previous report:
http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2002/Aquaculture/
39. Comment by October 26 on Groundfish Tagging Program data collection
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....
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 26,
2012.
Federal Register text: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-27/html
/2012-20948.htm
...with links: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/
08/27/2012-20948/proposed-information-collection-comment
-request-groundfish-tagging-program
40. Comment by Oct. 26 on NOAA Economic Surveys for U.S. Commercial Fisheries
SUMMARY: 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...
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 26, 2012.
This request is for an extension and revision of a currently approved generic collection...
...Program change: We are adding questions for first receivers to this collection.
Federal Register Notice text: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-27/
html/2012-21029.htm
...with links: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/27
/2012-21029/proposed-information-collection-comment-request-
economic-surveys-for-us-commercial-fisheries
41. DEC Draft Vessel and Small Vessel General Permit Section 401 Certifications
(comment or request meeting by Sept. 20 – these are State permits regarding the State’s NPDES Primacy on the EPA Vessel General Permit and small vessel General permit linked below).
AK DEC Public notice: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c
156e7a8925672a0060a91b/cd099ccde3c14fdc89257a6200
82c751?OpenDocument
Related EPA vessel discharge page: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=350
Previous items, still timely:
42. Comment by October 21 on Magnuson-Stevens Confidentiality of Information Proposed Rule
7/26: With this notice, NMFS is extending the comment period to October 21, 2012. Additionally, this action corrects Release of confidential information, in which the paragraphs were incorrectly numbered… https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/07/26/2012-
18295/confidentiality-of-information-magnuson-stevens-
fishery-conservation-and-management-reauthorization#p-3
Original May 23, 2012 Proposed Rule notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/23/
2012-12513/confidentiality-of-information-magnuson-stevens-
fishery-conservation-and-management-reauthorization
43. AK Joint Board Of Fisheries And Game Call For Proposals - Deadline November 30 …for Proposals on local Advisory Committees and Subsistence Uses
Online public notice: http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e
7a8925672a0060a91b/991a58392c7c907a892579d5006fc
473?OpenDocument
44. Seen any Atlantic Salmon or other invasives- report by calling 1-877-INVASIV
45. Shop Online at ASMI Alaska Seafood Retail Store
Jackets, Hoodies, Mugs, Tshirts, Thumbdrives and more…
http://store.alaskaseafood.org/
46. Got pics? - ASMI Fishermen Profile project to begin soon
The ASMI Communications program will develop a series of fishermen profiles to recognize fishing families and individuals throughout the state. The information collected will be included on the ASMI website and in newly developed print material. If you know of a family or individual interested in participating in the project, please contact Mary Rehfeld at mrehfeld@alaskaseafood.org .
47. Alaska Seafood Logo Decals – Vessel Size –available free from ASMI
Call (800)478-2903 or (907)465-5560 or Email: info@alaskaseafood.org
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute home page:
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/
Inclusion of an item does not mean UFA or any individuals agree, endorse the point of view, or have verified statements presented as facts.
UFA dues for Alaska Individual members are $175 for one year or $300 for two years and are now open to holders of Alaska commercial crew licenses, in addition to CFEC permit holders and IFQ holders.
We also welcome crew/supporter nonvoting members at $50 per year.
To support UFA by becoming a member see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm
We encourage you to support UFA Business members-see list at http://www.ufa-fish.org/bm.htm
To be removed from this email list, please send an email to ufa@ufa-fish.org , including your name.
And since we do not rely upon luck among professionals – GOOD FISHING to ALL!
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