UFA Update

March 11, 2003

Fish Caucus – Watch it on Gavel to Gavel (including re-runs) or listen on the Web at www.ktoo.org/gavel

Wednesday, March 12, 12-1 PM Butrovich Room

Topic:  Restructuring the Salmon Industry: A Discussion of Fishery Management Models The meeting will be a panel discussion with the following participants:

Phil Smith - NMFS
Trevor McCabe - At-Sea Processors
Glen Merrill - NMFS
Bruce Twomley - Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Gunnar Knapp - University of Alaska (by teleconference)

The presenters will outline the basics of some existing rationalization programs in federal fisheries, then discuss how the salmon industry is different and what elements of other programs may or may not apply to existing and future state salmon management options.


Table of Contents
1. Alaska Peninsula Coastal Fisherman's Association (New web site)
2. Alaska fishermen advise governor on Russian salmon requests
3. NMFS Denies Oceana Bycatch Petition
4. Top fish packer denies price fixing
5. Resources panel fields jeers, cheers over Habitat move
6. Seattle company buys Resurrection Bay Seafoods
7. Continuation of IPHC/USGS Electronic Tagging Project
8. Austerman testing Alaska's waters to possibly open fish farming door Shift in state's fisheries predicted
9. TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR WARDS COVE/COOK INLET PROCESSING
EMPLOYEES AND BOATS THAT FISHED FOR THESE COMPANIES


1. Alaska Peninsula Coastal Fisherman's Association.

Check out their 2002 membership survey:

2. Alaska fishermen advise governor on Russian salmon requests.

3. NMFS Denies Oceana Bycatch Petition.  Proposed rule:
 
NOAA Press Release: 
 
4. Top fish packer denies price fixing.

Suing over salmon.

5. Resources panel fields jeers, cheers over Habitat move.
 
6. Seattle company buys Resurrection Bay Seafoods.

7. Continuation of IPHC/USGS Electronic Tagging Project.

8. Austerman testing Alaska's waters to possibly open fish farming door

Shift in state's fisheries predicted.
 
9. TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR PROCESSORS AND FISHERMEN.  The following two notices are from Shawna Harper, Alaska Department of Labor. Please contact Shawna at the number below or your local employment office. Benefits include:  relocation allowance, reemployment services, job search, trade adjustment allowances (similar to unemployment), and significant training benefits (Once you qualify for the training benefits you have significant latitude when you use them).

I just received notice that Wards Cove Packing has been approved for TAA benefits.

This means anyone laid off from Wards Cove beginning 1/10/2002 is eligible for TAA benefits which include training benefits, job search allowances and relocation allowances.   Workers who worked for Wards Cove at least 26 weeks in the past year AND are eligible for unemployment insurance will also be eligible for TRA weekly benefits as well as a health insurance tax credit.

Locations that were approved are:
Wards Cove central office in Seattle,
Alitak Cannery –Alitak
Ekuk Cannery—Dillingham
Excursion Inlet--Excursion Inlet
Red Salmon Cannery-Naknek
Cannery--South Naknek
Wards Cove Cannery-Ketchikan
EC Phillips & Son  - Ketchikan
Resurrection Bay Seafoods – Seward
Egegik Fish Camp- Egegik
EC Phillips & Son- Craig operations
Haines Fish Camp- Haines

I have contacted Wards Cove to get a list of laid off individuals so we can notify them of their eligibility.   Our goal is to get letters out this week.  There are approximately 1400 workers that were laid off from Wards Cove locations in Alaska and 130 in Washington.  (However, not all 1400 workers reside in Alaska).

If you have self-employed fishers that sold their fish to Wards Cove, they may also be eligible for TAA but will need to file a petition.  Petitions can be printed off our web site at www.jobs.state.ak.us/taa   Just click on the yellow fishing boat.

+++++

I just received notice that Cook Inlet Processing, Kodiak has been approved for TAA benefits.

This means anyone laid off from Cook Inlet Processing beginning 11/14/2001 is eligible for TAA benefits which include training benefits, job search allowances and relocation allowances.   Workers who worked for Cook Inlet Processing at least 26 weeks in the 52 week period prior to their layoff date AND are eligible for unemployment insurance will also be eligible for TRA weekly benefits as well as a health insurance tax credit.

I have contacted Cook Inlet Processing to get a list of laid off individuals.  We will notify each individual of their eligibility as soon as possible. There were approximately 200 workers laid off.

If you have self-employed fishermen that sold their fish to Cook Inlet Processing, they may also be eligible for TAA but will need to file a petition.  Petitions can be printed off our web site at www.jobs.state.ak.us/taa   Just click on the yellow fishing boat.

Other approvals include:

F/V Seamaid, Nushagak
F/V Indiana, Ketchikan
F/V Blue Angel, Bristol Bay


Shawna Harper
ES Analyst/TAA Program Coordinator
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
(907) 465-1882