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UFA Update Table of Contents 1. AK Pollock recommended for MSC Certification 2. Governor Signs Fisheries Bills in Kodiak 3. Fishermen try to heal Area M rift 4. EPA to boost Alaska staff & funding 5. Former Anchorage ASI seafood plant draws firm offer 6. NEG: Alaska salmon fishermen sign up for federal job-training assistance 7. Kinks still need to be worked out for fishermen in TAA program 8. Aleutian volcanoes becoming restless 9. Juneau wants DeHarts Marina for Statter Harbor expansion 10. Value-Added Salmon School Reinventing Alaska's Salmon Industry 11. Whole Foods moves Yakutat Salmon 12. Laine Welch Fish Factor: Salmon in full swing 13. Crown launches salmon cans fit for global distribution 14. Crab Buyback: crabbers wait to see if bids to idle boats are accepted 15. Organic Food Has 'Significantly Higher' Fecal Contamination, Study Finds 16. ASMI & NFI propose seafood benefits labeling 17. CA: Swarzenegger comments on Oceans Commission report 18: WA: Senator Cantwell wrangles Congress over Hanford cleanup 19. WA: Dam spill plan pits salmon against power 20. NE: Virus found in wild salmon in two New England rivers; threat to fish farms 21. B.C. salmon exports drop by almost 50 per cent 22. Senator Johnny Ellis to conduct Legislative Public Hearings on Aerial Spraying 23. 23. USCG requests apps. for CommFish Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee 24. Senate Committee Hearing on Fishery Conservation and Management Amendments 25. Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee Meeting minutes 26. MPA News June Issue: 27. NOAA posts final rule on BSAI Pollock MRA – enforcement at offload 28. NOAA posts Proposed ESA Listing Determinations for 27 West Coast Salmonids 29. NOAA posts receipt of Oceana Coral protection petition 30. Federal Subsistence Board Work Session June 15, Anchorage 31. U.S. Oceans Commission statement on NOAA Organic Act 32. Coast Guard posts AK Fishing Vessel Casualty Statistics 33. All You Can Eat: BOF Newsletter for June 34. BOF Salmon Restructuring Panel nominations deadline July 30 35. BOF Crab Ratz Committee to meet June 22 & 23, Anchorage 36. NOAA Fisheries releases environmental document for Alaska groundfish fisheries 37. SeaGrant Newsletter Fishlines June issue 38. Salmon Price Report
39. TAA Reminder from UAF MAP: Tech Assistance
Deadline June 30 1. AK Pollock recommended for MSC Certification After conducting a three year scientific review, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) in Emeryville, California has released a report in which it determines that the Alaska Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands pollock fishery has met the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing… http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?objid=D1D1366D000000FD244238D9736D0FB9 2. Governor Signs Fisheries Bills in Kodiak Governor Frank H. Murkowski signed into law three fisheries-related bills and read and signed two resolutions during a brief town meeting here this morning…. SB315 (B. Stevens) -Commercial fishing entry permit buy-back programs HB419 (Ogg) -Regional seafood development associations SB 322, (B. Stevens) - Regional aquaculture association financing HJR 44 (House Resources) - Sea Otter research HJR 34 (Ogg) Trade Adjustment Assistance eligibility http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1040 (To look up details on these or other bills, see http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/start.asp and enter bill number.) 3. Fishermen try to heal Area M rift A bitter dispute in Alaska salmon fishing could lose some of its edge after a pair of Western Alaska subsistence fishermen spent last weekend in the heart of enemy territory… Peter Buck, a member of the Seward Peninsula advisory committee from White Mountain, near Nome, said he enjoyed the warm reception he got in King Cove. "It's like all of rural Alaska," he said, "not very many people, but everybody is friendly."… Before his visit, Buck said, he shared the belief common in western Alaska that Area M is responsible for chum shortages in his region, Norton Sound. Now he's less sure. "What happens as (the salmon) cross the Bering Sea and come into Norton Sound?" he wondered. "We don't know. But we need to find out." http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/5172589p-5105247c.html &&& Area M fishermen rest easy after Feds leave regs alone
http://www.homernews.com/stories/061004/sea_ 4. EPA to boost Alaska staff & funding The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will dedicate more staffing and funding to help Alaska's mining and oil and gas sectors navigate the maze of government permitting, according to the agency's regional administrator… http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~2209159,00.html News-Miner Opinion: How refreshing it must be to industry representatives to hear a federal official acknowledge that government doesn't always know best…Having an agency like the EPA that wants to help rather than hinder is what the state needs. Recognizing a need, as the EPA has done, is a fine example of responsive government. http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7252~2211865,00.html 5. Former Anchorage ASI seafood plant draws firm offer The state has received an offer to buy a now defunct fish processing plant in south Anchorage…State officials have declined to provide details, but staff members of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority said they've received a firm offer to buy the plant and will recommend that the agency's board of directors accept it at their meeting next month.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/061104/sta_ 6. NEG: Alaska salmon fishermen sign up for federal job-training assistance A grant signed in December by federal Labor Secretary Elaine Chao gives Alaska up to $8 million through September 2005 to train people who no longer can make money from salmon. So far $2 million has been released… The grant anticipated 468 people seeking job help. The state Labor Department had until the end of June to sign them up. So far, 495 people have asked for help and there are more waiting. http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~2199740,00.html 7. Kinks still need to be worked out for fishermen in TAA program So many salmon fishermen are getting rejected for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits, they are being urged to appeal.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/060704/fis_ 8. Two Aleutian volcanoes becoming restless Two Aleutian arc volcanoes continue to tremble, but scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory don't believe either one is likely to erupt immediately. Veniaminof Volcano, on the Alaska Peninsula near the village of Perryville, and Shishaldin Volcano, west of False Pass on Unimak Island, were listed as "restless" by the observatory during daily and weekly reports.
http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/5191261p- 9. Juneau wants DeHarts Marina for Statter Harbor expansion The commercial fishing and tour boat industries could benefit economically if the city buys DeHarts Marina and upgrades Statter Harbor at Auke Bay, city and industry sources say… http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/061304/loc_marina.shtml 10. Value-Added Salmon School Reinventing Alaska's Salmon Industry The U.S. market for
value-added salmon products is so big that even Indian Valley Meat Company,
with more than $2.2 million in annual sales, can't take care of it all.
That's why for the past several years, Drum has been doing something most
sane businessmen would never do: he's training the competition. Drum has
established a seafood quality and product development school to train other
Alaskans to make salmon products for this growing segment of the state's
seafood industry. He says that if Alaska wants to get back into the salmon
game, fishermen themselves must produce value-added products right here in
Alaska…
http://www.sitnews.us/0604news/060804/060804_ 11. Whole Foods moves Yakutat Salmon With continued commitment to best environmental seafood choices, shoppers get flown-in freshness from company's own facility in Alaska's Yakutat fishing village… http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040607/dam040_1.html &&& http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=26852 12. Laine Welch Fish Factor: Salmon in full swing From now through early fall, runs of chums, pinks and cohos will also arrive in regions from Ketchikan to Kotzebue. State managers are projecting near record catches of pinks, chums and sockeye salmon in Alaska this season. If their predictions hold true, the state’s total salmon catch will approach 200 million fish, making it the third largest harvest ever…http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html And Fish Radio audio: http://www.vesselconnection.com/fish_radio.htm 13. Crown launches salmon cans fit for global distribution Crown Food Packaging has developed a new steel can that it claims will enable salmon processors to use the same packaging for global distribution.. http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news-NG.asp?id=52778 14. Crab Buyback: crabbers wait to see if bids to idle boats are accepted http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/176838_crab08.html 15. Organic Food Has 'Significantly Higher' Fecal Contamination, Study Finds A new study on food safety reveals that organic produce may contain a significantly higher risk of fecal contamination than conventionally grown produce.
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/ 16. ASMI & NFI propose seafood benefits labeling The National Fisheries Institute jointly with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute last week proposed to the FDA a specific Dietary Guidance Statement for fish consumption and reduced risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease. http://www.alaskaseafood.org/aboutus/060904.htm NFI/NFPA Press Release: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-08-2004/0002189656&EDATE= 17. CA: Swarzenegger comments on Oceans Commission report California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday largely endorsed a federal call for a new national oceans policy, while proposing separate state action to protect threatened coastal waters… Schwarzenegger did not propose creating a new federal oceans agency and a Cabinet-level position that would focus directly on oceans issues – two changes advocated by last year's Pew Oceans Commission and several environmental groups. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20040605-9999-1n5ocean.html &&& LA Times: …It's a strong blueprint for stemming and reversing damage to the ocean, but sections of it could prove troublesome and should be revised. Chief among these is the recommendation that the nation fund $3 billion in ocean initiatives through offshore oil and gas drilling. Despite its 450-page length, the report never mentions whether that revenue would come from existing operations or by expanding drilling. It's natural to suspect the latter, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger clearly does. In his letter to the commission, he said he supported the report overall but objected to any expansion in drilling. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-ocean14jun14,1,501344.story 18: WA: Senator Cantwell wrangles Congress over Hanford cleanup Until recently, the government's plan has been to collect all the dangerous residue and bury it in Nevada. But removing the solid waste is difficult and will cost billions. The Energy Department has a cheaper plan: leave the radioactive sludge where it is. "Where there's a small amount of residual, let's grout it and cap it, and monitor it," Deputy Energy Secretary Kyle McSlarrow told ABC News. "And if there is any leakage in the future, we can deal with it."
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/US/radioactive_river_ 19. WA: Dam spill plan pits salmon against power Federal dam managers are once again walking a tightrope between two Northwest icons: inexpensive electricity and wild salmon. At issue is a proposal to reduce the amount of water spilled away from turbines in July and August at dams in the Columbia and Snake rivers. http://www.columbian.com/06132004/clark_co/155127.html 20. NE: Virus found in wild salmon in two New England rivers; threat to fish farms A new test has disclosed that some wild Atlantic salmon in two New England rivers have been exposed to a salmon anemia virus that has caused heavy damage at fish farms, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Thursday…
http://canadaeast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/ 21. B.C. salmon exports drop by almost 50 per cent Stalled expansion means salmon farming sector losing investment dollars and skilled workforce to Chile, association head says…B.C.salmon farmers are weathering stormy fiscal seas after a disease outbreak and a subsequent run of bad press have contributed to a 50 per cent drop in salmon exports. "It's a challenging time for the industry," said Mary-Ellen Walling, executive director of the B.C. Salmon Farmers' Association. The dollar value of whole salmon exports from B.C. dropped 48 per cent in the first quarter of 2004 compared with the same three-month period in 2003, said Dan Shrier, who tracks B.C. exports using data from Statistics Canada. http://www.biv.com/Subscriber/news02.cfm (This story has timed out and is available to subscribers through the recent articles search feature at the web page) &&& NORWAY: Fall in salmon exports hits Norway seafood shipments http://www.just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=57817 22. Senator Johnny Ellis to conduct Legislative Public Hearings on Aerial Spraying – Wednesday, June 16 from 6:30-8pm at Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks and Sitka LIO offices. Alaskans from all other towns, villages, and fish camps across our great State can call toll-free 1-800-395-5073. For DEC information on Klukwan’s application, including information on Arsenal (active ingredient Imazapyr) and Accord (active ingredient glyphosate), and spraying plan and buffer zones, see http://www.state.ak.us/dec/eh/pest/klukwan.htm . Written comments will be accepted at DEC, Division of Environmental Health, 1700 East Bogard Rd, Building B, Suite 202, Wasilla, Alaska 99654 through June 21st, 5:00pm. 23. Coast Guard requests applications for Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee. The CFIVSAC is comprised of 17 members who serve a three year term. Applications will be considered for five positions vacant October 2004 in the following categories: Commercial Fishing Industry (two positions), Insurance (one position) General Public (one position) and Education (one position)… http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/cfvs/cfivsacannounce.shtml 24. Senate Committee Hearing on Fishery Conservation and Management Amendments Act of 2004 (S. 2066) Oceans, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Hearing Tuesday, June 15 2004 - 9:30 AM - SR - 428A Members will hear
testimony on the Fishery Conservation and Management Amendments Act of 2004
(S. 2066) and other issues related to reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Senator Snowe will preside. For
webcast link, info and tentative witness list see:
http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist 25. Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee Meeting minutes April 6-8, 2004, Key Largo, Florida
http://www.mpa.gov/fac/04mtg_apr6_8/sup_apr6_ 26. MPA News June Issue: -Mixing Oil and Water, Part II: The Offshore Oil & Gas Industry and MPA Planning -The Science and Policy of Protecting Spawning Aggregations: Interview with Yvonne Sadovy -MPA Perspective Preparing for Negotiations on Coastal Issues By Kristy Ellenberg, Ellenberg Associates -Notes & News: State-level MPAs - Online coral discussion - Connecting with local media http://depts.washington.edu/mpanews/MPA53.htm MPA Home page: http://www.mpa.gov/mpa_center/mpa_center.html 27. NOAA posts final rule on BSAI Pollock MRA – enforcement at offload NMFS issues a final rule amending regulations establishing pollock Maximum Retainable Amounts (MRA) by adjusting the MRA enforcement period for pollock harvested in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) from enforcement at anytime during a fishing trip to enforcement at the time of offload…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/ 28. NOAA posts Proposed ESA Listing Determinations for 27 ESUs of West Coast Salmonids
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/ 29. NOAA posts receipt of Oceana Coral protection petition Oceana, a non-governmental organization, has petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce to promulgate a rule to protect deep-sea coral and sponge habitats in the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/ 30. Federal Subsistence Board Work Session June 15, Anchorage http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news04/r060804.html FSB In Season News Releases: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/insea04.html (There is some trouble on the FSB website - try again later if documents are not found) 31. U.S. Oceans Commission statement on NOAA Organic Act The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is pleased that one of its top priorities for this congressional session – an Organic Act for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the nation’s lead ocean agency – is the focus of legislation developed by the Administration and transmitted to Congress today by U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans. http://oceancommission.gov/newsnotices/jun10_04.html 32. Coast Guard posts AK Fishing Vessel Casualty Statistics http://www.uscg.mil/d17/m/cfvs_stats.shtml 33. All You Can Eat: BOF Newsletter for June
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/bbs/newsletter/ 34. BOF Salmon Restructuring Panel nominations deadline July 30 http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/news/callfwkgrp.pdf 35. BOF Crab Ratz Committee to meet June 22 & 23, Anchorage …at the 4th Avenue Theater, 630 W. Fourth Ave., in Anchorage, Alaska. The board’s Bering Sea/Aleutian Crab Rationalization Committee will meet to examine possible actions the board will need to take concerning state regulatory structure for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands king and Tanner crab fisheries due to rationalization of the fisheries. The committee will provide initial recommendations to the full board in October 2004. This item was
not yet posted but should be soon at…
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/news/ 36. NOAA Fisheries releases environmental document for Alaska groundfish fisheries Alaska Groundfish Fisheries Final Programmatic Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (PSEIS): http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/seis/default.htm Press Release: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/pseis060804.htm 37. SeaGrant Newsletter Fishlines June issue http://www.uaf.edu/seagrant/Fishlines/June04.html 38. Salmon Price Report The second edition of the 2004 weekly salmon price-tracking report is posted on the ASMI website as a PDF file. http://www.alaskaseafood.org/fishingprocessing/bulletin.htm 39. TAA Reminder from UAF MAP: Tech Assistance Deadline June 30 The UAF Marine Advisory Program (MAP) wishes to remind all Alaska resident Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) applicants that the mandatory technical assistance workshops required by the USDA Farm Service Agency must be completed by June 30, 2004. To date, nearly 4,000 of the 4,400 Alaska residents who applied for TAA have met with Marine Advisory Program agents and received their technical assistance package. Over 225 workshops have been held in some 68 communities throughout Alaska since the middle of January. Audio conferences are available throughout June. To make arrangements in your area, please contact the Marine Advisory Program at 1-888-788-6333 or a Marine Advisory agent in your area. In Anchorage, call 786-6328. Visit our TAA Technical Assistance webpage at: www.uaf.edu/map/taa For further information on the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, contact the Alaska State Farm Service Agency at 1-866-872-3320 or 1-907-761-7754
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