UFA Update 

March 22, 2005

Contents

1. Chignik salmon co-op overturned

2. Coast Guard cutter takes Trident processing ship Independence under tow

3. Debate on 113 about ‘jobs’

4. Kodiak Tanner fishermen racing against March 31 closure

5. BOF making changes in crab regulation

6. Box to track boats chafes like an ankle bracelet, fishermen say

7. Pebble Mine prospect doesn't pan out for local villages

8. Murkowski Thanks Legislature for Supporting Juneau Access

9. Governor Announces New Natural Resources Conservation Development Board

10. Lawmakers think again about commercial fishing fees

11. Regulators report sea lions will be OK with Kensington Mine

12. Market fresh: Limited halibut supply has gone south

13. Small band of halibut charter captains fight quotas

14. Conservation can be good for business - Dave Benton in Intl. Tribune

15. Alaska’s “Go Wild” Event Makes A Splash In Boston

16. OR: Bill would end toxic mixing zones in Oregon rivers

17. NW: Northwest drought will hurt salmon runs

18. BC: Fraser River sockeye salmon fishery faces shutdown 

19. BC: Sea lice research expanded

20. EU anti-dumping tariff hits Norwegian salmon

21. FR: MSC approved AK Salmon product adopted by French discount chain

22. Laine Welch's Fish Radio, sponsored by VesselConnection / Wireless Matrix

23. Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial Juneau. - deadline near

24. USDA Value-added grants – deadline May 6, 2005

25. New fund aims to boost sales of sustainable seafood, reward investors.

26. NPFMC draft agenda for April 6 - 11, Anchorage

27. Managing our Nations Fisheries II  - Washington DC March 24-26

28. BOF Salmon Restructuring Panel - summary from February 16-17 meeting

29. NOAA Seeks Comments on Application to Harass Marine Mammals.

30. NOAA Fisheries Releases New Plan for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Recovery

31. NOAA Magazine new topics:

32. NOAA Issues 2005 Spring Outlook - AK warm & wet

33. New Educational Tool Examines Infamous Alaskan Oil Spill 16 Years Later

34. Deadline for Federal Subsistence proposals - March 25

35. Deadline for Board of Fisheries proposals - April 8

36. Deadline for comment on MSC salmon recertification March 30

37. April 4 deadline for W.AK Salmon Set Net & Upper Yukon Salmon Fish Wheel 38. MPAs - Marine Protected Areas Fed. Advisory Committee 5th Meeting Transcripts

39. MMRC: New Approach Measures Heat Flux in Steller Sea Lions

40. UAF MAP  - USDA TAA Technical Training workshop schedule


1. Chignik salmon co-op overturned

Supreme Court: Board that set up plan didn't have the authority…

http://www.adn.com/money/story/6285728p-6161037c.html

Chignik Decision is online at

 http://www.state.ak.us/courts/ops/sp-5880.pdf (pdf)

&&

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:R8trtRfrg5AJ:
www.state.ak.us/courts/ops/sp-5880.pdf+chignik+opinion+5880&hl=en    (html)


2. Coast Guard cutter takes Trident processing ship Independence under tow

A Coast Guard cutter took under tow Tuesday a commercial fish processing ship with 204 people aboard that had been adrift in the Gulf of Alaska…

The 325-foot Independence's steering system failed Monday in 20-foot seas with blowing snow and winds as high as 60 mph. The weather calmed overnight.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?
category=6420&slug=AK%20Ship%20Adrift&dpfrom=th


3. Debate on 113 about ‘jobs’

Two legal opinions on Senate Bill 113 and another in preparation, pre-empted a second round of public testimony before the Senate Resources Committee Wednesday. After Sen. Wagoner announced the postponement, many of the 13 people gathered at the Kodiak Legislative Office to speak via teleconference turned to each other and discussed what they saw as pros and cons of state-water groundfish rationalization…

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=1251

&

Constitution should not be compromised with new bill

-article by Ron & Julie Kavanuagh of Kodiak

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=1258


4. Kodiak Tanner fishermen racing against March 31 closure

The southwest section of the Kodiak District closed to Tanner crab fishing Tuesday at 1 p.m. The guideline harvest level of 450,000 pounds was reached, said Kodiak Area Shellfish Management Biologist Nick Sagalkin…

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=1252


5. BOF making changes in crab regulation

…By next season, a fisherman who is no longer commercial crab fishing can harvest subsistence crab from any section in the Kodiak Area that has been closed for at least two weeks…

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=1245

BOF list of Actions (from before Kodiak Crab March 7-13 meeting):

http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetsum
/2004_2005/kingtannquicksumm.pdf


6. Box to track boats chafes like an ankle bracelet, fishermen say

A "black box" tracking system installed on fishing boats to prevent them from straying into waters protected for conservation of groundfish has drawn complaints from commercial fishermen, who compare it to government spying…

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/
2002208020_blackbox15m.html


7. Pebble Mine prospect doesn't pan out for local villages

Northern Dynasty's open-pit plan spurs public opposition…

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/6299385p-
6175273c.html


8. Murkowski Thanks Legislature for Supporting Juneau Access

…The House passed House Resolution 7 and the Senate passed Senate Resolution 2, both of which support the Juneau Access Preferred Alternative 2 on the final day of public comment for the Environmental Impact Statement on this issue.

Governor's press release: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1622

HR 7am: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/24/Bills/HR0007B.PDF

SR 2: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/24/Bills/SR0002A.PDF


9. Governor Announces New Natural Resources Conservation Development Board

Governor Frank H. Murkowski named five Alaskans to the Natural Resources Conservation Development Board on March 17. They are George Woodbury, Kathy Sonnichsen, Michael Swan, Lawrence Traw, and George Krier.

The Natural Resources Conservation Development Board advises the Commissioner of Natural Resources and recommends action for the effective and orderly development of agricultural, forest and grazing lands.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1621


10. Lawmakers think again about commercial fishing fees

Court Ruling: State must charge nonresidents with multiple permits less.

http://www.adn.com/news/government/legislature/story/
6272159p-6149300c.html

SB 93 full text: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/24/Bills/SB0093A.PDF

& SB 93 Bill tracking: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?
session=24&bill=sb+93


11. Regulators report sea lions will be OK with Kensington Mine

Feds say Kensington mine ferry will disrupt Steller population but won't jeopardize it

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/032205/loc_
20050322005.shtml

&

NOAA Fisheries Releases Bi-Op Concerning the Kensington Gold Project

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/kensington032105.htm


12. Market fresh: Limited halibut supply has gone south

Don't look for a break on halibut prices anytime soon…

Because of the recent storms, the halibut fleet wasn't able to get to the fishing grounds. And when it finally did, on Sunday, the catch was earmarked for buyers Outside, primarily in Seattle...

http://www.adn.com/life/story/6275297p-6152535c.html


13. Small band of halibut charter captains fight quotas

Fishermen face uphill battle against concept and for their livelihoods.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/
6268946p-6145844c.html


14. Conservation can be good for business - Dave Benton in Intl. Tribune

…While the regional council system has been criticized by some for its decentralized approach, it works when applied conscientiously. In Alaska for example, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council has provided sustainable fisheries year after year and has protected fish habitats…

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/20/opinion/
edbenton.html

&

Representatives, Fishermen Declare Science-based Fishery Management

Essential for Job Security

http://www.conservefish.org/site/mediacenter/
enhancementact_pressrelease.pdf

&

Farr seeks better fisheries monitoring..

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald
/news/11169719.htm


15. Alaska’s “Go Wild” Event Makes A Splash In Boston

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/pub/Go_Wild.pdf


16. OR: Bill would end toxic mixing zones in Oregon rivers

An environmental and consumer protection organization on Saturday called for legislation to restore the water quality of the Willamette River…

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/02/27/
c1.cr.willamette.0227.html


17. NW: Northwest drought will hurt salmon runs

http://www.katu.com/team2/story.asp?ID=75912


18. BC: Fraser River sockeye salmon fishery faces shutdown 

One of the Canada's richest fisheries, the Fraser River sockeye salmon run, will likely be shut down for the 2008 season due to a sharp decline in spawning stocks that may be related to climate change…

 http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename
=bc_fraser20050322


19. BC: Sea lice research expanded

The (Canada) federal Fisheries and Oceans Department is expanding its research into how sea lice affect West Coast salmon but scientists say the jury is still out on whether lice from commercial fish farms endanger wild stocks…

http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/
story.html?id=0b5f9b32-4f98-4f2a-86dc-ca167e7298b1


20. EU anti-dumping tariff hits Norwegian salmon

The EU Commission wants to place an average 16 percent anti-dumping tariff on Norwegian salmon. The tariff would reportedly cost Norwegian seafood producers more than NOK 1.3 billion (USD 210 million) a year.

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/business/
article1001507.ece


21. FR: MSC approved AK Salmon product adopted by French discount chain

French discount chain Ed is now offering private label frozen Alaska salmon as its first Marine Stewardship Council-labelled product..

http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/
2401/MSC_approved_product__adopted_by_French
_discount_chain.html


22. Laine Welch's Fish Radio, sponsored by VesselConnection / Wireless Matrix

Recent topics:

TUE 03/22/05   Frozen salmon fillets gain acceptance in U.S. ? Great news for Alaska!

MON 03/21/05   Eating fish reduces depression; New DNA chip identifies bacteria in fish farms

FRI 03/18/05   New label tells customers how much seafood is safe to eat

THU 03/17/05   Seafood exports soar in 2004; Interview w/Int?l Program Director for ASMI

WED 03/16/05   ADF&G Commissioner hopefuls narrowed to three

TUE 03/15/05   More on Gulf Groundfish: Policy makers quell concerns, misconceptions

MON 03/14/05   Organic salmon launched in Europe; Frankenfish could get approval in US

http://www.vesselconnection.com/cgi-bin/fish_radio.pl

Sponsored by www.vesselconnection.com (with weather and other useful links)

&&&&

Laine Welch's Fish Factor

March 18 topics:

-Alaska seafood continues to make steady inroads into more markets and all indications point to another promising year.

-Salmon Farmers Go Organic

-Names For Top Job (ADFG Commissioner) Narrowed To Three

at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html


23. Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial Juneau. - deadline near

If you have name to inscribe this year please contact Tom Gemmell at Marine Conservation Alliance ASAP for an application…(907) 523-0731 or tomgemmellmca@gci.net  


24. USDA Value-added grants – deadline May 6, 2005

Grants may be used for planning activities and working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products (INCLUDES FISH). Eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures. (INCLUDES FISHERMEN)

Current Solicitation: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan
20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-4310.htm

Program Home page:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm

Alaska Contact for information: Dean Stewart, USDA Rural Development,

00 West Evergreen, Ste. 201, Palmer, AK 99645 Phone: (907) 761-7722

dean.stewart@ak.usda.gov   


25. New fund aims to boost sales of sustainable seafood, reward investors.

…The people behind the Sea Change Investment Fund, which opened for business Monday, say it's the first to try to tap the power of the market to encourage sustainable fishing practices and make the world's oceans healthier -- while providing solid returns for investors…

http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/14/news/
midcaps/fish_fund/index.htm


26. NPFMC draft agenda for April 6 - 11, Anchorage

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/Agendas/405Agenda.pdf


27. Managing our Nations Fisheries II  - Washington DC March 24-26

Meeting of regional fishery management councils  -

Home page for conference agendas and info: http://www.managingfisheries.org/


Policymakers, Scientists, Environmentalists, Fishing Industries To Discuss Parts Of President Bush’s Ocean Action Plan - Head of NOAA to Speak at Conference

http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/releases2005/mar05/noaa05-029.html


28. BOF Salmon Restructuring Panel - summary from February 16-17 meeting

http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/sirp/
meetsum/021605summsalmpanel.pdf


29. NOAA Seeks Comments on Application to Harass Marine Mammals.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Wants to Conduct Ocean Surveys off Alaska. Comment period through April 20, 2005…

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/
lamontdohertysurvey.pdf


30. NOAA Fisheries Releases New Plan for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Recovery

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/beluga031605.htm

ADN article on plan: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/
6278329p-6155675c.html

&

Beluga migration disputed  - Villagers say whales have moved due to Red Dog zinc shipments:  http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/
6293158p-6168762c.html


31. NOAA Magazine new topics:

NOAA — Where Science Gains Value

NOAA And The Future Of Coastal And Ocean Economics

A New Vision For Noaa’s Observing Systems

Modernization Of Noaa Fisheries Survey Vessels

http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/


32. NOAA Issues 2005 Spring Outlook - AK warm & wet

NOAA’s seasonal outlook calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures in parts of the West, Southwest, the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Alaska, and Hawaii...

Above-normal precipitation is expected in parts of the western Great Lakes, southern Plains, and most of Alaska.. http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/releases2005/mar05/
noaa05-030.html


33. New Educational Tool Examines Infamous Alaskan Oil Spill 16 Years Later

A new educational case study describing the impacts and recovery of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska’s Prince William Sound is now available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service…

http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/releases2005/mar05/
noaa05-027.html

&

Prince William's Oily Mess: A Tale of Recovery

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/
oilymess/welcome.html


34. Deadline for Federal Subsistence proposals - March 25

Proposal form online at:  http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/law.cfm?fpf=1

USFWS Subsistence home page: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.htm


35. Deadline for Board of Fisheries proposals - April 8

The Alaska Board of Fisheries is accepting proposals for changes to the subsistence, personal use, sport, guided sport, and commercial finfish regulations for the Prince William Sound, Southeast Alaska, and Yakutat management areas. In addition, the Board of Fisheries is accepting proposals for changes to all Dungeness crab, shrimp, and miscellaneous shellfish fisheries (including all fisheries statewide).

http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/news/2005/03-18-05_nr.php


36. Deadline for comment on MSC salmon recertification March 30

Re-assessment Information online via ADF&G:

http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/msc/msc.php


37. April 4, 2005 deadline for Western Alaska Salmon Set Net & Upper Yukon River Salmon Fish Wheel Improvement Program Grants

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/seafood/
revitalization/assistance.htm


38. MPAs - Marine Protected Areas Fed. Advisory Committee 5th Meeting Transcripts

from February meetings: http://www.mpa.gov/fac/05mtg_feb15_17/
feb15_transcript.html

MPA Home page:

http://www.mpa.gov/fac/fac_meetings.html#fac_feb05


39. MMRC: New Approach Measures Heat Flux in Steller Sea Lions

Staying warm in winter is a constant challenge for most warm-blooded Arctic animals, and marine mammals such as Steller sea lions are no exception…

http://www.marinemammal.org/


40. UAF MAP  - USDA TAA Technical Training workshop schedule:

http://137.229.42.168/FMPro?-db=taa-calendar.fp5&-lay=month&-format=/map/calendar.html&activemonth=1&-find

MAP TAA home page: http://www.uaf.edu/map/taa/