UFA Update  

November 29, 2005

AFIRM – The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission, organized to provide assistance from Alaska’s Fishing industry to the Gulf of Mexico fishing industry in the wake of hurricane Katrina, now has a website. Donate online through Paypal or contribute with the downloadable donation form at www.akgulfhelp.org .

Results from UFA’s recent Board of Directors meeting have been mailed to current and recent UFA members. Current members who have not received theirs should contact the UFA office to correct our address records – by email at 907-586-2820 or reply to this email.

Contents:

1. Senators Stevens and Inouye Introduce the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2005

 

2. Senator Ted Stevens: Magnuson-Stevens Act sustains fisheries

 

3. MSA revisions are good for Alaska, national fisheries - Opinion by David Benton

 

4. Kodiak Daily Mirror: Officials react to MSA revision

 

5. ADN: Stevens introduces bill to prevent overfishing

 

6. Homer News Seawatch: Processor quotas left out of reauthorization

 

7. State weighs in on federal fisheries law

 

8. Governor Murkowski announces Position on Reauthorization of the MSA Act

 

9. Magnuson-Stevens:  Groups seek economic safeguards for villages

 

10. F&G, fishermen differ on halibut charter IFQ

 

11. State, fishermen differ on proposed halibut regulations

 

12. Terry Johnson informs Medred on Halibut charter IFQ

 

13. Washington has an instructive fish story for fans of Alaska halibut

 

14. Recruiting for 350 Alaskan seafood workers begins now

 

15. Community Development Quota Program - Notice Of Proposed Regulations

 

16. Prices for halibut hit new heights

 

17. Adak Fisheries, Aleut Corp. come to tentative agreement

 

18. Subsistence board still accepting input to determine Kodiak’s status

 

19. Subsistence RAC seats appointed by Interior Secretary Norton

 

20. Richer finds may push Pebble project in a new direction

 

21. Kenai Peninsula Clarion: Forum tackles mining issues

 

22. Homer News: Open pit forum raises questions, eyebrows

 

23. State cites Kensington mine for creek erosion

 

24. Kenai area advisory Board blasts mixing zone plans

 

25. Public Meetings, workshops on Mixing Zone regulations

 

26. New Homer plant will shuck and show oysters

 

27. Commercial fishermen forming national group

 

28. Wild Catch - Partners launch seafood magazine

 

28. NOAA Fisheries Science & Technology report: Fisheries of the United States - 2004

 

29. Juneau featured on major U.S. fishery port list

 

30. Complaint fired at Ben Stevens over AFMB chairmanship

 

31. Villagers say they're facing a fuel crisis

 

32. Subsistence halibut fishing is a serious chore

 

33. ADF&G Seeks Public Comment on Subsistence Halibut Harvest Report

 

34. House Resources: Pombo Moves Marine Debris Research Bill Through Committee

 

35. Conservation Salmon (from AK) endorsed by Trout Unlimited

 

36. Differences show in wild salmon vs. farm-raised

 

37. Fish and chips: RFID chips track salmon through Columbia river network

 

38. OR: Russian biologists visit Oregon to learn salmon restoration

 

39. ME: Fish lost in salmon farm vandalism valued at $2.5M

 

40. Washington Post: Alaska Would Be More at Home in Russia

 

41. Laine Welch's Fish Radio

 

42. USFWS Private Stewardship Grants Program proposals due January 23, 2006

 

43. BOF Salmon Restructuring Panel draft report of recommendations to Legislature:

 

44. ADF&G 2006 Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon Fishery Forecast

 

45. ADF&G 2006 Nushagak River Chinook Salmon Fishery Forecast

 

46. Kodiak Harvesters, industry reps deliberate a murky future

 

47. Kodiak: Those affected by rationalization asked to share thoughts (to NPFMC)

 

48. NPFMC Draft Agenda for Anchorage, Dec 5-13

 

49. NPFMC Documents posted for December meeting:

 

50. Comment Deadline January 17 on Amendment 69 to GOA Fishery Management Plan

 

51. NOAA Special Notice on BSAI Crab IFQ Hired Master Permit Requirements

 

52. ASMI launches new website & Seafood Market Bulletin

 

52. MMRC - That’s A Wrap: The 2005 Field Season in Review

 

Past notices, meetings, comment deadlines…still relevant:

 

53. Revision of Critical Habitat for the Northern Right Whale in the Pacific Ocean

 

54. Marine Science In Alaska: 2006 Symposium Hilton Anchorage Jan. 22-25, 2006

 

55. MPA Public Dialogue session Seattle, December 13

 

56. BOF Notice of Meetings for 2006


1. Senators Stevens and Inouye Introduce the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2005

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Co-Chairmen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) have introduced the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2005…

http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=248826

Chairman Stevens Statement Upon Introduction of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2005

http://stevens.senate.gov/pr/2005/November/111505.htm

MSA Reauthorization Bill S.2012: http://www.commerce.senate.gov/pdf/magstev17A.pdf

&

Sectional Analysis: http://www.commerce.senate.gov/
pdf/msa-sbs.pdf


2. Senator Ted Stevens: Magnuson-Stevens Act sustains fisheries

…When I took on my new role as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, my co-chairman, Sen. Inouye, and I made the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act a top priority. Our challenge was to update the act without disrupting the legal framework that has produced successful fishery conservation and management for more than 30 years…

http://www.adn.com/opinion/voice/story/7224271p-7136300c.html


3. MSA revisions are good for Alaska, national fisheries - Guest Opinion by David Benton

Sen. Ted Steven’s latest proposal to revise the nation’s fisheries legislation is a major step forward for Alaska and national fisheries.

The bill strengthens the landmark Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA) that has guided responsible management of Alaska’s marine fisheries for almost 30 years and has fostered a domestic industry that provides thousands of jobs in our coastal communities…

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2311

Marine Conservation Alliance press release: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/press/
pr20051105.pdf


4. Kodiak Daily Mirror: Officials react to MSA revision

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2307


5. ADN: Stevens introduces bill to prevent overfishing

http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/7215559p-7127919c.html


6. Homer News Seawatch: Processor quotas left out of reauthorization

http://www.homernews.com/stories/111705/seawatch
_1117sea001.shtml


7. State weighs in on federal fisheries law

Alaska officials have come out in strong opposition to the proposed granting of fish quotas to processors in new federal fisheries plans, but support a limited duration of quota allocations to fishermen…

http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/112705/hom
_20051127011.shtml


8. Governor Murkowski announces Position on Reauthorization of the MSA Act

Governor Frank H. Murkowski announced on Tuesday that the State of Alaska has considered public input and solidified its position regarding the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). The position was developed after six months of discussion with Congressional staff and public meetings with Alaskan stakeholders.

Highlights of the state’s position include:

1. Strong opposition to the inclusion of processing quota shares in new rationalized fisheries, but support for use of harvesting quota shares of limited duration as a tool for use in newly rationalized fisheries in order to provide balanced benefits for harvesters and processors to benefit Alaskan coastal communities;

2. Strong opposition to councils setting harvest limits above the acceptable catch levels set by the scientists; and

3. Support for a straightforward and streamlined regulatory process that includes public input and important biological and socio-economic impact analyses.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=2065


9. Magnuson-Stevens:  Groups seek economic safeguards for villages

Some Alaska fishing organizations said Wednesday that a major federal fisheries bill launched by Sen. Ted Stevens could be strengthened with more economic safeguards for coastal fishing villages.

Stevens, the Bush administration and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy are calling for establishing more quota share-based fisheries in federal waters…

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/111705/sta
_20051117008.shtml


10. F&G, fishermen differ on halibut charter IFQ

State asks feds to look at management council's plan…

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game questions the legality of proposed halibut charter fishing quotas and has asked federal attorneys to conduct a pre-emptive legal analysis of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's plan, state officials say… 

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/111305/
loc_20051113001.shtml


11. State, fishermen differ on proposed halibut regulations

According to the Associated Press, a Department of Fish and Game decision to question proposed halibut charter quotas has upset some fishermen. They say federal lawyers have reviewed the rule and already concluded that the National Marine Fisheries Service should advance it. The Juneau Empire says the state wants federal lawyers to conduct a legal analysis.

The Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association sent a letter to Fish and Game Commissioner McKie Campbell complaining that the state's request circumvents the public comment process…

http://www.ktva.com/Stories/0,1413,163~34723
~3129691,00.html 


12. Terry Johnson informs Medred on Halibut charter IFQ

Readers should avoid Medred's error of confusing the IFQ and the GHL

Craig Medred's recent opinion piece on the charter halibut IFQ plan presents an inaccurate view of what's at stake ("IFQs a bad deal for average Alaskan," Nov. 13)…

http://www.adn.com/opinion/letters/story/7240586p-7152548c.html

Craig Medred: IFQs a bad deal for average Alaskans:

If you're Joe Average Angler wondering what charter boat IFQs mean to you, the answer is simple…  

http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/7202157p-7113782c.html


13. Washington has an instructive fish story for fans of Alaska halibut

I have noticed that letters to the editor on the subject of halibut charter IFQs have been overwhelmingly negative, most for economic reasons. Very few comments address the health of the halibut stocks.

http://www.adn.com/opinion/letters/story/7228150p-7140109c.html

The most instructive fish story I’ve seen from Washington was this one from May – is it odd that halibut are counted in real time and the season cut short down south while in Alaska we learn a year later of charter takes beyond the GHL:

WA: State closes sport halibut fishery on north coast

State fish managers closed the halibut season off Neah Bay and La Push after just six days because so many anglers turned out and the fishing was so good estimates indicated the region's early catch quota of 83,115 pounds would be taken… http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/224844_out19.html


14. Recruiting for 350 Alaskan seafood workers begins now

Seafood processing industry employers are recruiting now through Dec. 9 for more than 350 Alaska workers needed for the Pollock "A" season, the state's largest commercial fishery. Recruiting is also starting for the opilio crab and Pacific cod seasons, according to employment specialists at the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Seafood processing work is expected to begin early in January in the Bering Sea area, including Dutch Harbor and St. Paul, and will last through late April…

http://www.sitnews.us/1105news/112205/112205
_seafood_workers.html


15. Community Development Quota Program - Notice Of Proposed Regulations

…Recently, Governor Murkowski appointed a Blue Ribbon Panel to conduct the first review of the program since its inception in 1992. The report by the Blue Ribbon Panel underscored the value of the program, while at the same time making suggestions for its improvement. In October, the Governor accepted the report and asked that new CDQ regulations be prepared incorporating these suggestions… 

http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c
156e7a8925672a0060a91b/3335939add67a5c4892570c
7005f0c4c?OpenDocument

See DCCED CDQ home page at: http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/bsc/CDQ/cdq.htm(scroll down for recent 3rd quarter 2005 reports)


16. Prices for halibut hit new heights

Commercially caught halibut sold off Juneau docks at its highest-ever known ex-vessel price in late 2005.

The price for a large halibut nearly hit $4 per pound in Juneau at the close of the 10-month halibut and black cod season last Tuesday… 

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112105/loc_
20051121002.shtml


17. Adak Fisheries, Aleut Corp. come to tentative agreement

Both sides in a dispute revolving around a lease for a fish processing plant at Adak, in the Aleutian Chain, said Nov. 8 they have reached agreement on major items for a new lease.

The goal now for Adak Fisheries and the Aleut Corp. is to have the new lease in effect by the first of the year, said David Shoup, attorney for Adak fisheries, and Dave Jensen, president of the Aleut Corp…

http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/112005/hom_
20051120027.shtml


18. Subsistence board still accepting input to determine Kodiak’s status

The Federal Subsistence Board holds a public meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tues., Dec. 6, at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott.

At this meeting, the board determines what additional information is needed as it continues its review of the rural status of Alaska communities and will accept public testimony. If necessary, the meeting will continue on Dec. 7…

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2343

Federal Subsistence Board online press release:

http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1(see this post from November 7)


19. Subsistence RAC seats appointed by Interior Secretary Norton

See Press releases of November 15 for each regional Subsistence RAC at…

http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1

Subsistence RACs seek representatives – deadline for nominations January 3, 2006

http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/racapp.cfm?CFID=8225&
CFTOKEN=87448847

Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils Fall Meetings Statewide Meeting dates and details are available at: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/deadline.cfm

Kodiak Daily Mirror: Six Kodiak Islanders to sit on subsistence council

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2336


20. Richer finds may push Pebble project in a new direction

Northern Dynasty Mines says it may revamp plans for the Pebble copper/gold mine based on discovery of a rich deep deposit of ore adjacent to a shallower ore body the company has been exploring in recent years…

http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/112705/hom
_20051127012.shtml


21. Kenai Peninsula Clarion: Forum tackles mining issues

http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/112905/news
_1129new004.shtml


22. Homer News: Open pit forum raises questions, eyebrows

http://www.homernews.com/stories/112405/news
_1124new009.shtml


23. State cites Kensington mine for creek erosion

Citizen complaints spurred investigation into effects of building at Kensington site…

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/111105/
loc_20051111031.shtml

Follow up story:

Mine builder homes in on erosion glitch

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112905/loc_
20051129010.shtml


24. Kenai area advisory Board blasts mixing zone plans

Members of the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board had strong words Thursday evening for the state’s plan to revise mixing zone standards in state waters.

“There is no reason to change something that has worked well for 40 years other than to accommodate some polluter or group of polluters,” board member Richard Hahn said…

http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/111305/news
_1113new004001.shtml


25. Public Meetings, workshops on Mixing Zone regulations

…DEC will hold three workshops to discuss these changes at the following Legislative Information Offices:

Juneau, November 30 from 4-6 p.m. - Terry Miller Building, Suite 111.

Fairbanks, December 1 from 4-6 p.m. - 119 Cushman St., Suite 101

Anchorage, December 5 from 4-5:30 p.m. - 716 W. 4th Ave, Suite 200.

And public meeting in Anchorage Dec 5:

…Oral or written comments may also be submitted at a hearing to be held on December 5, 2005 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at: Legislative Information Office, 716 W. 4th Ave, Suite 200 Anchorage, Alaska.

The above are from public notice of October 17 – available online at DEC Mixing Zones page: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/wqsar/trireview/
mixingzones.htm

Deadline for comment on mixing zones: December 19


26. New Homer plant will shuck and show oysters

Visitors to the Homer Spit will soon learn a lot about local oysters and have a chance to slurp a few.

Thanks to a $1 million federal economic development grant, Kachemak Bay shellfish farmers will break ground soon on a processing and education center for the region's 13 farmers, who produce roughly 40,000 dozen oysters each year…

http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/7218814p-7131023c.html


27. Commercial fishermen forming national group

Organizers say first step is to ask fishermen what they want from a national organization…

Long splintered into small groups, commercial fishermen are putting together a national organization to promote their image and press their interests before Congress.

The Commercial Fishermen of America announced its formation this month in Seattle and hopes to be up and running by spring, said Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations.

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112905/
sta_20051129013.shtml


28. Wild Catch - Partners launch seafood magazine

A Seattle company hopes to capitalize on the popularity of wild-caught seafood with a new magazine.

The first edition of Wild Catch debuted this month and is being distributed nationwide, said managing editor Doug Sipes, former editor of Fishermen's News. 

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112205/
sta_20051122015.shtml

Restaurant News Resource: New business-to-business magazine for the wild seafood industry …

http://www.restaurantnewsresource.com/article19519.
html?NID=8e5de4b0f9d6119d8ad5fd78c683f7e9


28. NOAA Fisheries Science & Technology report: Fisheries of the United States - 2004

This publication is a preliminary report for 2004 on commercial and recreational fisheries of the United States with landings from the U.S. territorial seas, the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and on the high seas. This annual report provides timely answers to frequently asked questions.

http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/fus/fus04/index.html


29. Juneau featured on major U.S. fishery port list

City cited as 45th most lucrative fisheries port in U.S. in 2004

Commercial fishermen landed almost twice as much fish in Juneau in 2004 as they did the previous year.

Juneau's commercial fish landings in 2003 comprised 8.4 million pounds of fish. In 2004, the landings rose to 15 million pounds, according to a federal report released Tuesday. 

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112305/
loc_20051123016.shtml


30. Complaint fired at Ben Stevens over AFMB chairmanship

The Republican Moderate Party filed a new complaint Thursday against Senate President Ben Stevens, accusing the Anchorage Republican of deliberately concealing his chairmanship on a marketing board that steered public funds to fish companies that had paid him consulting fees… 

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7215516p-
7127874c.html


31. Villagers say they're facing a fuel crisis

After a disastrous local salmon season, many cash-poor Yakutat residents are wondering how they will pay to heat their homes this winter… 

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/111505/loc_
20051115011.shtml


32. Subsistence halibut fishing is a serious chore

Juneau resident Harold Martin was the first in Alaska to obtain a federal certificate for subsistence halibut fishing.

But like many Natives in Juneau who got subsistence halibut certificates in 2003 or 2004, Martin doesn't use this new privilege very often… 

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112705/out_
20051127029.shtml


33. ADF&G Seeks Public Comment on Subsistence Halibut Harvest Report

ADF&G is seeking public comment on a draft report entitled, Technical Paper No. 304, “Subsistence Harvests of Pacific Halibut in Alaska, 2004.” The report is being released at the conclusion of the second year of a study to collect information directly from halibut harvesters to estimate the total subsistence halibut harvest in Alaska.

http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/news/2005/11-18-05_nr.php

See complete document online at: http://www.subsistence.adfg.state.ak.us/TechPap/
Public_Review_Draft_Subsistence_Halibut_2004.pdf

Please send comments by December 7 to Jim Fall at: Jim_Fall@fishgame.state.ak.us


34. House Resources: Pombo Moves Marine Debris Research Bill Through Committee

Legislation part of multi-prong approach to Ocean Commission Report…

… S. 362 the Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act was unanimously approved by the full committee yesterday. The bill establishes programs to help identify the sources of debris and works to reduce its impact on the marine environment…

http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/Press/releases/
2005/1117marinedebris.htm


35. Conservation Salmon (from AK) endorsed by Trout Unlimited

Conscientiously minded folk can now buy the only Salmon endorsed by Conservation group Trout Unlimited. Conservation Salmon is unique in that they recognize the importance of sustaining salmon fishermen and salmon habitat. They partner with fishermen-owned cooperatives to ensure the producers receive a fair return and dedicate a portion of profits to targeted wild salmon habitat preservation and restoration efforts.

http://www.flyfish.com/newsroom/editorial.php?id=979&
Fly_Session=7563b973012e1cc57789faa3c72438aa

http://www.conservationsalmon.com/

& Washington State loses its Trout Unlimited charter

http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/11/17/100spo
_waynekruse001.cfm


36. Differences show in wild salmon vs. farm-raised

Question: Is there any difference between farm-raised fish and fish caught in the wild? Is there a difference in taste or nutritional values? - Betty Armstrong, Elkton, Md.

Answer: Though one could write a book about wild versus farmed, it might be easiest to use salmon as an example.

Wild salmon is much more flavorful than farmed, and has a silky, flaky texture and a rich mouth-filling taste. The color tends to be a deeper red, because of its natural diet of crustaceans, and the fat is marbled throughout the fish. But wild salmon is expensive and the price fluctuates according to supply…

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/dining/
article/0,2792,DRMN_24_4259747,00.html


37. Fish and chips: RFID chips track salmon through Columbia river network

One of the first pioneering applications of RFID technology was not to track goods passing through a supply chain but rather to track living beings moving through an ecosystem…

http://www.itworldcanada.com/a/News/f074f0e3-3f68-4820-a841-b37de22673ab.html


38. OR: Russian biologists visit Oregon to learn salmon restoration

Different salmon runs with different problems, but the overall goal is the same: salmon run restoration…

http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2005/
11/23/news/news13.txt


39. ME: Fish lost in salmon farm vandalism valued at $2.5M

A Canadian company with aquaculture operations within a few miles of Washington County has estimated that 100,000 fish were set loose into Passamaquoddy Bay when 11 cages were deliberately vandalized, a spokeswoman for the company said Wednesday.

Nell Halse of Cooke Aquaculture said the value of the fish was $2.5 million, or $3 million in Canadian currency. The sabotage is believed to have occurred the evening of Nov. 9…

http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=124182

&

Escaped salmon threaten wild Atlantic stocks

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8360


40. Washington Post: Alaska Would Be More at Home in Russia

…after crunching the numbers and tossing around ideas with world-renowned strategy consultants, I've come up with a dynamite plan -- one that would cut the federal deficit and the debt, heal a major rift within the body politic, and restore some sanity to the annual appropriations process: Sell Alaska back to the Russians…

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/22/AR2005112201854.html

&

Joke About Sale of Alaska Hits a Nerve in Russia

It may have been a joke, but some media organizations and politicians in Moscow appear to have taken half-seriously a satirical suggestion that the United States should sell Alaska back to Russia for $1 trillion… 

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page
=%5CNation%5Carchive%5C200511%5CNAT20051128a.html


41. Laine Welch's Fish Radio

Tuesday 11/29/05 Smoked salmon soda pop, Seafood ice cream

Monday 11/28/05 More people eat fish

Friday 11/25/05 Is Alaska ready for a Katrina?

Thursday 11/24/05 Eating fish by Laine

Wednesday 11/23/05 Fishermen are thankful

http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm

….& see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html


42. USFWS Private Stewardship Grants Program proposals due January 23, 2006

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it is seeking proposals for conservation projects on private lands through its Private Stewardship Grants Program.  For FY 2006, approximately $6.5 million is available through this grant program to support on-the-ground conservation efforts on private lands. Proposals must be submitted to the Regional Offices of the Service by January 23, 2006.

The Private Stewardship Program provides grants and other assistance on a competitive basis to individuals and groups engaged in local, private, and voluntary conservation efforts that benefit federally listed, proposed, or candidate species, or other at-risk species…

News release: http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId
=B98B6413-65BF-03E7-22252AAD4A7B8FD8

USFWS Private Stewardship Grants Program home page:

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/private_
stewardship/index.html


43. BOF Salmon Restructuring Panel draft report of recommendations to Legislature:

http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/sirp/meetinfo/
paneldraftReport-Recs1205.pdf


44. ADF&G 2006 Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon Fishery Forecast

http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/finfish/salmon/
bbay/brbfor06.php


45. ADF&G 2006 Nushagak River Chinook Salmon Fishery Forecast

http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/finfish/salmon/
bbay/nusfor06.php


46. Kodiak Harvesters, industry reps deliberate a murky future

Kodiak debated its fishing future in a public forum and panel discussion held downtown Tuesday night, when more than 150 gathered at the Elks Lodge to discuss groundfish rationalization in the Gulf of Alaska

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2333


47. Kodiak: Those affected by rationalization asked to share thoughts (to NPFMC)

It was wonderful to see such a cross-section of our community at the demystifying rationalization forum this week. There are so many of us trying to find the time to understand rationalization and its effects on our coastal community we all love… Deadline for submitting written testimony for the upcoming (NPFMC) meeting is Nov. 30 and the meetings takes place Dec. 5-13…

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2346


48. NPFMC Draft Agenda for Anchorage, Dec 5-13

Deadline for letters to be included is Wednesday Nov.30…

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/Agendas/1205Agenda.pdf

NPFMC Home Page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/


49. NPFMC Documents posted for December meeting:

Salmon and Crab bycatch paper http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/bycatch/
SalmonBycatch1205.pdf,

Maps http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/
groundfish/GOABcatch1205maps.pdf

GOA Rationalization Alternatives http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/groundfish/
GOAalts1205.pdf,

Community Provisions http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/groundfish/
GOACommunity1205.pdf

CDQ Amendment 71 Discussion Paper updated 11/21 http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/CDQ/
CDQAM71_1205.pdf

Modify CDQ Program EA/RIR

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/CDQ
/CDQ1205.pdf

BSAI Pcod Amendment 85 discussion paper  http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/analyses/Pcod1205.pdf

Amendments to Halibut/ Sablefish IFQ Program (OmnibusV)

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut_issues
/OmnibusHalibutSable1205.pdf

MRA Trip Discussion Paper http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/analyses/mratripdisc_1205.pdf

2005 DRAFT Stock Assessments

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/refm/stocks/draft_assessments.htm

Proposed specifications for 2006-2007 BSAI and GOA groundfish fisheries,

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/Councilspecs1005.pdf

Plan Team Recommendations 11/05:

BSAI http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/membership/plan_teams/
BSAIPT0607abcs.pdf

  GOA: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/membership/plan_teams/
GOAPT0607abc.pdf

Final specifications for 2005-2006 BSAI and GOA Groundfish fisheries:

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/
2005hrvstspecs.htm

and  Halibut Charter IFQ summary from October meeting

“The data indicated that the halibut charter guideline harvest level (GHL) had been exceeded by 22 percent in Area 2C (Southeast) and 1 percent in Area 3A(Southcentral) in 2004…”

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/
halibut_issues/Oct05Halibut.pdf


50. Comment Deadline January 17 on Amendment 69 to GOA Fishery Management Plan

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 69 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). If approved, Amendment 69 would amend the manner in which the total allowable catch (TAC) for the ``other species'' complex is annually determined in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA)…

Comments on the amendment must be received on or before January 17, 2006.

Federal Register Notice, November 16: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/
edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-22728.htm


Comment Deadline January 13 on Total Allowable Catch Amount for ``Other Species'' in the Groundfish Fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska

Federal Register Notice, November 29: 

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/
edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-23465.htm


51. NOAA Special Notice on BSAI Crab IFQ Hired Master Permit Requirements

It has come to our attention that there is some confusion about the requirement to have NMFS authorize a Hired Master to harvest IFQ crab. This Special Notice is intended to explain this requirement…

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/crab/rat/
ram/hiredmaster.pdf


52. ASMI launches new website & Seafood Market Bulletin

http://www.alaskaseafood.org/

&

ASMI Seafood Market Bulletin featuring the following articles:

-Bering Sea Crab Fishery

-Alaska Pollock Fishery

-Alaska Salmon Harvest Summary

-May - August Alaska Salmon Price Report

-Preliminary Canned Salmon Pack and Inventory Estimates

-ASPR Canned Salmon Sales Volume & Price

-Frozen Sockeye Pace of Sales

is available online at: 

http://www.alaskaseafood.org/fishingprocessing/
seafoodweb/index.html


52. MMRC - That’s A Wrap: The 2005 Field Season in Review

Killer whales, gray whales, northern fur seals, Steller sea lions and a giant squid made for a varied and fascinating field season that extended from British Columbia to the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea. 

http://www.marinemammal.org/


Past notices, meetings, comment deadlines…still relevant:

53. Revision of Critical Habitat for the Northern Right Whale in the Pacific Ocean

Proposed rule; Comment deadline January 3, 2006…

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800
/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-21861.htm

NOAA Fisheries Proposed Critical Habitat for the Northern Right Whale home page: 

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/
nright/rule/default.htm


54. Marine Science In Alaska: 2006 Symposium Hilton Anchorage Jan. 22-25, 2006

First Announcement and Call for Papers

The deadline for submitting abstracts for either an oral presentation or a poster is November 28th.  You can submit your poster or presentation abstracts at http://www.gem.state.ak.us/Symposium/Registration.cfm after you register yourself for the Symposium.  


55. MPA Public Dialogue session Seattle, December 13

Envisioning a National System of Marine Protected Areas: Regional Public Dialogues

December 13, 2005: Seattle, Washington …

http://mpa.gov/national_system/#envision


56. BOF Notice of Meetings for 2006: PWS and Up. Copper/Up. Susitna Finfish, SE and Yakutat Finfish, SE and Yakutat Groundfish, Dungeness Crab, Shrimp, Misc. Shellfish, and Statewide Dungeness Crab, Shrimp, Misc. Shellfish Meetings (*PDF - 28KB)…

http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo
/2005_2006/SoEastPWS0506note.pdf