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UFA Update April 12, 2006 CONTENTS 1. Senate Panel Dives into Fish Farm Debate 2. Stevens: States must be able to opt out of offshore aquaculture 3. Broad Coalition Formed To Oppose Aerial Pesticide Spraying Permit 4. Sen. Stevens among recipients of NOAA 2006 Marine Stewardship Awards 5. Magnuson-Stevens: Fisheries bill introduced by Young offers fewer restrictions 6. Report asks Congress to set limits on fishing 7. NOAA Enforcement Seizes Herring from Canadian Tender Vessels 8. Coast Guard reauthorization includes CDQ Provisions 9. NPFMC Charter Halibut Stakeholder Committee meeting, April 18-20, Anchorage 10. NPFMC posts Motions from the April meeting 11. Coalition Gathers High Profile Support in Opposition of Pebble Mine in Alaska 12. Governor blesses Oil & Gas lease sale 13. Governor Makes Appointments to BOF, NPFMC and PSC 14. Kodiak Task force gaining ground toward consensus on Gulf ratz 15. Growing crab stocks may reopen BS Bairdi fishery 16. World's foremost crab scientists share home grown crab findings 17. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescues four from grounded fishing vessel 18. Trident to buy Ocean Beauty Seafoods 19. Impacts of crab rationalization still hard to grasp 20. ADF&G Announces 2006 Chinook Salmon Quota Plan 21. Panel expects another strong return of Yukon River chum, chinooks 22. Alaskans Participate in International Smart Gear Competition 23. Research in Pacific shows ocean trouble 24. ASMI: Latest Research Reveals Powerful Evidence for Menuing Alaska Seafood 25. ASMI April 2006 Retail Newsletter 26. Alaska salmon-mobile first in Miami 27. KRSA doles out study money 28. KRSA Ricky Gease: Recreational fishing important to the state 29. Public testifies on reopening Exxon Valdez settlement 30. Alaskan fisherman Duke Lankard turned to activism after Exxon spill 31. MMRC Steller Research: On the Trail of the Kodiak Killers 32. NOAA reaches settlement in case against Steller Sea Lion researcher 33. Right Whales soon safer on both sides of Bering Sea 34. Oregon Magazine: Hawaii Farmed Black Cod Deserves Your Culinary Attention 35. Oregon Magazine: Culinary Treasures From King Neptune's Vault 36. Klamath Salmon policy under review 37. OR: Yelloweye rockfish may be next for limited catch 38. It’s time to stop worrying and love the (wild) salmon 39. BC: Tally puts value of Skeena wild salmon at $110-million annually 40. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week 41. NMFS proposed rule on Chiniak Gully seasonal trawl closure – comment by 4/26 42. NOAA BSAI Crab Plan Amendment 21 changes to arbitration – comment by 5/30. 43. BOF Teleconference On Bering Sea & Norton Sound King Crab, May 3 44. NMFS posts final rule on BSAI groundfish catcher processor vessel IRIU 45. USFS & USFWS post 2006-2007 Alaska Federal Subsistence Regulations 46. NMFS amends tagged halibut and sablefish IFQ/CDQ exclusion –Comment by 4/28 47. NMFS Status Review of Cook Inlet Beluga Whale ESA listing – comment by 4/24 48. NMFS intent to prepare SEIS for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Subsistence Harvest 49. GAO Report Shows Agencies Fail to Plan Adequately for Species Recovery 50. NMFS E.F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program – Deadline April 22 51. NOAA corrected deadline - April 24 - for Sea Grant Invasive Species program 52. Alaska Airlines Opens Season for Copper River Salmon Sweepstakes 53. NOAA's Earth Week Fair, Seattle, 2006 – April 21 5:30 – 7:30 pm 54. Temp Help Wanted: Pacific Salmon Commission summer jobs - deadline May 12 55. UW MPA News – April issue: 56. AK Marine Safety Education Association Newsletter for Spring 2006 1. Senate Panel Dives into Fish Farm Debate The Bush administration’s desire to expand aquaculture in federal waters drew support from the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday, but senators outlined concerns that the specific plan fails to safeguard the environment and lacks protection for state fishing interests… http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2006/2006-04-10-10.asp Senate Commerce National Ocean Policy Study Committee Hearing webpage – click on names for links to individual testimony, including UFA’s: http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=1810 Senator Boxer asked that a long list of letters be included in the public record – we look forward to seeing them posted at the committee website. 2. Stevens: States must be able to opt out of offshore aquaculture April 6, 2006 - WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) participated in a hearing about offshore aquaculture, which was held by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation National Ocean Policy Study Subcommittee. During the hearing, Stevens reiterated his long-standing belief that coastal states must be able to opt out of a national offshore aquaculture program… “Clearly, it should be the right of a state that has wild fish to protect its fish without an economic analysis … Alaska has half the coastline of the United States. Our state harvests 60% of all commercial fish harvested in the United States,” said Stevens. “I myself doubt seriously that we would ever be able to protect wild fish if we had aquaculture off of our shores.” http://stevens.senate.gov/pr_detailed.cfm?prid=363 UFA appreciates the invitation from Senator Stevens to address this critical issue. Please contact your senators and congressional representatiuves with your opinion, and also remember to include the need for access to the same or similar USDA and NOAA support programs that farmers enjoy, and mandatory country of origin labeling including wild and farmed for all seafood. First and foremost, priority has to be given to protecting the health of our oceans and fisheries. As long as we can continue to fish, we can compete with farmed fish from anywhere, but we need a level playing field and the opportunity for consumers to make an informed choice. - MV 3. Broad Coalition Formed To Oppose Aerial Pesticide Spraying Permit …along with 46 concerned organizations and individuals, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) filed a request for an adjudicatory hearing with the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), opposing the aerial pesticide spraying permit granted to Klukwan, Inc.
http://www.sitnews.us/0306news/033106/033106_aerial UFA’s position on all aerial spraying calls for buffer zones of 1000 feet from anadromous waters and alternate methods such as hand thinning, and was submitted in our comments on the Long Island aerial spraying permit. The Long Island permit calls for buffer zones of 100 feet, which does not come close to addressing our concerns – UFA has supported the call for an adjudicatory hearing… DEC Public Notice on
hearing request:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c 4. Sen. Stevens among recipients of NOAA 2006 Marine Stewardship Awards National Award Program Launched to Honor Excellence in Sustainable Use of Ocean Resources… Senator Ted Stevens, Pollock Conservation Cooperative, Holland America, Ed Melvin of Washington Sea Grant, the Gulf of Mexico Foundation, and Seashare received awards…
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/docs/Stewardship_Awards% 5. Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization: Fisheries bill introduced by Young offers fewer restrictions Rep. Don Young and two prominent colleagues have introduced a fisheries management bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would apply fewer environmental restrictions than the Senate version being pushed by Sen. Ted Stevens, but industry representatives say there are sound reasons for the greater flexibility. Young, R-Alaska, joined Reps. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., and Barney Frank, D-Mass., in introducing the House bill Wednesday. It would renew and revise the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which guides management of the fishing industry in U.S. waters. http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~3280052,00.html Rep. Don Young press release: http://donyoung.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1616 House Fishery Bill
Strengthens Science, Conservation, Public Process - MCA Applauds Proposed
Rewrite of Magnuson Stevens Act…
http://www.marineconservationalliance.org Ocean Conservancy favors Gilchrest’s Magnuson bill over Pombo & Young version http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=63341 House Resources Magnuson-Stevens website:
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/Oceans_Website NOAA Magnuson home page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2005/ 6. Report asks Congress to set limits on fishing Only 13 percent of federally managed ocean fish stocks are known to be healthy and not overfished, says a report by the Marine Fish Conservation Network (MFCN), which urges Congress to impose strict limits on fishing and penalties for those who exceed them…. http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060329-104953-1267r.htm 7. NOAA Enforcement Seizes Herring from Canadian Tender Vessels Special Agents with NOAA Fisheries Service’s Office for Law Enforcement have seized approximately 130 tons of herring from two Canadian tender vessels in Sitka. On March 24, 2006, the boats were observed operating outside the legal area to receive fish from U.S. fishing vessels participating in the Sitka Sound herring sac roe fishery… http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/herring040406.htm 8. Coast Guard reauthorization includes CDQ Provisions A House and Senate Conference Committee has approved the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 889, the United States Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2006. The report includes a provision that strengthens and stabilizes the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program by providing a long-term operating framework. “Alaskans have greatly benefited from this unique program. By enabling our rural communities to create an economic base in commercial fishing, we have been able to combat poverty and unemployment in Western Alaska,” said Stevens. “The CDQ program has enabled us to make significant progress, and this provision will ensure its viability for decades to come.” Senator Ted Stevens Press release: http://stevens.senate.gov/pr_detailed.cfm?prid=364 & Conference Committee Approves Coast Guard Authorization Conference Report http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=253687 9. NPFMC Charter Halibut Stakeholder Committee meeting, April 18-20, Anchorage Anchorage Hilton Hotel, Aspen/Spruce room, 1st floor 8:30 -5:00 pm. For meeting agenda and documents see:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut Federal register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/ 10. NPFMC posts Motions from the April meeting BSAI AM 85 Council
Motion:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/analyses/AM85motion BSAI AM80 Council
Motion:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/bycatch It looks like this section is being worked on– look for more motions in the right hand sidebar of the NPFMC home page at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/ 11. Coalition Gathers High Profile Support in Opposition of Pebble Mine in Alaska Important local players in the debate over whether it is a good idea to build an open pit gold and copper mine in Alaska's Bristol Bay Region are coming out against the project. Nondalton Tribal Council and Choggiung Native Corporation have joined a growing list of groups opposed to the project being proposed by Northern Dynasty. Alaska Senator Ted Stevens and the Anchorage Daily News also recently weighed-in opposing the mine…
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp & Alaska editorial: State should exercise caution on Pebble Mine
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/032906/opi_ 12. Governor blesses Oil & Gas lease sale BRISTOL BAY: Murkowski cites local support for oil and gas drilling… However, the governor asked the Minerals Management Service, which regulates offshore drilling, to offer for lease only the area that was offered in 1988, and not the broader bay. "This area is located a good distance away from the Bristol Bay fisheries, which are the subject of much of the local concern," the governor wrote. http://www.adn.com/money/industries/oil/story/7619872p-7531687c.html Governor’s press release: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=2306 13. Governor Makes Appointments to BOF, NPFMC and PSC Governor Frank H. Murkowski announced an appointment of Bonnie Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries along with nominations for federal appointments to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Arne Fuglvog and Ed Rasmussen) and Pacific Salmon Commission (David Bedford)… Former UFA President James Bacon, of Ketchikan, was nominated to serve as alternate commissioner. UFA President Bob Thorstenson, Jr, of Juneau, was nominated to fill a seat on the U.S. section of the Northern Panel… Governor’s press release: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=2285 & Fairbanks News Miner: Bonnie Williams named to state Fish Board http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~3280910,00.html & Fairbanks News-Miner Editorial: A good appointment… http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7252~3283419,00.html 14. Kodiak Task force gaining ground toward consensus on Gulf ratz In their second gathering Wednesday, a Gulf groundfish community task force crafted a preamble to what they hope will be a unified position of the city and borough on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Gulf rationalization plan. The task force agreed the position of the Kodiak community should have a “meaningful impact” on the fishery council’s discussion of Gulf rationalization alternatives. “Just as the council accommodates one of their own commitees, so should they accommodate this city and borough’s opinion,” said task force member Duncan Fields, who crafted much of the language… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2891 & Focus on groundfish, not crab ratz, says Kodiak fish consultant Sullivan http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=2886 & Homer Sea Watch: Rationalization on tap for NPFMC
http://www.homernews.com/stories/032906/seawatch 15. Growing crab stocks may reopen BS Bairdi fishery An eastern Bering Sea bairdi crab fishery shut down since 1996 for stock rebuilding will reopen this fall, if stocks continue their current rebuilding trend. The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted March 22 to remove a requirement of a minimum allowable catch of 4 million pounds of bairdi, but left in place other management measures to assure stock conservation.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/040806/loc_ 16. World's foremost crab scientists share home grown crab findings People are already growing crops of king crab in several countries around the world. But tracking how well the home grown crabs might survive in the wild remains one of the biggest mysteries. That was just one of the fascinating findings shared by the world's foremost crab scientists future at a first of its kind gathering two weeks ago in Kodiak… http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/040306_fish_factor.html 17. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescues four from grounded fishing vessel The crew of a Coast Guard HH-60 helicopter from Air Station Kodiak rescued four men from the fishing vessel Laura after it ran aground on the south end of Long Island, six miles east of Kodiak this morning (Monday 4/10) http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/115007/ & Fishing vessel Laura refloats http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/115104/ 18. Trident to buy Ocean Beauty Seafoods In a blockbuster fish deal, Trident Seafoods Corp. of Seattle announced Monday that it plans to take over Ocean Beauty Seafoods Inc., creating by far the state's largest salmon processing company. Executives with Trident, a major player not only in salmon but also in Alaska's other commercial sea harvests, including bottom fish and king crab, said they had no plans to shut down any of Ocean Beauty's seven predominantly salmon packing plants around the state…
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7573093p- AK Journal of Commerce:
Deal will make Trident the state's largest salmon processing firm - -
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/040106/hom_ 19. Impacts of crab rationalization still hard to grasp A long-anticipated report on the economic impact of crab rationalization on Kodiak has drawn a succinct preliminary conclusion: It's just too early to say.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/032606/hom_ Gunnar Knapp / ISER Crab study is online for downloading at: http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/iser/people/knapp/ NOAA Fisheries Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Rationalization Program home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/crab/crfaq.htm 20. ADF&G Announces 2006 Chinook Salmon Quota Plan The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that this year’s Southeast Alaska Chinook harvest quota will be substantially lower than last year. While the allowable harvest remains well above average, catch opportunities for Southeast Chinook harvesters will be reduced as compared to 2004 - 2005… http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/news/2006/4-7-06_chinook.php 21. Panel expects another strong return of Yukon River chum, chinooks The number of salmon returning to the Yukon River in Alaska and Canada are generally down, but an international panel is betting on a repeat of stronger-than-expected runs of fall chums and chinooks in 2006. The Yukon River Panel, which operates under the umbrella of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, issued its prediction March 31 on the heels of a meeting a week earlier in Whitehorse, in Canada's Yukon Territory…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/040806/loc_ 22. Alaskans Participate in International Smart Gear Competition Fishermen from around the world appear more interested than ever in sharing ways to become more selective with their fishing gear. This year's International Smart Gear competition attracted 83 entries from 26 countries, up from 50 entries from 16 countries last year. The contest, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, pays cash prizes for practical, low cost solutions that allow fishermen to target their intended catches while letting marine mammals, sea turtles, birds and small fish swim away unharmed… http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/041206_fish_factor.html Smart Gear Competition
home page:
http://www.smart 23. Research in Pacific shows ocean trouble Research fresh off a boat that docked Thursday in Alaska reveals some frightening changes taking place in the Pacific Ocean. As humans are pumping out more carbon dioxide that is helping to warm the planet, the ocean has been doing yeoman's work to lessen the effects -- but it's taking a toll…
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/265052_acid31. 24. ASMI: Latest Research Reveals Powerful Evidence for Menuing Alaska Seafood The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Offers Compelling Data on Consumer Preferences in a New Research Summary Brochure… The net outcome of the research study among chain restaurant customers not only confirms that they want more seafood on the menu; it also reveals that they show a strong preference for wild seafood…
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/about/pressreleases/ASMI 25. ASMI April 2006 Retail Newsletter
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/marketing/retail/news/ 26. Alaska salmon-mobile first in Miami It's pretty well-established in Alaska that fish and oil don't mix. But if you put the oil in a race car and put "Wild Alaska Salmon" on the side, good things happen. Skip Winfree, owner of 10th & M Seafood and co-owner of No. 23 10th & M Seafoods Porsche, enjoyed a big victory Saturday night when the car won its first Rolex Sports Car Series in the Grand Prix of Miami… http://www.adn.com/life/story/7574416p-7485686c.html 27. KRSA doles out study money $2 million still to be spent on watershed research A panel of research management experts sifting through Kenai and Russian rivers watershed research needs said that habitat research tends to be more expensive and difficult to conduct, compared to fisheries research, but it is nonetheless valuable in keeping the watershed healthy and productive…
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/040306/ &&& KRSA Fish meeting hooks interest, controversy Meetings planned to discuss how to disperse public funds in Kenai and Russian rivers watershed areas already are stirring controversy…
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/033006/news 28. KRSA Ricky Gease: Recreational fishing important to the state
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/032606/opi_2006 The KRSA “Economic Report” is online at http://www.kenairiversportfishing.com/content.asp?CAT_ID=37 (~2 mb. File) 29. Public testifies on reopening Exxon Valdez settlement Public hearings about reopening the billion-dollar Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement have brought out some strong feelings. A deadline to invoke the reopener clause is rapidly approaching… for APRN Audio see:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/apti/news.newsmain? UFA supports the reopener. 30. Alaskan fisherman Duke Lankard turned to activism after Exxon spill Dune Lankard said he remembers the day 17 years ago when he was going to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into his commercial fishing operation in Alaska. "I was ready to buy a bigger boat, deeper nets and get more permits," said Lankard, a Native American commercial fisherman from Alaska. But before he made the investment, Lankard said, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March 1989 devastated fishing communities in Alaska, spilling millions of gallons of crude into Prince William Sound. "To me, it was the day the water died," Lankard said. "It was also the time a part of me came alive that I never knew existed. I didn't realize there was a different life other than fishing." Lankard, 46, a member of the Eyak tribe, became an activist and dedicated his life to the protection of human rights and the environment. In 1998, he was selected by Time Magazine as one of its "Heroes of the Planet" for his environmental and cultural activism work…
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID 31. MMRC Steller Research: On the Trail of the Kodiak Killers In the waters off Kodiak, Alaska, a group of six mammal-eating transient killer whales displays an unusual dietary preference: they appear to hunt only Steller sea lions. Their efficiency at hunting these otherwise challenging prey has earned them the nickname “Kodiak Killers”. Biologist Craig Matkin is studying the impacts of the Kodiak Killers on local sea lion populations and the surrounding ecosystem. http://www.marinemammal.org/2006/kodiak_killer_whales.php MMRC home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/ 32. NOAA reaches settlement in case against Steller Sea Lion researcher NOAA’s Office of General Counsel for Fisheries in Alaska has reached settlement in a case against Randall Davis, a Steller sea lion researcher from Texas A&M University. Davis was charged with conducting research on Steller sea lions, which is an endangered species, in Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound without a reauthorization to resume research, as was required in his permit. Other alleged violations included using unauthorized sedatives; capturing animals in an age group not authorized in his permit, failing to provide the names and qualifications of individuals who were anesthetizing Steller sea lions; and failing to follow protocols in marking the Steller sea lions… http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/steller040406.htm 33. Right Whales soon safer on both sides of Bering Sea MCA Guide to help protect right whales being printed in Russian A guide widely used by Alaska fishermen to help them avoid the world's most endangered whale will soon be available in Russian. About 2,000 copies of the guide, already available in English, should be available in Russian within two months, said David Benton, executive director of the Juneau-based Marine Conservation Alliance, which represents about 80 percent of commercial fishing and crabbing interests in Alaska…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/041006/sta_ 34. Oregon Magazine: Hawaii Farmed Black Cod Deserves Your Culinary Attention Scientists call it Sablefish, Canadians call it Butterfish, Alaskans and seafood purveyors call it Black Cod…but by any moniker, this denizen of the deep deserves the title of Gourmet Delicacy, with unique texture and flavor. Velvety, rich, delicate…these terms describe a fish native to the North Pacific that should earn your attention and has hit a new level of availability. What is marketed as Black Cod is not a cod, but belongs to the family Anoplopomatidae and lives in very deep, cold water as far down as 2,500-3,000 feet deep. This environment produces high oil content in the flesh that can only be rivaled by some wild Chinook Salmon and the Chilean Sea Bass that frequent Antarctic depths. The Japanese (and who knows and appreciates seafood better?) prize Black Cod highly, to the extent that they are subsidizing an aquaculture project near Kona, Hawaii that began this past February. The “Big Isle Butterfish Farm” is pumping 40 degree water from thousands of feet below the surface to provide the temperature and purity to please Black Cod… http://oregonmag.com/Seared603.htm 35. Oregon Magazine: Culinary Treasures From King Neptune's Vault Let’s talk about seafood and its particular pleasures for Oregonians. Having just returned from a brief visit to the Oregon coast, we are reminded of the extent of our ocean treasures, and, sadly, the economic travails of those who harvest this bounty. Tourism has largely replaced commercial fishing as the prime source of income for (Oregon) coastal communities… http://oregonmag.com/Seared0901.htm 36. Klamath Salmon policy under review North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson filed a Freedom of Information Act request with NOAA Fisheries Friday, asking for all documents pertaining to federal salmon policy dating back to 2001. "It's time to shine a bright light into the shady backrooms where the Bush Administration has been making politically motivated decisions about the management of the Klamath," Thompson said in a statement. "These politically motivated decisions are directly responsible for the poor condition of the Klamath and the near loss of this year's salmon season."
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91~ & Coos Bay Fish rally draws hundreds Under an unsettled sky Monday, salmon industry supporters rallied around a clear message: Fishermen need help and the Klamath River needs long-term support…
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2006/04/11/news & Bush Administration to Challenge Klamath Decision The Bush regime, true to form, is challenging a court decision that ordered the Department of Interior to provide flows for fish in the Klamath River. http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/04/1813914.php
OR & CA Fishermen say minimal salmon season a disaster Ray Monroe, a commercial troller from Pacific City, did the math to demonstrate the scope of the economic train wreck coming at the coast's salmon fishers for the 100 or so who attended the "call to action" meeting held Monday morning in Newport by Congresswoman Darlene Hooley and Congressman Peter DeFazio…
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2006/04/ & CA & OR Commercial salmon season tentatively approved This year, commercial salmon fishermen are facing the most restricted fishing season ever.
http://www.eurekareporter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx? & Salmon fisherman fear for their livelihood Duncan MacLean has weathered stormy seas, lean years and competition from fish farms to stay afloat in the West Coast's shrinking commercial salmon business for 30 years… But now he fears the government's failure to manage a river environment 600 miles away could put him and other California salmon fishermen out of business…
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/nation/ 37. OR: Yelloweye rockfish may be next for limited catch For the past two years, worries about the abundance of black rockfish have constrained the catch of other commercially valuable rockfish using similar habitats. Now, the yelloweye rockfish may be the next species to lead regulators to further limit West Coast rockfish harvests, says David Hatch, a voting member of the governor's Ocean Policy Council and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians's representative to the conservationist Elakha Alliance…
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2006/04/07 38. It’s time to stop worrying and love the (wild) salmon Salmon should be so simple: It’s so easy to cook, so healthy, so delicious, and even its rosy color puts other fish to shame… “The bottom line is, you have to say, What is the environmental impact of farmed salmon versus having a harvestable, sustainable wild species?” Morgan explains. “My bottom line is I would rather pay more to eat a fish that still has strong harvests every year — what’s coming out of Alaska — and save our environment.”… http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=34580 39. BC: Tally puts value of Skeena wild salmon at $110-million annually Wild salmon have long been considered an icon in British Columbia, but until now there have been few hard facts on how much the fish that pour into coastal rivers each year might be worth. However, in a new study by IBM Business Consulting, the value of wild salmon in the Skeena River system in northwestern B.C. is pegged at nearly $110-million annually. The study, commissioned
by the Northwest Institute and to be released today, bases its conclusion on
an analysis of revenue from recreational tourism, sport-fishing, commercial
harvesting, wholesale values, added-value processing, retailing, value to
natives and values to Alaska. (Many fish are caught in the Gulf of Alaska as
they return to spawn in the Skeena.)…
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.200603 40. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week Wednesday 4/12/06 New gear returns rockfish safely to the depths Tuesday 4/11/06 Call for seafood workers; more jobs/higher pay for processing workers last year Monday 4/10/06 Smart Gear Contest attracts 83 entries; four from AK Friday 4/7//06 Trends in canned salmon: sales and prices Thursday 4/6/06 Gov proclaims Sat. "Wild AK Salmon Race Car Day" See: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm & also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor Radio at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html 41. NMFS proposed rule on Chiniak Gully seasonal trawl closure – comment deadline 4/26 NMFS proposes to close the Chiniak Gully region on the east side of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to all commercial trawl fishing and testing of trawl gear from August 1 to a date no later than September 20 from 2006 through 2010. NMFS plans to conduct controlled experiments on the effects of commercial fishing on pollock distribution and abundance, as part of a comprehensive investigation of Steller sea lion (SSL) and commercial fishery interactions… Comments on this proposed rule must be received by April 26, 2006.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 42. NOAA BSAI Crab Plan Amendment 21 changes to arbitration – comment by 5/30. …The share match approach to resolve price disputes does not meet the needs of IFQ holders. Under the current schedule for the stock assessment process and total allowable catch determination, NMFS typically does not issue IFQ and IPQ 15 days prior to a season opening, which limits the ability of IFQ holders to rely on the share match component to achieve a price resolution. Amendment 21 would modify the timing for the initiation of binding arbitration under share matching so that it would be based upon the issuance of IFQ and IPQ, including a five-day assessment period for negotiated commitments, instead of upon the starting date of a crab season… Comments on the amendment must be received on or before May 30, 2006.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 43. BOF Teleconference On Bering Sea & Norton Sound King Crab, May 3 The Alaska Board of Fisheries proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with commercial king crab fishing in the Bering Sea and Norton Sound, including the following: In the Northern District of Registration Area Q (Bering Sea), change the boundaries between the Norton Sound Section and the St. Lawrence Island Section. BOF Notice:
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/2005 44. NMFS posts final rule on BSAI groundfish catcher processor vessel IRIU NMFS issues a final rule to implement a groundfish retention standard (GRS) program in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island management area (BSAI) for trawl catcher/processor vessels (C/Ps) that are 125 ft (38.1 m) length overall (LOA) or greater and that are not listed American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processors referred to throughout this rule as non-AFA trawl C/Ps. This action is necessary to reduce bycatch and improve utilization of groundfish harvested by these non-AFA trawl C/Ps… Effective on January 20, 2008
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 45. USFS & USFWS post 2006-2007 Alaska Federal Subsistence Regulations This final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during the 2006-07 regulatory year…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan2006 2006-2007 Subsistence Regulations booklets are available at the UFA office in Juneau, 211 Fourth St, Ste 110. For other locations see USFWS announcement of March 31 at: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1 46. NMFS amends tagged halibut and sablefish IFQ/CDQ exclusion –Comment by 4/28 NMFS proposes to amend regulations for excluding tagged halibut and tagged sablefish catches from deduction from fishermen's Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and from Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) accounts. This action is necessary to ensure that only halibut and sablefish that are tagged with an external research tag are excluded from IFQ deduction, and to extend the same exclusion to halibut and sablefish harvested under the CDQ Program… DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by April 28, 2006.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/ 47. NMFS Status Review of Cook Inlet Beluga Whale ESA listing – comment by 4/24 NMFS intend to review the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale pursuant to the ESA to determine if this group of beluga whales should be listed as an endangered or threatened species. We previously reviewed the status of these whales in 1998, and in 2000 concluded that a listing under the ESA was not warranted at that time. We solicit information to be used in reassessing the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale. Comments and information must be received by April 24, 2006.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/ 48. NMFS intent to prepare SEIS for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Subsistence Harvest NMFS announces its intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), for the Subsistence Harvest Management of Cook Inlet, Alaska, Beluga Whales by Alaska Natives… NMFS estimates the draft SEIS will be available in September 2006…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/ 49. GAO Report Shows Agencies Fail to Plan Adequately for Species Recovery Lack of planning has led to the ESA’s failure to recover species… http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06463r.pdf The report also echoes the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s “Not Performing” assessment of the ESA…
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary. From House Resources home page: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/ 50. NMFS E.F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program – Deadline April 22 Applications for the Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program will be available through ORISE at http://www.orau.gov/noaa/HollingsScholarship . If an applicant does not have Internet access, hardcopy applications may be requested by contacting NOAA/Hollings Scholarship, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 117, MS 36, Attn: Pai Moua, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117; Telephone: 865-241-8240. Completed applications must be received by April 22, 2006 51. NOAA corrected deadline - April 24 - for Sea Grant Invasive Species program …The announcement for the National Sea Grant College Program/Aquatic Invasive Species Program competition (71 FR 15171, March 27, 2006) listed the application deadline as April 13, 2006. The correct application deadline is 5 p.m. Eastern Time, April 24, 2006… Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/ March 27 original notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/ 52. Alaska Airlines Opens Season for Copper River Salmon Sweepstakes Winners Will Net 400 Pounds of Fish, Alaskan Fishing Trip… http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060330/sfth066.html?.v=43 53. NOAA's Earth Week Fair, Seattle, 2006 – April 21 5:30 – 7:30 pm Experience NOAA. Learn
about weather, marine mamma;s, fisheries, tsunamis, and how you are
connected to the oceans and the atmosphere…http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/diversity/earth & Attn: 6th and 7th graders – AFSC is still accepting applications for NOAA Science Camp July 10-14… www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/sciencecamp.cfm 54. Temp Help Wanted: Pacific Salmon Commission summer jobs - deadline May 12 Full-time Hydroacoustic Technicians (HT) Full-time Boat Operator (BT) Full-time Scale Lab Assistant (SL) Part-time Port Sampling Technicians (PS) Full-time Test Fishing Observer (TF) Full-time Test Fishing Data Entry & Catch Statistics Assistant (CS http://www.psc.org/news_jobopportunities.htm 55. UW MPA News – April issue: Contents include: -Kiribati Designates Large MPA, to Be Funded by Endowment -MPA Perspective New Zealand Seafood Industry Proposes Huge Closures – Cynicism or Pragmatism? -MPA Perspective MPA Management Policies in West Africa: Recommended Guidelines for Balancing Conservation and Development
http://depts.washington.edu/mpanews/issues.html#Apr And MPA News reader survey posted at: http://depts.washington.edu/mpanews/ 56. AK Marine Safety Education Association newsletter for Spring 2006 Contents include: Marine Safety Training Opportunities AMSEA's Busy Winter EPIRB & PLB Trip Plans Nanotechnology, Textiles and Safety http://www.amsea.org/pdf/v22-1.pdf
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