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UFA Update July 20, 2006 The UFA office is reachable from the fishing grounds on Alaskanet satellite dispatch #6449, thanks to equipment and service provided by GlenTel and Satellite Alaska. See useful links for fishermen at http://www.satellitealaska.com/links/news.htm To get connected, call Harold Whittlesy at 206-321-6896 or email info@satellitealaska.com CONTENTS 1. Deadline August 1 for FSA County Committee Nominations 2. Voter Registration Deadline Monday 7/23 to vote in August 22 Primary 3. 'Eye in sky' on SE fishermen next? (Vessel Monitoring Systems) 4. Governor Signs HB 218 on Hatchery Cost Recovery, HB 484 Buyout Permits… 5. Crewmen craft a fishery plan 6. Mixed bag for Alaska’s salmon fisheries and early prices 7. Alaska Sockeye salmon report and mercury confusion 8. Bristol Bay sockeye coming up smaller 9. Chum run turns tide for Yukon fishery 10. Prices high, runs are down for Yukon king salmon 11. Slow Kenai sockeye return has fishermen, processors hoping for a late run 12. Deluge of chum salmon in Southeast may signal big year 13. Pinks pick up pace for Kodiak salmon season 14. NFI urges seafood industry to support House version of Magnuson-Stevens 15. Construction starts on new False Pass boat harbor 16. Pebble Mine drilling worries fish habitat watchdogs 17. Northern Dynasty files for Tularik & Koktuli creek water rights for Pebble Mine 18. Offshore drilling potential worries marine group (AMCC) 19. Ocean depths lure mining companies 20. Testing proves fish was farmed (or offspring from farmed?) 21. Fishing for the right seafood choice (Idaho) 22. Big bucks behind fish-farming - fresh, wild, local seafood may become history 23. Senator Stevens wants states to be able to ban off-shore aquaculture (Oregon) 24. Something Fishy about Farm Raised Salmon (Tennessee story) 25. What is being done to preserve the fisherman? - KDM letter by Mrs. J. Davis 26. Naked greed worthy of censorship - KDM letter by John Finley 27. Kodiak Fishermen’s Wives supports fishing industry, seeks members 28. Man faces jail time in Valdez rock throw at Coast Guard 29. Japanese retailer moves into MSC sustainable fish products 30. Seafood to headline tourism officials' New York tour 31. Two Kodiak chefs win local seafood cook-off, trip to Big Apple 32. Alaska's Wild Seafood Star Attraction of NY Media Road Show 33. Sen. Murkowski lands 63-pound king salmon in Kenai Classic 34. Chitina Dipnetting guide finds home on Copper River 35. Subsistence restrictions make it harder for rural Alaskans 36. Former owner of Arctic Alaska and F/V Aleutian Enterprise accused again of dumping fish waste illegally 37. Environmentalists team up to buy trawlers 38. NCAR Report Warns about Carbon Dioxide Threats to Marine Life 39. Effect of climate change on oceans gaining attention 40. WTO Panel to Probe U.S. Shrimp Antidumping Duties 41. 'The Weather Lady' Peggy Dyson forged the way for safer waters 42. Vancouver Island firm nets Alaska sport hatcheries job 43. World's largest farmed salmon company publishes first CSR report 44. Puzzle in the Pribilofs - MMRC researchers set sights on northern fur seals 45. AFSC Report: Contrasting Western Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Population Trends in Alaska 46. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week 47. Alaska Sea Grant seeks public comment on its performance 48. NOAA “Other Species” Catch Adjustment Proposed in the Gulf of Alaska 49. NMFS rule corrects Crab Plan sideboard discrepancies 50. BSAI Crab annual EDR report deadline changed to June 28 51. NMFS final rule on BSAI Crab Plan Amendment 21 Arbitration Changes 52. IPHC Halibut Landing Reports No. 4 & 5 53. Comment by September 5 on Subsistence Halibut Registration info collections 54. NPFMC Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee to meet, Seattle July 28 55. NOAA Fisheries Extending Comment Period (to Sept 1) on Steller Sea Lion Plan 56. NOAA Revises Northern Right Whale Critical Habitat 57. Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board seeks proposals for marketing fundings 58. DNR seeks members for Kenai Special Management Area Advisory Board 59. DCCED Salmon Revitalization Program Grantee Profiles now online 60. Deadline August 28 for BOF ACRs for 2006/2007 cycle 61. BOF Salmon Industry Restructuring Panel Recommendations to Legislature 62. BOF State Waters Pollock Trawl Fishery info online 63. Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee meets in Seattle, July 24-27, 2006 64. EVOS Trustee Council to meet July 28, Anchorage, seeks committee nominations 65. Help Wanted: CDFU seeks Executive Director 66. NFI Fisheries Scholarship Fund - proposal deadline August 18, 2006 67. FAS Online: U.S. Fishery Product Exports To China Continue to Soar 68. Vital Choices July 18 Newsletter 69. July 10th ASMI Salmon Price Tracking & Seafood Market Information 1. Deadline August 1 for FSA County Committee Nominations – salmon fishermen needed to help guide USDA programs in Alaska (FSA County Committees are paid for their travel and time served) For information contact the FSA County offices toll-free #: 1-866-872-3320 Laine Welch: Alaska Fishermen are now officially classified as agricultural producers Salmon fishermen are now officially classified as agricultural producers, meaning the can provide input on how US Department of Agriculture dollars are programs operate in Alaska… http://www.alaskareport.com/fr10004.htm 2. Voter Registration Deadline Monday 7/23 to vote in August 22 Primary You must be registered in the appropriate party, or non partisan or undeclared to request a party primary ballot on election day. You must re-register if your address has changed. Voter registration information and forms are available online at http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/regapp.php Kodiak Daily Mirror Story: http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3406 3. 'Eye in sky' on SE fishermen next? (Vessel Monitoring Systems) Feds to consider increasing number of boats that are tracked Increasingly, commercial fishing boat movements in Alaska's federal waters are being tracked by satellite on a daily basis by federal law enforcement. The goal: to monitor compliance with fishing closures and no-entry zones designed to protect critical habitat - such as deep-sea corals - and the fish eaten by Western Alaska's threatened Steller sea lions… …"We rank that up there with an ankle bracelet," chimed in fellow crewman Glen Galloway.” http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/071906/sta_20060719002.shtml &&& NOAA: Habitat Protection Increases Vessel Monitoring in Alaskan Waters http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/vmsmonitoring.htm 4. Governor Signs HB 218 on Hatchery Cost Recovery, HB 484 Buyout Permits… Governor Frank H. Murkowski has signed bills on cost recovery for fish hatchery operation, allowable uses of funds generated through the sale of relinquished limited entry permits, and making changes to campaign finance reporting. HB 218, sponsored by Haines Representative Bill Thomas, allows hatchery operators to choose to recover their costs through fisheries open to commercial fishermen, allowing the fleet to access more fish. In return for this increased access, the industry would pay an assessment of up to 50 percent of the value of the fish to ensure that the users of the resource continue to pay for the costs of the hatcheries. HB 218 takes effect in 90 days… HB 484, sponsored by Wrangell Representative Peggy Wilson, is a housekeeping measure to clarify what may happen to the revenue generated by the Commercial Fishery Entry Commission should find it necessary to sell (or re-issue) permits that have been relinquished under the buyback program authorized under AS 16.40… Governor Murkowski’s press release: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=2493 5. Crewmen craft a fishery plan Access without ownership is at the core of a novel plan that Alaska fishermen will present to fishery managers later this year. As managers craft another divide-up-the-fishery program -- this time for bottom fish in the Gulf of Alaska -- crewmen are making sure that this time they are included in the giveaway of fishing rights. The Gulf program being developed could include roughly 25 bottom-fish species -- cod, pollock, rockfish, flounders and others -- for all gear groups -- trawl, longline, pots, jig… http://www.adn.com/money/story/7967707p-7860846c.html 6. Mixed bag for Alaska’s salmon fisheries and early prices Some of the earliest surprises have been the huge red run and catches at the Nushagak in Bristol Bay. More than 12 million fish have crossed the docks there so far. Another good fish story is the run of chums to the Yukon, the best in 20 years… See Laine Welch’s column at AlaskaReport.com at: http://www.alaskareport.com/fr10007.htm 7. Alaska Sockeye salmon report and mercury confusion Sockeye salmon fisheries around the state have been slow going in most regions and prices have been lackluster at best. The world’s largest sockeye fishery at Bristol Bay is winding down, and the catch is near the preseason prediction of 23.7 million reds. The total sockeye catch for Alaska this season is pegged at about 36 million. Industry watchers blame an unsettled Japanese market for the disappointing sockeye prices. A further downward press stems froma surprise run of reds to the Fraser River in British Columbia… http://www.alaskareport.com/fr10011.htm 8. Bristol Bay sockeye coming up smaller It's either feast or famine for Bristol Bay's commercial fishing fleet as sockeye salmon continue to pour into the nets of some fishermen, while others are being left empty handed. By July 7, the Nushagak district on the west side of Bristol Bay had a harvest of 6.6 million reds, and had exceeded the forecast for both harvest and run of the wild salmon. Meanwhile, the Naknek-Kvichak district remained closed to commercial harvest, and the Egegik district was failing to perform up to preseason expectations… http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/071606/hom_20060716001.shtml 9. Chum run turns tide for Yukon fishery BEST IN 20 YEARS: Three million extra salmon may be blessing, curse. Record numbers of chum salmon swarming up the Yukon River are buoying hopes that years of low runs and limited fishing are history. Three million extra summer chums may pour into the Yukon by season's end, biologists say, the largest run in 20 years… http://www.adn.com/front/story/7947546p-7841032c.html 10. Prices high, runs are down for Yukon king salmon Buyers of Yukon River king salmon say market demand is growing, as word spreads among connoisseurs about this nutritious fish, which has the most Omega-3 oil content of all wild salmon… http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/070906/hom_20060709078.shtml 11. Slow Kenai sockeye return has fishermen, processors hoping for a late run From dipnetters to commercial driftneters, and packers to processors, the weak return of sockeye to the Kenai River is being felt by many who look to salmon for their livelihood.
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/071406/outdoors_ 12. Deluge of chum salmon in Southeast may signal big year No astrology is needed to tell Northern Panhandle salmon fishermen that 2006 is the Year of the Dog. The evidence - huge, silvery 10-pound dog salmon, also called chums - is bulging in their nets in Lynn Canal. "The chums surprised us. They've filled up the tenders," said Haines gillnetter Norm Hughes June 29. http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/070906/fis_20060709044.shtml 13. Pinks pick up pace for Kodiak salmon season This year’s slowly plodding salmon season appears to be picking up the pace, Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials said. Fisheries biologist Jeff Wadle said pink salmon are definitely gaining headway… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3393 14. NFI urges seafood industry to support House version of Magnuson-Stevens John Connelly, president of the National Fisheries Institute, wrote a letter to the editor of the Bangor Daily News refuting what he called “doom and gloom” stories about the pending demise of fisheries… http://www.alaskareport.com/fish10077.htm 15. Construction starts on new False Pass boat harbor Construction of a new boat harbor in False Pass, an Aleut fishing village on one of the most important marine links between the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, began this July, officials said… http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/7979671p-7873008c.html 16. Pebble Mine drilling worries fish habitat watchdogs Drilling operations being conducted by Northern Dynasty Mines north of Lake Iliamna include sinking holes within the Upper Talarik Creek Watershed east of the boundaries of the company's proposed open pit mine, raising concerns that Northern Dynasty might be altering its stated intention to stay out of the creek. But a company official insisted Thursday the drilling going on away from the pit area itself has nothing to do with assessing future deposit sites, and everything to do with studying groundwater in anticipation of mine and tailings disposal design.
http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/071805/news_0718new 17. Northern Dynasty files for Tularik & Koktuli creek water rights for Pebble Mine Firm seeks to tap Upper Talarik, Koktuli for tailings pond. A mine developer has applied for water rights on two rivers that flow into Bristol Bay, home of the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery. Northern Dynasty Mines Inc., which wants to develop the massive Pebble copper and gold prospect, filed papers with the state last week seeking water rights to the north and south fork of the Koktuli River. The company is also seeking water rights to Upper Talarik Creek, world famous for its trophy rainbow trout. If granted, the company could pump water out of the rivers for use in a tailings pond, a type of artificial lake that stores mine waste, or for other industrial purposes… http://www.adn.com/money/industries/mining/story/7979440p-7872779c.html Contrast with last year’s quote: "We made a commitment to stay out of the Upper Talarik Creek because it is sensitive fish habitat." (company
spokesperson, Environmental Project Manager Ella Ede, Peninsula Clarion
July 5, 2005 )http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/070505/news_0705 18. Offshore drilling potential worries marine group (AMCC) Legislation before Congress to rewrite rules for Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing nationwide stands to threaten many marine resources, an Alaska conservation group said June 29. "House Bill 4761, the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2006, would immediately cut in half the 200-mile zone around the U.S. coastline which has been protected from oil and gas leasing by long-standing Congressional moratorium and presidential withdrawal," said Eric Siy, executive director of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/070906/hom_ 19. Ocean depths lure mining companies “In the depths of the ocean, there are mines of zinc, iron, silver and gold that would be quite easy to exploit,” said Captain Nemo, hero of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, in 1870. Now 21st-century technology is confirming his statement, as mining companies, spurred by high commodity prices, prepare to extract metal ore from rich deposits more than a kilometre under water. The Euroscience conference in Munich heard on Tuesday that marine science and mining technology had combined to make it realistic for the first time to exploit minerals deposited on the seabed in volcanic areas known as ocean ridges, which typically lie 1km-2km below the surface. They are rich in zinc, iron, silver and gold, as well as copper and lead…
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/d9301272-1688-11db-8b7b- 20. Testing proves fish was farmed (or offspring from farmed?) Atlantic salmon caught in Cook Inlet net is first reported in state this year A genetics test has identified a fish caught near Kasilof as the first documented Atlantic salmon caught in Cook Inlet, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reported Friday… The fish was caught off Cohoe Beach on July 1 by a setnet fishermen, who noticed its unusually large scales — one of several features that distinguishes Atlantic salmon from Pacific... Although Alaska prohibits fish farmers from raising Atlantic salmon, nearly 600 fish of this exotic species have been documented in state waters, thanks to fish farms in neighboring waters. About one of every 100 Atlantic salmon raised on farms in British Colombia and Washington escapes, said Bob Piorkowski, the invasive species coordinator for Fish and Game. “And they grow over 10 million salmon a year, so that would be about 100,000 fish,” he said…
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/071606/news_ The Clarion headline is premature – the fish was confirmed as an Atlantic salmon but ADF&G is continuing otolith research to verify whether this fish was escaped from a farm or hatched in the wild from escaped parents. Fish caught near Kasilof, Alaska confirmed as an Atlantic salmon http://www.alaskareport.com/fish10079.htm Be on the lookout for strange salmon with upper jaw that does not extend beyond the eye If you catch or see an Atlantic salmon, call the ADF&G invasive species hotline at 1-877-INVASIV. &&& 21. Fishing for the right seafood choice (Idaho) Now, more than ever, the choices that chefs and seafood consumers make can have a profound effect on the health of the world's oceans… Unfortunately, some well-known organizations that follow the issue closely are reporting that most consumers are still buying seafood without a thought of where it comes from, or what impacts its harvest might have had. "Our oceans are in trouble as a result of destructive fishing and aquaculture practices and environmental contaminates," says a report released this week by Environmental Defense, a New York City-based environmental organization. "The truth is that most people do not know how their seafood is produced or where it comes from (more than 80 percent is imported)." Without a doubt, choosing "environmentally correct" seafood can be a challenge. Take salmon, for example, one of the West's most popular fish varieties. Salmon raised in farms might have polluted ocean waters. Some wild salmon populations—including Idaho's sockeye salmon—are in danger of becoming extinct. "On the other hand," Environmental Defense reports, "wild salmon from Alaska are abundant." .. http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?issue_date=07-14-2006&ID=2005111386 22. Big bucks behind fish-farming - Eating fresh, wild, local seafood may become history With one arm of government encouraging Americans to eat more seafood and another arm ratcheting down production capacity of the domestic fishing fleet, policy-makers are placing all bets on aquaculture to fill the growing demand for fish and shellfish in the United States. Shell-shocked and weary, the fishing industry describes its current condition as "stagnant at best," and some fishermen suspect that harvesting wild fish and shellfish is headed towards extinction… Federal regulators hammer away at rationalization, a restructuring of the industry driven by the tenets of pure economic efficiency with no calculation of other sorts of wealth, such as the well-being of coastal communities. Fishing towns in Alaska still sting from the displacement of more than 1,000 fishermen and 180 fishing boats under the Bering Sea crab fishery rationalization plan…
http://obsentinel.womacknewspapers.com/articles/2006/07/12/ 23. Senator Stevens wants states to be able to ban off-shore aquaculture (Oregon) Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, a dominant force in fisheries legislation in the U.S. Congress and chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over fisheries law, made it clear in a June hearing he wants states to be able to veto large-scale aquaculture ("fish farms") facilities not only in their three-mile area of authority, but all the way out to the end of the federal 200-mile jurisdiction. A Commerce Committee aid told the News-Times that Stevens has, from the start, disagreed on this point with the Bush administration bill to authorize and regulate large-scale aquaculture even though he co-sponsored the bill with Hawaii Democrat Dan Inouye…
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2006/07/19/ 24. Something Fishy about Farm Raised Salmon (Tennessee story) There’s an ocean of evidence that eating wild salmon is far preferable to farm-raised salmon. Here are my top three reasons: Salmon farms dump tons of pollution into oceans. Farm salmon are dosed with antibiotics and artificial dye to make their flesh a palatable hue. Their feed is fish-oil based, which carries concentrated levels of PCBs. Salmon farms have hurt the fishing industry, driving down prices. http://www.alaskareport.com/news10005.htm 25. What is being done to preserve the fisherman? - KDM letter by Mrs. J. Davis It is interesting to read the opinions and well-laid plans regarding rationalization of Alaska crab and Gulf of Alaska groundfish. It appears the goal is to preserve the fish. This is good. The eligibility criteria, set by the government and its various entities, is questionable in that crab ratz included processors, possible corporations and foreign ownership. Where is free enterprise in Alaska? … http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3403 26. Naked greed worthy of censorship - KDM letter by John Finley I noted last week that the Rockfish Pilot Plan impact would be “Gulfwide in all species, least of all rockfish.” That’s because the rockfish quota increases that are sure to come will allow the trawl fleet to increase their catch of the species a lot of us think we own with our IFQs… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3394 27. Dwindling organization supports fishing industry, seeks members (Kodiak Fishermen’s Wives) …The Survival Suit Race is one of many causes Fishermen’s Wives has championed since the organization began in 1968… “Our main thing has always been education and safety for boats and crews, and to promote the seafood industry,” said Newman, who has been a member for 19 years and president for the past four years. Fishermen’s Wives has also taken into its care the memorial in front of the Kodiak Harbormaster’s Office. Newman is currently overseeing reconstruction of the memorial, which honors Kodiak fishermen who have passed away. Fishermen’s Wives encourages interested women to get involved and serve the community through the organization… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3370 28. Man faces jail time in Valdez rock throw at Coast Guard A man charged with felony assault for reportedly throwing rocks at a Coast Guard officer in Valdez is expected to plead Friday to a reduced charge. But Michael G. Piekarski still faces a 30-day jail sentence because the alleged victim was a law enforcement officer, prosecutor Jon-Marc Petersen said. The incident last month bruised the officer's arm… The men asked their supervisor, who sarcastically told them to throw rocks at the boat…
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=18&path=A/AK_ Not a good idea to throw stones - To comment on actions by Coast Guard or other federal employees, call 1-888-REG FAIR (1-888-734-3247) 29. Japanese retailer moves into MSC sustainable fish products For the first time, Japanese consumers can buy sustainably-sourced fish carrying the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC)independent seafood eco-label. “Japan is the second biggest consumer of fish worldwide and the country’s influence on the global seafood industry cannot be underestimated. A shift towards sustainable choices of seafood in Japan will have wide consequences, and providing sustainable choices for consumers is an important step forward,” said Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the MSC…
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/4890/Japanese 30. Seafood to headline tourism officials' New York tour Alaska's wild seafood will be a star attraction when more than 50 travel and tourism businesses make pitches at the fast-paced Media Road Show in New York City. http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/ 31. Two Kodiak chefs win local seafood cook-off, trip to Big Apple The aroma of freshly cooked seafood wafted through the Fisheries Research Center Tuesday night as four Kodiak chefs displayed their finest work for the Taste of Kodiak Cook-off… After much deliberation, the individual scores were tallied and Chenet and Cortez/Manning were awarded the expense-paid trip to the gala event this October… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3378 32. Alaska's Wild Seafood Star Attraction of NY Media Road Show Alaska's wild seafood will be a star attraction when more than 50 travel/tourism businesses make local pitches at the fast paced Media Road Show in New York City… http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/071006_fish_factor.html 33. Sen. Murkowski lands 63-pound king salmon in Kenai Classic Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski had the home river advantage. She caught a 63-pound king salmon in the 11th annual Kenai River Classic, the biggest catch among the nine senators who took part in the annual fundraiser this month for conservation of habitat along the Kenai River. BP Vice President Peggy Hudson caught the largest fish, a 67-pound king. The event raised about $800,000. Alaska's other U.S. senator, Ted Stevens, and Gov. Frank Murkowski co-hosted this year's event. It drew about 200 people, many of them lobbyists and executives from major U.S. industries.. http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/7979672p-7873009c.html 34. Chitina Dipnetting guide finds home on Copper River During a lighter moment Mark Hem showed just how enthralled he is with the Copper River, even after 23 years of piloting the waterway… The fishing action, the daily visits to dipnetters on the rocks and Hem's love of the river have recently hatched another idea in the riverboat captain's mind. Tourism. http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/7972732p-7865905c.html 35. Subsistence restrictions make it harder for rural Alaskans Those of us who live in urban Alaska often forget just how important fishing is in the Bush--not for sport, but for food. But state and federal rules are making it harder and harder for rural Alaskans to get the food in the summer they need to feed their families in the winter. .. "The objectives of this is to reduce the harvest early in the run when we have a higher level of uncertainty about the run size. And we try to spread the harvest out to reduce the impact on any particular component of the run," said Steve Hayes of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. http://www.ktva.com/topstory/ci_4049024 36. Former owner of Arctic Alaska and F/V Aleutian Enterprise accused again of dumping fish waste illegally Francis Miller, the embattled owner of Hoquiam’s fish meal plant has a reputation for building successful businesses, but he’s also had his share of trouble with government regulators. Miller, who started Ocean Gold Seafood of Westport and its sister company Ocean Protein of Hoquiam, is under the microscope of government regulators again, for odors coming from the fish meal plant and for dumping fish waste in the ocean. http://www.alaskareport.com/alaska10069.htm 37. Environmentalists team up to buy trawlers Various vessel buy back programs have been used to reduce the problem of too many boats going after too few fish. The buyouts are usually done with state or federal loans. But in a new twist, environmentalists have opened their checkbooks to help remove fishing gear from the grounds… http://www.alaskareport.com/fr10003.htm 38. NCAR Report Warns about Carbon Dioxide Threats to Marine Life Worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning are dramatically altering ocean chemistry and threatening marine organisms, including corals, that secrete skeletal structures and support oceanic biodiversity. A landmark report released today summarizes the known effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide on these organisms, known as marine calcifiers, and recommends future research for determining the extent of the impacts… http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20060706181928689 Scientists find rising ocean acid …Worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide are making seawater much more acidic, posing threats to a variety of marine life, according to the report. Combustion of fossil fuels causes the problem by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, much of which later settles into the oceans… http://www.adn.com/news/environment/story/7935836p-7829496c.html 39. Effect of climate change on oceans gaining attention Seattle scientists pushing for further studies The report, jointly prepared by NOAA, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Geological Survey, is titled "Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Coral Reefs and Other Marine Calcifiers." Although it may sound obtuse and perhaps limited in scope, it appears to represent a significant turning point -- expert consensus that this is a serious problem… http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/276613_coral06.html?source=mypi The full report (96 ppg, 9 mb download) is available online at http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2006/report.shtml 40. WTO Panel to Probe U.S. Shrimp Antidumping Duties The World Trade Organization set up a panel Wednesday to investigate whether U.S. antidumping duties on shrimp imports from Ecuador violate international trade rules. The United States imposed the duties of up to 4.48 percent in February 2005 because it said Ecuadorean exporters were selling shrimp on the U.S. market at below cost price… http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4057576.html 41. 'The Weather Lady' Peggy Dyson forged the way for safer waters In the era before fishermen had access to satellite phones, global positioning systems and weather buoys, they had Peggy Dyson. "She was like the voice of the north," said her son and former fisherman Doug Hoedel. "She was everybody's fairy godmother."… http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/071606/hom_20060716002.shtml 42. Vancouver Island firm nets Alaska sport hatcheries job A Nanaimo (BC) company, PR Aqua, has won the contract to design and engineer re-circulating systems to raise fish in two huge new hatcheries in Alaska…. Nearly $70 million US will be spent on the hatcheries, one in Fairbanks, called the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery, and a larger facility in Anchorage, as well as on other projects…
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/4873/Alaska 43. World's largest farmed salmon company publishes first CSR report Sustainable feed, effective waste management high priorities for Marine Harvest The world’s largest aquaculture company Thursday published its first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report… The company cited six priority areas, including: food quality, food safety, fish welfare, environmental responsibility, social responsibility and total quality assurance. http://www.sustainablefoodnews.com/story.php?news_id=155 44. Puzzle in the Pribilofs - MMRC researchers set sights on northern fur seals Each summer, nearly three-quarters of the world's northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) migrate to a small island chain in the eastern Bering Sea. Once hunted to near-extinction, fur seals made a remarkable comeback over the past century. But today's populations are declining once again, and Consortium scientists are working to identify the causes. New research and a new section on this website address the plight of Alaska's northern fur seals…http://www.marinemammal.org/2006/northern_fur_new.php Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/ 45. AFSC Report: Contrasting Western Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Population Trends in Alaska http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Quarterly/jfm2006/jfmfeaturelead.htm 46. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week Wednesday 7/19/06 - Omega 3's from fish are best; plant sources inferior Tuesday 7/18/06 - BC sockeye surprise; more mercury confusion Monday 7/17/06 - Snapshot of AK economy reveals some telling trends Friday 7/14/06 - Lottery for halibut IFQ's ok'd - up to 2 years before it's in place Thursday 7/13/06 - AK seafood matches up with national media at NYC http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm & also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html & Laine’s weblog on Alaska report website: http://www.alaskareport.com/laine.htm 47. Alaska Sea Grant seeks public comment on its performance The NOAA Alaska Sea Grant College Program is a marine research, education, outreach and advisory service headquartered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. This fall, Alaska Sea Grant will undergo a National Sea Grant review of its programs and activities conducted from late 2001 to present. In advance of this review, scheduled for September 10–14, 2006, public comment on the performance of Alaska Sea Grant toward meeting its mission goals and objectives is invited. Written comments from interested individuals, groups, associations, and others, are welcome… Written comments must be received by the close of business August 18, 2006. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/06news/07-17-06pat-comments.html 48. NOAA “Other Species” Catch Adjustment Proposed in the Gulf of Alaska NOAA Fisheries is proposing to reduce the total allowable catch (TAC) for the "other species" complex in the Gulf of Alaska to 4,500 mt annually… Comments on this proposed rule may be sent to 2006AKGOA.tacspecs@noaa.gov , no later than August 10. http://www.alaskareport.com/fish10082.htm Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket 49. NMFS rule corrects Crab Plan sideboard discrepancies NMFS issues a final rule implementing changes to the regulations for the Crab Rationalization Program. This action is necessary to correct two discrepancies in the scope of the sideboard protections for Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish fisheries provided in a previous rulemaking. Specifically, this action would remove the sideboard restrictions from vessels that did not generate Bering Sea snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) quota share and would apply the sideboards to federally permitted vessels operating in the State of Alaska (State) parallel fisheries. DATES: Effective on August 7, 2006.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket 50. BSAI Crab annual EDR report deadline changed to June 28 NMFS issues a final rule to implement revision of the annual economic data reports (EDRs) submission deadline from May 1 to June 28. This action is necessary to provide adequate time for crab harvesters and processors participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) to submit accurate and complete data on an EDR for the previous fishing year. DATES: Effective on July 5, 2006.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket 51. NMFS final rule on BSAI Crab Plan Amendment 21 Arbitration Changes NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 21 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). This action makes changes to the arbitration system in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Rationalization Program (Program) by modifying the timing for harvesters and processors to match harvesting and processing shares and the timing for initiating arbitration proceedings to resolve price and other delivery disputes… Effective on August 14, 2006
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket 52. IPHC Halibut Landing Reports No. 4 & 5 2006 Halibut Landing Report No. 5 (July 18, 2006) http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2006/nr & 2006 Halibut Landing Report No. 4 (July 5, 2006) http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2006/nr20060705.htm 53. Comment by September 5 on Subsistence Halibut Registration and Marking of Gear info collections …deadline for comments September 8, 2006
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket 54. NPFMC Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee to meet, Seattle July 28 Meeting place to be announced on Council web site at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/ 55. NOAA Fisheries Extending Comment Period (to Sept 1) on Steller Sea Lion Plan NOAA Fisheries Service will take comments through September 1, 2006 on the draft revised Steller Sea Lion Recovery Plan, the agency announced today (7/19). "This is a comprehensive document describing actions necessary to recover the endangered Steller sea lion. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council requested more time for scientists on their Science and Statistical Committee to review the plan" said Doug Mecum, Acting Administrator for NOAA Fisheries in Alaska. "Given the importance of this document and the complexity of the recovery actions, we agreed to the extension. The more thoughtful comments we receive on our draft plan and more public participation the better."… http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/sslplan071906.htm 56. NOAA Revises Northern Right Whale Critical Habitat We revise the current critical habitat for the northern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) by designating additional areas within the North Pacific Ocean. Two specific areas are designated, one in the Gulf of Alaska and another in the Bering Sea, comprising a total of approximately 95,200 square kilometers (36,750 square miles) of marine habitat. As described in the impacts analysis prepared for this action, we considered the economic impacts, impacts to national security, and other relevant impacts and concluded that the benefits of exclusion of any area from the critical habitat designation do not outweigh the benefits of inclusion. As a result, we did not exclude any areas from the designation…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket 57. Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board seeks proposals for marketing fundings The Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board (AFMB) is accepting funding proposals for projects that promote Alaska seafood…. Deadline Sept 15 for $2.5 M in Fisheries marketing grants http://www.alaskafisheriesboard.org/forms/AFMB_RFP06JUL.pdf & Deadline Sept 1 for $2.5M in Volume-based salmon grants
http://www.alaskafisheriesboard.org/forms/2006volumesalmon AFMB home page: http://www.alaskafisheriesboard.org 58. DNR seeks members for Kenai Special Management Area Advisory Board Landowners, sport or commercial fishermen, recreational boaters or others interested in Kenai River habitat, fish or wildlife resources or recreation issues are urged to apply for a position on the Board… Applications are due September 15, 2006
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/standard/dsp_media_release.cfm?id 59. DCCED Salmon Revitalization Program Grantee Profiles now online
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/seafood/revitalization/rev_ 60. Deadline August 28 for BOF ACRs for 2006/2007 cycle BOARD OF FISHERIES AGENDA CHANGE REQUEST DEADLINE IS AUGUST 28 Requests to add topics to the Board of Fisheries 2006/2007 meeting cycle agenda must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. August 28. Any request submitted by the deadline will be considered by the board during the October 12-13, 2006 work session… http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/news/bof-acr8-28-06.pdf 61. BOF Salmon Industry Restructuring Panel Recommendations to Legislature BOF Notice: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/sirp/meetinfo/rest-news.pdf The final recommendations to the legislature are available on line
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/sirp/meetinfo/ 62. BOF State Waters Pollock Trawl Fishery info online
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/StateTrawl 63. Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee meets in Seattle, July 24-27, 2006 Mariott courtyard – 925 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle Washington Agenda is posted online
at :
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/Agenda%20Draft%20 64. EVOS Trustee Council to meet July 28, Anchorage, seeks committee nominations The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council’s next meeting is a teleconference on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. at the EVOS office 441 W 5th Ave, Ste 500, Anchorage. Public comment is at 8:10 a.m. For more information call: (907) 278-8012 or (800) 478-7745 or on the web at www.evostc.state.ak.us/Events/index.htm && The Exxon Valdez Oil
Spill Trustee Council is soliciting nominations for the Public Advisory
Committee to serve a 24 month term from October 2006 to October 2008.
Nominations are due in the EVOS office by August 4, 2006. For more
information:
www.evostc.state.ak.us/Events/Downloadables/06.06_PAC_ 65. Help Wanted: CDFU seeks Executive Director Cordova District Fishermen United is looking for a highly motivated, organized individual to manage and direct day to day office operations. 30 hours per week, Salary $30,000 - $45,000 (depending on experience & benefits) Position start date: September 18, 2006 For more info contact the CDFU office at 907-424-3447 66. NFI Fisheries Scholarship Fund - proposal deadline August 18, 2006 The National Fisheries Institute announces the RFP for the Fisheries Scholarship Fund (FSF) to prospective candidates in the university community. The Fisheries Scholarship Fund supports the growth and vitality of the seafood industry and the health of seafood consumers through sponsorship of issue-related research and support and training of graduate students. To date the FSF has supported 329 projects totaling about $2 million. Research priorities and application criteria are available online at http://www.lib.noaa.gov/docaqua/news/fisheries_scholarship.html 67. FAS Online: U.S. Fishery Product Exports To China Continue to Soar See July report at FAS Fishery Products Market News at http://www.fas.usda.gov/ffpd/Fish-Circular/Market_News/market.html 68. Vital Choices July 18 Newsletter Topics in this issue include: -Fish Seen Helping in Fight to Save Sight -The Brain Diet: A Vital Choices Book Review -Researcher’s Reply Allays Doubts on ADD Study http://newsletter.vitalchoice.com 69. July 10th ASMI Salmon Price Tracking http://www.alaskaseafood.org/industry/market/pages/downloads/price-2006-07-10.pdf Salmon Market Information Service: http://www.alaskaseafood.org/industry/market/ ADFG 2006 Inseason Alaska Salmon Summary – updated July 14
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/finfish/salmon/catchval/ ADF&G inseason Bluesheet (catches) – updated July 14 http://csfish.adfg.state.ak.us/BlueSheets/BLUEWebReport.php
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