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UFA Update August 24 , 2006 Action Alert: More calls and letters needed now for Fishermen’s Health Care House Energy and Commerce Committee support is needed to add the provisions for health care study funding to the House Resources Magnuson bill. The health care language remains in front of Rep. Barton and the Energy and Commerce Committee as well as Rep. Pombo and the Resources Committee. Fishermen and fishing families, especially in states with members on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, need to contact these Representatives and Chairman Barton. Ask them to support study funding for fisherman’s health care in House Resources Magnuson Stevens Reauthorization. See the committee roster at http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/members/members.htm . For contact information on all House Representatives see http://www.house.gov/ . Quotes from JJ Bartlett of the Massachusetts Fishing Partnership Health Plan: FINALLY, what we are asking for is perfectly reasonable and appropriate! We are asking for, at a minimum, market research and strategic planning funding (the first phase of the three phases listed in Rep. Frank’s original legislation - HR4940) Yes, the healthcare folks need to review it. But, there is nothing unusual or confusing about this. There are already provisions for social research in the MSA. Lack of access to healthcare is a huge problem for the fishing industry. We need funding to study the problem and to create strategic plans that meet the specific health care needs of each fishing state. DO NOT LET ANYONE CONFUSE THE ISSUE. FISHERMEN NEED HEALTHCARE. AT A MINIMUM, WE NEED FUNDING TO STUDY THE PROBLEM AND CREATE A SOLUTION. PERIOD. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE MSA TO GET “BOGGED DOWN” BY RESEARCH AND PLANNING FUNDING JUST BECAUSE THE PROBLEM THAT IS BEING RESEARCHED IS HEALTHCARE. Contents 1. Exxon Valdez Un-oiled remaining fisheries – notification letters sent 2. Governor Finishes Third in Alaska G.O.P. Primary 3. Atlantic salmon from fish farm in Washington 4. International interest in canned pinks growing fast 5. Mr. Fuglvog goes to Washington 6. Nearly a dozen vie for fisheries seat 7. Senator Murkowski cries foul over foreign fish in school lunch program 8. Kodiak Commercial fishermen are thinking pink as season goes on 9. Kodiak Live fish delivery device adds value to local salmon 10. Caring for catch helps harvesters land more profit 11. Yukon Chum run predicted to top out at 1 million 12. Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Cordova Fisherman Richard Septien 13. Guest chef cooks Kodiak style 14. Getting to know your fish – Traceback tracks food from producer to plate 15. King Crab quota to be slashed this year due to excessive highgrading last season 16. Crab harvesters pledge to reduce waste due to high-grading 17. Alaska Sea Grant launches multiagency effort to rebuild Kodiak red king crab stocks 18. Russian crab keep pressure on 19. ISER Study: Bristol Bay runs on salmon 20. Nonprofit Alaska Quality Seafood smoothes seafood sales 21. Fish and game issues are key in election ADN opinion by Jack Lentfer 22. Despite late run, Kenai fishermen still gloomy on season 23. Low returns of Susitna sockeyes prompt three-year probe 24. Alaska fisherman & Legislator Dick Eliason among four finalists for Wild Salmon Hall of Fame 25. Kodiak vessel Natalia burns, sinks in Bristol Bay 26. Foreign Kodiak Ocean Beauty cannery workers walk off job 27. Immigration nets 25 illegal immigrants from Snug Harbor cannery 28. Ocean Beauty Seafoods Anchored in Alaska fisheries 29. Fishing fleet blasts mine plan 30. Hanging culverts halt flow of salmon – ADN Comment by Alan Boras 31. Subsistence board names Mike Fleagle chairman 32. Steller sea lion recovery plan given more time for comment 33. NOAA continues walleye pollock, sea lion study on vessel Miller Freeman 34. NOAA researchers study BSAI salmon from Japanese research boat 35. NOAA scientists name Alaskan fish with Aleut words 36. Save Aleutians from man-made threats -ADN Opinion by Margaret Williams 37. Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program canceled for 2007, 2006 report now online 38. Marine 'Dead Zone' Off Oregon Is Spreading 39. Essential Ice-Making Restored to Severely Impacted Louisiana Gulf Fishing Industry 40. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week 41. DEC Proposed Changes in Water Quality Standards allow for natural conditions 42. CFEC Proposed Changes To Miscellaneous Regulations – deadline August 28 43. NOAA Notice of Vessel Monitoring Systems reimbursement program 44. NOAA Fisheries Service Publishes Final MMPA 2006 List of Fisheries 45. Notice of Availability of MMPA Draft Stock Assessment Reports (SARs) 46. MMRC: A Less-than-Steller Field Season 47. NOAA Final rule on Halibut and Sablefish IFQ & BSAI Crab Cost Recovery. 48. NOAA 90-day Finding - Cook Inlet Beluga endangered listing warranted 49. Proposed rule on BSAI non-pollock groundfish Catcher Processor reduction 50. NOAA Fisheries Service Establishes Critical Marine Protected Area in Alaska 51. NPFMC Crab Plan Team to meet Sept 13-15, Anchorage, Captain Cook Hotel 52. Coast Guard Establishes Safety Zone near Kodiak Rocket Launch, 8/31 – 9/4 53. IPHC 2006 Halibut Landing Report No.7-Quota Share Commercial Fisheries Update 54. Council Reschedules Review of Charter Halibut Discussion Papers 55. Alaska's Fishing Communities: Harvesting the Future, Anchorage 9/21-22 56. Kenai Peninsula Subsistence proposal deadline October 20 57. Subsistence Board to Hear Comments Sept. 20-21 on Kodiak on Nonrural Status 58. 9th Circuit Court Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Federal Rural Subsistence Priority 59. BOF 2006-2007 Proposal Books online 60. BOF Agenda Change Request August 28 61. New DEC Seafood Regulations Online and 2007 Application Announcement 62. 2006 U.S. Fishery Product Exports Exceed $1.8 Billion for First Half Of The Year 63. Fishlines, the in-house newsletter of the Alaska Sea Grant College Program 64. Help Wanted - Cordova: Exec Dir. for Marketing Association 65. AMSEA Drill Instructor Classes Planned 66. Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board seeks proposals for marketing fundings 67. ASMI Salmon Price Tracking 68. ADFG 2006 Inseason Alaska Salmon Summary – updated August 18 1. Exxon Valdez Un-oiled remaining claimants – notification letters sent Notification letters and claim forms have been sent to the remaining Exxon Valdez un-oiled claimants in fisheries not addressed last year. The affected fisheries are: Bristol Bay Salmon Drift (S03T) Southeast Salmon Seine (S01A) Alaska Peninsula Salmon Seine (S01M) Alaska Peninsula Salmon Drift (S03M) Alaska Peninsula Salmon Setnet (S04M) If you believe you are eligible from participation in these fisheries and have not received a letter regarding your unoiled claim, call 1-866-860-4800. 2. Governor Finishes Third in Alaska G.O.P. Primary Gov. Frank H. Murkowski was decisively defeated in a Republican primary on Tuesday, a loss the governor interpreted as a rejection of his leadership style but one that also echoed an anti-incumbent mood elsewhere in the country. Sarah Palin, 42, a former mayor of the little town of Wasilla who rose to prominence as a whistle-blower uncovering ethical misconduct in state government, won the nomination for governor with 51 percent of the vote…
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/24/washington/ & Carl Moses House race hanging on one vote http://www.adn.com/front/story/8116758p-8009424c.html & Kurt Olson House results get put on hold (two vote difference)
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/082406/news Other election results are online at the Alaska Division of Elections website at http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/ 3. Atlantic salmon from fish farm in Washington Fish found this summer in Cook Inlet likely escaped captivity in May The Atlantic salmon caught in Cook Inlet in July has been traced back to a private hatchery in Washington. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game confirmed in July that the salmon was the first documented Atlantic salmon caught in Cook Inlet, but the fish’s origin remained unknown until it was further tested in a lab using its otoliths — small, rounded bone-like structures found in the inner ears of fish…
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/082206/news_ ADF&G Invasive Species home page: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/invasive/invasive.php Catch an Atlantic Salmon or other fish that does not belong here? – call 1-877-INVASIV (1-877-468-2748) 4. International interest in canned pinks growing fast World food aid programs can be huge customers for our nation's home grown commodities, but until recently canned Alaska salmon wasn't even included on the shopping list. One year ago a single ton of canned Alaska pink salmon had made its way into global food programs. Today that number has jumped to 1,400 tons in shipments to Cambodia, Guatemala and Guinea and international interest in canned pinks is growing fast. "It's about two percent of the total canned pink pack. The acceptance has been incredible!" said Kodiak fisherman Bruce Schactler who, at the request of Governor Murkowski two years ago, has shouldered the task to redefine and broaden federal feeding rules… http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/082106_fish_factor.html 5. Mr. Fuglvog goes to Washington Life long Petersburg fisherman Arne Fuglvog is on someone else’s crew now and if Helly Hanson or Grundéns make a dress tie to go with Xtratufs then they had better send him a case… to Washington D.C. Fuglvog has netted and landed an important catch being appointed Legislative Aide for Fisheries by Senator Lisa Murkowski and will be joining her at our nation’s capital…
http://www.petersburgpilot.com/www/stories/2006/ 6. Nearly a dozen vie for fisheries seat Eleven contenders, most of them veterans of the commercial fishing industry, are vying for a seat on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council vacated by Petersburg fisherman Arne Fuglvog…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/081806/hom 7. Senator Murkowski cries foul over foreign fish in school lunch program Sen. Lisa Murkowski is voicing her objections to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns over the amount of foreign-harvested fish included in the national School Lunch Program… "I am concerned that the seafood we are serving students is of an inferior quality," she said. "In addition, by including it in the National School Lunch Program, the Department of Agriculture is subsidizing Russian fisherman and Chinese processors at the expense of American fisherman."…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/080606/hom_ 8. Kodiak Commercial fishermen are thinking pink as season goes on Commercial salmon fishermen in Kodiak have begun to “think pink.” Both the Eastside and Westside Kodiak districts are strong right now, Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist Jeff Wadle said. “It looks like things are picking up,” Wadle said. “Right now we’re kind of in pink fishery mode.” The Kodiak Regional Aquacultural Association is thinking pink as part of a cost-recovery plan for the Kitoi Bay Hatchery… “We’re attempting to harvest 9 million pounds of pink salmon (this season),” KRAA director Kevin Brennan said. “That will be 40 percent of the expected return (of hatchery salmon) to Kitoi Bay.” … http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3458 9. Kodiak Live fish delivery device adds value to local salmon Kodiak fisheries took a step toward the future Friday afternoon as a net pen of live pink and silver salmon was delivered to Alaska Fresh Seafoods for processing. Live fish delivery and the use of net pens is practiced in other parts of the world and is making its way to Alaska. But this project, through a grant to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is Kodiak’s first taste of the method… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3536 10. Caring for catch helps harvesters land more profit Alaska fishermen and processors have learned that quality pays. A statewide reality check has been occurring every five years since 1991 to monitor salmon handling practices among Alaska harvesters, processors and tender operators. The project, which includes surveys and extensive site visits, reveals some interesting attitudes and trends… "From 2001 to 2006, there has been a recognition that fish prices are not going to magically bounce back, that there is a whole different competitive market, and we need to change our behavior in order to get better prices. There is a willingness to do something different and it's reflected statewide," Grabacki said. He added that one of the most notable trends over the past 15 years is in the number of fishermen selling their own catches…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/ 11. Yukon Chum run predicted to top out at 1 million This year’s Yukon River fall chum salmon run won’t stack up to last season’s near-record run, but it will still be above average, according to state fisheries managers. “We’re in good shape,” reported Fairbanks commercial fisheries biologist Fred Bue with the Department of Fish and Game, who is monitoring the run from Emmonak near the mouth of the Yukon. “The run looks good and the quality looks good.”… http://newsminer.com/2006/08/21/1627/ 12. Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Cordova Fisherman Richard Septien The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing crewmember from the fishing vessel Body Snatcher Tuesday at 8:12 p.m. near Egg Island south of Cordova. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Valdez received a report of an uncorrelated Mayday from crewman Richard Septien aboard the Body Snatcher at 10:22 p.m. Sunday… http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/129899/ & Coast Guard searches for missing crewman… http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/129465/ Anchorage Daily News:
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/8109901p- 13. Guest chef cooks Kodiak style Mill Bay Coffee and Pastry resembled Grand Central Station Monday afternoon as the media, filmmakers and fishermen gathered to observe local chef Joel Chenet and Las Vegas chef Andy Knudsen whip up two king salmon dishes… Star Of Kodiak, the marketing and promotion arm of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, facilitated the trip. http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3535 14. Getting to know your fish – Traceback tracks food from producer to plate Someone at your dinner party comments on how fresh the wild salmon tastes. You tell them that less than 30 hours ago, it was swimming off Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. You produce a print-out documenting the salmon's trip from the moment it became a part of fisherman Drew Sparlin's Alaska harvest to the moment it was accepted by Todd Morton at Morton's Market in Sarasota 23 hours, 31 minutes and 11 seconds later… If you think this scenario is the product of someone's imagination, you're partially right. It's the product of the vision of William Kanitz, president, and Brunhilde Merker, chief executive officer, of ScoringSystem Inc. in Sarasota.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/ 15. King Crab quota to be slashed this year due to excessive highgrading last season The harvest numbers for this year’s red king crab fishery in the Bering Sea won’t be announced for about a month, but crabbers already know they’ll see a cut in the catch. Managers have announced a nearly 4.6 deduction off the top of whatever the crab catch quota is. The reason? Too many crabs were tossed overboard last season… http://www.alaskareport.com/fr10029.htm 16. Crab harvesters pledge to reduce waste due to high-grading Crab industry officials, still smarting from reports that thousands of legal male red king crab were dumped during the first season of a privatized federal fishery, are rallying harvesting cooperatives to get a commitment for improved harvest retention…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/081106/fis_ 17. Alaska Sea Grant launches multiagency effort to rebuild Kodiak red king crab stocks …Scientists say 16 egg-bearing female crab will serve as brood stock in a research project they hope will help rebuild Alaska's Kodiak red king crab fishery… "This is the first step down a very long path," said Alaska Sea Grant Director Brian Allee. Allee is leading the Alaska Sea Grant effort to bring fishermen, state and federal fishery managers, and university scientists together in a collaborative effort to breed king crab in captivity. If it proves successful, Allee said, researchers would seek state permits to conduct a pilot release of juvenile crab to learn whether crab cultured in captivity can survive in the wild…
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/06news/08-15-06crab 18. Russian crab keep pressure on Alaska's Bering Sea crab season will begin with the Aug. 15 start of the golden king crab fishery. Just 14 crabbers own rights to that deepwater fishery under the new system launched last year that divides the catch among boats rather than having the boats compete for the limited catch. Typically only eight boats participate… Unfortunately, all signs point to a continued downward press in world king crab markets. Blame it on the jumbos coming in from the new Russian fishery in the Barents Sea, said market expert John Sackton…
http://www.adn.com/outdoors/fishing/fishing_report/ 19. ISER Study: Bristol Bay runs on salmon Bristol Bay is Alaska's most valuable salmon fishery and has the most permit holders (2,849) and nearly one-third of all earnings from Alaska salmon fishing come from Bristol Bay. The region is salmon ecosystem dependent, and accounts for nearly 64 percent of all employment with an associated payroll of about $190 million in 2005. Salmon also represent 52 percent of the region's subsistence harvests. Those are just a few of the findings in a report titled "Economics of Wild Salmon Watersheds at Bristol Bay" unveiled by Scott Goldsmith of the University of Alaska's Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER). The report, funded by Trout Unlimited, estimates the economic values associated primarily with fisheries and wildlife in watersheds of Bristol Bay… http://www.alaskareport.com/fr10023.htm ISER study: http://www.bbna.com/econdev/fish-econ.htm 20. Nonprofit Alaska Quality Seafood smoothes seafood sales Alaska fish processors have a new, cheaper way to certify that their fish is a resource that is not being depleted, a credential that opens doors to major food resellers such as Wal-Mart. Alaska Quality Seafood, an Anchorage-based nonprofit, can now certify that processed fish is from one of the state's fisheries that have been certified as "sustainable," such as black cod and halibut…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/ 21. Fish and game issues are key in election ADN opinion by Jack Lentfer As a longtime Alaska wildlife biologist, I am commenting on two wildlife policy issues that I hope voters and candidates will address before upcoming elections. The first issue involves the role of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in the review and permitting of development projects… A second major issue is how to put an effective fish and wildlife enforcement program in place… http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/8036701p-7929820c.html 22. Despite late run, Kenai fishermen still gloomy on season Kenai Peninsula Borough officials, buoyed by strength of late-run sockeye salmon, have put on hold plans to request state disaster relief, pending reports from commercial and sport fish entities... Borough officials will make a decision about requesting state aid after the numbers are in on the commercial and sport sockeye catch, and from economic activity at related businesses - from canneries to charter boats, restaurants and hotels…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/081106/fis_ 23. Low returns of Susitna sockeyes prompt three-year probe …For four of the past five years, sockeye returns to the Susitna -- as measured by a sonar counter on its tributary, the Yentna River -- have failed to meet state set escapement goals… In response, the state Department of Fish and Game in conjunction with the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association has launched an ambitious three-year study of Susitna River sockeye runs. The study, which has more than $1.6 million in state funding, seeks to answer fundamental questions about the number of fish returning, where the salmon go to spawn and why more aren't coming back. It will also test underlying assumptions about how the state currently estimates returns, including whether the sonar counter on the Yentna is a good measure of the overall return to the Susitna… http://www.adn.com/outdoors/fishing/story/8058543p-7951639c.html 24. Alaska fisherman & Legislator Dick Eliason among four finalists for Wild Salmon Hall of Fame Pacific Northwest Salmon Center award nominees: http://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/x2036.xml 25. Kodiak vessel Natalia burns, sinks in Bristol Bay The F/V Natalia, one of Kodiak’s better-known purse seiners, was lost at sea Tuesday after catching fire and sinking 16 miles north of Ugashik River in Bristol Bay. “The loss is great. The Natalia was a good boat,” said Bruce Schactler, Natalia owner. Schactler was not on board at the time, he said today. Schactler said the three crewmembers were able to get off the boat safely and onto the F/V Bealence, a tender that was operating nearby… The Natalia was skippered by Donnie Williams of Washington who has been working for Schactler a number of years… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3475 26. Foreign Kodiak Ocean Beauty cannery workers walk off job About 90 students walked away from work at Ocean Beauty Seafoods Friday in protest of income tax deductions withheld from their paychecks. The students are among those working at local canneries during the summer attempting to fund university educations in their home countries, which include Turkey, Egypt, Romania, Albania and Poland… John Black, vice president and manager of Alaska operations for Ocean Beauty, issued a statement following the walkout: “It is Ocean Beauty’s responsibility to comply with the law. We have obtained expert advice from professional tax consultants. Everything we have been able to ascertain is that we must withhold taxes from J-1 visa employees. http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3530 27. Immigration nets 25 illegal immigrants from Snug Harbor cannery A raid on the Snug Harbor Seafoods processing plant in Kenai late Friday morning led to the detention of 25 illegal immigrants found to be working at the plant… Haley said the immigrants may face deportation but would not say if Snug Harbor would face fines or penalties. “As far as Snug Harbor is concerned, it is an ongoing investigation,” Haley said…
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/080206/news 28. Ocean Beauty Seafoods Anchored in Alaska fisheries From humble beginnings in 1910 as Washington Fish & Oyster, Ocean Beauty Seafoods has grown to a huge, diversified seafood processing company, still tied to Alaska's fishing community. "We've expanded our Alaska operations tremendously over the years," most recently with the acquisition of the Excursion Inlet plant, about 40 miles west of Juneau, Ocean Beauty spokesman Tom Sunderland said Aug. 11…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/081806/was_ 29. Fishing fleet blasts mine plan This summer hundreds of fishing vessels working the waters of Alaska's Bristol Bay, the world's most prolific source of sockeye salmon, are flying pennants featuring the words "Pebble Mine" crossed out with a large red "X." The campaign, coordinated by the Seattle-based Alaska Independent Fishermen's Marketing Association, is just one of many efforts to increase public awareness of a proposed open-pit gold and copper mine near there…
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2006/ & WA Post: There's a very expensive project in Alaska, and Ted Stevens is against it. Is this a sudden greening of the 82-year-old Stevens, the Senate's most intense proponent of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? Not exactly. Stevens and fellow critics talk of a fragile environment or even an "ecosystem" menaced by the mine. But their main argument is that the mine threatens an established economic interest, salmon fishing: commercial, sport and subsistence. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/14/AR2006081401073.html 30. Hanging culverts halt flow of salmon – ADN Comment by Alan Boras As environmental slogans go, "fix the hanging culverts" will probably never achieve the same status as "save the whales" or "save the Earth, it's the only planet with chocolate." Yet according to recent research largely compiled by Robert Ruffner and Stephanie Sims of the Kenai Watershed Forum, fixing hanging culverts is one of the most environmentally responsible actions we can take to assure wild salmon and other species continue to thrive in Southcentral Alaska…
http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/boraas/story/ 31. Subsistence board names Mike Fleagle chairman The chairman of the state Board of Game has resigned to serve as chairman of the Federal Subsistence Board. Mike Fleagle, 47, served on the Game Board for 10 years…. http://www.adn.com/money/story/8106306p-7998855c.html 32. Steller sea lion recovery plan given more time for comment Federal fisheries officials have extended through Sept. 1 their deadline to receive comments on a draft revised plan for recovery of endangered Steller sea lions.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/080606/hom Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/ 33. NOAA continues walleye pollock, sea lion study on vessel Miller Freeman The NOAA research vessel Miller Freeman is slated to return to Kodiak this month to continue research on the prey availability of walleye pollock to Steller sea lions. Russ Nelson of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle said the pilot survey for this project was conducted in 2000, and the first year of the actual study was 2001. “This is a continuation of (that) project,” Nelson said. “It examines the potential impact of fisheries on the prey of Steller sea lions.” http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3468 34. NOAA researchers study BSAI salmon from Japanese research boat Sharing knowledge, efforts and even space on research boats, international scientists are pursuing the story of the lives of salmon in North Pacific ecosystems. NOAA Fisheries researchers from Alaska have been riding a Japanese research vessel as they cooperate on an international program named BASIS (Bering-Aleutian Salmon International Survey)… http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/japanresearch.htm 35. NOAA scientists name Alaskan fish with Aleut words NOAA Fisheries scientists have chosen Aleut words to officially name four fish species they found in the Aleutian Islands that were new to science… http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/fishnames080306.htm 36. Save Aleutians from man-made threats -ADN Opinion by Margaret Williams Roughly 100 miles from the Aleutian Islands, 5,000 new automobiles are parked at sea, the cargo ship carrying them to ports along the West Coast having been abandoned last week after flipping over on its side during a transfer of ballast water… Yet the floundering ship is an urgent reminder -- and just the latest of several -- of the potential disaster that could befall the Aleutians if we don't wake up and address the threat posed by poorly supervised shipping in an area globally renowned for its rich diversity of marine life… http://www.adn.com/opinion/compass/story/8039321p-7932275c.html Unified Command Cougar
Ace website:
http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/perp/response/sum_ 37. Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program canceled for 2007, 2006 report now online The FY 2007 competitive S-K Grant Program referenced below has been canceled due to insufficient funding. NOAA Fisheries is returning all applications to the applicants without further consideration. The President’s budget request for FY 2005 also does not provide sufficient funding for the competitive S-K Grant Program. The omnibus solicitation notice, "Availability of Grant Funds for FY 2007," which covers the S-K Program and other NOAA competitive programs, was published in the Federal Register on June 12, 2006. However, the President's Budget request for both FY2007 and FY2007 does not provide sufficient funding for the competitive S-K Grant Program NOAA Fisheries OMB notice:: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mb/financial_services/skhome.htm 2006 S-K report (43 page
pdf): 38. Marine 'Dead Zone' Off Oregon Is Spreading A hypoxic "dead zone" has formed off the Oregon Coast for the fifth time in five years, according to researchers at Oregon State University. A fundamental new trend in atmospheric and ocean circulation patterns in the Pacific Northwest appears to have begun, scientists say, and apparently is expanding its scope beyond Oregon waters. This year for the first time, the effect of the low-oxygen zone is also being seen in coastal waters off Washington, researchers at OSU and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary indicate…
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/MediaAlerts 39. Essential Ice-Making Capacity Restored to Severely Impacted Louisiana Gulf Fishing Industry The Louisiana fishing industry today broke through a major obstacle to the resumption of full scale shrimp, crab and finfish operations: the near total absence of industrial ice-making capacity along the Gulf Coast… "The storm-related destruction of ice-making and ice storage capacity has been a significant obstacle to re-starting operations," said Ewell Smith, Executive Director of the La. Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. "Today is a major step toward getting the boats back on the water and keeping fishermen in the industry."… Shell donated $500,000 to the La. Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation to enable the purchase, delivery and installation of three industrial ice machines. http://sev.prnewswire.com/food-beverages/20060823/DCW03523082006-1.html This is just a tiny component of the overall need for ice in the Gulf ports. The Alaska Fishing Industry relief Mission sent a 30-ton per day ice plant to Biloxi this Spring and we are rededicating our efforts to deliver more icemaking equipment to Louisiana. We have a source for six similar plants as a deep discount, and are locating compressors and gathering the details of the project to move forward. We estimate it will take $500K to get them put up into self-contained units and delivered. Alaska’s fishermen’s efforts in Washington need the help of a solid Gulf fishing industry. AFIRM is a 100% volunteer IRS qualified 501(c)(3) charity. Every contribution will help – please contribute today at www.akgulfhelp.org . -Mark Vinsel, AFIRM Chairman 40. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week Thursday 8/24/06 Highgrading not a problem in AK snow crab fishery Wednesday 8/23/06 Wild salmon contributes to fine wine Tuesday 8/22/06 Copper River fishermen launch "last salmon of the season" coho promotion on two coasts Monday 8/21/06 Kodiak fisherman redefines rules to get canned pinks into world food aid program. Friday 8/18/06 Alaska red king crab quota cut due to highgrading 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 41. DEC Proposed Changes in Water Quality Standards allow for natural conditions…Comment deadline Oct 1 …DEC proposes to add a narrative water quality standard for waters where the natural condition is of lower quality than the statewide water quality criteria, and to remove the site specific criteria provision for natural conditions in 18 AAC 70.235(b). The proposed narrative standard will adopt by reference the Guidance for the Implementation of Natural Conditions-Based Water Quality Standards… …comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 1, 2006.
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156 42. CFEC Proposed Changes To Miscellaneous Regulations – deadline August 28 The Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 20, Chapter 05 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with miscellaneous regulations…comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 28, 2006…
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c 43. NOAA Notice of Vessel Monitoring Systems reimbursement program The National Marine Fisheries Service announces the availability of approximately $4.5 million in grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2006 for vessel owners and/or operators who have purchased an Mobile Transmitter Unit (MTU) or Enhanced-Mobile Transmitter Unit (E-MTU) for the purpose of complying with fishery regulations requiring the use of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that became effective during FY 2006. The funds will be used to reimburse vessel owners and/or operators for the purchase price of the MTU or E-MTU. The maximum award per reimbursement is dependent upon the requirements of the applicable fishery management rule…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan2006 CORRECTION TO CONTACT
INFORMATION Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan2006 44. NOAA Fisheries Service Publishes Final MMPA 2006 List of Fisheries NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service published its annual list of commercial fisheries that interact with marine mammals today. The List of Fisheries (LOF) categorizes each U.S. commercial fishery based on the level of interaction each fishery has with marine mammals. The annual list is required by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Each fishery is placed into one of three categories according to whether it has a frequent (Category I), occasional (Category II), or remote likelihood (Category III) of incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals… NOAA List of Fisheries home page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/lof/ Federal Register Notice: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/lof/ NOAA Press Release: 45. Notice of Availability of MMPA Draft Stock Assessment Reports (SARs) NMFS reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). SARs for marine mammals in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new information. NMFS solicits public comments on draft 2006 SARs. DATES: Comments must be received by October 26, 2006…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan2006 46. MMRC: A Less-than-Steller Field Season In early summer, a legal dispute erupted between the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Humane Society that put an immediate halt to all field research on Steller sea lions in U.S. waters. While a few activities have since resumed, the loss of an entire season of data has jeopardized many long-term studies. Has this well-intentioned effort actually compromised the work of dozens of researchers working to save a species? http://www.marinemammal.org/2006/fieldwork_stop.php Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/ 47. NOAA Final rule on Halibut and Sablefish IFQ & BSAI Crab Cost Recovery. NMFS issues a final rule to amend the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Cost Recovery Program for the Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Rationalization Programs. This action modifies the procedure NMFS uses to publish notification of adjustment of the IFQ fee percentage for the IFQ Cost Recovery Program in the Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and the Crab Rationalization Programs.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 48. NOAA 90-day Finding - Cook Inlet Beluga endangered listing warranted We (NMFS) announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 49. Proposed rule on BSAI non-pollock groundfish Catcher Processor reduction Comment deadline September 11, 2006 This proposed rule would implement the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Catcher Processor Capacity Reduction Program (Reduction Program) for the longline catcher processor subsector of the BSAI non-pollock groundfish fishery (Reduction Fishery), in compliance with the FY 2005 Appropriations Act. This program is voluntary and permit holders of the Reduction Fishery (Subsector Members) are eligible to participate…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 50. NOAA Fisheries Service Establishes Critical Marine Protected Area in Alaska NOAA Fisheries Service formally established the Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area in Alaska today, which covers 279,114 square nautical miles… http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/efhnewsrelease.pdf 51. NPFMC Crab Plan Team to meet Sept 13-15, Anchorage, Captain Cook Hotel …The agenda includes the following: Review crab overfishing definitions; review NMFS and Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) surveys; review model and assessment results from Bristol Bay Red King Crab and Bering Sea Snow Crab; review and compile the Stock Assessment Fishery Evaluation Report; make recommendations on crab bycatch and Essential Fish Habitat considerations; discuss issues and timing for May 2007 meetings; other business…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 52. Coast Guard Establishes Safety Zone near Kodiak Rocket Launch, 8/31 – 9/4 The Coast Guard has established a safety zone in the vicinity of Narrow Cape and Ugak Island due to operations at the Kodiak Launch Complex. The safety zone will be in effect from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, 2006, between 2 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. each day, or until cancelled… http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/129554/ 53. IPHC 2006 Halibut Landing Report No. 7 - Quota Share Commercial Fisheries Update …It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries and in the British Columbian IVQ fishery through August 15, 2006…
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/ & IPHC 2006 Halibut Landing Report No. 6 Area 2A Directed Commercial Halibut Fishery Closed for Remainder of 2006…
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/ 54. Council Reschedules Review of Charter Halibut Discussion Papers From October 2006 To December 2006 Meeting In August 2006, the Council rescheduled its review of discussion papers related to management of the charter halibut fisheries to December 2006. This timeline will provide an opportunity for the Charter Halibut Stakeholder Committee to review and comment on these papers prior to Council review…
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut_ NPFMC home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/ 55. Alaska's Fishing Communities: Harvesting the Future, Anchorage 9/21-22 A community conference sponsored by NOAA Fisheries Hilton Hotel, Anchorage, Alaska, USA, September 21–22, 2006 This conference is a forum for coastal residents, fishermen and seafood processors, and federal, state, municipal, and tribal representatives to work together in support of Alaska's coastal fishing economy… For information contact
Sherri Pristash, 907-474-6701 56. Kenai Peninsula Subsistence proposal deadline October 20 The Federal Subsistence Board is accepting proposals through October 20, 2006 to change subsistence hunting and trapping regulations on Federal public lands and waters on the Kenai Peninsula for the 2007-2008 regulatory year. In addition, at the request of the Southcentral Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council, the Board is extending the deadline for proposals to change Federal subsistence fishing regulations on the Kenai Peninsula through October 20… See August 14 Press Release at http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1 57. Subsistence Board to Hear Comments Sept. 20-21 on Kodiak on Nonrural Status Change The Federal Subsistence Board will hear public comments in Kodiak on September 20-21 on a proposed rule that would change the status of a portion of Kodiak from rural to nonrural for purposes of Federal subsistence management… See August 9 Press Release at http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1 58. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Federal Rural Subsistence Priority The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal of a ruling in a lawsuit that challenged the priority afforded rural residents to hunt and fish for subsistence on Federal public lands and waters… The U.S. District Court ruled that the rural priority does not violate the constitutional guarantee of equal protection because these regulations are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling governmental interest — the protection of the physical, economic, traditional, and cultural existence of Alaska’s rural residents through the provision of a hunting and fishing priority. The court also found that Congress’s authority to regulate on federal lands clearly extends to the management of fish and wildlife. A link to the press release is expected to be posted at the USFWS Alaska Subsistence website online at http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1 Kodiak Daily Mirror
story:
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=18&path= 59. BOF 2006-2007 Proposal Books online http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fprop.php 60. BOF Agenda Change Request August 28
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/news/ 61. New DEC Seafood Regulations Online and 2007 Application Announcement The newly updated seafood regulations are now effective. You may download or print a copy directly from our website at the following address:
http://www.dec.state.ak.us/regulations/pdfs/18%20AAC Effective for the 2007 Permit Year, the Department of Environmental Conservation will no longer be participating with Departments of Revenue and Fish and Game tri-agency seafood permitting application. To apply for a DEC permit (AK #), you will need to fill out a DEC application (available November 2006) and remit payment to DEC for that permit. If you have any questions, you may contact DEC Seafood Processing program at 907-269-7501. 62. 2006 U.S. Fishery Product Exports Exceed $1.8 Billion for First Half Of The Year U.S. fishery product exports through the first half of 2006 were valued at $1.8 billion, an increase of 8.2 percent or $140 million compared with exports through June in 2005. Exports increased to all of the top five markets… Fishery products that contributed the most to the overall increase in the first half of 2006 exports include cod (up $27.9 million), mackerel (up $24.1 million), crab (up $19.2 million), whiting and hake (up $17.6 million), sole (up $15.1 million), scallops (up $14.8 million), and squid (up $14.2 million)… See report from August at FAS Fishery Market News at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/ffpd/Fish-Circular/Market_News/market.html 63. Fishlines, the in-house newsletter of the Alaska Sea Grant College Program July/August issue is online at: http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/fishlines/2006/jul-aug06.html 64. Help Wanted - Cordova: Executive Director, Copper River/Prince William Sound Marketing Association Under the direction and guidance of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for directing the overall operations of the CR/PWS Marketing Association to achieve all organizational goals and objectives. For a complete job description, please call (907) 424-3459, drop by the office, email crmarketing@ctcak.net , or write to: PO Box 199, Cordova, AK 99574 65. AMSEA Drill Instructor Classes Planned Drill Instructor Classes for General Fisherman: Late August/early September – Anchorage, Seward or Homer – 10 hour September 30- October 1 - Cordova 18 hour October 7 – Sitka 10 hour October sometime – Juneau – 10 hour Early February (before Tanner opening) Petersburg 10 hour, one for community and one for hs students - both 10 our April - Valdez to coincide with Oil Spill response training - 18 hour April - Cordova – 18 hour June 25 - Sitka For information see http://www.amsea.org/ 66. 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/ & Deadline Sept 1 for $2.5M in Volume-based salmon grants
http://www.alaskafisheriesboard.org/forms/2006 AFMB home page: http://www.alaskafisheriesboard.org 67. ASMI Salmon Price Tracking (access restricted – sign up to obtain password) Harvesters and processors participating in the Alaska seafood industry may access the ASMI Seafood Market Information Service "In Season Salmon Price Tracking Service" on the seafood industry portion of the ASMI website. Industry members who already have a user name and password may sign in here: http://www.alaskaseafood.org/industry/login/index.cfm Alaska seafood industry participants who do not already have a password may apply for one here. Harvesters use commercial fishing license numbers. Processors use the company name that appears on the State of Alaska "Intent to Operate" list. http://www.alaskaseafood.org/industry/login/register/index.cfm For further information please contact Laura Fleming, ASMI Communications Director, (907) 465-5563 or lfleming@alaskaseafood.org Salmon Market Information Service: http://www.alaskaseafood.org/industry/market/ 68. ADFG 2006 Inseason Alaska Salmon Summary – updated August 18
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/finfish/salmon/ ADF&G inseason Bluesheet (catches) – updated August 18 http://csfish.adfg.state.ak.us/BlueSheets/BLUEWebReport.php
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