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UFA Update October 24 , 2006 The UFA Board of Directors met in Anchorage October 10-12, and interviewed the three leading governor’s candidates, and legislative candidates from selected races. We have mailed our endorsements to UFA paid members – if you did not receive your mailing be sure to update your UFA dues at http://www.ufa-fish.org/paymt.htm No matter who you support, even if you vote in other states, make sure that candidates know that you are an Alaska fisherman! Contents 1. 'Fresh face' launched, carries Palin's career 2. Knowles promises big to set himself apart from Palin 3. Governor makes fishery council appointment 4. Crabbers leave docks after deadlocked price negotiations 5. White House Statement on Protection of Sustainable Fisheries 6. Stevens – Inouye Push United Nations to Fight Illegal Foreign Fishing 7. State of Alaska Seafood Economic Strategies Draft Report– cmments due Nov. 30. 8. Juneau Empire My turn: Fleet exodus not 'anecdotal' , by Mark Stopha 9. Two die, one missing, one injured in boat capsizing 10. Palin talks fish, pipeline in Kodiak 11. Northern Dynasty pays APOC fine 12. Industry wants country-of-origin labeling on processed fish 13. USDA posts final rule on WIC (Women Infants & Children) aid program 14. Study finds lice from fish farms kill tiny salmon 15. Nearly half of all fish eaten today farmed, not caught 16. Panel named to examine warming and its effects on climate and state 17. Researchers find rare manefish in Southeast Alaska 18. China Expo Events a chance to show, tell about Alaska seafood 19. Big changes in fisheries management urged for coastal-area survival 20. Offshore oil plan risky – Juneau Empire My Turn by Rick Steiner 21. DNR denies Holitna Basin Oil & Gas Exploration license 22. BLM Releases Ring of Fire Proposed RMP/Final EIS 23. State, federal limits are two very different fish KDM opinion by Len Carpenter 24. Kodiak City Council follows red herring on rockfish - KDM opinion by Al Geiser 24. Sharks of the Southeast 25. US federal judge declares boating illegal in all US navigable waters 26. Is Alaska a model of sustainable fisheries? 27. F/V Bay Islander: A History of Change and Increased Capacity 28. KidSafe Seafood Highlights the "Healthiest Fish in the Sea" for Children 29. AK Fisherman Eliason Honored by Conservationists for Helping Wild Salmon 30. Atlantic Monthly online - Salmon Time Part 2 31. FL: Gulf fishermen sue over device (VMS) 32. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week 33. NOAA posts final rule on BSAI non-pollock longline CP reduction program 34. Comment deadline November 13 on NOAA SW AK fisheries economic survey 35. Deadline Dec 4 for comments on Amendment 67 on GOA IFQ limitations 36. NPFMC Crab Plan team meets Nov 8, Seattle 37. NPFMC GOA & BSAI groundfish plan teams to meet Nov 13-17, Seattle 38. IPHC announcements recently posted 39. Federal Subsistence Board Deadline Oct. 27 for Comment on Rural/Nonrural 40. FSB deadline Nov 13 on RAC membership comments & suggestions 41. EVOS Draft 2006 Update to Injured Resources and Services Public Meetings 42. NPRB issues 2007 Request for Proposals ($3.9M) – deadline December 1 43. Alaska Fisheries Science Center recent News and Research Highlights 44. MMRC - Probing the Depths on a Single Breath 45. I, Predator - MMRC on human as top ocean predator 46. FAS Online: U.S. Fishery Exports Exceed $2.7 B During The First 2/3 of 2006 47. Alaska Journal of Commerce Coastal Journal online 48. ASMI Seafood Market Bulletin - Oct 2006 49. NPFMC October newsletter 50. BOF Agenda Change Requests for 2006 -2007 cycle 51. Joint Board of Fisheries and Game Call For Proposals – AC Regs & Non Subs. Areas 52. Vital Choices Newsletter Oct 23. 53. ASMI Salmon Price Tracking 54. ADFG 2006 Inseason Alaska Salmon Final Summary – updated September 15 1. 'Fresh face' launched, carries Palin's career Sarah Palin's campaign for governor sounds a lot like her campaign for mayor of Wasilla 10 years ago, when she made her first big move in Alaska politics. In 1996, Palin ran against an "old boy network" that she said controlled local government. She vowed to replace "stale leadership" and a "tax-and-spend" mentality with "fresh ideas and energy."… http://www.adn.com/front/story/8334947p-8231037c.html & Palin's campaign echoes 1996 run http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/8338775p-8234843c.html 2. Knowles promises big to set himself apart from Palin Tony Knowles has a plan or a promise for just about every issue facing Alaska. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate wants to reverse the pension changes made by the Legislature last year. He has a plan to install a municipal revenue aid program pegged on oil prices. He says he'll create an education trust fund and expand health coverage. Then there is the crown jewel: Signing a natural gas pipeline contract within the next year. A major reason the Democratic gubernatorial candidate's approach this election has been so policy heavy is to set his campaign apart from Republican Sarah Palin's… http://www.ktva.com/alaska/ci_4537320 For more campaign related items see #10 below. 3. Governor makes fishery council appointment Gov. Frank Murkowski nominated Petersburg fisherman Gerald Merrigan today to fill the North Pacific Fishery Management Council seat left vacant in August by Arne Fuglvog. Murkowski also announced Kodiak fisherman Duncan Fields and Juneau fisherman Joseph Childers, Jr., as alternate nominees. http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3865 UFA supported Merrigan, Childers and Fields for this seat. 4. Crabbers leave docks after deadlocked price negotiations The remainder of the fleet of king crab fisherman in Dutch Harbor reached settlements with processors and began fishing Thursday, after remaining in port for most of the season’s opening week. A handful of crab vessels left the docks Tuesday, but the majority of the fleet remained, awaiting better prices from processors than the offered $3.65 per pound. But the waiting fishermen accepted the same price of $3.65 on Thursday and set out to fish, Unalaska harbor officer Bobby Dinwiddie said… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3874 5. White House Statement on Protection of Sustainable Fisheries The President today directed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in consultation with Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, to further strengthen the efforts of the United States to protect sustainable fisheries and to safeguard their effective use by calling for an end to destructive fishing practices, such as unregulated bottom trawling on the high seas. The President emphasized that it remains United States policy to support protection and use of sustainable fisheries as a food source and to meet the needs of commercial and recreational fishing…
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/ 6. Stevens – Inouye Push United Nations to Fight Illegal Foreign Fishing Resolution Seeks End to Unregulated Foreign Fishing Practices Senate Commerce Committee Chairmen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) last week introduced a resolution (S.RES.610 ) calling on the United Nations to address and fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) foreign fishing fleets during its upcoming meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Stevens and Inouye were joined by twenty of their Senate colleagues to fight this destructive practice, and earlier this year piloted reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act through the Senate by unanimous consent. The Magnuson-Stevens Act legislation encourages healthy, sustainable fishing policies in the United States…
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuse &&& US House passes bill to help lead the international fight against ‘pirate’ fishing
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/Press/releases/ 7. State of Alaska Seafood Economic Strategies Draft Report– cmments due Nov. 30. For complete report (4mb., or Executive Summary and selected excerpts see left sidebar at http://www.mcdowellgroup.net 8. Juneau Empire My turn: Fleet exodus not 'anecdotal' , by Mark Stopha Harbor board should be elected, with staff accountable to the city manager, Assembly…
http://juneauempire.com/stories/092606/opi_200609 & City eyes moorage cost hike Harbors board proposes replacing annual moorage fee with monthly fees
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/092206/loc_200609 UFA salutes Juneau Assembly candidate and fisherman / processor Mark Stopha for elevating the awareness of harbor issues in his campaign. 9. Two die, one missing, one injured in boat capsizing Two men died and a third was missing after a commercial fishing boat capsized south of the Alaska Peninsula… The 49-foot, 50-ton Ocean Challenger, whose home port is Adak in the Aleutian Islands, disappeared about 60 miles south of Sand Point, a community on Popof Island off the tip of the Alaska Peninsula…
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_AK_Capsized & Sole survivor of capsizing released from hospital
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/8324208p- 10. Palin talks fish, pipeline in Kodiak Gubernatorial candidate Sarah Palin breezed through Kodiak on the campaign trail Monday, touching on issues ranging from a gas pipeline contract to fish rationalization and ethics in government… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3715 & Candidates oppose a gas reserves tax Three gubernatorial hopefuls would vote down ballot measure Candidates on Pebble Mine: …Palin, whose family commercial-fishes in Bristol Bay, said she wouldn't support a project that risked harming the fishery, although she didn't say whether she'd support or oppose the Pebble prospect, which is still in early planning. Knowles said he opposes developing Pebble. "It threatens the world's most productive run of wild salmon," he said. Halcro said that the idea of a massive open-pit mine in an environmentally sensitive area also concerns him but that it's really too soon for the project to be much of a campaign issue…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/100206/sta_2006 11. Northern Dynasty pays APOC fine Mining company didn’t report lobbying expenses Northern Dynasty Mines paid a fine this week for failing to properly report to the Alaska Public Offices Commission expenses related to its lobbying. The Vancouver, British Columbia, mining company was charged $1,480, or $10 a day, for not reporting on time the cost of a trip its chief operating officer, Bruce Jenkins, and other staff took in mid-February to Juneau to lobby the Alaska Legislature… http://www.homernews.com/stories/092706/news_11a001.shtml 12. Industry wants country-of-origin labeling on processed fish Crabbers and others in the fishing industry would like to see at least one change in country-of-origin labeling (COOL). President Bush signed the law, known as the 2002 Farm Bill, on May 13, 2002. One of its initiatives requires beef, lamb, pork, fish, perishable agricultural commodities and peanuts to bear a label showing its country of origin. However, it does not require the labeling of processed fish, which includes canned fish and crab… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3724 13. USDA posts final rule on WIC (Women Infants & Children) aid program WIC home page: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/ Final rule is online at: (Pdf)
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/regspublished/ (text) Federal Register Notice
9/27/06:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 &&& Comment deadline November 7 on WIC program food package revisions
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 UFA will continue to support increased inclusion of salmon products in USDA and other government aid programs for the health benefits of program recipients – you should too!. 14. Study finds lice from fish farms kill tiny salmon A team of Canadian scientists has found the most direct evidence yet that baby salmon pick up fatal infections of sea lice while swimming past salmon farms in British Columbia's Broughton Archipelago, and that the more salmon farms the more baby salmon die…
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003 &&& It's time for action on fish farms - Victoria Times There is a "war of words" between those who support and are employed by fish farms and those who oppose them. The chief defence of the fish farms is to discredit anyone and anything negative that is said about them. To push aside studies done by those who do not come to favourable conclusions, simply labelling them "environmentalists" is not good enough…
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/ It has been reported by Greenwire that ‘The Bush administration has shelved a controversial proposal to promote offshore fish farming and plans to draft a new bill with more environmental safeguards next year, a senior administration official said yesterday. Bill Hogarth, director of the National Marine Fisheries Service, said the current bill, S. 1195, "won't go anywhere."…’ The only online source I was able to find for this story was at Laine Welch’s Fish Radio- see #32 below. 15. Nearly half of all fish eaten today farmed, not caught Aquaculture only way to meet surging demand, but challenges to future growth loom Nearly half the fish consumed as food worldwide are raised on fish farms rather than caught in the wild, says a new report from FAO. "The State of World Aquaculture 2006" was presented today to delegates from more than 50 countries attending the biennial meeting of the FAO Sub-Committee on Aquaculture… News story:
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000383 Full Report: FAO report:
State of World Aquaculture 2006
ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/t500_advanced/ 16. Panel named to examine warming and its effects on climate and state AFDF’s Pawlawski, PSPA’s Madsen named A panel of government, community and industry leaders has been named to study the effects of global warming on the state. The Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission was created by the Legislature earlier this year to report on the real and potential effects of warming trends on communities, natural resources and the economy of the state. The 11-member panel will be made up of four lawmakers and seven public members. Lawmakers on the panel include Reps. Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue, and Ralph Samuels, R-Anchorage; and Sens. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Donny Olson, D-Nome. The public members will be Bob Pawlowski, executive director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation Inc.; Lance Miller of the Juneau Economic Development Council; Stephanie Madsen, chairwoman of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Dennis Nottingham of the engineering firm Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage; Caleb Pungowiyi, a Yup'ik Eskimo from St. Lawrence Island; Michael Hurley of Conoco Phillips; and John Shively of Holland America Line Inc. and the Resource Development Council. http://www.adn.com/news/environment/story/8274283p-8170804c.html 17. Researchers find rare manefish in Southeast Alaska In April of 2003, NOAA Fisheries scientists conducting research with a mid-water trawl in Alaska found something unexpected inside their net: a juvenile bigmouth manefish, Caristius macropus. After reviewing preserved specimens and the scientific literature of manefish from Alaska, Alaska Fisheries Science Center researchers believe the new find expands the biological knowledge of the rare fishes. More importantly, the find indicates a new habitat for the species and describes a wider distribution than previously known… http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/manefish102406.htm 18. China Expo Events a chance to show, tell about Alaska seafood Alaska seafood marketing experts are gearing up for China's Fisheries and Seafood Expo in November, a proven sales hot spot. Representatives from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute say they have seen interest in black cod and salmon, in particular, at the Conxemar Trade Show, held this year Oct. 3-5 in Vigo, Spain. At the China expo, set for Nov. 1-3 in Qingdao, the emphasis will be on smoked sockeye, king crab legs and ikura, the Japanese-style salmon roe, said KC Dochtermann, ASMI's international program director…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/ 19. Big changes in fisheries management urged for coastal-area survival A prominent commercial fisheries spokeswoman says that affordable entry into fisheries, prevention of absentee ownership and a slowed pace of harvest are key to the survival of Alaska's coastal villages. "Management systems that lead to compressed seasons and demand high capital costs to enter or remain competitive will drain access opportunities from coastal communities," Linda Behnken, of the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association in Sitka, told participants in a fisheries conference in Anchorage Sept. 22…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/100806/hom_ 20. Offshore oil plan risky – Juneau Empire My Turn by Rick Steiner (Comment by Nov 22) Somehow, one of the biggest issues facing Alaska today has all but escaped public attention - the federal plan to open vast areas of Alaska's outer continental shelf to oil and gas leasing… Alaskans should get informed and engaged in this process, and soon. You have until Nov. 22 to comment,
http://juneauempire.com/stories/100506/opi_2006 Minerals Management Service OCS 5 year plan home page: 21. DNR denies Holitna Basin Oil & Gas Exploration license “…On the basis of the facts and issues presented at this time, the foregoing findings, applicable laws and regulations, and the documents reviewed during preparation of this final finding, I conclude that the potential benefits of the Holitna Basin exploration license, as conditioned, do not outweigh the possible adverse impacts, and that the exploration license will not serve the best interests of the state of Alaska…’
http://www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us/oil/products/publications 22. BLM Releases Ring of Fire Proposed RMP/Final EIS The Bureau of Land Management released the Ring of Fire Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement on August 25, 2006. This document will provide management guidance for 1.3 million acres of BLM-administered public land in southeast and southcentral Alaska, Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Islands. The Ring of Fire Proposed RMP/Final EIS proposes one Area of Critical Environmental Concern in the Neacola Mountains of Western Cook Inlet and two Special Recreation Management Areas, located in the Haines Block of southeast Alaska and the Knik River area of southcentral Alaska. The plan also recommends the revocation of all Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) (d)(1) withdrawals, and requires that any mineral exploration and development be guided by Required Operating Procedures and Stipulations. http://www.blm.gov/ak/ado/RofRMP01.html Those of us with concerns about Pebble mine need to take a look at this forest, and not just focus on one tree. 23. State, federal limits are two very different fish KDM opinion by Len Carpenter It seems to me the only red herring floating around is the guest opinion by Al Geiser in the Mirror’s Oct. 6 edition. While it is true that the State of Alaska was the first to limit entry into fisheries, it can hardly be compared to the current federal rationalization plans, as each represent a completely different set of ideals… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3857 24. Kodiak City Council follows red herring on rockfish - KDM opinion by Al Geiser Last week’s decision by the Kodiak City Council to not support the extension of the Rockfish Pilot Program (RPP) is inconsistent with keeping more fish crossing the docks in Kodiak. My trawler is permanently based in Kodiak and employs four Kodiak fishermen, supports many vendors; fuel, electronics, hardware, hydraulics, welders, Wal-Mart, Safeway, fish plant workers and longshoremen as fish leaves the island in vans… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=3785 24. Sharks of the Southeast The sharp-toothed predators of the southeast coast span gamut of shark biology; from cold-water lurker to turbo-charged hunter…
http://juneauempire.com/stories/102206/out_2006 25. US federal judge declares boating illegal in all US navigable waters In a rather bizarre ruling that has marine industry officials worried, Judge Robert G. James of the United States District Court, Western Division of Louisiana, has said that it is criminal trespass for the American boating public to boat, fish, or hunt on the Mississippi River and other navigable waters in the US…
http://www.ybw.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20060814154 26. Is Alaska a model of sustainable fisheries? Following Grist's Q&A with David Benton of the Marine Conservation Alliance, George Pletnikoff -- a former fisherman who now works with Greenpeace -- wrote to respond to some of Benton's points, arguing that the Alaskan fisheries are not quite the model of sustainability. http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/10/3/175930/000 Earlier article – Dave
Benton Q&A::
http://www.grist.org/comments/interactivist/2006/08/28/ 27. F/V Bay Islander: A History of Change and Increased Capacity This paper describes the evolution of a medium-sized dry hold fishing vessel into a larger refrigerated salt water (RSW) tanked hold fishing vessel over a period of several years. The changes were driven by economics and shaped by regulations. The economic conditions and regulatory aspects are discussed and the technical changes described…
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/702017/fv_bay 28. KidSafe Seafood Highlights the "Healthiest Fish in the Sea" for Children New Initiative Helps Parents Navigate Dinnertime Choices… …The top ranking KidSafe Seafood choices are: Wild Alaskan salmon (pink, coho and chum) Tilapia (preferably from the United States or Central America) Shrimp (preferably U.S. farmed, Oregon pink, & northern "salad" shrimp) Farmed bay scallops Farmed blue mussels…
http://www.oceansalive.org/mediacenter.cfm?subnav= 29. AK Fisherman Eliason Honored by Conservationists for Helping Wild Salmon Alaska commercial fisherman and longtime Alaska State Senator Richard I. Eliason was honored in a precedent-setting nomination to the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame. Eliason was honored for his exceptional contributions to the health of wild Pacific salmon runs; as the first Alaskan and the first commercial fisherman ever nominated, he put Alaska on the map of the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center…
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/about/pressreleases/ UFA supported Dick Eliason for the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame. 30. Atlantic Monthly online - Salmon Time Part 2 Our correspondent ventures to Alaska to learn when to eat wild salmon—and how to find it even when it’s not in season… http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200610/kummer-salmon 31. FL: Gulf fishermen sue over device (VMS) Commercial fishermen on Monday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new rule that forces them to spend thousands of dollars on equipment that law enforcement will use to monitor them. The Gulf Fishermen's Association filed the lawsuit in Tampa's U.S. District Court against the National Marine Fisheries Service on behalf of all Gulf reef permit holders…
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/business 32. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week Tuesday 10/24/06 - Offshore fish farm bill gets shelved; Pres. Bush backtracks on bottom trawling; Target opts for AK sockeye salmon Monday 10/23/06 - King crab market gets boost from advertising blitz Friday 10/20/06 - Benefits of seafood blitz national media, critics say it will cause overfishing Thursday 10/19/06 - Aleutia fishermen expand their salmon brand Wednesday 10/18/06 - Proposal 121 would create state's first fish refuge near Bristol Bay; BOF will decide in Dec. Online at 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/laine50001.htm 33. NOAA posts final rule on BSAI non-pollock longline CP reduction program NMFS issues a final rule implementing 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/7/257/2422/01jan2006 34. Comment deadline November 13 on NOAA SW AK fisheries economic survey Much of the data required for regional economic analysis associated with Southwest Alaska fisheries are either unavailable or unreliable. Accurate fishery-level data on employment, labor income, and expenditures in the Southwest Alaska fishery and related industries are not currently available but are needed to estimate the effects of fisheries on the economy of Southwest Alaska… The survey (mailed) will be used to request data on employment and labor income from 2,200 vessel owners whose boats delivered fish to Southwest Alaska processors. In-person interviews and telephone calls (120) with businesses involved in the fishery and related industries will be used to obtain (a) Vessel expenditure/cost data; (b) regional economic data for non-fishery industries; and (c) regional economic data for fish processing sector… Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 35. Deadline Dec 4 for comments on Amendment 67 on GOA IFQ limitations The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 67 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). If approved, Amendment 67 would amend the limitations on use of quota share (QS) and individual fishing quota (IFQ) in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Under current regulations, IFQ derived from category B QS must be used on vessels greater than 60 ft (18.29 m) length overall (LOA) in Area 2C and the Southeast Outside District, unless the QS is a block of less than or equal to 5,000 lb (2.27 mt), based on 1996 total allowable catches (TACs). This action would allow all category B QS to be fished on a vessel of any length in all areas, including Area 2C, and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the FMP, and other applicable laws… Comments on the amendment must be received on or before December 4, 2006. Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 36. NPFMC Crab Plan team meets Nov 8, Seattle …The committee will review and comment on the draft analysis to revise Overfishing Definitions for Bering Sea Aleutian Island crab…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 37. NPFMC GOA & BSAI groundfish plan teams to meet Nov 13-17, Seattle The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (NPFMC) Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BS/AI) groundfish plan teams will meet in Seattle, WA. Agenda: Principal business is to prepare and review the Economic Report, the Ecosystem Considerations Chapter, groundfish stock assessments, and recommend final groundfish catch specifications for 2007/08. Agenda is listed on our website at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/cmteemtg.htm Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800 38. IPHC announcements recently posted: Winter Charter Announcement (October 16, 2006) – deadline Nov 10.
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2006/ 2006 Halibut Landing Report No. 9 (October 16, 2006)
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2006/ 2006 Interim Meeting and 2007 Annual Meeting announcements (October 12, 2006) Interim Meeting November 30 – December 1, Seattle IPHC 2007 Annual Meeting January 16 – 19, Victoria BC
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2006/ 2006 Halibut Landing Report No. 8 (September 19, 2006)
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2006/ 39. Federal Subsistence Board Deadline Oct. 27 for Comment on Rural/Nonrural changes. Federal Subsistence Board Press release, see notice of Oct 20 At http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1 UFA Subsistence
Management Information item:
http://www.subsistmgtinfo.org/news.htm#Kodiak%20 For detailed information see Rural Determinations Decennial Review online at FSB Issues in depth page http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/current.cfm 40. FSB deadline Nov 13 on RAC membership comments & suggestions The Board is seeking written comments and suggestions at this time to consider alternatives that would provide balanced membership on the regional advisory councils. Written comments and suggestions will be accepted through Nov. 13, 2006.. See http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1 – October 17 item. Alaska Subsistence home page: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfm 41. EVOS Draft 2006 Update to Injured Resources and Services Public Meetings The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council wants your comments on its Draft 2006 Update to Injured Resources and Services list. Public comment will be accepted at the following locations: Cordova Public Library, Monday, October 30, 2006, noon to 1:00 P.M. Kodiak Fisheries Research Center, Tuesday, October 31, 2006, noon to 1:00 P.M. Anchorage, EVOS Office, Thursday, November 2, 2006, 8:45 A.M. Chenega Community Center, Monday, November 6, 2006, 1:00 P.M. Tatitlek, TBA You may also submit your comments by November 13, by fax to 907.276.7178, email to restoration@evostc.state.ak.us or mail to EVOS TC, 441 W 5th Ave, Ste 500, Anchorage, AK 99501. For more information call: 907.278.8012 or 800.478.7745. ADF&G Public notice:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156 &&&& Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee Meeting Nov 2, Anchorage …For more information call: (907) 278-8012 or (800) 478-7745 or on the web at www.evostc.state.ak.us. Public notice:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156 EVOS Trustee Council’s FY 07 DRAFT Work Plan
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156 42. NPRB issues 2007 Request for Proposals ($3.9M) – deadline December 1 Funding for the 2007 RFP comes from Environmental Improvement and Restoration Funds and other funds available to NPRB for research projects starting in 2007. The regular 2007 RFP is similar in form and content to past NPRB requests for proposals, with research priorities structured around the 2005 Science Plan. It calls for full proposals due 1 December 2006. Funds available for the regular 2007 RFP total $3.895 million… http://www.nprb.org/research/2007_RFP.htm 43. Alaska Fisheries Science Center recent News and Research Highlights -Crab Distribution and Temperature Charts -2006 Steller Sea Lion Survey Summary -Ichthyoplankton Information System -Loss of Sea Ice -IWC Humpback Whale Workshop online at http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/ & Auke Bay Lab Quarterly Research Reports - http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Quarterly/amj2006/tocABL.htm Groundfish Assessment Program Rockfish Modeling Workshop at Auke Bay Laboratory Morphology of Bigmouth Manefish From the Eastern North Pacific Ocean Steller Sea Lion Response to Prespawning Eulachon in Southeastern Alaska Juvenile Rockfish Habitat Utilization 44. MMRC - Probing the Depths on a Single Breath How much energy does a diving sea lion use? What’s in a breath of air? For Steller sea lions, whose bodies are finely tuned for diving, a single breath is all it takes to dive as deep as 100m in search of food. Recently scientists studied a trio of trained Steller sea lions – diving in the open water – to find out how the depth and distance of a dive affected how much energy they require… http://www.marinemammal.org/2006/breath.php 45. I, Predator - MMRC on human as top ocean predator In the last half of the 20th century, a new top predator has emerged in the world’s oceans: humans. While human fisheries handily out-consume and out-compete other marine life, it is difficult to estimate the extent to which human activities affect entire ecosystems. In a new study, Drs. Andrew Trites, Villy Christensen and Daniel Pauly examine the differences between fisheries and traditional top predators. http://www.marinemammal.org/2006/ecosystem_change.php Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/ 46. FAS Online: U.S. Fishery Exports Exceed $2.7 B During The First 2/3 of 2006 …Three products that declined in exports include: herring (down 29.9 million), surimi (down $35.2 million), and salmon (down $72.1 million)… http://www.fas.usda.gov/ffpd/Fish-Circular/Market_News/market.html 47. Alaska Journal of Commerce Coastal Journal online Articles include: Alaska wild salmon . . . serving up a successful return.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/102206/hom_ and more:
All online at: http://www.alaskajournal.com/coastal_journal/index.shtml 48. ASMI Seafood Market Bulletin - Oct 2006 Featuring the following articles: Alaska Salmon Harvest Alaska Salmon Price Report, May-August 2006 Preliminary Canned Salmon Production & Inventory Estimates Frozen Sockeye Market Shift Alaska Pollock: Fishery and Market Update Bering Sea King Crab Update Online at: http://www.mcdowell.juneaumedia.com/ 49. NPFMC October newsletter -Call for nominations for Advisory Panel and Science and Statistical committees -Vessel Incentive Program -Dutch Harbor / Unalaska -Chair and Vice chair elections – same as before -30th Anniversary celebration December 9th – deadline Nov 22 to register -Crab Cooperative Vessel Caps -Crab Management -Economic data Collection -PCod Allocation Split -BSAI Salmon Bycatch -Proposal Ranking Tool -FMP Consultation -Upcoming Meetings -CDQ program -Staff Tasking -Aleitian Islands Habitat Conservation Area -Bering Sea Habitat Conservation -Alaska Marine Ecosystem Forum -Ecosystem Plan for Aleutian Islands -Revising the Groundfish Workplan -BSAI & GOA Trawl LLP Recency -Groundfish Management -Vessel Monitoring System All online at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/newsletters/NEWS1006.pdf Not included in NPFMC newsletter: We have seen some pretty noteworthy preliminary statistics on this seasons charter catch, with area 2C running over 40% above their GHL. Market value of Area 2C Quota that has “transferred” from commercial TAC to charter recreational fishery 680,000 pounds @ $20 / pound = $13,600,000 Ex-vessel value of area 2C IFQ that has “transferred” from commercial TAC to charter: 2004 – 2006 - 1,519,000 pounds @ $3.50/pound = $6,316,500 Benefit to Alaska residents from unbridled proliferation of SE charter sport fishery targeting nonresident customers…Priceless. 50. BOF Agenda Change Requests for 2006 -2007 cycle Full Text: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/facr.php Proposal book: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fprop.php 51. Joint Board of Fisheries and Game Call For Proposals – AC Regs & Non Subsistence Areas …calls for proposed changes to I. Advisory Committee Regulations, and II. Nonsubsistence Area Regulations. Proposal Deadline – 5:00 p.m., Friday, December 8, 2006
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c1 52. Vital Choices Newsletter Oct 23. http://newsletter.vitalchoice.com/ 53. ASMI Salmon Price Tracking (access restricted – sign up to obtain password) 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 54. ADFG 2006 Inseason Alaska Salmon Final Summary – updated September 15
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/finfish/salmon/ & ADF&G inseason Bluesheet (catches) – updated September 15 http://csfish.adfg.state.ak.us/BlueSheets/BLUEWebReport.php |