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UFA Update November 10, 2007 ACTION ALERT - AK Oiled Fishermen need help from California Fishermen –see item # 3 below UFA thanks the City of Wrangell, Wrangell Chamber of Commerce, Nolan Center Staff, Wrangell Seafoods, and especially Julie Decker for helping UFA put on an enjoyable and productive meeting. See us at booth 547 at Pacific Marine Expo, November 15-17 at the Quest Center in Seattle. Members: stop by and discuss the list of actions from our recent Board meeting. ASMI / UFA Expo Seminar: Interdependence of Access and Sustainability in Alaska Commercial Fisheries… 11/16/2007, 1:30PM - 2:30PM, Room: C1 Expo Home page: http://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/07/public/enter.aspx Pay your UFA dues at the show for a free UFA suede bill hat. & Photos wanted of high seas drift net marked fish: At our board meeting we also had a report from Dr. Roland Maw, Alaska’s delegate to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission on stepped up high seas enforcement. If you have photos of net marked fish that you suspect were caused by high seas drift nets, please contact the UFA office at (907) 586-2820 or ufa1@ufa-fish.org CONTENTS 1. Juneau F&G AC Committee hears lengthy testimony about ESA herring petition 2. Limits on air freight crimp fresh fish sales 3. Governor Sarah Palin Directs AG to File Amicus Brief in Exxon Valdez case 4. Initiative in progress: Voters may get say in Habitat agency's relocation 5. Initiative #2: State to appeal clean water initiative decision to Supreme Court 6. Palin ranks among nation's most popular governors 7. Governor Palin Names North Pacific Fishery Management Council Nominees 8. Candidate LeDoux stakes out stands on Pebble Mine, national issues 9. DNR Commissioner Irwin has Tough talk for Pebble factions (both sides) 10. ADF&G Releases Summary of the 2007 Salmon Season 11. Alaska Salmon Fishery Re-Certified as Sustainable by MSC 12. U.S. food aid now includes canned salmon from Alaska 13. Sockeyes raise value of permits 14. BSAI Pollock fishery salmon bycatch a major problem 15. Three Sitka brothers indicted for subsistence violations (10/18). 16. Small boats seen as a terror threat 17. NOAA's 10-Year Plan for Marine Aquaculture Available Online 18. WWF: Proposed aquaculture standards not acceptable 19. Canadian Government's aquaculture policy criticized 20. NOAA Fisheries Service Says New Technologies to Assess Stocks and Aquaculture Among Its Top Research Priorities 21. Senator Murkowski talks fish, fish farms, and fishermen’s concerns in Petersburg 22. Sens. Murkowski and Stevens vote to override veto of Water Resources Act 23. House Passes Historic Reform of Hardrock Mining Law 24. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week 25. USCG annual Southeast Alaska blanket, coat and toy drive - through Dec 3 (Juneau) 26. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds Calls for Proposals – West of Cape Suckling 27. BOF Meeting dates posted: 28. BOF limits comments to 100 pages, 10 pages if within two weeks 29. IPHC 2007 Halibut Landing Report No. 11 30. NMFS Halibut & Sablefish paperwork reduction comment deadline January 7, 2008 31. NMFS final rule clarifies state water EFH and Vessel Monitoring Systems… 32. NOAA 2007 Status of U.S. Fisheries - Third Quarter Update 33. Comment by December 28 on North Pacific Right Whale ESA Endangered listing 34. USFWS draft guidance on ESA beneficial offset –comment by Dec 3, 2007 35. MMRC - Appetite for Destruction? -New Research Puts Killer Whales in Context 36. MMS final PEIS on Outer Continental Shelf alternative energy 37. NPFMC GOA & BSAI groundfish plan teams Meet Nov 13-16, Seattle 38. NMFS Observer Health and Safety provisions effective December 3, 2007 39. CommFish Vessel Safety Advisory Committee meets Nov 13-14, Seattle 40. Salmon bycatch regs amended to exempt ICA Pollock and non-pollock trawl in chum savings area… 41. NOAA posts technical corrections to BSAI Pcod Amendment 85 final rule 42. NOAA posts Correction to BSAI AFA Sideboards 43. Council on Environmental Quality posts Handbook for NEPA Practitioners 44. NOAA's 10-Year Plan for Marine Aquaculture Available Online (10/30). 45. MAFAC Seeks Public Comments on Vision 20-20 – deadline Nov 24 46. NPRB 2008 Request for Proposals - online proposal submission, deadline Nov 30 47. Alaska Marine Science 2008 Symposium, January 20-23, 2008, Anchorage 48. NMFS posts Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research (2007) 49. APOC announces Ethics Training courses, Anchorage, Juneau and online 50. Office of Subsistence Management seeks RAC Nominations –apply by Jan. 11 51. Alaska Fisheries Science Center reports: on Stellers, Bering Sea Crab, Ice 52. Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit December 10-12, Anchorage 53. Alaska Seafood Processing Leadership Institute 2008 calendar & seminars 54. Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit II - Anchorage, December 10–12, 2007 55. Fishermen’s Fund Appeals Board seeks fishermen willing to serve 56. ASMI Seafood Market Bulletin Oct 2007 57. Department of Revenue Alaska Salmon Price Report: 58. ADF&G Recently posted fisheries reports 2007: 59. 2007 Preliminary Alaska Salmon Catches — Final Edition Blue Sheet 1. Juneau F&G AC Committee hears lengthy testimony about ESA herring petition Support for protection strong, but concerns persist about burdens of endangered status Many people want to protect and restore Lynn Canal herring numbers, but there's some concern about the burdens of listing the fish as endangered, a public hearing indicated Wednesday night…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/110807/loc_ KTOO Audio: http://www.ktoo.org/audiofile.cfm?clip=2680 ADF&G Report: Berners Bay Herring Research for 2005 and 2006 http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region1/pdfs/herring/rir_1j07-01.pdf What’s missing here? Unfortunately the report only shows results from looking at a very small area of that targeted in the Sierra club listing petition… Note that graphs from this research are overlayed on maps of the much larger area in the Sierra Club petition, making it look as if that is the only remaining area where herring spawn anymore in Northern SE inside waters…how will those who make this decision have any further data on the greater spawning activity throughout the affected area? UFA appreciates the efforts of the AC, their questioning the Distinct Population Segment, and call for more research. We also appreciate Rep. Bill Thomas who testified and invited research funding proposals to the House Fish and Game Budget Subcommittee... Lynn Canal ESA listing home page…
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/ 2. Limits on air freight crimp fresh fish sales Increase in exports could bring millions to regional economy… A small portion of the fish caught in Southeast Alaska could be worth a lot more, if it could just get on a plane. About 15 percent of the fish caught in Southeast could fetch 40 percent of the catch's $400 million total wholesale value by being shipped fresh, according to new research. But because of logistical limitations, not all that fish makes it out of Alaska on a plane and brings in as much money as it could…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/110907/loc_ See sidebar… Fresh market premium: $1 to $2 per pound over frozen fish. So, each tourist’s 50 lb box that could be replaced by a comfish box would bring $50 to $100 in additional wholesale revenue, provide increased local and state taxes, and much more when you consider economic multipliers through the communities - looks like good information for the sportfish economic study! &&& AP Story: More air
freight could bring millions into Southeast economy
http://ap.alaskajournal.com/stories/state/ak/ 3. Governor Sarah Palin Directs Attorney General to File Amicus Brief in Exxon Valdez case Governor Sarah Palin confirmed her direction last week to Attorney General Talis Colberg to begin work on the state’s response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear the Exxon case. Last Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear Exxon Mobil’s appeal of the $2.5 billion damages award from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Governor Palin conferred with Colberg about filing an amicus brief and a decision was made to go forward. In its amicus brief, the state will offer its unique perspective on the harm to Alaskans caused by the spill and the legal issues on which the Supreme Court granted certiorari. The deadline for filing the brief is Jan. 22, 2008… http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=723 ADN: Exxon appeal granted; high court to hear case Supreme Court will decide if punitive damages warranted… Nearly two decades after one of the nation's most horrific environmental crimes, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether the multibillion-dollar punishment meted out to Exxon in 1994 was excessive. The Supreme Court announced Monday it will look at the fundamental legal issues in the case, including whether the oil giant can be punished for the behavior of its ship captain when the Exxon Valdez hit a reef in Prince William Sound in 1989 and spilled nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil… http://www.adn.com/front/story/9416718p-9329408c.html Governor Palin reacts to Supreme Court Announcement Governor Sarah Palin today expressed disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to rule on the legality of Exxon Mobil’s appeal of the $2.5 billion damages award from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound. It was like a kick in Alaskans’ collective gut, said Governor Palin upon hearing of the decision… http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=699 Alaska Journal of Commerce: Palin riled over Supreme Court's Exxon spill review
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/110407/hom_ & Supreme Court 'Exxon Valdez' decision prompts criticism of oil industry
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/103007/hom_ & KTOO Radio (Juneau) CourtWatch – analysis by local attorney John Gaguine This week's segment includes a look at some of the legal issues before the U.S. Supreme Court as they prepare to consider punitive damages in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case. http://www.ktoo.org/audiofile.cfm?clip=2661 ACTION ALERT - Oiled Fishermen need help from California Fishermen UFA supports the Oiled Fishermen’s efforts to rally non resident fishermen to support the adoption of S.552, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Tax relief Act for income averaging and partial tax deferred retirement contributions for settlement. So far Alaska Washington, and Oregon have signed on… Californians should call or fax Senators Boxer and Feinstein who should have an timely elevated appreciation of this – if they haven’t heard from you they need to. Senator Barbara Boxer - Phone (202) 224-3553, Fax (202) 228-3972 Senator Dianne Feinstein- Phone (202) 224-3841, Fax (202) 228-3954 Oil Spill Spreads in San Francisco Bay
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/10/us/10spill.html?em&ex= 4. Initiative in progress: Voters may get say in Habitat agency's relocation Petition challenges Murkowski's move of Habitat Division Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell on
Wednesday certified an initiative petition to undo a controversial change to
one of the state's environmental oversight agencies made by former Gov.
Frank Murkowski…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/110807/sta_ & KTUU: Citizens want habitat division moved http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7329066 5. Initiative in progress 2: State to appeal clean water initiative decision to Supreme Court The state of Alaska will appeal to the state Supreme Court an Oct. 12 state Superior Court decision that cleared the way for a citizen ballot initiative establishing a state law that would affect large mine activity across the state, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell told the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Oct. 29…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/110407/nat_ & Previous item: Superior Court orders state to expedite printing of clean water ballot initiative Alaska Superior Court Judge Fred Torrisi has ordered state officials to expedite printing of petition booklets for an Alaska Clean Water ballot initiative…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/101807/hom_ 6. Palin ranks among nation's most popular governors …Whatever the reason, Gov. Sarah Palin is popular. So popular, in fact, she ranks among the most popular, if not the most popular, governor in the country, with approval ratings of 83 percent…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/110407/hom_ 7. Governor Palin Names North Pacific Fishery Management Council Nominees November 9, 2007, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today forwarded her nominations of Robert “Ed” Dersham, Mike Heimbuch and Roland Maw to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce as her candidates to fill the remainder of the term of resigning North Pacific Fishery Management Council member Ed Rasmuson… http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=727 8. Candidate LeDoux stakes out stands on Pebble Mine, national issues Congressional candidate Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux is showing a side of her political wherewithal in her fight over the Pebble Mine proposal, a project that lies within her legislative district, while at the same time keeping an eye on national issues such as the war in Iraq and foreign policy. ..LeDoux, so far, is the only Republican who has filed to run against U.S. Rep. Don Young… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=5340 –To just take a quote or two here would not convey the depth and balance included in Representative LeDoux’s complete comments... 9. DNR Commissioner Irwin has Tough talk for Pebble factions (both sides) MINING: Natural resources chief says hype is hurting the state. The state's natural resources chief dished out harsh words Monday for the developers of the Pebble copper and gold prospect and its opponents…
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/9400178p- 10. ADF&G Releases Summary of the 2007 Salmon Season This year’s harvest was the 4th largest since Statehood The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Commercial Fisheries today posted its preliminary end-of-season estimates of commercial harvest and value for the 2007 salmon season. All estimates of salmon prices at this time are preliminary and usually underestimate the final value of the commercial salmon harvest. This season, commercial fishermen harvested 212 million salmon, which had an estimated total value of $374 million. The harvest was the 4th largest since statehood, about 33 million fish above the preseason forecast, and above the most recent 10-year average of 164 million fish. The preliminary 2007 statewide total exvessel value of the 2007 salmon harvest was nearly $28 million higher than the final exvessel value in 2006, and significantly higher than the most recent 10-year average of $277 million… http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/news/2007/11-7-07_nr.php 11. Alaska Salmon Fishery Re-Certified as Sustainable by MSC Decision means Alaska Wild Salmon will continue to carry “ecolabel” (Juneau) – Alaska’s commercial salmon fishery has been recertified as sustainable under Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards for sustainably-managed fisheries, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced today. This renews the certification Alaska salmon was initially granted in 2000, when it was the first U.S. fishery to get this significant designation… http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/news/2007/11-5-07_nr.php APRN Audio:
http://aprn.org/2007/11/06/alaska-salmon-fishery-recertified 12. U.S. food aid now includes canned salmon from Alaska PINKS: Two groups put the fish in their federal requests. Wild Alaska pink salmon, purchased through federal food aid programs, now feeds hungry people in Cambodia and Guatemala, and pilot programs are in the works to provide salmon to those who have contracted AIDS. Kodiak fisherman Bruce Schactler, the food aid coordinator for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture purchased 300 tons of pink salmon in 1-pound cans earlier this fall, and there should be another 300-ton purchase of canned pinks soon… http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/9432039p-9344234c.html 13. Sockeyes raise value of permits Alaska salmon permit values are ticking upwards, along with the price of fish. The trend is especially notable at Bristol Bay, home to the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery. The bay accounts for one-third of Alaska's total salmon earnings and holds the most salmon permits at more than 2,800 fishermen…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/ 14. BSAI Pollock fishery salmon bycatch a major problem The Bering Sea pollock fishery is one of the world's largest commercial seafood harvests, and times are good overall. But the fleet is facing a dangerous problem -- salmon bycatch, or the unintended netting of chinook and chum salmon that swim with the pollock… http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/9424156p-9336428c.html 15. Three Sitka brothers indicted for subsistence violations (10/18). Three brothers from Sitka have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violating subsistence fishing laws and for wildlife trafficking.The seven-count indictment names Jesse Rivera, Mario Rivera and Artemio Rivera. The brothers were holders of Subsistence Halibut Registration Certifications issued for the Sitka Sound subsistence halibut fishery in 2003.The indictment charges that from June 2001 through October 2003, the three conspired to commercially catch and ship over 10,000 pounds of subsistence-caught halibut to Seattle, in violation of state and federal laws. The government also is seeking the forfeiture of a 20-foot Boston Whaler, including its engines, gear and tackle used by the brothers.If convicted, they face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7234814 16. Small boats seen as a terror threat The nation's 17 million small boats are facing increased scrutiny from the Homeland Security Department, which fears they could be used in a nuclear attack or a lethal explosion at a U.S. port… http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-30-boatterror_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip&POE=click-refer 17. NOAA's 10-Year Plan for Marine Aquaculture Available Online The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) finalized and adopted the 10-Year Plan for Marine Aquaculture on October 30, 2007. The plan is intended to guide the agency as it works toward establishing marine aquaculture as an integral part of the U.S. seafood industry and as a viable technology for replenishing important commercial and recreational fisheries. The plan provides specific goals for the NOAA Aquaculture Program and an assessment of the challenges the agency will face in its effort to reach its goals. To download an electronic copy of the plan, go to: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov . To obtain a hard copy of the plan, send your mailing address in an e-mail to NOAA.Aquaculture@noaa.gov ; or fax your request to the NOAA Aquaculture Program at (301) 713-9108. NOAA Aquaculture home page: http://www.lib.noaa.gov/docaqua/frontpage.htm
UFA adopted a working draft list of detailed position points on offshore aquaculture at our recent board meeting – stop by our booth 547 at Pacific marine Expo to discuss.. 18. WWF: Proposed aquaculture standards not acceptable Standards proposed by GlobalG.A.P. for certifying shrimp aquaculture products would not reduce or eliminate the key negative environmental and social impacts of shrimp farming, according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF)…
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/ 19. Canadian Government's aquaculture policy criticized A GROUP of British Columbia business people have placed an advert in a national newspaper criticising current Government aquaculture policy. The group claims that both federal and provincial Government policy supports fish farms to the detriment of the natural environment and wild salmon stocks.
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/9138/ && Farmed Salmon Threat to Antarctic Krill Next time you stock up on salmon, spare a thought for penguins. Antarctic krill is being overharvested to feed farmed salmon, in turn threatening penguins and other marine animals that depend on the shrimp-like creatures.
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth 20. NOAA Fisheries Service Says New Technologies to Assess Stocks and Aquaculture Among Its Top Research Priorities The federal ocean fish managers of NOAA’s Fisheries Service outlined the top science and research priorities its scientists will follow for the next three years. Published in the latest Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research, the agency places an increased emphasis on managing fish stocks not as isolated populations, but rather linked together and influenced by the marine ecosystems that they inhabit…
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/docs/ Link to Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research, 2007 is online at: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov (complete 5.4 meg document is online at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st4/s_plan/NMFS-Strat-Plan-2007.pdf 21. Senator Murkowski talks fish, fish farms, and fishermen’s concerns in Petersburg An audience of about 30 local fishermen and other residents turned out mainly to talk fish with US Senator Lisa Murkowsi during a meeting Wednesday morning in Petersburg. The conversation hit on aquaculture, coast guard regulations, sea otter populations, halibut charter fishing and other issues that affect the local fleet
http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op= 22. Sens. Murkowski and Stevens vote to override veto of Water Resources Development Act Includes funding for harbors and other projects at Haines Chignik St. Herman, St. Paul, Valdez Sitka, Seward, Wrangell, Barrow, Old Harbor… http://murkowski.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=287059 23. House Passes Historic Reform of Hardrock Mining Law House Resources website: Over 135 years after President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Mining Law of 1872, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) today shepherded comprehensive reform legislation through the U.S. House of Representatives to bring this antiquated law, once and for all, into the 21st century. The bill was approved by a vote of 244-166…
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option && Rep. Don Young's floor statement on general debate of H.R. 2262 “The Hardrock Mining & Reclamation Act Of 2007” http://donyoung.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1848 24. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week Friday 11/9/07 Food miles won't affect sales of AK seafood Thursday 11/8/07 Seafood logistics course "from boat to throat" taught via distance delivery Wednesday 11/7/07 Fishermen get stiffed by U.S. Farm Bill Tuesday 11/6/07 Salmon prices trickle in for 2007 season Monday 11/5/07 Kodiak Tanner crab takes predicted dip for '08 Online at http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm & also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html 25. USCG annual Southeast Alaska blanket, coat and toy drive - through Dec 3 (Juneau) The Coast Guard is hosting the annual blanket, coat and new toy drive for Southeast Alaska, beginning on Tuesday, November 6, 2007….So please bring gently-used coats, blankets, and new toys to collection bins located at Costco, Wal-Mart, Safeway, A&P, Nugget Mall, and the Juneau Federal Building before December 3rd. http://www.uscgalaska.com/go/doc/780/181860/ 26. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds Calls for Proposals – West of Cape Suckling Deadline Dec 31, 2007 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is issuing Calls for Proposals by region and goal for priority information issues/needs related to salmon sustainability west of Cape Suckling (all of Alaska except for Southeast). These calls will result in allocation of federal Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF) administered by the ADF&G. Calls for Proposals will run through 12/31/2007.
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e 27. BOF Meeting dates posted: Notice of Proposed Changes In The Regulations Of The Alaska Board Of Fisheries.. There will be five separate meetings… Lower Cook Inlet Finfish and Supplemental Issues D through I November 13-16, 2007 10 page limit does not apply at this meeting Land’s End, 4786 Homer Spit Road, Homer
Chignik Finfish January 10-12, 2008 Egan Center, 555 West Fifth Avenue, Anchorage
Kodiak Finfish January 14-18, 2008 Elk’s Lodge, 102 Marine Way, Kodiak
Upper Cook Inlet Finfish February 1-12, 2008 Coast International Inn, 3450 Aviation Avenue, Anchorage
King and Tanner Crab (statewide except Southeast/Yakutat) and Supplemental Issues J through N March 3-9, 2008 Coast International Inn, 3450 Aviation Avenue, Anchorage
Notice online at:
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/ 28. BOF limits comments to 100 pages, 10 pages if within two weeks The Board of Fisheries implemented a change in its policy on accepting written public comment. The new policy specifies a 100 page limit. It also specifies a 10 page limit for comments submitted within two weeks of a meeting…
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/news/ 29. IPHC 2007 Halibut Landing Report No. 11 …through Oct 18…
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/ 30. NMFS Halibut & Sablefish information collections comment deadline January 7, 2008 as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071 31. NMFS final rule clarifies state water essential Fish habitat and Vessel Monitoring Systems… Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish, crab, salmon and scallop; correction… NMFS issues a final rule to correct regulations implementing essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions for Alaska fisheries. This final rule clarifies that portions of EFH management areas in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands are located in State of Alaska (State) waters. This rule also applies EFH vessel monitoring system (VMS) and closure requirements to federally permitted vessels operating in State waters adjacent to the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Aleutian Islands subarea. This action is necessary to ensure that federally permitted vessels operating in State waters comply with EFH protection measures. … Effective on December 10, 2007.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 32. NOAA 2007 Status of U.S. Fisheries - Third Quarter Update NOAA Fisheries is beginning quarterly updates in order to improve the timeliness of information on the status of fish stocks. The update also incorporates the new Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) performance measure and shows the score for each of the 230 stocks in the FSSI. NOAA Fisheries will continue to publish the Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress annually… http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm#07 33. Comment by December 28 on North Pacific Right Whale ESA Endangered listing and critical habitat We, NMFS, completed a status review of the northern right whale and have determined that the right whale in the North Pacific Ocean is a separate and distinct species from the right whales in the North Atlantic Ocean and southern hemisphere. We also find the species to be described in the North Pacific Ocean, the North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica), is in danger of extinction throughout its range. We have proposed to list this species as endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Here we propose to designate critical habitat for this species. Two specific areas are proposed for designation: one in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and another in the Bering Sea…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 34. USFWS draft guidance on ESA beneficial offset –comment by Dec 3, 2007 SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft guidance document issued to promote implementation of the Endangered Species Act. The document describes a crediting framework for Federal agencies in carrying out recovery of threatened and endangered species. The text of the guidance is included in this notice. Under the draft guidance, Federal agencies could show more specifically how adverse effects of agency activities to a listed species are offset by beneficial actions taken elsewhere for that species. The combined effects of the adverse and beneficial actions would have to provide a net conservation benefit to the species. We solicit comment from all interested parties on the contents of the draft guidance and likely effects of its implementation…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 35. MMRC - Appetite for Destruction? - New Research Puts Killer Whale Predation in Context Are commercial whaling and hungry killer whales to blame for western Alaska’s sea lion woes? A team of researchers tested this hypothesis by examining the changes that occurred in other North Pacific ecosystems where whaling occurred… http://www.marinemammal.org/2007/sequencial.php North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/ 36. MMS final PEIS on Outer Continental Shelf alternative energy The MMS has prepared a final programmatic EIS in support of the establishment of a program for authorizing alternative energy and alternate use activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), as authorized by Section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct)…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ &&&&&&&&&& MMS invites comments on OCS alternate energy leases – deadline January 7, 2008. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) invites comments concerning the authorization of activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) involving the installation of meteorological or marine data collection facilities to assess alternative energy resources (e.g., wind, wave, and ocean current) or to test alternative energy technology to produce or support production of alternative energy. The MMS intends to adopt an interim policy to authorize such facilities (e.g., meteorological towers or wave and current data collection instruments and wave or current generators or other developing technology) Background. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended the OCS Lands Act by adding subsection 8(p), which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant a lease, easement or right-of-way on the OCS for activities that are not otherwise authorized by the OCS Lands Act or other existing law and that (1) produce or support production, transportation, or transmission of energy from sources other than oil or gas; or (2) use for energy-related purposes or for other authorized marine-related purposes, facilities currently or previously used for activities authorized under the OCS Lands Act. This authority was delegated from the Secretary to the MMS Director on March 20, 2006. This Notice pertains only to the activities covered in (1) above…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 37. NPFMC GOA & BSAI groundfish plan teams Meet Nov 13-16, Seattle The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BS/AI) groundfish plan teams will meet in Seattle. DATES: November 13-16, 2007. The meetings will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, and continue through Friday November 16. ADDRESSES: Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Building 4, Observer Training Room (GOA Plan Team) and Traynor Room (BS/AI Plan Team), Seattle, Washington… Agenda…
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/membership/plan_ Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ NPFMC home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/ 38. NMFS Observer Health and Safety provisions effective December 3, 2007
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 39. CommFish Vessel Safety Advisory Committee meets Nov 13-14, Seattle The Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee (CFIVSAC) will meet in Seattle, WA, to discuss various issues relating to commercial vessel safety in the fishing industry. The meetings are open to the public. DATES & Locations: CFIVSAC will meet on November 13 and 14, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m…in the Court Room on the 5th Floor (Room 514), at the Jackson Federal Building, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98174. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Vazquez, Assistant to the Executive Director, by telephone at 202-372-1247, fax 202-372-1918, e-mail: Kenneth.Vazquez@uscg.mil . UFA passed a resolution supporting the committee and the remarkable 40% reduction in Alaska fishing vessel fatalities since they began their work. Be sure to visit the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association booth #509 at Pacific Marine Expo 40. Salmon bycatch regs amended to exempt ICA Pollock and non-pollock trawl in chum savings area… NMFS amends regulations governing salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of salmon bycatch measures by exempting pollock vessels from Chinook and Chum Salmon Savings Area closures if they participate in an intercooperative agreement (ICA) to reduce salmon bycatch, and exempting vessels participating in non-pollock trawl fisheries from Chum Salmon Savings Area closures because these fisheries intercept minimal amounts of salmon. DATES: Effective on November 28, 2007.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800 41. NOAA posts technical corrections to BSAI Pcod Amendment 85 final rule (October 24 posting to correct Sept 4, 2007 rule)
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800 42. NOAA posts Correction to BSAI AFA Sideboards (Oct 29 Correction to Sept 14 Notice)
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800 43. Council on Environmental Quality posts Handbook for NEPA Practitioners The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a notice stating that it published “Collaboration in NEPA – A Handbook for NEPA Practitioners”… (104ppg, online at: http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/ntf/Collaboration_in_NEPA_Oct_2007.pdf The document is designed to assist federal agencies through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, but may also be useful for private sector parties, such as owners and operators of waterfront facilities, in compliance with NEPA requirements… Federal register Notice
Nov 7:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 44. NOAA's 10-Year Plan for Marine Aquaculture Available Online (10/30). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) finalized and adopted the 10-Year Plan for Marine Aquaculture on October 30, 2007. The plan is intended to guide the agency as it works toward establishing marine aquaculture as an integral part of the U.S. seafood industry and as a viable technology for replenishing important commercial and recreational fisheries. The plan provides specific goals for the NOAA Aquaculture Program and an assessment of the challenges the agency will face in its effort to reach its goals. To download an electronic copy of the plan, go to: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov . To obtain a hard copy of the plan, send your mailing address in an e-mail to NOAA.Aquaculture@noaa.gov; or fax your request to the NOAA Aquaculture Program at (301) 713-9108. 45. MAFAC Seeks Public Comments on Vision 20-20 – deadline Nov 24 NOAA Fisheries Service has asked the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) to create a stakeholders' prospectus on the desired future state of domestic and international fisheries. To meet this request, MAFAC members have prepared a draft document, Vision 2020, which describes trends, their potential impact on marine fisheries, and a series of recommendations for NOAA… http://www.fish2020.org/ 46. NPRB 2008 Request for Proposals - online proposal submission, deadline Nov 30 The 2008 RFP seeking proposals for research projects starting in 2008, adding to a total amount of $4 million… Online submission for proposals will be available November 1 through November 30, 2007. http://www.nprb.org/research/2008_RFP.htm 47. Alaska Marine Science 2008 Symposium, January 20-23, 2008, Anchorage The 2008 Symposium will be held January 21-23, 2008 at the Hotel Captain Cook, starting with a kick-off reception Sunday evening, January 20. ... http://www.alaskamarinescience.org/index.htm 48. NMFS posts Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research (2007) NMFS announces the availability of the Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research (2007). The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop, triennially, a strategic plan for fisheries research for the subsequent years. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the NMFS Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research (2007) should be directed to: Mark Chandler, Office of Science and Technology, NMFS, NOAA, 1315 East- West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone: (301) 713-2367 ext. 152, fax: (301) 713-1875. Electronic Access: The NMFS Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research (2007) may viewed in its entirety online at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/index.html 49. APOC announces Ethics Training courses, Anchorage, Juneau and online Statutorily mandated
ethics training: Information on the required ethics training course is now
posted on the APOC web site. Both lobbyists and employers of lobbyists are
required to complete the class. Go to the APOC homepage at
www.apoc.alaska.gov and, under “Headlines”, click on the link to the
ethics training. You will find information on training requirements,
in-person training dates and locations and be able to access the newly
available on-line training course. Please note that APOC will not be
registering anyone as a lobbyist for the 2008 calendar year until he/she has
completed the required course…
http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/apoc/ethics 50. Office of Subsistence Management seeks RAC Nominations –apply by Jan. 11 The Office of Subsistence Management is accepting applications and nominations to fill seats on the 10 Regional Advisory Councils that advise the Federal Subsistence Board. The deadline for submitting applications is January 11, 2008. The councils meet twice yearly and advise the Federal Subsistence Board on subsistence management regulations and policies. They also serve as a forum for regional public involvement in Federal subsistence management. Council members must be knowledgeable about fish and wildlife uses in their region. For an application or additional information, please contact Ann Wilkinson at the Office of Subsistence Management at (800) 478-1456 or (907) 786-3676. See November 6, 2007 announcement at http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm Most Subsistence RACS need commercial or sport representatives to achieve their 70%-30% “balance”. – Hats off to fishermen willing to serve and work on these important public bodies. Office of Subsistence Management From Land and Water –Fall 2007 Newsletter Online at http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?nlr=1 & Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Meeting Fall Schedules online http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/deadline.cfm 51. Alaska Fisheries Science Center reports: on Stellers, Bering Sea Crab, Ice Recently posted studies… Steller Sea Lion Survey Results 2007 Eastern Bering Sea Crab Survey Data Surveys of the Ice-Covered Bering Sea and more… online at http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/ 52. Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit December 10-12, Anchorage A 2 day professional development opportunity for new or young fishermen focusing on business, marketing, policy and management and leadership. 53. Alaska Seafood Processing Leadership Institute 2008 calendar & seminars ASPLI is three intensive training modules focusing on seafood processing, global seafood markets, the business of seafood processing, regulatory and personnel issues, leadership and work with a professional mentor in your plant. It also includes a 5 day tour of the International Boston Seafood Show and other plants in the Northeast. 54. Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit II - Anchorage, December 10–12, 2007 ~Weaving a network of future fishing leaders~ http://seagrant.uaf.edu/map/workshops/2007/ayfs2/index.html 55. Fishermen’s Fund Appeals Board seeks fishermen willing to serve The Fishermen’s fund is a vital component of health care for Alaska fishermen. One or two fishermen’s seats are open on the appeals board. Contact Frank Bailey at the Governor’s office of Board and Commissions at 465-3500. http://gov.state.ak.us/boards/factsheet.php?i=038 56. ASMI Seafood Market Bulletin Oct 2007 Topics include Alaska Salmon Harvest, World Cod Supply, 2007/08 Bering Sea King Crab, Snow Crab Quotas, North American Crab Supply
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/fishingprocessing/seafoodweb The UFA board adopted a motion to seek state funding as a match to industry funding – in recognition that ASMI’s focused marketing efforts are paying off in returns to communities and the general fund. See ASMI at booth 519 at Pacific Marine Expo 57. Department of Revenue Alaska Salmon Price Report:
http://www.tax.state.ak.us/programs/fisheries/reports/2007/ Introductory letter:
http://www.tax.state.ak.us/programs/fisheries/reports/2007/ 58. ADF&G Recently posted fisheries reports 2007: Takotna River salmon studies, 2006. George River salmon studies, 2006. Hugh Smith Lake sockeye salmon adult and juvenile studies, 2006. Tatlawiksuk River salmon studies, 2006 Kodiak Management Area Commercial Herring Food/Bait Fishery Harvest Strategy, A Review of Escapement Goals for Salmon Stocks in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, Upper Cook Inlet salmon studies, 2005. Test Fish Wheel Project Using Video Monitoring Techniques, Tanana River, 2003. Annual Management Report for the 2006 Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Commercial, Personal Use, and Subsistence Salmon Fisheries. And more – these are large files, over 1 megabyte – see links for them and more at http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/pubs/pubs_recent.php 59. 2007 Preliminary Alaska Salmon Catches — Final Edition Blue Sheet Preliminary Season Summary with exvessel values to be released in November. Bluesheet: http://csfish.adfg.state.ak.us/BlueSheets/BLUEWebReport.php Harvest summaries:
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