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UFA Update January 31, 2008 Action Alert continues for nonresidents: – Contact your HOUSE representatives in DC to Support Senate Farm Bill measures for fishermen - EVOS Tax Treatment and Farm Operating Loan program
http://www.ufa-fish.org/doc/UFA%20Action%20Alert%20Farm If you did not already comment on specifications on boarding ladders that you would be required to provide if your rail is 4’ or more above the water the comment period has been extended and they need to hear from you – see item # 52 The UFA Board of Directors will meet in Juneau, Feb 19-22, at St. Ann’s Parish Hall. Contents 1. Board of Fisheries hears from Peninsula at Soldotna pre-meeting hearing 2. BOF Comment deadline Feb 19 on King and Tanner Crab, Supplemental Issues 3. Tulsequah Chief Update: Redfern responds to DNR RFAI, public meeting Feb 4. 4. Alaska Files Exxon Amicus Brief State Supports $2.5 Billion Punitive Damages Award to Alaskans 5. Supreme Court Accepts, Makes Public Alaska Delegation’s Brief in Support of Oil Spill Victims 6. (WA) helping lead effort for 20 states to support respondents in Exxon v. Baker 7. Governor Lauds Tongass Forest Management Plan 8. Prices down as lackluster Kodiak scallop fishery closes 9. HB 16 for Weathervane Scallop fishery held in House Fisheries by sponsor 10. House passes legislation to relax Conflict rules for state Board of Fisheries 11. Governor Palin Introduces Health Care Transparency Act 12. SB 160 - Bill would provide health care for all Alaskans 13. Bush silence on Farm Bill draws fire 14. Sens. Stevens and Murkowski resolution honors USCG Search and Rescue units 15. Halibut Commission Completes 2008 Annual Meeting 16. AK candidates for U.S. Congress will ‘talk fish’ at Kodiak Comfish debate 17. Kodiak BOF - Proposition 58 opponents uneasy about future of set-net salmon fishery 18. BOF - No go for gillnets, trolling at Chignik 19. Three companies interested in Kodiak $13M boatlift, but not Marine Travelift 20. MCA Debris Forum puts focus on ocean cleanup – Anch Feb 14-15 21. Error snags Alaska tide book publisher 22. NOAA: Sunspot is Harbinger of New Solar Cycle, Increasing Risk for Electrical Systems 23. Fishermen Will Use New Ways to Avoid Snaring Endangered Seabirds 24. Mid-water trawl leaves crab alone – Al Burch in Kodiak Daily Mirror 25. Governor's NPFMC Nominee Ed Dersham named to replace Ed Rasmuson 26. Three films examine Bristol Bay environmental controversy 27. NPR: Alaskan Kids Say No to a Gold Mine 28. Pebble, fish can co-exist says speaker Heidi Franklin at Homer Chamber 29. Clean Water Initiative volunteers collect signatures in time 30. Senators indicate support for reform of hardrock mining law HR 2262 31. Snopac Products to open fish processing plant in Dillingham 32. ASMI: “Top Chefs Advocate for Wild and Sustainable Alaska Seafood” 33. Governor’s Sub-Cabinet on Climate Change to meet, February 13, 2008, Anchorage 34. MMRC: A year in the life of Consortium research 35. Food and Water Watch Challenges Legality of Gulf Council Ocean Aquaculture 36. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week 37. NPFMC Agenda & Items for the February 4-12 2008 meeting… 38. US Court ruling for Fishing Co of Alaska on bycatch 39. Deadline Feb 15 for comment on BSAI & GOA Groundfish Salmon Bycatch EIS 40. Deadline Feb 8 for NOAA Hollings Scholarship Applications 41. NPRB Announces Graduate Student Research Awards – deadline April 1, 2008 42. NPRB Photo Contest deadline March 1, 2008 43. Chiniak Gully Trawl Closure rescinded 44. North Aleutians Basin Energy-Fisheries workshop, March 18–19 at the Anchorage Marriott 45. NOAA FishWatch Site Gives Consumers the Facts Before They Purchase 46. Consumer Reports The salmon scam - 'Wild' often isn't 47. Comment by Feb 15 on NOAA Science Advisory Board, Extension, Outreach and Education Working Group 48. OR, ID, WA - comment by Feb 19 2008 on lethal removal of California Sea Lions 49. Deadline Feb 11 2008 for comments on National Invasive Species Management Plan 50. Nominees Needed for Invasive Species Advisory Committee - Deadline Feb 13 51. Minerals Management Service posts Record of Decision on OCS Alternative Energy 52. Boarding Ladders - Comment deadline extended to Feb 25, 2008 – 4+ ft freeboard redefined 53. Southern resident Orca ESA Recovery Plan posted 54. Application for Recertification of Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council 55. Rural Co-ops Value-Added Producer Grant Application Deadline March 31, 2007 56. Members appointed to Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils 57. Notice of Meetings for the National Park Service (NPS) Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) Program Within the Alaska Region 58. DNR Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes – comment by March 7, 2008 59. Fishlines – the newsletter of UAF Alaska Sea Grant 60. Comment by March 10 on MSA Experimental Permitting Process, Exempted Fishing Permits, and Scientific Research Activity 61. Deadline April 10 for Board of Fisheries 2008 proposals – PSW, SE 62. Deadline Feb 19 for DEC Solicitation For Water Quality, Water Quantity and Aquatic Habitat Projects Fiscal Year 2009 63. Symphony of Seafood posts winners 63. Symphony of Seafood posts winners 64. NOAA and USDA Accepting Public Comment on Aquaculture Feeds - Feb 29 65. Deadline Feb 11 for Nominations for the 2008 Annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards 66. CFEC Notice to Fishermen paying 2008 fees by credit or debit cards – include expiration date! 67. Wild Seafood Exchange - February 21st, 2008, Seattle 1. Board of Fisheries hears from Peninsula at Soldotna pre-meeting hearing Public testimony touches on wide range of fisheries concerns "We should set in-river goals and give managers the authority to reach those goals." "The (commercial fishing) windows put in place recently have impacted the livelihood of my family." "There has been pollution of the habitat due to mismanagement by the board. It's become more about politics than the fish." … and lots more at:
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/013108/news_ BOF Upper Cook Inlet meeting, Feb 1-12, Coast International Inn, Anchorage Agenda:
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/2007 Other materials are online at http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fcal.php (scroll down to UCI mtg) 2. BOF Comment deadline Feb 19 on King and Tanner Crab, Supplemental Issues King and Tanner Crab (Statewide, except Southeast/Yakutat) and Supplemental Issues Meeting dates: March 3-9; Comment Deadline:Feb. 19, 2008 Scroll down to this meeting’s materials at:http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fcal.php 3. Tulsequah Chief Update: Redfern responds to DNR RFAI, public meeting Feb 4. -Public Comment Deadline extended to February 21, 2008 -Public Meeting now scheduled for February 4, 2008 at Centennial Hall, Juneau, 7:00 PM
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e Redfern
Resources Ltd. Response to Request for Additional Information dated January
18, 2008 (posted 1/25/2008):
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/mining/largemine/tulsequah/ …also see attachments to above response, and other documents linked in the public notice online at:
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/mining/largemine/tulsequah Rivers Without Borders Tulsequah Mine Technical Report & Comments to DNR http://riverswithoutborders.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/rwb-hoverbarge-report.pdf Rivers Without Borders Tulsequah home page: http://riverswithoutborders.org/tulsequah-chief-hoverbarge-proposal/ DNR Tulsequah home page:
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/mining/largemine/tulsequah KTOO Audio - DNR, firm to hold Taku hoverbarge events http://www.ktoo.org/audiofile.cfm?clip=2854 UFA Opposes the Tulsequah Chief Transportation Plan until such time as the concerns raised by ADF&G have been addressed. The public meeting is not an opportunity for public input, but we hope to see concerned Juneau fishermen and residents there- Centennial Hall, Monday Feb 4, 7:00 – 9:30 PM. CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED BY REDFERN! 4. Alaska Files Exxon Amicus Brief State Supports $2.5 Billion Punitive Damages Award to Alaskans Juneau, Alaska, January 29, 2008 - Governor Sarah Palin today announced that the State of Alaska has filed an amicus, or “friend of the court,” brief supporting the award of punitive damages against Exxon Mobil stemming from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill… Governor Palin Press Release: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=850 State of Alaska Amicus Brief: http://www.law.state.ak.us/pdf/press/012908-amicus%20brief.pdf 5. Supreme Court Accepts, Makes Public Alaska Delegation’s Brief in Support of Oil Spill Victims WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Supreme Court today accepted an amicus brief authored by Alaska’s Congressional Delegation in support of the plaintiffs in Exxon Shipping Co. and Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Grant Baker, et al… Senator Stevens Press release:
http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction= Stevens, Murkowski, Young Amicus Brief: http://stevens.senate.gov/misc/amicus.pdf 6. (WA) helping lead effort for 20 states to support respondents in Exxon v. Baker OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that Washington will sign on to an amicus brief to support the commercial fishermen, seafood processors, tribes and others whose lives were impacted by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill… So far, these states have agreed to sign on to the amicus: Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and West Virginia… http://www-dev.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?id=18856
That was Monday – now there are 33 states: Maryland Joins Fight Against Exxon in 1989 Valdez Case Thirty-three other states have signed on to Maryland's amicus curiae brief in Baker vs. Exxon, which will be argued in the United States Supreme Court this year… http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/7092.shtml 7. Governor Lauds Tongass Forest Management Plan January 25, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today congratulated the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service on finalizing a management plan for the Tongass National Forest. The Governor also joined Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell in signing a 'shared vision statement' which establishes a plan for sustainability of the Tongass and Southeast Alaska's communities… http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=846 & Senator Stevens Reacts to New Tongass Land Management Plan
http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction= & Juneau Empire: Forest Service sets land plan for Tongass
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/012708/loc_ & Seattle P-I: Bush administration opens huge swath of Tongass National Forest to logging and development
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/environment/archives/ Tongass Forest Plan home page & Record of Decision: http://tongass-fpadjust.net/ 8. Prices down as lackluster Kodiak scallop fishery closes Prices were down and costs were up for those who participated in the scallop fishery this year. Jim Stone, owner of the fishing vessel Ocean Hunter, has been in the scallop business for about 12 years. His was one of five vessels that took part in the fishery in two areas around Kodiak this year. Two of those vessels dredged scallops in the northeast area, which is divided into several sections, three in the Shelikof District… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=5753 9. HB 16 for Weathervane Scallop fishery held in House Fisheries by sponsor The house bill that would extend the sunset date to allow the vessel-permit fishery to continue for another five years was heard for the third time in House Fisheries and not moved. Rep. Seaton, chair of the committee is the sponsor of the bill, although his 2002 campaign featured his opposition to the vessel based fishery. A similar Senate Version, SB 251 was introduced by Senator Donny Olson and co sponsors on January 28. (No stories were found on this in mainstream media) HB 16 Bill &
Tracking:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20 SB 251:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session= Then-candidate Seaton in Homer news, May 2, 2002: http://homernews.com/stories/050202/new_0502020009.shtml UFA Supports HB 16 for continuation of the Weathervane Scallop fishery. 10. House passes legislation to relax Conflict rules for state Board of Fisheries House Bill 15 would allow board members to join in discussions on fisheries in which they or their family members are involved, though they would still not be able to vote. Right now, the rules require them to recuse themselves completely. The bill would not, however, allow board members to participate in issues for which they've been paid to lobby or consult. Steve Cleary of the Alaska Public Interest Research Group has been campaigning for ethics reforms in the Legislature… "This one seems to be a more reasoned approach," he said.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/012408/sta_2397 HB 15 Tracking:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20% HB 15 is referred to three Senate committees. 11. Governor Palin Introduces Health Care Transparency Act To Help Alaskans Access Affordable Health Care January 19, 2008, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today introduced the Alaska Health Care Transparency Act which will provide more effective tools to help Alaskans access affordable health care, and to ensure our health care system is responsive to changing demographics and market conditions… http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=848 12. SB 160 - Bill would provide health care for all Alaskans All Alaskans would be required to get health care insurance and the state would help low-income residents with the cost of the premiums under a bill considered by a Senate committee Wednesday… http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7800359 SB 160 bill tracking:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%2 SB 160 home page http://www.healthyalaskans.com/ 13. Bush silence on Farm Bill draws fire If rural America thought something was missing from President Bush’s State of the Union address this week, there was: the Farm Bill. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/8225.html 14. Sens. Stevens and Murkowski resolution honors USCG Search and Rescue units Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced a resolution to honor Alaska’s United States Coast Guard search and rescue units for their service in protecting life at sea. The resolution, which is co-sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), notes that in 2007, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard stationed in Alaska responded to 696 calls for assistance and saved the lives of 463 mariners in distress.
http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction= 15. Halibut Commission Completes 2008 Annual Meeting The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) completed its Eighty-fourth Annual Meeting in Portland, OR, with Dr. James W. Balsiger of Juneau, AK presiding as Chair. The Commission is recommending to the governments of Canada and the United States, catch limits for 2008 totaling 60,400,000 pounds, a 7.3% decrease from the 2007 catch limit of 65,170,000 pounds…
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2008 Juneau Empire: Commission cuts halibut catch limits 28 percent "There was some frustration from the commercial sector that the charter sector was trying to maintain the same catch levels as they've had in the past, even in the face of a declining resource," Hansen said.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/012008/sta_ 16. AK candidates for U.S. Congress will ‘talk fish’ at Kodiak Comfish debate (Kodiak) Alaska candidates for U.S. Congress – including Congressman Don Young - will ‘talk fish’ at a unique debate next month in Kodiak. Four candidates so far are hoping to dethrone Don Young from Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representative, a position he has held for 35 years. Joining Congressman Young at the debate will be Gabrielle LeDoux, a rival Republican; also, Democrats Ethan Berkowitz, Jake Metcalfe and Diane Benson… Comfish home page: http://www.comfishalaska.com/ 17. Kodiak BOF - Proposition 58 opponents uneasy about future of set-net salmon fishery It’s been nearly three weeks since the Alaska Board of Fisheries passed Proposal 58 and some set-net permit holders are still reeling from the possible implications. “I don’t know if the board of fish actually realized what this proposal could do,” said Kip Thomet, an opponent of the proposal. “There’s some negative things that can come out of it and I don’t think they gave them enough weight.” In 2006, House Bill 251 was signed into law authorizing the fish board to pass regulations allowing a person who holds two salmon entry permits to fish both. In January 2007, in Kodiak, the fish board exercised that right by adopting Proposal 58, despite heavy public opposition… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=5768 18. BOF - No go for gillnets, trolling at Chignik Posted by The Highliner, January 16, 2008 You’ll recall the Board of Fisheries met last week on Chignik and we spotlighted a couple of interesting proposals (The Highliner, Jan. 8). Here’s the upshot, according to a state scoresheet on the meeting: • Allow drift gillnet gear in the Chignik area: “no action” • Allow hand and power trolling in the Chignik area: “no action” This means purse seining remains the only legal gear type for taking Chignik salmon. http://community.adn.com/adn/node/116057 19. Three companies interested in Kodiak $13M boatlift, but not Marine Travelift Concern was in the atmosphere at a recent Port and Harbor Advisory Board meeting and the first agenda item discussed was the $13 million boatlift project. Members wanted to know why Marine Travelift, a top U.S. manufacture of boatlifts, did not want to bid… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=5763 20. MCA Debris Forum puts focus on ocean cleanup – Anch Feb 14-15 KODIAK -- Alaskans are gathering to plan an all-out war on marine debris that is befouling coastlines from Ketchikan to Barrow. "There is a growing recognition that it poses a threat to fish and wildlife, threats of entanglement to seals and marine mammals, and it's a problem to humans as well," said Bob King, program coordinator for the MCA Foundation, co-sponsor with Alaska Sea Grant of a two-day workshop at the Alaska Forum for the Environment next month in Anchorage… The Marine Debris in Alaska Workshop is set for Feb. 14-15 at the Egan Center and is open to the public. Get more information at www.alaskaseagrant.org or www.mcafoundation.org. ADN story:
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story MCA Marine Debris home page: http://www.mcafoundation.org/marine.html 21. Error snags Alaska tide book publisher Pioneer Publishing, the Soldotna company that provides most of the tide books given away by Alaska businesses starting every January, has pulled this year's crop off the shelves to correct an error. New tide books should be available by the first week of March, the company says… http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/296188.html 22. NOAA: Sunspot is Harbinger of New Solar Cycle, Increasing Risk for Electrical Systems “Our growing dependence on highly sophisticated, space-based technologies means we are far more vulnerable to space weather today than in the past,” said Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “NOAA’s space weather monitoring and forecasts are critical for the nation’s ability to function smoothly during solar disturbances.”
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080104 23. Fishermen Will Use New Ways to Avoid Snaring Endangered Seabirds Fishing fleets on the high seas of the Atlantic and Pacific from more than 30 countries will now use new ways to avoid accidentally snaring seabirds going after bait on long lines. The new protections are the focus of strong international measures, promoted by NOAA, that go into affect this year…
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2008/seabird 24. Mid-water trawl leaves crab alone – Al Burch in Kodiak Daily Mirror Recently KMXT ran a story about a proposal by the Kodiak Fish and Game Advisory Committee to close Deadman’s Bay to all trawl fishing… Kodiak’s trawl fleet is proud to bring in 50 percent of the total volume of fish that lands in Kodiak. It’s important that people know that just because someone says something is true about trawl fishing, it doesn’t mean that it is true. http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=5661
25. Governor's NPFMC Nominee Ed Dersham named to replace Ed
Rasmuson NOAA Press release:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2008/ 26. Three films examine Bristol Bay environmental controversy The Pebble Mine controversy has caught the attention of filmmakers across the nation. Three films slated for release later this year aim to introduce Bristol Bay to the world as a fishing paradise and examine the potential threat of mining operations in its watershed. http://thebristolbaytimes.com/news/show/1261 27. NPR: Alaskan Kids Say No to a Gold Mine Now a group of seventh-graders in nearby Dillingham has banded together as Rebels to the Pebble, a dogged and creative activist corps. Their teacher, Kathy McLinn, says the students acted after doing research into the project and its possible effects on the environment. The idea was to study an issue and then write a persuasive essay. The kids grew tired of that exercise in a hurry, McLinn says. "They wanted to talk to people who mattered, powerful people, people who could make a difference," she says. "I had a 100 percent group of kids who were opposed to the Pebble mine."
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId= 28. Pebble, fish can co-exist says speaker Heidi Franklin at Homer Chamber The name might have changed, but much of the information surrounding the Pebble mining project was the same at last Wednesday's Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Heidi Franklin, stakeholder relations manager for the newly formed Pebble Partnership, was on hand to update diners on the status of the project, answer their questions and counter claims made by some conservation groups that the proposed open pit copper, gold and molybdenum mine would damage the environment… http://www.homernews.com/stories/012308/news_1_003.shtml 29. Clean Water Initiative volunteers collect signatures in time Off to a late start in early winter, the authors of the Clean Water Initiatives wrangled up some 60,000 signatures in about 60 days in its campaign against poor mining development — and what some say is a direct campaign against the proposed Pebble Mine, north of Bristol Bay. http://www.homertribune.com/article.php?aid=2521 30. Senators indicate support for reform of hardrock mining law HR 2262 WASHINGTON - Senators indicated Thursday that they will pass a less-sweeping reform of 1872 hardrock mining law than the House did late last year, imposing royalties on new mines but perhaps not on existing ones…
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/01/25/news/ & Mining law rewrite faces uphill battle in Senate
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN236333 & For current version, see www.thomas.loc.gov, search by bill number for HR 2262: Or try this link: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc110/h2262_rfs.xml 31. Snopac Products to open fish processing plant in Dillingham Snopac Products
Inc. announced Jan. 17 that its new processing facilities in Dillingham will
be ready for an anticipated 40 million sockeye salmon run in Bristol Bay
this summer..
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/012708/hom_ 32. ASMI: “Top Chefs Advocate for Wild and Sustainable Alaska Seafood” The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Creates The Wild Alaska Seafood Congress of Conscious Chefs…
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/about/pressreleases/chefs & Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Wild And Sustainable Alaska Seafood
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/about/pressreleases/valentines & Honoring Lent Traditions With Help From Alaska Seafood
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/about/pressreleases/Lent_ Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute home page: http://www.alaskaseafood.org 33. Governor’s Sub-Cabinet on Climate Change to meet, February 13, 2008, Anchorage On September 14, 2007 Governor Palin formed a Sub-Cabinet comprised of several Commissioners to develop a Climate Change Strategy for Alaska… The Sub-cabinet will meet on February 13, beginning at noon. The session is open to the public. There will be an opportunity for public comment. Testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person and will be taken in order of sign up. To sign up in advance please contact Kolena Momberger at 907-269-7634 or Kolena.momberger@alaska.gov For the agenda and further information go to: http://www.climatechange.alaska.gov/ Meeting
announcements:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e 34. MMRC: A year in the life of Consortium research Can entire populations of Steller sea lions virtually disappear in less than 40 years? And if so, which of nature’s mechanisms determine the success or failure of these populations? Is human activity to blame, or are they simply casualties of the ocean around them? Dozens of Consortium scientists are working collaboratively to answer these questions and many more. This report represents a year of their work and findings… http://www.marinemammal.org/2008/annual.php Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/ 35. Food and Water Watch Challenges Legality of Gulf Council Ocean Aquaculture (Jan 17) Gulf of
Mexico fishery managers can not legally move forward on a plan to allow
development of large scale fish farms - huge cages packed with fish -
according to public comments submitted by the consumer advocacy group, Food
& Water Watch.
http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/ Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council home page: http://www.gulfcouncil.org/ GMFMC Generic Aquaculture Amendment FAQ:
http://www.gulfcouncil.org/Beta/GMFMCWeb/Aquaculture/ (Jan 31) We have learned from attendees that Gulf Council did not approve their Offshore Aquaculture plan today; Instead, they voted to review and revise the plan in the coming months… 36. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week Thursday 1/31/08 Feb. 1 is Wear Red Day Wednesday 1/30/08 Halibut IFQ fee deadline is tomorrow (Jan. 31) Tuesday 1/29/08 AK Seafood U trains retail and restaurant staff Monday 1/28/08 AK convenes workshop to plan an all out war on marine debris Friday 1/25/08 Can offshore oil/gas/fisheries co-exist? AK and Norway launch discussions Online at: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm & also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html 37. NPFMC Agenda & Items for the February 4-12 2008 meeting… February 4-12, 2008…Renaissance Hotel, 515 Madison Street, Seattle, WA Agenda: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/Agendas/208Agenda.pdf Items: Salmon Bycatch Management and Monitoring in the Bering Sea Pollock Fisheries:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/bycatch/ LLP Trawl Recency; http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/analyses/TrawlLLPFeb08.pdf Seabird Avoidance
Measures;
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/ssl/ AI Fishery Ecosystem
Plan;
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/ecosystem Other Species ABC; http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/analyses/Ospecies108.pdf BSAI Salmon Bycatch
discussion paper 1/08
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/bycatch Crab: Modifying
Arbitration System;
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/crab/108 Analysis of Crab
loan program 2/08
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/crab/Crab Crab Committee
Report 1/08
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/crab/Crab BSAI Amendment 90 1/08 http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/analyses/AM90_108.pdf Revisions to the
Observer Program 1/08
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/observer/ NPFMC Home Page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/ Federal Register Meeting Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ 38. US Court ruling for Fishing Co of Alaska on bycatch United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Argued November 6, 2007 Decided December 18, 2007 No. 07-5153 Decision:
http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/docs/common/opinions/200712 Environmental appeals court.blog case summary:
http://environmentalappealscourt.blogspot.com/2007/12/ & Correction to Information Bulletin 08-04 - NMFS Announces That Certain Provisions of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Retention Standard Program Are Invalid and Will Not Be Enforced by NMFS…
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/bulletin. 39. Deadline Feb 15 for comment on BSAI & GOA Groundfish Salmon Bycatch EIS Notice of intent to prepare an EIS…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ & NOAA: Salmon Bycatch EIS Under Way The North Pacific Fisheries Management Council and the Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries are getting ready to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on measures to reduce the incidental catch of salmon by trawl vessels fishing for pollock in the Bering Sea…
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2008/ 40. Deadline Feb 8 for NOAA Hollings Scholarship Applications NOAA announces the Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program for FY 2008, and sets forth eligibility criteria and selection guidelines for the program… This Scholarship Program will provide approximately 100 undergraduate applicants selected for the program with scholarships to participate in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education… DATES: Completed applications must be received by February 8, 2008, at 5 p.m. eastern daylight time… Applications for the Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program will be available through NOAA at http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/Hollings_info.html Federal Register
Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800 41. NPRB Announces Graduate Student Research Awards – deadline April 1, 2008 In 2008, NPRB is awarding five Graduate Student Research Awards of $20,000 each to qualified masters and doctoral students for the opportunity to address scientific, technological, and socio-economic issues relating to the research themes identified in the NPRB Science Plan. Full Announcement:
http://www.nprb.org/temp_upload/GSRA%20announcement Application Cover
Sheet
http://www.nprb.org/temp_upload/GRA%20Cover%20Sheet North Pacific research Board home page: http://www.nprb.org/ 42. NPRB Photo Contest deadline March 1, 2008 Send us your best ocean images from the Gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound, the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Bering Strait or Beaufort/Chukchi Seas… http://www.nprb.org/photo/index.html 43. Chiniak Gully Trawl Closure rescinded NMFS is rescinding the trawl closure in the Chiniak Gully Research Area. This action is necessary to allow vessels using trawl gear to participate in directed fishing for groundfish in the Chiniak Gully Research Area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 1, 2008, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 20, 2008…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ 44. North Aleutians Basin Energy-Fisheries workshop, March 18–19 at the Anchorage Marriott Fishermen, community leaders, Alaska Natives, scientists, government officials, environmental groups, and representatives from energy companies will meet in Anchorage to discuss what’s needed to safely develop oil and gas in the North Aleutian Basin, a sprawling region that includes part of the salmon-rich Bristol Bay. The North Aleutians Basin Energy-Fisheries workshop, scheduled for March 18–19 at the Anchorage Marriot Downtown Hotel, is aimed at continuing a dialogue that began last October, when key stakeholders outlined their positions on development and organized the agenda for the March 2008 meeting. UAF Sea Grant Announcement:
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/08news/01-23-08energy- Workshop page: http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/2008/energy-fisheries/index.html 45. NOAA FishWatch Site Gives Consumers the Facts Before They Purchase The insatiable American appetite for seafood is dwarfed only by their hunger to know which fish is safe to eat and what menu choice won’t hurt the environment. A new Web site – FishWatch.NOAA.gov – developed by the federal fishery scientists and managers at NOAA is designed to answer these questions and more. NOAA will host a special press briefing during the International Seafood Show in Boston to showcase the new online consumer education tool that provides all the information consumers need to make educated choices.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/docs/013008_ Fish Watch: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/ 46. Consumer Reports The salmon scam - 'Wild' often isn't “If you've paid extra for fresh wild salmon in late fall and winter, you may have wasted your money… Alaska wild salmon are
harvested in every month of the year – see the salmon troll seasons online
at
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/pubs/seasons/ Second, if you see fish that you suspect is mislabeled, report the storename, address and pertinent details to COOL@USDA.gov. 47. Comment by Feb 15 on NOAA Science Advisory Board, Extension, Outreach and Education Working Group … an external panel of experts to conduct a review of NOAA's extension, outreach and education programs and provide advice to NOAA on ways to strengthen, coordinate, organize and improve its extension, outreach and education activities to fully engage its constituents… DATES: Comments on this preliminary report must be received by 5 p.m. EDT on February 15, 2008…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ 48. OR, ID, WA - comment by Feb 19 2008 on lethal removal of California Sea Lions Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment Considering the States of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington's Request for Lethal Removal Authority of California Sea Lions in Accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act… Written comments on the draft EA must be received at the appropriate address, email address, or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on February 19, 2008… Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ NOAA Press release:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080117 49. Deadline Feb 11 2008 for comments on National Invasive Species Management Plan 2008-2012 National Invasive Species Management Plan -- Draft for Public Comment: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/council/mpdraft07.pdf Federal Register
Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 50. Nominees Needed for Invasive Species Advisory Committee - Deadline Feb 13 The U.S. Department of the Interior, on behalf of the interdepartmental National Invasive Species Council, proposes to appoint new members to the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC). The Secretary of the Interior, acting as administrative lead, is requesting nominations for qualified persons to serve as members of the ISAC…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC): gateway to invasive species information; covering Federal, State, local, and international sources: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/ 51. Minerals Management Service posts Record of Decision on OCS Alternative Energy MMS prepared the ROD for the establishment of an alternative energy and alternate use (AEAU) program on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), as authorized… … The decision is to select the Preferred Alternative described in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This decision establishes an AEAU program for the issuance of leases, easements and rights-of-way (ROW) for alternative energy activities and the alternate use of structures on the OCS and the promulgation of regulations to govern the program. Selection of the Preferred Alternative also provides MMS the option to authorize individual projects on a case-by-case basis before promulgation of the final rule…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ 52. Boarding Ladders - Comment deadline extended to Feb 25, 2008 – 4+ ft freeboard redefined NMFS reopens the comment period for proposed regulations to require the operators of certain domestic fishing vessels to provide a U.S. Coast Guard-approved pilot ladder as a safer and more enforceable means for authorized personnel to board. DATES: Comments must be received at the following address by February 25, 2008. … the proposed rule would define the term freeboard for the purposes of the rule as the working distance between the top rail of the gunwale of a vessel to the water's surface. This is somewhat different from the typical usage of the term freeboard, which usually means the difference between the lowest exposed or weather deck and the water…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/25jan20081800/ Dec 11 Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 53. Southern resident Orca ESA Recovery Plan posted The Recovery Plan, public comment summary and responses, and other supporting documents are available on-line on the NMFS web site http://www.nwr.noaa.gov Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ 54. Application for Recertification of Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council Comment on or before February 25, 2008…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ 55. Rural Co-ops Value-Added Producer Grant Application Deadline March 31, 2007 The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces the availability of approximately $18.4 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to help independent agricultural producers enter into value-added activities…
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/29jan20081800/ 56. Members appointed to Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, with the concurrence of Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner, has made appointments and reappointments to the 10 Federal subsistence regional advisory councils. For new RAC member rosters see announcement Jan 18 online at http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1 57. Notice of Meetings for the National Park Service (NPS) Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) Program Within the Alaska Region The NPS announces the SRC meeting schedule for the following areas: Aniakchak National Monument, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Denali National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Lake Clark National Park, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The purpose of each meeting is to develop and continue work on NPS subsistence hunting program recommendations and other related subsistence management issues. Each meeting is open to the public and will have time allocated for public testimony. The Lake Clark National Park SRC meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Alaska Standard Time. Location: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Visitor Center, Port Alsworth, AK. The Kobuk Valley National Park SRC meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Alaska Standard Time. Location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office, Conference Room, Kotzebue, AK. The Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Alaska Standard Time. Location: Sophie Station Hotel, 1717 University Ave. Fairbanks, AK, telephone (907) 479-3650. The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 and Wednesday, March 26, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Alaska Standard Time. Location: Mentasta Lake--Katie John School, 6 Mile Main Village Road in Mentasta Lake, AK, telephone (907) 291-2327. Federal Register Notice
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/ 58. DNR Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes – comment by March 7, 2008 The Atlas to the Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes and Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes (Atlas and Catalog), which are adopted by reference in 11 AAC 195.010, will be revised and updated… …comments must be received no later than March 7, 2008
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e 59. Fishlines – the newsletter of UAF Alaska Sea Grant Shopping Cart Debuts Knauss Fellow Seanbob Kelly New Sea Grant Products: Developing Cooperatives for the Alaska Seafood Industry Clint Atkinson, 1913–2007 Young Fishermen’s Summit Nome IPY Talks Marine Debris in Alaska Kodiak Energy/Fisheries meeting March 21 http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/fishlines/2008/january.html 60. Comment by March 10 on MSA Experimental Permitting Process, Exempted Fishing Permits, and Scientific Research Activity
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 61. Deadline April 10 for Board of Fisheries 2008 proposals – PSW, SE
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a 62. Deadline Feb 19 for DEC Solicitation For Water Quality, Water Quantity and Aquatic Habitat Projects Fiscal Year 2009
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e 63. Symphony of Seafood posts winners …The crowd chose Ray's Gourmet Wild Alaskan Yukon Salmon Chowder as the 2008 Seattle People's Choice… Symphony of Seafood home page: http://www.symphonyofseafood.com/ 64. NOAA and USDA Accepting Public Comment on Aquaculture Feeds - Feb 29
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 65. Deadline Feb 11 for Nominations for the 2008 Annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/ 66. CFEC Notice to Fishermen paying 2008 fees by credit or debit cards – include expiration date! Commercial Fishery Entry Commission home page: http://www.cfec.state.ak.us/ 67. Wild Seafood Exchange - February 21st, 2008, Seattle
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