UFA Update

UFA Update

April 21, 2008

Action Alert - Washington state residents needed to contact Senators Murray and Cantwell to support fishermen’s access to the Farm Operating Loan Program
- and to support S. 2630 for Fishermen’s Health Care.

As progress continues in the House / Senate Farm Bill reconciliation, support is needed from Washington State residents for access for fishermen to the Farm Operating Loan program. These low interest long term loans are essential for the next generation of fishermen to be able to keep our industry going into the future.
Fish farmers are already eligible.

Another critical key to sustaining sustainable fishermen is Fishermen’s Health Care, and we cannot fathom why Washington’s State’s delegation has not signed on in support of S. 2630 for Fishermen’s Health Care – except that they are not hearing from their constituents.

Washington residents please contact your senators today!

To contact Senator Maria Cantwell:
http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Or better yet, send a letter by Fax: (202) 228-0514

To contact Senator Patty Murray:
http://murray.senate.gov/email/
Fax: (202) 224-0238

Legislative Wrap-up
In the hectic last days of the 25th Alaska legislative session, SB 254 was amended to include a five year extension of the sunset date for the Weathervane Scallop vessel permit fishery. UFA supported the extension to continue the fishery and this is the only Alaska fishery for which we support vessel permitting.
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%
20254&session=25

SB 284 which would have changed the Board of Fisheries with designated seats, which UFA opposed, did not pass.
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%
20254&session=25

SB 237 which would have put language from Alaska’s Sustainable Salmon Policy into statute, which UFA opposed, did not pass.
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=
25&bill=SB%20237

The legislature confirmed the reappointment of Mel Morris and John Jensen, and the appointment of Bill Brown to the BOF.

UFA and many of our member groups worked to defeat the last minute resolution SCR21 but were not successful. The bill passed with no committee hearing, creating a Cook Inlet Salmon Legislative Task Force to look into a buyout of Cook Inlet commercial fisheries. The task force will be peopled by five House reps and five Senators, and they will perform this work during the campaign season – a great time for further “combative” language as in the resolution.
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SCR
%2021&session=25
More on SCR 21 below in item #1.

Contents
1. Legislature OKs controversial task force to study fisheries issues in Cook Inlet
2. Life raft a puzzle for Ranger crew, Hearing on Bering sinking set to end today
3. Seattle P-I: While fishermen die, Congress ignores safety
4. Repost: Comment deadline July 29 on safety changes for commercial fishing fleet
5. USCG – reminder to replace older EPIRBs. The US Coast Guard issued a press
6. Alaska Supreme Court vacates & remands Carlson case on Non-Res CFEC fees
7. Lynn Canal Herring ESA Petition to list herring as threatened rejected, widened
8. NOAA’s Fisheries Service Extends Decision on Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Listing
9. AFSC report: 2008 Status Review and Extinction Risk Assessment of C.I. Belugas
10. Council to decide on charter fleet halibut quota in October meeting
11. Halibut charters may lease commercial quotas
12. Juneau Empire My turn: Leasing fish is no way to run a business By Rick Bierman
13. NPFMC Items from April Meeting & April Newsletter:
14. Federal grant buying back seining permits in southeast
15. Mining claims north of Pebble attracting new interest
16. Kodiak Daily Mirror - Bristol Bay Under Seige: Part 1 - Ocean Acidification
17. Part 2 (April 16) Politicians, oil industry reps, environmentalists play tug-of-war
18. Part 3 (April 18) Will new environmental regulations protect salmon run
19. Pebble prospect under tight scrutiny as plans, testing progress
20. Feds released from hard-to-enforce observer policy
21. Kodiak Scouts & Kodiak Island Trails Network tidy beaches for marine debris project
22. Alaska fishers expect to miss salmon profit
23. Wild salmon at $40 a pound?
24. West Coast salmon fishermen will get help from governors
25. Beech-Nut adds wild Alaska salmon to baby food
26. Cold-pressed natural salmon oil soft gels hit market
27. ADF&G Fisheries scientists, managers getting gray
28. GOA Flatfish Fisheries MSC Certification Announcement of Site Visit, May 12-17
29. Wastewater regs baffle cruise industry
30. Kenai River Moose meadows subsistence fishery won't be expanded to shore
31. Subsistence wheel to spin on Kasilof
32. USFWS Reaffirms Subsistence 70 / 30 ratio RAC makeup
33. Comment deadline May 14 on Fed Subsistence Halibut proposed regulations
34. Federal Subsistence Board hunting and trapping meeting April 29, Anchorage
35. Fed Subsistence Fish and Shellfish proposal comment deadline June 30
36. Leader Creek fined over $54,000 for Federal Clean Water Act violations
37. WWF: Illegal Fishing Strips Oceans of Cod, Pollock
38. Stevens Calls for Aggressive Approach to Protect Arctic Ocean Fisheries
39. Government again delays decision on polar bears
40. MMRC Scientists Measure Underwater Acceleration in Three Dimensions
41. NOAA Final 2007 Marine Mammal Stock Assessments Reports– Alaska
42. BC’s spiny dogfish fishery goes for MSC status
43. BC Fishermen urged to avoid snack-happy whales
44. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week
45. MMS posts call for N. Aleutian Basin Oil and Gas Lease Sale 214 –July 7 deadline
46. NPFMC Non-Target Species Committee meeting April 23, Seattle
47. NPFMC Crab Committee meets April 29, Seattle
48. NPFMC Crab Plan Team meets in Seattle, May 6-9
49. NMFS posts final MMPA Stock Assessment Reports
50. NMFS Final Rule on N. Pacific Right Whale Critical Habitat
51. USFS posts Land Management Planning Framework rule and record of decision.
52. House Resources Hearings: King Cove – Cold Bay road – Wed. April 23, 11 am EST
53. Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans to consider H.R. 21 (Farr)
54. Rep. Young’s statement on the Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R.2421)
55. Electronic Fisheries Monitoring Workshop - July 29 – 30, Seattle
56. Alaska Humanities Forum Statehood grants - May 15 grant deadline
57. Alaska Fishing Jobs Clearinghouse - Are you looking for crew?
58. AK DNR Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation (CELCP) Public Review Draft 59. Fishlines – Alaska Sea Grant April Newsletter
Repeat items, still relevant:
60. AK Division of Investments offers Refinance of Commercial Fishing Loans
61. DEC posts topics for Triennial Review of Water Quality standards
62. Comment deadline May 24 BSAI Crab Amendment 24 on overfishing –
63. Comment deadline May 20 on BSAI Crab Pan crew share exemption from PQ
64. IPHC Solicits Applications for IPHC Merit Scholarship – deadline June 29

1. Legislature OKs controversial task force to study fisheries issues in Cook Inlet
A Senate resolution establishing a joint task force to examine Cook Inlet salmon issues passed both houses of the Legislature in the final days of the 90-day session…
The language in the resolution is combative and suggests the task force will start out with an agenda to restrict commercial salmon fishermen in upper Cook Inlet to benefit sport fishermen before any other issues or concerns are aired.
http://www.homernews.com/stories/041608/seawatch
_bus_008.shtml

For pdf text of SCR 21 see http://www.legis.state.ak.us/
PDF/25/Bills/SCR021A.PDF

For bill tracking and to see how your legislators voted, see
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SCR%
2021&session=25

Related coverage in ADN Highliner:
Stage set for Cook Inlet brawl
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/121212
&
Sen. Green wins salmon vote
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/120881
&
Legislature jumps into Cook Inlet fish fight
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/120880

2. Life raft a puzzle for Ranger crew, Hearing on Bering sinking set to end today.
The last minutes aboard the doomed fishing vessel Alaska Ranger were spent in a desperate effort to launch the boat's life rafts into the Bering Sea, a survivor of the disaster told a federal inquiry board.
Twenty-two-year-old Ken Smith of Pasco, Wash., told investigators on Monday in Seattle that no one assigned to his life raft knew how to launch it.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/382920.html

Alaska Ranger Fishmaster pushed ship's pace, crew says
http://www.adn.com/aleutians/story/378536.html

Coverage from Seattle P-I:
Coast Guard inspectors disagree about ship's condition –
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/359576_ranger
18.html?source=rss

Inspector testifying at Seattle hearing on ship sinking
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_aban
doned_ship.html

& from Seattle Times:
Suspect in Alaska Ranger's sinking: ballast tank's wear
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004
357410_ranger18m.html

Ex-captain grilled at hearing on Alaska Ranger sinking
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004
359699_ranger19m.html

3. Seattle P-I: While fishermen die, Congress ignores safety
Fishermen are sometimes seen as an exceptional breed, willing to risk it all in pursuit of the sea's bounty.
Fishing boats -- boats such as the Alaska Ranger, the Seattle-based processor that went down last month off the Aleutian Islands -- also have been viewed as exceptional. At least by Congress.
Despite a decades-long effort by the U.S. Coast Guard and others, Congress has not passed regulations to require inspections of fishing vessels.
Such seaworthiness standards are the norm on other commercial vessels such as cruise ships, charter boats and cargo ships. But because of resistance by the fishing industry and with the acquiescence of Congress, similar rules do not exist for vessels headed to the Bering Sea…
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/357539_
safefish03.html

Senators Murray and Cantwell do show their concern for fishermen’s safety – and they need calls right now to help translate this concern to support for S 2630 for Fishermen’s Health Care. We urge Washington residents and groups to contact them today!

4. Repost: Comment deadline July 29 on safety changes for commercial fishing fleet
See Federal Register Notice at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-6477.htm
Related sites:
USCG FishSafe: http://www.fishsafe.info/
USCG Fishing Vessel Safety home page: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/cfvs/
USCG Press Release: http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/786/196522/

5. USCG – reminder to replace older EPIRBs. The US Coast Guard issued a press release reminding mariners that older model Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) that broadcast on 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz will not be monitored by satellite as of February 1, 2009. Effective that date, the satellites will only monitor for radio beacons broadcasting on 406 MHz. Some of the newer EPIRBs are equipped with embedded GPS, which will automatically signal the location of the distress. http://www.uscglosangeles.com/go/doc/830/198867/

6. Alaska Supreme Court vacates & remands Carlson case on Non-Res CFEC fees
“…CONCLUSION When historical commercial fishing fee differentials are compared to permissible differentials, it is apparent that the 3:1 fee schedule is not rationally related to the state’s goal of equalizing the burden of fisheries management between nonresidents and residents. A fee scheme substantially related to the state’s goal will guarantee substantial, rather than precise, equality. Because the state should be held to this standard retrospectively as well as prospectively, we VACATE the portion of the superior court’s order requiring the state to pay refunds based on strict equality and REMAND the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
Decision online: Alaska Supreme Court No. 6250 S-11677 - State, CFEC v. Carlson
http://www.state.ak.us/courts/ops/sp-6250.pdf
We have not found mention of this important case in any online media.

7. Lynn Canal Herring ESA Petition to list herring as threatened rejected, widened
JUNEAU -- Federal fisheries officials have rejected a petition to list herring near Juneau as threatened or endangered. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service will investigate whether the entire Southeast Alaska herring population might be a candidate for listing…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/
374267.html

Federal Register notice 4/11: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/
2008/E8-7797.htm

NOAA Fisheries AK Press release: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/
newsreleases/2008/herring041508.pdf

NOAA Fisheries Lynn Canal Herring home page:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/
herring/default.htm

Juneau Empire My Turn: Sierra Club disappointed with herring decision
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/041808/
opi_269857566.shtml

8. NOAA’s Fisheries Service Extends Decision on Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Listing
NOAA’s Fisheries Service will extend the final decision on listing Cook Inlet beluga whales up to six months, which will give NOAA researchers time to prepare a 2008 population abundance estimate before the agency decides whether or not to list the population under the Endangered Species Act.
Last year, biologists for NOAA’s Fisheries Service estimated the Cook Inlet beluga whale population at 375, the largest since 2001.
“We believe that substantial disagreement exists regarding the population trend, and that allowing an additional six months to obtain the 2008 abundance estimate would better inform our final determination as to whether the Cook Inlet beluga whale should be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act,” said Doug Mecum, acting Alaska regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service.
NOAA press release: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases
/2008/belugalisting.pdf
Federal Register 4/22: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/
E8-8689.htm

9. AFSC report: 2008 Status Review and Extinction Risk Assessment of Cook Inlet Belugas (Apr 2008).
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Publications/ProcRpt/PR%
202008-02.pdf

10. Council to decide on charter fleet halibut quota in October meeting
Federal fisheries managers are moving slowly forward with a halibut allocation battle, with plans to decide in October on the charter fishing industry's request for more fish to appease a growing number of customers…
“We asked the council to give us more fish, but they won't make that decision until October,” said Bob Ward, a Homer charter operator who helped shepherd a previous plan to share the halibut through the council…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/042008/hom
_20080420005.shtml

11. Halibut charters may lease commercial quotas
JUNEAU -- The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is trying a new way to fix allocation disputes between the charter and commercial halibut fleets.
The council will allow the charter fleet to lease halibut quota shares from commercial fishermen -- an idea that is not being eagerly embraced by some in the charter fleet.
"We want to be allocated more fish, and we see the leasing option as an excuse to allocate us less fish," said Rick Bierman, who runs the charter business Whales' Eye Lodge on Shelter Island.
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story
/371357.html

12. Juneau Empire My turn: Leasing fish is no way to run a business By Rick Bierman
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/042008/opi_
270392464.shtml

13. NPFMC Items from April Meeting & April Newsletter:

Council Action on Charter Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2C and Area 3A, April 7, 2008 http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut_
issues/HalibutCharterMotion408.pdf

BSAI Salmon bycatch motion 4/08:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/bycatch
/salmonbycatch408motion.pdf

NP Groundfish Observer program motion;
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/observer
/ObserverMotion408.pdf

BSAI Crab Motion: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/
current_issues/crab/408crabmotion.pdf

BSAI and GOA Trawl Recency Motion: http://www.fakr.
noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/motions/TrawlLL
Pmotion408.pdf

NPFMC April Newsletter
Topics include the above & more… online at:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/newsletters
/NEWS408.pdf

14. Federal grant buying back seining permits in southeast
Southeast Alaska’s seine fleet is about to get smaller. A federal grant is providing $3 million for a seine permit buyback program for the region. It’s the first program of its kind for a State of Alaska managed fishery.
Deanna Garrison, KRBD - Ketchikan on APRN Audio:
http://aprn.org/2008/04/14/federal-grant-buying-back
-seining-permits-in-southeast/

15. Mining claims north of Pebble attracting new interest
An Arizona junior mining firm with claims in Southwest Alaska says more than one large global mining company is expressing interest in partnering on the claims.
Liberty Star Uranium and Metals Corp. said in a statement the company is optimistic, but doesn't know at this time whether a joint venture partnership will happen. Liberty Star did not identify the other firms.
The property is located northwest of the proposed Pebble mine project. Pebble Partnership spokesman Sean McGee said his company is not among the firms interested in Liberty Star's claims.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/042008/hom_
20080420004.shtml

16. Kodiak Daily Mirror - Bristol Bay Under Seige: Part 1 - Ocean Acidification
The oil industry wants to develop what they believe to be large pockets of oil and natural gas. The mining industry wants to develop what they believe is one of the largest mineral mines in the world, and the fishing industry just wants to fish in the unspoiled waters for its cut of the $2 billion fishery derived annually from the bay.
Looming over everybody like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is one of the side effects of global warming, ocean acidification — and it threatens to be worse then all other perceived threats:
Ocean acidification…
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6078

17. Part 2 (April 16) Politicians, oil industry reps, environmentalists play tug-of-war over development… http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6084

18. Part 3 (April 18) Will new environmental regulations protect world’s largest salmon run if Pebble Mine develops near bay?
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6089

19. Pebble prospect under tight scrutiny as plans, testing progress
(DNR officials plan detailed response to Dr. Woody letter)
According to Ed Fogels, director of the office of project management and permitting for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the department is monitoring exploration activity at the Pebble site for environmental impact more than any other mining project in the state's recent history…
Fogels and Tom Crafford, DNR's large mine permitting manager, both spoke in response to a lengthy April 2 letter to the department questioning the level of transparency about environmental issues surrounding the exploration phase of the mine.

The letter, authored by independent fisheries biologist Carol Ann Woody, raises questions by fishery stakeholders regarding both water quality and fish conservation.
…Crafford, noting the length of Woody's letter, complete with numerous notes of reference to scientific papers, said he planned a detailed response to her letter…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/041308/hom_
20080413051.shtml

20. Feds released from hard-to-enforce observer policy
…After the unanimous vote by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council at the April meeting, it won’t be federal officials lowering the hammer anymore. They are getting out of the sex police business.
… that type of enforcement on observer behavior dealing with drugs and alcohol and physical sexual contact was better left to the employer of the observer.”
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6080

21. Kodiak Scouts & Kodiak Island Trails Network tidy beaches for marine debris project
More than 2,000 pounds of marine debris was collected from Long Island this past weekend in a joint effort of Kodiak Island Trails Network and Boy Scouts Troop No. 626… The marine debris cleanup is funded through a grant from the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation...
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6079

22. Alaska fishers expect to miss salmon profit
With the closure of commercial king salmon fisheries in California and Oregon, salmon fishermen in Alaska are predicting higher demand and higher prices for their wild-caught product.
But they are not expecting to bring in higher profits.
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/
373624.html

23. Wild salmon at $40 a pound?
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/358287_salmon
09.html

24. West Coast salmon fishermen will get help from governors
SAN FRANCISCO -- The governors of California, Oregon and Washington pledged to help financially strapped fishermen and fishing communities Friday after federal regulators imposed the most severe restrictions ever on West Coast salmon fishing…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story
/373621.html

&&& Restrictions tightening on Columbia - Snake River dams again in cross hairs
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/358286_columbia
09.html

25. Beech-Nut adds wild Alaska salmon to baby food
Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp. now offers jars of sweet potatoes and wild Alaska salmon in its baby food line. The product features Alaska pink salmon provided by Ocean Beauty Seafoods…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/042008/hom_2008
0420003.shtml

26. Cold-pressed natural salmon oil soft gels hit market
A Juneau processor that aims to fully utilize seafood resources has begun to market pure, cold-pressed wild Alaska salmon oil in soft gel capsules as a daily nutritional supplement.
The Pure Alaska Omega Natural Salmon Oil is the product of Sandro Lane's Alaska Protein Recovery LLC. The product is packaged in bottles of 90, which cost $22, or the $36 bottle of 180 soft gels…
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/041308/hom_2008
0413015.shtml

27. ADF&G Fisheries scientists, managers getting gray
The “graying of the fleet” has been at the forefront in meetings around Alaska, where stakeholders strategize ways to secure future generations of Alaskan fishermen.
Getting less attention is the drifting away of fishery scientists and managers due to retirement, and Alaska is having a heck of a time filling those ranks.
Nearly half of the state's area biologists will retire soon, said John Hilsinger, director of the commercial fisheries division.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/041308/hom_2008
0413044.shtml

28. GOA Flatfish Fisheries MSC Certification Announcement of Site Visit, May 12-17
Certification Body: Moody Marine Ltd Announcement of Site Visit –Seattle & Kodiak
http://www.msc.org/assets/docs/GoA_Flatfish/GoA_FF_
SiteVisit_Apr08.pdf

29. Wastewater regs baffle cruise industry
The cruise ship industry was handed a wastewater mandate by the state on March 25 that it may not be able to meet, according to officials with the Alaska Cruise Association.
Alaska voters in 2006 passed a ballot measure that requires a permit to discharge wastewater into Alaska waters. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation issued the permit ruling, along with its own more stringent requirements…
“We feel that this tilts the playing field after our ships have invested over $200 million in technology to achieve the highest standard for discharge water in the world,” said John Binkley, president
of the Alaska Cruise Ship Association.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/041308/hom_2008
0413013.shtml

30. Kenai River Moose meadows subsistence fishery won't be expanded to shore
The Federal Subsistence Board voted down a proposal to set up a subsistence dipnet and rod-and-reel fishery from shore at the Moose Range Meadows section of the Kenai River. The board cited habitat concerns and limited public access as two of the primary reasons the proposal was voted down.
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/041308/new
s_4875.shtml

31. Subsistence wheel to spin on Kasilof
Subsistence Board approves fishery for Ninilchik residents…
After passing a Federal Subsistence Board vote by a margin of six to zero, a fish wheel fishery„ typically more common on the Yukon and Copper Rivers „ will soon be making an appearance on the Kasilof River to serve the subsistence needs of rural residents of Ninilchik…
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/041108/
outdoors_4228.shtml

32. USFWS Reaffirms Subsistence 70 / 30 ratio RAC makeup
The U.S. District Court order made it necessary to give further consideration to alternative methods for assuring balance in membership for regional advisory councils and to provide a complete and thorough administrative record…
The Secretaries conclude that using a ratio to fill council seats provides a process which clearly demonstrates their desire for diverse representation of users on the councils. The 70/30 ratio allows commercial and sport use representatives a meaningful participation on the councils while maintaining (and protecting) a majority voice for subsistence users… Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-7580.htm

33. Comment deadline May 14 on Fed Subsistence Halibut proposed regulations
NMFS proposes regulations to amend the subsistence fishery rules for Pacific halibut in waters in and off Alaska. These regulations are necessary to address subsistence halibut management concerns in densely populated areas…
Comments must be received no later than May 14, 2008
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-7902.htm

34. Federal Subsistence Board hunting and trapping meeting April 29, Anchorage
This proposed rule would establish regulations for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 regulatory years…
The Board will discuss and evaluate the proposed regulatory changes during a public meeting scheduled to be held in Anchorage, AK, beginning on April 29, 2008…
Public comments: We will accept comments received or postmarked by April 22, 2008. In addition, the Federal Subsistence Board accepted written public comments and proposals to change this proposed rule until January 4, 2008…
Federal register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-7854.htm
FSB meeting announcement: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/news.cfm?gnr=1

35. Fed Subsistence Fish and Shellfish proposal comment deadline June 30
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-- 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Shellfish Regulations…
Proposed Changes From the 2008-09 Fish and Shellfish Seasons and Harvest Limit Regulations…
We will accept comments and proposals received or postmarked on or before June 30, 2008. Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils (Regional Councils) will hold public meetings on this proposed rule between August 24, 2008, and October 25, 2008.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-7841.htm

36. Leader Creek fined over $54,000 for Federal Clean Water Act violations
(Naknek, Alaska – April 10, 2008) Leader Creek Fisheries, LLC (Leader Creek), an Alaskan seafood processor located in Naknek has agreed to pay a $54,061 penalty to settle alleged federal Clean Water Act violations…
Leader Creek’s grinder broke in early July 2006. During that time, Leader Creek had the following NPDES violations: Failed to grind its seafood waste to ½” or smaller before discharging; Failed to have a backup grinder or spare parts; and Failed to report the broken grinder…
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d96f984dfb3f
f7718525735900400c29/abf1dc93895393c685257427
006dfa51!OpenDocument

37. WWF: Illegal Fishing Strips Oceans of Cod, Pollock
GLAND, Switzerland, April 16, 2008 (ENS) - Illegal fishing for Atlantic cod and Alaska pollock in the Arctic threatens the health of these fisheries and their resilience to climate change, but it is so profitable that it is pervasive across the region, according to a new report by the global conservation organization WWF…
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2008/200
8-04-16-01.asp

38. Stevens Calls for Aggressive Approach to Protect Arctic Ocean Fisheries
Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Committee, called for more aggressive protections of Arctic Ocean fisheries and re-affirmed his commitment to ensure that the United States has every authority, resource, and tool needed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Senator Stevens noted that despite all previous efforts there are still loopholes that allow IUU fishing which threaten Arctic Ocean fisheries…
http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=
NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1a371431
-ff6a-8dc0-4fc2-f6fbf9d74620&Region_id=&Issue_id=

39. Government again delays decision on polar bears
The Department of the Interior wants 10 more weeks to decide whether polar bears should be listed as threatened or endangered, a delay conservation groups condemned as tied to the transfer of offshore petroleum leases in the animal's habitat…
http://www.adn.com/polarbears/story/379702.html

40. MMRC Scientists Measure Underwater Acceleration in Three Dimensions
What is the best way to measure the energy expended by diving Steller sea lions? A new study tests underwater acceleration as a novel way to estimate the energetic cost of foraging… http://www.marinemammal.org/2008/fahlman.php
Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/

41. NOAA Final 2007 Marine Mammal Stock Assessments Reports– Alaska
- 11 mb pdf file online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/sars/ak2007.pdf

42. BC’s spiny dogfish fishery goes for MSC status
THE British Columbia Dogfish Hook and Line Industry Association has entered the full assessment process for certification to the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries…
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/10675/_
BC%92s_spiny_dogfish_fishery_goes_for__MSC_status.html

43. BC Fishermen urged to avoid snack-happy whales
Worried by increased reports of depredation - whales snatching fish from fishing lines like shrimp from a cocktail platter - fisheries officials have warned fleets not to feed whales "directly or indirectly" and to report incidents to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans…
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.
20080418.wbcwhale18/BNStory/National/?cid=al_gam
_nletter_newsUp

44. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week
Monday 4/21/08 Noisy fish offer tools for research & management
Friday 4/18/08 Consumers prefer wild, but lured by low-cost farmed salmon
Thursday 4/17/08 Kodiak trawlers can't afford to go fishing.
Wednesday 4/16/08 Farmed king salmon undercut wild market
Tuesday 4/15/08 AK lawmakers reinstate funds for crew labor data project
Online at: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm
& also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at
http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html

45. MMS posts call for N. Aleutian Basin Oil and Gas Lease Sale 214 –July 7 deadline
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Alaska OCS Region, North Aleutian Basin, Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sale 214…
ACTION: Call for Information and Nominations (Call) and Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)…
Nominations and Comments on the Call must be received no later than July 7, 2008
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-7091.htm

46. NPFMC Non-Target Species Committee meeting April 23, Seattle
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Non-Target Species Committee will meet April 23, 2008 at the Alaska Fishery Science Center, National Marine Mammal Conference Room…
The meeting will be held on April 23, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-6880.htm

47. NPFMC Crab Committee meets April 29, Seattle
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Crab Committee will meet. at the Swedish Culture Center, 1920 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
…The meeting will be held on April 29, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-6881.htm

48. NPFMC Crab Plan Team meets in Seattle, May 6-9
DATES: The meeting will be held on May 6-9, 2008. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 6th through May 8th and from 9 a.m. until 12 noon on May 9th.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Alaska Fishery Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE. Bldg 4, Traynor Room, Seattle, WA 98115…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-8235.htm

49. NMFS posts final MMPA Stock Assessment Reports
As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS has incorporated public comments into revisions of marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs). These reports for 2007 are now final and available to the public…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-8406.htm

50. NMFS Final Rule on N. Pacific Right Whale Critical Habitat
We, NMFS, designate critical habitat for the North Pacific right whale in this rulemaking. The North Pacific right whale was recently listed as a separate, endangered species, and because this was a newly listed entity, we were required to designate critical habitat
for it…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-7233.htm

51. USFS posts Land Management Planning Framework rule and record of decision.
This final rule describes the National Forest System (NFS) land management planning framework; sets up requirements for sustainability of social, economic, and ecological systems; and gives directions for developing, amending, revising, and monitoring land management plans. It also clarifies that, absent rare circumstances, land management plans under this final rule are strategic in nature and are one stage in an adaptive cycle of planning for management of NFS lands… This rulemaking is the result of a United States District Court of Northern California order dated March 30, 2007, which enjoined the United States Department of Agriculture…from putting into effect and using the land management planning rule published on January 5, 2005 (70 FR 1023) until it complies with the court's order regarding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (Citizens for Better Forestry v. USDA, 481 F. Supp 2d 1059 (N.D. Cal. 2007)). The purpose of this final rule is to respond to the district court's ruling…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-8085.htm

52. House Resources Hearings: King Cove – Cold Bay road – Wed. April 23, 11 am EST
House Resources On Wednesday, the Committee on Natural Resources will meet in open markup session to consider the following bill:
o H.R. 2801 (Don Young): To provide for the exchange of certain lands in the Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Wildlife Refuges and Wilderness in the State of Alaska and for the granting of a fee title to enable construction of a road connecting the Native Village of King Cove, Alaska and Cold Bay, Alaska. "Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Refuge and Wilderness Enhancement and King Cove Safe Access Act"

Visit the Committee’s Web site to view the markup report following the markup. (April 23, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building)
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com
_jcalpro&Itemid=27&extmode=view&extid=168

53. Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans to consider H.R. 21 (Farr)
H.R. 21 (Farr): To establish a national policy for our oceans, to strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a national and regional ocean governance structure, and for other purposes. (Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act)
Visit the Committee’s Web site to view the markup report following the markup. (April 23, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building)..
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com
_jcalpro&Itemid=27&extmode=view&extid=167

54. Rep. Young’s statement on the Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R.2421)
The federal government already has too much regulatory authority over intrastate waters and the "Clean Water Restoration Act" will only expand its authority over states. The original intent of Congress will be changed from "navigable waters" to "waters of the United States." And by asserting authority over all wet areas "subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution" as the bill states, we disregard original congressional intent…
http://donyoung.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1895
For bill text and info see www.thomas.gov & select Bill Number search, enter H.R.2421.

55. Electronic Fisheries Monitoring Workshop - July 29 – 30, Seattle
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Building 9, Auditorium, Seattle WA
… Within the North Pacific, video technology has been proposed as a potential way to supplement existing observer coverage, enhance the value of the data NMFS currently receives, and/or fill data gaps that have proven difficult to meet with human observers. Some video applications are currently in place, while others are being developed or under consideration.
Registration & agenda: http://efmworkshop.nprb.org/start.jsf

56. Alaska Humanities Forum Statehood grants - May 15 grant deadline
Alaska Humanities Forum, in partnership with Rasmuson Foundation, is accepting grant proposals for projects that explore and commemorate Alaska Statehood. Applications for major grants in the Alaska’s Statehood Experience Grant Program must be submitted by May 15th. Nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other groups may apply.
http://www.akhf.org/grants/grants_wethepeople.html

57. Alaska Fishing Jobs Clearinghouse - Are you looking for crew?
All permit-holders are reminded that they have completely free access to hundreds of crew-job applicants at FishingJobs.com. Online profiles of the applicants include all their contact information, their work and educational backgrounds, and a general profile that will give hiring skippers a good sense of what makes them tick. …To access the applicants, simply grab your permit number and go to FishingJobs.com, then click on “Skipper’s Area” at www.fishingjobs.com .

Other links are online at UFA’s seafood jobs page at
http://www.ufa-fish.org/links.htm#Jobs:
Crew seeking fishing jobs should at least read the State’s page on
What Crew Members on Board Fishing Vessels in Alaska Need to Know
at http://www.labor.state.ak.us/esd_alaska_jobs/seafood.htm

58. AK DNR Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation (CELCP) Public Review Draft – Comment deadline April 28
The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Coastal and Ocean Management (DCOM) announces a 10 day public review for the draft Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) Plan. The CELCP Plan can be viewed at www.alaskacoast.state.ak.us. Written comments are due by the close of business on Monday, April 28th. Written comments can be emailed or mailed to Gina Shirey-Potts at gina.shirey-potts@alaska.gov or to PO Box 111030, Juneau, AK 99811-1030.
DNR Public Notice: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf
/cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/8ba71a260f0416b
18925742e0004b0e9?OpenDocument
Draft Plan:
http://www.alaskacoast.state.ak.us/District/Final_CELCP_Plan
_04_17_08.pdf?OpenDocument
AK Coastal Management Program home page: http://www.alaskacoast.state.ak.us/

59. Fishlines – Alaska Sea Grant April Newsletter
Topics include: Ghana Observer Training, North Aleutian Basin Energy-Fisheries workshop, Kachemak Bay Clams and more, online at:
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/fishlines/2008/april.html

Repeat items, still relevant:

60. AK Division of Investments offers Refinance of Commercial Fishing Loans
. http://www.dced.state.ak.us/investments/refi.cfml

61. DEC posts topics for Triennial Review of Water Quality standards
http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wqsar/trireview/

62. Comment deadline May 24 BSAI Crab Amendment 24 on overfishing –
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-5562.htm

63. Comment deadline May 20 on BSAI Crab Pan crew share exemption from PQ
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-6584.htm
&& Federal Register Notice March 21: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-5789.htm

64. IPHC Solicits Applications for IPHC Merit Scholarship – deadline June 29.
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2008/nr
20080311.htm