UFA Update

UFA Update

August 4, 2008

With all that has happened, there is still something more that the current administration wants to deliver to oil companies – something cheaper to do with their old oil rigs than the required decommissioning. See item #39 for opportunity to comment on Minerals Management Service plan to allow alternative energy and fish farms instead of decommissioning oil rigs. And if you plan to be in Seattle on August 13, Portland on August 14, or SF on August 15 see Item #40 for public hearings.

See #45 for NOAA Omnibus funding announcement for FY 2009 grants

Table of Contents
1. UFA Recognizes Senator Stevens’ Leadership in Sustaining Fisheries and Oceans
2. Top U.S. Court Near Decision on Exxon Valdez Interest Payments
3. Beleaguered fishermen seek Exxon tax relief
4. Exxon Valdez victim tells senators of justices’ impact
5. Congress should overturn court’s Exxon ruling - RIKI OTT in the Tundra Drums
6. Exxon sees record profits, fishermen won't
7. Redfern files new Taku barge plan with Canadians
8. Palin considers foreign processors
9. Task force still has questions: Upper Cook Inlet fisheries leave legislators puzzled
10. Alien invasion: Northern pike take over Alexander lake
11. Comment deadline October 6 on Cook Inlet Oil & Gas special-interest sales
12. Trident Seafoods cannery "a total loss" after fire in Chignik (July 22)
13. Fishing restrictions, high fuel and food prices take toll on Interior Alaska villages
14. Interior Alaska floods' effect on salmon spawning is unknown
15. Salmon Season so far is ‘Lackluster' at best
16. Seafood consumption takes a slight dip in US
17. Dutch Harbor tops US fishing ports
18. NOAA posts Status Of U.S. Fisheries 2nd Quarter stock status
19. Seven Stocks Removed from Overfishing List, None Added
20. Brothers lose liberty, boat for subsistence halibut scheme
21. Oversight bars non-city residents from halibut subsistence fishing
22. Federal Subsistence Board Rejects Requests for Reconsideration on Rural/Nonrural
23. Book review: The Fishermen's Frontier: People and Salmon in Southeast Alaska
24. EU to release 600 mln euros in fuel aid for fishermen
25. Food Groups: FDA must require tracking of produce
26. Alaska ballot initiative surrounds Pebble Mine
27. Anglo American and the Pebble Mine make investment history…money?
28. State confident fish are protected – DNR responds to Dr. Woody
29. MMS to hold Bristol Bay scoping meetings on OCS Oil & gas drilling
30. Comment deadline October 6 on Cook Inlet Oil & Gas special-interest sales
31. EPA poses NPDES permitting authority to State of Alaska - Comment by August 18
32. President signs Murkowski bill on discharge permits moratorium for comfish Vessels
33. Land swap plan worries Pelican residents
34. Beans Café feeds hungry with free salmon
35. NMFS Renews SeaShare permits for distribution of salmon & halibut incidental catch
36. Can chefs cozy up to frozen fish?
37. Alaska - Great Sustainable Fish.
38. Praising, and then panning, Alaskan salmon - Bob Tkacz on NY Times salmon
39. MMS Proposes Alt. Energy and Fish Farms instead of decommissioning Oil Rigs
40. MMS Public Workshops on Alternate Use (RIGS to FishFarms) - Seattle Aug 12…
41. Oregon State to host Forum on Offshore Aquaculture in the NW Coast Sept. 9-10
42. NOAA: Report: Offshore Aquaculture Would Benefit U.S. Economy
43. 30,000 salmon escape from Canadian fish farm (July 4)
44. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week
45. NOAA Omnibus funding notice for FY 2009 – Saltonstall-Kennedy & other grants
46. Comment deadline Aug. 11 on Amendment 15 non tribal whiting proposed rule
47. NPFMC Crab Workshop to assist crew in proposals – Aug 11, Anchorage
48. EPA posts corrected final rule on next generation Marine Diesel emissions
49. USCG Safety Alert - Controllable Pitch Propeller Systems and Situational Awareness
50. NMFS posts Final Rule on Amendment 89 no-trawl areas
51. USFWS posts final revised stock assessment reports for Northern Sea Otter stocks
52. 2008 Halibut Landing Reports No. 6,7, & 8
53. West of Cape Suckling PCSRF Science Panel Meeting Notice – Sept. 9, Juneau
54. West of Cape Suckling PCSRF Expert Panel Meeting – Sept. 2 – 3, Anchorage
55. MMRC Deconstructing the Diet - New Model May Help to Quantify Prey
56. Sea Grant Energy saving tips
57. Alaska Sea Grant online survey on research efforts – deadline August 30.
58. VitalChoices: Statin Drug Beaten by Alternative Cholesterol Treatment (Fish oil)
Repeat items still open for comment:
59. NMFS 2009 Proposed List of Fisheries (MMPA) – comment by August 12
60. Comment Deadline August 11 on Fed registry for sport fishing in federal waters
61. Comment deadline August 12 on MSA NEPA procedures Proposed Rule…
62. Comment deadline Sept 8 on NS1 Overfishing guidelines, MSY and Optimum Yield in Fishery Management Plans

1. UFA Recognizes Senator Stevens’ Leadership in Sustaining Fisheries and Oceans
United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) recognizes and appreciates the leadership and vision of Alaska’s senior senator Ted Stevens in leading Alaska, the nation, and the world in adopting sustainable fisheries management measures for the future…
UFA Press release Friday August 1: http://www.ufa-fish.org/press/2
008-4%20UFA%20recognizes%20Stevens%20in%20sustaining
%20fisheries%20080108.pdf

Haines’ Heather Lende in Washington Post: He’s still our Uncle Ted
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/
08/01/AR2008080102870.html

Kodiak KMXT radio: Fishing Industry Reacts To Stevens Indictment
http://www.kmxt.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=
view&id=276&Itemid=2

2. Top U.S. Court Near Decision on Exxon Valdez Interest Payments
By Greg Stohr, July 24 (Bloomberg) –
The 19-year story of the Exxon Valdez legal fight has one more chapter still to come.
The U.S. Supreme Court in the next several days may say whether Exxon Mobil Corp. must pay $488 million in interest to tens of thousands of victims of the 1989 Alaska oil spill, the worst in U.S. history…
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=
aUo16QejRuXI&refer=us

3. Beleaguered fishermen seek Exxon tax relief
KODIAK -- Alaska fishermen are hoping to catch tax breaks on two fronts: high fuel costs and oil spill payouts, if any, from Exxon…
"When you have 1,700 fishermen say we need your help in Washington to do something so we can be out working, we figured we had to find some way to provide relief," Murkowski said, referring to a statewide petition signed by Alaska fishermen and delivered to her Senate office.
Murkowski and fellow Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens are pushing a bill that would give fishermen an extra fuel-tax deduction for the next two years. The deduction would be based on the difference between fuel prices paid on Labor Day 2004, adjusted for inflation, and prices paid this year. The deductions would apply to fishermen across the United States.
http://www.adn.com/money/story/456789.html

The Oiled Fishermen’s Fund for advancing EVOS Tax Treatment legislation needs your help – call UCIDA at 907-260-9436 to make a donation large or small

4. Exxon Valdez victim tells senators of justices’ impact
Alaska fisherman and business owner Osa Schultz testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week on the devastating impact the Exxon Valdez oil spill continues to have on her family, her business and her community.
“The recent decision by the United States Supreme Court trumps the rights of the individual for the benefit of bottom line corporate interests, specifically for the largest corporation in the world which continues to reap record profits,” Schultz said.
The hearing, “Courting Big Business: The Supreme Court’s Recent Decisions on corporate misconduct and laws regulating corporations,” was held on Wednesday, July 23, at 10 a.m. in Room 226 of the Senate’s Dirksen Office Building in Washington, D.C.
http://thecordovatimes.com/news/show/2873

Senate Commerce Committee hearing: "Courting Big Business: The Supreme Court’s Recent Decisions on Corporate Misconduct and Laws Regulating Corporations "
(July 23)… http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=3485

5. Congress should overturn court’s Exxon ruling - RIKI OTT in the Tundra Drums
When the Supreme Court slashed punitive damages in the Exxon Valdez case last month, it was more than a travesty of justice. The court's decision also charted a dangerous course for America — one largely overlooked in the flurry of coverage on the court's other eleventh-hour, high-profile decisions, but one that renders our legal system incapable of protecting people from long-term harm caused by corporations as large and profitable as Exxon. Unless Congress acts to overturn this ruling, the court has paved the way for corporate rights to trump individual rights whenever manmade disasters put people, their livelihoods, or both, at risk…
http://thetundradrums.com/news/show/2888

6. Exxon sees record profits, fishermen won't
Seattle's William Murray, with his scrap book of photos, maps and articles, is one of the fisherman harmed by the Valdez spill. Grant Haller/P-ISo many fishermen took so personally the Supreme Court's recent decision to dramatically reduce the settlement compensating them for the damage caused by the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
I imagine they're going to be less than thrilled to hear that ExxonMobil this morning is reporting record breaking second-quarter profits. The Associated Press reports:
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/environment/
archives/144858.asp

7. Redfern files new Taku barge plan with Canadians
The owners of the Tulsequah Chief mine submitted a new plan to Canadian permitters last week that replaces a controversial amphibious concept vehicle for its Taku River barge operations.
The new plan replaces the Amphitrac, a vehicle that was invented specially for the Taku, with five kinds of existing amphibious vehicles. Work on the Amphitrac was suspended this year after the company ran into snags: high costs and delays in construction…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/062508/loc_
295316188.shtml
&
Tulsequah Chief mine tug tips on Taku River (July 4)
Company says event not uncommon when passing in a whirlpool
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/070408/loc_
299824027.shtml

8. Palin considers foreign processors
BRISTOL BAY: Canneries couldn't handle glut of salmon and imposed limits.
By WESLEY LOY, Anchorage Daily News
Gov. Sarah Palin said she'll look at ways to bring more fish processors to Bristol Bay, where many commercial salmon gillnetters are upset that overwhelmed processors have imposed catch limits…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story
/462692.html

9. Task force still has questions: Upper Cook Inlet fisheries leave legislators puzzled
Fisheries biologists from the commercial and sportfishing divisions of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game gave several presentations at the third meeting of the Joint Cook Inlet Salmon Task Force on June 25 in Anchorage, but legislators still came away with questions.
Soldotna commercial fisheries biologist Jeff Fox said the presentations weren't well received by the task force and added that he wasn't sure if the task force understood most of what was presented by the department.
"They had questions all over the board, virtually on all salmon species and stocks," he said. "It was a vigorous debate."
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/070608/new_
258680377.shtml

The official task force website is online at:
http://housemajority.org/coms/index.php?c=80
#committees

Audio files are available online at: http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/audio.cfm - see calendar on left sidebar and select date 5/22 or 5/29.

10. Alien invasion: Northern pike take over Alexander lake
Lurking lunkers devour once-strong salmon runs, lodge industry…
Alexander Lake and the namesake creek that drains from it into the Susitna River once teemed with salmon and fishermen. Now it boils with a population of pike that, like no other place in Alaska, has decimated the salmon fishery and the lodges that depended on those runs. …
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/457543.html

11. Comment deadline October 6 on Cook Inlet Oil & Gas special-interest sales
The OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012 identifies two potential ``special-interest'' sales for the Cook Inlet Planning Area in Alaska. The Cook Inlet area is a proven oil and gas province, but past industry interest in the federal offshore area has been limited.
     The amount of oil and gas produced in Cook Inlet continues to decline and with changing economic conditions there is renewed interest in finding additional hydrocarbon resources for the South Central Alaska.
    This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to determine the level of industry interest, whether it is focused on a few blocks or prospects or if there is industry interest in a larger portion of the planning area.
    We are also seeking comments from tribal, local, State, and Federal agencies, and the general public to evaluate whether MMS should proceed with further evaluations pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and all other applicable laws and regulations. We will consider the level of ndustry interest and other issues and concerns reflected in comments in our determination on how to proceed…
Cmment deadline October 6, 2008
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15444.htm

12. Trident Seafoods cannery "a total loss" after fire in Chignik (July 22)
The Department of Public Safety has issued an advisory that the Trident Seafoods processing plant in Chignik Bay caught on fire at roughly 2 p.m. July 21…
The plant is considered a total loss. Because of the estimated high dollar loss, a Deputy Fire Marshal and an Alaska State Trooper are scheduled to fly out to the village to investigate the cause of the fire…
http://www.thedutchharborfisherman.com/news/show/2793

ADN: As plant smolders, fishery gets some help
http://www.adn.com/money/story/472519.html

13. Fishing restrictions, high fuel and food prices take toll on Interior Alaska villages
By Tim Mowry, Fairbanks News Miner
With gas up to $7.76 a gallon and lots of bare space on local fish racks, Ed Alexander is worried about what winter holds for residents in the Yukon River village of Fort Yukon…
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/04/fishing-restrictions
-high-fuel-and-food-prices-tak/

14. Interior Alaska floods' effect on salmon spawning is unknown
By Tim Mowry
Stumble It! State fisheries biologists don’t know what kind of effect this week’s flood will have on spawning king salmon in the Chena and Salcha rivers. The flood coincided with the peak of spawning in both rivers…
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/04/interior-alaska-
floods-effect-salmon-spawning-unkn/

15. Salmon Season so far is ‘Lackluster' at best
“Lackluster” best describes Alaska's salmon season so far, and catches are likely to come up short when it is all over.
Fishery managers projected a 132 million salmon harvest for 2007, but catches in late July totaled just 66 million fish past the midpoint of the season.
“I would say that we will be fortunate to make the forecast, but pinks could make up for a lot quickly,” said Geron Bruce, deputy director of the state commercial fisheries division. “We're at a really critical point right now, transitioning from sockeye and early chum runs to pink salmon, and some later sockeye fisheries and then cohos.”
Managers predicted a significant decrease in the 2008 salmon catches, primarily due to projected reductions in pink salmon. But despite some bright spots at Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound and the South Peninsula, most Alaska salmon runs have been late and alarmingly low, yielding reduced catches.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/080308/hom_2008
0803032.shtml

16. Seafood consumption takes a slight dip in US
Americans ate slightly less seafood last year, and their favorites have remained largely the same for nearly a decade.
Each person consumed 16.3 pounds of fish and shellfish in 2007, a 1.2 percent decline from 2006, according to the popular top 10 list released each year by the National Fisheries Institute…
http://www.adn.com/money/story/482541.html

NOAA Press release: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories
2008/20080717_seafood.html

17. Dutch Harbor tops US fishing ports
KODIAK -- Dutch Harbor/Unalaska easily remained the nation's top fishing port, for the 19th year in a row. Nearly 780 million pounds of seafood, powered by Alaska pollock, were offloaded at the Dutch Harbor docks last year.
http://www.adn.com/money/story/469675.html

NOAA Press release: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories
2008/20080717_fishingports.html

NOAA Report: Fisheries of the United States – 2007:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm#07

18. NOAA posts Status Of U.S. Fisheries 2nd Quarter stock status
NOAA Fisheries updates stock status and the Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) score quarterly. The Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress will continue to be published annually.
2008 Status of U.S. Fisheries (status information is reported on calendar quarter)
Second Quarter Update: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/
statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm

19. Seven Stocks Removed from Overfishing List, None Added: 2007 status of U.S. fisheries report released
NOAA Fisheries Service has released its annual report on the status of U.S. fish stocks, noting that seven stocks have been removed from the overfishing list and no new stocks added. The report tracks both population levels and harvest rates for species caught in federal waters between three and 200 miles off U.S. coasts. In addition, three stocks are now listed as fully rebuilt.
NOAA press release:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/docs/SOSpr_08.pdf

Full Report: 2007 Status of U.S. Fisheries: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
sfa/domes_fish/StatusoFisheries/
2007/2007StatusofUSFisheries_Report_to_Congress.pdf

Fact Sheet: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/features/2008_docs/SOS
_Fact_Sheet_6_28_08.pdf

NOAA Fisheries Alaska regional office Status of 2007 Groundfish Fisheries: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/2007/status.htm

20. Brothers lose liberty, boat for subsistence halibut scheme
Three Sitka residents plead guilty to illegally selling subsistence-caught halibut
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen announced today, July 24, 2008, that three Sitka residents, Jesse Rivera, age 43, Mario Rivera, age 41, and Artimeo Rivera, age 36, plead guilty in federal court to violations of the Lacey Act for illegally selling and shipping to Seattle, Washington, halibut caught under the Sitka Sound Subsistence Halibut program.
Jesse Rivera’s plea agreement requires that he serve a sentence of six months imprisonment and pay a fine of $40,000. Mario Rivera’s plea agreement requires that he serve one month imprisonment, pay a fine in the amount of $10,000 and forfeit to the United States a 20-foot Boston Whaler, along with the engines and other equipment.
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/127744#new

21. Oversight bars non-city residents from halibut subsistence fishing
According to National Marine Fisheries Service, you must either be a member of an Alaska Native tribe or a resident of a rural community to be eligible for the Restricted Access Management Program.
Chiniak, along with the borough of Kodiak outside of city limits, is not designated as rural, although it is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census designated place.
The city of Kodiak is officially considered rural, according to NOAA, and residents can therefore subsistence halibut fish.
“How can a town of 8,000 people be eligible?” Seaman said. “I’m 42 miles out a dirt road in a community of 300 people, and I’m not eligible, because I’m not rural.” ..
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6490

22. Federal Subsistence Board Rejects Requests for Reconsideration on Rural/Nonrural Final Rule
ANCHORAGE -- The Federal Subsistence Board has rejected six Requests for Reconsideration of the final rule that made changes to the rural or nonrural status of several Alaska communities and areas.
The Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2007. The Board received requests for reconsideration on the rule from the State of Alaska, the Alaska Outdoor Council, the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, Alaska Fly Fishers, Ketchikan Indian Community, and the Organized Village of Saxman and City of Saxman.
Office of Subsistence Management Press Release: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/newsrel/r072908.html

May 2007 Final Rule referred to in announcement: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/07-2205.htm

23. Book review: The Fishermen's Frontier: People and Salmon in Southeast Alaska CBC professor looks at fishermen's interaction with environment in book
David Arnold wonders what the world would be like if small, local food producers were lost.
The Columbia Basin College history instructor believes independent farmers and fishermen interact directly with nature in a way corporate farms and fisheries don't, and that the loss of small producers means society as a whole is becoming disconnected from the food people consume…
The Richland man's book, The Fishermen's Frontier: People and Salmon in Southeast Alaska, focuses on the history of how fisheries affect the environment and how local fishermen are being edged out by industrial fish farms, but he said the questions it raises are applicable right here in the Mid-Columbia.
"I think it's relevant to any place, because it deals with traditions and how traditions are changed or destroyed by modernization or globalization," Arnold said…
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/262773.html

UW Press: The Fishermen's Frontier: People and Salmon in Southeast Alaska
http://www.washington.edu/uwpress/search/books/ARNFIS.html

24. EU to release 600 mln euros in fuel aid for fishermen
BRUSSELS (AFP) — The European Commission said Tuesday it aimed to release up to 600 million euros (940 million dollars) in aid to EU fishermen to help them cope with soaring fuel prices…
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jR7MB9tESr9
KIRcMcKq40y_hD28Q

25. Food Groups: FDA must require tracking of produce
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As more Americans get sick while health officials look for the cause of a salmonella outbreak sweeping the country, consumer groups said on Thursday the Food and Drug Administration must put emergency rules in place to track the movement of produce.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN0
34807620080703

26. Alaska ballot initiative surrounds Pebble Mine
By Rena Delbridge, Fairbanks News-Miner
Driven by an unlikely coalition of environmentalists, fishermen and business interests, the initiative is designed to halt the proposed Pebble Mine dead in its tracks by extending protection to water, people and salmon from pollutants. But opponents centered around the hard-rock mining industry say the initiative reaches far past shutting down Pebble and holds the potential for destroying an industry that supports communities…
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/03/alaska-ballot-initiative-
surrounds-pebble-mine/

27. Anglo American and the Pebble Mine make investment history. Can you make money? (International Business Times)
Some mines define the landscape of mining investment. The most prominent is the mine that never was, namely Bre-X. A lot of investors made money and a lot of investors lost a lot of money on that one.
Another orebody that will define the landscape of mining investment is the Pebble Mine in Alaska. The orebody certainly exists, at least that much we can be sure of. But whether it will ever be a mine is an open question. The answer is impossible to predict. In twenty years time this orebody will be as famous as Bre-X for the way it sculpts the landscape on mining investment risk. If you play this one carefully you could make a lot of money. Conversely you could loose your shirt…
Their valid question is "how can you develop this mine without polluting the salmon streams and dooming us to perpetual cleanup and care of the vast waste piles you will leave behind." My opinion is that it has not yet been done successfully elsewhere.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080804/anglo-american-and-
the-pebble-mine-make-investment-history-can-you-make-money.htm

28. State confident fish are protected – DNR responds to Dr. Woody
PEBBLE: Exploration hasn't affected water quality, biologist told.
By MARGARET BAUMAN, Alaska Journal of Commerce (July 15)
State mining coordinator Tom Crafford says he remains confident that ongoing exploration drilling at the proposed Pebble mine in Southwest Alaska will have no significant impact on fisheries resources…
Crafford's letter of July 3 to fisheries researcher and consultant Carol Ann Woody commented on water quantity, water quality, and monitoring and reporting issues. It was in response to concerns raised by Woody in her letter of April 2.
Crafford said Woody's concerns about reactivity of Pebble ore, acid mine drainage, metals leaching and potential contamination from various metals in relation to the number, depth and location of drill holes were valid issues that would be addressed if and when Pebble proceeds to development permitting…
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/mining/story/464892.html

29. MMS to hold Bristol Bay scoping meetings on OCS Oil & gas drilling
Anchorage, Alaska– The Minerals Management Service (MMS) will hold scoping meetings in the Bristol Bay region to gather information to be included in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lease sale in the North Aleutian Basin Planning area. Lease Sale 214 is scheduled for late 2011 under the Final 2007-2012 Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The meetings will be held in the following locations:
· King Salmon, Monday, August 18, 7-9:30 p.m., Lake and Peninsula Borough Administration Building
· Naknek, Tuesday, August 19, 11 a.m. -1 p.m., Borough Assembly Chambers
· Dillingham, Tuesday, September 2, 7-9:30 p.m., Dillingham City Council Chambers
· Sand Point, Monday, September 15, 7-9:30 p.m., Aleutians East Borough Offices
· Nelson Lagoon, Tuesday, September 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Nelson Lagoon Community Building
·Cold Bay, Tuesday, September 16, 7-9:30 p.m., Cold Bay Community Center
· King Cove, Wednesday, September 17, 7-9:30 p.m., King Cove City Council Chambers

MMS Press release:
http://www.mms.gov/ooc/press/2008/press0728b.htm

30. Comment deadline October 6 on Cook Inlet Oil & Gas special-interest sales
The OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012 identifies two potential ``special-interest'' sales for the Cook Inlet Planning Area in Alaska. The Cook Inlet area is a proven oil and gas province, but past industry interest in the federal offshore area has been limited.
     The amount of oil and gas produced in Cook Inlet continues to decline and with changing economic conditions there is renewed interest in finding additional hydrocarbon resources for the South Central Alaska.
    This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to determine the level of industry interest, whether it is focused on a few blocks or prospects or if there is industry interest in a larger portion of the planning area.
    We are also seeking comments from tribal, local, State, and Federal agencies, and the general public to evaluate whether MMS should proceed with further evaluations pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and all other applicable laws and regulations. We will consider the level of ndustry interest and other issues and concerns reflected in comments in our determination on how to proceed…
Comment deadline October 6, 2008
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15444.htm

31. EPA poses Clean Water Act permitting authority to State of Alaska - Comment deadline August 18
(Seattle, Wash. – July 21, 2008) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is evaluating a request from the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) to run the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The NPDES program would give the state environmental regulators the ability to write wastewater discharge permits for local business and industry, as well enforce those permits to insure compliance.

Today, Alaska is counted among a handful of states that do not currently possess water quality permitting authority for local waters. Forty-five other states have already received the okay from EPA to run the program.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d96f984dfb3ff771852
5735900400c29/323130e3ce48d3358525748d005bec21!Open
Document

Federal Register Notice:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-13831.htm

32. President Bush signs Murkowski bill on discharge permits moratorium for commercial fishing vessels
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Bush has signed into law legislation authored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski and co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Stevens that would provide commercial fishing boats and other small commercial vessels a two-year moratorium from permits for discharges under the Clean Water Act.
The bill, which Bush signed last Thursday, also directs the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study to determine the types, volumes and effects of discharges from commercial vessels of different sizes and categories. The EPA would provide a report to Congress within 15 months that would be used to determine if permanent exemptions are warranted.
Senator Murkowski’s Press release should be posted by the time you read this, at http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=
PressOffice.PressReleases

33. Land swap plan worries Pelican residents
Exchange between Forest Service, Shee Atika could block access to subsistence area
By Kate Golden | JUNEAU EMPIRE
Pelican residents were dismayed to learn of a recently proposed land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and Shee Atika Inc. that could deny them access to a subsistence area right across the fjord from town.
"It's incredible to me that they're even considering trading land that's been logged for valuable land that has not been logged," said Norm Carson, a Pelican resident…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/071508/loc_304177550.shtml

34. Beans Café feeds hungry with free salmon
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Thousands of pounds of Bering Sea bycatch are now being served at Beans Café in downtown Anchorage.
For the first time ever, the downtown soup kitchen is serving up 22,000 pounds of sockeye salmon accidentally caught during the pollack fishery opening…
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=8757660

35. NMFS Renews SeaShare permits for distribution of salmon & halibut incidental catch
NMFS announces the renewal of permits to SeaShare (formerly Northwest Food Strategies) authorizing this organization to distribute Pacific salmon and Pacific halibut to economically disadvantaged individuals under the prohibited species donation (PSD) program. Salmon and halibut are caught incidentally during directed fishing for groundfish with trawl gear off Alaska. This action is necessary to comply with provisions of the PSD program and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
DATES: The permits are effective from August 15, 2008, through August 15, 2011.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-14275.htm

36. Can chefs cozy up to frozen fish?
By JULIET EILPERIN, The Washington Post
In this era of globalization, restaurant menus from New York to San Francisco boast fresh fish with distant origins: blackfin tuna from Tobago, mahi-mahi from Hawaii and black grouper from the Bahamas. But a group of chefs and food service vendors (be aware that such jet-setting comes at a heavy environmental cost) is promoting a radical shift in practice: Increase the amount of fish that is frozen at sea so it can be transported by ship or truck instead.
Culinary leaders who care about reducing greenhouse gases linked to global warming need "to get people to understand that frozen is fresher than raw" most of the time, according to Food Network host Alton Brown. "What we need is more trains," he added. "There needs to be a fish train."…
http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20080803/Lives/316311413/1056/Lives

37. Alaska - Great Sustainable Fish.
By Brad Nelson, 4Hoteliers Hospitality, Hotel and Travel News,
Sustainable, according to Webster's Dictionary, is "of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged."
We hear a great deal about sustainable farming, fishing, and general food production. A lofty goal that is generally misunderstood and often lumped with other terms like organic, local, natural, fair trade, etc…
Alaska, however, is a unique fishery. Long before sustainability became cool, the state committed to managing their natural resources, especially the salmon, halibut, crab, and pollock fisheries. Scientifically managing yearly catch, and partnering with the fishing industry has allowed them to build an industry that will be fishing for many, many years.
I recently attended a symposium on sustainability sponsored by the Alaskan Seafood Marketing Institute…
http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=3215

38. Praising, and then panning, Alaskan salmon - Bob Tkacz on NY Times author Grescoe
A columnist writing in The New York Times boycotts wild Alaskan salmon, a 180-degree turn from an earlier position in favor of the fishery. Is his reversal motivated by the need to publicize a new book?
Someone should write a book about all the screwy, or just plain dumb solutions that have been proposed to ensure survival of the world's wild salmon stock, but not Canadian author Taras Grescoe. He should get a few pages, not as a writer but as an object lesson.
Grescoe announced in The New York Times that he has quit eating wild salmon, at least until next year, as his personal contribution to the survival of the species. By inference he suggested we all should do the same…
http://www.crosscut.com/food/15973/Praising,+and+then
+panning,+Alaskan+salmon/

39. MMS Proposes Alt. Energy and Fish Farms instead of decommissioning Oil Rigs
Comment deadline September 8.
The MMS is proposing regulations that would establish a program to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way (ROW) for alternative energy project activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as well as for certain previously unauthorized activities (FISH FARMS) that involve the alternate use of existing facilities located on the OCS;…
DATES: Submit comments on the proposed regulation by September 8, 2008.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-14911.htm

&&&&
MMS Proposal for Offshore Aquaculture welcomed by Ocean Stewards "provided there is adequate environmental monitoring and oversight"
http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/11492/MMS
_Proposal_for_Offshore_Aquaculture_welcomed_by_Ocean_
Stewards.html

Proposal lets fish farms operate in U.S. waters
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jul/10
/proposal-lets-fish-farms-operate-in-us-waters/

40. MMS Public Workshops on Alternate Use (RIGS to FishFarms) - Seattle Aug 12…
The MMS Office of Offshore Alternative Energy Programs is holding public workshops on the West Coast to provide an overview of proposed Federal regulations to establish a program for alternative energy project activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and for previously unauthorized activities involving the alternate use of existing OCS facilities. The proposed rule would also establish methods for sharing revenues generated by this program with nearby States. The purpose of the workshops is to provide the public with an informal forum to discuss the draft regulations. Questions in advance may be sent to Alternative@mms.gov .

August 13, 2008 – Public Workshop, Seattle, WA, Doubletree Hotel, Seattle Airport
18740 International Blvd. Seattle, WA 98188 Phone: 206-246-8600,
Room name: Cascade 3-4
Meeting time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon)

August 14, 2008 – Public Workshop, Portland, OR, Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Portland - Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah, Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 503-281-6111 Room name: Oregon
Meeting time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon)

August 15, 2008 – Public Workshop, San Francisco, CA
The Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129
Phone: 415-561-5447, Room name: Arguello Ball Room
Meeting time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon)

41. Oregon State to host Forum on Offshore Aquaculture in the NW Coast Sept. 9-10
September 9-10, 2008, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr.
Newport, Oregon 97365…
Sample topics: Potential business models for the Pacific Northwest; Aquaculture industry perspectives; Site and engineering issues; Biological/husbandry issues; Environmental issues.
Speaker: Dr. Michael Rubino, Dr. Michael Rust; Randy Cates*; Dr. Richard Langdon
Program:
http://oregonstate.edu/conferences/aquaculture2008/program.pdf
Forum home page:
http://oregonstate.edu/conferences/aquaculture2008/

42. NOAA: Report: Offshore Aquaculture Would Benefit U.S. Economy
GAO: Multiple Issues need to be addressed
Aquaculture shows significant economic potential and good prospects for success in the
United States, according to a new report commissioned by NOAA. The report’s authors call for
clear rules to be enacted to guide the development of an offshore aquaculture industry.
Report: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov/news/econ.html .
NOAA press release: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/docs/
Aquaculture_71508-FINAL.pdf.

GAO Report from June: Multiple Administrative and Environmental Issues Need to Be Addressed in Establishing a U.S. Regulatory Framework… http://aquaculture.noaa.gov/news/gao.html

43. 30,000 salmon escape from Canadian fish farm (July 4)
VICTORIA, British Columbia (AP) -- About 30,000 Atlantic salmon have escaped from a net pen north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, Canada's largest salmon farming company reported.
http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=70871

44. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week
Monday 8/4/08 Today is the U.S. Coast Guard’s 218th birthday
Friday 8/1/08 AK summer crab fishery updates
Thursday 7/31/08 How seafood stacks up against other proteins
Wednesday 7/30/08 Workshop helps crab crew polish fishery proposals
Tuesday 7/29/08 Discharge laws dumped for fishing boats – for now; Exxon tax break update
Listen Online at: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/
fishradio.htm
& also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html

45. NOAA Omnibus funding notice for FY 2009 – Saltonstall-Kennedy & other grants

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes this notice to provide the general public with a consolidated source of program and application information related to its competitive grant and cooperative agreement (CA) award offerings for fiscal year (FY) 2009. This Omnibus notice is designed to replace the multiple Federal Register notices that traditionally advertised the availability of NOAA's discretionary funds for its various programs…
…The Saltonstall-Kennedy Act established a fund (known as the S-K fund) that the Secretary of Commerce uses to provide grants or cooperative agreements for fisheries research and development projects addressing aspects of U.S. fisheries, including, but not
limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated infrastructures…
Funding is contingent upon availability of Federal allocations. The S-K program has sought funding for $5 million in grant awards. We anticipate awarding 20-25 grants of approximately $100,000 to $250,000 each.
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Eastern Time on October 1, 2008 (for Saltonstall-Kennedy – other programs have different deadlines)
Federal Register Notice July 11, 2008: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15720.htm

46. Comment deadline Aug. 11 on Amendment 15 non tribal whiting proposed rule
NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 15 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 15 would modify the FMP to implement a limited entry program for the non-tribal Pacific whiting fishery…
Comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before August 11, 2008…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15833.htm

47. NPFMC Crab Workshop to assist crew in refinement of proposals – Aug 11, Anchorage
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (NPFMC) will host a Crab Workshop on August 11, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel, 500 West 3rd Avenue, Lupine Room, Anchorage, AK.
A workshop to assist crew in the refinement of proposals for presentation to the crab committee at its September 15th meeting. The workshop is not intended to generate any specific crew consensus or recommendation. Instead, the workshop is intended to assist crew members and their representatives in the drafting of purpose and need statements and reformulation of their proposals as alternatives, elements, and options in a form typically considered by the Council. Crew members and their representatives could then present their revised proposals to the committee for its consideration. The committee report to the Council will include any proposals received and a summary of the committee's discussions of those proposals…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15892.htm

48. EPA posts corrected final rule on next generation Marine Diesel emissions
EPA is adopting a comprehensive program to dramatically reduce pollution from locomotives and marine diesel engines. The controls will apply to all types of locomotives, including line-haul, switch, and passenger, and all types of marine diesel engines below 30 liters per cylinder displacement, including commercial and recreational, propulsion and auxiliary. The near-term emission standards for newly-built engines will phase in starting in 2009. The near-term program also includes new emission limits for existing locomotives and marine diesel engines that apply when they are remanufactured, and take effect as soon as certified remanufacture systems are available, as early as 2008. The long-term emissions standards for newly-built locomotives and marine diesel engines are based on the application of high-efficiency catalytic aftertreatment technology. These standards begin to take effect in 2015 for locomotives and in 2014 for marine diesel engines. We estimate particulate matter (PM) reductions of 90 percent and nitrogen oxides (NOX) reductions of 80 percent from engines meeting these standards, compared to engines meeting the current standards.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/R8-7999.pdf

49. USCG Safety Alert - Controllable Pitch Propeller Systems and Situational Awareness
…The Coast Guard strongly recommends that owners, operators, and masters of vessels with controllable pitch propellers understand the design and operation of the system…
http://homeport.uscg.mil/cgi-bin/st/portal/uscg_docs/MyCG/
Editorial/20080702/3-08_2.pdf?id=fd66f22a53fd8b425922
1bd3b2e1096ad9dfbfe1

50. NMFS posts Final Rule on Amendment 89 no-trawl areas
NMFS issues a final rule that implements Amendment 89 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) to establish Bering Sea habitat conservation measures. Amendment 89 prohibits nonpelagic trawling in certain waters of the Bering Sea subarea to protect bottom habitat from the potential adverse effects of nonpelagic trawling…
Copies of the final revised stock assessment reports are also available on the Internet in Adobe Acrobat format at http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/reports.htm .
Federal Register Norice:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-17144.htm

51. USFWS posts final revised stock assessment reports for Northern Sea Otter stocks
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has incorporated public comments into revisions of marine mammal stock assessment reports for the three stocks of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska. The 2008 final stock assessment reports are now complete and
available to the public… http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-17804.htm

52. 2008 Halibut Landing Reports No. 6,7, & 8
#8: Area 2A Directed Commercial Halibut Fishery Closed for Remainder of 2008
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2008/
nr20080728.htm

#7: Quota Share Commercial Fisheries Update
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2008/
nr20080724.htm

#6: Non-treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A for the July 23 Opening
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/newsrel/2008/
nr20080715.htm

53. West of Cape Suckling PCSRF Science Panel Meeting Notice – Sept. 9, Juneau
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is convening the multi-agency Science Panel to review its gap analysis in order to identify priority information issues/needs related to salmon sustainability and Pacific Salmon Treaty implementation for Southeast Alaska. The Sustainable Salmon Strategy Framework utilized includes Habitat, Wild Stocks, and Salmon Management Systems goals. The Science Panel’s recommendations will result in a call for proposals for Southeast Alaska mid-September to early October for allocation of federal Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF) administered by the ADF&G.

The Science Panel will convene in the Commissioner’s Conference room at ADF&G Headquarters in Juneau, AK at 1255 W. 8th Street from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Time for public comment will be scheduled and meeting materials made available two weeks prior to the meeting at: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/sssf/sssf.php.

Questions may be directed to Sue Aspelund, PCSRF program manager, at 907.465.6139 or sue.aspelund@alaska.gov.

http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7
a8925672a0060a91b/86d864dfa4d56cbe8925749c0002cca
0?OpenDocument

54. West of Cape Suckling PCSRF Expert Panel Meeting Notice – Sept. 2 – 3, Anchorage
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is convening the multi-agency Expert Panel to review its gap analysis in order to identify priority information issues/needs related to salmon sustainability for the regions west of Cape Suckling (the areas of the state outside of Southeast Alaska). The Sustainable Salmon Strategy Framework utilized includes Habitat, Wild Stocks, and Salmon Management Systems goals. The Expert Panel’s recommendations will result in a call for proposals for the AYK, Southcentral, and Westward regions of the state in early to mid-October for allocation of federal Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF) administered by the ADF&G.

The Expert Panel will convene in the Gordon Watson Conference Room on the first floor of the USFWS – Alaska Region office in Anchorage, AK at 1011 E. Tudor Road from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2008.

ADF&G Notice:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a
8925672a0060a91b/10f4c6941eb314958925749c000293a
9?OpenDocument

55. MMRC Deconstructing the Diet - New Model May Help to Quantify Prey Consumption
Studying the diet of marine mammals can reveal important information about their ecological role. But traditional techniques of analyzing diet are imperfect. Recently, Consortium researchers tested a model designed to determine the relative proportions of prey consumed by harbor seals. The innovative process examines the unique chemical remnants of prey that are incorporated into the seal’s living blubber.
http://www.marinemammal.org/2008/nordstrom.php
&
Hormone Changes Shed Light on Nutritional Stress
http://www.marinemammal.org/2008/rosen_kumagai.php
Marine Mammal Research Consortium home page: http://www.marinemammal.org/

56. Sea Grant Energy saving tips
Alaska Sea Grant has posted a fuel efficiency tips page and have developed a brochure and posters that are available – they are going out to harbormasters around the state in the next week or so. Could you circulate the link? www.marineadvisory.org/recreation/fuel-efficiency/index.html

57. Alaska Sea Grant online survey on research efforts – deadline August 30.
Greetings! Alaska Sea Grant at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences would like to receive your advice on how to focus our marine and coastal research, education, and community extension efforts for the next five years. We invite you to fill out and return a short online survey before August 30. The survey is at www.alaskaseagrant.org

58. VitalChoices: Statin Drug Beaten by Alternative Cholesterol Treatment (Fish oil)
Clinical trial finds that lifestyle changes – plus fish oil and a Chinese folk remedy – lowered cholesterol and improved key risk factors more than a statin drug alone.
New clinical findings show that lifestyle changes – plus omega-3s and a natural statin alternative – can lower cholesterol levels more than a common statin drug, while bringing other cardiovascular benefits in the bargain.

http://newsletter.vitalchoice.com/e_article001167360.cfm
?x=bbVV2P3,b7b1jv7h,w

Repeat items still open for comment:

59. NMFS 2009 Proposed List of Fisheries (MMPA) – comment by August 12
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2009, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)…Comments must be received by August 12, 2008
Federal register Pdf version with tables:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/fr/fr73-33760.pdf

NOAA Fish News item: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishnews/2004/08132004.htm#anchor2

NMFS List of Fisheries home page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/lof/

60. Comment Deadline August 11 on Fed registry for sport fishing in federal ocean waters
NOAA Press release: NOAA Proposes Rule to Require Saltwater Angler Registration… http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/docs/nationa
l_angler_registry.pdf

NOAA Marine Recreational Information Program: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/mrip/

Federal register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-13250.htm

61. Comment deadline August 12 on MSA NEPA procedures Proposed Rule…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-10271.htm

NMFS Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Reauthorized Home page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2005/

62. Comment deadline Sept 8 on NS1 Overfishing guidelines, MSY and Optimum Yield in Fishery Management Plans
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/08-1328.htm
Background info is online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/catchlimits.htm

NOAA Press release: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/
20080605_catchlimit.html