UFA Update
October 7, 2008

The UFA Board of Directors met in Anchorage Sept 24 – 26. Results of the meeting and candidate endorsements will be sent to paid members by mail. If your dues are lapsed –renew online at http://www.ufa-fish.org/paymt.htm . Thanks to the many Cook Inlet area fishermen who accepted our invitation to our reception.

Are you unable to vote at your precinct on Election Day?
 If so, Alaska law provides for the following ways to vote absentee:
Absentee/Early In Person Voting – beginning 15 days before Election Day
Voting By Mail -
Voting By Fax – beginning 15 days before Election Day
Special Needs Voting
For information see: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/abinfo.php

UFA will participate in Pacific Marine Expo November 20-22 in Seattle. For more information see www.pacificmarineexpo.com

Please go online and fill out the Marine Advisory Program Fuel Survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/seagrantfuel   . Your response will help guide our efforts. Results will be posted beginning October 15, and the survey will remain open for further input.

Note to EVOS Plaintiffs:
In our special EVOS Tax update last week we left out major thanks due to United Salmon Association Kodiak, U S A PWS, and Kodiak Setnetter's Associations for their support for the Oiled Fishermen’s Fund effort to pass the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Tax Treatment  - thanks to Virginia Adams, Herb Jensen, and Duncan Fields for their leadership and contributions for these organizations. Help is still needed - If you are an EVOS claimant, please see item #36 at the bottom of this update for more information on how you can help.

Table of Contents

1. NPFMC Regulators approve Alaska halibut catch split

2. Time Magazine: Could Quotas Keep Fish on the Menu?

3. Cook Inlet Legislative Salmon Task Force Teleconferences Oct 9, Anchorage LIO

4. EVOS TAX: By averaging award over three years, plaintiffs will save big on income taxes.

5. Food and Water Watch Commends Rep. Young Legislation to Stop MMS “Rigs to Fish Farms” Plan in it’s Tracks

6. MMS – Aleutian Oil & Gas scoping comments deadline October 17

7. Comment deadline December 1 on Cook Inlet Areawide Oil & Gas Lease Sale

8. Alaska & Pacific states’ Senators Sponsor Bipartisan Bill to
Protect West Coast Salmon Runs

9. Water reservations to protect Endangered Species fish ruled to be “Takings”

10. State's highest court dismisses “takings” suit by inlet fishermen

11. Bristol Bay processors explain 2008 season limits…by Glenn Reed in Pacific Fishing

12. Scallop fishery improves

13. Cordova Times: Fishing can be ‘chicken’ one day, ‘feathers’ the next

14. Book Tour: Not One Drop: Betrayal and Courage in the Wake of
the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill by Riki Ott

15. Fish board hearing to give Fairbanks dip-netters, anglers chance to have their say

16. Pebble: Keystone presents Stakeholder finding and recommendations Oct 13-16

17. Redfern Mine submits new Tulsequah mine Taku barging proposal

18. Kensington work force to be cut in half

19. Washington Post: Palin's Stand on Mining Initiative Leaves Many Feeling Burned

20. ASMI Committee opportunities – deadline October 15

21. Comment deadline November 3 on Organic Proposed Rules –
Farmed fish and wild fish meal may be “Organic” - but not wild fish?

22. Adak's woes continue as RCA pulls city's utility certificate

23. Stevens secures earmarks for Coast Guard in Alaska –saves cutter Acushnet

24. BC: Salmon farming objectors get their day in court

25. Meat gets COOL: Labels Will Say If Your Beef Was Born in the USA

25. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week

26. Saltonstall Kennedy Grant Deadline November 3, 2008

27. Governor Palin Makes Pacific Salmon Commission Panel Appointments

28. Deadline Noon October 31 for AK Sustainable Salmon Fund Proposals

29. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Habitat Proposal deadline Oct. 17.

30. Help Wanted – AK Sea Grant MAP Extension agent needed in Dillingham

31. Researchers' goal: to put more king crab in every fishermens' pot

32.  The Coalition For Safe & Sustainable Crab Fisheries Report To The Governor Of Alaska

33. ADF&G releases crab TACs for 2008/2009

35. IPHC Biomass Apportionment Workshop Documents posted (September 4)

36. Dear fellow EVOS claimant…

1. NPFMC Regulators approve Alaska halibut catch split
Federal regulators have approved a plan to apportion available halibut in two Alaska regions among commercial and the charter fleets.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council on Saturday voted 10-1 for the plan in southeast and southcentral Alaska, aimed settling a long-running fish feud between commercial halibut fishermen and charter boat operators who allow thousands of tourist and residents to catch halibut with a rod and reel…
Commercial fishermen sought the split to limit the growth of charter catches.
Charter boat captains asked the council not to limit the number of fish their clients can take home… http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/
546724.html

The NPFMC catch sharing plan motion is online at:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut_issues
/HalibutCSPmotion1008.pdf>
&
Homer Chamber clarifies position to NPFMC:
http://www.homernews.com/stories/100108/news_4_016l.shtml
&
Council passes halibut split – ADN Highliner Blog By WESLEY LOY
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/132254

2. Time Magazine: Could Quotas Keep Fish on the Menu?
In the past, fishing quotas — or the government allotments of set amounts of fish to private parties — have not always won over the hearts of seafarers. But looking at more than 11,000 fisheries worldwide, researchers led by scientists from the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that countries that had effectively privatized their fish stock by doling out quotas to individual fishermen were half as likely to experience a collapse as those that did not. "The idea is that by securing access for individuals or select groups for a long period of time, they have an incentive to steward the resources," explains the study's lead author, Christopher Costello, a resource economist at U.C. Santa Barbara. "If they overharvest or destroy habitat today, they will have a less vibrant stock in the future, and thus lower future profits."…
Take Alaska's halibut fishery, which began a catch-share program in 1995…
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1846044,00.html

Take Alaska’s halibut fishery?  Unfortunately these businessmen are taking that literally…
‘We are very disappointed’ – press release from the Charter Halibut Task Force…
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/132367  
&
Southeast Sport Fishing Guide fined $8,000 for Allowing Clients to Fish for an Over Limit of Halibut
http://www.law.alaska.gov/pdf/press/092408-craig-sport-fish.pdf

3. Cook Inlet Legislative Salmon Task Force Teleconferences Oct 9, Anchorage LIO
JOINT COOK INLET SALMON TASK FORCE
Oct 09     Thursday     Anch Lio Conf Rm         10:00 AM
 -- Teleconference – presenters:
BRUCE TWOMLEY with ADF&G, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission --  Briefing on buy back programs and potential Cook Inlet buy back program
RAY RIUTTA with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute - Briefing on sustainability and management practices in marketing salmon
-- Testimony is by <Invitation Only> --

To listen online see Gavel to Gavel audio calendar online at http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/audio.cfm  and select October 9.

Or for the teleconference number contact the task force staff at 907-269-0200

ADF&G Document for Cook Inlet Task Force meeting Oct 9th:
Issues Related to the 2008 Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Season - ADF&G, September 23, 2008
http://housemajority.org/coms/jcis/pdfs/adf&g_response_to
_UCI_issues_20080923.pdf

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

4. EVOS TAX: By averaging award over three years, plaintiffs will save big on income taxes.
Exxon Valdez litigants will get a tax break out of the financial rescue package passed by the House of Representatives on Friday and quickly signed into law by President Bush…

The new law will allow Exxon litigants who receive awards to average the income over three years, rather than paying taxes on it in just one year. It also allows them to put $100,000 immediately into an IRA. Taxes would be due on the $100,000 only in the future, when the money is withdrawn from the IRA.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/545446.html

EVOS Plaintiffs – for litigation updates, to set up for direct deposits, and other useful information see: http://www.exspill.com/
And see note at the bottom of this Update to help pay for the lobbying effort that got this done.

5. Food and Water Watch Commends Rep. Young Legislation to Stop MMS “Rigs to Fish Farms” Plan in it’s Tracks
"Food & Water Watch applauds and strongly supports Representative Young’s introduction of legislation that would prevent the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) and other Department of Interior agencies from approving currently pending rules to open federal ocean waters to industrial fish farming. This new bill re-affirms Food & Water Watch’s long time position – that MMS does not have the expertise nor the authority to permit a new big industry like ocean fish farming.

“Our organization has always opposed the MMS plan to allow ocean aquaculture – a plan that recently was also widely criticized by many members of Congress. H.R. 7109 follows on the heels of a bi-partisan letter sent to MMS by Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV), Chair of the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, Congresswoman Madeline Z. Bordallo (D-Guam), Chair of the Natural Resources Committee’s Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans Subcommittee, and 12 other members, that stated MMS does not have the legal authority, or the necessary expertise, to permit fish farms to operate in federal waters using energy companies’ oil rigs or other energy facilities…
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/press/releases/consumer-group
-commends-legislation-to-stop-mms-rigs-to-fish-farms-plan-in-its-t
racks-article10022008

UFA commented in a similar vein regarding the MMS plan, and we thank Congressman Young for his support on this.

6. MMS – Aleutian Oil & Gas scoping comments deadline October 17
The MMS has extended the deadline for submission of written scoping comments for the EIS to October 17, 2008…
Federal register Notice:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-18709.htm
MMS Alaska home page: http://www.mms.gov/alaska/

UFA passed a position motion on MMS OCS lease sales for the purpose of this scoping process and will be communicating it to the MMSs involved, our delegation and members.

7. Comment deadline December 1 on Cook Inlet Areawide Oil & Gas Lease Sale
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR), Division of Oil and Gas (DO&G), gives notice under AS 38.05.945(a)(3)(A) that it has issued the Preliminary Best Interest Finding required by AS 38.05.035(e)(5)(A) for the Proposed Cook Inlet Areawide Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2009…
DO&G invites the public to comment on any aspect of the sale, including the Preliminary Best Interest Finding and the ACMP Consistency Analysis. Comments on the ACMP Consistency Analysis should either be submitted separately or be grouped under a different heading from comments on the Preliminary Best Interest Finding. Comments may be mailed to: Division of Oil and Gas, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 800, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501, Attention: Greg Curney; or faxed to (907) 269-8938; or e-mailed to greg.curney@alaska.gov. Comments must be received no later than December 1, 2008 to be considered in the final best interest finding and the ACMP consistency determination for this sale…
DNR Public Notice Sept 30: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/p
ubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/4e21
ef56205b0e8e892574d40071af08?OpenDocument

Preliminary Best Interest Finding - 2009 Proposed Cook Inlet Areawide Oil and Gas Lease Sale (September 29, 2008) is online at:
http://www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us/oil/products/publications/
cookinlet/ciaw_2009_final_finding/ciaw09-pf_toc.html

We applaud Senators Stevens and Murkowski and especially appreciate the bipartisan support from ALL WEST COAST U.S. SENATORS in this effort.

9. Water reservations to protect Endangered Species fish ruled to be “Takings”
The Casitas Municipal Water District won a major battle in its case against the federal government on Thursday when an appeals court ruled the government must pay for any water it takes to help the endangered steelhead survive.

The case has ramifications far beyond Ventura's borders, calling into question how water can be used to protect endangered species.

"The message is that the government is not going to be able to take a portion of the water supply without paying for it," said Casitas' attorney, Roger Marzulla. "This is of great interest to water districts across the West because it confirms that water rights are, in fact, valuable property rights and the government has to pay for those water rights" when it appropriates them for such purposes as fish protection.

But Russ Baggerly, a Casitas board member who has opposed the suit since it was first filed last spring, worries the decision could poke holes in the Endangered Species Act and change how water rights are dealt with.

"If it stands as good law, there isn't going to be enough money in the treasury to deal with all the takings claims all across the country," he said.
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/27/
ruling-favors-casitas-district/

Casitas Municipal Water District v. United States, Case No. 05-CV-168 (Sept. 25, 2008) at p. 30.  To view the full opinion, see http
://216.109.139.51/Files/20109_CASITAS%20MUNICIPAL
%20WATER%20DISTRICT.pdf

Thanks to George Mannina for the heads up on this one. 

10. State's highest court dismisses “takings” suit by inlet fishermen
The Alaska Supreme Court put the final nail in the coffin of a class-action lawsuit filed in 2005 by Upper Cook Inlet commercial salmon fishermen against the state of Alaska and the Board of Fisheries, when it upheld a previous Superior Court ruling last week dismissing the case.
The lawsuit maintained that changes made by the Board of Fisheries in the UCI Salmon Management Plan in 1996 resulted in substantially fewer fishing opportunities for drift and setnet fishermen, which caused permit prices to plunge. That loss of value, according to the lawsuit, constituted "unlawful takings or damage to [their] property interest in violation of the United States and Alaska Constitutions." They sought "a declaration that these government actions are unconstitutional and unenforceable without just compensation paid to the plaintiffs for a taking or damage to their property."…
http://homernews.com/stories/100108/business_3_004l.shtml

AK Supreme Court Decision online: Vanek et all vs. Board of Fisheries
http://www.state.ak.us/courts/ops/sp-6308.pdf

11. Bristol Bay processors explain 2008 season limits…by Glenn Reed in Pacific Fishing
Pacific Fishing Magazine Editor’s note: Glenn Reed is president of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, a trade association that has, since 1914, represented seafood processors operating in Alaska. Next month, a rebuttal from fishermen.

As I write this in mid-August, the 2008 Bristol Bay sockeye season has just closed. It will take some time for all the facts and figures to come in and a full analysis to be done, but a lively discourse about the season is already underway on the docks, in the blogs, and elsewhere…
As in past years, harvest limits were necessitated in 2008 by compacted run timing, not overall run size…
http://www.pacificfishing.com/Oct08/processors.html

12. Scallop fishery improves
UNALASKA, AK (2008-10-01) The Aleutian and Bering Sea scallop fisheries are now closed for the season after two boats harvested the legal limits. The Ocean Hunter and the Arctic Hunter caught 50,000 pounds of shucked scallop meat in the Bering Sea, mostly in August and September. Alaska Department of Fish & Game area management biologist Forrest Bowers said that area of the fishery is remaining strong.
"The Bering Sea fishery has been relatively stable for the last few years but this year's 2008 catch rates were higher than they were in 2007. It's encouraging," he said.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kial/news.newsmain?action=
article&ARTICLE_ID=1379531&sectionID=1

13. Cordova Times: Fishing can be ‘chicken’ one day, ‘feathers’ the next
By LONE E. JANSON
Cordova is basically a fish town. When the fishing is good, we eat “chicken,” when it’s bad, we eat “feathers.” Right now we still have a few hens on the table after a fine humpies season, but the taste of feathers is still strong in our mouths after the red salmon season on the Copper River this year…
http://thecordovatimes.com/news/show/3386

14. Book Tour: Not One Drop: Betrayal and Courage in the Wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill by Riki Ott
Not One Drop: Betrayal and Courage in the Wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Riki Ott. Chelsea Green, $21.95 (320p) ISBN 978-1-93339-258-5
FYI - if anyone is interested in attending one of Riki's book tour events for her latest publication, "Not one drop", visit the website below for more information. www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/not_one_
drop:paperback/events/
Thanks to CDFU for this item

15. Fish board hearing to give Fairbanks dip-netters, anglers chance to have their say (10/2).  FAIRBANKS — Allowing Chitina dip-netters to keep four Copper River king salmon instead of just one.
Increasing the bag limit at Chitina by 10 salmon per household member for households with more than two people.
Extending the king salmon fishing season on the Klutina River 10 days to Aug. 10.
Counting any salmon you land on the Gulkana and Klutina rivers against your daily bag limit, even if you release it…
Those are just some of the changes that could be in store for fishermen and dip-netters if they are adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries at its December meeting in Cordova…

Someone testifying in Fairbanks next week will be given the same consideration as someone testifying at the meeting in Cordova in December, which is one of the reasons the fish board is asking anyone who plans to testify in Cordova to refrain from testifying on Wednesday, Marcotte said…
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/oct/02/fish-board-hearing-give-
fairbanks-dip-netters-angl/

For Fairbanks October 8-10, 2008 Worksession ACRs, etc see:
http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fcal.php

For the BOF proposals for this and other meetings in this cycle see:
ht tp://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fprop.php

16. Pebble: Keystone presents Stakeholder finding and recommendations Oct 13-16
The Keystone Center will visit Southwest Alaska during the week of October 13 to present its finding and recommendations from its Stakeholder Assessment and Dialogue Feasibility Study for the proposed Pebble Mine. The Keystone Center, an independent non-profit organization located in Colorado, conducted interviews with Alaska citizens concerned with the proposed Pebble Mine during the spring of 2008.  The Center spent much of the summer developing a report and recommendations for a three-stage dialogue process to help Alaska citizens make informed decisions about whether to support a mine and if so, under what conditions. Staff members from the Center will hold a discussion of their findings and recommendations in Anchorage, Kenai, King Salmon, Dillingham, and Newhalen throughout the week.

Schedule:
Monday October 13 – Anchorage
4-6 PM at the Williamson Auditorium of the University of Alaska Anchorage
Light snacks will be served

Tuesday October 14 – Kenai
4-6 PM in the Ward Building (Room 116) at Kenai Peninsula College
Lights snacks will be served

Wednesday October 15 – King Salmon
10-12 AM at the Southwest Alaska Vocational Education Center (SAVEC)
Lights snacks will be served

Wednesday October 15 – Dillingham
2:30 – 4:30 PM at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus
Lights snacks will be served

Thursday October 16 – Newhalen
4-6 PM at the Newhalen School
Lights snacks will be served

Please contact Todd Bryan (303-468-8864) at The Keystone Center for more information.

17. Redfern Mine submits new Tulsequah mine Taku barging proposal
The Tulsequah Chief mine operators submitted new information Wednesday to the state on their plan to operate on the Taku River in the winter.
Redfern Resources Ltd. is planning to tow or push an air-cushion barge across the Taku's ice with amphibious vehicles.
The submission restarts a permit process that has been on hold since February.
Alaska permitters at the departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Game now have three weeks to decide whether Redfern's packet is complete. The clock stops if they ask for more information…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/100208/reg
_339454675.shtml
&
Redcorp Ventures Ltd.: Project Funding Update
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Redcorp-Ventures-
Ltd-TSX-RDV-901367.html

18. Kensington work force to be cut in half
Coeur Alaska says it will lay off 41 of 82 workers at the mine
Alaska Native leaders who bargained with Coeur Alaska Inc. for local and Native hire at the Kensington Mine are now scrambling to help laid-off workers find jobs.
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp. spokesman Tony Ebersole said 41 of 82 people would be laid off…
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/100508/loc_340549527.shtml
&
Acid mine drainage found at Kensington Mine
State department issues a notice of violation to company for violating water quality standards
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/093008/loc_338558528.shtml

19. Washington Post: Palin's Stand on Mining Initiative Leaves Many Feeling Burned
…The two sides spent more than $10 million -- unprecedented for such efforts in Alaska -- and throughout it all, the state's highly popular first-term governor, Sarah Palin, held back. Alaska law forbids state officials from using state resources to advocate on ballot initiatives.
Then, six days before the Aug. 26 vote, with the race looking close, Palin broke her silence. Asked about the initiative at a news conference, she invoked "personal privilege" to give an opinion. "Let me take my governor's hat off for just a minute here and tell you, personally, Prop. 4 -- I vote no on that," she said. "I have all the confidence in the world that [the Department of Environmental Conservation] and our [Department of Natural Resources] have great, very stringent regulations and policies already in place. We're going to make sure that mines operate only safely, soundly." …
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/
09/27/AR2008092702834.html?%20hpid=topnews

20. ASMI Committee opportunities – deadline October 15
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is currently seeking Alaska Seafood Industry members interested in serving on an ASMI committee. Please email or mail a letter of interest and resume to ASMI’s Executive Director, Ray Riutta by October 15, 2008.  You can email Ray at rriutta@alaskaseafood.org or mail letters and resumes to 311 N. Franklin St., Suite 200, Juneau, AK 99801.  Please cc Lynn Coffee (lcoffee@alaskasefood.org ) on your correspondence.

ASMI has four species committees and four operational committees.  Currently there are 5 available seats and 17 members whose terms are expiring this year.

Salmon Committee: 4 seats up for re-appointment
Halibut-Sablefish Committee – 1 available seat
Whitefish Committee – 2 available seats, one seat up for re-appointment
Shellfish Committee – 2 seats up for re-appointment
Retail Marketing Committee – 1 available seat, 2 seats up for re-appointment
Foodservice Marketing Committee – 3 seats up for re-appointment
International Marketing Committee – 1 available seat, 3 seats up for re-appointment
Seafood Technical Committee – 2 seats up for re-appointment. 
If you have questions please contact Lynn Coffee at (907) 465-5560.

21. Comment deadline November 3 on Organic Proposed Rules – Farmed fish and wild fish meal may be “Organic” - but not wild fish?
“Final recommendations on what will constitute organic aquaculture products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are being sent forward with provisions allowing for use of wild-caught fish as feed and for fish raised in net pens to be considered organic and allowed to use the USDA organic seal.
“The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Livestock Committee made the recommendations to the National Organic Program on Sept. 28. NOP is expected to vote on them in November. If approved by NOP, they head to USDA for final approval.”

The two relevant rules are at
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRD
C5072722&acct=nosb
and
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRD
C5072721&acct=nosb

Comments may be submitted in writing to Valerie Frances, Executive Director, NOSB, USDA-AMS-TMD-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 4008-S, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268, or via the internet at www.regulations.gov only. The comments should identify Docket Number AMS-AMS-08-0083. The deadline for all comments, whether submitted by mail or the internet, is Monday, November 3, 2008.

Meeting Notice:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?
template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=
Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5072669&dID=100996&wf=false
&description=National+Organic+Standards+Board+to+Meet+
November+17-19+&topNav=Newsroom&leftNav=&rightNav1
=&rightNav2 =

To comment via Regulations.gov
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main
=DocketDetail&d=AMS-AMS-08-0083

Or if this link does not work go to www.regulations.gov and select Docket No. AMS-AMS-08-0083

Thanks to Bill Woolf for the heads up on this one.

22. Adak's woes continue as RCA pulls city's utility certificate
Hundreds of houses sit empty on the Adak Navy Base on Adak Island in A 5,000-gallon emergency fuel boost from the Aleut Corp. was enough to keep the city of Adak's generators going for a week, but officials of the regional Alaska Native corporation said Sept. 22 that state aid was needed to bail out the city.
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/092808/loc_2008
0928007.shtml

23. Stevens secures earmarks for Coast Guard in Alaska –saves cutter Acushnet
Congress approved a continuing resolution over the weekend which included several provisions, authored by Sen. Ted Stevens, benefiting the Coast Guard.
The continuing resolution allocates $6.19 billion to the Coast Guard for operating expenses.
Of that money, Stevens’ earmarks designate $7.6 million to operate the cutter Acushnet, based in Ketchikan, with a crew of 120. The provision saved the Acushnet from being decommissioned…
http://kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6768

24. BC: Salmon farming objectors get their day in court
Harmful impact on wild fish stock numbers and ecotourism claimed…
Alexandra Morton will be in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver today (9/29) for a four-day challenge of the provincial government's constitutional right to regulate and approve fish farm locations…
She is being joined in court by the Wilderness Tourism Association, the Area E Gillnetters Association, the Fishing Vessel Owners Association and the Pacific Coast Wild Salmon Society. She specifically created the society to raise $60,000 to fund the court case.
Hundreds of individuals pledged donations in an adopt-a-fry campaign, Morton said. "I didn't pursue big funders. I just wanted it to be from the people. They sent lots of messages: 'Go get 'em. Save our salmon'."
The groups will argue in court that Ottawa-- not the province -- has constitutional authority over salmon farms.
They contend salmon farms interfere with navigation and are harmful to fish and fish habitat, and believe that closed-containment systems are a way to allow the industry to continue without damaging wild stocks.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=f881d
b2a-5a86-4271-8321-47f91c6f8f16

To support the Pacific Coast Wild Salmon Society’s Adopt a Fry, see:
http://www.adopt-a-fry.org/?page_id=10

25. Meat gets COOL: Labels Will Say If Your Beef Was Born in the USA
A federal law that takes effect Sept. 30 will require supermarkets and other big food retailers to label or otherwise display the country of origin for meat, produce and certain kinds of nuts. A number of foods will be exempt, including processed foods like breaded chicken or packages of mixed vegetables. Still, the labeling rule is welcome news for consumers who base their decisions in part on where foods were raised or grown….
Fish and shellfish have carried labels since 2005 indicating country-of-origin and whether the products are wild or farm-raised. That has been a boon for some American fishers, says Mark Vinsel, executive director of United Fishermen of Alaska, a group that represents the state's commercial fishing industry. He says consumers have been willing to pay a premium for Alaska wild salmon in light of recent food-safety scares involving fish from China and Chile. "Alaska's reputation for quality and sustainability is our main calling card in the marketplace," he says.
http://www.wsj.com/article/SB122212214681364875.html

25. Laine Welch's Fish Radio –Topics from this week
Tuesday 10/7/08    AK 2008 salmon wrap, no values yet 
Monday 10/6/08     Wind power works for fishing boats
Friday 10/3/08     Cod update, Search for ‘cod mother’
Thursday 10/02/08     $500K grant lets halibut scientists monitor ocean conditions along with stocks
Wednesday 10/1/08    October is National Seafood Month
Listen Online at: http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/fishradio.htm
& also see Laine Welch's Fish Factor at http://www.kinyradio.com/fishfactor.html

26. Saltonstall Kennedy Grant Deadline November 3, 2008
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes this notice to add proposal format requirements, place a limit on proposed indirect costs, further clarify cost sharing requirements and change the full proposal submission deadline to November 3, 2008 for the solicitation ``Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program,'' in order to give the public more time to respond to these new requirements. The initial solicitation, which was originally announced in the Federal Register on July 11, 2008, gave a proposal due date of October 1, 2008…
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-22970.htm

27. Governor Palin Makes Pacific Salmon Commission Panel Appointments
Governor Sarah Palin announced her nominations and appointments to two panels that support the Pacific Salmon Commission, established by a 1985 U.S.-Canada treaty on managing salmon originating in Southeast Alaska/Northern British Columbia rivers.
Governor Palin nominated Dale Kelley, and re-nominated James Becker, Rod Brown, Arnold Enge and Gary Gray and to the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Transboundary Panel…
Governor Palin reappointed Gordy Williams and Brian Frenette to the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Northern Panel. The panel provides technical and regulatory advice to the Pacific Salmon Commission…
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1505

28. Deadline Noon October 31 for AK Sustainable Salmon Fund Proposals
West of Cape Suckling & Southeast Alaska call for proposals have been posted at http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/sssf/sssf.php   and at www.pcsrf.org

A Powerpoint presentation containing the workshop materials will be posted to http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/sssf/sssf.php

Remaining workshops:
Fairbanks, Wednesday, 10/8: 10 a.m. – noon and 7 – 9 p.m. Alpine Lodge

Juneau, Thursday, 10/9: 7 – 9 p.m. & Friday, 10/10: 10 a.m. – noon
ADF&G Commissioner’s Conference Room

For more information contact sue.aspelund@alaska.gov .

ADFG Public Notice:
Southeast: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c1
56e7a8925672a0060a91b/c71ec64140e79786892574ca00004f
d4?OpenDocument

West of Cape Suckling:
http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a892
5672a0060a91b/dc3f340476ccd27f892574c60003a281?Open
Document

29. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Habitat Proposal deadline Oct. 17.
September 5, 2008
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is issuing a Call for Proposals for projects funded with Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) statewide by region:
• Southcentral (Cook Inlet/Prince William Sound/Bristol Bay)
• Arctic/Yukon/Kuskokwim
• Westward (Kodiak/Alaska Peninsula/Aleutians)
• Southeast (south and east of Cape Suckling)
Proposals must address the PCSRF Goal 1 – Habitat and may be submitted between Sept. 6th and 12 noon October 17th, 2008.

ADFG Public Notice: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/
cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/05e16629e66ac2708
92574bb007ece00?OpenDocument

30. Help Wanted – AK Sea Grant MAP Extension agent needed in Dillingham
The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program invites applications for a tenure-track, full-time assistant professor to serve the Bristol Bay area as a marine extension agent based in Dillingham. Application review will begin November 15, 2008.
Application and position description available online at: https://www.uakjobs.com
See Position No.: 0056363
For questions, contact Torie Baker Dillingham Search Committee chair, 907-424-7542 or torie@sfos.uaf.edu

31. Researchers' goal: to put more king crab in every fishermens' pot
By Jeff Stephan, Heather McCarty and Gale Vick, Alaska Journal of Commerce
“The Deadliest Catch” it's not, but the results of a research project in Seward might be just as intriguing to skippers of the rugged Bering Sea crab fleet as the next installment of the adrenalin-pumping television show.
After all, the goal of the Alaska King Crab Research, Rehabilitation and Biology (AKCRRAB) program is to fill king crab pots throughout Alaska...
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/100508/hom_
20081005039.shtml

32.  The Coalition For Safe & Sustainable Crab Fisheries Report To The Governor Of Alaska (10/1)
Dear Governor Palin,
After three years of dramatically improved safety and economic stability for Alaska’s crabdependent communities, crab fishermen and community-based processors, the vast majority of the industry has come together to send you this Report in support of the BSAI Crab Rationalization Program. Just over four years ago the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (“NPFMC”), lead by the State of Alaska and with the assistance of the management authority granted to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, approved and implemented the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program (“Crab Program”). We are sending you this Report to summarize some of the major successes of the Program, and to encourage your continued support of the State’s decade-long effort to achieve the resource sustainability, human safety and global competitiveness goals that are the foundation of this public/private effort.
 - The Coalition for Safe & Sustainable Crab Fisheries
For eleven page report (7MB pdf file) see:
http://www.seafoodnews.com/news/images/akcrabrptgov.pdf

The NPFMC ran out of time and postponed review of the Crab plan…

33. ADF&G releases crab TACs for 2008/2009
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game has released this season's Crab TACs for Bristol Bay red king and Bering Sea snow and tanner crabs. The seasons will open on October 15th.
The Bristol Bay Red King total allowable catch (TAC) allows for 20,364,000 pounds, a very similar number to last year…
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kial/news.newsmain?action=
article&ARTICLE_ID=1378383&sectionID=1

ADF&G News release: http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region4/
news/2008/nr092908a.pdf

34. Bering Sea / Aleutian Islands Annual Crab Industry Meeting October 13, Kodiak
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region4/news/2008/nr100608d.pdf

35. IPHC Biomass Apportionment Workshop Documents posted (September 4)
The International Pacific Halibut Commission adopted a coastwide stock assessment methodology at its 2008 Annual Meeting. This methodology accommodates movement of halibut at all ages and determines a single coastwide estimate of exploitable biomass. This single coastwide estimate is then apportioned into IPHC regulatory area estimates using data from the fishery-independent IPHC setline stock assessment survey and estimates of bottom area from each regulatory area. This apportionment resulted in a different distribution of the exploitable biomass than had been estimated with the previous closed-area stock assessments. 
Relevant documents are located on the meeting website at:
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/meetings/
workshop2008/bawdocs.htm

Presentations :
The IPHC Stock Assessment, Harvest Policy, and Exploitable Biomass Apportionment (4.3 MB pdf) htt
p://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/meetings/workshop2008/
Apportionment_workshop.pdf

IPHC PIT tagging study (1.6 MB pdf) http://www.iphc.washington.edu/
halcom/meetings/workshop2008/PITApportionWeb.pdf

Relevant documents:
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/meetings/
workshop2008/bawdocs.htm

36. Dear fellow EVOS claimant,

Now that our efforts to minimize our tax liability  have been realized, by passage of our long awaited Federal legislation, we need to clean up the final acounting / payment of the expenses incured in doing so.

For the last 7 years of efforts in Washington DC, a very small group of fellow claimants have volunteered uncountable hours of time to keep this legislation alive and moving forward. In addition, there has been a minimal amount of professional help that while costing a fraction of it's value, has still been a considerable cost. Without this help, it is doubtful that this legislation would have lived through the Congressional process.

United Salmon Association (Kodiak and PWS), Oiled Fishermen for S.552 (C.I.), Kodiak Setnetter's Association, Cordova District Fishermen United, and United Fishermen of Alaska have funded this effort to date, but there are still approxamately $5000 of professional expenses left to pay.

This legislation that was passed and signed by the President yesterday, will save you all a collective minimum of some $20M in taxes even if we are denied interest by the 9th Circuit Court. For the direct action claimants, it is even more significant, as you won't have to pay taxes on the money you have to pay to your attorneys.

$5000 out of a conservative $20M shouldn't be too difficult to justify each of us helping to clean up.

Please get out your check books and donate a few funds from your huge tax savings to this final effort and sent it to:

Address:
Oiled Fishermen for S.552 
C/O United Cook Inlet Drift Association                                                              
43691 K-Beach Road Suite E                                     
Soldotna, Alaska 99603