Monday, March 22, 2010
Catcher-processor limps home after blaze
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage is investigating an engine room fire that burned for more than three hours onboard the fishing vessel American Dynasty 50 miles northwest of Cold Bay March 10.
– Coast Guard press release, distributed eight days after the event
More: www.piersystem.com
Pollock A season winding down
Alyeska is winding down their pollock A season. Their fleet went out earlier than other boats this year. The Unisea fleet waited until mid-February to start fishing, but Alyeska's fleet was on the grounds by late January.
—Pacific Fishing columnist Anne Hillman, reporting for KUCB, Unalaska
More: www.publicbroadcasting.net/kialCanada changes mind about
fish farm expansion
The federal government has reversed a decision to approve a planned expansion of one of B.C.'s biggest fish farms without an environmental assessment.
– Vancouver Sun
More: www.vancouversun.comLegislature near decision for
Pebble Mine study
Lawmakers on Friday seemed poised to seek an independent study of Alaska's permitting standards and environmental safeguards to help address concerns about a potentially world-class copper and gold prospect at the headwaters of Bristol Bay.
– Juneau Empire
More: www.juneauempire.com/stories
Cal science panel releases Sacramento study
The National Research Council has released its report on the biological opinions for the protection of Central Valley salmon and Delta smelt. The study confirms much of what we’ve been saying over the years and backs up the scientists with NMFS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who were finally allowed to do their thing after we sued the agencies over the political interference by the Bush Administration in 2004.
– Zeke Grader, executive director, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations
Read the report:www.nap.edu
Cal science panel report brings no peace
Any hope that a panel of scientists would end the brawl over environmental restrictions in the hub of California's water system evaporated as warring factions each found ammunition in a report released Friday.
– L.A. Times
More: articles.latimes.com/2010Seafood plant finds new owner
Lusamerica Foods Inc. of Morgan Hill, Calif., has completed the purchase of the former Trident Seafood plant in Fife, Wash.
– Tacoma News Tribune
More: www.thenewstribune.com/2010Fisherman discovers money, spends it
A commercial fisherman found $230,000 deposited into his checking account and drained it to buy a new car, clothes and a computer, but the transfer was a mistake and the fishermen has been charged with felony theft, Alaska State Troopers said.
– Fairbanks News-Miner
More: newsminer.com/viewSitka herring fleet yet to fish
Sounds like they're holding out for riper roe before unleashing the seine fleet in Sitka Sound.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
More: deckboss.blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
More Chinook forecast for Yukon River
More king salmon should mean fewer restrictions for subsistence fishermen along the Yukon River this year. That was the message cautiously optimistic state fisheries managers delivered to Yukon and Tanana river fishermen during a teleconference last week.
– Fairbanks News-Miner
More: newsminer.com
ADF&G to spend $100,000 explaining wolf kill
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is getting ready to spend $100,000 on a video meant to counter what it calls misunderstandings about the state's controversial wolf-killing program.
– Anchorage Daily News
More: www.mcclatchydc.com/2010
Opinion: Mine targets salmon stream
Under the state's large mine permitting system, there's no law that prohibits mining through a salmon stream. So, few Alaskans probably know PacRim's proposed Chuitna coal strip mine in Upper Cook Inlet plans to be the first major strip mine project in Alaska's history to completely remove the streambed and permanently take out the "root" of 11 miles of vibrant salmon streams.
– Judy Heilman, president of the Chuitna Citizens Coalition, writing in the Anchorage Daily News
More: www.adn.com/2010Prince William Sound opening for shrimp pots
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is getting ready to open a commercial shrimp pot fishery in Prince William Sound for the first time in nearly 20 years.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
More: deckboss.blogspot.comShell not certain of impact on Dutch Harbor
Shell Oil's drilling plans for this summer in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas are not yet fully approved, so it's not certain that they will be bringing vessels and business to Unalaska.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Anne Hillman, reporting for KUCB, Unalaska
More: www.publicbroadcasting.net/kial
Sitka Sound herring boats agree to price
Sounds like the seiners and processors have come to an understanding on price, and now everybody is waiting on optimum fish and roe quality.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
More: deckboss.blogspot.com
Kodiak CG plane flies waaaaaaaaay south
A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Kodiak flew to Midway Island in search of a sailing vessel whose emergency locator beacon was activated after its mast broke and a crewmember suffered head injuries in heavy weather during the Clipper Round the World race Sunday.
– Coast Guard press release
More: www.piersystem.comJim Hubbard nominated to N. Pacific Council
When Jim Hubbard of Seward got a call from the state capitol a couple weeks ago asking if he would consider a position on the North Pacific Fishery Management council he was flabbergasted.
– Peninsula Clarion
More: www.peninsulaclarion.com/storiesNo more felt soles on sport fishing boots
Alaska's Board of Fisheries decided Friday that a statewide ban on felt-soled wading boots amounts to a "prudent and responsible" approach to the threat of invasive species in the state's freshwater streams.
– Juneau Empire
More: www.juneauempire.comLong, hot summer forecast for Klamath basin
Many in Oregon will likely remember the water wars from 2001 in the Klamath Basin. It wasn't pretty. The drastic lack of water led to an enormous tussle between farmers, fishermen and Indian Tribes – highlighting the problem of too many users and not enough water.
– BlueOregon
More: www.blueoregon.com
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Pacific waves to become monstrous
You’re going to face bigger waves in the future, and some of them will be monsters, if predictions of three scientists are correct.
– Pacific Fishing magazine
More: Take a look at the April issue of Pacific Fishing
Chitina decision good for Copper River fleet
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted against classifying Chitina dip-netters as subsistence instead of personal-use fishermen.
– Fairbanks News-Miner
More: newsminer.com/viewPositive signs for halibut in Southeast
Halibut researchers saw some improvements in their survey catch rates last year, which could be a positive sign for the future of the fishery in Southeast Alaska.
– KSTK, Wrangell
More: kstk.orgSouth African hake keeps MSC certification
Hake from the South African trawl fishery will continue to carry the Marine Stewardship Council eco-label after successfully completing its five year re-assessment against the MSC standard.
– MSC press release
More: www.msc.org/newsroomNOAA reaffirms move to Newport
The nation's top ocean-research agency said the Port of Newport on the Oregon Coast was the best base for its West Coast research fleet.
– Seattle Times
More: seattletimes.nwsource.comLawmakers want report on Pebble Mine
Two lawmakers have requested a study of the impacts of developing a world-class copper-and-gold prospect at the headwaters of Bristol Bay.
– Anchorage Daily News
Read more: www.adn.com
Herring price?
After yesterday’s Fish Wrap quoted Wesley Loy saying the Sitka herring fleet and processors had agreed on a price, several of you wanted to know what that price might be.
Good question. We don’t have a good answer.
On Sunday, the ADFG announced fishermen would do no more test sets until a price had been reached. On Monday, fishermen were on the water making sets, so it’s permissible to assume a price had been set.
But maybe not.
Yesterday, one of Wesley’s sources said the latest offer was $300 a ton, a low number fishermen declined to accept, but they went test fishing anyway.
Truth or fancy? You decide.Unalaska cops warn drivers of crab pot trucks
In the next few weeks, the Department of Public Safety will start enforcing existing state laws on proper pot truck loading. First Sgt. Matt Betzen said the move will catch Unalaska up with the rest of the state in terms of compliance and keep the roads safer.
—Pacific Fishing columnist Anne Hillman, reporting for KUCB, Unalaska
More: www.publicbroadcasting.net/kialTrident Kodiak plant honored for safety
Trident Seafoods’ Kodiak plant is due to receive a workplace safety award seldom given to seafood processors.
– Kodiak Daily Mirror
More: www.kodiakdailymirror.comKlamath disease spreading
Biologists expect to see the host of a lethal fish disease continue to spread in the middle Klamath River unless high flows scour out the silty areas where it lives.
– Pacific Fishing correspondent John Driscoll, reporting in the Eureka Times-Standard
More: www.times-standard.com
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sitka herring opens
After days of waiting, the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery opened around 5 o'clock Wednesday.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
More: deckboss.blogspot.com
And about the price
Yesterday we reported Sitka processors had offered a disappointing $300 a ton for herring – maybe. The source of the number was kind of murky.
Today, we have word – secondhand, of course – that the price was “$500 or so, and points.”
Believe what you will.
NW albacore safety questioned
Selling Northwest albacore got a lot tougher, thanks to an academic paper indicating your fish could poison people. It doesn’t, of course.
More: The April issue of Pacific Fishing magazine or 208.84.117.245
Woman indicted for fake commercial
fishing license
A Kenai grand jury last week indicted a Homer woman for second-degree forgery, a class C felony, after she was alleged to have forged a commercial fishing license in an attempt to get medical coverage from the Alaska Fishermen's Fund. – Homer NewsMore: homernews.com
Alaska non-resident fee refund
appealed … again
The state is fighting an $82 million court judgment to thousands of nonresident commercial fishermen whom the state courts decided, years ago, were overcharged for their fishing permits.
More: www.adn.com
Biologists say fish farms can heal themselves
A new generation of fish farming technology could help restore damaged marine environments, according to a biologist working on a five-year nationwide aquaculture project.
– Victoria Times-Colonist
More: www.timescolonist.com
Seattle chefs protest Pebble plans
Chefs at more than a dozen restaurants are cooking up fish dishes that come with a special side: a warning that the creature's future could be threatened by a giant gold and copper mine proposed for Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska, home to the world's largest sockeye salmon runs.
– Seattle Times
Pebble exec: Wait to see our plan
If you're going to protest, wait until there's at least a plan to protest, Pebble Limited Partnership CEO John Shively said recently in a presentation on the proposed Pebble Mine at a Rotary Club of Juneau meeting.
– Homer News
More: homernews.com
Friday, March 26, 2010
Rough and tumble on Sitka Sound
After weeks of waiting, the herring sac roe fishery opened in Sitka Sound Wednesday, beginning at 5:10 p.m. An estimated 6,900 tons were harvested. Preliminary reports from processors indicate the overall roe recovery will be 11 percent or better, according to a release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The report stated that most of the harvest came from the area just north of Big Gavanski Island.
The photo (by Johnny Rice) shows the Shady Lady in distress. There have been several rumors as to why, but one guy said it was the result of a collision. As for the price, we’ve talked to yet another source, who indicated the grounds price was $550 a ton.
Oregon urchin permits in lottery
The Department of Fish and Wildlife on Thursday announced an April 23 lottery to award eight commercial sea urchin permits.
– KVAL, Eugene
More: www.kval.com/outdoorsTestimony given on King Cove-Cold Bay road
Officials charged with conducting the environmental review for a project that could result in an airport access road from King Cove to Cold Bay on the Alaska Peninsula began taking testimony at a scoping meeting March 4 at Loussac Library in Anchorage.
– Dutch Harbor Fisherman
More: www.thedutchharborfisherman.com/article
Prospects for Pebble Mine study uncertain
Gov. Sean Parnell said he wants the state to have the best information available as it evaluates the potential effects of developing a copper-and-gold prospect at Bristol Bay.
But he stopped short of endorsing the third-party review that two lawmakers have requested, saying the permitting process is meant to elicit "the best data on all sides."
– Fairbanks News-Miner
More: newsminer.com/viewWashington state halibut allotment slashed
Last year's recreational halibut season in Puget Sound was a good one according to state Department of Fish and Wildlife data, but where the Halibut Commission giveth, the Halibut Commission also taketh away.
– Everett (Wash.) Herald
More: www.heraldnet.com/article
NOAA wants recommendations
on aquaculture
NOAA will hold six listening sessions in April and May to hear recommendations from the public that will help the agency develop a new national policy for sustainable marine aquaculture. Sessions include April 22 in Seattle and April 29 in Menlo Park, Calif.
– NOAA press release
More: www.noaanews.noaa.gov
Corrosion, engine classes offered
Washington Sea Grant (WSG), Jefferson County Extension, Jefferson Education Center and the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding are co-sponsoring a four-evening Boat Engine Troubleshooting and Maintenance Workshop on May 3, 6, 10 and 13 for commercial fishermen and recreational boaters.
More: (PDF) www.wsg.washington.edu/communications
Washington Sea Grant and the Port of Seattle Fishermen’s Terminal are cosponsoring an evening Marine Corrosion Protection Workshop on May 18.
More: (PDF) www.wsg.washington.edu/communications
Coos Bay protected area committee plans
The committee discussing marine reserves off the Coos County coast worked with a facilitator for the first time Wednesday and appointed two of its members to lead them.
– Coos Bay World
More: www.theworldlink.com/articlesNo moorage rate hike in Charleston
Port officials are holding off on plans to raise rates at the Charleston Marina, and the port’s top manager speculated the idea may die.
– Coos Bay World
More: www.theworldlink.com/articles/2010NOAA enforcement changes outlined
NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco outlined specific steps the agency has taken and will take to assure that NOAA has an effective and fair enforcement program to protect fisheries and other marine resources that sustain the jobs and economic vibrancy of America’s coastal communities, in response to a January review of the Commerce Department Inspector General.
– NOAA press release
More: www.noaanews.noaa.govl
