Monday, May 12, 2014
DOMESTIC FIGHT OVER MAGNUSON
Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee and Democrats in the Senate Commerce Committee have released separate bills to update the 2006 reauthorization.
– Seattle Times
More:seattletimes.com
You're bigger than sport fishing
The debate over which sector – commercial or recreational fishing – provides the bigger economic punch can finally be put to rest.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Laine Welch, reporting in TheFishSite
More:thefishsite.com
Geoduck diver dies
A benefit concert is planned in June for a Bremerton diver who died Sunday after he was pulled from the waters off Green Point east of Port Angeles and airlifted to Seattle last week.
– Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles
More:peninsuladailynews.com
Cal salmon future bleak
Salmon was integral to spring and summer during the first few years my family lived in Point Arena, a coastal town in Mendocino County.
– San Francisco Chronicle
More:sfgate.com
Contentious crab season
It is shaping up to be a contentious crabbing season in the Pacific Northwest.
– Daily Digest News, Maryland
More:dailydigestnews.com
Salmon farm foe on 60 minutes
That Alexandra Morton was selected as the spokesperson on the impact of salmon farms by 60 Minutes is a powerful endorsement of her years of research and advocacy for wild salmon.
– CBS News
To see the report:cbsnews.com
Russian pollock price up
Russian Pollock rose to $1490/metric tons and does NOT look promising for this market to drop back down.
– Tradex
More:tradexfoods.com
Sardine short, sea lion deaths
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists say the large number of sea lion deaths could be attributed to a drop in sardine populations near Channel Islands.
– KFBK, Sacramento
More:kfbk.com
Why trawler smacked a navy ship
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada recently concluded its investigation into just how the factory trawler American Dynasty rammed a docked navy frigate last year at Victoria.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog, Deckboss
More:deckboss.blogspot.com
Fish to schools
With clip boards and pencils in hand, fifth grade students at Mount Eccles hosted community representatives this week to learn more about the ways in which fish and commercial fishing are threaded into the fabric of the community and local economy.
– Cordova Times
More:thecordovatimes.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
SALMON FISHERY NEAR
It's hard to believe but Thursday (May 15) marks the official start of Alaska's 2014 salmon season with a 12-hour opener at the Copper River.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Laine Welch
More:alaskafishradio.com
Seattle readies for Copper River fish
Copper River salmon is coming to Seattle this Friday.
– KIRO, Seattle
More:kirotv.com
Leaving Togiak
Alaska's largest herring fishery is essentially over despite that fact that the fishery is open until further notice.
– KDLG, Dillingham
More:kdlg.org
Bycatch rules could do harm
New rules banning fishermen from throwing away unwanted fish they have caught could harm wildlife – and fail to improve fish stocks.
– PhysOrg
More:phys.org
Salmon farming on 60 minutes
"60 Minutes" aired a substantial segment last night on salmon, wherein Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the salmon farming industry, its risks, its impact on the environment, salmon disease, and how much we don't know about the whole salmon farming industry.
– San Francisco Chronicle
See the 60 minute segment:insidescoopsf.sfgate.com
Japan worries over population
To save Japan from a looming demographic crisis linked to its shrinking population, a goal of maintaining the nation's population at around 100 million for the next 50 years should be set by allocating more of the social security budget to help child-rearing households instead of the elderly.
– Japan Times
More:japantimes.co.jp
Studying B.C. mines
Over the weekend, the Western Mining Action Network held a panel discussion in Anchorage on the development of large scale mines in British Columbia that could impact the Taku, Stikine and Unuk rivers.
– Alaska Public Media
More:alaskapublic.org
B.C. eyes mine support
The B.C. government has heard the protests and is re-thinking its plan to impose new fees on placer mining operations, Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett says.
– Northern View, Prince Rupert
More:thenorthernview.com
No worry over Oregon quake
The quake occurred just before noon, but it was too small and too far away to pose any risk on land.
– Oregon Public Broadcasting
More:opb.org
Walruses removed from list
Pacific walruses have been removed from the unusual mortality event declared in the North Pacific for several marine mammal species.
– KDLG, Dillingham
More:kdlg.org
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
REALITY SHOW SPOTLIGHTS BRISTOL BAY
This summer crews will begin filming yet another Alaska themed show. This one will be focused on Bristol Bay's massive commercial sockeye salmon fishery.
– KDLG
More:kdlg.org
New threat to salmon: rock snot
Rock snot, a slimy-looking algae that vexes salmon and salmon fishermen, is not an alien invader but a homegrown threat gaining strength in changing water conditions, according to a new study by scientists from Dartmouth and Environment Canada.
– Anchorage Daily News
More:adn.com
The Seattle-Alaska connection
Half of all the seafood caught in the U.S. comes from the Alaska fishery. Seattle is its base, and the biggest players are the companies that own catcher-processor ships.
– KUOW
More:kuow.org
Petersburg opens new North Harbor
Boats are making their way back into Petersburg's North Harbor this week.
– KFSK
More:kfsk.org
Opinion: MSA is unscientific, unrealistic
In plain language, the MSA as it is written today mandates that stock projections hit a moving target that cannot be defined within a defined period.
– Providence Journal
More:providencejournal.com
Reaction to 60 Minutes report
Our wild fishery is facing challenges but it's not devastated, especially when you compare it to the Lower 48 states where it truly is devastated.
– Campbell River Mirror
More:campbellrivermirror.com
Columbia salmon trucking suspended
Efforts to drive fish around the Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams on the Columbia River have been suspended after a study found dam modifications for migrating adult salmon were working.
– The Columbian
More:columbian.com
B.C. hosts world's oldest orca
The oldest known orca whale in the world was spotted leading her pod foraging in Gulf Island waters on the Mother's Day weekend.
– Vancouver Sun
More:vancouversun.com
OR buyout expands freezing capacity
"The idea behind this is that Pacific Seafoods has one of the largest flash-freezing capacities at the Port," said Port Interim Director Mike Weston. "My understanding is that it will more than triple what Bornstein can do."
– The Daily Astorian
More:dailyastorian.com
Destination unknown for GE salmon
What we must keep in mind is that this animal has never existed before; it is new to the planet; we made it. We really have no idea of what it will do when we lift it off the 'operating table.'
– Counterpunch
More:counterpunch.org
Thursday, May 15, 2014
THEY'LL MAKE YOU A STAR
This one will be focused on Bristol Bay's massive commercial sockeye salmon fishery.
– KDLG, Dillingham
More:kdlg.org
Togiak ends
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game today closed the Togiak herring fishery for the season.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog, Deckboss
More:deckboss.blogspot.com
Petersburg opens upgraded harbor
Boats are making their way back into Petersburg's North Harbor this week.
– KFSK Petersburg
More:kfsk.org
Companies to pay spill costs
The Canadian government says pipeline companies will be liable for all costs and damages from a spill, regardless of fault or negligence under a new law.
– CBC
More:thenorthernview.com
Bornstein buys in Astoria
Partners Darrell Kapp and Jay Bornstein will sell Astoria Pacific Seafoods to Bornstein Seafoods, which is owned jointly by Bornstein's sons, Andrew, Colin and Kyle Bornstein.
– Daily Astorian
More:dailyastorian.com
Safety fair in Seattle
Just as the season begins, there will be a Fishermen's Safety Fair, Friday, May 16, (tomorrow) at Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal Dock 9. Billed as an opportunity to review "practical skills to save your boat and your life," the session extends from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is sponsored by Seattle Fishermen's Memorial organizers. There will be prizes for lucky participants.
– Seattle Fishermen's Memorial
More:facebook.com/fishermens_safety_fair
Sea star disease in Oregon
Divers with the Oregon Coast Aquarium made the discovery during a survey on April 27 that revealed 48 dead and dying sea stars in a 60-square-meter area in Yaquina Bay on Oregon's central coast.
– PBS News Hour
More:pbs.org
Bristol Bay meet scheduled
The Annual Membership Meeting of the BBRSDA will be held Saturday, June 7th, from 2-4 PM at the Naknek School Auditorium.
– BBRSDA
More:us8.campaign-archive1.com
Alaska talks bycatch
The most common bycatch topics in Alaska — salmon caught by the Bering Sea boats targeting pollock, and halibut caught by Alaska trawlers — were on the table at a fisheries symposium today.
– Saving Seafood
More:savingseafood.org
Coastie Bristol Bay docksides
The Coast Guard will offer courtesy dockside examinations of commercial fishing vessels in Bristol Bay in anticipation of the 2014 Bristol Bay salmon fishery. The Coast Guard anticipates sending examiners to Dillingham and King Salmon June 9 to begin public outreach and encourage dockside exam participation June 9-20. Examiners will also be available in Egegik from June 9-13. Fishermen can also sign up for an exam by calling Sector Anchorage, at (907) 428-4154, or by speaking directly with one of the Coast Guard examiners working in Dillingham and King Salmon's harbors.
– NavalToday.Com
More:adfg.alaska.gov
Friday, May 16, 2014
BRISTOL BAY FACES BLAZES
The National Weather Service is warning that critical fire weather conditions exist across much of the Bristol Bay region.
– KDLG, Dillingham
More:kdlg.org
More boats, fewer halibut
The charter boat fishing fleet adds great value to Seward's economy, said Crackerjack Charters captain Andy Mezirow.
– Seward City News
More:sewardcitynews.com
Halibut derby begins
"People are going around the corner, past Flat Island, and down to Elizabeth Island and catching fish weighing more than 100 (pounds) right now."
– Homer News
More:homernews.com
Halibut price steady
Dock prices for Alaska's most popular species of finfish are at the top of their historical range, partly due to a supply shortage and partly due to increasing popularity.
– Homer News
More:homernews.com
Canada slow in protection
A new report from an environmental group says the federal government is moving too slowly in setting aside marine areas for environmental protection.
– CBC
More:cbc.ca
Copper River fish in Seattle
The first Copper River salmon from Alaska have arrived in Seattle.
– Oregon Public Broadcasting
More:opb.org
Protecting Oregon salmon
A tiny, unnamed stream in the Willamette Valley became the center of Oregon's long-running battle over salmon and dams.
– Daily Astorian
More:dailyastorian.com
NOAA losing streak
William Kent Suter, former clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States, recently observed that the federal government had "lost four cases dealing with fundamental rights in unanimous decisions[,]" and that "the positions taken by the government suggested bullying and strong-armed tactics."
– Liberty Blog, Pacific Legal Foundation
More:blog.pacificlegal.org
Nature allowed to work naturally
The Colorado River met the sea Thursday for the first time in at least 16 years.
– Arizona Daily Star, Tucson
More:azstarnet.com
Pebble says EPA biased
Pebble mine developers claim they have proof Environmental Protection Agency officials acted with bias and a pre-determined mindset when examining the potential risks a mine could pose to Bristol Bay fisheries.
– Alaska Journal of Commerce
More:alaskajournal.com