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

 

 


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