Monday, November 9, 2009
Trident interested in buying Adak Fisheries
Trident Seafoods Corp. is offering $2 million in cash for the assets of Adak Fisheries.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
Read more: deckboss.blogspot.com
Fewer sea lions kill more Bonneville salmon
Killing or removing 25 California sea lions over the past two years has not reduced the toll on salmon at the base of Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River.
– CNBC News
Read more: www.cnbc.com
Anglers complain of Indian nets in Klamath River
While the two tribes on the lower stretches of the Klamath and Trinity rivers – the Yurok and the Hoopa Valley tribes – report that they've hauled in almost 28,000 fish, close to this year's allotment, Huber and other guides said very few salmon are making it past the tribal waters and into areas where they can catch them.
– Redding (Calif.) Record Searchlight
Read more: www.redding.com/news
Kodiak derelict vehicles hampering fishermen
People who are using city parking spaces as long-term storage for derelict vehicles are making it difficult for commercial fishermen to conduct business.
– Kodiak Daily Mirror
Read more: www.kodiakdailymirror.com
Oregon noted for ‘ocean-use’ planning
Oregon is gaining a well-deserved reputation as one of three coastal states that have seized the lead in a process called marine spatial planning.
That's a fancy term for something closely akin to zoning of near-shore coastal waters. Think of it as an extension of Oregon's storied land-use planning: a new frontier that might be called "ocean-use planning."
– The Oregonian
Read more: www.oregonlive.com/opinion
Canada sockeye investigation unusual
It's not often when any level of government takes steps to respond to the concerns of protesters. But Prime Minister Stephen Harper's move to hold a judicial inquiry into the loss of BC's sockeye salmon has garnered the approval of many Canadians.
– Digital Journal
Read more: www.digitaljournal.com
Report: N. Pacific awash with salmon
The North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission issued this press release via the U.S. Coast Guard summarizing last week's commission meeting in Niigata, Japan.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
Read more: deckboss.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Adak Fisheries: Lawyers talk, ask for postponement
Deckboss did indeed make it down to the courthouse in Anchorage today for a hearing on the Adak Fisheries bankruptcy.
A bunch of lawyers were gathered there, but spent very little time in the courtroom. Instead, they huddled privately most of the day before asking the judge to postpone matters until 11 a.m. Tuesday.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
Read more: deckboss.blogspot.com
More Canadian complaints over Alaska salmon
If you go to the grocery store and buy a can of sockeye salmon, chances are it will say “product of U.S.A.” on the label. It doesn’t say it’s from Alaska, which it likely is, but it does have a logo saying “wild Pacific salmon,” which is debatable.
– Tom Fletcher, writing in the Port Hardy North Island Gazette
Read more: www.bclocalnews.com
Turning the Elbow Room into
homeless shelter?
This was a tumble-down frontier town not so long ago, known for big catches of king crab on the Bering Sea and big trouble when the boats came back to shore, spilling their crews into a raucous redoubt of drink named the Elbow Room.
– New York Times
Read more: www.nytimes.com
Oregon Dungeness stocks ‘really good’
With the Dec. 1 opening of the 2009 Dungeness crab season looming, things “are looking really good,” said Mitch Vance, shellfish project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)’s Marine Resources Program at Hatfield Marine Science Center. Quality tests in October and early November indicate the crabs are “really, really full of meat.”
– Newport News-Times
Read more: www.newportnewstimes.com
Search for sailor called off in Bering Sea
The Coast Guard suspended its search at 5:11 p.m. Monday for John Ree Payla, a 21 year-old Filipino crewman, reported missing from the 754-foot Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel Corona Infinity 40 miles north of Dutch Harbor Sunday.
– Coast Guard
Read more: www.piersystem.com
Feds to examine California water diversions
U.S. officials said on Monday they would reconsider new environmental mandates requiring California to divert water from drought-stricken farms and cities to help endangered fish in rivers and on the coast.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and others in the state strongly oppose the diversions, arguing that they could damage the state's agricultural sector, the largest in the country, and add to California's woes during an economic slowdown.
– Reuters
Read more: www.reuters.com
Fishermen endorse Klamath deal, denounce Schwarzenegger
The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations announced their vote to support Klamath dam removal. They also announced their opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's $11.1 billion water bond, a pork festival that will lead to the construction of the peripheral canal and more dams.
– indybay.org
Read more: www.indybay.org
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Trident fails in bid for Adak Fisheries
Lawyers worked out a sale of troubled processor Adak Fisheries to a newly formed Norwegian-backed concern called Adak Seafood LLC.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Wesley Loy, writing in his blog: Deckboss
Read more: deckboss.blogspot.com
Dungeness look weak in N. California
The Dungeness crabs are looking puny this year, sport fishers say, and that does not bode well for the commercial harvest that will begin Sunday.
– Oakland Tribune
Read more: www.insidebayarea.com
Fishermen fume over S. Cal protected area decision
In a move greeted with scattered applause and boos, a state blue-ribbon panel late voted unanimously to approve landmark fishing restrictions for the Southern California coastline, creating a patchwork of havens for marine life needed to replenish the surrounding seas while leaving some waters open for fishing.
– Los Angeles Times
Read more: latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed
Pebble Partnership releases latest report
Pebble Partnership released the latest installment in its pre-permitting environmental and socio-economic data report series. The report, titled "Report Series L: Iliamna Lake Studies," is the 12th installment in the series.
– Bristol Bay Times
Read more: www.thebristolbaytimes.com
Oceans literally sick to death
Off the coast of Washington state, mysterious algae mixed with sea foam have killed more than 8,000 seabirds, puzzling scientists. A thousand miles off California, researchers have discovered theGreat Pacific Garbage Patch, a swirling vortex roughly twice the size of Texas filled with tiny bits of plastic and other debris.
– Juneau Empire
Read more: www.juneauempire.com/stories
More hatchery smolts coming to Young’s Bay
Officials with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will add about 250,000 spring Chinook smolts to Young’s Bay near Astoria next spring.
– Salem Statesman Journal
Read more: www.statesmanjournal.com/article
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Commercial fishing most
dangerous in Alaska
Although Alaska's crab fisheries are no longer considered the deadliest workplace, the commercial fishing industry remains one of the most dangerous jobs in Alaska.
– KTUU, Anchorage
Read more: www.ktuu.com
Cal protected area decision: Could have been worse
The bottom line, and it's always about the bottom line in fishing, is it could have been a lot worse for recreational and commercial anglers here when a state panel settled on a network of fishing closures for Southern California.
– Los Angeles Times
Read more: www.signonsandiego.com
Air Force to cut King Salmon staff
The Air Force has announced plans to downsize operations at its King Salmon facility by about 50 percent at the end of its current contract that runs through March.
– Bristol Bay Times
Read more: www.thebristolbaytimes.com/
Oregon Dungeness forecast still good
Oregon’s Dungeness crab season is looking good and is on schedule for the usual Dec. 1 opening. Crab taken in Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife test pots in recent weeks proved abundant and full of meat.
– Curry Coastal Pilot
Read more: www.currypilot.com
Astoria weather buoy back in time for storms
A crucial weather buoy outside the mouth of the Columbia River was replaced in the nick of time last week, within 24 hours of the first big storms of the season.
– Pacific Fishing columnist Cassandra Marie Profita, writing in The Daily Astorian
Read more: www.dailyastorian.info
Klamath deal supporters eye state water plan
Proponents of Klamath River dam removal are approaching a recent California water deal with caution.
– Crescent City Triplicate
Read more: www.triplicate.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
SE pink run forecast to be ‘weak to average’ for 2010
The Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest in 2010 is predicted to be in the Weak to Average range, with a point estimate of 19 million fish (80% confidence interval: 11–32 million fish).
– ADF&G
Read more: www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us
No surprise: Sacramento Chinook return weak
Preliminary data released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates the number of adult fall run Chinook salmon returning this season to Battle Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River, is roughly only 60 percent of what returned last year.
– IndyMedia.org
Read more: www.indybay.org
Seattle’s Fishermen’s Terminal planning begins
The Port of Seattle is getting underway on its 20-year plan for Fishermen's Terminal that, according to the port, will provide an analysis of customer and tenant needs and help develop a long-range plan.
– Ballard News Tribune
Read more: www.ballardnewstribune.com
ADF&G to require new logbooks in 2010
A public meeting was held by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) at the Kodiak National Wildlife Visitor Center to explain the new logbook form for the 2010 fishing season as well as record comments and recommendations and provide logbook data gathered from 2006 to 2008 sport fish logbooks.
– Kodiak Daily Mirror
Read more: www.kodiakdailymirror.com
13th Coast Guard District receives readiness award
Rear Admiral Gary Blore, Commander, 13th Coast Guard District, presented the Sumner I. Kimball Award to Coast Guard Station Seattle personnel for their exceptional readiness posture. The Sumner I. Kimball Award recognizes the achievement of high readiness of shore unit boats and personnel through an inspection of vessel conditions and survival systems, performance of underway drills and examination of unit training programs.
– Coast Guard
Read more: www.piersystem.com
See you at Fish Expo
The annual Pacific Marine Expo runs Thursday through Saturday of next week, and we’ll be there at Booth 622.
We’re pleased that three of our far-flung correspondents will be there to meet you as well.
Alaska columnist Wesley Loy: 1-3 Thursday.
British Columbia columnist Michel Drouin: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.
Astoria columnist Cassandra Marie Profita: 11 a.m.-noon Saturday.
Our regular staff will be at the booth off and on through the show’s run, but we guarantee they will be there at these times.
Advertising manager Diane Sandvik: 3-5 p.m. Thursday.
Publisher Peter Hurme: 10 a.m.-noon Friday.
Editor Don McManman: 1-5 p.m. Friday.
Circulation Manager Christie Daigle: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Also, at about 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, we will be announcing the winners of the Pacific Fishing/Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Alaska fishing photo contest. The announcement will be held on the main floor of the center, in the main gathering area, immediately before the Fisherman of the Year contest.
Although we’ll be busy, Fish Wrap will continue coming at you. Guest editor Amy Fletcher of Juneau will do the honors.
