Features – Page 12 – Fishermens News

Coast Guard Cutter Munro Deployed in Support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

The Legend-class U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro and its crew are currently deployed on a months-long mission in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, with plans to have exchanges and capacity-building exercises with partners and allies, and also patrol in the area. The cutter’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific theater aligns with the Integrated All-Domain Naval Power of the Naval Service. “An increased presence throughout the Indo-Pacific strengthens our alliances and partnerships through improved interoperability, which will enhance regional stability, promote rules-based order, and improve maritime governance and security in the region and globally,” said Vice Adm. Michael F. McAllister commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area. The cutter’s mandate ranges from search and rescue to...

West Coast Shipyards: Changes & Challenges

Busy West Coast shipyards are expanding their capacity and capabilities, making investments in their drydocks and marine lifts not just to enhance services in the markets in which they’re already established, but to grow into new markets, as well. Newer players such as Everett Ship Repair have found success meeting demand for dry docking large vessels in the Puget Sound, while established shipyards like Commodore’s Boats in British Columbia continue to leverage their reputations to build new business. Meanwhile, Seattle’s Pacific Fishermen Shipyard is facing a cost challenge that threatens its long-term sustainability as an urban shipyard. Commodore’s Boats Five years ago, wood boat specialists Commodore’s Boats forged into new markets, investing in a steel and aluminum weld fabricat...

Mandatory E-Reporting Coming to Hawaii and Alaska Longline Pelagic Fishery

Compulsory electronic logging of certain types of fish catches by commercial fishing operations could be coming to two U.S. states in the coming months. In June, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed mandatory use of electronic reporting (ER) and electronic logbooks for pelagic longline, bigeye tuna catches from class C and D vessels in Hawaii and American Samoa. The rule could be finalized by the end of the year, according to officials with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. As the program starts, NMFS has committed to paying all e-logbook costs for individual fishers. Recording would be within an android-based tablet, provided by NMFS. There are 146 vessels in the Hawaii longline fishery and 16 vessels in the American Samoa fleet, according ...

Bristol Bay Sockeyes Served Up as Baby Food Entrees

Bristol Bay sockeyes are being offered to a new group of young diners these days, as salmon fillets, salmon bisque and salmon strips, in a new partnership aimed at spreading the word about the nutritional and cultural importance of Southwest Alaska’s red gold. The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, Bristol Bay Native Corp., and Bambino’s Baby Food in Anchorage are partnering to promote Bambino’s salmon entrees for infants ages four months and to toddlers, with these organic frozen meals, which have already attracted online customers throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and China. In fact, 85% of Bambino’s products are sold outside of Alaska, said Zoi Maroudas, president and founder of Bambino’s. “Salmon is a fundamental part of our cultures and o...

Pacific Fishermen Shipyard Turns 75 – A Tale of Three Anniversaries

Just north of Seattle, on Ballard’s Salmon Bay east of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, sits an icon that seems to have popped right out of another era. Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, or “PacFish” as it’s known to those who do business here, is part commercial enterprise, part museum, and part a study in Norwegian determination, but in a word, it’s a success. In 2021, the yard celebrates its 75th anniversary while it’s legendary general manager, Doug Dixon, logs his 20th year on the job. And by a perfect triangulating circumstance, it’s also the 150th anniversary of Norwegian shipbuilding in the area. PacFish finds itself in the middle of a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood that’s losing its industrial character, so its focus on environmental stewardship is central to its survival. They...

Offshore Wind Power: California Fishing Industry Voices Its Concerns

By Karen Robes Meeks When the Biden Administration announced in May that it would open California’s northern and central coasts to offshore wind projects for the first time, government officials touted the move as part of a larger effort to generate jobs through the creation of 30 gigawatts of domestic offshore wind by 2030. The announcement included comments from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who called the potential for building renewable energy through offshore wind “a game changer” for reaching the state’s own goals in addressing climate change while boosting the economy. “This historic announcement, which could provide clean power for up to 1.6 million homes over the next decade, represents the innovative approach we need for a clean energy economy that protects the coasts, ...

Construction Expected to Begin This Winter on Alaska Cargo & Cold Storage Project

Construction is set to begin this winter on the first phase of the $200 million Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage project, complete with at least 190,000 square feet of climate-controlled cargo and cold storage capacity. The facility at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a joint venture of industrialist Chad Brownstein and McKinley Capital Management, LLC in Anchorage, led by Rob Gillam. Ultimately, it is expected to have 32.5 million cubic feet of warehouse space, with technologies ranging from climate control zones to a ground source heat exchange and an oxygen reduction fire suppression system. “We are currently in discussion with potential tenants whose input will influence specific size and features of the facility,” said Joe Jacobson, vice president of private equit...

Coast Guard Cutter Stratton Returns from 100-Day Alaska Deployment

With its mission accomplished after a 105-day deployment to Alaska, as well as biannual shipboard training off the coast of San Diego, the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returned in early June to its homeport of Alameda, California. During the deployment the crew of the Stratton, along with an MH-65 helicopter aircrew from Air Station Kodiak, patrolled the Bering Sea up to the ice edge of the Arctic, where they conducted two search and rescue missions in the Bering Sea. With support from the ship’s unmanned aircraft system, the crew also safeguarded Alaska’s multi-billion-dollar fishing industry with 15 fisheries law enforcement boardings, to ensure compliance with maritime laws. Their mission also protected the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone by patrolling the maritime boundary line to preven...

Coast Guard Cutter Healy Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Coast Guard Rear Adm. Peter W. Gautier, acting commander, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Forces West, salutes Capt. Kenneth J. Boda during the Coast Guard Cutter Healy change of command ceremony aboard the cutter moored at Base Seattle, June 25. Boda relieved Capt. Mary Ellen J. Durley as Healy’s commanding officer during the ceremony.

Marine Propulsion What’s New in the Industry in 2021

Of all the equipment housed on a commercial fishing vessel, propulsion is obviously among the most important. After all, if you can’t be propelled out into middle of the ocean, then your chances of successful deepwater fishing are very limited, at best. Plus, when dealing with rough seas, strong winds and/or high waves, fishing vessels have to be able to cope with the extreme weather conditions at sea at all times. Whether they’re trawlers, live fish carriers or longliners, adapting the equipment optimally to the fishing vessel’s operational profile is vital for efficient operations. Fortunately for the commercial fishing industry, a number of companies around the globe make it their business to advance the state of marine propulsion technology, and create new and different produ...