Article Category: News

A University of Washington study published in late June found that Pacific salmon in large groups face a lower risk of being consumed by predators, although for some salmon species that tradeoff means more competition for food. While most people think of salmon spawning in freshwater streams, they also spend a huge amount of time in the ocean feeding and growing, said Anne Polyakov, lead author of the study, which was published in the journal Science Advances. “One of the reasons why this study is so unique is that we essentially can’t observe these fish at all in their natural ocean environment, and yet we’re able to pull out these really strong results on how grouping affects predation risk and foraging success for individual fish using this incredibly valuable dataset,” said Polyako...

Legislation signed in early July extends the sunset date for an Alaska tax credit program for seafood processors that bring value-added product to market. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, continues the tax credit for salmon and herring value-added products until Jan. 1, 2027 and also allows tax credits for products from other Alaska fish species. The program, the Alaska Salmon Product Development Tax Credit, is credited as a major reason for the boost in the commercial value of Alaska seafood since its inception in 2003. Data compiled by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and the Pacific Seafood Processors Association concludes that $114.4 million in new revenue has been generated from the program. Stevens said that the new law extends the ability for Al...

Federal fisheries managers are seeking public comment through Sept. 23 on how to reduce fishing-related mortality for Eastern Bering Sea snow crab and Bristol Bay red king crab. A notice published by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in the Federal Register on July 14 invites comments to be posted online at “Request for Information (RFI) – Bristol Bay Red King Crab and Eastern Bering Sea Snow Crab” (found online at www.federalregister.gov). The National Marine Fisheries Service notified the council in October of 2021 that Eastern Bering Sea Snow crab’s status had been changed to overfished. The Eastern Bering Sea snow crab assessment showed that mature male biomass was 50,600 metric tons, less than the minimum stock size threshold of 76,700 metric tons. Total snow crab m...

The value of seafood nutrition needs to be included in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health as part of the strategy to end hunger, increase healthy eating and reduce diet-related diseases, members of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership say. That advice came in SNP’s response to a White House request for public comment in advance of finalizing that strategy at the Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health set for September. “After learning that we can reduce our risks of heart disease by 30-50% with eating more seafood, and the breadth of science on seafood nutrition, I made it my personal mission to share this information as widely as possible, Seafood Nutrition Partnership President Linda Cornish said. “What we eat matters to our health and seafood is a vital par...

OBI Seafoods is expanding its support for relief efforts of its Ukrainian employees to assist those displaced by the war with relocation, food, medical care and housing. The effort began with and is led by two employees of the seafood processing company, Maryna Molokopoi and Douglas Impagliazzo, a married couple who live in Odessa, Ukraine when not working in Alaska during the salmon season. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the couple evacuated their home and relocated to Moldova to assist in the wartime aid effort. With support from OBI Seafoods and dozens of individuals and their families worldwide, the couple and a small group of fellow refugees were able to provide over $70,000 in support for refugees. When the war broke out, “they jumped into action,” said Mark Palmer, ch...

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is partnering with Holland America Line to promote the company’s exclusive use of Alaska seafood on its six ships bringing visitors to the 49th state. ASMI spokeswoman Ashley Heimbigner said the partnership would include stories from harvesters and processors of Alaska seafood as well as chefs. Future programming initiatives are to include recipe development in concert with Holland America Line’s “Culinary Council,” in-destination video content, onboard Alaska seafood trivia and recipes from council Chef Ethan Stowell. ASMI and Holland America inaugurated their partnership on July 5, with Stowell joining Alaska commercial harvesters and local leaders in Juneau to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Alaska’s seafood bounty, including five spe...

A new report prepared by the B.C. Mining Law Reform and SkeenaWild Conservation Trust concludes that the risk of tailings dam failure in multiple British Columbia mines has likely been underestimated and urges consideration of denying permits for future such mine facilities. The 96-page report by Steven H. Emerman, who has evaluated proposed and existing tailings storage facilities worldwide, states that British Columbia’s rapidly accelerating mining boom and its related waste threaten communities and watersheds in neighboring states, including Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The report coincides with publication of an interactive online map detailing how billions of metric tons of toxic liquid mine waste, called tailings, stored in B.C. dams, present irreversible risks to salmon ...

Capt. James Spitler is the new commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego, taking over for Capt. Timothy Barelli, who has retired after 26 years of service. The change of command was made official Thursday, July 14 in a ceremony in San Diego with Rear Adm. Andrew M. Sugimoto, commander of 11th Coast Guard District, presiding. Spitler previously served as chief of the domestic operations division, directorate of operations of the U.S. Northern Command in Colorado. “Since 1934, the Coast Guard has selflessly served the city of San Diego,’’ Spitler said. “We are a part of this legacy and with my guiding principles of people, proficiency and professionalism we will continue to be Semper Paratus for years to come.” Semper Paratus, the Coast Guard’s motto, is Latin for Always Ready. S...