Fishermen’s News Online – Page 28

10May

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ODFW Issues Fleet Advisory for Dungeness Crab Fishery to Protect Whales

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials have issued a fleet advisory for commercial Dungeness crab harvesters through May 31, urging vigilance to avoid setting gear in area where humpback whales are transiting or foraging to further minimize risk of entanglement. ODFW is anticipating an above average crab harvest in May, based on the high volume of late-season tag purchases. Meanwhile, surveys conducted in Oregon waters from April 13 through April 25 observed scattered humpbacks and other large whales in waters deeper than 270 fathoms, primarily in the southern region from Newport to the Oregon-California border. However one aggregation of about 30 to 50 humpbacks was observed within 40 fathoms, just outside the Columbia River mouth. Due to ocean dynamics and the rapid movem...

10May

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SeaBank Report Quantifies Economic Importance of Fisheries to Southeast Alaska

A new economic report issued in early May by the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) in Sitka underscores the importance of coastal ecosystems, fisheries, forests, waterways and wildlife to the economy of Southeast Alaska. The report focuses on recent research related to climate change impacts on Southeast Alaska, including projections for much warmer temperatures under different greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, and identifies mitigation measures that would prove helpful in protecting the SeaBank’s green and blue carbon. The term “SeaBank” was coined by ASFT to describe Southeast Alaska’s diverse coastline, stretching 500 miles from Metlakatla to Yakutat, an interconnecting network of land, water, vegetation, wildlife, resources, economies and culture. ASFT launched the SeaBa...

From the Editor: Commercial Fishing v. NOAA Fisheries

3May

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From the Editor: Commercial Fishing v. NOAA Fisheries

In case you missed it, the Supreme Court on May 1 agreed to take up a dispute between the Biden administration and East Coast commercial fishing companies that could eventually have a huge impact on the U.S. commercial fishing industry as a whole. The court’s eventual judgment has the potential to overrule a nearly 40-year-old decision that gives deference to federal agencies. The case, Loper Bright Enterprises et al. v. Raimondo, is expected to be heard in the Supreme Court’s next term. The court is being asked to override the 1984 Chevron v. National Resources Defense Council ruling, in which the justices determined that courts should defer to an agency’s reasonable interpretation of statutes when laws are ambiguous. The case revolves around Atlantic herring fishermen who say the Nati...

3May

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NOAA’s 2022 Status of Stocks Report Show Slight Improvement Over 2021

NOAA Fisheries has released its 2022 Status of Stocks report, showing a slight improvement over the previous year in terms of overfishing. According to the latest report, released during a NOAA Fisheries teleconference on April 27, 93% of stocks were not subject to overfishing in 2022 and 81% were not overfished. Those numbers compared with data showing that 92% of stocks were subject to overfishing in 2021 and 80% were not overfished. NOAA officials said positive trends were seen this year with the number of stocks on the overfishing list decreasing by two stocks to 24, and overfished stocks decreased by three to 48. NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said the latest annual report reveals the U.S. remains a global leader in maintaining the sustainable fisheries that drive the blue econo...

Investigation Continues Into Fire Aboard Trident Fishing Vessel

3May

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Investigation Continues Into Fire Aboard Trident Fishing Vessel

An investigation continues into the fire aboard the Trident Seafoods’ 276-foot fishing vessel Kodiak Enterprise on April 8 while the vessel was moored in the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma, Wash. The Kodiak Enterprise had returned to Tacoma in late March on the heels of the groundfish A season and was there for maintenance. In a statement released at the time by Trident Seafoods, in response to a request from Tacoma television station KIRO 7, Trident Seafoods said they did not know the cause of the fire, were cooperating with the investigation, and would conduct a thorough review of its shipyard maintenance safety protocols with internal and external experts. At the time the fire began, the Kodiak Enterprise was reported to have an estimated 55,000 gallons of diesel and 19,000 pounds of f...

NOAA Schedules Hearing on Management of Upper Cook Inlet EEZ Salmon Fishery

3May

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NOAA Schedules Hearing on Management of Upper Cook Inlet EEZ Salmon Fishery

NOAA Fisheries has announced a public webinar hearing for 5 p.m. Alaska time (6 pm PT) on May 18 to hear comments on amending the fishery management plan (FMP) to establish federal management for salmon fisheries in federal waters off Alaska’s upper Cook Inlet. NOAA Fisheries officials said they would provide a brief opening statement before accepting public testimony for the record, and that the hearing would be recorded in order to prepare transcripts of all oral comments received. The hearing is to close 15 minutes after the conclusion of public testimony and after responding to any clarifying questions from hearing participants, concluding no later than 8 p.m. Those wishing to make an oral statement during the public hearing are encouraged to also submit a written statement. The de...

Market Demand, Rising Costs to Play Role in 2023 Bristol Bay Prices

3May

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Market Demand, Rising Costs to Play Role in 2023 Bristol Bay Prices

Market demand for sockeye salmon is strong, but rising costs for harvesters and processors are expected to influence the ex-vessel price during the 2023 Bristol Bay season, according to Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) Executive Director Andy Wink. Wink said while there’s strong demand overall, the cost of everything -- from financing and carrying costs to labor, insurance and shipping -- keeps rising. Wink made the comments during an April 11 “Lunch and Learn” program presentation offered on the Bristol Bay campus of the University of Alaska in Dillingham, hosted by Marine Advisory Program Agent Tav Ammu. Wink said he wasn’t about to predict the prices to be paid to fishermen this summer in Bristol Bay, with that task being best left for processors to dec...

Oregon Gov. Asks Commerce Dept. for Expedited Fisheries Disaster Declaration

2May

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Oregon Gov. Asks Commerce Dept. for Expedited Fisheries Disaster Declaration

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is asking the Department of Commerce for an expedited declaration of a federal fishery resource disaster, in the wake of a federal fisheries managers’ recommendation to close all commercial ocean fisheries for Chinook salmon from Cape Falcon to the California border. Due to recent droughts, returns of Chinook salmon to the Sacramento and Klamath rivers are expected to be very low this year. Anticipating drought-related impacts on salmon spawning, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is expected to close commercial ocean fisheries for Chinooks from Cape Falcon on the north Oregon coast to the California border through August. Biologists with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have forecast an 82% reduction in the ex-vessel value of commercial troll...

Peltola Supports International Watershed Board for Alaska-British Columbia Border

26Apr

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Peltola Supports International Watershed Board for Alaska-British Columbia Border

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is speaking out in support of an International Watershed Board for specific rivers along the Southeast Alaska and British Columbia border to ensure environmental protection from potential mining site dam tailings for these salmon rich waterways. Peltola announced her support for an International Watershed Board on Monday, in advance of meetings this week by the International Joint Commission of the U.S. and Canada in Washington D.C. The commission’s mandate is to prevent and resolve disputes under the U.S.-Canada Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. “Alaska and Canada share more than just a border; we share many watersheds and rivers that are critical to our people,” Peltola said. The congresswoman added that she’d heard from many Alaska communities and tribes...

Wild Alaska Pollock Option Added to Seattle Kraken Arena’s Menu

26Apr

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Wild Alaska Pollock Option Added to Seattle Kraken Arena’s Menu

Wild Alaska pollock is now on the menu at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle for Seattle Kraken hockey games, thanks to a deal struck between the Kraken, Trident Seafoods and the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP). The deal, which was announced by GAPP on April 12, states that new wild Alaska pollock items on the stadium menu would feature recipes by Molly De Mers, the stadium’s executive chef. As part of the partnership, Joe Bundrant, chief executive officer of Trident Seafoods, said his company will be reinforcing efforts to engage the seafood in bringing more seafood to food banks and feeding centers to feed the hungry. “The Seattle Kraken is the 32nd team in the NHL,” Bundrant said. “And we think it’s fitting to increase our donations to reach a lifetime target of...