Issue: September 2022

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...

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...

A collaborative report by 23 science and policy experts published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances says the mining industry is falling short of ensuring the health of wild salmon rivers in Western North America and threatening the future of the wild salmon population. “The paper makes it clear that we need to improve risk assessments that take into account extreme climate events and cumulative effects, and that some places may be best as no-go zones for mining,” said Nikki Skuce, co-chair of the B.C. Mining Law Reform network and a co-author of the paper. Science Advances, a multidisciplinary scientific journal established in early 2015, is the first open-access journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The report reviews relevant aspec...

The U.S. Coast Guard (USGS) cutter Munro returned to its homeport in Alameda, Calif. in mid-July after concluding a 128-day, 20,000-mile deployment to the South and North Pacific Ocean to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and strengthen maritime security in the region. The Munro crew supported Operation Blue Pacific and Operation North Pacific Guard during the patrol. Both missions promote international efforts to uphold principles of security, safety, sovereignty and economic prosperity in Oceania and the North Pacific through engagements to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Vice Adm. Andrew J. Tiongson, commander for the USGS Pacific Area, said the Munro’s deployment demonstrated the Coast Guard’s unique authority in support of combatting IUU fishing. “Thr...

NOAA Fisheries has announced $95 million in funding to boost the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) program, targeting salmon recovery efforts from California to Alaska. The grants include $34 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds for 19 new and continuing salmon recovery entities. Application approvals and fund obligations have yet to be finalized, but each project has been recommended for funding. Final decisions and notifications are expected to be made by Oct. 1. Funded programs and projects include three NOAA Fisheries species in the spotlight: Central California Coast coho salmon, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon and Southern resident killer whales. The grants are to also aid in recovery of 28 salmon and steelhead species identified under the Endang...