Alaska/Pacific Coast
Fisheries Topics Dominate SWAMC Economic Summit Fishermen's News - February 27, 2019 Fisheries economists, processors and researchers are listed as speakers for the Feb 27-28, 2019 Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference’s (SWAMC) annual economic summit in Anchorage, Alaska. Topics will range from fish taxes to robotic seafood processing and changing ocean dynamics. http://fnonlinenews.blogspot.com/2019/02/fisheries-topics-dominate-swamc.html News Release: Forecast indicates improved coho salmon numbers as managers begin to develop this year's fishing seasons WDFW by Kyle Adicks - February 27, 2019 OLYMPIA – Fishery managers estimate higher numbers of coho salmon will return to Washington’s waters in 2019 compared to last year, but expect low returns of wild chinook will again make setting fishing seasons a challenge. https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/feb2719a/ Board adjusts some Chignik plans after 2018 fishery failure Alaska Journal of Commerce by Elizabeth Earl - February 26, 2019 Editor’s note: The original version of this story omitted two changes that altered some fishing opportunity for seiners near Dolgoi Islans and changing the opening schedules for setnetters in the area. The story has been updated to include these changes. With a year of poor sockeye runs, unfavorable ocean conditions and allocation fights before them, the Board of Fisheries chose to change part of the season for some nearby commercial fisheries to improve passage of sockeye salmon to Chignik. http://www.alaskajournal.com/2019-02-26/board-adjusts-some-chignik-plans-after-2018-fishery-failure#.XHlEx9F7l0s International Alaska’s seafood industry says the U.S.-China trade war is costing it dearly KBBI by Aaron Bolton - February 27, 2019 The trade war with China is impacting Alaska’s seafood industry. Alaska seafood exports to China have dropped by a fifth compared to last year. https://www.kbbi.org/post/alaska-s-seafood-industry-says-us-china-trade-war-costing-it-dearly Environment/Science Comment period on Pebble draft EIS opens Public hearings scheduled in Southwest Alaska, Homer and Anchorage Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - February 28, 2019 The draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Pebble mine project is expected to be published in the Federal Register on March 1. It will open up a 90-day public comment period on the lengthy document spelling out potential environmental impacts of such construction. https://thecordovatimes.com/2019/02/28/comment-period-on-pebble-draft-eis-opens/ Climate change is depleting our essential fisheries Over the past 80 years, a warming planet has disrupted critical fisheries worldwide--and many have declined precipitously. National Geographic by Sarah Gibbens - February 28, 2019 A new study published Thursday in the journal Science outlines the impacts warming waters are having on commercially important fish species. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/02/climate-change-is-shrinking-essential-fisheries/ Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/28/2019 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/28/2019-03492/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-trawl-catcher-vessels-in-the Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 03/01/2019 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 total allowable catch of pollock in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/03/01/2019-03671/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pollock-in-the-west-yakutat-district-of-the-gulf FYI’s Press Release: At-Sea Processors’ Gilmore Announces Retirement, New Hire Comes from Environmental Non-Profit At-Sea Processors Association - February 28, 2019 The At-sea Processors Association (APA) announced todaythat Jim Gilmore, its Director of Public Affairs, will retire June 30, 2019, after 30 years with the association. Gilmore will be replaced by Matt Tinning, the current Associate Vice President for Oceans at the Environmental Defense Fund, a prominent U.S.-based non-profit noted for pursuing collaborative, market-based solutions to environmental problems. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a625f328a02c7a950486d60/t/5c78301cee6eb056495e6a79/1551380508888/APA+media+release+Gilmore+retirement+final.pdf Hooked on salmon: Southeast and its fish keep filmmaker coming back Documentary is all about why salmon matter Juneau Empire by Ben Hohenstatt - February 23, 2019 Southeast Alaska and its salmon are a through line in wildlife filmmaker Ben Hamilton’s career. Hamilton, who was in Juneau Friday to talk about his film “The Salmon Forest,” became a globetrotting wildlife filmmaker in large part because of work he did in Southeast beginning in 2008. https://www.juneauempire.com/news/hooked-on-salmon-southeast-and-its-fish-keep-filmmaker-coming-back/
Ann Owens Pacific Seafood Processors Association Office Manager 1900 W Emerson Place Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.281.1667 E-mail: pspafish@gmail.com; Website: www.pspafish.net Our office days/hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. *Inclusion of a news article, report, or other document in this email does not imply PSPA support or endorsement of the information or opinion expressed in the document.