PSPA update will resume July 5, have a happy and safe 4th of July!
Alaska/Pacific Coast Crab Tagging Fishermen's News - July 1, 2019 NOAA Fisheries is teaming up with the bering sea Fisheries Research Foundation in a research program to track the movement of adult male red king crabs in Bristol Bay using an unmanned surface drone made by Saildrone, Inc. https://www.fishermensnews.com/story/2019/07/01/features/crab-tagging/609.html Kodiak legislator says ADF&G cuts could mean shorter seasons with fewer openings KMXT by Maggie Wall - July 2, 2019 Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced sweeping budget vetoes on Friday, including nearly a $1 million for commercial fisheries management. Plus, a 50-percent cut in travel, which was implemented across all state divisions. The governor says the cuts are necessary to balance the state’s budget and issue a full $3,000 Permanent Fund Dividend this fall. http://kmxt.org/2019/07/kodiak-legislator-says-adfg-cuts-could-mean-shorter-seasons-with-fewer-openings/ Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest at 15 Million and Rising Fishermen’s News Online - July 1, 2019 Alaska’s 2019 wild salmon harvest season, which began in mid-May with the Copper River openers, Is now expanding through the state’s central, southeast and western regions. https://alaska-native-news.com/alaska-commercial-salmon-harvest-at-15-million-and-rising/43110/
Pacific Council Slows Process on U.S. Management of Area 2A Commercial Halibut Fishery
SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - June 28, 2019 After a couple years of exchanging ideas with the International Pacific Halibut Commission about management of the non-Indian commercial halibut fishery in Area 2A -- Washington, Oregon and California -- the Pacific Fishery Management Council plans to take incremental steps to take over management of the fishery. Commercial fishermen have gone to IPHC meetings and pushed for individual quota systems and the IPHC has gone to the Council to propose longer seasons than single 10-hour openings. The Council and its advisory bodies have struggled with how to transition from IPHC management to U.S. management. The Council decided last week when it met in San Diego to continue to work closely with the IPHC and stakeholders. And instead of a workshop, the Council will fold ideas into its traditional two-meeting catch-sharing plan discussion that takes place during September and November meetings. At the next Council meetings, in Boise, Idaho in September and in Costa Mesa, Calif., in November, the Council will consider small changes for the 2020 season. Fishermen will likely see little change to the fishery in the next two years as the Council, NMFS and the IPHC work on background issues to support a management transition. The Council also decided that: - for 2020-2021, and maybe beyond, the Council would request IPHC continue to issue commercial licenses for the Area 2A fishery while NMFS works on development of new permitting regulations; - it will request the IPHC and NMFS/Council share data regarding the 2A licensing system and commercial logbook data; - it will reach out to fishery participants to let them know the Council's intent to not consider major changes to the fishery for the next few years. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1146046/Pacific-Council-Slows-Process-on-US-Management-of-Area-2A-Commercial-Halibut-Fishery
Environment/Science Melted Alaska sea ice alarms coast residents, scientists Associated Press - June 30, 2019 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Sea ice along northern Alaska disappeared far earlier than normal this spring, alarming coastal residents who rely on wildlife and fish. https://www.10tv.com/article/melted-alaska-sea-ice-alarms-coast-residents-scientists-2019-jun
EPA says report on Pebble Mine lacks detail, likely underestimates risks to water quality
Alaska Public Media by Liz Ruskin - July 2, 2019 The Environmental Protection Agency has just released formal comments on the proposed Pebble Mine, and mine opponents will find a lot to cheer about. https://www.alaskapublic.org/2019/07/02/epa-says-report-on-pebble-mine-lacks-detail-likely-underestimates-risks-to-water-quality/
Ann Owens Pacific Seafood Processors Association Office Manager 1900 W Emerson Place Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.281.1667 E-mail: admin@pspafish.net; 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.