Alaska/Pacific Coast
Millions in pink salmon fishery failure funds to be distributed in Alaska National Fisherman - September 2, 2019 Applications should now be in the hands of Alaska salmon fishermen and processors hurt by the 2016 pink salmon fishery failure. https://www.seafoodsource.com/national-fisherman/millions-in-pink-salmon-fishery-failure-funds-to-be-distributed-in-alaska?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0RrellqSTFabUppWW1ZMCIsInQiOiJKN2t3NU5idlpocTNia0NjM1p3VFoybERXMkJCNmhOM2FsR3VqUG84WnlCbUhKMElyemNwN3dBd3gzUGFYT0JYSFpwQUpmQXdWODhnbjRjelwvSUpaY3VJVDNKOU5GZ0h2d2lXM256d0VmRk1xcURXUUdPUzhiRXFnQk1ZVDNtZGQifQ%3D%3D Passage of pink salmon through B.C. slide area concerning to officials: DFO Officials are uncertain whether limited success in getting some salmon past a rock slide will work with smaller fish expected to arrive shortly. The Canadian Press - September 4, 2019 LILLOOET — Officials are uncertain whether limited success in getting some salmon species past a rock slide in the Fraser River will work with smaller fish expected to arrive in the coming days. https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/passage-of-pink-salmon-through-b-c-slide-area-concerning-to-officials-dfo Following the salmon to central California Triplicate by Jessica Goddard - September 3, 2019 Fishermen along the California coast boasted boatloads of prized salmon during this year’s season, which reportedly has been one of the better salmon fishing seasons in years. https://www.triplicate.com/news_paid/following-the-salmon-to-central-california/article_6acfd54a-5179-57f1-9339-ec1c9b960c8a.html Environment/Science Warming Rivers Are Causing Die-Offs Among Alaska Salmon GlacierHub by Carly Roth - September 5, 2019 Dead chum salmon lined snow-fed and rain-fed rivers across Alaska, where lethally high temperatures and low water levels prevented migration. With their original habitat under threat by global warming, cold glacial water is becoming more necessary for the survival of salmon. https://glacierhub.org/2019/09/05/warming-rivers-are-causing-die-offs-among-alaska-salmon/ Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 09/04/2019 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/09/04/2019-19046/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-catcher-vessels-using FYI’s Comments Wanted: NMFS To Open Pacific Cod in BSAI After January Closure SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - September 3, 2019 After closing the fishery January 12, 2019, NMFS proposes a short opening to clean up the remaining 2,650 metric tons of Pacific cod remaining in the 2019 apportionment for less than 60 feet vessles using hook-and-line or pot gear. The agency is asking for comments online or by mail. NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing based on the current catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI and the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in participating in this fishery. The change would be effective noon Alaska local time, September 1, 2019, through midnight December 31, 2019. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 18, 2019. * Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. * Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Records Office. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668. In today's Federal Register notice, the agency said "The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet and processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of August 27, 2019. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under SEC 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until September 18, 2019. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1151251/Comments-Wanted-NMFS-To-Open-Pacific-Cod-in-BSAI-After-January-Closure IPHC Sets Interim Meeting Date Fishermen's News - September 4, 2019 Commissioners of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) are scheduled to hold their 95th session interim meeting Nov. 25-26 in Seattle, Wash., to discuss the 2019 preliminary stock assessment and draft harvest decision table. http://fnonlinenews.blogspot.com/2019/09/iphc-sets-interim-meeting-date.htm
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