Alaska/Pacific Coast
Value of ‘forest fish’ estimated at $88 million Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - February 20, 2020 A new study led by the U.S. Forest Service concludes that Alaska’s Tongass and Chugach national forests contribute millions of salmon annually to the state’s commercial fisheries, with a dock value estimated at $88 million a year. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2020/02/20/value-of-forest-fish-estimated-at-88-million/ Environment/Science Cold Snap Helps Bering Sea Ice Reach Median Level Extent, Grow in Thickness KNOM by Davis Hovey - February 18, 2020 Sea ice in the Bering Sea has reached what would usually be considered a normal extent for this time of year, and that bodes well for Western Alaskans who are using the ice for snowmachining or subsistence purposes. https://www.knom.org/wp/blog/2020/02/18/cold-snap-helps-bering-sea-ice-reach-median-level-extent-grow-in-thickness/ Federal Register North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/21/2020 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Team will meet March 3, 2020 through March 5, 2020. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/02/21/2020-03491/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Rockfish Management in the Groundfish Fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/20/2020 NMFS revises regulations to implement Amendment 119 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and Amendment 107 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP). This final rule requires that the operator of a federally permitted catcher vessel using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska retain and land all rockfish (Sebastes and Sebastolobus species) caught while fishing for groundfish or Pacific halibut. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/02/20/2020-02708/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-rockfish-management-in-the-groundfish-fisheries Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/20/2020 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2020 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/02/20/2020-03374/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-catcher-vessels-using-trawl-gear
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.