Alaska
Togiak herring fishery's only processor says it aims for "zero impact" to communities KDLG by Isabelle Ross - April 8, 2020 In early March, Icicle Seafoods locked down operations and stopped bringing on new crew members due to the pandemic. It says the workers on board its floating processor haven’t had contact with anyone off the vessel since then. https://www.kdlg.org/post/togiak-herring-fisherys-only-processor-says-it-aims-zero-impact-communities Bristol Bay processors offer plan aimed at keeping massive salmon fishery safe Anchorage Daily News by Michelle Theriault Boots - April 8, 2020 A group of seafood processors has offered details on how they would ensure safety in Alaska’s lucrative Bristol Bay commercial fishing season amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, a day after Dillingham leaders told the governor the fishery poses an “unacceptable” risk to local communities and should be canceled. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2020/04/08/bristol-bay-processors-offer-plan-aimed-at-keeping-massive-salmon-fishery-safe/ Preparing for influx of fishery workers, Cordova weighs its options City considers buying antibody screening kits — less certain, but far quicker, than other tests Cordova Times by Zachary Snowdon Smith - April 8, 2020 Cordova City Council debated whether to spend $250,000 on coronavirus antibody screening equipment at a Friday, April 3 emergency meeting. Including shipping fees and other incidental costs, $250,000 would be sufficient to buy supplies for 50,000 screening tests, Mayor Clay Koplin said. Council referred the issue to staff for further research. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2020/04/08/preparing-for-influx-of-fishery-workers-cordova-weighs-its-options/ Fishermen trying to salvage season amid COVID-19 pandemic Homer News by Michael Armstrong - April 8, 2020 Facing an uncertain future as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, Alaska’s commercial fishing industry is looking ahead to the upcoming season with determination to salvage something out of a potentially devastating season. https://www.homernews.com/news/fishermen-trying-to-salvage-season-amid-covid-19-pandemic/ Environment/Science Ship returns after international team spends month at sea studying salmon Times Colonist by Carla Wilson - April 8, 2020 When the Pacific Legacy No. 1 trawler returned to Victoria Harbour on Tuesday, it arrived with precious cargo that had to be preserved in particular conditions. Tiny samples of DNA from salmon caught near the southern boundary of the Gulf of Alaska and off B.C. were stored at - 80 C. They were packed in dry ice and are being taken up to the federal Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo for later analysis. https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/ship-returns-after-international-team-spends-month-at-sea-studying-salmon-1.24114627 Labeling and Marketing Coronavirus concerns spur seafood industry to launch health-focused campaign Seafood Source by Christine Blank - April 8, 2020 A newly-formed coalition of U.S. seafood industry organizations is launching a 12-week consumer marketing campaign to encourage Americans to eat more seafood during the coronavirus crisis. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/food-safety-health/coronavirus-concerns-spur-seafood-industry-to-launch-health-focused-campaign FYI’s IB 20-31: Alaska Observer Waiver Extended through April 19 NOAA Fisheries - April 7, 2020 Consistent with the agency's emergency rule on observer waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region is extending a temporary waiver of the requirement for vessels in the Partial Coverage Category to carry a fishery observer for an additional ten days, through April 19, 2020. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/ib-20-31-alaska-observer-waiver-extended-through-april-19
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