Friday, January 26, 2024

Friday, January 26, 2024

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Alaska Alaskan producers launch Wild Alaska Sole Association to boost sole's "significant advantages" Seafood Source by Teddy Hans - January 26, 2024 Several Alaskan flatfish producers have teamed up to form a nonprofit marketing association aimed at increasing both consumer and industry awareness around Alaska sole. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/alaskan-flatfish-producers-develop-marketing-venture-to-espouse-benefits-of-sole-to-us-international-markets Kodiak delegation pushes bills to support fisheries and establish a state pension KMXT by Brian Venua - January 25, 2024 The Alaska Legislative Session started Jan. 16 and Kodiak’s delegation has already introduced a slew of bills on the floor. https://kmxt.org/2024/01/kodiak-delegation-pushes-bills-to-support-fisheries-and-establish-a-state-pension/ International Pollock fillets staying closer to home as US, EU decrease imports Seafood Source by Cliff White - January 26, 2024 The United States and the European Union have seen reduced imports of pollock fillets, even as domestic production of Alaskan pollock fillets is rising in the U.S. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/premium/supply-trade/pollock-fillets-staying-closer-to-home-as-us-eu-decrease-imports*Requires Subscription Environment/Science Seafood industry well-positioned to meet challenges of climate change Seafood Source by Chris Chase - January 25, 2024 Climate change is undeniably having an impact on where certain seafood species are located, and its exact effects are still being researched. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/premium/environment-sustainability/seafood-industry-well-positioned-to-meet-challenges-of-climate-change *Requires Subscription Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 01/26/2024 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/26/2024-01692/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-catcher-vessels-less-than-60-feet Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Issuance of an Incidental Take Statement Under the Endangered Species Act for Salmon Fisheries in Southeast Alaska Subject to the 2019 Pacific Salmon Treaty Agreement and Funding to the State of Alaska To Implement the 2019 Pacific Salmon Treaty AgreementA Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 01/26/2024 A Notice of Intent to prepare this draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) was published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2023. This DEIS is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the environmental impacts associated with NMFS issuing an incidental take statement (ITS) under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that would exempt take of threatened or endangered ESA-listed species by participants in Southeast Alaska (SEAK) salmon fisheries that are subject to the 2019 Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) Agreement. This DEIS also assesses the environmental impacts of NMFS funding grants to the State of Alaska (State) to monitor and manage the SEAK salmon fisheries and salmon stocks subject to the 2019 PST Agreement. If warranted, NMFS would issue an ITS, consistent with requirements of the ESA, as part of a consultation on two agency actions related to the 2019 PST Agreement, including the funding to the State. That consultation would conclude with the issuance of a biological opinion (BiOp) that evaluates the effects of those agency actions on ESA-listed species and critical habitat. This DEIS directly responds to a court order and analyzes the effects of the proposed issuance of an ITS for those two agency actions. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/26/2024-01606/notice-of-availability-of-a-draft-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-issuance-of-an-incidental Opinion OPINION: Sustaining Alaska's salmon heritage Anchorage Daily News by Matt Alward - January 25, 2024 In the heart of winter, as the snow dumps down on my hometown of Homer and I move through the Kodiak crab season, I find myself reflecting on the critical role salmon play in our state. https://www.adn.com/opinions/2024/01/25/opinion-sustaining-alaskas-salmon-heritage/

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