Friday, July 7, 2023

Alaska Pilot project focuses on gillnet, seabird interactions in fisheries Cordova Times - July 7, 2023 A new project of the Skipper Science Partnership and the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF), which launched on July 1, is asking fishermen to record on a smart phone app any interaction between gillnet vessels and seabirds. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2023/07/07/pilot-project-focuses-on-gillnet-seabird-interactions-in-fisheries/ Bristol Bay salmon season ramps up with strong forecast for 2023 Alaska Journal of Commerce by Elizabeth Earl - July 7, 2023 Bristol Bay fishermen have been on the water for about a month and have harvested about a million sockeye so far, with the season set to ramp up in the next few weeks. https://www.alaskajournal.com/2023-07-06/bristol-bay-salmon-season-ramps-strong-forecast-2023 More than 18 Million Salmon Caught in Alaska So Far, 15 Million of Them Bristol Bay Sockeye SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - July 6, 2023 Salmon harvest in Alaska is in its 7th week, a historically peak week for Bristol Bay production, but early for statewide landings on pinks and chums. Statewide catch totals for all salmon are at 18 million as of July 3, representing only 10% of the 189.4 million salmon harvest forecast for 2023. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1256510/More-than-18-Million-Salmon-Caught-in-Alaska-So-Far-15-Million-of-Them-Bristol-Bay-Sockeye Alaska seafood processing jobs draw workers from around the world through temporary work visa program KDLG by Corinne Smith - July 6, 2023 This month, thousands of workers from around the world have flown to Alaska to work long hours in seafood processing jobs in over 150 land plants or on at-sea processing vessels. https://www.kdlg.org/fisheries/2023-07-06/alaska-seafood-processing-jobs-draw-workers-from-around-the-world-through-temporary-work-visa-program Environment/Science Bristol Bay tribe forms recycling program for fish nets, rain gear KDLG by Christina McDermott - July 6, 2023 The Curyung Tribe and Net Your Problem, a recycling company based in Seattle, view old fishing nets as a resource. They are collecting mesh from nets to transport to a facility where processors will convert the material into new items. The Tribe’s environmental coordinator, Desi Bond, says this work keeps Dillingham beautiful and helps preserve the land. https://alaskapublic.org/2023/07/06/bristol-bay-tribe-forms-recycling-program-for-fish-nets-rain-gear/ NOAA testing new marine drone to survey Gulf of Alaska fish populations KMXT by Kirsten Dobroth - July 5, 2023 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is testing out a new, marine drone called DriX this summer to help survey fish populations in the waters off Alaska’s coast. The new technology could transform the work it does, from stock assessments for fisheries to marine mapping. https://kmxt.org/2023/07/noaa-testing-new-marine-drone-to-survey-gulf-of-alaska-fish-populations/ Catch the latest on the Port Moller Test Fishery: run size, timing and genetic testing KDLG by Jessie Sheldon - July 5, 2023 The Port Moller Test Fishery is a one-of-a-kind research tool and an essential part of the Bristol Bay commercial fishing season. Located roughly 200 miles southwest of the Bristol Bay fishery, it’s been running in some form since 1967. Two research vessels fish up to 13 stations, sampling the catch each day to help inform fishing fleets, processors and managers and assess the run size and timing. https://www.kdlg.org/2023-07-05/catch-the-latest-on-the-port-moller-test-fishery-run-size-timing-and-genetic-testing Federal Register Final National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Tribal Consultation Policy and Procedures A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 07/07/2023 On January 26, 2021, the White House issued a Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships that reaffirmed the Executive order on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (2000). In response, NOAA sought review and comment on its Tribal consultation policy and procedures in November 2021. NOAA revised its Consultation Handbook describing procedures for government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Indian tribes, and updated an associated NOAA Administrative Order (NAO 218–8) and the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) guidance. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/07/2023-14415/final-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration-tribal-consultation-policy-and-procedures Monitoring Requirements for Pot Catcher/Processors Participating in Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fisheries A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 07/06/2023 NMFS proposes regulatory changes to revise the monitoring requirements for pot gear catcher/processors (CPs) participating in Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) groundfish fisheries. This action is needed to address management challenges created by observer data collection errors that have impacted catch estimates. This action would improve observer data collection by requiring participants to carry a Level 2 observer and comply with pre-cruise meeting notifications, and by requiring certification and testing standards for participants choosing any of the following voluntary monitoring options: providing observer sampling stations, installing motion-compensated platform and flow scales, and carrying additional observers on the vessel. Additionally, this action would change the location of existing monitoring regulations for longline CPs and halibut deck sorting by moving them under a single, new subpart within the regulations. This action promotes the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the BSAI Management Area, and other applicable laws. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/06/2023-14174/monitoring-requirements-for-pot-catcherprocessors-participating-in-bering-seaaleutian-islands Pacific Seafood Processors Association 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. 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