Friday, July 8, 2022

Alaska Alaska Fisheries Report July 7, 2022 KMXT - July 7, 2022 On this week’s Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: KYUK’s Anna Rose MacArthur reports on the close of subsistence salmon fishing on the Yukon. KRBD’s Raegan Miller offers a story about stream restoration in Ketchikan, and Angela Denning on budget cuts for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. https://kmxt.org/2022/07/alaska-fisheries-report-july-7-2022/ Alaskan fishing industry leaders meet with US trade ambassador in Anchorage Alaska's News Source by Patrick Enslow - June 30, 2022 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Ambassador Katherine Tai, the United States trade representative, and Sen. Dan Sullivan held a roundtable discussion with leaders from the state’s fishing industry at Hotel Captain Cook on Thursday. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/07/01/alaskan-fishing-industry-leaders-meet-with-us-trade-ambassador-anchorage/ Kuskokwim Salmon Get Relief from a Federal Court, AYK Chum Get Some Help From Area M Seiners SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - June 29, 2022 U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason ruled on June 23 that the State of Alaska cannot open a salmon season in the federal waters of the Kuskokwim River when the federal managers have closed the region. In a years-long disagreement between the State of Alaska and the U.S. government on the definition of ‘subsistence’, the court ruled temporarily in favor of the federal managers. The state’s openers allow all Alaskans to fish the Kuskokwim, but the federal managers allow fishing only by qualified subsistence users, reported KYUK, an Alaska Public Media station in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission requested the order against ADF&G, saying that the state’s openers violate the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, or ANILCA. Meanwhile, the outlook for Chinook and summer chum salmon on the Yukon River this year is grim. “This is the most disconnection to the river I’ve had in all my life," Holy Cross resident David Walker told the weekly Yukon River salmon management teleconference hosted by the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association. KYUK reported on the meeting He said that no one nearby is fishing, and described neglected fish camps overgrown with grass. “I don’t want to get too negative, but I heard one Elder tell me, ‘It’s like cultural genocide,’” Walker said. Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta chum salmon counts are lower than ever. Sonar counters along the river are recording levels that are half or lower than in recent years or the ten-year average. Yesterday, ADF&D, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provided the numbers in an area announcement. “Chinook salmon passage is estimated to be 19,116 ± 4,978 fish (90% Confidence Interval), which is below the historical cumulative average of 110,069 based on normal run timing years, and 70,759 fish based on late run timing years,” the managers wrote. “Summer chum salmon passage is estimated to be 97,876 ± 12,191 fish (90% Confidence Interval), which is below the historical cumulative median of 699,265 fish based on normal run timing years, and 384,857 fish based on late run timing years.” The managers explained that the closures are to protect Chinook and summer chum salmon as they migrate upriver, some past the international boundary into Canada’s Yukon Territory and spawning streams as far east as the Big Salmon Mountain range. In the upper part of the river at Tanana, Alaska, where subsistence fishing was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week soon Monday this week, it closed completely for salmon yesterday. “Personal use” salmon fishing is also closed until further notice along the river. Judge Gleason’s temporary injunction on the Kuskokwim River found that “irreparable harm is likely to occur” without her action as the larger lawsuit, filed May 17 by United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division against the State of Alaska, is ongoing. In that lawsuit, the U.S. government asks the court to void all state openers on the public waters of the Kuskokwim River during the federal closures in 2021 and 2022 and a preliminary and permanent injunction against the state from reinstating the 2021-22 orders. Meanwhile, although a request from the Bering Sea Fisherman’s Association and several tribal groups in the A-Y-K area to the Area M seiners to stand down for their June fishery to protect A-Y-K-bound chums was denied, the seiners did curtail their time fishing. “Area M fishermen are taking voluntary actions this season to minimize any potential impact we may have on AYK chums,” said Kiley Thompson, president of Area M Seiners Association. Area M reduced their fishing effort by 81 hours in the first four day opener, not fishing at all during the first day. The second opener was reduced from 88 to 40 hours to conserve early sockeye run. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1229101/Kuskokwim-Salmon-Get-Relief-from-a-Federal-Court-AYK-Chum-Get-Some-Help-From-Area-M-Seiners West Coast WDFW Celebrates Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery’s Electronic Monitoring Project Fishermen's News - July 6, 2022 Biologists with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife say the coastal commercial Dungeness crab fishery is the state’s most economically significant commercial fishery, with an average annual ex-vessel value of about $46.5 million. https://fishermensnews.com/wdfw-celebrates-commercial-dungeness-crab-fisherys-electronic-monitoring-project/ National Biden offshore drilling proposal would allow up to 11 sales, including 1 in Alaska Associated Press by Janet McConnaughey - July 5, 2022 President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday proposed up to 10 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one in Alaska’s Cook Inlet over the next five years — going against the Democrat’s climate promises but scaling back a Trump-era plan that called for dozens of offshore drilling opportunities including in undeveloped areas. https://www.alaskapublic.org/2022/07/05/biden-offshore-drilling-proposal-would-allow-up-to-11-sales-including-1-in-alaska/ Bristol Bay Sockeye Sparks Sales Across U.S. SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - July 7, 2022 Sockeye salmon are surging into Bristol Bay as the 2,000-vessel fleet and the dozen or more processors move the protein-packed product to retailers and foodservice operators around the world. In the U.S. more than a dozen outlets are heralding the arrival of fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye with seasonal promotions and creative marketing. As of yesterday, landings in the Bay have reached 30.02 million Bristol Bay sockeye salmon, about half of the preseason forecasted catch of 60 million. The fishery is surging into its traditional peak of early July, when daily catches can exceed two million fish. This summer a historic record-breaking 75 million sockeye are predicted to return to the five river systems in the Bay. A run that size is 44% larger than the most recent 10-year average of Bristol Bay total runs. Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon, the consumer-facing brand managed by the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA), has teamed up with “the nation’s best retailers to promote this fresh season,” said Lilani Dunn, BBRSDA Marketing Director, “to be promoted in over 3,200 retail stores — coast to coast.” A sample of some of the retailers include: - Nationwide, Whole Foods Market will be sharing the story of Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon online and with their customers during July. - Kendall Jackson / Jackson Family Wines will have in-store displays featuring a QR code directing customers to Bristol Bay sockeye salmon recipes in their July Safeway Seattle Seafood Stack program. - Texas retailer H-E-B is promoting fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon in its stores across Texas. - Heinen’s in Cleveland is proud to bring back fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon to eager customers. - Midwest retailer Hy-Vee will feature fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon in its stores during the fresh season along with other Alaska seafood species. - Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market is highlighting Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon in their unique and beloved stores in the Pacific Northwest. - Raley’s, a family-owned chain in Northern California known for healthy offerings, proudly promotes Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon year-round, focusing on the fresh season. - Rosauers Supermarkets, Inc., a chain based in eastern Washington state, is featuring whole Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon, fillets and portions, including steak-cut. - Seattle-area Quality Food Centers (QFC) is executing a fresh promotion in the second half of July. - In the Northeast, Wegmans will be again celebrating fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon in their stores in July and August. - Dierbergs Markets, with 25 locations in Missouri and Illinois, will be promoting Bristol Bay sockeye Salmon utilizing point of sale collateral and social media ads. - Publix Supermarkets, America’s largest and fastest growing supermarket chain, will carry Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon throughout the fresh season, promoted through social media ads. - Harris Teeter will promote sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay via an ASMI promotion in over 120 grocery store demos in their Southeast U.S. stores. “This is going to be an incredibly abundant year for wild sustainable Bristol Bay sockeye salmon, thanks to our track record of responsible fishery stewardship,” said Dunn. “Bristol Bay will continue to be Alaska’s leading supplier of wild sockeye salmon at retail and foodservice throughout the coming year, and we’re ready to support retailers and chefs as they help their customers discover the delicious versatility and abundance of Bristol Bay sockeye salmon.” The Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon marketing program is funded by the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1229647/Bristol-Bay-Sockeye-Sparks-Sales-Across-US Western Pacific Fishermen Losing Last Vestiges of U.S. Waters Open to Fishing; Council Frustrated SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - June 28, 2022 Sanctuaries, marine monuments, no-fishing zones -- Western Pacific fishermen are trying to hold on to as many areas open for fishing as they can. Last week, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council supported permitting non-commercial fishing and prohibiting commercial fishing in the Monument Expansion Area of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, from 50 to 200 nautical miles. However, Council members were infuriated because continuing to close areas to fishing is an affront to indigenous peoples. Members stressed the importance of continuing indigenous cultures and practices. Guam Council Vice Chair Manny Dueñas noted that permitting fishing perpetuates Hawaiian culture, and does not preserve it in a pickle jar. “Whether they decide to or not, I want the Hawaiians to have the opportunity to be able to practice their culture,” Duenas said in a press release. “It is important that we allow Native Hawaiian traditional practices, but minimize the impacts from non-native fishing,” David Sakoda, Council representative for the State of Hawai‘i, added. The discussion continued and Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds asked, “How much more protection would we have by an overlay of the sanctuary? Closing these waters to protect migratory fish is futile when the fish move everywhere.” The Council will develop the details for provisions related to non-commercial fishing in the NWHI, including Native Hawaiian practices and cooperative research to amend the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plans for initial action in September. The Council also discussed a proposal to further expand the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, closing waters from 50 to 200 nautical miles seaward of Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef and Howland and Baker Islands. The existing PRIMNM already closes all waters from 0 to 200 nm around Wake Island, Johnston Atoll and Jarvis Island, and closes waters from 0 to 50 nm from the proposed island areas. “With the additional restrictions that keep getting placed on indigenous fishermen, pretty soon no one will be able to go fishing. This has got to stop,” Monique Amani, Council member from Guam, said. “During the pandemic, the islands came together to utilize their subsistence traditions of fishing to support each other.” Expansion would jeopardize the viability of the tuna cannery in American Samoa, the largest employer in the territory. The cannery relies on fish supply from the U.S.-flagged purse seine fleet, which has declined from 38 to 13 vessels. Closing the remaining U.S. waters of Howland, Baker, and Palmyra Islands forces U.S. purse seiners to fish farther away from American Samoa and thereby deliver their harvests to closer ports, like Ecuador. “More than half of the people in American Samoa live below the poverty level,” Council Chair Archie Soliai noted. “If the president signs off on this, it will be in conflict with his executive order on advancing equity and environmental justice in underserved communities.” The situation is something Hawaiian fishermen have seen over and over again: Domestic fisheries face more restrictions while foreign fleets reap the rewards. “We need to consider that the whole monument boundary is surrounded by more than 3,000 foreign vessels that fish in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean," Hawai‘i Council member Matt Ramsey said. "We are not allowed to fish, so we are being penalized and foreign countries are not.” Council members continued to express frustration with restricted access to fishing within monuments and sanctuaries in their areas. “What is the point of a monument expansion?” asked Guam Council member Chelsa Muña-Brecht. “Is it to preserve the pretty fish in the area? It doesn’t serve the community and doesn’t level the playing ground between U.S. and foreign fishers.” The Antiquities Act presidents use to establish monuments is not a transparent process, but implemented through a “top-down” approach that conflicts with equity and environmental justice principles, the Council said. “The Antiquities Act was intended to protect burial sites and relics of indigenous people. It is not an appropriate approach to marine conservation - we have the [Magnuson-Stevens Act] for that,” John Gourley, Council vice chair from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, said. “Monument designation bypasses the courtesy of involving affected communities.” The Council said it will ask President Biden for a comprehensive evaluation of the unintended consequences of the proposed expansion and that any measures be evaluated through a transparent and public process prior to implementation. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1228958/Western-Pacific-Fishermen-Losing-Last-Vestiges-of-US-Waters-Open-to-Fishing-Council-Frustrated International US Sen. Sullivan hosts fisheries roundtable as part of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai's visit to Alaska KDLG by Corinne Smith - July 6, 2022 Alaska U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan hosted a fisheries roundtable last week (June 30) for U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. She is part of President Biden’s cabinet and represents the United States in trade deals across the globe. https://www.kdlg.org/fisheries/2022-07-06/us-sen-sullivan-hosts-fisheries-roundtable-as-part-of-us-trade-representative-katherine-tais-visit-to-alaska OBI Seafoods Expanding Ukraine Relief Efforts With The Help of Employees Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - June 29, 2022 Maryna Molokopoi and Douglas Impagliazzo are a married couple who live in Odessa, Ukraine, when they’re not working for OBI Seafoods in Alaska during the salmon season. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 the couple evacuated their home and relocated to Moldova. It was there that they jumped into action to lead efforts to assist those that have been displaced by war with relocation, food, medical care and housing. With the support of OBI Seafoods and other individuals and families across the globe, Molokopoi, Impagliazzo and a small group of fellow refugees were able to provide over $70,000 USD in aid to refugees. In 64 days they successfully completed over 50 supply delivery runs into Ukraine and through Moldova. “When all of this broke out, they jumped into action,” says OBI Seafoods CEO Mark Palmer. “They were in communication with not only OBI employees, but employees who work for other companies in the Alaska seafood industry, getting them across the border and into safe housing. We’re helping to support financially, and firmly believe in the work they are doing.” Molokopoi and Impagliazzo are now back in Alaska for the season. But their efforts to aid Ukraine have not stopped. They’re working directly with their Ukraine connections and other grassroot organizations, backed with the full support of OBI Seafoods and its employees. OBI has so far donated 1,580 cases of canned pink salmon (37,920 cans in total), which were delivered safely to Ukraine last month. OBI is also working to further support Impagliazzo and Molokopoi’s efforts by giving employees the option to donate through their payroll. The donation will go directly to Ukraine relief organizations with the seafood company matching every dollar donated. “We were able to accomplish so much with just six people on our team,” says Impagliazzo. “To have a company of 2,000 come together in support of these great organizations can have an amazing impact.” https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1229084/OBI-Seafoods-Expanding-Ukraine-Relief-Efforts-With-The-Help-of-Employees Environment/Science Scientific Report Urges Steps to Keep Salmon Habitat Safe From BC Mining Boom Fishermen's News - July 6, 2022 A collaborative report by 23 science and policy experts published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances says the mining industry is falling short of ensuring the health of wild salmon rivers in Western North America and British Columbia and threatening the future of wild salmon population. https://fishermensnews.com/scientific-report-urges-steps-to-keep-salmon-habitat-safe-from-bc-mining-boom/ Infrastructure law allocates nearly $3 billion to NOAA WorkBoat - July 7, 2022 Last week, the, Commerce Department announced funding opportunities from NOAA's $2.96 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to address the climate crisis and strengthen coastal resilience and infrastructure. https://www.workboat.com/government/infrastructure-law-allocates-nearly-3-billion-to-noaa FYI’s Net recycling expands across Bristol Bay KDLG by Brian Venua - July 7, 2022 at 11:17 AM AKDT Net Your Problem is a Seattle-based company focused on helping coastal communities recycle used fishing nets. https://www.kdlg.org/environment/2022-07-07/net-recycling-expands-across-bristol-bay Applications open for second round of federal relief funding to commercial fishing, shellfish, charter, and seafood sector industry members Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - July 7, 2022 OLYMPIA – Eligible commercial fishing, shellfish, charter, and seafood sector industry members who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply with the PSMFC for a second round of federal assistance relief funding totaling $40 million. https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/applications-open-second-round-federal-relief-funding-commercial-fishing-shellfish-charter-and 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. 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