Monday, April 27, 2026
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Alaska
Spotters make herring fishing more efficient ... and exciting
Kodiak Daily Mirror by Mike Rostad - April 24, 2026
The other day I did something I haven’t done for almost 30 years. I called the Alaska Department of Fish and Game with a few questions about the herring fishery.
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Commercial fishing nets have new life in Ukrainian war
Fisherman by Margaret Bauman - April 24, 2026
Worn-out commercial fishing nets and lines from America's Pacific Northwest are getting a new life protecting soldiers and civilians in Ukraine from exploding Russian drones.
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Alaska Delegation Secures $115.4 Million in Federal Port Infrastructure Funding
SeafoodNews by Ryan Doyle - April 24, 2026
US Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) secured over $115.4 million in federal funding for ports across Alaska, the delegation announced on April 22.
The funding will go to seven projects selected through the US Department of Transportation's Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), a competitive grant initiative administered by the DOT's Maritime Administration that funds projects to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of goods moving through US ports.
Alaska has more ocean coastline than all other US states combined, making port infrastructure critical for communities that rely on marine transportation for essential supplies and economic activity.
The delegation emphasized that these investments address Alaska's unique geographic challenges and economic dependence on maritime infrastructure.
"I am proud to have worked with my partners in the delegation who helped bring this robust funding to Alaska," said Murkowski. "These investments will help revitalize Alaska's ports, enhancing our ability to bring our natural resources to market and ensure a secure supply chain for everything from bulk fuel to groceries."
Sullivan highlighted reforms his office secured that helped level the playing field for Alaska port projects. "These investments were made possible in part by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and by key reforms we secured in FY23 National Defense Authorization Act, including my provision permanently waiving MARAD's cost-benefit analysis requirement for port projects in noncontiguous states," Sullivan said.
The reforms also ensure MARAD can properly account for Alaska's geographic isolation and economic reliance on port infrastructure, helping Alaska communities compete fairly for national infrastructure funding.
The largest awards include $38.6 million for Skagway's Industrial Dock Redevelopment Project and $34 million for Port Mackenzie's multimodal expansion. The Alaska Railroad Corporation received $20.4 million to upgrade the Whittier railroad tunnel for double-stack container operations and purchase 30 additional railcars.
Anchorage secured $4.7 million for petroleum terminal replacement planning, while Homer received $11.2 million for port float system replacement. Rural communities also benefited, with Chevak receiving $2.4 million for planning a barge landing facility and Whittier receiving $4.1 million for dock replacement design.
"Major infrastructure investments are coming directly to Alaska," said Begich, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "This funding strengthens economic growth and delivers important improvements for Alaska's communities."
The projects are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provided $2.25 billion for PIDP over five years, combined with annual congressional appropriations. The program reserves funding specifically for smaller ports to help expand capacity and accommodate growing freight demand.
International
3MMI - Farmed Salmon Market 2026: Global Supply Tightening, China Demand Rising, Prices Firming
Tradex Foods - April 27, 2026
The global farmed salmon market is shifting after a strong 2025 production rebound that pushed supply near 3 million tonnes and softened early 2026 pricing.
Environment/Science
US lawmakers propose federal 6PPD task force
SeafoodSource by Nathan Strout - April 24, 2026
A group of U.S. lawmakers from the Pacific Northwest want to establish a federal task force to coordinate efforts to research 6PPD-quinone – a chemical used in tires that has been connected to mass mortality in coho salmon – and find alternatives.
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Federal Register
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 04/27/2026
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Fishery Monitoring Advisory Committee (FMAC) will meet May 18, 2026.
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