Monday, September 26, 2022

Alaska Biden approves federal disaster declaration for Western Alaska storm Alaska Public Media by Chris Klint - September 24, 2022 President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s request for a federal disaster declaration in response to the historic storm that devastated many Western Alaska coastal communities last weekend. https://www.ktoo.org/2022/09/24/biden-approves-federal-disaster-declaration-for-western-alaska-storm/ Bristol Bay Native Corporation Hosts Bristol Bay Wild Salmon Celebration in Washington D.C. Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - September 23, 2022 The Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), along with their partners, was finally able to host the Bristol Bay Wild Salmon Celebration in Washington D.C. this week after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted plans for the past few years. “It has been three years since Washington, DC has had a taste of fresh, quality, and sustainable Bristol Bay sockeye salmon,” said Bristol Bay Native Corporation CEO and President Jason Metrokin. “It is an honor and a privilege to gather in-person this year to celebrate Bristol Bay, its incredible sockeye salmon, and the people working to safeguard the Bay for future generations. As many in DC have discovered this week, Bristol Bay’s sockeye salmon aren’t just delicious – they are a sustainable resource vital to an entire region and people. Working together with supports in Bristol Bay, across Alaska, the Lower 48, and leaders in Washington, DC, Bristol Bay and its sockeye will continue to be a vital resource for Alaska and the country.” The event brought together the Alaska Congressional Delegation, as well as BBNC board members and staff, as well as other dignitaries and supporters to celebrate - and feast on! - wild Bristol Bay salmon. The event also served as an award ceremony as the BBNC bestowed their “Fish First” award to four deserving honorees: Bob Gillam (posthumously), United Tribes of Bristol Bay Executive Director Alannah Hurley, former Alaska State Senator Rick Halford, and former Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Norm Van Vactor. Besides finally being able to meet in person, there was much to celebrate this year, as the 2022 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishing season saw multiple records broken, with 56 million fish caught out of nearly 80 million that returned to Bristol Bay’s rivers and streams. Photo caption: BBNC Board Chair Russell Nelson, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), U.S. Congresswoman Mary Peltola (D-AK) and BBNC President and CEO Jason Metrokin enjoy some time together at the Bristol Bay Wild Salmon Celebration in Washington DC. US Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) also spent time at the event. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1235745/Bristol-Bay-Native-Corporation-Hosts-Bristol-Bay-Wild-Salmon-Celebration-in-Washington-DC International China using civilian ships to enhance navy capability, reach AP News by David Rising - September 24, 2022 BANGKOK (AP) — A Chinese scientific ship bristling with surveillance equipment docked in a Sri Lankan port. Hundreds of fishing boats anchored for months at a time among disputed islands in the South China Sea. And ocean-going ferries, built to be capable of carrying heavy vehicles and large loads of people. https://apnews.com/article/space-launches-taiwan-science-technology-asia-e8b45f49d3d29851210983d0a399ccba FYI’s NOAA holds entangled whale training sessions in Alaska KINY - September 23, 2022 Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - NOAA recently hosted multiple trainings and workshops in Metlakatla, Auke Bay, Gustavus, and Cordova, on how best to respond to entangled whales in Alaska waters. https://www.kinyradio.com/news/news-of-the-north/noaa-holds-entangled-whale-training-sessions-in-alaska/ Press Release: State of Alaska Opens Public Comment Period for 2019 Norton Sound Red King Crab Second Draft Spend Plan ADF&G - September 22, 2022 On June 29, 2021, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce made a disaster determination for the 2019 Norton Sound red king crab fishery under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in response to a March 12, 2020, request from Governor Dunleavy. On May 6, 2022, NOAA Fisheries allocated $1,433,137 million to address losses to the Norton Sound management area. ADF&G posted an initial spend plan for public comment on August 12, 2022 and revised the plan to include two additional research themes based on public comment and input from the department's Subsistence Section. ADF&G is requesting comments on the second draft of the spend plan. Comments on the second draft should be received by October 5, 2022, to be considered for the final spend plan. https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=pressreleases.pr&release=2022_09_22_2 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. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. *Inclusion of a news article, report, or other document in this email does not imply PSPA support or endorsement of the information or opinion expressed in the document.