Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Alaska The salmon mystery of Bristol Bay Anchorage Daily News - August 29, 2022 Aug. 29—This story was reported as part of a collaboration between the Anchorage Daily News and The Seattle Times, with support from the Pulitzer Center's Connected Coastlines reporting initiative. PICK CREEK — In mid-July, sockeye poured into this stream, skittering through the shallows balanced on their bellies as their backs thrust out of the water. https://news.yahoo.com/salmon-mystery-bristol-bay-035900604.html International Biden Administration Creates Ambassador Role for Arctic Region Urner Barry by Ryan Doyle - August 29, 2022 The Biden administration will elevate the Arctic Coordinator position by appointing an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, per an August 26 announcement. Specifically, the new Ambassador role will work to “advance U.S. policy in the Arctic, engage with counterparts in Arctic and non-Arctic nations as well as Indigenous groups, and work closely with domestic stakeholders, including state, local, and Tribal governments, businesses, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, other federal government agencies and Congress.” The administration also said it wants to continue cooperation in the region via the Arctic Council and the Ambassador will work closely with the U.S. Senior Arctic Official, the federal Arctic science community, and the Arctic Executive Steering Committee. Currently, the State Department is excited to confirm a potential Ambassador once a nomination is sent to the Senate. According to the Anchorage Daily News, U.S. officials have looked to ensure the security of the region as relations have been strained with both Russia and China. “I think it remains to be seen how much creating the position will affect the strategy,” Ian Laing, Executive Director of the Institute of the North told the publication. “I don’t see one individual, changing the policy, but really pushing that policy to the forefront and getting more attention and making a clear sign that the U.S. is aggressively engaged in helping to lead this conversation internationally.” U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus applauded the move by President Biden. “Before today, the U.S. was the only Arctic nation without dedicated diplomatic representation for the Arctic Region at the Ambassador level or higher. For years I have advocated for our country to elevate our Arctic leadership and diplomatic efforts to properly represent our nation’s Arctic interests. I’ve kept pressure on the State Department, and introduced legislation, consistently emphasizing that it must uphold its duty to America by creating a position commensurate with our responsibilities in this rapidly evolving region,” said Senator Murkowski. “By establishing this role, America will solidify its dedication, commitment, and leadership to this strategically important region and have greater opportunities to spur the diplomacy necessary to preserve a peaceful, prosperous Arctic. This announcement—which dovetails the recent opening of the new Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies—sends a strong signal to our allies and adversaries that America is all-hands-on-deck in the Arctic. Make no mistake, because of Alaska, America is not only an Arctic nation, but an Arctic leader. I look forward to the announcing of a nominee and urge the State Department to quickly move forward with the next steps,” Murkowski concluded. Murkowski has previously pushed for an appointment such as this in the past, according to the Alaska Beacon. Murkowski and Senator Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Arctic Diplomacy Act of 2021 which aimed to develop an assistant secretary for Arctic affairs in the State department. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1233705/Biden-Administration-Creates-Ambassador-Role-for-Arctic-Region Federal Register North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 08/30/2022 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Taskforce (BSFEP CC) will meet September 15, 2022. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/30/2022-18665/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting FYI’s Five Facts about Wild Alaska Pollock Port of Seattle by Cathy Swift and Craig Morris, CEO of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) - August 22, 2022 The 2022 fishing season for Wild Alaska Pollock will wind down at the end of October, when the North Pacific Fishing Fleet at Terminal 91 and Fishermen’s Terminal will return home with their catch. With skyrocketing demand for fillets and surimi, Alaska Pollock fishers are having their best year ever. https://www.portseattle.org/blog/five-facts-about-wild-alaska-pollock 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.