Alaska
As Western Alaska floodwaters recede, damage assessments begin across hundreds of miles of coastline
Anchorage Daily News by Zachariah Hughes, Alena Naiden, Sean Maguire - September 19, 2022
The remnants of a massive Pacific typhoon that battered a thousand-mile stretch of Western Alaska dissipated Sunday morning, with floodwaters dropping and communities assessing damage from one of the worst storms on record.
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2022/09/18/as-western-alaska-storm-weakens-damage-assessments-begin-across-hundreds-of-miles-of-coastline/
West Coast
Oregon Ocean Change Report Highlights Innovative Monitoring and Research
SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - September 19, 2022
A new Oregon report shows the state is taking ocean acidification and hypoxia seriously - while also planning for the next biennium.
Oregon legislators received the Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia's 2022 Biennial Legislative Report last week that highlights Council actions that are outlined in the State's OAH Action Plan and goals for the next two years.
Most notably, the report spotlights vital research to increase the state's understanding of the causes and impacts of OAH thanks to a $1.9 million legislative investment from House Bill 3114. The bill's funding marked a major milestone for Oregon in the efforts to combat OAH and create a sustainable future for Oregon's coastal resources and communities, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a press release.
A few examples of HB 3114-funded research projects that improve the State's ability to document ocean change include enhanced monitoring at:
Oregon marine reserves, adding to the value of the reserves as scientific reference sites. Oregon State University researchers are leading this effort with help from existing partnerships and new fishing industry partners;
Hatfield Marine Science Center to study long-term oceanographic climate trends in Yaquina Bay. Scientific data collected in real time will be on display to the public at the Visitor's Center.
Netarts Bay at Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery to record changes in ocean acidification. Monitoring the bay's ocean conditions is critical to maintain adequate water quality in the hatchery and support Oregon's robust juvenile oyster production for the seafood industry.
The report includes information on a unique and innovative approach to understanding ocean change: a "fisherman's app." The idea for the app stemmed from fishermen-scientist roundtable events hosted by the OAH Council. If successful, this pilot project would let any ocean user report ocean observations to scientists in real time using their smartphone or tablet. The biennial report is available online and includes ocean condition updates and development of an OAH communications plan to expand public awareness. Formed by the Oregon 2017 Legislature, the OAH Council works to better understand OAH and provide science-based recommendations to the State on actions that can be taken to support sustainability of Oregon's ocean as OAH intensifies. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1235263/Oregon-Ocean-Change-Report-Highlights-Innovative-Monitoring-and-Research International Crab glut from Russia depressing prices in Japan Seafood Source by Chris Loew - September 16, 2022 U.S. sanctions on Russian imports – announced in March 2022 and meant to punish the country for its invasion of Ukraine – have resulted in Russia diverting large volumes of crab of to East Asian markets, depressing prices. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/crab-glut-from-russia-depressing-prices-in-japan Environment/Science EVOSTC advisory panel votes to merge research, habitat funds Council documents show research funds gone by fiscal year 2026 Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - September 19, 2022 An advisory panel to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council has approved combining two separate accounts of federal funds for habitat protection and research related to the March 24, 1989 oil spill disaster in Prince William Sound. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2022/09/19/evostc-advisory-panel-votes-to-merge-research-habitat-funds/ 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.