Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Alaska

Mayor’s Message: Waterfront planning in Cordova & the public process for a precious resource

The Cordova Times by Kristin Smith - August 5, 2025

In a community where people often shake their heads and say “Cordova splits 50/50 on every issue,” we are all, actually, aligned on the value of Cordova’s waterfront lands. I think it’s safe to say we strongly agree that they are priceless! We are all deeply proud of Cordova’s commercial fishing heritage, with generations of families having benefited from fishing. And so many of us, including our hard-working cannery crews, draw a deeper breath as we stroll along the water to gather our thoughts or unwind a little.  

https://thecordovatimes.com/2025/08/05/mayors-message-waterfront-planning/

National

Senator Cantwell Leads Bipartisan Effort to Restore NOAA’s Sea Grant Program

SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - August 5, 2025

Last Friday, Washington Senator Maria Cantwell announced a bipartisan effort to reauthorize NOAA’s national Sea Grant Program. With sign-ons from Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker, Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware, and Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan, the bill to reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program was introduced in the Senate.  After cutting funding for the Maine Sea Grant Program last March and having some of the funds restored, NOAA’s budget for 2026, released last month, defunded the national program entirely.The bipartisan legislation would restore the partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 34 university-based programs in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Puerto Rico, and Guam.  The National Sea Grant Program was created in 1966. It helps protect coastal economies, supports programs that improve the resilience of coastal communities, and keeps the country’s oceans and fisheries healthy and sustainable.  In 2023, the Sea Grant program received $94 million in federal funding, which generated $828.3 million in economic benefits.Cantwell is the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Roger Wicker is the former chair and ranking member of the committee."The Sea Grant College Program is a smart, cost-effective way to protect our coastal communities while supporting fishermen, shellfish growers, and maritime jobs," said Cantwell."Last year, Washington Sea Grant generated over $60 million in economic benefits to the State of Washington, nearly 20 times the federal investment. This bipartisan bill will help ensure that Sea Grant programs can continue to support coastal economies in communities across America.”Nationwide, in 2023, the Sea Grant program has helped create or support 22,251 jobs and 1,479 businesses. The program works closely with the seafood industry and 49,228 seafood industry personnel have adopted responsible fishery practices based on research and outreach efforts conducted by Sea Grant fellows.In 2023, the NOAA program helped restore and protect nearly 16 million acres of marine habitat and generated $828 million in economic benefits; In WA State, the Sea Grant program has created 1,500 jobs and generated $190 million from 2018 to 2023."Sea Grant programs help us maintain our flourishing coastal environment and our Blue Economy," noted Wicker. “The Sea Grant Reauthorization Act would assist universities and local governments in providing more accurate and timely updates during severe weather and flooding events. This legislation would also support Mississippi's oyster aquaculture industry, which has thrived because of the previously administered grants. Mississippi communities benefit greatly from these programs, which help improve ecological health, boost commercial activity, and save lives.”"For years, the Sea Grant Program has been transformative for communities across our nation," said Blunt Rochester. "Just a few months ago, I visited Laurel in my home state of Delaware and was blown away by how the program is empowering the folks there to dream big for the future of the Broad Creek waterfront. Protecting the Sea Grant Program has been a top priority for me as a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and I am encouraged by its strong bipartisan support. I am eager to work with my colleagues, including those across the aisle, to get this bill done and the Sea Grant Program reauthorized.""Alaska's long-time partnership with the National Sea Grant program has been important for our coastal communities and marine economy," said Sen. Sullivan. "For over 50 years, Alaska Sea Grant, in collaboration with NOAA and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has supported our fisheries, strengthened our seafood sector, and helped ensure the next generation of marine scientists and policy leaders get the resources they need. I want to thank my colleagues for supporting this program to sustain coastal communities, provide cutting edge research, and foster economic growth-not just in Alaska, but across the nation.""The Sea Grant Program has had a long history of delivering results for both the communities that they serve and the country as a whole. We are pleased to see that it continues to receive strong bipartisan Congressional backing. We are so thankful for Sen. Cantwell for her continued and steadfast support of the program," said Kate Litle, the interim director of Washington Sea Grant."I thank the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, as well as Senators Cantwell and Wicker, for introducing the bill to reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program. Sea Grant is deeply rooted in coastal, Great Lakes, and island communities across the country. This reauthorization will ensure we can continue delivering science, education, and engagement programs that support sustainable fisheries, resilient coastal economies, habitat restoration, hazard preparedness, and workforce development for the future," said LaDon Swann, Director, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium.

https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1315033/Senator-Cantwell-Leads-Bipartisan-Effort-to-Restore-NOAAs-Sea-Grant-Program

Federal Register

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendment 125 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Plan; Pacific Cod Small Boat Access

A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 08/06/2025

NMFS proposes a rule to implement amendment 125 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP). Amendment 125 would add a small vessel provision to the current BSAI Pacific cod jig sector in the A season, January 1 to April 30. Under this small vessel provision, catch from catcher vessels (CV) using hook-and-line or pot gear that are less than or equal to 55 feet (ft) (16.8 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) harvesting Pacific cod in the BSAI during the jig gear A season would accrue to the jig sector allocation. This action would provide stability and additional opportunities for some fishery participants and potential new entrants. It also advances the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the BSAI FMP, and other applicable laws.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/06/2025-14960/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-amendment-125-to-the-bering-sea-and-aleutian

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