Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Alaska Kodiak Electric Association’s impending rate increase partially due to lower energy sales to fish processors KMXT by Davis Hovey - February 26, 2024 For the first time in 30 years, electric rates are going up in Kodiak. The Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) announced a proposed 12.5% rate hike for all customers in an open letter published on the company’s website Friday, Feb. 23. https://kmxt.org/2024/02/lower-energy-sales-to-fish-processors-partially-responsible-for-kodiak-electric-associations-impending-rate-increase/ Fishermen voice opposition to electronic monitoring bill National Fisherman by Carli Stewart - February 28, 2024 Alaska fishermen and industry representatives have been concerned with the cost of electronic monitoring. Senate Bill 209 put in place would allow the Board of Fisheries in AK to require electronic monitoring within state fisheries. Gov. Mike Dunleavy introduced the bills last month, making it possible to use electronic monitoring instead of mandatory observers aboard fishing vessels. https://www.nationalfisherman.com/alaska/fishermen-voice-opposition-to-electronic-monitoring-bill Bristol Bay salmon fishermen face uncertain 2024 National Fisherman by Charlie Ess - February 27, 2024 With overstuffed markets and high-volume harvests ahead, Alaska’s Bristol Bay salmon industry may be nearing the bottom edge of financial solvency. In the preamble of this year’s season, fishermen and processors still haven’t recovered from the low prices of last year, leaving them to embrace a reality that harvest volume can’t fix. https://www.nationalfisherman.com/alaska/bristol-bay-salmon-fishermen-face-uncertain-2024 Environment/Science Biden administration releases USD 1 million for Alaskan climate resilience Seafood Source by Nathan Strout - February 27, 2024 The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden will provide USD 1 million (EUR 920,000) to support climate resilience and food security in remote Alaskan communities and incorporate more indigenous knowledge into NOAA’s fisheries science initiatives. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/biden-administration-releases-usd-1-million-for-alaskan-climate-resilience Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/27/2024 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendments 54 and 55 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) to NMFS for review. If approved, Amendments 54 and 55 would revise two provisions of the Crab Rationalization Program (CR Program) to complete the following: change active participation requirements for crab quota share (crab QS) established for vessel operators and crew; and expand the exemptions for CR Program custom processing from processor use caps and remove the CR Program processor facility use cap. These actions are intended to provide operators and crew greater flexibility in meeting CR Program participation requirements and to improve CR Program processor efficiency. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Crab FMP, and other applicable laws. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/27/2024-03923/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-bering-sea-and-aleutian-islands-crab-rationalization Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Federal Salmon Regulations for Overfished Species Rebuilding Plans A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/28/2024 NMFS proposes revisions to regulations that implement the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This proposed action would remove a rebuilding plan for Snohomish River coho salmon from regulation, as this stock has been rebuilt and is no longer required to be managed under a rebuilding plan. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/28/2024-04145/fisheries-off-west-coast-states-west-coast-salmon-fisheries-federal-salmon-regulations-for Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/27/2024 The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 151st Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Executive and Budget Standing Committee (SC) and its 198th Council meeting to take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region. The Council will also hold a joint meeting of the Advisory Panel (AP), the Fishing Industry Advisory Committee (FIAC), and the Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee (NCFAC). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/27/2024-03886/western-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meetings FYI’s BBRSDA Selects New Executive Director Fishermen's News - February 28, 2024 Seafood industry veteran Lilani Dunn has been promoted to executive director of the Bristol Bay Seafood Development Association (BBSDA), which represents drift gillnetters harvesting the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery. https://fishermensnews.com/bbrsda-selects-new-executive-director/ The Winners of the 2024 Alaska Symphony of Seafoods Have Been Announced; Find Out Who Won Here Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - February 27, 2024 Congratulations are in order for all those who participated in the 2024 Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition.Organized by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF), this annual competition was created in order to highlight commercial-ready, value-added products that are made from Alaska seafood. The event first kicked off in Seattle this past November with a private judging session. But the main event, featuring a reception co-hosted by AFDF and United Fishermen of Alaska, was held in Juneau just last week. And it was at this event that all the 2024 winners were announced.In the retail category, as previously confirmed in November, Ocean Beauty Seafoods took home the first place award for their Echo Falls Smoked Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Nuggets. High Liner Foods took home second place in the category for their Sea Cuisine Mediterranean Salmon. And Trident Seafoods took home third place for their Wild Alaska Premium Sockeye Hatch Chile Burger.Trident Seafoods also took home first place in the Foodservice Category for their Kraken Stash IPA Beer Battered Wild Alaska Pollock Fillets. E&E Foods won second place in the Foodservice Category for its Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon Breakfast Sausage.In the Beyond the Plate Category, which highlights the best value-added products made for use outside of human consumption, Polkadog won first for their Polkadog Alaskan Salmon Chips. Polkadog also took second place for their Polkadog Cod Chips, and third place for their Polkadog Cod Skins.The Around the Plate Category, which is a new category for 2024, highlights value-added products such as condiments, appetizers, snacks or desserts. Glacier Delights, doing business as The Bear House in Alaska, won first place for their Alaska Seafood Crunchies. Whidbey Island Seafood Company took second place for their Smoke Blackcod Pate. And Fisherman’s Kitchen won third place for their Smoked Salmon Pepper Sticks.Numerous special awards were also presented, including Salmon choice, Best Packaging, Best Grab N Go, and more. The list of special award winners can be found below:Salmon Choice: Echo Falls Smoked Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Nuggets by Ocean Beauty SeafoodsWhitefish Choice: Kraken Stash IPA Beer Battered Wild Alaska Pollock Fillets by Trident SeafoodsBest Packaging: PolkadogBest Grab N Go: Echo Falls Smoked Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Nuggets by Ocean Beauty SeafoodsBristol Bay Choice presented by Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association: Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon Breakfast Sausage by E&E FoodsSeattle People’s Choice: Smoked Blackcod Pâté by Whidbey Island Seafood Co.Juneau People’s Choice: Alaska Seafood Crunchies – Wild Fish & Sea Cucumber by Glacier Delights dba The Bear House in AlaskaGrand Prize (overall highest score): PolkadogIn addition to the recognition, first place winners from each category, including the Grand Prize winner and the Bristol Bay Choice awardee, will each receive free booth space at the upcoming Seafood Expo North America, held in Boston. Winners also receive airfare for one company representative to attend the show, which is provided by Alaska Air Cargo and the Symphony’s new sponsor, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. All products are also photographed by a professional photographer, and are featured on the Symphony website. Winners can also use the “winner’s sticker,” which can be featured on the winning product’s packaging. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1272488/The-Winners-of-the-2024-Alaska-Symphony-of-Seafoods-Have-Been-Announced-Find-Out-Who-Won-Here

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