Alaska Dutch Harbor state-waters cod fishery opens with largest harvest level to date KUCB by Maggie Nelson - February 5, 2024 The guideline harvest level is a little more than 44 million pounds. That’s the largest harvest level the fishery has ever seen. Last year’s was the second biggest at just over 38 million pounds. https://www.kucb.org/industry/2024-02-05/dutch-harbor-state-waters-cod-fishery-opens-with-largest-harvest-level-to-date Pot Half Full: Cordova boats find success in Kodiak crab despite uncertainties Cordova Times by Kinsey Brown - February 6, 2024 As crab fisheries around the state become increasingly unstable over the last two years, fishermen have found reliable opportunities in Kodiak. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2024/02/06/pot-half-full-cordova-boats-find-success-in-kodiak-crab-despite-uncertainties/ Pacific halibut quota declines Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - February 6, 2024 On the final day of its 100th annual meeting in Anchorage on Friday, Jan. 26, the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) again lowered the harvest quota for the 2024 commercial fishing season, with a decrease of 4.57% from a year earlier. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2024/02/06/pacific-halibut-quota-declines/ Alaska bycatch rule change forces fleet reduction, potential $100 million in losses Trade group said its members will have to make similar decisions in advance of the 2025 fishing season. Intrafish by Rachel Sapin - February 6, 2024 A US-based association representing major fishing companies targeting the Alaska flatfish resource has cut the size of its fishing fleet following the implementation of a new halibut bycatch rule in January. https://www.intrafish.com/legal/alaska-bycatch-rule-change-forces-fleet-reduction-potential-100-million-in-losses/2-1-1594083 *Requires Subscription Environment/Science AMSS Offers Updates on Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska Research Fishermen's News - February 7, 2024 Marine scientists focused on the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska presented a plethora of research results to several hundred participants at the 2024 Alaska Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage Jan. 29-Feb. 2, while acknowledging the unknowns that are still to be determined. https://fishermensnews.com/amss-offers-updates-on-arctic-ocean-bering-sea-gulf-of-alaska-research/ Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/06/2024 NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season allowance of the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/06/2024-02307/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-catcher-vessels-using-trawl-gear Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/07/2024 NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut Corporation and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) pollock directed fishing allowance (DFA) from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to provide the opportunity for the harvest of the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/07/2024-02493/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-reallocation-of-pollock-in-the-bering-sea-and FYI’s 9th World Fisheries Congress Convenes in Seattle March 3-7 Fishermen's News - February 7, 2024 Some 1,500 fisheries delegates from around the world are expected to convene in Seattle from March 3-7 for the 9th World Fisheries Congress (WFC), to discuss perspectives on research, emerging issues and governance related to fisheries science, industry, conservation and management. https://fishermensnews.com/9th-world-fisheries-congress-convenes-in-seattle-march-3-7/ Head of Alaska trawling group stepping aside after 30 years The executive director is leaving the role during a challenging time for the Alaska pollock industry. Intrafish by Drew Cherry - February 6, 2024 The head of a powerful association representing a significant portion of Alaska’s trawling sector is stepping down after more than three decades in the role. https://www.intrafish.com/people/head-of-alaska-trawling-group-stepping-aside-after-30-years/2-1-1594848 *Requires Subscription American Seafoods Invites Western Alaskans to Apply for Community Grants SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - February 6, 2024 For the past 27 years, American Seafoods' Western Alaska Community Grant Board (WACGB) has provided financial support to communities in western Alaska that surround the Bering Sea, fishing grounds for one of the world's leading producers of Alaska pollock and Pacific hake. Yesterday, the WACGB announced they will begin accepting grant applications from Kodiak Island, Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, the Western Alaska Penninsula, Bristol Bay, Lower Kuskokwim River, Lower Yukon, and Norton Sound from now through March 25, 2024.The winning applicants of the first round of $45,000 will be announced on April 11, 2024. A second round of $45,000 will be awarded at the American Seafoods WACGB meeting in October 2024.“One of American Seafoods’ top priorities is to support and elevate the local communities in which we operate, and this program recognizes organizations that positively impact these communities by providing much-needed financial support,” said Inge Andreassen, President of American Seafoods. “We are excited to continue the Western Alaska Community Grant Program in 2024 and beyond.”Since 1997, American Seafoods has granted more than $2.4 million to over 100 organizations in Alaska through its grant program.This year as in the past, the annual sum of $90,000 will go to community projects that address food security and other critical social needs. The majority of grant awards will range from $1,000 to $7,500 each.In 2021 the program funded a seedling startup project in partnership with Emmonak School buying seeds, seed starting trays, plant markers, seed starting mix, heating pads, and growing lights. Funds were also used to purchase food for shelter residents and to stock the food pantry, food/ snacks for students and to support Project Yuuyaraq to build a cabin for camping trips to teach subsistence activities.Other years, the money has helped to purchase safety equipment, starting a food bank, or supporting a pet companion program for senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities.“We are deeply rooted in these communities that depend on fishing, and we do our part to support and advance each one,” said Kim Lynch, manager of the program.Contribution request forms are available online at www.americanseafoods.com or by contacting Kim Lynch (kim.lynch@americanseafoods.com; 206-256-2659). Completed contribution requests should be returned to Lynch at American Seafoods using the above email, faxed to 206-448-0202, or sent via post to 2025 1st Ave, Ste 900, Seattle, WA 98121.American Seafoods is a leader in the harvesting, processing, preparation and supply of frozen at sea, wild caught seafood. Harvesting a variety of fish species with a fleet of six vessels, American Seafoods produces a diverse range of fillet, surimi, roe and block product from wild Alaska pollock, Pacific hake, and other groundfish, feeding more than one billion people per year. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1271044/American-Seafoods-Invites-Western-Alaskans-to-Apply-for-Community-Grants
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