Alaska/Pacific Coast
Alaska Congressional Delegation Commends USDA Purchase of Alaska Pollock Products for Food Nutrition Assistance Programs Alaska Native News from Press Office of Senator Murkowski - July 24, 2019. WASHINGTON D.C.— U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, (all R-Alaska), today commended the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) approval of a Section 32 purchase of up to $41 million of surplus Alaska Pollock Products. USDA’s purchase of Alaska Pollock will be distributed to various food nutrition assistance programs, including charitable organizations. https://alaska-native-news.com/alaska-congressional-delegation-commends-usda-purchase-of-alaska-pollock-products-for-food-nutrition-assistance-programs/43636/ Chignik Bay 'hanging by a thread' in second year of scant fishing KDLG by Alex Hager - July 26, 2019 While some parts of Bristol Bay have had record-breaking years, one South Peninsula village hasn't been as lucky. After a year and a half of bad runs, Chignik Bay is worried about the survival of the community. https://www.kdlg.org/post/chignik-bay-hanging-thread-second-year-scant-fishing#stream/0 National Nineteen New Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Projects Recommended for 2019 NOAA Funding $10.4 million in funding for new and ongoing restoration projects will support productive and sustainable fisheries, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities across the nation. NOAA Fisheries - July 26, 2019 To restore habitat for coastal and marine species, NOAA’s Restoration Center is recommending $10.4 million in funding through our Community-based Restoration Program Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Grants for 19 new habitat restoration projects and two ongoing restoration awards. These investments will restore habitat in 11 states and territories, leading to lasting results for communities, the economy, and the environment. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/nineteen-new-coastal-and-marine-habitat-restoration-projects-recommended-2019-noaa Environment/Science New NOAA Report Identifies West Coast Salmon That Are Vulnerable to Climate Change Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - July 26, 2019 NOAA Fisheries published a new report this week in PLOS ONE titled "Climate vulnerability assessment for Pacific salmon and steelhead in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem." The report, the second in a series of planned NOAA Fisheries' vulnerability assessments, "focuses on the 33 threatened and endangered Pacific salmon and steelhead population groups of greatest concern." According too the authors, certain salmon are highly vulnerable to the changing climate and ocean conditions. Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon population groups are the most vulnerable, while steelhead, pink and chum salmon are the least due to the fact that they are either more adaptable to varying conditions, or spend less time in freshwater. And while these salmon groups have faced shifting climate changes in the past, NOAA emphasizes that the climate is "now changing at an unprecedented rate" and that "most populations now lack access to habitat that once provided refuge from climate extremes." "Salmon have always adapted to change, and they have been very successful – otherwise they wouldn't still be here," said Lisa Crozier, lead author of the assessment and research scientist at NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center. "What we are trying to understand is which populations may need the most help with anticipated future changes in temperature and water availability, and what steps we can take to support them." The research article on PLOS ONE can be found here. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1148290/New-NOAA-Report-Identifies-West-Coast-Salmon-That-Are-Vulnerable-to-Climate-Change Labeling and Marketing 3MMI - Dungeness Crab: Domoic Acid, Tariffs, Strong Harvest, Softening Market TradexFoods - July 29, 2019 Delays and closures in the California and Oregon Commercial Dungeness Crab Fisheries saw the market short on inventories for a while, however the market does look to have taken a turn. Strong harvest even in the midst of closures and delays, and less demand from China on live crab due to tariffs are paving the way for the market to potentially soften... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k86KyjjAqaY FYI’s Washington Governor Appoints New Fish and Wildlife Commission Members SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - July 29, 2019 Washington Gov. Jay Inslee appointed two new members to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission last week: Jim Anderson, and Molly Linville. Both new members began their appointments on July 24, 2019, with terms ending Dec. 31, 2024. James R. Anderson is an active sportsman residing in Pierce County, according to a press release, who has fished and hunted across most of Washington. Anderson brings habitat restoration and extensive policy experience to the table, having spent more than 20 years in the executive management, fisheries and natural resource fields. “Jim brings with him knowledge around salmon and Washington’s fishery management complexities. These topics are some of the commission’s highest priorities and his expertise will be a welcome addition as we consider some near- and long-term challenges,” Commission Chair Larry Carpenter said in the statement. According to Northwest Sportsman Magazine, Anderson has been director of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and is currently the secretary for the Puget Sound Restoration Fund board of directors. The Fund works to restore habitat and native species in Puget Sound. His brief biography on the Fund's website says he "is widely experienced in state and federal budget, appropriation, and legislative processes." Molly Linville is a cattle rancher out of Douglas County, a member of the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, and grew up hunting and fishing in Washington. For four years, Linville has been active on the WDFW Wolf Advisory Group, where a diverse array of stakeholders advise the agency on wolf management implementation. Linville is also a former wildlife biologist with experience working on federally threatened and endangered wildlife species issues. Anderson graduated from Washington State University with a master’s degree in environmental science. Linville graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is comprised of nine citizen members, each appointed by the governor. Commission appointees are subject to confirmation by the state senate, which will reconvene in January 2020. However, members are official upon appointment and serve as voting members while awaiting senate confirmation. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1148385/Washington-Governor-Appoints-New-Fish-and-Wildlife-Commission-Members Commentary Commentary: Increasing hatchery salmon won’t help orcas Runs of hatchery chinook aren’t well timed to feed orcas, and may drive down wild salmon numbers. The Herald by Misty MacDuffee, Nick Gayeski and Chris Genovali - July 28, 2019 In British Columbia and Washington state, fishery managers, provincial and state legislators, the sports fishing lobby, and even the whale watching industry have advocated for increased production of hatchery chinook salmon to “save” the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales. https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/commentary-increasing-hatchery-salmon-wont-help-orcas/
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