Another pollockpalooza next year

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, meeting in Anchorage, today voted 11-0 in support of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands catch quotas for 2026.

As usual, the quota — or total allowable catch — for Bering Sea pollock is gargantuan at 1,375,000 metric tons.

That's only slightly below this year's TAC of 1,389,000 tons.

Setting groundfish quotas was tricky this year as the federal government shutdown, which lasted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, disrupted the normal scientific stock assessment process.

2025 halibut season nears its end

Here's the word today from the International Pacific Halibut Commission:

All commercial fishing for Pacific halibut in all IPHC Regulatory Areas shall cease for the year at 23:59 local time on 7 December.

So, how did your season go?

Bone up on business

Here's something that sounds worthwhile.

Alaska Sea Grant is offering an online Business of Fishing workshop.

"It is designed for boat owners, permit holders and fishermen looking to upgrade their fishing operations and improve their financial management skills," the event description says.

National marine sanctuary effort dropped

A Bering Sea tribal government is backing off its proposal for a national marine sanctuary in the area of St. Paul Island.

The Aleut Community of St. Paul Island in late 2021 nominated what it called Heart of the Ocean for consideration as a national marine sanctuary. The nomination has been pending with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

However, the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government has "decided not to pursue" designation of Heart of the Ocean as a national marine sanctuary, according to a brief notice online.

The notice doesn't elaborate further.

But a recent International Pacific Halibut Commission report says the tribal government, in dropping the marine sanctuary effort, instead has "signed an agreement with the federal government focused on Indigenous-led conservation in waters surrounding the Bering Sea island."

Rick Lauber crosses the bar

Rick Lauber, former chairman of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, has died. Here's an obituary.

'Trouble at Sea'

A documentary film titled "Trouble at Sea" is set to air at 7 p.m. tonight on Alaska Public Media TV.

The film "explores the ecological ripple effects of salmon hatcheries and asks Alaskans to engage in hard conversations about the future of our changing oceans," according to an online promo.

The hatchery industry already is firing back. Here's a statement from Salmon Hatcheries for Alaska.

King Cove mayor issues 'help wanted' plea

The imperiled town's seafood processing plant is "now going on three years of being closed," writes Mayor Warren Wilson.