Juneau watch

Legislators are holding a "lunch and learn" meeting at noon tomorrow on the topic of outmigration of limited entry fishing permits from rural Alaska.

Presenters include Rachel Donkersloot, of Coastal Cultures Research; Courtney Carothers, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences; and Joe Nelson, board co-chair, Alaska Federation of Natives.

Journalist Nathaniel Herz, of Northern Journal, last year published a lengthy article on the impact of state fishing permits being sold out of, or otherwise leaving, coastal Alaska villages.

And they're off at Sitka!

The Sitka Sound herring sac roe fishery has begun, with the first opener running from noon to 6 p.m. Friday.

Another opener was set for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

About 495 tons of herring was harvested in the initial opener, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reported.

The quota for this year's fishery is 35,015 tons, but industry is not expected to take anywhere near that much.

Carl Rosier crosses the bar

Here's a recent press release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Juneau watch

We have a hearing this afternoon in the Senate Resources Committee on Senate Bill 269, which would radically revamp the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

The bill would restructure the board from a seven-member panel to a 15-member body comprised of three regional boards, says this sponsor statement from Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel.

Trawl rep claps back at Senate candidate Peltola

Matt Tinning is CEO of the At-sea Processors Association. Read his commentary here.

It's halibut time again

Another long North Pacific halibut season opens at 6 a.m. local time tomorrow. The season is scheduled to run until Dec. 7.

This is a tough time for the halibut fishery as stocks of the big, flat fish are low.

This year's coastwide catch limit is 29.33 million pounds. Five years ago, in 2022, the limit was 41.2 million pounds.

For those who would like to delve much deeper into the numbers, click here.

We wish all halibut fishermen a fine season. Please be safe!

CFEC sets Thursday meeting

The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission has scheduled a public meeting for 11 a.m. tomorrow in Juneau. Here's more information.