Thursday, July 28, 2022

Fishing vessel runs aground in Southeast Alaska

The U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued a man today after his 47-foot fishing vessel beached near Cape Fairweather, about 10 miles north of Lituya Bay. A helicopter landed near the F/V West Bank and collected the man, the Coast Guard said. The cause of the grounding was under investigation. USCG photo

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Big Trident decision coming

This memo prepared for Tuesday's Unalaska City Council meeting includes this note regarding Trident Seafoods:

We are told that a final decision on feasibility of building a new processing plant in Unalaska will be made by mid‐October.

Trident already has secured a site on Captains Bay.

If Trident does build a new plant at Unalaska, we wonder what would become of the company's huge Akutan plant 35 miles to the east?

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Cook Inlet setnetters sue

Sabine Poux, of Kenai radio station KDLL, has the story.

Also, here's a press release from the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association.

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Something special in Bristol Bay

Here's a message just out from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Fishermen and residents of Naknek should keep their eyes towards the water this evening for a chance to see the double-ender Bristol Bay sailboat, Libby 76, sail back into Bristol Bay and the Naknek River on the next high tide.

Monday, July 18, 2022

Fuel spill reported at Naknek

More details in this announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Friday, July 15, 2022

Man found dead aboard fishing vessel

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: False Pass
Type: Deceased person
On 7/13/22 at approximately 0900, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a deceased male on a fishing vessel. David Harris, 67, of Snohomish, Wash., was found deceased in his living quarters aboard the F/V Titan Explorer while at sea. The state medical examiner released the remains to the family. No foul play is suspected.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Blotter

Check out our sister blog The Brig for lots of enforcement news from Bristol Bay and elsewhere around Alaska.

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

ADF&G says congrats on 'historic achievement'

Read it here.

Bristol Bay record!

The Bristol Bay sockeye salmon catch now stands at more than 46.5 million fish.

That smashes the previous record of 44.3 million sockeye harvested in 1995.

Friday, July 8, 2022

Salmon notes

Here are a few observations from the young salmon season thus far.

• The statewide catch is 49 million fish, with sockeye accounting for most of the catch.

• Preseason predictions of a huge catch at Bristol Bay are proving accurate. Through Thursday, the tally stood at more than 35 million sockeye. That's an awesome haul, with lots of fishing still to come.

• The Copper River sockeye catch stands at 528,790 fish, against the preseason forecast of 716,000.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Boat sinks, three people saved in Southeast

The U.S. Coast Guard reports a commercial fishing vessel sank in Southeast Alaska.

The Coast Guard on Monday received a report over Channel 16 from the F/V Miss Amy stating the vessel was taking on water in the vicinity of Lisianski Strait and Porcupine Rock.

The Miss Amy was unable to keep up with the rate of flow and sank in approximately 150 feet of water 5 miles offshore, the Coast Guard said.

All three passengers aboard went into the water and were rescued by the merchant vessels Cirus and Lucky Strike, which responded to an urgent marine information broadcast.

"We're especially grateful to good Samaritan vessels Cirus and Lucky Strike," said Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Bitinas, watchstander at the Sector Juneau command center. "Their quick response saved three lives."

State records list the Miss Amy as a 37-foot troller.