Washington watch

Two senators are questioning the Trump administration's withholding of $246 million in NOAA funding.

Trident among winners in huge USDA pollock buy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the purchase of 34.7 million pounds of Alaska pollock products — frozen fish sticks, nuggets and fillets — for $84.2 million.

USDA awarded contracts to three companies including Seattle-based Trident Seafoods Corp., which sold 5.6 million pounds for $14.7 million.

The pollock purchase is "in support of child nutrition and other related domestic food distribution programs," the USDA said.

Bristol Bay's incredible staying power

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has released its summary of the 2025 Bristol Bay salmon season, and the numbers are once again impressive.

• This is the 11th year in a row that the total inshore sockeye run exceeded 50 million fish.

• The commercial harvest of 41.2 million sockeye was 18 percent above the preseason forecast.

• Sockeye remained on the small side this season, averaging 5.05 pounds. But that's a big improvement over last season's 4.53 pounds, the smallest average weight on record.

• The sockeye paid a preliminary average ex-vessel price of $1.03 a pound for a total sockeye fishery value of $214.3 million. The average price last year was 89 cents a pound.

USCG is changing key emergency phone numbers

Details in this press release.

An even grand

This year's Alaska Permanent Fund dividend amount is $1,000, with payments to go out starting Oct. 2.

More details in this press release.

Upcoming

Here are a few noteworthy events to mark on your calendar.

• The Alaska Bycatch Advisory Council will hold a public meeting via Zoom this Tuesday. The agenda includes some interesting items such as a presentation from Trident Seafoods on "innovation for bycatch mitigation."

• Pacific Marine Expo, the huge and popular Seattle trade show, is set for Nov. 20-22. Find all the details here.

• The inaugural Washington Fishermen's Convention is set for Dec. 4-8 in Westport. It looks to feature lots of worthwhile learning opportunities for commercial fishermen. Washington Sea Grant has more information.

• Registration is now open for the 2026 Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit set for Jan. 20-22 in Juneau. Here is more information.

Improving the competitiveness of Alaska seafood

Here's an interesting letter that turned up this week on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council website. It's a bit dated, but still relevant.

Runaway barge!

Undercurrent News is reporting the Circle Seafoods processing barge has broken free of its moorings in foul weather at Metlakatla.

An America-first seafood strategy in Alaska

Here's a column in the Anchorage Daily News from two Trump cabinet members, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Tuna time in Alaska?

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has announced a special commissioner's permit for fishermen interested in going after Pacific tuna such as albacore.

Witherell to retire as North Pacific Council skipper

Here's the press release.

Endangered decision coming?

The National Marine Fisheries Service has filed a motion saying it's "engaged in discussions" to possibly settle a lawsuit brought against the agency by the Wild Fish Conservancy.

Could this mean NMFS is ready to decide whether to list Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act?

Washington watch

We told you last month an Alaska seafood industry roundtable featuring Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was planned for today in Washington, D.C.

Well, the roundtable indeed was held, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski just posted about it on Facebook.

Another opportunity for trollers

Southeast Alaska trollers will get a fourth summer opener beginning just after midnight Thursday, with 5,400 treaty Chinook available, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said in an advisory announcement.

Each permit holder will be allocated 15 Chinook for the 10-day opener.

The third summer opener ran from Aug. 24 through Sept. 2, with 331 permit holders taking about 4,400 Chinook, the department said.

Fatality reported on fishing vessel near Akutan

KUCB radio has the story.

New ASMI board members

The governor recently made two appointments to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors.

• Christine O'Connor fills an open harvester seat on the board. She is executive director of the Alaska Telecom Association, ASMI's latest monthly marketing update says. She holds a Bristol Bay salmon setnet permit, the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission database shows.

• Eric Deakin fills a seat designated for a large processor. He is CEO of Coastal Villages Region Fund, one of Alaska's six community development quota organizations.

With these appointments, all seven seats on the ASMI board are now filled.

Grounded vessel salvaged

The F/V Sea Ern, which ran aground and spilled diesel this week off Afognak Island, has been patched up and towed to Kodiak, state officials said today. "Limited sheen has been seen near the Kitoi Bay Hatchery which continues to be a priority for responders," they added. U.S. Coast Guard photo

Coming back to life

The Southeast Alaska commercial red and blue king crab fishery will open Nov. 1 with a modest quota of 211,573 pounds, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced.

This fishery has been closed for several years starting with the 2018-19 season.

Salmon notes

• The statewide harvest of all salmon species now tops 180 million fish. But the industry isn't likely to reach the preseason forecast of 215 million, largely because pink salmon catches have been disappointing. State forecasters predicted a catch of 138 million pinks, but the tally here at season's end is only about 110 million. Two of the state's main pink-producing zones — Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska — are finishing well below forecast, while Kodiak's catch is said to be above average.

• The current run size estimate for Fraser River sockeye is 9.3 million fish, three times the preseason forecast. But catches by all user groups remain conservative, totaling just over 1.1 million, according to the latest Fraser River Panel weekly report.

Fishing vessel grounds, spills diesel off Afognak

Here's a situation report with more details and a photo.

New fish plant reported at Savoonga

Here's the story from KNOM radio.

Shooting, drug seizure involving vessel reported

Here's a press release from the Alaska State Troopers.