Halibut all year in British Columbia?

A commercial fisherman is proposing a year-round halibut fishery in Area 2B (British Columbia).

"This proposal would allow the retention and sale of Pacific halibut year-round in Canadian waters," says this International Pacific Halibut Commission memo.

The commission is slated to hold its interim meeting electronically Nov. 25-26 and its annual meeting Jan. 27-31 in Vancouver, B.C.

Canada's big news

Canada today announced it will ban open net pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia coastal waters by June 30, 2029.

Halibut season extended — in Canada

The International Pacific Halibut Commission has approved an extension of the commercial season in British Columbia (Area 2B) by three weeks, until noon local time Dec. 7.

The original closure date of Nov. 15 still applies in all other areas.

Canadian interests had proposed an even longer halibut season extension to Feb. 20, 2021.

The Canadians sought the extension "in order to increase market opportunities and alleviate the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis," according to this IPHC memo.

Cargo ship adrift off British Columbia

Canadian and U.S. authorities are monitoring a Russian cargo ship adrift off northern British Columbia.

Here's a news report on the situation.

"We're watching it closely and hoping it won't impact Alaska waters," Julie Speegle, of the National Marine Fisheries Service in Juneau, tells Deckboss.

Canada mine disaster raises salmon concerns

The breach of a tailings pond at a British Columbia copper and gold mine could affect Fraser River sockeye, Canadian media report.

Here's one news story. And another.

'No confirmed cases'

Here's an update from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on reports of infectious salmon anemia in British Columbia.

State monitors ISA report, but suggests little risk

Here's a press release the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Oct. 21, 2011

ADF&G monitoring reported evidence of disease exposure in British Columbia sockeye salmon

JUNEAU — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closely monitoring and evaluating a recent report that samples taken from sockeye salmon in British Columbia show exposure to infectious salmon anemia virus. The test results, reported by researchers from Simon Fraser University, are based on a very limited sample of sockeye salmon smolts from Rivers Inlet in central British Columbia. The smolts were not exhibiting any outward signs of infection.

Research on ISA indicates that the risk to Alaska's salmon stocks is low. Pacific salmon have been shown to be mostly resistant to ISA, which is a flu-like disease of Atlantic salmon. ISA does not transmit to humans and is not a human health or food safety issue.

"Right now, there is a lot of misinformation out there about this finding and this disease," said Ted Meyers, ADF&G fisheries scientist. "The Rivers Inlet results are being analyzed through additional testing in a second laboratory to rule out any false positives. At this point we are concerned, but do not want to overreact as we await more definitive information from Canada."

Live Atlantic salmon are not allowed to be imported into Alaska. However, if the virus is confirmed present in British Columbia migratory Pacific salmon or the Atlantic salmon stocks prevalent in British Columbia fish farms, there is concern over potential impacts to Alaska salmon stocks.

"The department's pathology lab is in contact with agencies in Canada and will continue monitoring the situation," said Cora Campbell, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. "We will take all necessary measures to protect our stocks."

Additional information on ISA and the reports from British Columbia can be found here. The department will keep Alaskans informed as additional information becomes available.

ISA virus reported in wild Pacific salmon

Here's worrisome news about the surprise discovery of infectious salmon anemia in British Columbia sockeye. ISA is a virus that has decimated salmon farms in Chile.