Russia watch

The following is from a U.S. Coast Guard enforcement report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting this week in Anchorage.

U.S./Russian Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) Enforcement

During the reporting period, there was medium to high foreign-flagged longline and trawl fishing on the Russian side of the MBL. In the month of June, there were 88 potential FF/V incursions by 13 different Russian fishing vessels detected via electronic means. CGC ALEX HALEY patrolled the MBL in response to this activity, and no further potential incursions were detected. Coast Guard Arctic District patrols the MBL using both C-130 aircraft and surface vessels to deter and detect illegal incursions. No vessels were observed fishing over the line by Coast Guard aircraft or cutters. Coast Guard Arctic District contacted the Russian Border Guard (RBG) about each potential incursion. RBG responded to all reports of potential incursions and indicated that their investigation resulted in administrative penalties for two vessels that crossed the MBL due to Force Majeure but failed to notify the Russian government in accordance with Russian laws. All other potential incursions were noted to be too brief or limited in depth to be confirmed MBL crossings by Russian standards. RBG also indicated that their investigation confirmed no Russian vessels were engaged in fishing actively while transiting in the U.S. EEZ.

Pollock wars

The state of Alaska is objecting to Marine Stewardship Council recertification of Russia's Western Bering Sea pollock fishery.

Here's a letter from Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang to MSC Chief Executive Rupert Howes.

Juneau watch

The House Special Committee on Fisheries has introduced House Joint Resolution 29 supporting continued prohibition of Russian seafood imports.

Sullivan talks fish

Alaska's junior U.S. senator, Dan Sullivan, yesterday addressed the Alaska Legislature. His written remarks include a two-part section on fish.

Huge government pollock buy coming, ASMI says

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to purchase up to $50 million of Alaska pollock, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute said in a press release.

"These USDA purchases provide food insecure Americans with high-quality, healthy and sustainable seafood protein," ASMI said. "They also support American fishermen, companies and communities currently struggling with low pollock prices due to reductions in demand and increased competition, mostly from Russia."

Foreign coast guard vessels reported in Bering

Here's a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Those sneaky Russians

Writing in the Anchorage Daily News, Einar Gustafsson, CEO of American Seafoods, which operates a fleet of Bering Sea pollock factory trawlers, complains about market competition from Russia.

Russian submarines, frigate spotted

Details in this U.S. Coast Guard press release.

More Russian naval activity possible

Details in this U.S. Coast Guard advisory sent to the fishing industry.

Russian naval vessel seen south of Aleutians

Here's a U.S. Coast Guard press release with details and a photo.

Russian military activity planned in the Bering Sea

The U.S. Coast Guard is advising of a Russian notice of missile operations set for Sept. 14-19 in the Bering Sea.

The affected area includes a portion of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone along the Maritime Boundary Line south of St. Lawrence Island.

"We will be positioning a Coast Guard asset in the area to provide a continued U.S. presence and facilitate commerce," a U.S. Coast Guard officer said in an email to industry.

The Russian notice comes in the form of a HYDROPAC message. Search for "Russia" to find the notice of Bering Sea missile operations daily Sept. 14-19 in an area bound by certain coordinates.

Bill aims to avoid surprise military encounters

Congress has passed a bill with language requiring the U.S. Coast Guard to work with the Defense and State departments, and the fishing community, to improve how mariners are notified of military activity within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.

"This provision comes in response to a dangerous encounter between Russian warships and Alaska fishermen in the U.S. EEZ in August 2020," says this press release from Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.

The press release details a number of other fishing-related provisions.

Russian fish pirate?

A U.S. Coast Guard enforcement report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council includes this:

Following an increase of foreign fishing vessel activity in the vicinity of the U.S.-Russia Maritime Boundary Line earlier in May, the Russian F/V Ikhtiolog committed a total of nine incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone between May 31 and June 3. Based on the vessel's course, speed and duration inside the U.S. EEZ, it was assessed that this vessel was fishing in U.S. waters. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard increased surface and air presence along the MBL to deter future incursions, including several C-130 flights and the Coast Guard cutter Bertholf patrolling the MBL and issuing the vessel warnings over VHF radio. The Russian Border Guard investigated our report and fined the owner of the vessel for failing to notify the Russian Federation of an MBL crossing. Since these incursions by F/V Ikhtiolog, the Coast Guard has not detected any other incursions along the U.S.-Russia MBL.

Chinese, Russian naval vessels in the Bering

Details in this news release from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Biden administration bans Russian seafood imports

Here's the president's executive order.

Alaska's very own submarine?

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is urging the Navy to select an Alaska homeport for a submarine, and also reopen the Adak naval base.

Taking aim at 'lavish lifestyles'

Congressman Don Young has another idea to get at the Russians: Seize their superyachts.

Firing back at Russia

Amid all the trouble over Ukraine, Alaska members of Congress have introduced bills to ban Russian seafood imports.

Here's a press release from Rep. Don Young, and another from Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan.

Is Russia part of the problem?

Bycatch is a hot topic right now, especially given the dismal salmon returns to Western Alaska.

Some people believe the problem rests with the U.S. trawl fleet in the Bering Sea.

But the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is looking farther afield. It has sent a letter to the State Department requesting help obtaining information on the catch of Western Alaska Chinook and chum salmon in Russian fisheries.

Dealing with Russia and China

State legislators have introduced a pair of resolutions aimed at troublesome overseas markets.

Senate Joint Resolution 16 — Calling on President Biden to immediately seek and secure an end to the embargo imposed by Russia on seafood imports from abroad so that Alaska seafood producers' access to the Russian domestic seafood market is fully restored.

Senate Joint Resolution 17 — Requesting the U.S. Trade Representative bring a renewed focus on the plight of producers of seafood in the state and the United States and to compel China to comply with its commitment to increase its imports of seafood products from the United States.