Kodiak fisherman dies despite rescue effort

The Alaska State Troopers issued the following press release this morning:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Death investigation
On 3/13/11 at approximately 2300 hours, the U.S. Coast Guard contacted Kodiak AST reporting a helicopter launch for an unresponsive male on a fishing vessel anchored in Monashka Bay. Investigation revealed that Alvin Holdiman III, 48, of Kodiak, was found deceased on the vessel. Holdiman was transported to Kodiak Mortuary awaiting an autopsy. No foul play is suspected in this case. The case is still under investigation.

KMXT radio in Kodiak has additional details here.

Coming ashore

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Hamilton approaches the Juneau pier Friday after a three-month patrol of the Bering Sea. Commissioned in 1967, the Hamilton is homeported at San Diego. USCG photo

Federal study finds mercury in all fish

Here's an AP story summarizing the findings of "the most comprehensive look to date at mercury in the nation's streams."

The bottom line: All tested fish had some mercury contamination, but only about a quarter showed levels above safe limits for average consumers.

The story has a couple of Alaska references.