Heads-up on a possible Area M bombshell

Deckboss hears reliably that Alaska's acting attorney general, as soon as tomorrow, will block most or all of the controversial actions the Board of Fisheries took recently on Area M salmon fisheries.

The AG's expected action comes in the context of a lawsuit from commercial fishing groups, the Aleutians East Borough and others seeking to void regulations the board adopted at its February meeting on Alaska Peninsula finfish.

The suit focuses, in part, on board members with alleged conflicts of interest. The plaintiffs say two proposals the board approved on close votes would "dramatically reduce open fishing time and area for commercial purse seine and gillnet gear in the South Alaska Peninsula."

In February, the borough and tribal governments called on the AG to "act on a formal ethics complaint filed against members of the Alaska Board of Fisheries."

Trident sues over Tacoma fire disaster

You might recall how fire ravaged a Trident Seafoods factory trawler, the Kodiak Enterprise, back in 2023.

Now, Trident reportedly is suing the city of Tacoma over the fire department's handling of the blaze. More in this KING 5 news report.

Board of Fisheries sued over Area M action

Here's a press release from the Aleutians East Borough.

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?

John Ketcham v. Rodger May

This 12-page lawsuit, filed yesterday, involves a fight over a piece of Peter Pan Seafood — the remote Port Moller processing plant.

Nonprofit sues Trident alleging Anacortes pollution

Here's the lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle.

Conservancy takes its ESA campaign to court

Making good on a threat, the Wild Fish Conservancy has sued the National Marine Fisheries Service, saying the agency has missed the deadline to decide whether Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon should be listed under the Endangered Species Act.

An update on the Northline barge

It appears the two sides in a lawsuit that resulted in the arrest of the Northline Seafoods processing barge over a debt obligation have reached a deal that could see the vessel's release.

The parties in a joint status report say they've reached an agreement whereby the owners of the vessel would file a special bond of $1,378,000.

The court has entered an order canceling a planned Friday hearing and directing the parties to file papers for the posting of the bond and the release of the vessel from arrest.

Legal trouble for Northline's processing barge

A Washington state company, Leo's Welding and Fabrication, has gone to court seeking to force a U.S. Marshals Service sale of the Northline Seafoods processing barge.

The company, in its five-page lawsuit, says it's owed for work to ready the barge for its 2024 debut in the Bristol Bay salmon fishery.

The suit says nearly $1.3 million is currently owed.

The 2024 season didn't go smoothly for the Northline barge, which was somewhat hobbled by a fire.

Northline is expected to take its barge to Bristol Bay again this summer.

Trawlers lose

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging new regulations tightening halibut trawl bycatch limits in the Bering Sea.

Here's the 39-page decision.

Potential victory for the troll fishery

The federal government has released documents that could put an end to the Wild Fish Conservancy's lawsuit challenging the Southeast Alaska salmon troll fishery.

Here's an Alaska Department of Fish and Game press release that explains further.

Another big day in court

As previously reported, a Bering Sea bottom trawl fleet, operating under the banner Groundfish Forum, is suing in an effort to kill new regulations to tighten halibut bycatch limits.

The fleet argues it's being unfairly singled out and faces potential financial ruin.

The National Marine Fisheries Service — as well as several fishing, processing and conservation players in the halibut sector — are defending the regulations.

The case has been cooking for several months and is now set for an important round of oral argument beginning at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in federal court in Anchorage.

To listen, dial (571) 353-2301 and use call ID 275666327.

Big day in court

As previously reported here on Deckboss, two tribal organizations are suing the National Marine Fisheries Service in federal court, challenging the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish fisheries.

At 9 a.m. tomorrow in federal court in Anchorage, lawyers will square off for oral arguments, each side seeking summary judgment — a knockout victory.

The tribal organizations — the Association of Village Council Presidents and Tanana Chiefs Conference — are represented by Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm.

The public may listen to the hearing by dialing (571) 353-2301 and using call ID 275666327.

More legal trouble for trawlers

The environmental group Oceana is suing the National Marine Fisheries Service in Alaska federal court, accusing the agency of failing to protect corals, sponges and seafloor habitat from "the destructive effects of trawling."

Here's a press release from Earthjustice, the law firm representing Oceana.

Trawlers to court: Please hurry

A trawl fleet challenging tighter halibut bycatch limits is pleading with the Alaska federal court to issue a decision by Nov. 1.

That's the latest the trawlers can "reasonably make decisions regarding which and how many vessels to activate, how many people to employ, and what supplies to purchase for the 2025 fishing year," says this motion to expedite.

More legal conflict in Cook Inlet

For over a decade, Cook Inlet salmon management has been enmeshed in legal battles.

Now, predictably, another lawsuit has been filed as the federal government takes over salmon management in the inlet's federal waters.

Here's the 35-page suit: United Cook Inlet Drift Association v. National Marine Fisheries Service.

Further financial pressure on Peter Pan

A fishing company has filed a lawsuit against Peter Pan Seafood Co. claiming nonpayment of nearly half a million dollars for deliveries of red king crab, Pacific cod and other fish.

AMCC's legal fundraiser

The Alaska Marine Conservation Council has launched a GoFundMe campaign to "help stop halibut bycatch."

An escalating fight over halibut bycatch

We told you in December how a trawl fleet known as the Amendment 80 sector was suing over tighter halibut bycatch limits.

Now, halibut harvesters are looking to jump into the case in support of the tighter limits.

Another challenge to Bering Sea trawling

Native governments and an environmental group say they'll sue federal agencies over a planned bottom trawl study in the Northern Bering Sea.