Showing posts with label sea lion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sea lion. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Monday, January 27, 2014
Sea lion goes for fisherman at Sitka
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Sitka
Type: Sea lion mauling
On 1/26/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, received a report that a 19-year-old Sitka man had been attacked by a sea lion while the vessel he was working on was offloading fish at Seafood Producers Cooperative. At this time, investigation has shown the man was sitting on the railing of the fishing vessel with his back to the water. A sea lion, described as a larger bull, jumped from the water and attempted to grab the man in the buttocks, causing the man to fall forward into the vessel. The man received minor injuries that did not require medical attention. Troopers are working closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine what might have caused the attack. Troopers would ask citizens to use caution while on docks near Sitka Channel. Troopers also would remind fishermen and hunters not to dump any carcasses or scraps in the harbor. This will prevent sea lions from associating people with food. To report aggressive sea lion behavior in Sitka, please contact troopers at (907) 747-3254 or NMFS at (907) 586-7225.
Location: Sitka
Type: Sea lion mauling
On 1/26/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, received a report that a 19-year-old Sitka man had been attacked by a sea lion while the vessel he was working on was offloading fish at Seafood Producers Cooperative. At this time, investigation has shown the man was sitting on the railing of the fishing vessel with his back to the water. A sea lion, described as a larger bull, jumped from the water and attempted to grab the man in the buttocks, causing the man to fall forward into the vessel. The man received minor injuries that did not require medical attention. Troopers are working closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine what might have caused the attack. Troopers would ask citizens to use caution while on docks near Sitka Channel. Troopers also would remind fishermen and hunters not to dump any carcasses or scraps in the harbor. This will prevent sea lions from associating people with food. To report aggressive sea lion behavior in Sitka, please contact troopers at (907) 747-3254 or NMFS at (907) 586-7225.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Aleut looks to join Steller sea lion fight
The Aleut Corp. and its subsidiary, Aleut Enterprise LLC, are seeking to intervene in the Steller sea lion lawsuit.
Aleut Enterprise owns the seafood processing plant and runs the fuel terminal on Adak Island.
The state and numerous fishing industry players are challenging the federal government's closure of some fishing grounds in the Aleutian chain to protect the endangered sea lions.
Aleut, the Native regional corporation for the Aleutians, and Aleut Enterprise want to intervene in the suit as a plaintiff.
Rudy Tsukada, president of Aleut Enterprise, says in this affidavit the government's fishing restrictions likely will cut Adak marine fuel sales by half, cause fuel prices to spike by nearly 90 percent, cost five employees their jobs, decimate Adak tax revenues, and result in sundry other bad things.
Aleut Enterprise owns the seafood processing plant and runs the fuel terminal on Adak Island.
The state and numerous fishing industry players are challenging the federal government's closure of some fishing grounds in the Aleutian chain to protect the endangered sea lions.
Aleut, the Native regional corporation for the Aleutians, and Aleut Enterprise want to intervene in the suit as a plaintiff.
Rudy Tsukada, president of Aleut Enterprise, says in this affidavit the government's fishing restrictions likely will cut Adak marine fuel sales by half, cause fuel prices to spike by nearly 90 percent, cost five employees their jobs, decimate Adak tax revenues, and result in sundry other bad things.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
NMFS stands firm on Steller closures
Officials with the National Marine Fisheries Service today rejected, for the most part, pleas to scale back planned fishery closures in the Aleutian chain to protect the endangered Steller sea lion.
The news came in a packed and anxious room at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, where the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is meeting this week.
The council in August sent NMFS a less severe alternative to the closures the agency says are necessary to avoid jeopardizing the Stellers, which feed on the same cod and Atka mackerel that commercial fishermen chase.
Doug DeMaster, science and research director for NMFS in Seattle, today told the council the planned closures probably can be reduced slightly in one section of the Aleutians — area 542.
But for the most part, NMFS said no to the council's alternative. Most significantly, fishing for cod and Atka mackerel will be forbidden entirely in area 543, at the western end of the Aleutian chain.
The restrictions are expected to take effect Jan. 1.
The NMFS decision pretty much seals a multimillion-dollar loss of fishing opportunity for the commercial fleet.
Naturally, consternation was written on the faces of the many industry players in the room. And some council members weren't too happy, either.
Council member Duncan Fields of Kodiak told DeMaster it seemed to him that NMFS had given the council's alternative "short shrift."
Cora Campbell, representing the state of Alaska on the council, said NMFS was basing the closures on "really scanty data."
DeMaster's major argument was that the "prey field," the amount of fish available for foraging sea lions, is projected to expand greatly under the NMFS plan but only a little under the council alternative.
He said the council alternative simply wasn't adequate to avoid jeopardizing Steller sea lions, the numbers of which have been declining markedly in the western Aleutians while generally rising elsewhere in Alaska.
DeMaster conceded, however, that not enough is known about what the region's sea lions actually eat throughout the year, and how they hunt for food.
Not everyone is unhappy with NMFS. Many people sent comments supporting the planned fishery closures.
The news came in a packed and anxious room at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, where the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is meeting this week.
The council in August sent NMFS a less severe alternative to the closures the agency says are necessary to avoid jeopardizing the Stellers, which feed on the same cod and Atka mackerel that commercial fishermen chase.
Doug DeMaster, science and research director for NMFS in Seattle, today told the council the planned closures probably can be reduced slightly in one section of the Aleutians — area 542.
But for the most part, NMFS said no to the council's alternative. Most significantly, fishing for cod and Atka mackerel will be forbidden entirely in area 543, at the western end of the Aleutian chain.
The restrictions are expected to take effect Jan. 1.
The NMFS decision pretty much seals a multimillion-dollar loss of fishing opportunity for the commercial fleet.
Naturally, consternation was written on the faces of the many industry players in the room. And some council members weren't too happy, either.
Council member Duncan Fields of Kodiak told DeMaster it seemed to him that NMFS had given the council's alternative "short shrift."
Cora Campbell, representing the state of Alaska on the council, said NMFS was basing the closures on "really scanty data."
DeMaster's major argument was that the "prey field," the amount of fish available for foraging sea lions, is projected to expand greatly under the NMFS plan but only a little under the council alternative.
He said the council alternative simply wasn't adequate to avoid jeopardizing Steller sea lions, the numbers of which have been declining markedly in the western Aleutians while generally rising elsewhere in Alaska.
DeMaster conceded, however, that not enough is known about what the region's sea lions actually eat throughout the year, and how they hunt for food.
Not everyone is unhappy with NMFS. Many people sent comments supporting the planned fishery closures.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Gov. Parnell: Let's delist eastern stock of Stellers
This just in from Gov. Sean Parnell:
Sept. 2, 2010
State petitions to delist eastern sea lion stock, raps new BiOp
ANCHORAGE — The state of Alaska this week petitioned the federal government to remove the eastern distinct population segment of Steller sea lions from the list of species protected by the Endangered Species Act. The state coordinated its filing with Oregon and Washington, which also filed a similar petition this week.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has divided Steller sea lions into two "distinct population segments," a western DPS and an eastern DPS. The western DPS is listed as endangered; the eastern DPS is currently listed as threatened.
The eastern DPS has surpassed the recovery objectives set by NMFS and the threats facing the sea lions have been addressed, meriting their removal from the list of threatened species.
"We're working on multiple fronts to ensure that commercial fishing and other important economic activities are not blocked by unwarranted ESA regulations," Gov. Sean Parnell said. "Removing a recovered species from the list reduces needless bureaucracy and litigation risks."
The state of Alaska also submitted comments on the recent NMFS draft biological opinion, or BiOp, and the associated environmental assessment on the impact of federal groundfish fisheries on the health of the western DPS. Despite significant scientific uncertainty and an increasing population trend, the draft opinion concludes that commercial fisheries are inhibiting the recovery of two of seven subpopulations of the western DPS and calls for substantial curtailment of commercial fisheries in the western Aleutian Islands.
"The agency's conclusion that additional fishing restrictions are necessary is not supported by the best available scientific information," said Attorney General Dan Sullivan. "The drastic measures proposed by NMFS are simply not necessary given the overall health of the western DPS."
NMFS has 90 days to decide whether the delisting petition presents enough scientific or commercial evidence of recovery that removal of the eastern DPS may be warranted. With regard to the western DPS, the comments NMFS receives, including the state's, will inform the agency's decision on what, if any, new restrictions it may impose on commercial fisheries.
A copy of the delisting petition and the state's comments on the BiOp are available here.
Sept. 2, 2010
State petitions to delist eastern sea lion stock, raps new BiOp
ANCHORAGE — The state of Alaska this week petitioned the federal government to remove the eastern distinct population segment of Steller sea lions from the list of species protected by the Endangered Species Act. The state coordinated its filing with Oregon and Washington, which also filed a similar petition this week.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has divided Steller sea lions into two "distinct population segments," a western DPS and an eastern DPS. The western DPS is listed as endangered; the eastern DPS is currently listed as threatened.
The eastern DPS has surpassed the recovery objectives set by NMFS and the threats facing the sea lions have been addressed, meriting their removal from the list of threatened species.
"We're working on multiple fronts to ensure that commercial fishing and other important economic activities are not blocked by unwarranted ESA regulations," Gov. Sean Parnell said. "Removing a recovered species from the list reduces needless bureaucracy and litigation risks."
The state of Alaska also submitted comments on the recent NMFS draft biological opinion, or BiOp, and the associated environmental assessment on the impact of federal groundfish fisheries on the health of the western DPS. Despite significant scientific uncertainty and an increasing population trend, the draft opinion concludes that commercial fisheries are inhibiting the recovery of two of seven subpopulations of the western DPS and calls for substantial curtailment of commercial fisheries in the western Aleutian Islands.
"The agency's conclusion that additional fishing restrictions are necessary is not supported by the best available scientific information," said Attorney General Dan Sullivan. "The drastic measures proposed by NMFS are simply not necessary given the overall health of the western DPS."
NMFS has 90 days to decide whether the delisting petition presents enough scientific or commercial evidence of recovery that removal of the eastern DPS may be warranted. With regard to the western DPS, the comments NMFS receives, including the state's, will inform the agency's decision on what, if any, new restrictions it may impose on commercial fisheries.
A copy of the delisting petition and the state's comments on the BiOp are available here.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Steller impact greatest in western Aleutians
Below is the meat of a press release the National Marine Fisheries Service issued today along with its Steller sea lion biological opinion.
And here's a handy map for reference.
The greatest concern is in fishery management area 543, in the western Aleutians. From 2000-2008, adult numbers declined 45% in this sub-region. Pup production declined 43%, making the ratio of pups to adult females on rookeries in this sub-region the lowest in the entire western Steller sea lion population. This continued low birth rate is an indicator of nutritional stress, or lack of food.
"We need to mitigate the potential for competition for food in areas where sea lion numbers are declining," said Jim Balsiger, regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region.
A definitive cause for the decline of sea lions has not been identified, and it is likely that other factors are important in understanding the lack of recovery, Balsiger said. "Even though factors other than fishing also affect the sea lion population, under the Endangered Species Act we are required to ensure that the actions our agency takes to authorize fisheries do not jeopardize these endangered animals."
NOAA Fisheries has included a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) in the draft biological opinion that would modify groundfish management in the Aleutian Islands to limit competition between commercial fishing for groundfish and the sea lions. The RPA provides a proposed approach to avoid jeopardizing the western population of Steller sea lions and impacts to designated critical habitat (0-20 nautical miles from rookeries and haulouts). Because Atka mackerel and Pacific cod are the two most prominent species in the Steller sea lion diet in this region, the alternative calls for the closure of the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod fisheries in area 543. Additional but less restrictive measures are also needed in adjacent areas 541 and 542 in the central Aleutians, where sea lions continue to decline as well, albeit at a much slower rate than in area 543.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the public will review the draft biological opinion at a special meeting in Anchorage August 16-20.
"NOAA Fisheries will work with the Council to develop management measures for the groundfish fisheries to ensure fishing operations are consistent with the mandates of the ESA," said Balsiger. "The ultimate goal is the recovery of the western Steller sea lion population so that the species can be removed from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife."
A final biological opinion is expected in January 2011. The new fishery management measures are expected to be implemented in January 2011.
And here's a handy map for reference.
The greatest concern is in fishery management area 543, in the western Aleutians. From 2000-2008, adult numbers declined 45% in this sub-region. Pup production declined 43%, making the ratio of pups to adult females on rookeries in this sub-region the lowest in the entire western Steller sea lion population. This continued low birth rate is an indicator of nutritional stress, or lack of food.
"We need to mitigate the potential for competition for food in areas where sea lion numbers are declining," said Jim Balsiger, regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region.
A definitive cause for the decline of sea lions has not been identified, and it is likely that other factors are important in understanding the lack of recovery, Balsiger said. "Even though factors other than fishing also affect the sea lion population, under the Endangered Species Act we are required to ensure that the actions our agency takes to authorize fisheries do not jeopardize these endangered animals."
NOAA Fisheries has included a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) in the draft biological opinion that would modify groundfish management in the Aleutian Islands to limit competition between commercial fishing for groundfish and the sea lions. The RPA provides a proposed approach to avoid jeopardizing the western population of Steller sea lions and impacts to designated critical habitat (0-20 nautical miles from rookeries and haulouts). Because Atka mackerel and Pacific cod are the two most prominent species in the Steller sea lion diet in this region, the alternative calls for the closure of the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod fisheries in area 543. Additional but less restrictive measures are also needed in adjacent areas 541 and 542 in the central Aleutians, where sea lions continue to decline as well, albeit at a much slower rate than in area 543.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the public will review the draft biological opinion at a special meeting in Anchorage August 16-20.
"NOAA Fisheries will work with the Council to develop management measures for the groundfish fisheries to ensure fishing operations are consistent with the mandates of the ESA," said Balsiger. "The ultimate goal is the recovery of the western Steller sea lion population so that the species can be removed from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife."
A final biological opinion is expected in January 2011. The new fishery management measures are expected to be implemented in January 2011.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Senators: Let's not rush this sea lion thing
Well, the week has ended without a new "biological opinion" from the feds on the effects of commercial fishing on the endangered Steller sea lion.
But don't fret, friends. It appears the BiOp certainly will be unveiled Monday, and it'll be a real trophy at 800-plus pages.
As Deckboss has noted previously, the anxiety level surrounding this document is high. Alaska's bottomfish industry could be facing costly new restrictions depending on what it says.
Among the concerned are the four U.S. senators from Alaska and Washington, who today sent this letter to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke urging that the long-delayed BiOp, once released, not be hurried through to final action.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has scheduled a special meeting for Aug. 16-19 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage to consider the BiOp and any potential fishing restrictions.
But don't fret, friends. It appears the BiOp certainly will be unveiled Monday, and it'll be a real trophy at 800-plus pages.
As Deckboss has noted previously, the anxiety level surrounding this document is high. Alaska's bottomfish industry could be facing costly new restrictions depending on what it says.
Among the concerned are the four U.S. senators from Alaska and Washington, who today sent this letter to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke urging that the long-delayed BiOp, once released, not be hurried through to final action.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has scheduled a special meeting for Aug. 16-19 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage to consider the BiOp and any potential fishing restrictions.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
BiOp watch
The federal government as soon as tomorrow might unveil its long-awaited "biological opinion" on the endangered Steller sea lion.
Will it include a "jeopardy" determination for the Steller, or a finding of "adverse modification" of its critical habitat?
Will it force tighter restrictions on Alaska's huge pollock fishery, which by one theory is robbing the sea lions of food?
Will it shut down a valuable harvest you might never have heard of, the Atka mackerel fishery?
Or will the BiOp prove to be no treat at all to commercial fishing?
The scuttlebutt is that scientists within the National Marine Fisheries Service have clashed over what the BiOp should say.
Can't wait to see who won.
Will it include a "jeopardy" determination for the Steller, or a finding of "adverse modification" of its critical habitat?
Will it force tighter restrictions on Alaska's huge pollock fishery, which by one theory is robbing the sea lions of food?
Will it shut down a valuable harvest you might never have heard of, the Atka mackerel fishery?
Or will the BiOp prove to be no treat at all to commercial fishing?
The scuttlebutt is that scientists within the National Marine Fisheries Service have clashed over what the BiOp should say.
Can't wait to see who won.
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