'Hook, Line & Sisters'

Yet another reality TV show about Alaska commercial fishing is set to make its premiere.

Hook, Line & Sisters will focus on fisherman Dean Anderson and family.

Deckboss understands the one-hour opening episode will feature this year's Sitka herring fishery, with six more episodes taking in salmon seining at Chignik.

The series website describes Anderson as "a grizzled sea dog known for his aggressive fishing."

The series begins Thursday night and runs through Feb. 2 on TLC. Check your local listings for times.

A fine salmon season for Norton Sound

Among Alaska's salmon producing regions, Norton Sound is small potatoes. But local fishermen scored big this season.

The salmon harvest was worth nearly $1.27 million off the boat. That's not only a new record for the second season in a row, it's more than 200 percent above the recent 10-year average of $420,720.

A strong chum run highlighted the action in Norton Sound.

Lots more details here.

Counsel, I have a few questions...

On Wednesday afternoon, a bunch of attorneys met in a federal courtroom in Anchorage to argue the lawsuit over fishing restrictions imposed in the Aleutians to protect endangered Steller sea lions.

Deckboss, somewhat thankfully, was unable to attend the hearing.

While the case involves mountains of scientific data and legal briefs, the essential conflict really is very simple. The state and the industry don't feel the costly fishing restrictions are justified. The National Marine Fisheries Service, which is being sued, feels otherwise.

Shortly before Wednesday's proceedings began, something unusual happened. Judge Timothy Burgess filed a list of questions for lawyers to address during the hearing.

Here are some examples, and I paraphrase somewhat:

• Doesn't the plain language of the Endangered Species Act suggest that, if anything, NMFS has to err on the side of assuming a causal relationship exists between the fisheries and the sea lion population?

• Although it took five years for NMFS to determine the fisheries jeopardized sea lions in the Aleutians, the agency skirted the normal public notice and comment process and hurriedly imposed the fishing restrictions. What was the emergency? Why couldn't NMFS have taken another few months to collect comments given that it had already taken five years?

• Why didn't NMFS issue a full environmental impact statement, as it had done on past occasions? Was it just rushing to complete the process in order to protect itself against litigation from Oceana and Greenpeace?

Of course, one must be careful not to read too much into the judge's questions. But they are fascinating, no?

One Bristol Bay processor swallows another

At long last, we have official confirmation of a rumor that's been knocking around for months.

North Pacific Seafoods, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Marubeni, is buying Yardarm Knot's Red Salmon cannery at Bristol Bay.

Here's the press release.

Icicle energizes its 'calculated risk' at Adak

Regular visitors know Deckboss likes to keep track of happenings out on Adak, the remote Aleutian island with a rather tumultuous history as a commercial fishing port.

As previously reported, a subsidiary of Seattle-based Icicle Seafoods Inc. took over the Adak processing plant in the spring.

Now here's a little news: The Regulatory Commission of Alaska recently approved a special contract between Icicle and the local power company, TDX Adak Generating.

Under the contract, TDX will supply "interruptible" power to Icicle, with existing residential and commercial customers having priority.

Power supply had been a problem for previous operators of the Adak plant.

While commissioners said they initially were concerned about the potential for "rate subsidization" of Icicle, the RCA ultimately held that the special contract will be good for all local power customers.

Here is the agency's eight-page order. It has a few details about Icicle's work to refurbish the plant, which concentrates on Pacific cod.

Also, here is an Icicle letter from late August that discusses the company's "calculated risk" at Adak.

Council provides 'policy guidance' on halibut

At its recent meeting in Anchorage, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council reaffirmed its support for the proposed catch sharing plan to allocate halibut between the rival commercial and charter boat fleets.

Here's the motion the council passed.

As you will see, it calls for quite a bit of additional work on the controversial plan, including assessment of the economic impacts of "the full range of allocations."

It took a while, but Chignik has a new harbor

Chignik, on the Alaska Peninsula, is moving up in the world. Here's a press release from the Lake and Peninsula Borough:

Dec. 16, 1011

Chignik boat harbor fully operational

KING SALMON — The Lake and Peninsula Borough is pleased to announce that the Chignik boat harbor is complete and open for business.

The $3.4 million project included installation of 40 slips, a harbormaster building, and full water and electrical support. The construction finished ahead of budget and schedule, allowing the Chignik fleet to begin using the harbor to prepare for the winter longlining and crab season.

"Everyone involved in this project is thrilled that our fishermen have a fully functional harbor," said borough Mayor Glen R. Alsworth Sr. "The idea of a boat harbor in Chignik dates all the way back to 1955 when Chignik's residents wrote to Delegate Bob Bartlett to ask for assistance. To be part of the group that has made it a reality is gratifying."

The city of Chignik, the Lake and Peninsula Borough and the Army Corps of Engineers have played roles in the project throughout its 55-year history.

"The boat harbor will be a tremendous boost to the Chignik fishery," said Chignik Mayor Richard Sharpe. "Now the fleet will be able to quickly and safely wait out storms and have a viable, year-round storage location for their boats."

Previously, fishermen had to store their boats in Kodiak or Sand Point, he noted.

The boat harbor completion follows the best salmon season in 40 years and the prospect of expanded winter fishery allocations for Chignik fishermen.