Fire reported on ship carrying lithium-ion batteries

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

A colossal Sitka herring quota

The guideline harvest level for next year's Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery is 81,246 tons, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced.

That's by far the largest preseason quota ever set for the fishery.

The previous record was 45,164 tons set for the 2022 season.

Another company looks to sell

Readers will recall a big deal in 2020 when two legacy processors, Ocean Beauty and Icicle, announced a merger of their salmon and Gulf of Alaska groundfish operations, forming a new company called OBI Seafoods.

Remnants of both Ocean Beauty and Icicle were left over.

Now, one of those remnants, Ocean Beauty, says its distribution business is for sale. The operations include seven seafood distribution locations in Astoria, Boise, Dallas, Helena, Portland, Renton, and Salt Lake City.

Ocean Beauty's owners, including Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp. and three individuals, are "looking to turn their focus to other investments," a press release says.

Ocean Beauty also operates two smoking and processing plants in Washington state.

Here's the Togiak herring forecast, if anyone cares

Once again, a large volume of herring is forecasted at Togiak.

But we might see a repeat of last season, when the fishery never opened due to lack of industry interest.

Facing halibut crackdown, trawlers sue

As expected, a Bering Sea bottom trawl fleet has sued the National Marine Fisheries Service over an action to tighten halibut bycatch limits.

The 17-vessel fleet, operating under the banner Groundfish Forum, contends the NMFS action could cost the fleet in excess of $100 million annually and could bankrupt some vessels.

The suit says Groundfish Forum members are "already being forced to mothball fishing vessels for the 2024 season."

Here's the 42-page lawsuit, filed in Alaska federal court.

BBRSDA loses its skipper

Andy Wink is leaving his position as executive director of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association.

Wink became the organization's executive director in 2018.

Fritz Johnson, BBRSDA board president, will act as interim director.

Robin Samuelsen steps down as BBEDC chairman

This news was a little slow reaching us, but here it is.