Blotter

Be sure to catch our sister blog The Brig for fisheries enforcement news.

Bristol Bay builds steam

We're now seeing substantial harvest numbers at Bristol Bay, scene of Alaska's richest commercial salmon fishery.

As of this moment, the cumulative catch stands at nearly 11.4 million sockeye. The state forecast calls for a potential harvest of 32.3 million this season.

The Nushagak District on the west side of Bristol Bay is leading the catch with 4.3 million sockeye so far, followed by the eastside Egegik District with 3.6 million.

Fishing effort was concentrated in the Nushagak District with 475 vessels and 673 permits registered there, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said yesterday.

Daily catches baywide have been strong in recent days, well above 1 million fish, providing a steady stream of deliveries to processors. The biggest day was June 28 with 1.8 million fish.

Feds announce seafood 'regional priorities'

Here's the press release.

Man overboard in Bristol Bay

A man was reported overboard from a fishing vessel in Bristol Bay this week, and an intensive search failed to locate him.

The Alaska State Troopers identified the missing man as Seth Whiteman, 23, of Eagle River.

U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders on Monday received a report of a man overboard from the F/V Sandman near Egegik Bay, Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Snell said.

A seven-hour search ensued involving the cutter Frederick Mann, a helicopter from Air Station Kodiak, the Alaska State Troopers patrol vessel Stimson and state aircraft.

The search was suspended late Monday pending development of new information.

The missing man reportedly was not wearing a life jacket, Snell said.

State records indicate the Sandman belongs to Isaac J. Thistle, of Wasilla.

Pollock wars

The state of Alaska is objecting to Marine Stewardship Council recertification of Russia's Western Bering Sea pollock fishery.

Here's a letter from Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang to MSC Chief Executive Rupert Howes.

Washington watch

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, has introduced an updated version of bycatch legislation he offered last year.

"I've heard from countless Alaskans ... who are rightfully demanding direct action to reduce bycatch and gear contact with the seafloor," Sullivan says in a press release.

Surprise appointments to the North Pacific Council

The secretary of commerce today appointed Forrest Bowers to an Alaska seat and Chad See to a Washington seat on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Both are surprises as neither was the top choice of their respective governors.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy had nominated Märit Carlson-Van Dort as his lead pick, with Bowers and Israel Payton as his second and third choices. Carlson-Van Dort chairs the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Bowers is a longtime state employee in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, currently working as acting commercial fisheries director.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson nominated crab fleet representative Jamie Goen for a second term on the council, but the commerce secretary instead appointed Chad See, Ferguson's second choice. See is executive director of the Freezer Longline Coalition.