Washington watch

Two senators are questioning the Trump administration's withholding of $246 million in NOAA funding.

Trident among winners in huge USDA pollock buy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the purchase of 34.7 million pounds of Alaska pollock products — frozen fish sticks, nuggets and fillets — for $84.2 million.

USDA awarded contracts to three companies including Seattle-based Trident Seafoods Corp., which sold 5.6 million pounds for $14.7 million.

The pollock purchase is "in support of child nutrition and other related domestic food distribution programs," the USDA said.

Bristol Bay's incredible staying power

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has released its summary of the 2025 Bristol Bay salmon season, and the numbers are once again impressive.

• This is the 11th year in a row that the total inshore sockeye run exceeded 50 million fish.

• The commercial harvest of 41.2 million sockeye was 18 percent above the preseason forecast.

• Sockeye remained on the small side this season, averaging 5.05 pounds. But that's a big improvement over last season's 4.53 pounds, the smallest average weight on record.

• The sockeye paid a preliminary average ex-vessel price of $1.03 a pound for a total sockeye fishery value of $214.3 million. The average price last year was 89 cents a pound.

USCG is changing key emergency phone numbers

Details in this press release.

An even grand

This year's Alaska Permanent Fund dividend amount is $1,000, with payments to go out starting Oct. 2.

More details in this press release.

Upcoming

Here are a few noteworthy events to mark on your calendar.

• The Alaska Bycatch Advisory Council will hold a public meeting via Zoom this Tuesday. The agenda includes some interesting items such as a presentation from Trident Seafoods on "innovation for bycatch mitigation."

• Pacific Marine Expo, the huge and popular Seattle trade show, is set for Nov. 20-22. Find all the details here.

• The inaugural Washington Fishermen's Convention is set for Dec. 4-8 in Westport. It looks to feature lots of worthwhile learning opportunities for commercial fishermen. Washington Sea Grant has more information.

• Registration is now open for the 2026 Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit set for Jan. 20-22 in Juneau. Here is more information.

Improving the competitiveness of Alaska seafood

Here's an interesting letter that turned up this week on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council website. It's a bit dated, but still relevant.