A big boost for Southeast Alaska trollers

The preseason troll treaty harvest allocation for this year is 146,000 Chinook, or more than 53,000 fish above the limit in 2025, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said in this advisory announcement.

'Be cautious about demonizing'

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski yesterday addressed the Alaska Legislature. In her written remarks, she had the following to say regarding fisheries.

Our fisheries ... remain in crisis. When salmon runs collapse, it threatens the food security, culture and ways of life of so many Alaskans.

The reality is that these declines cannot be attributed to one factor alone. There is no silver bullet to solve this complex problem. But when faced with causes beyond our immediate control, like climate change, it is understandable why the discourse focuses on what we can control: bycatch.

Don't get me wrong, there is more we can do to reduce bycatch, and we should do it. An example is Sen. Sullivan's Bycatch Reduction and Research Act, which I am cosponsoring. But we should also be cautious about demonizing one sector of Alaska's fisheries at a time when we need to work together to find solutions.

Commercial fishing provides good jobs and is the economic backbone of dozens of coastal communities. And while it is easy and often appropriate to point fingers at Seattle, we have to remember that many Alaska towns and villages are suffering after losing their fleets and processing plants. Life isn't necessarily better without them.

We need sound science because that is the foundation of sound management. We need constructive dialogue that respects the needs of communities upriver while recognizing the benefits of industry. And we need to focus on what unites us so we can conserve and responsibly harvest one of our most precious, irreplaceable resources.

Juneau watch

Legislators are holding a "lunch and learn" meeting at noon tomorrow on the topic of outmigration of limited entry fishing permits from rural Alaska.

Presenters include Rachel Donkersloot, of Coastal Cultures Research; Courtney Carothers, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences; and Joe Nelson, board co-chair, Alaska Federation of Natives.

Journalist Nathaniel Herz, of Northern Journal, last year published a lengthy article on the impact of state fishing permits being sold out of, or otherwise leaving, coastal Alaska villages.

And they're off at Sitka!

The Sitka Sound herring sac roe fishery has begun, with the first opener running from noon to 6 p.m. Friday.

Another opener was set for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

About 495 tons of herring was harvested in the initial opener, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reported.

The quota for this year's fishery is 35,015 tons, but industry is not expected to take anywhere near that much.

Carl Rosier crosses the bar

Here's a recent press release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Juneau watch

We have a hearing this afternoon in the Senate Resources Committee on Senate Bill 269, which would radically revamp the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

The bill would restructure the board from a seven-member panel to a 15-member body comprised of three regional boards, says this sponsor statement from Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel.

Trawl rep claps back at Senate candidate Peltola

Matt Tinning is CEO of the At-sea Processors Association. Read his commentary here.