The Gulf of Mexico

We don't often have occasion to mention the Gulf of Mexico here on Deckboss.

When we do, going forward, we will follow AP style guidance and continue to refer to that body of water as the Gulf of Mexico rather than the "Gulf of America," as President Trump renamed it in a recent executive order.

PWS herring fishery wraps with 440-ton take

Here's the announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Halibut takes another hit

The International Pacific Halibut Commission today announced a coastwide catch limit of 29.7 million pounds for this year.

That's down 15.8 percent from 2024. It's the third consecutive year for a substantial cut in the coastwide limit.

Notably for the upcoming season, the catch limit in Area 3A (Southcentral Alaska) is 9.1 million pounds, down more than 20 percent, while Area 2B (British Columbia) is down 15.8 percent to just under 5.5 million pounds.

The commission recommended season dates of 6 a.m. local time March 20 to midnight Dec. 7.

Juneau watch

The legislative task force examining the economic crisis gripping the Alaska seafood industry has posted its final report, which makes quite a few recommendations.

Will any of these recommendations ever be implemented? Would they make a difference?

Don't be shy! Read the 21-page report and post your opinion here on Deckboss.

Washington watch

Howard Lutnick, President Trump's pick for commerce secretary, today sat for his confirmation hearing in Congress.

Part of the secretary's job is managing fisheries via the National Marine Fisheries Service, a Commerce Department agency.

Here's an NPR report on the hearing.

And here are press releases from Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell and Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Bright outlook for Cook Inlet sockeye

The state is forecasting an "excellent" sockeye salmon run of 6.93 million fish this year for Upper Cook Inlet.

Last year, the commercial harvest of Upper Cook Inlet sockeye was 1.87 million fish on a run of 6.64 million.

Lots more number in this advisory announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

A new cutter for Kodiak

Here's a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Another strong Sitka herring forecast

The state today announced a 2025 Sitka Sound sac roe herring quota of 36,720 tons.

That's a big number, though not nearly as large as the record 81,246-ton quota set for the 2024 season. Industry ended up taking only a fraction of that quota, about 12,700 tons.

Big sockeye catch predicted at Copper River

The state is forecasting a terrific harvest of 1.92 million sockeye salmon this year at the Copper River.

Gunnar Knapp: Trump's Greenland talk isn't serious

Here's his letter posted on the Anchorage Daily News website.

Trump administration fires Coast Guard chief

The administration of Donald Trump, who was sworn in yesterday for his second term as president, has relieved Adm. Linda Fagan as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Here's a memo to all hands across the service.

And here's a news story from The New York Times.

EPIRB saves two in Kodiak capsizing

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

Cutter of the year, and a Storis redux

Here are a couple of interesting notes from the U.S. Coast Guard.

• The Kodiak-based Alex Haley has again earned cutter of the year honors.

• The Storis, decommissioned in 2007, was a legendary Alaska cutter. Now, the Coast Guard is bringing the name Storis back to life, applying it to a newly acquired icebreaker to be homeported in Juneau.

Togiak herring forecast

Once again, a huge volume of herring will be up for grabs this year at Togiak, with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game setting a harvest quota of 41,163 tons for the sac roe fishery.

It's unclear, however, whether the industry has any taste for Togiak herring. The fishery was dormant in 2023 and 2024, and processors, purse seiners and gillnetters may stay home this year as well.

Huge government pollock buy coming, ASMI says

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to purchase up to $50 million of Alaska pollock, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute said in a press release.

"These USDA purchases provide food insecure Americans with high-quality, healthy and sustainable seafood protein," ASMI said. "They also support American fishermen, companies and communities currently struggling with low pollock prices due to reductions in demand and increased competition, mostly from Russia."

Legislative task force to meet again this week

Details in this press release.

Good news for our best crab

Scientists report that new research has "revealed more genetic diversity across Alaska's red king crab populations than originally documented."

This could make the species more resilient to climate change.

Circle salmon sales

Fledgling processor Circle Seafoods announced its frozen salmon fillets "have officially made their debut" in H-E-B stores across Texas and Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide.

Here's a picture of the pouched product.

'We are fishing on a depleted stock'

Homer commercial fisherman Michael "Buck" Laukitis is proposing a Pacific halibut rebuilding plan.

Five things to watch

As we enter the new year, we're looking for big news on multiple fronts. Here's a handful of items worth tracking.

• The National Marine Fisheries Service has a Jan. 11 deadline for completing a status review of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon. NMFS began the review after the Wild Fish Conservancy petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

• The halibut stock is struggling, and we'll get a new read on the situation when the International Pacific Halibut Commission convenes its annual meeting Jan. 27-31 in Vancouver, B.C. "Harvest limits in Alaska will all likely be reduced in 2025," the Fishing Vessel Owners' Association reports in its most recent newsletter. Bob Alverson is association's manager and an IPHC commissioner.

• What will become of the huge King Cove processing plant? The facility was idled with the financial collapse of Peter Pan. Last we heard, a working group was considering the plant's future.

• The legislative task force evaluating the Alaska seafood industry's economic troubles has been meeting since summer. Will anything substantive come of this effort? The Alaska Legislature begins a new session on Jan. 21.

• Inauguration day for Donald Trump is Jan. 20, and a new president is always consequential for the fishing industry. We're eager to see who the administration names to lead NMFS. And Trump's vow to impose sweeping tariffs could have a major impact on the seafood business.