tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91883703704487785522024-03-18T20:20:11.602-08:00DeckbossAlaska commercial fishing news and notesDeckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.comBlogger2727125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-87448105192763396302024-03-17T16:00:00.006-08:002024-03-17T18:15:07.096-08:00Another fishery headed for limited entryDozens of Alaska commercial fisheries are limited — that is, restricted to a maximum number of participants.<div><br /></div><div>Now, another fishery is headed for limited entry.</div><div><br /></div><div>Regulations to limit the Prince William Sound shrimp pot fishery will be the subject of a Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission public hearing on March 26 in Anchorage.</div><div><br /></div><div>More details are <a href="https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/Attachment.aspx?id=146919" target="_blank">available here</a>.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-63931149689826909292024-03-15T15:15:00.001-08:002024-03-15T15:15:20.956-08:00It's halibut time!The commercial fishery for Pacific halibut <a href="https://www.iphc.int/2024/03/15/iphc-2024-mr-007-commercial-fishing-period-opening-today/" target="_blank">opened at 6 a.m. today</a>.<div><br /></div><div>Good luck to the fleet and please be safe!</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-22814572499777870602024-03-15T15:00:00.001-08:002024-03-15T15:00:00.134-08:00E.C. Phillips to acquire Trident's Petersburg plantHere's the <a href="https://www.tridentseafoods.com/about-us/news/e-c-phillips-and-son-inc-buys-tridents-petersburg-plant" target="_blank">press release</a>.Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-68448064760809903962024-03-15T13:25:00.002-08:002024-03-15T13:25:06.688-08:00Dunleavy likes Moller, Ritchie for council seatsGov. Mike Dunleavy has <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/713681214/Dunleavy-council-nominations" target="_blank">named John Moller and Brian Ritchie</a> as his top choices for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-51702532142262830912024-03-14T14:55:00.001-08:002024-03-14T14:57:01.595-08:00Can we revitalize our herring fisheries?We're approaching new seasons for herring, a vast resource in Alaska with major concentrations at Sitka, Kodiak, Togiak, Goodnews Bay and Norton Sound.<div><br /></div><div>For years, however, herring hasn't produced much of a payoff for Alaska's commercial fishing industry. The herring are valued mainly for their eggs, or roe, and demand for roe has been weak in the main Asian market.</div><div><br /></div><div>A stupendous volume of herring will be up for grabs this year at Sitka Sound, but only a portion of the 81,246-ton quota is expected to be harvested, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says.</div><div><br /></div><div>A huge volume of herring also will be available at Togiak, historically the scene of Alaska's largest herring fishery. But for a second consecutive year, no commercial fishery is expected due to lack of industry interest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some industry players have long lamented Alaska's underutilized herring resource. They wonder, could the fish be used to feed hungry people around the world? Could herring roe markets be revived or expanded? Could more Alaska herring be taken for use as bait?</div><div><br /></div><div>These and other questions could receive an airing soon with the formation of a "herring revitalization committee."</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a joint effort of the state Board of Fisheries and the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.</div><div><br /></div><div>The committee would work to "better understand current and potential
markets, and review potential regulatory change to facilitate those markets," according to this <a href="https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/regprocess/fisheriesboard/pdfs/2023-2024/uci/rcs/RC244_Executive_Director_Nelson_Draft_charge_%20statement_for_proposed_herring_revitalization_committee.pdf" target="_blank">charge statement</a> the Board of Fisheries recently approved.</div><div><br /></div><div>Expect to hear more about this committee soon.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-18252795720037535092024-03-13T15:25:00.001-08:002024-03-13T15:25:00.134-08:00Silver Bay to acquire Trident's Ketchikan plantHere's the <a href="https://www.tridentseafoods.com/about-us/news/silver-bay-seafoods-to-acquire-trident-seafoods-ketchikan-plant" target="_blank">press release</a>.Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-4391668374436412432024-03-13T14:15:00.001-08:002024-03-13T14:15:06.523-08:00National Fisherman to go online onlyNational Fisherman magazine is halting its print edition.<div><br /></div><div>"After 78 years of delivering the latest in commercial fishing through our printed pages, National Fisherman is taking a leap into the future by transitioning to an exclusively online platform," the magazine <a href="https://www.nationalfisherman.com/a-new-horizon-national-fisherman-goes-digital" target="_blank">announced on its website Tuesday</a>.<div><br /></div><div>National Fisherman covers the commercial fishing industry from New England to Alaska. The magazine used to publish monthly, but more recently had come out only quarterly.</div><div><br /></div><div>The publisher, Diversified Communications, of Portland, Maine, also produces trade shows including Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle.</div></div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-83810095840710463432024-03-12T15:40:00.002-08:002024-03-14T18:16:44.697-08:00OBI's pullback — and its big scoreOBI Seafoods is making news on multiple fronts.<div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/news/article_bed542f4-e00e-11ee-82a0-47673bba2574.html" target="_blank">Kodiak Daily Mirror</a> is reporting OBI has notified setnetters at Alitak, on the south end of Kodiak Island, it won't be buying salmon there this season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Deckboss has asked the company for more details on this.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, OBI was a big winner in a recent round of government fish procurement. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 6 announced it purchased <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov//sites/default/files/2000009906%20-%20PCA%20Report.pdf" target="_blank">$54 million in canned pink salmon</a> and <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov//sites/default/files/2000009905%20-%20PCA%20Report.pdf" target="_blank">$14.4 million in canned red salmon</a> from OBI.</div><div><br /></div><div>OBI was created in 2020 through a merger of Ocean Beauty and Icicle.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-16685880010069845492024-03-10T15:55:00.003-08:002024-03-10T17:13:58.165-08:00Pacific Fishing magazine suspends publicationPacific Fishing, a Seattle-based trade journal serving the North Pacific commercial fishing industry, has suspended publication.<div><br /></div><div>"The owner and publisher of Pacific Fishing magazine is retiring," the company announced today. "We are actively pursuing a new owner to carry on the publication."</div><div><br /></div><div>The monthly magazine's December 2023 issue was its last.</div><div><br /></div><div>The daily Fish Wrap news service also will be suspended, the announcement said.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pacific Fishing magazine published for 44 years, offering news and features for predominantly commercial fishermen readers engaged in a dangerous and often economically tumultuous industry.</div><div><br /></div><div>The magazine's owner and publisher is Mike Daigle, of Seattle. The editor is Wesley Loy, who also produces the Deckboss blog.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-85756010008280288592024-03-09T14:50:00.001-09:002024-03-09T14:50:00.135-09:00Embattled trawl industry amps up public relationsUnder the gun for its salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea, the trawl industry has formed the <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/712023460/Alaska-Pollock-Fishery-Alliance-press-release" target="_blank">Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance</a> to "promote responsible fishery management."Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-65730384616227184982024-03-08T12:40:00.001-09:002024-03-08T12:40:00.135-09:00Trident updateTrident Seafoods says it's close to finalizing sales of its Petersburg, Ketchikan and False Pass plants.<div><br /></div><div>The company also is "speaking with multiple interested buyers" for its Kodiak plant.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Even if we don’t close a deal by this summer, Trident will still provide a market for salmon season in Kodiak," a company executive says.</div><div><br /></div><div>More details <a href="https://www.tridentseafoods.com/about-us/news/trident-seafoods-close-to-finalizing-deals-for-select-plants-in-alaska" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-46209481736395247722024-03-06T16:25:00.000-09:002024-03-06T16:25:00.251-09:00Togiak herring to stay dormantThe Togiak herring stock remains robust, but the industry again is showing no interest.<div><br /></div><div>"Processors have indicated that they do not intend to harvest herring in Togiak in 2024 and it is unlikely that a commercial fishery will occur," the Alaska Department of Fish and Game <a href="https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/dcfnewsrelease/1560031527.pdf" target="_blank">announced today</a>.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-45054178150769838842024-03-06T15:20:00.003-09:002024-03-06T15:21:36.376-09:00Another Peter Pan fireA reader advised Deckboss of a fire at <a href="https://www.ppsf.com/location/king-cove" target="_blank">Peter Pan Seafood's King Cove plant</a>.<div><br /></div><div>"No flame could be seen from afar but lots of smoke," he said.</div><div><br /></div><div>We checked with Peter Pan, which provided this response:</div><div><br /></div><div>"You heard correctly, there was a minor fire early this morning in the crab plant at King Cove. No injuries. Fire is out. Minimal damage. No reported cause as of yet."</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the second fire for Peter Pan this year. On Feb. 7, company buildings at Sand Point burned.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-36818088589932544912024-03-04T14:55:00.002-09:002024-03-04T15:05:10.245-09:00The seafood industry fishes for helpEfforts in Juneau to create a Joint Legislative Seafood Industry Task Force suggest serious difficulty in the fishing business as the new salmon season approaches.<div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/33/Bills/SCR010A.PDF" target="_blank">Senate resolution</a> establishing the task force says "considerable changes in the global salmon market in recent years have placed the state's seafood industry in economic peril."</div><div><br /></div><div>In recent months, we've received numerous signals of industry distress not only on the salmon side but in other fisheries as well. And we've seen extraordinary actions such as companies publicly putting assets up for sale.</div><div><br /></div><div>All these signs portend a potential price crash for commercial fishermen this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The task force resolution is set for a hearing at 9 a.m. Thursday in the powerful Senate Finance Committee.</div><div><br /></div><div>Deckboss understands the task force idea has the backing of the state's two flagship industry organizations — United Fishermen of Alaska and the Pacific Seafood Processors Association.</div><div><br /></div><div>Such a task force is reminiscent of the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force that operated from 2002 to 2004.</div><div><br /></div><div>What is the industry looking to get out of this latest task force?</div><div><br /></div><div>A <a href="https://www.pspafish.net/_files/ugd/e5808b_02cc91fd161a46dc9439ff071e5e634b.pdf" target="_blank">PSPA position paper</a> currently making the rounds suggests a number of state actions including low-interest loans and loan guarantees for seafood processors via the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. It also suggests loan concessions for fishermen and hatcheries.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-50322393468601518002024-03-01T21:30:00.003-09:002024-03-01T21:54:38.223-09:00Suspicious catch?"Commercial fishermen off the coast of Alaska have found what officials are concerned could be another spy balloon and are bringing it to shore with them," CNN reports.<div><br /></div><div>Read the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/01/politics/fishermen-possible-spy-balloon-fbi-alaska/index.html" target="_blank">full story here</a>.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-58992047735701618972024-03-01T16:45:00.001-09:002024-03-01T16:45:00.133-09:00Juneau watchA <a href="https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/33/Bills/SCR010A.PDF" target="_blank">Senate resolution</a> was introduced today establishing a Joint Legislative Seafood Industry Task Force.Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-45258779126329041632024-02-27T16:05:00.001-09:002024-02-27T16:05:00.246-09:00'The true cost of cheap seafood'Joe Bundrant, CEO of Seattle-based processing company Trident Seafoods, <a href="https://www.tridentseafoods.com/about-us/news/leading-by-example" target="_blank">addresses a seafood worker scandal in China</a>.Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-79083586058792517642024-02-27T12:25:00.000-09:002024-02-27T12:25:45.771-09:00Russian trawlers are hurting Alaska, Peltola saysU.S. Rep. Mary Peltola on Monday addressed the Alaska Legislature and devoted a good part of her speech to fish and fisheries.<div><br /></div><div>Curiously, the word bycatch appears nowhere in the address.</div><div><br /></div><div>She does go after "lawless" Russian trawl fleets "pushing ever closer to our waters."</div><div><br /></div><div>Read Peltola's <a href="https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/33/J/Supp/ZSupp16Peltola%20Address.pdf" target="_blank">full address here</a>.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-5800881590788905612024-02-25T15:25:00.003-09:002024-02-25T15:41:48.779-09:00Juneau watchAlaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang is scheduled to present a <a href="https://www.akleg.gov/basis/get_documents.asp?session=33&docid=29717" target="_blank">budget overview</a> to the House Finance Committee at 1:30 p.m. Monday.Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-35952443355030622912024-02-25T14:20:00.003-09:002024-02-25T14:21:06.369-09:00BlotterBe sure to check our companion blog <a href="https://deckboss-thebrig.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Brig</a> for fisheries enforcement news.Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-61940683615553669822024-02-25T14:20:00.001-09:002024-02-25T14:20:00.245-09:00AMCC's legal fundraiserThe Alaska Marine Conservation Council has launched a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/halibut" target="_blank">GoFundMe campaign</a> to "help stop halibut bycatch."Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-83916964574721696252024-02-23T13:15:00.001-09:002024-02-23T13:15:00.130-09:00Transit scheme costs American Seafoods $9.5MTwo subsidiaries of American Seafoods, a major harvester of Bering Sea pollock, have agreed to pay $9.5 million to settle violations of a shipping law known as the Jones Act, federal prosecutors say.<div><br /></div><div>More details in this <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/two-companies-alaska-seafood-shipping-industry-pay-95m-us-settlement-jones-act" target="_blank">press release</a> from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've asked American Seafoods for comment.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-71138131560240414242024-02-22T20:40:00.002-09:002024-02-22T20:41:04.804-09:00Cook Inlet battle royal setThe Alaska Board of Fisheries holds lots of meetings, none more contentious than those devoted to Upper Cook Inlet.<div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow in Anchorage, the board begins a 12-day meeting to consider 185 Upper Cook Inlet finfish proposals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Debate around Cook Inlet salmon management is always intense as multiple user groups — commercial, sport, dipnet, and subsistence — compete for the fish.</div><div><br /></div><div>We won't attempt to describe all the proposals at play for this meeting. But we note one that's generating quite a lot of buzz.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pacificfishing.com/Proposal-43.pdf" target="_blank">Proposal 43</a> would reduce production of hatchery pink salmon, which some people see as detrimental to wild fish.</div><div><br /></div><div>The state's hatchery industry is lined up against the proposal. Here are some others opposing it:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.pacificfishing.com/OBI-comment.pdf" target="_blank">OBI Seafoods</a></div><div><a href="https://www.pacificfishing.com/PSPA-comment.pdf" target="_blank">Pacific Seafood Processors Association</a></div><div><a href="https://www.pacificfishing.com/Stutes-comment.pdf" target="_blank">Kodiak state Rep. Louise Stutes</a></div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-77751616500726462024-02-22T15:15:00.001-09:002024-02-22T15:15:44.615-09:00BBRSDA board candidates announcedFive candidates will vie for two seats on the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association board of directors.<div><br /></div><div>Read about the candidates <a href="https://www.bbrsda.com/updates/2024/2/21/2024-bbrsda-board-candidates" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188370370448778552.post-60677144194139393682024-02-22T14:15:00.002-09:002024-02-22T14:16:03.428-09:00Sullivan's 'big idea'During his Wednesday address to the Alaska Legislature, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan had quite a bit to say about fisheries, including this:<div><br /></div><div><i>As it relates to fish, I believe it's time to go on offense. Thousands of Alaska fishermen are going through a very difficult time right now. Our fishermen are the farmers of the sea. Farmers get loans. Why shouldn't our fishermen? Farmers get crop insurance. Why shouldn't our fishermen get insurance? Farmers get federal relief when foreign markets are closed. Farmers get help when extreme weather hurts their harvest. Why shouldn't our fishermen?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The Farm Bill that we're currently negotiating presents an opportunity to de-risk our fishing operations in ways the U.S. government does for farmers. My legislation, called the National Seafood Supply Act, begins to accomplish this. It's a big idea. But there are many naysayers who are against my bill, even though it will dramatically benefit our hardworking fishermen and their communities. Stay tuned.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Read Sullivan's <a href="https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/33/J/Supp/ZSupp15%20Sullivan%20Address.pdf" target="_blank">full address here</a>.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148693485334011720noreply@blogger.com6