Washington watch

Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, who is in a tough reelection fight, today celebrated passage of his Bycatch Reduction Act (S. 4938) out of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Sullivan, in a social media post, called it "the most comprehensive bycatch bill ever introduced in the Congress."

The legislation now heads to the Senate floor, he said.

Major trawl organizations are less than pleased with the bill and issued this joint press release.

Trawl bycatch has become a hot topic during this election season, with candidates in congressional and gubernatorial races all chiming in on the arcane topic.

Juneau watch

The At-sea Processors Association, which represents Bering Sea pollock factory trawlers, is set to give a legislative presentation at 3:30 today on "Barriers to Global Seafood Trade."

Easy with the tariffs!

Major seafood organizations are raising concerns about Trump administration trade policy. Here are some comment letters submitted recently.

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
At-sea Processors Association

MSC eco-label likely to stay on Alaska pollock

The commercial quota for Bering Sea pollock has taken a tumble in recent years, but it appears the still-huge fishery is in line to keep its Marine Stewardship Council certification as a sustainable and well-managed fishery.

Here's an industry press release just out today.

Running again

I see Stephanie Madsen, executive director of the At-sea Processors Association and past chair of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, is trying again for political office.

Madsen is a candidate for an open seat on the Juneau Assembly. The election is Oct. 6.

You'll recall Madsen, running in the Republican primary, lost a bid last year for the state House of Representatives.