Halibut uptick

The International Pacific Halibut Commission wrapped up its annual meeting today, setting a coastwide catch limit of 39 million pounds.

That's an increase of 6.6 percent from last year.

The commission recommended a season of March 6 to Dec. 7 for all directed commercial halibut fisheries in Canada and the United States.

More numbers in this press release.

Just feeding the orcas?

A trawl fleet representative defends the practice of halibut deck sorting.

Trident's Akutan oubreak balloons

Trident Seafoods now reports that 266 workers at its Akutan processing plant have tested positive for COVID-19, making this one of the largest U.S. seafood industry outbreaks to date.

Also, Trident is reporting five confirmed cases aboard its factory trawler Island Enterprise.

OBI hires Peter Pan's can man

"OBI is the largest producer of Alaska canned salmon, so I am thrilled to bring my expertise to the company," John Daly says in this press release.

Trident updates its Akutan situation

Click here.

Gulf of Alaska cod regains MSC certification

Here's a press release.

Who needs a lobbyist?

Now that the Alaska Legislature has launched a new session, Deckboss decided to take a dive into state records to see who is employing a lobbyist this year.

A group called the Alaska Salmon Hatchery Alliance is paying power lobbyist Kent Dawson an annual fee of $60,000.

Records indicate the alliance includes the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corp., the Valdez Fisheries Development Association, the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, the Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc., the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, and the Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association.

Here are some other fisheries organizations employing help in Juneau. We list the lobbyist or lobbying firm, and their fees.

• Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Legislative Consultants, $60,000

• Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Reed Stoops, $45,000

• Groundfish Forum, James Lottsfeldt, $42,000

• APICDA Joint Ventures, Jerry Reinwand, $40,000

• At-sea Processors Association, Legislative Consultants, $40,000

• Purse Seine Vessel Owners, Kent Dawson, $35,000

• Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association, John Walsh, $35,000

• Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp., John Walsh, $20,000