Petersburg Vessel Owner's Association

The 2006 documentary film SEASWAP: Southeast Alaska Sperm Whale Avoidance Project is being pulled from the archives for an encore primetime airing on KTOO 360TV! Watch via broadcast, cable, satellite or online (ktoo.org/watch) on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 8pm. About the film: Alaska commercial fisherman Kendall Folkert works hard for his catch. Long hours on the boat can lead to disappointment and financial trouble when crafty sperm whales steal black cod off his longline gear. A team of researchers joins Kendall in the North Pacific to outwit the clever animals. Whale researchers Aaron Thode (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) and Jan Straley (University of Alaska Southeast) join forces in a unique collaboration with fishermen and fisheries managers to understand the signals prompting Read more...

Alaska Sea Grant is holding a virtual Shellfish and Seaweed Festival from May 17-20 beginning at 6pm each evening. Register here to learn about shellfish and seaweed farming, take a virtual tour of Alaska oyster and seaweed farms, discover ways to prepare mariculture foods, and more.

The USDA recently introduced the Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) including $530 million for U.S. fishermen impacted by ‘retaliatory tariffs.’ Fishermen can apply for relief through the program until December 14, 2020. The STRP seafood payment rate will be on a per pound basis and will reflect the estimated severity of the impact of trade disruptions to U.S. seafood caught and sold commercially. Seafood commodities covered through STRP and their payment rates: Atka Mackerel $0.10 lb Crab (Dungeness) $0.47 lb Crab (King) $0.47 lb Crab (snow) $0.47 lb Crab (Southern Tanner) $0.47 lb Flounder $0.15 lb Geoduck $0.76 lb Goosefish $0.10 lb Herring $0.04 lb Lobster $0.50 lb Pacific Cod $0.14 lb Pacific Ocean Perch $0.10 lb Pollock $0.01 lb Sablefish $0.10 lb Salmon $0.16 Read more...

Alaska Sea Grant will also be holding a 5-day online workshop on starting and operating a seafood direct marketing business beginning at 5:30pm each evening of April 20, 22, 24, 26, and 29. The workshop will cover regulations, marketing, business planning, and quality. You can register here.