Last week, legislation confirmed Robert Ruffler, Al Cain, and Israel Payton to the Board of Fish. Payton and Ruffler will begin July 1st when Fritz Johnson’s and Tom Kluberton’s terms expire. Cain will begin immediately, replacing Bob Mumford, who resigned March 14th.
CLOSURE OF COMMERCIAL, SPORT, AND SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREAS TO CONSERVE CHILKAT RIVER KING SALMON
Haines — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that due to a low preseason forecast for Chilkat River king salmon abundance, commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries in upper Lynn Canal, Chilkat Inlet, and the Chilkat River will be managed conservatively. Commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries in Lynn Canal and Chilkat Inlet are managed under the directives of the Lynn Canal and Chilkat River King Salmon Fishery Management Plan (5 AAC 33.384). This plan directs the department to manage fisheries based upon the stock assessment program to achieve an inriver run of 1,850 – 3,600 large (three ocean age and older) king salmon. The inriver run goal was not achieved in 2012, 2013, and 2014, and the 2016 preseason inriver forecast is for a Chilkat River king Read more…
Whale Pinger Rebate Program
Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance (SEAFA) received a grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to increase the use of acoustic whale pingers to reduce whale entanglements. SEAFA will rebate $25 per whale pinger for up to 5 pingers per vessel/permit. The rebate procedure can be found here. Whale pingers can be purchased from PVOA business member’s Lummi Fishery Supply (LFS) and Bullet Proof Nets.
Blessing of the Fleet
Blessing of the Fleet is scheduled for April 24th, at 2pm at the SONS of Norway Hall. Everyone is welcome to join.
Governor Walker’s NP Council Nominees
Governor Walker announced his preferred nominees for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, they are Theresa Peterson of Kodiak and Buck Laukitis of Homer. Alternates include Linda Behnken, Art Nelson, Eric Olson, and Paul Gronholdt.
COMMERCIAL GOLDEN KING CRAB ANNOUNCEMENT EAST CENTRAL AND NORTHERN AREAS CLOSURE DATE
Petersburg . . . The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the commercial golden king crab fishery in the East Central and Northern Areas will close at 12:00 noon, Monday, March 21, 2016. These areas are being closed prior to the completion of the 2016 guideline harvest level (GHL) in response to continued declines in fishery performance and recruitment of golden king crab. These declines are similar to the early to mid-1990s when the department routinely closed fishing areas before harvests reached GHLs. A detailed justification for the closure of each area is provided below. East Central Area The established preseason GHL for golden king crab in East Central was 30,000 pounds. Through March 10, 2016, approximately 6,895 pounds (23% of the GHL) have been harvested Read more…
The Economic Impacts of Alaska’s Seafood Industry
The McDowell group made a presentation on “The Economic Impacts of Alaska’s Seafood Industry,” for ASMI. The full presentation is here. Here are some points on the economic impacts statewide: -Approximately 60,000 workers are employed by the seafood industry and earn $1.6 billion in labor income based off 2013 and 2014 averages. -In multiplier effects, this is $5.9 billion in total economic activity in Alaska. -31,819 captains and crewmen are employed in Alaska’s commercial fisheries, with a fleet of 8,618 vessels. -The seafood industry is the largest private sector employer at 20% and offers opportunities for both urban and rural communities. It is also the second largest basic job creator after the oil-and-gas industry. -Seafood is processed in Alaska by 176 shore-based plants, Read more…