Members. Seattle Marine Supply and Service Auto Parts (Ketchikan) financially support USAG even though they aren’t listed in last May’s USAG paper newsletter. Thank you both and thanks to all our business members.
USAG in the News! USAG participated in this press release that is expected to gain traction in the media. It’s about cleaning up Tulsequah Chief Mine and asking for the Feds to get involved to help protect the Taku River and other transboundary rivers we fish near.
Three magazines National Fisherman, Pilothouse Guide and Pacific Fishing all wrote about the letter USAG wrote to oppose Community Permit Banks.
President Max Worhatch talks about marine mammal deterrence at a whale presentation in Petersburg.
Whales. Speaking of whales, if you need help releasing a whale anywhere in Southeast, call this 24-hour hotline at 877-925-7773 (Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network). It’s a network of mostly volunteers that will help you access your situation and dispatch trained entanglement specialists to help if needed.
Transboundary. The Lt. Governor asked USAG to comment on some draft implementation documents for the Alaska’s Statement of Cooperation with British Columbia so we submitted those a few days ago.
Salmon Beyond Borders begs the Walker-Mallott administration to formally ask for Federal help by August 4;it includes links to a memo from Montanans who share valuable experiences from their BC-transboundary issues and includes a letter from SE legislators (except Senator Stedman and Representative Kito) to the Governor and Lt Governor also requesting Federal assistance.
More on Tulsequah Chief Mine associated with the Taku River drainage is this radio story about the clean-up controversy continues as mine ownership switches.
Canadian Government Issues Key Authorization for KSM’s Tailings Management Facility, which allows forwaste storage in fish bearing streams
Salmon. Great chum numbers! Here’s a story from the Chikat Valley News (Jan 29 2017): A steady return of hatchery chums helped boost the Haines gillnet fleet this week. Fish and Game reports that about 150 boats shared a harvest of 175,000 chum salmon, 1,200 sockeye, 180 kings and 1,200 pink salmon. The harvest compares to a 10-year average of 115,000 chum and 5,000 sockeye during the season’s second week. “There’s fresh (chums) coming in and fresh fish milling around,” said commercial fisheries biologist Mark Sogge. Per pound prices to fishermen climbed to $1.70 per pound for sockeye and remained at 75 cents for chum. Low Chilkoot sockeye numbers remain a concern.
Low sockeye numbers in Chilkoot may limit fishing.
See our website for news, links to hatcheries, businesses members and much more: https://www.akgillnet.org/
Have a great week and THANKS for your support. If you need to join or renew click here or find a board member.
-Cynthia Wallesz
Executive Director
United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters
PO Box 2196
Petersburg, AK 99833
(208) 995-7400 (cell)
ph: (253) 237-3099 Google Voice
https://www.akgillnet.org/
usag.alaska@gmail.com