Note to members and fishing community supporters: We have re-activated AFIRM , the Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission, for Tsunami relief in Japan and the US West Coast. See item #1 for information and to donate.
To support UFA by becoming a member see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm
Contents:
- Alaska Fishing Industry Announces Assistance to Fishing Communities Affected by Japanese Earthquake
- Governor to Lead Anchorage Choose Respect
- Governor Appoints to Boards of Fish/Game
- Cook Inlet BOF: Changes made by fish board are out of balance
- National Seafood Marketing Coalition looks to shore up U.S. seafood marketing
- Fisheries chief sees end to overfishing
- U.S.CG Proceedings Magazine: Fishing Vessel Safety & AMSEA FV Drill courses
- Halibut Stock Decline Forces Increased Management Measures for Southeast Alaska Charter Fleet
- NOAA posts Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Management Measures
- Nearly 200 urge protection of Bristol Bay salmon in Save Bristol Bay Week in D.C.
- Rep. Austerman thanks Fish Caucus presenters, provides links to archived video
- Parnell proposes increase to Southeast State Forest
- NPFMC meets March 28- April 5, Anchorage
- State addresses nonresident worker issues
- Alaska Delegation Introduces Maritime Lien Reform Act
- Sen. Patty Murray fights ‘Frankenfish’
- Hawaii: Towed aquaculture fish pens break free
- Comment Deadline April 11 on NOAA Draft Aquaculture Policy
- Laine Welch’s Fish Radio -topics from this week
- Voices from the Waterfront – Meet Commercial Fisher Linda Behnken
- Federal Subsistence Board to Discuss Rural Determination Process – April 6
- Federal Subsistence fish and shellfish regulations posted
- Comment by April 11 on C/P BSAI Parallel Fishery
- Comment by May 13 on BSAI Crab plan Amendment 34
- NOAA Policy on Prohibited and Approved Uses of the Asset Forfeiture Fund
- Call for Innovative NEPA Pilot Project Proposals – Deadline June 15
- Identification of Nations Whose Fishing Vessels Are Engaged in Fishing in Waters Beyond Any National Jurisdiction That Target or Incidentally Catch Sharks
- NMFS posts correction to 2011 BSAI harvest specifications
- Comment by April 27 on Exempted Fishing Permit for Salmon Excluder
- 2011 American Water Resources Association – April 4-6 at Chena Hot Springs
- Southwest Alaska Salmon Science Symposium -April 13-14, Anchorage
- Sailing for Salmon – 125 Years of Commercial Fishing in Bristol Bay
- Comfish Kodiak – April 14-16 Kodiak Harbor Convention Center – Kodiak, Alaska
- Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium, April 9-12, 2011 Kodiak, Alaska
- National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meets in Seattle April 26 – April 29
- Comment Deadline April 12 on Federal Subsistence Board Two Rural User Seats
- Comment Deadline April 29 on Ocean Policy – Nine Priority Objectives
- Comment by May 16 on USFS Planning Rule
- Boards of Fisheries Call For Proposals – SE, PWS; PCod; and Statewide Misc Shellfish…
- Surveys – input from fishermen wanted:
Alaska Sea Grant Survey on Training for Fishermen - Alaska Ocean Observing System survey on Weather info through AIS
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1. Alaska Fishing Industry Announces Assistance to Fishing Communities Affected by Japanese Earthquake
The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission, Inc. (AFIRM) has reactivated to respond to Fishing Communities impacted by the Japan Earthquake and Tsunamis. AFIRM includes fishermen, processors, transportation and financial segments of the seafood industry from Alaska, the West Coast and their respective offshore federal waters. AFIRM donations are fully tax deductible.
- AFIRM has zero overhead given its volunteer board/staff, so 100% of all contributions go directly for assistance.
- AFIRM efforts are applied directly and specifically to fishing communities most severely impacted.
AFIRM Press release: http://www.akjapanhelp.org/doc/AFIRMPressReleaseTsunamiAid032511.pdf
AFIRM Home Page: http://www.akjapanhelp.org (and to donate by credit card)
To go directly to donation by credit card through PayPal CLICK HERE https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TJ8DNKUMN87W2
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2. Governor to Lead Anchorage Choose Respect
More Than 50 Communities to Hold Events
March 17, 2011, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell and First Lady Sandy Parnell will lead the Anchorage “Choose Respect” march and rally on Thursday, March 31, beginning at noon at the Delaney Park Strip. The governor has challenged Alaskans to step up and in this generation end the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault (DVSA) that plagues our state …
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5687
Choose Respect home page:
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/priorities/choose-respect.html
For March 31 Rally details in your community:
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/priorities/choose-respect/the-march.html
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3. Governor Appoints to Boards of Fish/Game
March 26, 2011, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell today appointed Susan Jeffrey and reappointed Bill Brown and John Jensen to the Board of Fisheries. He also appointed Nick Yurko and reappointed Stanley “Stosh” Hoffman and Ted Spraker to the Board of Game.
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5698
UFA supported Mike Bowen, Mike Heimbuch, John Jensen, Dwight Kramer, Mel Morris, Victoria O’Connell, John Renner, John Scoblic, and Paul Shadura.
Thanks to so many well-qualified fishermen volunteers this year.
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4. Cook Inlet BOF: Changes made by fish board are out of balance
Peninsula Clarion
Upper Cook Inlet salmon are, from a user-group allocation perspective, the most hotly contested salmon in the state. Commercial fishermen, personal-use fishermen, sport fishermen, subsistence fishermen — all have legitimate claims to the resource.
It would be impossible to try to make every user group happy. There just aren’t enough fish in the sea. But, a good management plan should strike a balance that at least leaves everyone feeling like they have adequate opportunity and access to their respective fisheries. And it should address biological concerns without creating new ones.
In its deliberations this week, the Board of Fisheries has ignored that balance …
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/030611/ope_795553259.shtml
Board of Fisheries Summary of Upper Cook Inlet: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=lib.forcedownload&filepath=/static/regulations/regprocess/fisheriesboard/pdfs/2010_2011/UCI/&filename=pre-summary-uci2011.pdf&contenttype=application/pdf
BOF News page: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main
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5. National Seafood Marketing Coalition looks to shore up U.S. seafood marketing
By Richard Gaines – Gloucester Times
The U.S. maintains a $9.36 billion trade deficit in seafood, according to government reports for 2009, the last full year of published figures by the US Commerce Department …
But a dedicated fund for marketing domestic seafood products that Congress ordered drawn from the hundreds of millions of dollars collected in import tariffs on fish products has never materialized.
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x1623043669/Coalition-looks-to-beef-up-U-S-seafood-marketing
& Feds ignore law on fishing fund
A mid-20th century law written by legends of Massachusetts politics and American history, creating a multi-million dollar superfund to help promote and market domestic seafood, has been largely ignored, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Over the last decade, roughly $400 million that should have been spent on fishing industry projects — as mandated by the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act of 1954 — was instead diverted into the operating budget of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to government figures …
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x1623045930/Feds-ignore-law-on-fishing-fund?mobRedir=false
& Report: Congress ate away at seafood promo dollars
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x106231105/Report-Congress-ate-away-at-seafood-promo-dollars
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6. Fisheries chief sees end to overfishing
By Richard Gaines Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Wed Mar 23, 2011, 12:06 AM EDT The administrator of federal fisheries has reportedly declared restoration efforts of overfished stocks — now in their fourth decade under Magnuson-Stevens Act mandates — have succeeded in making sustainable the nation’s last great wild food resource.
In informal remarks during a private meeting with a seafood marketing group on the first day of the International Boston Seafood Show, Eric Schwaab, administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service, was applauded not only for his optimistic assessment of the long struggle to end overfishing, but for his commitment to marry government resources with U.S. industry efforts at increasing the domestic share of the global seafood market, according to multiple audience sources.
Schwaab spoke to about 70 members of the National Seafood Marketing Coalition on Sunday, during the first day of the three-day seafood show, considered an apex event on the global fisheries calendar …
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x977558597/Fisheries-chief-sees-end-to-overfishing
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NOAA: U.S. “Turning a Corner” in Ending Overfishing
At a hearing today in front of the Senate Commerce Committee on the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Assistant NOAA Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab said that the U.S. is making good progress toward meeting the mandate to end domestic overfishing.
“We know that nearly $31 billion in sales and as many as 500,000 jobs are lost because our fisheries are not performing as well as they would if all stocks were rebuilt,” Schwaab said. “While we are turning a corner toward a brighter future for fishermen and fishing communities, many fishermen are struggling in part as a result of years of decline in fishing opportunity.”
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2011/msa_schwaab_testimony0311.pdf
NOAA Testimony: http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/112testimony.html
Senate Commerce March 8 Hearing: Implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Hearings&ContentRecord_id=5c7188ff-5a05-4342-84f7-fbdb377ab3a3&ContentType_id=14f995b9-dfa5-407a-9d35-56cc7152a7ed&Group_id=b06c39af-e033-4cba-9221-de668ca1978a&MonthDisplay=3&YearDisplay=2011
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7. U.S.CG Proceedings Magazine: – Fishing Vessel Safety Edition
Current Issue: Winter 2010-11
In This Issue:
-New Federal Requirements
-Commercial Fishing Industry Reports
-Lessons Learned from Casualty Reports
-Fishery-Specific Risk Factors
by Mr. Devin Lucas and CDR Jennifer Lincoln, Ph.D.
Download 4 mb. pdf file for color magazine:
http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/Winter2010-11/Winter_2010-11.pdf
USCG fishsafe.info http://www.fishsafe.info:
Dr. Lincoln’s work applies to all U.S. Fisheries – and funding is in jeopardy.
If you are outside of Alaska, your help is needed to contact your Congress and Senators.
“The President’s proposed FY12 budget eliminates funding for all Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (AgFF) Research at NIOSH ($23 million). The fishing program’s budget is only approximately $1.5 million. The program’s track record shows practical attention to identifying problems and solving them through cost-effective methods by working directly with fishing fleets…
HR 3619 calls for Alternate Compliance programs to be developed and implemented by 2020, for fishing vessels from 50 to 79 feet, built before July 1, 2010, and 25 years of age or older, and that these programs may be developed for specific regions and fisheries. Without a continuation of NIOSH’s successful research programs, we predict little will be gained in actual safety improvements, and much will be lost (including human life) if these programs are to move forward in a national “one size fits all” scattershot approach.”
-UFA Letter to Alaska delegation.
Contact your Congress at USA.gov – : http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
Support 1.5M or more for Fishing Vessel Safety Research at NIOSH.
NIOSH/CDC Fishing Vessel Safety page: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fishing/
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AMSEA FV Drill Conductor Courses Scheduled Nationwide
Thanks to funding from the U.S. Coast Guard, commercial fishing vessel drill conductor training continues to be offered FREE to commercial fishing vessel owners, skippers and crewmen!
Courses are currently scheduled for:
Tues. Mar. 29 & Wed. Mar. 30 (two-day class) – Newport, OR
Wed. Mar. 30 – Pascagoula, MS
Thurs. Mar. 31 & Fri. Apr. 1 – Ventura, CA – THIS COURSE IS FULL
Sat. Apr. 2 – Juneau, AK – CANCELLED
Tues. Apr. 5 & Wed. Apr. 6 (two-day class) – San Pedro, CA
Sat. Apr. 9 – Juneau, AK
Mon. Apr. 11 & Tues. Apr. 12 (two-day class) – San Diego, CA
Tues. Apr. 12 – Seward, AK
Sat. Apr. 16 – Murrells Inlet, SC
Sat. Apr. 23 – Anchorage, AK
Sat. Apr. 30 – Homer, AK
Mon. May 2 – Galveston, TX
Thurs. May 5 – Cordova, AK
Sat. May 7 – Cordova, AK
Sat. May 7 – Anchorage, AK
Sun. May 8 – Craig, AK
Thurs. May 12 – Valdez, AK
Wed. May 18 & Thurs. May 19 (two-day class) – Haines, AK
Tues. May 24 – Sitka, AK
May date TBA – Dillingham, AK
Thurs. June 9 – Naknek, AK
Fri. June 10 – Naknek, AK
Sat. June 11 – Naknek, AK
Calendar with links: http://www.amsea.org/calendar.html
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association home page: http://www.amsea.org.
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8. Halibut Stock Decline Forces Increased Management Measures for Southeast Alaska Charter Fleet
NOAA’s Fisheries Service today (March 11) announced it is implementing the regulatory recommendations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) due to concerns over declining halibut stocks. These regulations include limiting the maximum size of a halibut caught by charter anglers in southeastern Alaska to 37 inches, and retaining the one-fish-per-person-per-day rule that began in 2009.
The halibut stock is declining due to reduced numbers of fish reaching a catchable size range, lower growth rates, and higher than target harvest rates. The stock remains at risk of further declines. Conservation of the halibut resource is the primary concern and management objective of the measures.
… Even with the one fish bag limit in 2010, charter halibut operators exceeded their harvest limit by 491,000 pounds, or 62 percent. Each year that the charter fleet exceeds its harvest limit, it leads to a lower fixed quota for the commercial fishery the following year. The commercial catch limit in area 2C is 73 percent lower in 2011 than it was in 2003.
… The harvest limit was adopted by the NPFMC and implemented by NOAA Fisheries in 2003. It is expected to be replaced by a catch sharing plan in 2012, which would establish management measures designed to prevent overharvesting of the halibut resource and result in a sustainable fishery.
For more information: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/halibut/sport.htm
To learn more about NOAA Fisheries in Alaska, visit http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov or http://www.afsc.noaa.gov.
NOAA Press release: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2011/halibut031111.htm
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9. NOAA posts Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Management Measures
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA AA), on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes annual management measures promulgated as regulations by the IPHC and approved by the Secretary of State governing the Pacific halibut fishery …
The IPHC held its annual meeting in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, January 25-28, 2011, and adopted regulations for 2011. The changes to the previous IPHC regulations (75 FR 13024, March 19, 2010) include:
1. New halibut catch limits in all regulatory areas;
2. New commercial halibut fishery opening dates;
3. Removal of option to use LORAN coordinates in logbook entries;
4. Adoption of the revised Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) for Area 2A;
5. New maximum size limit on the halibut retained on board a charter vessel fishing in Regulatory Area 2C measuring no more than 37 inches; and
6. New retention requirement of the entire carcass of a halibut filleted on board a charter vessel fishing in Area 2C until all filets are offloaded.
Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-6133.htm
IPHC home page: http://www.iphc.int/home.html
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10. Nearly 200 urge protection of Bristol Bay salmon in Save Bristol Bay Week in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers from across the country called on the federal Environmental Protection Agency to use its authority to protect Bristol Bay, Alaska’s wild salmon fishery from the dangers of the proposed Pebble Mine.
Nearly 200 people – including Chefs Tom Colicchio, Alice Waters, Mark Bittman, Barton Seaver and Nora Pouillon – sent a letter on Tuesday to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, urging her to use the agency’s authority under the Clean Water Act to protect Bristol Bay from large-scale mining and development. More wild salmon come from Bristol Bay than any other place on earth.
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11. Rep. Austerman thanks Fish Caucus presenters, provides links to archived video
Forwarded from Representative Alan Austerman’s staff Steve Ricci:
“Thank you all for your participation in the 2011 Fish Caucus. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to provide information in your field of expertise and your attendance. Below is a link to Representative Austerman’s blog which you will find a post that contains links to all of the archived Gavel to Gavel video. A special thanks to Representative Thompson for chairing the Caucus for the session, and to Representative Kawasaki for chairing the last meeting. I would also like to thank all of the staff that helped formulate ideas, round up attendees, and helped setup the meetings. We look forward to more informative Fish Caucus meetings next session.
For archive of the 2011 presentations, see: http://www.alanausterman.com
UFA thanks representative Austerman for helping inform the legislature about Alaska fisheries.
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12. Parnell proposes increase to Southeast State Forest
By Pat Forgey | JUNEAU EMPIRE
Gov. Sean Parnell wants to double the size of the Southeast State Forest in an effort to boost the region’s timber industry.
The move wouldn’t actually increase the amount of logging, but could double the land’s productivity and help ensure the region’s struggling mills have a future, said Rick Rogers, forest resource program manager with the state Division of Forestry.
Juneau Empire: http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/031011/sta_797290866.shtml
HB 105: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20105&session=27
SB 44: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%20%2044&session=27
Maps of the parcels, and briefing docs are online at http://forestry.alaska.gov/whatsnew.htm
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13. NPFMC meets March 28- April 5, Anchorage
Agenda: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/Agendas/311Agenda.pdf
Items FOR the April meeting include:
GOA Chinook bycatch
IPHC PSC discussion paper; OAC Report, 3/11
Review of the Salmon FMP; Hired Skipper Analysis; Crab Data Analysis; EA and EFP for Salmon Excluder Device
PIBKC Rebuilding; EA, RIR
GOA Pcod jig EA
Rockfish Coop reports: CGOA, FCA
Salmon FMP
GOA and BSAI Specs 2011-2012
National SSC Workshop report
For all these items and more see NPFMC home page: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/
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14. State addresses nonresident worker issues
By Jonathan Grass | JUNEAU EMPIRE
The state has responded to letter from Sen. Albert Kookesh addressing employment issues for rural areas and Alaska residents. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development states the issues raised by the senator are already among the top priorities.
Kookesh wrote a letter to Gov. Sean Parnell outlining areas he feels should be addressed by the administration. Among these areas was high unemployment in some communities within his district with joblessness in some reaching 90 percent. A large issue raised was that of nonresident workers on the North Slope and other state areas. Kookesh cited several statistics from the 2008 Alaska Department of Labor nonresident report and a 2009 research and analysis section that state 41 percent of workers in North Slope and 51 percent of new hires are nonresidents. Other nonresident statistics include a 30-100 percentage range for mining, 40 percent for construction, 50-86 percent for hotels, 30-50 percent for forestry and at least 85 percent in the fishing industry …
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/031611/sta_800367053.shtml
77% of Alaska CFEC permits are held by residents. Crew licenses are around 50% resident.
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15. Alaska Delegation Introduces Maritime Lien Reform Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Alaska delegation introduced the Maritime Lien Reform Act of 2011 this week. The legislation would protect fishermen who hold Alaska commercial fishing permits. The legislation also would prohibit maritime liens from being imposed on permits and protect the right of fishermen to continue to earn a livelihood by engaging in commercial fishing. Similar legislation was introduced in 2006 and 2008 but neither bill became law …
“Commercial fishing is the backbone of the economy in Alaska’s coastal communities and an individual’s fishing permit needs to be protected,” Sen. Begich said. “This bill will prevent fishermen from having a lien slapped on their ability to fish, and allow them to work through problems they may have. It will help keep permits in local communities and keep fishermen working.”
For full text and tracking of S.608 and HR1210, see http://thomas.loc.gov , and search by bill number.
UFA Thanks Senator Murkowski, Senator Begich, and Congressman Young. We ask our non-resident fishermen to call or write with support of S.608 and HR1210 to their delegations.
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16. Sen. Patty Murray fights ‘Frankenfish’
WASHINGTON – Fearing for the wild salmon industry in the Northwest, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington wants to stop the Food and Drug Administration from making a quick decision on whether to approve genetically modified Atlantic salmon for human consumption.
Republican Rep. Don Young of Alaska says that Congress cannot allow “these alien fish to infect our stocks.”
Read more:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/03/07/1573417/murray-fights-frankenfish.html
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17. Hawaii: Towed aquaculture fish pens break free
BY REED FLICKINGER | WEST HAWAII TODAY
Two towed pens being tested for offshore fish farming by Kona Blue Water Farms broke free from their tow vessel last week, said company co-founder Neil Sims. He said one pen sank in 12,000 feet of water, the other is floating and adrift.
Sims said gale-force winds and seas of 15 to 18 feet in the Alenuihaha Channel March 22 chafed and then broke tow lines bridled to the cages that would be used to raise fish.
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-news/towed-aquaculture-fish-pens-break-free.html
The company, in anticipation of the green light from NMFS on its fishing permit, was towing the cages out into ocean waters last week without fish.
A ten day comment period was provided for this attempt to expand offshore Aquaculture to the EEZ off Hawaii. Thanks to a heads-up from Dale Kelley at UFA member group Alaska Trollers Assn, UFA commented: “By bypassing these regular channels for seeking public input, along with the extraordinarily short 10-day comment period, we do not feel that the valid concerns of the public can be addressed … We feel this proposed action would set the dangerous precedent of allowing a significant aquaculture activity in federal waters without congressional direction, oversight, or the commitment to adequately finance a national aquaculture program …
In this action NMFS now defines fish farming as ‘fishing’, and thus claims that they have authority over permitting the activity. This is a precedent-setting interpretation, and we do not have ample opportunity to assess the ramifications.”
DRAFT – Environmental Assessment– Issuance of a Permit to Authorize the Culture and Harvest of a Managed Coral Reef Fish Species (Seriola rivoliana) in Federal Waters off the Leeward Coast of the Island of Hawaii, State of Hawaii March 17, 2011
The Pacific Islands Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov
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18. Comment Deadline April 11 on NOAA Draft Aquaculture Policy http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/policy2/index.htm
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-3424.htm
NOAA Aquaculture home page: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov.
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19. Laine Welch’s Fish Radio http://www.marineconservationalliance.org/?page_id=846 – topics from this week
3/30 Congress for decades diverts seafood funds to NOAA
3/29 New fishing safety laws need industry input
3/28 Food safety top concern w/ US consumers
3/25 Marine hydraulics training online
3/24 Trace levels of copper ruins sense of smell in fish
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20. Voices from the Waterfront – Meet Commercial Fisher Linda Behnken
We’ve posted our third story in our series, “Voices from the Waterfront.” This month features Linda Behnken, who fishes commercially for halibut, sablefish and salmon, and lives in Sitka, Alaska. Linda speaks out about the development of the management program she fishes under, how it’s working 15 years later, and how she and others in are working to help young people enter the fishery.
http://www.noaa.gov/features/01_economic/behnken.html
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21. Federal Subsistence Board to Discuss Rural Determination Process – April 6
The Federal Subsistence Board will hold a work session on April 6 starting at 10:00 a.m. to begin preparation for the upcoming review of rural status of Alaska communities. The work session will focus on a review of the regulations that govern the rural determination process and the methods that were used to make determinations following the 2000 Census. Federal subsistence regulations require that the rural status of Alaska communities be reviewed every 10 years with the availability of census data …
The meeting will be held in the Gordon Watson Conference Room in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska …
Meeting materials will be available approximately two weeks prior to this work session on the Federal Subsistence Management Program’s website: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/board.cfml (Scroll down for meeting notice and materials)
Meeting Materials: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/pdf/meetingbooks/board0411/Materials.pdf
See proposed changes to rural determination criteria in this document.
Office of Subsistence management home page:
http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml
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22. Federal Subsistence fish and shellfish regulations posted
This final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses in Alaska during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) completes the biennial process of revising subsistence hunting and trapping regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence fishing and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable biennial cycle. This rulemaking replaces the fish and shellfish taking regulations that expire on March 31, 2011. This rule also revises the address of the Office of Subsistence Management; the new address should be used to obtain maps delineating the boundaries of the subsistence resource regions …
Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-5174.htm
Office of Subsistence Management home page: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml
OSM Laws and Regulations page: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/law.cfml?law=3
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23. Comment by April 11 on C/P BSAI Parallel Fishery
… NMFS proposes a regulatory amendment that would limit access of Federally permitted pot and hook-and-line catcher/processors (C/P) to the Pacific cod fishery in State of Alaska waters adjacent to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). The affected fishery is commonly known as the “parallel” fishery. The parallel fishery occurs off the coast of Alaska, within 3 nautical miles of shore and is managed by the State of Alaska concurrent with the Federal pot and hook-and-line fishery for Pacific cod in the BSAI. This proposed rule would limit access to the parallel fishery for Pacific cod in three ways …
Written comments must be received by April 11, 2011…
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-5667.htm
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24. Comment by May 13 on BSAI Crab plan Amendment 34
Notice of availability of a proposed amendment to a fishery management plan; request for comments.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs to NMFS for review. If approved, Amendment 34 would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program to exempt additional recipients of crab quota share from Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod and pollock harvest limits, called sideboards, which apply to some vessels and license limitation program licenses that are used to participate in these fisheries. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council determined that these additional recipients demonstrated a sufficient level of historical participation in Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod or pollock fisheries, and that they should be exempt from the current sideboards. This action is necessary to give these recipients an opportunity to participate in the Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod and pollock fisheries at historical levels …
Comments on the amendment must be submitted on or before May 13, 2011…
This notice announces that proposed Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) is available for public review and comment …
Federal Register notice March 14:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-5854.htm
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Comment by April 27 on BSAI Crab plan Amendment 34 Proposed Rule
Proposed rule; request for comments.
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. Amendment 34 would amend the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program to exempt additional recipients of crab quota share from Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod and pollock harvest limits, called sideboards, which apply to some vessels and license limitation program licenses that are used to participate in these fisheries. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council determined that these recipients demonstrated a sufficient level of historical participation in Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod or pollock fisheries and should be exempt from the Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod and pollock sideboards. This action is necessary to give these recipients an opportunity to participate in the Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod and pollock fisheries at historical levels. To implement Amendment 34, NMFS would revise regulations governing exemptions from and calculations of sideboard harvest limits in the Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod and pollock fisheries, and reissue Federal fisheries permits and license limitation program licenses to all participants that are affected by the proposed action …
DATES: Comments must be received no later than April 27, 2011.
Federal Register Notice March 28: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-7249.htm
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25. NOAA Policy on Prohibited and Approved Uses of the Asset Forfeiture Fund
SUMMARY: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA to pay certain enforcement related costs from sums received as fines, penalties, and forfeitures of property for violations of any marine resource law enforced by the Secretary. Fines, penalties, and forfeitures of property received by NOAA are deposited in an enforcement asset forfeiture fund. NOAA finalized its policy on March 16, 2011, to clearly articulate prohibited and approved uses of these funds to ensure no conflict of interest–either real or perceived–associated with its use while continuing to promote a sound enforcement program dedicated to conserving and protecting our nation’s marine resources …
Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-6869.htm
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26. Call for Innovative NEPA Pilot Project Proposals – Deadline June 15
ACTION: Notice of Availability, Call for Innovative National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Pilot Project Proposals.
SUMMARY: The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
invites the public and federal agencies to nominate innovative pilot
projects that accomplish the NEPA goals of transparency and informed
decisionmaking in a more timely and effective manner. Nominations will
be accepted via online submission until June 15, 2011 …
Federal register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-6760.htm
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27. Identification of Nations Whose Fishing Vessels Are Engaged in Fishing in Waters Beyond Any National Jurisdiction That Target or Incidentally Catch Sharks
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for information.
SUMMARY: NMFS is seeking information regarding nations whose vessels are engaged in fishing in waters beyond any national jurisdiction that target or incidentally catch sharks. Such information will be reviewed for the purposes of the identification of nations pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection
Act).
DATES: Information should be received on or before August 1, 2011, but
will be accepted up to December 1, 2011.
Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-6980.htm
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28. NMFS posts correction to 2011 BSAI harvest specifications
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is correcting a final rule that published on March 1, 2011, implementing the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications and prohibited species catch allowances for the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). Two tables within the document contained errors …
Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-7241.htm
Previous notice – March 1:
BSAI: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-4538.htm
GOA: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-4402.htm
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29. Comment by April 27 on Exempted Fishing Permit for Salmon Excluder in Pollock Fisheries
SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of an application and the public comment period for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Mr. John Gauvin of Gauvin and Associates, LLC. If granted, this permit would allow the applicant to continue the development and testing of a salmon excluder device for the Bering Sea pollock trawl fishery. This activity is intended to promote the objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) by reducing salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock trawl fishery.
DATES: Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. A.l.t. April 27, 2011.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-7240.htm
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30. 2011 American Water Resources Association – Alaska Section annual meeting April 4-6 at Chena Hot Springs Resort http://state.awra.org/alaska/.
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31. Southwest Alaska Salmon Science Symposium -April 13-14, Anchorage
The Symposium includes an evening presentation for the public on Wednesday, April 13th from 7-9 by University of Washington researchers, Dr. Tom Quinn and Dr. Daniel Schindler on their work with salmon sustainability and biodiversity in Bristol Bay. The next day, Thursday April 14, is a day-long symposium that will include a more in-depth presentation by Drs. Quinn and Schindler, and an afternoon panel by a number of agency, University of Alaska and consulting salmon researchers. The purpose of April 14th symposium is to look in depth at salmon habitat research in Bristol Bay and identify potential research gaps.
The day long event on April 14 will run from 8 am to 5 pm and is free and open to the public. Both events will take place at the Egan Center in downtown Anchorage. Thursday’s day long symposium will be followed by the opening of an exhibit at the Anchorage Museum, called “Sailing for Salmon: 125 Years of Commercial Fishing in Bristol Bay.” The day-long symposium will be available via videoconference in Juneau, Fairbanks and Dillingham …
Poster: http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/fish/pdf/2011_sw_symposium.pdf
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32. Sailing for Salmon – 125 Years of Commercial Fishing in Bristol Bay
Opening Reception and Presentation April 13, Anchorage
Join us after the symposium at the Anchorage Museum at the Rasmuson Center for:
“Sailing for Salmon: 125 Years of Commercial Fishing in Bristol Bay”
See bottom of above poster at: http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/fish/pdf/2011_sw_symposium.pdf
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Repeat items, still timely:
33. Comfish Kodiak – April 14-16 Kodiak Harbor Convention Center – Kodiak, Alaska http://www.comfishalaska.com
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34. Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium, April 9-12, 2011 Kodiak, Alaska http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/2011/kamss/info.php
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35. National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meets in Seattle April 26 – April 29
There will be two days of public testimony, Tuesday April 26, and Thursday April 28, 2011.
For detailed meeting info — Select April 26-29 Meeting at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateJ&page=NOSBMeetings
Meeting notice in Federal Register: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-4809.htm
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36. Comment Deadline April 12 on Federal Subsistence Board Two Rural User Seats http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-2959.htm
Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-2959.htm
Subsistence Meetings schedule: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/deadline.cfml
Press release: http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/newsrel/r021111.pdf
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37. Comment Deadline April 29 on Ocean Policy – Nine Priority Objectives http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-1316.htm
National Oceans Council home page: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans
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38. Comment by May 16 on USFS Planning Rule http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-2989.htm
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39. Boards of Fisheries Call For Proposals – SE, PWS; PCod; and Statewide Misc Shellfish http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/f66ec343c3d0e0708925782b00020a4f?OpenDocument …
Proposal Deadline: 5:00 P.M. Friday, April 29, 2011
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Surveys – input from fishermen wanted:
40. Alaska Sea Grant Survey on Training for Fishermen http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CommercialFishingTrainingProgram
41. Alaska Ocean Observing System survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/marinerweathersurvey on Weather info through AIS
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UFA dues for Alaska Individual members are $150 and are now open to holders of Alaska commercial crew licenses, in addition to CFEC permit holders and IFQ holders. Individual members may run for four at-large seats, and vote in these elections – to be held this spring. If you are intrested in running for a seat, please contact the UFA office at (907) 586-2820.
We also welcome crew/supporter nonvoting members at $50 per year.
To support UFA by becoming a member see http://www.ufa-fish.org/members.htm
We encourage you to support UFA Business members – see list at http://www.ufa-fish.org/bm.htm
To be removed from this email list, please send an email to ufa@ufa-fish.org, including your name.