Fish News – June 19, 2012

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Fish News – May 30, 2012

Reminder: WASSIP Informational

Meeting Scheduled for

10 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2012 in Sand Point

Video-conference to King Cove. Audio link to other participating Aleutians East Borough (AEB) communities:
Akutan, Cold Bay, False Pass, Nelson Lagoon

A Young Fishers Program presentation by the AEB Natural Resources Department in cooperation with the Aleutians East Borough School District (AEBSD) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)

ADF&G is coordinating with the Western Alaska Salmon Stock Identification Project (WASSIP) signatory groups to organize informational meetings in the various fishing regions to re-introduce the WASSIP program in anticipation of reports that will be released in September 2012. WASSIP signatories include Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Aleut Corporation, Aleutians East Borough, Association of Village Council Presidents, Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association, Bristol Bay Native Association, Concerned Area M Fishermen, Kawerak, Lake and Peninsula Borough, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association.

WASSIP is a comprehensive program to sample commercial and subsistence chum and sockeye salmon fisheries in coastal marine
areas of western Alaska, from 2006 through 2009. This unprecedented genetic sampling study includes salmon fisheries from Chignik Bay to Kotzebue Sound, stretching over 3,000 km of shoreline. During the four years of fishery sampling, approximately 320,000 samples were collected and some 156,000 samples will have been analyzed by the ADF&G Gene Conservation Laboratory to detail stock composition of fishery harvests.

Those who plan to attend and participate in the meeting include: Eric Volk with ADF&G, Denby Lloyd, member of the WASSIP Advisory Panel; Pat Martin, CAMF’s representative on the WASSIP AP; AEB Natural Resources Director Ernie Weiss; and AEB Fisheries Consultant Sam Cotten.

The Young Fishers Program is a collaborative effort of the AEBSD Career & Technical Education program and the AEB Natural Resources Department. Earlier this year, as part of the AEB Young Fishers program, the AEB sponsored two students and an AEBSD teacher/chaperone to attend the Alaska Sea Grant Young Fishermen’s Summit in Juneau. The Summit covered topics of interest to Alaska fishermen, including methods for participating in fisheries regulatory and legislative processes. AEBSD video and audio links to AEB communities for this informational meeting in Sand Point is a continuation of the effort to involve young fishers in the fisheries regulatory process.

Following the WASSIP informational meeting, Alaska Peninsula Salmon Fishery Manager Aaron Poetter will hold the 2012 AEB June Salmon Pre-season informational meeting, and will also be available to answer questions about the AEB/ADF&G Southeast District Mainland (SEDM) genetic salmon sampling study. Other area fisheries consultants and processing representatives have been invited and may attend the meeting. The meeting will be held in Sand Point at the AEB offices, video linked to the school in King Cove. Other site locations will be announced when determined.

For more information www.aebfish.org or contact Ernie Weiss at eweiss@aeboro.org.
WASSIP’s 4-year genetic sampling study includes chum and sockeye salmon fisheries stretching from Chignik Bay to Kotzebue.

Prices Paid to Copper River Commercial Fishermen Drop for Sockeye

According to the Cordova Times, commercial fishermen were being paid about 90 percent less for sockeye in the second opener (May 21st) compared to the first one (May 17th). During the first opener, fishermen made about $4 per pound. However, in the second opener, the Cordova Times reported that prices ranged from $2.10 to $2.25 per pound, with one processor offering $3.25. Kings
brought in about $6 during both openers.

MEETINGS

Western Alaska Salmon Stock Identification Project Informational Meeting

with ADF&G & WASSIP Advisory Panel Members

10AM Friday, June 1, 2012

AEB Office

Sand Point, Alaska

 

2012 AEB June Salmon Pre-season meeting

With ADF&G staff Aaron Poetter

Immediately following the WASSIP meeting

 

AEB Fisherman’s Meeting immediately following the pre-season meeting

 

Meetings will be video-conferenced to King Cove School, audio linked to other participating Aleutians East Borough communities, Akutan, Cold Bay, False Pass, Nelson Lagoon.

For more information contact Ernie Weiss at eweiss@aeboro.org or (907) 274-7557

Fish News – May 18, 2012

Fish News
May 18, 2012

Copper River Salmon Season in Full Swing

Commercial fishermen are busy trying to net a healthy chunk of change as they haul in the well-known Copper River salmon. The season began yesterday morning. However, some fishermen reported that the run was off to a slow start.
According to a MSNBC/KTUU news story, a fisherman reported hearing someone on the radio quote the price of king salmon at $6.50 per pound. The salmon caught yesterday was processed in Cordova later that day and then shipped off to Seattle at 2 a.m. this morning.

FREE Safety Training Scheduled for Commercial Fishermen in King Cove and Sand Point

Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) will offer a fishing vessel safety and drill conductor course in King Cove on Sunday, May 27th, and a second course at the Sand Point School on Tuesday, May 29th. These courses are 1-day, 10-hour training sessions focusing on the U.S Coast Guard training requirements for commercial fishing vessels. They are available FREE to commercial fishermen, thanks to funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Alaska Department of Commerce and Community Development and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Please register in advance by contacting AMSEA in Sitka at 888-508-3287, toll-free. More information and online registration is available at www.amsea.org.

Council to Take Final Action on GOA Halibut PSC during June Meeting

Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Halibut PSC (Prohibited Species Catch) will be one of the major issues during the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s meeting in Kodiak next month. The Council is planning to take final action during its meeting, scheduled for June 6th – 12th in Kodiak. The Council is scheduling 20 hours on this topic. Visit the following link for more information: GOA Halibut PSC . Other items:

ï‚· Final Action on Pribilof BKC Rebuilding Plan.
ï‚· The Council amended the agenda earlier this week, removing the BSAI crab
management issues.

Visit the following link for more information: June 2012 Council Agenda

AEB’s Natural Resource Director Nominated to NPFMC’s Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee Aleutians East Borough Natural Resources Director Ernie Weiss has been appointed to serve on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee. Ernie was notified earlier this month that Council Chairman Eric Olson approved his nomination to the Committee. Ernie is also a member of the Council’s Advisory Panel.

The Council recently reconvened the Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee (SSLMC). The Committee’s objective is to develop an alternative or alternatives for consideration in the environmental impact statement (EIS) for
Steller sea lion mitigation measures in the western and central Aleutian Islands. The first meeting of the SSLMC will be held at 9 – 11 a.m. on May 31, 2012 via teleconference. Larry Cotter will serve as chairman.

Fish News – April 17th 2012

Click here to view the PDF file of Fish News – April 17, 2012

Fish News April 9th 2012

U.S. and Russia Team Up to Begin Largest Survey Ever on Abundance of Ice Seals

Click Here to view the PDF File:   Fish News – April 9, 2012

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME DIVISION OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES NEWS RELEASE 3/22/2012

Click here to view the PDF file: ADF&G

 

Or Read the text version below:

 

CLOSURE ANNOUNCED FOR THE SOUTH ALASKA PENINSULA AREA
STATE-WATERS PACIFIC COD POT SEASON
EMERGENCY ORDER 4-GF-09-12
The South Alaska Peninsula Area state-waters Pacific cod season will close for all vessels using
pot gear at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012. Inseason catch estimates indicate the pot gear
guideline harvest level (GHL) will be attained at the time of the closure.
Fishermen are reminded that all pots must be unbaited and doors open at the time of the closure.
Pots may be legally stored in waters deeper than 25 fathoms with doors open and bait
containers removed for seven days following the closure. Operators are required to be at their
unloading destination within 48 hours of the closure.
For more information, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Kodiak at (907) 486-
1840.

Fish News March 14, 2012 Big Announcements

Fish News

March 14, 2012

2012 South Alaska Peninsula Area State-Waters Pacific Cod Jig Season Opens March 19th

The Western Gulf of Alaska (WGOA) parallel Pacific cod (P.cod) season will close to jig gear on Saturday, March 17th at 12:00 noon. According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), the state-waters P.cod season for vessels using jig gear will open 48 hours later in the South Alaska Peninsula Area on March 19th at 12:00 noon unless delayed by weather. For vessels participating in the WGOA parallel P.cod jig fishery, all P.cod must be delivered prior to participating in the South Alaska Peninsula Area state- waters season.

Jig vessels may not operate more than 5 mechanical jig machines with more than 30 hooks per line. Jig vessels are allocated 15 percent of the total South Alaska Peninsula GHL or 2.3 million pounds.
All vessels participating in the South Alaska Peninsula Area state-waters Pacific cod season may not exceed 58 feet in overall length. Vessel operators must obtain an exclusive state-waters vessel registration from ADF&G prior to participating in the state- waters season.

As a reminder, vessels may not participate in a state-waters P.cod season and any other P.cod season at the same time. Vessels registered for the state-waters season must invalidate their state-waters registration before that vessel may participate in any other P.cod season.

Weather Delay

The state-waters season opening for jig vessels will be delayed for 24 hours if the National Weather Service (NWS) 48-hour marine weather forecast for Area 155 issued at 4 a.m. on March 19th contains gale force wind warnings (35 knots or higher). If the jig gear season opening is delayed and the following day’s 4 a.m. 48-hour forecast again contains gale warnings, the season opening will be delayed an additional 24-hours. Season opening delays may continue on a rolling 24-hour basis for up to seven days beyond the initial opening date. After seven days, the jig season will open regardless of the NWS marine weather forecast for Area 155.

For more information, contact the Alaska Department of Fish & Game in Kodiak at (907) 486-1840. You can also contact in season management staff at the National Marine Fisheries Service at (907) 586-7228 for more information on fishing outside of state waters.

AEBSD Fish News March 7, 2012

Fish News

March 7, 2012

2012 South Alaska Peninsula Area State-Waters Pacific Cod Pot Gear Season Opens Today

The National Weather Service marine weather 48-hour forecast for Area 155 issued at 4 a.m. today (Wednesday, March 7, 2012) did not contain gale warnings. Therefore, according to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), the South Alaska Peninsula Area state-waters Pacific cod season opening for pot vessels will open at 12 p.m. today (Wednesday, March 7, 2012). Participants are advised that the master of each vessel is ultimately responsible for the safety of the vessel.

ADF&G will manage the 2012 South Alaska Peninsula Area state-waters Pacific cod pot season based on in-season reports from participating vessels. Reports will be taken daily starting at 9 a.m. by dispatch (7894), phone (907-486-1840), or email (mark.stichert@alaska.gov).

For more information, contact ADF&G in Kodiak at 907-486-1840.

You are reading FISH NEWS, published quarterly by the Aleutians East Borough to help keep the lines of communication open among Alaska’s commercial fishing interests. If you would like to have FISH NEWS delivered to you via e-mail subscription, send an e-mail message to ltanis@aeboro.org . For more information about our fisheries, our people, and our communities, please visit us at www.aleutianseast.org, www.aebfish.org and check out our blog at http://aebfishblog.blogspot.com/ .

Fish News Published by the Aleutians East Borough March 7, 2012 Page 1

Fish News for Feb. 3, 2012 via AEB

Download Fish News for Feb. 3, 2012 via AEB as a PDF.

Highlights from the NPFMC Meeting in Seattle
By Ernie Weiss, AEB Natural Resources Director

The North Pacific Fishery Management council (NPFMC or Council) is moving swiftly through the agenda items during the meeting in Seattle this week, while taking a full 8 hours on the halibut prohibited species catch agenda item. The Council motion on this agenda item is to move the document forward and to release the (environmental assessment/regulatory impact review/initial regulatory flexibility analysis (EA/RIR/IRFA) for public review while incorporating some suggestions from the Scientific and Statistical Committee.
(more…)

Fish News Published by the Aleutians East Borough Jan. 18, 2012

Fish News Published by the Aleutians East Borough Jan. 18, 2012. Download this issue as a PDF.

Closure of Cold Bay and Morzhovoi Bay Tanner Crab Fishery in the Western Section of the South Peninsula District

According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), the waters of Cold Bay and Morzhovoi Bay in the western section of the South Peninsula District closed inside a line from Cape Pankof (54 degrees 39.37’ N. lat.; 163 degrees 03.49’ W. long.) to Bold Cape (55 degrees 01.26’ N. lat.; 162 degrees 15.59’ W. long.) to Tanner crab fishing at 5:59 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday, January 17, 2012). Catch reports indicated the harvest approached survey estimates of allowable Tanner crab surplus. Further harvest is not warranted to protect the long-term health of Tanner crab in this area.

All pots within the closed area must be unbaited and doors open at the time of the closure. Unbaited pots may be stored in the closed area in waters deeper than 25 fathoms for 72 hours. After 72 hours, all pots remaining in the closed area must be removed from the water or placed in waters shallower than 25 fathoms. Vessel operators are not required to deliver crab harvested from the closed area.

Fishing in the remainder of the South Peninsula District – Western Section will remain open until further notice.

***

2012 Chignik District Tanner Crab Season Delayed

The National Weather Service 4 a.m. 48-hour marine forecast for Area 155 today (January 18, 2012) contained a gale warning. According to ADF&G, the Chignik District Tanner crab final registration and season opening will be delayed for 24 hours. If the 48-hour marine weather forecast in Area 155 issued at 4 a.m. on Thursday, January 19th also contains a small craft advisory, final registration and the fishery opening will again be delayed for 24 hours.

If the 48-hour marine weather forecast for Area 155 issued Thursday, January 19th does not contain a small craft advisory, final registration will begin at 12:00 noon on January 19th and the fishery will open at 12:00 noon on January 20th.
Any action to further delay or open the fishery will be announced in a subsequent ADF&G news release by 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 19th.

According to the fishery management plan for the Chignik District, season opening delays may continue on a rolling 24-hour basis until 12:00 noon on January 25, when the season will open regardless of National Weather Service marine weather forecasts.

You are reading FISH NEWS, published quarterly by the Aleutians East Borough to help keep the lines of communication open among Alaska’s commercial fishing interests. If you would like to have FISH NEWS delivered to you via e-mail subscription, send an e-mail message to ltanis@aeboro.org . For more information about our fisheries, our people, and our communities, please visit us at www.aleutianseast.org, www.aebfish.org and check out our blog at http://aebfishblog.blogspot.com/ .

Two new issues of Fish News from AEB!

Two new issues of Fish News from AEB!

Download as a PDF – Fish News – Jan. 11, 2012
Download as a PDF – Fish News – Jan. 10, 2012

Fish News from Dec. 22, 2011

Fish News – Dec. 22, 2011

Fish News

Dec. 22, 2011

News from NOAA: New Regs for GOA Pacific Cod Sector Split
Kick in Jan. 1, 2012

New regulations to implement Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Pacific cod (Pcod) sector splits will take effect January 1, 2012. Federal fisheries permits (FFP), if surrendered, will not be re-issued until the next three-year cycle. Additionally, if a vessel holds an FFP, it must also be named on a License Limitation Permit (LLP) valid for the adjacent federal waters in order to fish in the state parallel fisheries. For example, if a pot boat from Sand Point has a federal fisheries permit and wants to fish the parallel fisheries, it must also be named on an LLP with a WG pot Pcod endorsement. In considering whether to surrender an FFP, please remember that an FFP is required to fish for IFQ halibut and sablefish in federal waters (because of the requirement to keep bycatch of Pacific cod and rockfish). Please call the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement in Kodiak at 486-3298 if you have questions about federal fisheries regulations.

Upcoming Fish Meetings & Items of Interest:

Crab Modeling Workshop, January 9-13, 2012, AFSC: Information and Agenda ADF&G: South Peninsula District Tanner Crab Preseason Stakeholders’ Meeting – Jan. 13, 2011 – 10 a.m. – Sand Point – AEB office – teleconferenced in King Cove & False Pass. More info The North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) is seeking nominations to fill one vacancy on its Science Panel. The Board is seeking an individual expertise in social science. Deadline for nominations is January 13, 2012. More information. North Pacific Fishery Management Council: January 30 – Feb. 7, 2012 – Rennaissance Hotel, Seattle, WA . Click on link below for more info: NPFMC Three Meeting Outlook International Pacific Halibut Commission – annual meeting – Jan. 24 – 27, 2012 – Hilton Hotel – Anchorage. IPHC Annual Meeting 2012 Missed the last Council meeting earlier this month? Click on the following link for the Council’s December newsletter: NPFMC December Newsletter – News & Notes

You are reading FISH NEWS, published quarterly by the Aleutians East Borough to help keep the lines of communication open among Alaska’s commercial fishing interests. If you would like to have FISH NEWS delivered to you via e-mail subscription, send an e-mail message to ltanis@aeboro.org . For more information about our fisheries, our people, and our communities, please visit us at www.aleutianseast.org, www.aebfish.org and check out our blog at http://aebfishblog.blogspot.com/ .

Fish News for Dec. 15, 2011: News in brief from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council

Download Fish News for Dec. 15, 2011 as a PDF

Contents:
News in brief from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council:

If you weren’t able to make it out to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC or Council) in Anchorage recently (Dec. 7 – 13, 2011), here’s a brief rundown of what happened:
(more…)

Fish News from AEB for Dec 8th, 2011

Download Fish News for Dec. 8th, 2011 as a PDF.

Contents:
ADF&G to Host South Peninsula District Tanner Crab Preseason Stakeholders’ Meeting

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will host a preseason commercial shellfish and groundfish stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, January, 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Borough office in Sand Point. The meeting will also be teleconferenced to the Harbor House in King Cove and the City office in False Pass.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide commercial fishery stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the 2012 South Peninsula District Tanner crab fishery and recent changes to South Alaska Peninsula state-waters Pacific cod regulations. This meeting is open to the public and all interested parties are encouraged to attend.

For additional information, please contact Mark Stichert with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Kodiak at (907) 486-1853.

You are reading FISH NEWS, published quarterly by the Aleutians East Borough to help keep the lines of communication open among Alaska’s commercial fishing interests. If you would like to have FISH NEWS delivered to you via e-mail subscription, send an e-mail message to ltanis@aeboro.org