North Pacific Final Rule Implements
Rockfish Pilot Program in Central Gulf of Alaska
12-05-2006
NOAA Fisheries has published a final
rule to implement Amendment 68 to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska . Trawl industry representatives,
primarily from Kodiak, AK, initiated the development of this program
in conjunction with catcher/processor representatives. The goal
is to improve the economic efficiency of the Central Gulf of Alaska
rockfish fisheries. The program is authorized for two years, from
January 1, 2007, until December 31, 2008. It provides exclusive
harvesting and processing privileges for a specific set of rockfish
species and for associated species harvested incidentally to those
rockfish in the Central Gulf of Alaska.
The program allows harvesters to
choose when to fish, so that they can take advantage of market
factors and avoid dangerous fishing conditions. The program is
also expected to result in a slower-paced fishery, providing greater
stability for processors by spreading out production over a longer
period and increasing product quality in all sectors. NOAA made
a number of changes to the program as a result of earlier public
comments.
For more information, read the final
rule
Deadline for Nominations to Marine
Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee Extended to Nov 30
11-10-2006
The Marine Protected Areas Federal
Advisory Committee is seeking new members to fill approximately
15 vacancies for Fall 2007. The Committee advises the Departments
of Commerce and the Interior on the development and implementation
of a national system of marine protected areas. Nominations are
sought from natural and social scientists; state and territorial
resource managers; representatives of ocean industry, commercial
and recreational fishing, environmental organizations and others.
The deadline for nominations has been extended to November 30,
2006. For more information, read the Federal Register notice or
contact Lauren.Wenzel@noaa.gov.
In 2003, Tanana
Chiefs Conference approached the U. S. Institute for Environmental
Conflict Resolution (USIECR) (http://www.ecr.gov) to conduct a
situation assessment and develop recommendations to enhance government-to-government
consultations between Interior Alaska Tribes and the Department
of Defense. In 2004, Resource Solutions at the University of Alaska
Anchorage was chosen to conduct the assessment and contracted
with Dee Hunt of DCH Consulting to lead the project on behalf
of USIECR.
Although the
findings and recommendations are based on the process in Interior
Alaska, they may also benefit others engaged in consultations
about military impacts. Recommendations focus on strengthening
the government-to-government relationship through developing a
programmatic approach to consultation, including a shared funding
structure.
The final report
entitled, Situation Assessment and Recommendations for Government-to-Government
Consultations between Interior Alaska Tribes and the U. S. Department
of Defense on Military Impacts in Interior Alaska can be found
at: http://edit.uaa.alaska.edu/resourcesolutions/upload/USIECR-TCC%20Final%20Report.pdf
.
Life History Database for Species
Found in North Pacific
10-02-2006
The Life History Database website
was created by scientists in the Resource Ecology and Ecosystem
Modeling group of NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center. This
site allows users to access life history information for species
inhabiting the eastern Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf
of Alaska management regions. The life history datasets in this
database currently include information for target and non-target
bycatch fish species. An extensive review of literature was conducted
to collect known life history data for these species.
Crab 'enhancement' gets a tryout
off Kodiak
10-02-2006
Batches of baby king crabs could
soon be growing in Kodiak Island waters, and scientists will be
carefully nurturing their growth and progress. If all goes according
to plan, the project will be the first in Alaska to advance larval
crabs from the laboratory to the wild…
Click
here for more...
Alaska – New Amendment Would Promote
Conservation, Efficiency and Safety in Rockfish Fisheries
10-02-2006
Amendment 68 to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) would establish
a program that provides for exclusive harvesting and processing
privileges for a specific set of rockfish species and associated
species in the Central GOA. The granting of exclusive harvesting
and processing privileges is commonly called rationalization.
If approved, the proposed program would be effective through December
31, 2008.
The primary species that would be
rationalized under the program are northern rockfish, Pacific
Ocean perch, and pelagic shelf rockfish. Incidentally harvested
groundfish taken in the primary rockfish fisheries using trawl
gear would also be rationalized under the program. These secondary
species include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and sablefish. In addition, the program would allocate a portion
of the halibut bycatch mortality limit annually specified for
the GOA trawl fisheries to program participants based on their
historic mortality rates in the primary species fisheries.
By creating an exclusive harvest
privilege, the program would provide greater security to harvesters
in cooperatives. Although participants in the limited access fishery,
opt-out fishery, and entry level fishery would not receive a guaranteed
annual catch amount, most harvesters likely would participate
in a cooperative that receives this allocation. This would increase
the focus on quality, promote a slower paced fishery, enhance
safety by providing a vessel operator more flexibility to choose
when to fish and therefore avoid poor weather, and provide greater
stability for processors by spreading out production over a greater
period of time.
Comments on Amendment 68 must be
received before July 14.
Send comments to: 0648-AT71-GOA68-NOA@noaa.gov
NOAA Fisheries Service Regulatory
Impact Review and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for
Four Proposed Amendments to Regulations that Implement the Halibut
and Sablefish IFQ Program
10-02-2006
Proposed amendments to the halibut
and sablefish fishery regulations would address four issues pertaining
to the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for fixed gear Pacific
halibut and sablefish fisheries in and off Alaska. In 2005, the
North Pacific Fishery Management Council identified four proposed
actions as follows. Plan and regulatory amendments to the Bering
Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish
FMPs would be needed for Action 1, and regulatory amendments would
be needed for Actions 2, 3, and 4.
Click
here for more information
Alaska – NOAA to Conduct Survey
on Options for Protecting Steller Sea Lions
NOAA Fisheries Service plans to
conduct a survey with the objective of measuring the preferences
that U.S. residents have toward protecting the Steller sea lion,
which is listed under the Endangered Species Act. Since different
management options are available to protect Steller sea lions,
it is important to understand the public's attitudes toward the
variety of potential impacts on Steller sea lions, Alaskan fisheries
and fishing communities, and the nation. Data will be collected
primarily through a mail survey of a random sample of U.S. households.
Additional data will be collected in telephone interviews with
individuals who do not respond to the mail survey.
At this stage, the public is invited
to submit comments on the following issues: a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary; b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information; c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
Comments may be sent to dHynek@doc.gov
until October 16.
For more information, read the notice
or contact Dan.Lew@noaa.gov.
Governor Accepting NPFMC Board
Applications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2006 06-154
Governor Accepting NPFMC Board Applications
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Seat Open
(Juneau) – The North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (NPFMC) seeks applicants for the seat soon
to be vacated by Arne Fuglvog. Fuglvog, a commercial fisherman
from Petersburg, has been an advisory committee member to the
North Pacific Fisheries Management Council for 12 years, and is
currently the only active fisherman on the council.
Click
here for more information
EVOS Trustee Council Invitation
for Proposals, & call for Advisory Committee members
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee
Council announces the release of the FY07 Invitation for Proposals.
The Invitation may be downloaded from the
Trustee
Council’s website
ADFG
Public Notice:
Alaska Sea Grant seeks public
comment on its performance
7/18/2006
Fairbanks, Alaska-The NOAA Alaska Sea Grant College Program
is a marine research, education, outreach and advisory service
headquartered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of
Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. This fall, Alaska Sea Grant will
undergo a National Sea Grant review of its programs and activities
conducted from late 2001 to present. In advance of this review,
scheduled for September 10-14, 2006, public comment on the performance
of Alaska Sea Grant toward meeting its mission goals and objectives
is invited. Written comments from interested individuals, groups,
associations, and others, are welcome. These may include, but
are not limited to, fishermen and fishing associations, resource
managers, seafood processors, marine and fisheries scientists,
oceanographers, coastal engineers, K-12 and university educators,
Alaska Native groups, community and environmental activists, tourism
industry groups, harbormasters, city planners, and others. Written
comments must be received by the close of business August 18,
2006.
Contact: Doug Schneider, Information
Officer, Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska
Fairbanks, 907-474-7449, fndgs@uaf.edu
NR: SG-2006/NR235
Comments can be submitted
online or in writing to:
Jerry Schubel, Ph.D.
Chairman Program Assessment Team
c/o Brian Allee
Alaska Sea Grant College Program
Fish council puts moratorium on
halibut charter fishery while exploring solutions
The North Pacific Fishery Management
Council during their June meeting in Kodiak decided to proceed
with an interim moratorium to stop new entrants into the halibut
charter fishery. The plan was recommended by the Charter Halibut
Stakeholder Committee as an initial step toward a permanent solution
to the allocation tug of war between the commercial halibut fishery
and the charterboat fishery… Click
here for more information
NPFMC
Moratorium motion
“Permanent
Solution”
Federal Subsistence Board Proposes
Changes in Rural/Nonrural Status – Comment deadline Oct 27.
The Federal Subsistence Board is
seeking public comments through Oct. 27, 2006 on a proposed rule
that would change the rural or nonrural status of several Alaska
communities and areas. The Board will make a decision on a final
rule in December 2006… comments are sought on the following proposed
changes:
Adak would change from nonrural to
rural…
Prudhoe Bay would change from rural to nonrural…
Point MacKenzie would be grouped with the nonrural Wasilla area
and would change from rural to nonrural.
Fritz Creek East (not including Voznesenka) and the North Fork
Road area would be grouped with the nonrural Homer area and would
change from rural to nonrural.
The nonrural Ketchikan area would be expanded to include all those
living on the road system connected to the City of Ketchikan (except
Saxman), as well as Pennock Island, and parts of Gravina Island
and the entire area would be considered nonrural. However, Saxman
would remain separate and rural…
The Kodiak area, including the City of Kodiak, the Mill Bay area,
the Coast Guard Station, Women's Bay and Bells Flats, would be
grouped and would change from rural to nonrural.
Written comments on this issue will
be accepted through Oct. 27, 2006 and can be sent by e-mail to
subsistence@fws.gov , by fax at (907) 786-3898, or by mail… See
June 23 USFWS news release at:
Click
Here for More Information
Alaska - Request for Comments
on Steller Sea Lion Recovery Plan
NOAA Fisheries Service has announced
the availability of a draft revised Recovery Plan for endangered
and threatened Steller sea lion populations. The new recovery
plan was developed and unanimously endorsed by 17 team members
who represent the fishing industry, Alaska Natives, fishery and
marine mammal scientists, and environmental organizations.
The plan contains:
1) a comprehensive review of Steller sea lion ecology,
2) a review of previous conservation actions,
3) a threats assessment,
4) biological and recovery criteria for downlisting and delisting,
5) actions necessary for the recovery of the species, and
6) estimates of time and cost of recovery. All interested persons
are invited to comment on the draft plan.
Send comments to: SSLRP@noaa.gov
by July 24.
Governor Signs SB 291 – Establishing
Harbor Facilities Grants Program
Governor Frank H. Murkowski today
signed into law SB 291, a bill that creates a 50/50 matching grant
program to help coastal communities upgrade and maintain their
small boat harbors. The bill was introduced by Sitka Senator Bert
Stedman, while a companion bill was introduced in the House by
Haines Representative Bill Thomas.
Click
Here for More Information
Alaska senator presents fish farm
permitting bill
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens supports
a new fish farm permitting system proposed by the Bush administration,
but wants states to have the option of banning the industry within
200 miles of their shorelines. The state has no say about what
goes on in federal waters under the current legislation, Stevens
said at a hearing on the bill. Stevens sponsored the bill, but
wants it amended to give states the veto power. (06/12/06) Juneau
Empire
Click
Here for More Information
Alaska - NOAA Scientists Report
on Lingering Effects of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
NOAA has been involved in evaluating
the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which took place on
March 24, 1989 when the tanker ran aground on Bligh Reef, spilling
11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound, AK.
NOAA continues to conduct research on the effects of the 1989
oil spill and monitor the persistence of oil in the environment.
(Despite massive clean-up efforts over the past 17 years, scientists
at NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Auke Bay estimate
that about six miles of shoreline is still affected by the spill
and as much as 100 tons of oil lingers in the Sound.)
In a study that was just concluded,
NOAA Fisheries researchers at the Auke Bay Lab found oil buried
in the low-tide zone, extending farther into tidal waters than
previously thought. This tidal zone is an important feeding ground
for sea otters, birds and other wildlife. The findings indicate
that exposure to Exxon Valdez oil may be contributing to the slow
recovery of shore-dwelling animals in some parts of Prince William
Sound. For example, sea otters have not yet returned to Herring
Bay and the population of otters elsewhere around northern Knight
Island continues to decline. Unfortunately, because much of this
oil is buried in beach sediments, it could remain hazardous to
wildlife for decades.
These findings will be published
in the American Chemical Society's journal, Environmental Science
& Technology on June 15. More information on NOAA Fisheries' research
following the Exxon Valdez oil spill is available online.
Rockfish Pilot Program Proposed
for the Central Gulf of Alaska
A proposed rule for Amendment 68 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska would implement
the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot Program. While the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council is developing a comprehensive
rationalization program for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska,
a short-term solution is needed to stabilize the community of
Kodiak. Kodiak has experienced multiple processing plant closures,
its residential work force is at risk due to shorter processing
seasons, and tax revenues continue to decrease as fish prices
and port landings decrease. Congress recognized these problems
and directed the Department of Commerce, in consultation with
the Council, to implement a rockfish pilot program.
Click
here for more information
New Shellfish Restoration Guide
Available
A Practitioners' Guide to
the Design and Monitoring of Shellfish Restoration Projects
was written jointly by the Nature Conservancy and the NOAA Restoration
Center to help restoration practitioners design and monitor shellfish
restoration projects. These projects restore not only the populations
of target shellfish species – primarily clams, oysters, scallops
– but also the ‘ecosystem services' associated with healthy populations
of these organisms.
As a primer for conservationists,
resource managers and others interested in understanding basic
approaches to the design and implementation of shellfish restoration
projects, this publication provides advice on: 1) making the case
for shellfish restoration; 2) identifying candidate species and
an appropriate restoration strategy (or strategies); 3) choosing
sites for restoration projects; 4) monitoring project outcomes;
and, 5) creating effective partnerships for restoration projects.
For more information, contact
Stephanie.Hunt@noaa.gov.
Alaska – New Amendment Would Promote
Conservation, Efficiency and Safety in Rockfish Fisheries
Amendment 68 to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) would establish
a program that provides for exclusive harvesting and processing
privileges for a specific set of rockfish species and associated
species in the Central GOA. The granting of exclusive harvesting
and processing privileges is commonly called rationalization.
If approved, the proposed program would be effective through December
31, 2008.
The primary species that would be
rationalized under the program are northern rockfish, Pacific
Ocean perch, and pelagic shelf rockfish. Incidentally harvested
groundfish taken in the primary rockfish fisheries using trawl
gear would also be rationalized under the program. These secondary
species include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and sablefish. In addition, the program would allocate a portion
of the halibut bycatch mortality limit annually specified for
the GOA trawl fisheries to program participants based on their
historic mortality rates in the primary species fisheries.
By creating an exclusive harvest
privilege, the program would provide greater security to harvesters
in cooperatives. Although participants in the limited access fishery,
opt-out fishery, and entry level fishery would not receive a guaranteed
annual catch amount, most harvesters likely would participate
in a cooperative that receives this allocation. This would increase
the focus on quality, promote a slower paced fishery, enhance
safety by providing a vessel operator more flexibility to choose
when to fish and therefore avoid poor weather, and provide greater
stability for processors by spreading out production over a greater
period of time.
Comments on Amendment 68 must be
received before July 14.
Send comments to: 0648-AT71-GOA68-NOA@noaa.gov.
Federal Subsistence Board Approves
Changes to Wildlife Regulations
ANCHORAGE -- The Federal Subsistence Board
approved changes to Federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations
at its May 16-18 meeting in Anchorage. The new regulations are
effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.
Click
here for more information
IMPORTANT
(1) Hearing on Gulf Rationalization on
Tuesday, June 6th - all day.
Prior written testimony is greatly encouraged. Please ask people
to address their concerns about Gulf Rationalization to the NPFMC
Chair, Stephanie Madsen. Also, perhaps more important, is having
people available to testify in person. There is expected to be
a long list of testifiers so getting signed up relatively early
is extremely important.
No action on Gulf rationalization will be taken at this meeting.
The next formal action will be at the December Council meeting
in Anchorage.
(2) Halibut Charterboat: Item C-4
(a) review and refine moratorium alternatives
(b) Receive stakeholder committee report and determine direction
(c) NMFS report on enforcement of GHL preferred alternatives (5-fish
annual limit)
We have two opportunities to testify
(a) AP (Advisory Panel) scheduled for 8:00 am, Wednesday, June
7th
(b) Council - scheduled for 1:00 pm, Friday, June 9th and expected
to go into the next day
Times are subject to change.
The effective date for a moratorium will be DECEMBER 9, 2005 if
recommended options are adopted. Initial review of moratorium
options will be at the December 2006 Council meeting in Anchorage.
See the North Pacific Council web site @ http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/
for further detail.
USFWS names Tom Melius new
Alaska Regional Director
Tom Melius has officially assumed
his duties as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's new Alaska
Regional Director, replacing Rowan Gould who has taken a position
with the Service's Washington, D.C. office. Tom brings with him
a wide range of experience, within the Service and from outside,
that makes him well qualified to deal with the unique challenges
and opportunities the Service faces here in Alaska. Look for press
release to be posted at: http://alaska.fws.gov/external/newsroom/aknews.htm
Alaska - NOAA Scientists Study
Harbor Seals and Cruise Ships
NOAA scientists, working with the
Alaska cruise ship industry and members of the Yakutat Tlingit
Tribe, are documenting interactions between harbor seals and approaching
cruise ships in Disenchantment Bay. Since 2002, NOAA biologists
have been mapping and counting seals by aerial survey, and observing
seal behavior from cruise ships in Disenchantment Bay, a glacial
fjord that is a popular destination for cruise ships. Harbor seals
haul out year-round on floating ice in tidewater glacial fjords
which are popular destinations for tourism.
In the final report, NOAA scientists
describe the interactions between cruise ships and harbor seals
during weekly peaks and lulls in ship traffic. The study examined
potential effects of cruise ships on the behavior, abundance and
distribution of harbor seals from early pupping to the molting
season —approximately early May to mid-August. Once considered
abundant throughout their range, counts of harbor seals over the
last 30 years have declined in some areas of Alaska, including
the Kodiak Archipelago and Prince William Sound. Of recent concern
is the approximately 50% decline in harbor seals since 1992 at
Glacier Bay National Park where numbers of watercraft, including
cruise ships, have increased steadily over the same period.
This cooperative effort, led by NOAA’s
National Marine Mammal Laboratory, had support from the Yakutat
Tlingit Tribe, the NorthWest CruiseShip Association, Cruise Line
Agencies of Alaska, federal government agencies, Alaska’s Department
of Fish and Game, and the City and Borough of Yakutat.
More information about the study
is available online.
New Rule
Regarding Serious Marine Incident Alcohol Testing
ACTION: Final rule.
DATES: This final rule is effective June 20, 2006.
SUMMARY: This final rule revises Coast Guard requirements
for alcohol testing after a serious marine incident to ensure
that mariners or their employees involved in a serious marine
incident are tested for alcohol use within 2 hours of the occurrence
of the incident as required under the Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 1998. This final rule also requires that most commercial
vessels have alcohol testing devices on board, and authorizes
the use of saliva as an acceptable specimen for alcohol testing.
This rule also makes some minor procedural changes, including
a 32-hour time limit for collecting specimens for drug testing
following a serious marine incident.
Click here
for details
THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES
CALLS FOR PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE SUBSISTENCE, PERSONAL
USE, SPORT, GUIDED SPORT, AND COMMERCIAL FINFISH REGULATIONS
FOR THE BRISTOL BAY, ARCTIC-YUKON-KUSKOKWIM, AND ALASKA PENINSULA/ALEUTIAN
ISLANDS FINFISH AREAS AND STATEWIDE FINFISH REGULATIONS
PROPOSAL DEADLINE - APRIL 10,
2006
The Alaska Board of Fisheries
is accepting proposed changes to the subsistence, personal use,
sport, guided sport, and commercial finfish regulations for the
Bristol Bay, Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim, and Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian
Islands management areas. Finfish includes: salmon, herring,
trout, groundfish, char, burbot, northern pike, whitefish, Pacific
cod, sablefish, shark, pollock, etc., but does not include halibut.
In addition, the board is
accepting proposed changes to the subsistence, personal use, sport,
guided sport, and commercial statewide finfish provisions regulations.
Examples of “statewide finfish” regulations can be
found in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code and include,
but are not limited to, policy for the management of sustainable
salmon fisheries, policy for the management of mixed stock fisheries,
policy for statewide salmon escapement goals, possession of sport-caught
fish, fishing by proxy, etc.
To insure that the proposed
booklets are distributed well in advance of the board meetings
and the fishing season, the board has set Monday, April 10, 2006
as the proposal deadline.
The following offices can
officially receive proposals:
Proposal forms may be obtained from any office of the Boards Support
Section or on our website at http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/boards/bordhome.htm.
All proposals must contain an original signature, contact telephone
number, and address. Please print or type the individual's
name and an organizational name if appropriate. A
fax is acceptable and considered an original.
Proposals must be received in one of the above offices by the
deadline (a postmark is NOT sufficient for timely receipt).
You are encouraged to submit proposals at the earliest possible
date.
Proposals are reviewed by the board's proposal review committee
prior to publication. Language that is emotionally charged
detracts from the substance of the proposal. It may draw
opposition that may not be germane to the element(s) of the proposal
and may elicit non-responsive charges from the public/board members.
The proposal review committee reserves the right to edit proposals
containing offensive language. Following publication, proposal
booklets will be available to advisory committees and interested
members of the public for review and comment.
[Note: Proposals received per the above “Call For
Proposals” deadline will be considered by the Board of Fisheries
during the October 2006 - March 2007 meeting schedule.]
Click
here to download proposal form
Sherry Wright, Boards Support
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone: 907-267-2354
Fax: 907-267-2489
2006 Fisheries Economic Development
Grant Program
Through the Alaska Fisheries Revitalization
Strategy, the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development is pleased to announce the 2006 Fisheries Economic
Development Grant Program. Applications under the competitive
matching grant program are due May 5, 2006. This is the fourth
edition of this grant program which has traditionally invested
funds into increasing the productivity of processing activities
for seafood-related businesses. For complete details, please review
the application guide.
The application guide and format are available on line at - http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/seafood/revitalization/projects.htm.
or
Click
here to Download 2006 FEDP Grant Program Application Guide
If you would like a copy of the
application guide and format mailed to you, please make that request
to -
Glenn Haight
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
PO Box 110804
Juneau, Alaska 99811
907-465-5464
glenn_haight@commerce.state.ak.us
Halibut Charter IFQ: Advance notice
of proposed rulemaking; control date.
(Federal Register Notice)
This notice announces that anyone entering the charter sport fishery
for Pacific halibut in and off Alaska after December 9, 2005 (control
date) will not be assured of future access to that fishery if
a management regime that limits the number of participants is
developed and implemented under the authority of the Northern
Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act). This notice is necessary
to publish the intent of the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) that participation credit may not be granted
for operating in the charter halibut fishery if initial entry
into the fishery occurs after the control date. http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-1726.htm
Alaska
Seafood Processing Leadership Institute Program Announcement
February 13, 2006
NThrough funding made possible
by the State of Alaska’s Fisheries Revitalization Strategy,
the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
and the University’s Marine Advisory Program, are pleased
to sponsor the Alaska Seafood Processor Leadership Institute.
The Alaska Seafood Processing Leadership Institute is a program
designed to identify and foster individuals who are up and coming
leaders in the seafood processing industry. Successful applicants
will reside in communities adversely impacted by the downturn
of the Alaska salmon industry and have successfully worked in
seafood processing.
Successful candidates will receive three weeks of seafood technical
and business training and a focused field trip to the Boston Seafood
show and Iceland in Spring 2007 to see first hand the processing
capacity of other cold-water processing companies.
Click here
for more details and contact information or go on line
at: http://www.uaf.edu/map/aspli/index.html.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 3, 2006. We look
forward to your consideration of identifying and mentoring potential
seafood processing leaders from your area.
National - NOAA to Conduct
Scoping on the Activities of the Marine Mammal Stranding Response
Program February 1, 2006
NOAA Fisheries Service has
announced its intent to analyze the environmental impacts of the
national Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program.
The mandated goals of the program are to: facilitate the collection
and dissemination of reference data on the health of marine mammals
and health trends of marine mammal populations in the wild; correlate
the health of marine mammals and marine mammal populations, in
the wild, with available data on physical, chemical, and biological
environmental parameters; and coordinate effective responses to
unusual mortality events.
Individuals, groups and organizations
throughout the country have been responding to stranded marine
mammals for decades through special agreements with NOAA. The
scoping process is the first step toward developing an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the cumulative impacts of the
activities of this program. This EIS will assess the likely environmental
effects of marine mammal health and stranding response under a
range of alternatives. For all potentially significant impacts,
the EIS will identify avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures
to reduce these impacts, where feasible, to a level below significance.
Public scoping meetings will
take place beginning January 24 in the following locations: Santa
Barbara, CA; San Francisco, CA; Honolulu, HI; Seattle, WA; Anchorage,
AK; St. Petersburg, FL; Boston, MA; and Silver Spring, MD. For
details, please refer to the scoping notice
Alaska Board of Fisheries
- Call For Proposals January 21,
2006
THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES
CALLS FOR PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE SUBSISTENCE, PERSONAL USE, SPORT,
GUIDED SPORT, AND COMMERCIAL FINFISH REGULATIONS FOR THE BRISTOL
BAY, ARCTIC-YUKON-KUSKOKWIM, AND ALASKA PENINSULA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
FINFISH AREAS AND STATEWIDE FINFISH REGULATIONS PROPOSAL
DEADLINE - APRIL 10, 2006
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is
accepting proposed changes to the subsistence, personal use, sport,
guided sport, and commercial finfish regulations for the Bristol
Bay, Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim, and Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian Islands
management areas. Finfish includes: salmon, herring, trout, groundfish,
char, burbot, northern pike, whitefish, Pacific cod, sablefish,
shark, pollock, etc., but does not include halibut.
For more information do to http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/news/newstemp.php
NOAA’S National Marine Sanctuary
Program Launches Online Encyclopedia of Marine Life
NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary
Program has announced a new free online resource that highlights
the diverse marine life of America's ocean and Great Lakes treasures.
The "Encyclopedia of the Sanctuaries" offers photos, streaming
video and important facts for more than 100 key animal and plant
species from each of the national marine sanctuaries. The "Encyclopedia
of the Sanctuaries" allows users to search for their favorite
species or browse the wildlife of each sanctuary by category,
ranging from spiny lobster to killer whales and from white-tipped
reef sharks to sea anemones. The encyclopedia entry for each species
includes a photo, quick facts, information about its diet, habitat,
distribution and status, and links to outside resources for more
information. Many of the entries also offer engaging, high-quality
video clips of species in their natural habitats, making the "Encyclopedia
of the Sanctuaries" a great resource for educators, students of
all ages, zoos and aquaria, science and technology centers, and
natural history museums.
The online encyclopedia was developed
by NOAA in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
and The Ocean Channel, Inc., a California-based new-media corporation.
It is part of a continuing effort to enhance the public's understanding
and appreciation of the ocean environment.
The Encyclopedia is available
online at: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education.
Retention of “Other Rockfish”
Prohibited in the Central Gulf of Alaska
NOAA Fisheries Service has
prohibited retention of "other rockfish"' in the Central Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska. ("Other rockfish'' consists of all
slope and demersal shelf rockfish.) Catch of "other rockfish''
in this area must be treated in the same manner as prohibited
species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action
is necessary because the "other rockfish'' 2005 total allowable
catch in this area has been reached. The prohibition remains in
effect through December 31, 2005. For more information, contact
Josh.Keaton@noaa.gov.
NOAA Seeking Industry & Trade
Specialist;
NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking
a Trade Specialist for the Office of Constituent Services. The
incumbent will plan and coordinate trade development programs
and events to promote U.S. exports; analyze and recommend positions
on complex trade issues and negotiating strategies; develop and
disseminate trade information to U.S. businesses and associations;
and provide export counseling to constituents. Applications will
be accepted through August 15. This is a full time, permanent
position in Silver Spring, MD. All U.S. citizens are eligible,
and potential candidates now working outside of NOAA are encouraged
to apply. Nominations are open from August 1 - September 15, 2005.
For more information, please go to www.usajobs.com
FishNews August 19, 2005
Note from the Assistant Administrator,
Dr. Bill Hogarth: I'd like to update you on some personnel changes
that have occurred at NOAA Fisheries Service over the past several
months. Dr. Rebecca Lent has moved to become the head of a new
Office of International Affairs at NOAA Fisheries, and Dr. Jim
Balsiger is acting as Deputy AA for Regulatory Programs. Following
Dr. Michael Sissenwine's recent retirement, Dr. Steve Murawski
is now serving as Director of Scientific Programs. In the field,
Doug Mecum has been selected as the new Deputy Regional Administrator
for the Alaska Region. Doug is currently the Director of the Division
of Commercial Fisheries for the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game in Juneau. Dr. John Stein has been selected as the Deputy
Director for the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle.
NOAA Fisheries Service Solicits
Nominations to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC)
Monday, August 1st a request for
nominations to MAFAC published in the Federal Register and is
posted to the MAFAC webpage at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/. NOAA
Fisheries anticipates selecting up to eight new members to serve
during the 2006-2009 term. The MAFAC is a national body of representative
stakeholders with expertise in fisheries science and management
issues that advises the Secretary of Commerce on all matters concerning
living marine resources. Members serve a term of three years with
two meetings each year. Members may serve no more than two consecutive
terms and may not be a Federal employee or a member of a Regional
Fishery Management Council. Nominations are open from August 1
– September 12, 2005.
Visit NOAA's Redesigned Ocean
Explorer Web Site
Visitors to NOAA's redesigned Ocean
Explorer Web site can team up with other players around the globe
to reveal pieces of an ocean-related picture-puzzle, and access
a printable calendar and screen savers with images from the deep
ocean. The Web site also chronicles expeditions to unknown or
poorly known areas of the ocean with daily reports from scientists
at sea richly illustrated with images from the seafloor. Teachers
will find lesson plans that are linked directly to expeditions
and to National Science Education Standards. Students can learn
more about a variety of marine science careers at OceanAGE Careers
under the site's 'Education' area. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/
AK Fishing Photos wanted for AFS
September meeting
The meeting's opening session will
start with a powerpoint slide show of Alaska fish, fishing, and
fishing-related stuff, such as seafood processing. We are
seeking high-resolution photographs to use in this show.
We want to "shock and awe" the audience, who come from most states
and several countries, by showing them the magnitude and variety
of Alaska's fishing industry. Please let us use your pix.
We cannot pay you, but we will give you on-screen credit, which
will be seen by over 2,000 people. Please contact Steve
Grabacki, ph: +907-272-5600 or graystar@alaska.net
Bill Noll Appointed Commissioner
of Commerce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2005
05-120
Bill Noll Appointed Commissioner of Commerce
(Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski appointed Bill Noll as
commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development. Noll has lived in Alaska for 37 years, has worked
in fishing, tourism and international trade and is a former mayor
and city council member of Seward.
Noll has served as a deputy commissioner for DCCED since January
2003. In April 2005 Noll was appointed to serve as the governor’s
director of communications. Noll also served as a deputy commissioner
for Economic Development and International Trade under the Hickel
Administration.
"Bill brings with him institutional knowledge, understanding
of the complex issues of the department, and a real love of Alaska,"
said Murkowski. "His appointment will ensure continuity for
the programs and services provided by Commerce."
Acting Commissioner Al Clough will resume his position as deputy
commissioner for the department. Clough said he is pleased with
the appointment of Noll to lead the department.
"Bill is a straight shooter with an eye for progress,"
said Clough. "Alaskans are well served with him as commissioner
of the Department of Commerce."
The appointments are effective immediately.
The Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
regulates and assists the state’s business sector, assists in
promoting Alaska’s resources for development and assists rural
and urban communities with a variety of infrastructure needs.
Catch or See an Atlantic
Salmon? - Please Call 1-877-INVASIV (1-877-468-2748)
call ADF&G hotline, keep fish
whole and refrigerate if possible.
April 2005
Community Impact Assessment
Data Issues in the North Pacific Fisheries
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
Issues in the North Pacific Fisheries. Processors by Community.
Table 8. ...
Processing Value Added and Processor PercentageDependency for
Unalaska an ...
www.uaf.edu/seagrant/Conferences/fish-com/powerpoints/downs.pdf
North Pacific Fishery Management
Council Community considerations ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
Ex-Vessel Value of Alaska Landings. Average Annual Ex-Vessel value
... Act of
1976 to manage fisheries in federal waters. The North Pacific
Council is ...
www.uaf.edu/seagrant/Conferences/
fish-com/powerpoints/oliver.pdf - Similar pages
Fishing Community Profiles
for the North Pacific
File Format: Microsoft Powerpoint 97
Landings by value. Number of processors. Number of vessels delivering
...
Involvement in North Pacific Fisheries. Commercial Fishing ...
www.st.nmfs.gov/st5/brown_bag_sessions/
2005/documents/Sepez_HQ_Social_Science_Talk%202005.ppt
National – NOAA's Offshore Aquaculture
Bill Introduced in the Senate
NOAA's National Offshore Aquaculture
Act of 2005 was introduced in the Senate this week by Commerce
Committee Co-Chairmen Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Senator Daniel
K. Inouye (D-HI). Now known as S. 1195, the bill would grant the
Secretary of Commerce new authority to issue permits for offshore
aquaculture in federal ocean waters, also known as the U.S. Exclusive
Economic Zone, while providing environmental and other safeguards
to protect wild stocks, marine ecosystems, and other users. The
Act, which does not supersede existing authorities, specifically
provides for coordination and consultation with other federal
agencies, Fishery Management Councils, and coastal states.
Please visit www.noaa.gov/aquaculture
for more information about the bill, including responses to frequently
asked questions.
Legislature Passes Resolution
Regarding Fish Farming in Federal Waters
Released: April 12, 2005
Click
here for more information
Click
here for bill text
Results from "Managing Fisheries
& Empowering Communities" Conference
Sponsored by ADFG, MAP, Sea Grant, and NMFS. Anchorage.
The slide presentations that you
saw during the conference are now on the web, as well as the results
from our breakout groups. You can find them all at http://www.uaf.edu/seagrant/Conferences/fish-com/announce.html
Also on the link above is a link
to an evaluation form. Your feedback would be appreciated for
similar future events.
The "Fishermen's Direct Marketing
Manual" (just updated)
This book will help fishermen decide
whether to direct-market their catch, and tell them how to avoid
potential pitfalls of direct marketing. Chapters address strategies
for distributing seafood, finding domestic and international customers
for the catch, packaging and shipping seafood products, the basics
of business planning, and other important topics. Based on an
earlier edition, the Alaska Fisherman's Direct Marketing Manual,
this book has updated information and a much wider geographic
focus, for fishermen in Washington, Oregon, and California. Published
by the Alaska Marine Advisory Program, with Alaska, Oregon, and
Washington Sea Grant programs.
Click
here for more information
International Pacific Halibut
Commision Completes 2005 Annual Meeting
Click
here for more information
NMFS Privacy Act System of Records,
Permits and Regis. for Fisheries EEZ off AK
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-4109.htm
Skinner Memorial Award 2005
Call for Applications
The John E. Skinner Memorial Fund
was established in memory of John Skinner, former Chapter and
Western Division American Fisheries Society President. The
fund provides monetary travel awards for deserving graduate students
or exceptional undergraduate students to attend the American Fisheries
Society (AFS) annual meeting. The 2005 meeting will be held
inAnchorage, Alaskafrom September 11-15.
Any student who is active in fisheries
or related aquatic disciplines is eligible to apply. Awardees
are chosen by a committee of the AFS Education Section.
Selection is based on academic qualifications, professional service,
and reasons for attending the meeting. Travel support not
to exceed $600 per award will be made available to successful
applicants. Award winners will also receive a one year paid
membership to the American Fisheries Society.
Applications are available via the
AFS web site (www.fisheries.org)AFS
campus representative, or contact:
Dr. Steven R.Chipps
NPBL 2140B
USGSSouth DakotaCooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
605.688.6121
E-mail: steve_chipps@sdstate.edu
Completed applications must be received by May 6, 2005.
FISH BOARD PROPOSAL DEADLINE
APPROACHING
Interested parties have less than three weeks to submit proposals
for changes to commercial, subsistence, personal use, sport and
guided sport fishing regulations to the Board of Fisheries for
consideration at its 2005-2006 meetings beginning this fall.
Friday, April 8 at 5 p.m. is the submissions deadline and proposals
must be received at Board Support Offices, not merely postmarked
by that date.
Proposal forms and more information about submitting proposals,
including addresses and fax numbers are available at the board's
website: "http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/index.php"
The board will consider proposals for the Prince William Sound,
Southeast and Yakutat management areas and for statewide Dungeness
crab, shrimp and miscellaneous shellfish fisheries. A draft meeting
schedule, including dates and locations, will be published in
May.
A $100,000 budget increase requested by Gov. Frank Murkowski for
the Boards of Fisheries & Game would allow them to again meet
in regional centers other than Anchorage Fairbanks and Juneau
beginning this fall.
Neither the House nor Senate has completed action on the fiscal
2006 budget
to date.
NPFMC community protections
options for the rationalization of groundfish in the North Gulf,
items currently in analysis.
Click
here for motion
Visit
the NPFMC website
Ecotrust Canada
Canada- U.S study finds
fisheries privatization hurting B.C. First Nations and coastal
communities
Read
Summary
Visit
Ecotrust Canada website
NOAA Fisheries Service - Alaska
– 2005-2006 Groundfish Regulations Finalized
NOAA Fisheries Service has published
final 2005 and 2006 harvest specifications, reserves and apportionments,
Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits, and associated
management measures for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of
Alaska. Final harvest specifications and prohibited species catch
allowances for the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area have also been published.
The 2005 and 2006 management measures
are effective through December 31, 2006. Copies of the final regulations
and supporting documents are available at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov.
For more information on the Gulf
of Alaska regulations, please contact Tom.Pearson@noaa.gov.
For more information on regulations
for the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands, contact Mary.Furuness@noaa.gov.
Help Wanted - ADF&G Commissioner
position reposted.
Anchorage Daily News Classified
Ads: Employment: Professional
The State of Alaska is recruiting
for Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game. The department's
mission is to manage, protect, rehabilitate, enhance & develop
fish & wildlife resources in the interest of the economy and general
well-being of the state. The candidate shall be a qualified executive
with knowledge of the requirements for protection, management,
conservation & restoration of the fish & wildlife resources of
the state. Applicants should provide a letter of interest, curriculum
vitae with statement of resource management philosophy, a statement
of personnel management philosophy & phone numbers & email addresses
of three professional references.
Application materials must be submitted
no later than 5 pm, February 11, 2005, to: Diana Cote, Executive
Director Alaska Department of Fish and Game P.O. Box 25526, Juneau,
AK 99802 Diana_Cote@fishgame.state.ak.us
. Fax: 907-465-6094 Questions may be referred to Diana Cote at
the above email address, or at (907) 465-4110.
DCED posts Regional Seafood
Development Association regs.
The Department of Commerce, Community
& Economic Development is announcing that the Regional Seafood
Development Association regulations guiding the application process
will be effective February 24, 2005. Prior to the effective date,
the Department will be initiating the Application Development
Period. If an organization or person is considering applying as
a Regional Seafood Development Association, that organization/individual
is encouraged to provide written notice of the intent.
Please visit the Department web site
at: http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/seafood/rsda_home.htm
to find out what is requested under the Application Development
Period.
Once the regulations are effective,
the Department will be accepting applications to determine the
associations.
If you have any questions, email
or call Glenn Haight at 907-465-5464.
NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council
NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council have completed the Preliminary Final Environmental
Impact Statement for Essential Fish Habitat Identification and
Conservation in Alaska (EFH EIS). The document evaluates alternatives
for three actions: describing and identifying EFH, adopting an
approach to identify Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, and
minimizing the adverse effects of fishing on EFH.
In preparation for final Council
action at the February 2005 meeting, NMFS is distributing hard
copies of several key sections of the EIS, plus a compact disk
with the entire document, including appendices. The hard copy
excerpts include the Executive Summary, Section 4.3.7 (which evaluates
the consequences of Alternative 5B, including the options recently
added by the Council), Section 4.5 (the summary and conclusions
from the Environmental Consequences chapter), Appendix B (the
revised evaluation of the effects of fishing on EFH), and Appendix
L (response to public comments). We are sending this material
to all Council members as well as the Advisory Panel and Scientific
and Statistical Committee. We are also sending copies to a number
of stakeholders who have been actively following this issue. Other
interested parties may obtain the documents via the Alaska Region’s
web site at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/habitat/seis/efheis.htm.
At the February Council meeting we
will provide an overview of the EFH EIS with an emphasis on changes
made since the draft EIS was released last year. We anticipate
that the Council will select its preferred alternative for each
of the three actions. We will then revise the document accordingly
and prepare it for publication.
Any questions regarding the EFH EIS
should be directed to Jon Kurland, Assistant Regional Administrator
for Habitat Conservation, at 907-586-7638 or jon.kurland@noaa.gov.
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