Pink Salmon Disaster Relief Fund

Alaska has been allocated $56,361,332 in disaster relief funding for the 2016 Pink Salmon disaster in the Gulf of Alaska. This allocation is the largest of all fishery related disaster relief programs including those related to the 2017 hurricane season.

"NOAA Fisheries used commercial fishery revenue loss as the common metric to allocate funding among eligible disasters. In addition to revenue loss, the agency also took subsistence uses and long-term impacts to the fishery into account to further ensure an equitable distribution of funds."

To read the full press release from NMFS click here.

Sablefish Quota Update

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced that the 2018 NSEI Subdistrict commercial sablefish fishery individual equal quota share (EQS) will be 18.8% higher than that of 2017. Sablefish abundance is measured each year as part of a mark-recapture project. Data from this project are used to estimate abundance, biomass, and acceptable harvest rate.

The sablefish fishery experienced a large year class in 2014, which has been recruiting to the fishery resulting in improved abundance since 2016. "The 2014-year class is estimated to be higher than any other on record, however, there remains uncertainty due to the lack of older mature fish. The department will continue to closely monitor survey results, biological data, and recruitment and spawning biomass trends."

For the full newsletter from SEAFA click here.

China has proposed a 25% tariff on seafood imports from the U.S.

China has threatened a 25% tariff on all seafood imports from the U.S. U.S. seafood exports to China are worth about $1 billion dollars, and Alaska makes up more than $750 million of this. The tax is intended to begin next month.

Governor Walker is confident that Alaska's unique position in the trading arena leaves room for negotiation: "Alaska has abundant resources, from natural gas and seafood to beer and baby food," Walker said. "These resources enable our state to dramatically reduce the trade deficit between the United States and China, if we can finalize agreements to increase exports of our products."

For the full article from KTUU click here.

Caterer Magazine: Hook, Line, and Sinker

ALFA's own, Linda Behnken, was recently featured in Caterer magazine. In this Q & A style article, Linda speaks about what it is like to be a fisherman, woman, and mother.

In an industry that was initially wary of women, Linda managed to earn her spot, work her way up to owning her own boat, and bring her family along for the ride. For Linda's family fishing is a labor of love and definitely a family affair!

Click here to read the full article about how Linda balances hauling the highest quality seafood from Alaskan waters with advocacy/policy work and family life.

Images courtesy of Linda Behnken

We must act to protect the health and future of our oceans

This article from The Hill highlights leadership on climate change from Alaska's Don Young, the degrading health of our ocean, the resources it provides us, and how we can protect it moving forward.

You can thank the ocean for every other breath of fresh air you take! The ocean is an incredible resource that not only provides us with oxygen, but food, livelihoods, and ecological stability.

The ecological and economic stability that the ocean provides is threatened by a changing climate and ocean acidification. Clams and oysters in New England are dissolving, the infamous Maine lobsters are leaving Maine, and Alaskan red king crab may face devastating impacts.

Bonamici and Young are calling on the public to mobilize and protect our oceans. To find out how they are fighting to protect the health and future of our oceans, read the full article here.

"regardless of where we live or our political party, we must remain committed to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean resources."

2018 ALFA Seafood Raffle Tickets on Sale

The annual Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association Fish Raffle tickets are now on sale.  Call 907-747-3400 to buy a ticket for $10 and enter for your chance to win 10 pounds of locally caught halibut, black cod, rockfish and king salmon.  Local processors fillet, freeze and vacuum-pack the fish to tuck into your freezer or send to a friend.  Winning tickets come with free FedEx shipping to any U.S. address.  There will be five winning tickets out of a total of 750 tickets.  You can buy tickets from ALFA board members, or by contacting the ALFA office.  The winning tickets will be drawn on November 4, 2018 and you need not be present to win.

Debate Concerning Catch Limits Creates a Divide in the Fishing Industry

ALFA Members,

NOAA recently released their annual stock status document, which stated that the number of overfished stocks in the U.S. are at an all time low. According to NOAA fisheries, overfished is when a specie's population has become too small for harvest. Compared to overfishing, which occurs when the rate of catch is too high. NOAA's annual report found 35 of 235 stocks to be overfish. This is the lowest number since 2000.

This report sparked a debate among fishermen concerning fishery regulations and sources that should be used to inform management decisions, such as peer-reviewed science. Many conservation groups and commercial fishing industry members argue that this will undermine all rebuilding and management efforts. On the other hand, sport fishermen are arguing that they are unfairly managed in conjunction with commercial fishermen and the regulations need to be updated.

ALFA's own Linda Behnken was featured in this article stating her opposition to curbing science-based management. Linda shared that, 

“Conservation management becomes moot if the recreational sector is exempted from annual catch limits, or if alternative methods of assessing fish stocks are adopted instead of the current science-based approach.”

— Linda Behnken

The reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act will be a major deciding factor in this debate. To help sustain our fisheries and support a continuing legacy of science-based fishery management, click here to sign a letter supporting the Act and share your thoughts with Senator Sullivan.

The full news article by Adam Allington can be found here.

Banner image courtesy of Alyssa Russell

NPFMC Meeting, June 4-11

ALFA Members,

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is meeting in Kodiak, AK this week (June 4-11). The NPFMC regularly holds meetings in Anchorage, as a result council meetings held in rural locations are important opportunities for community participation in the policy arena. Important topics concerning fishery policy, stock health, ecological sustainability, social issues, catch limits, and management schemes are often discussed at these meetings. These meetings also bring together Council members and community members fostering invaluable interactions and information sharing. During this particular meeting, stakeholders and community members will have a chance to comment on the the sablefish and halibut IFQ program and the role of fishing families in Alaska's communities. The full council agenda can be found here. The following events in particular allow communities to share their fishing stories, opinions and concerns.

Fishing Families Workshop - Monday, June 4, 5:15-7:15 p.m., Kodiak Convention Center

Hosted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Discussion focusing on interactions of fishing families and changing regulations, environments, and socioeconomic conditions in Alaska’s fisheries and fishing communities. 

Informal Charter Meeting - Monday, June 4, 7-9 p.m., Fishermen's Hall

Hosted by Andy Mezirow of the NPFMC, Kurt Iverson with the Regional National Marine Fisheries Service Recreational Sector, and Tyler Polum ADF&G sport fish area biologist. Status update on charter-related issues in the NPFMC process, expectations for charter halibut harvest over the next few years, process overview for charter halibut recommendations each fall, and discussion on Kodiak Charter operators future engagement. Potential discussion on Halibut Charter annual reporting requirements for CQE’s.

IFQ Outreach Session – Tuesday, June 5, 5-6:30 p.m., Kodiak Convention Center

Hosted by The Council

Public outreach session with open forum for stakeholders to give insight on the present state of the halibut and sablefish IFQ Program and provide direction for future actions that might be considered by the Council and its IFQ Committee. The Council is particularly seeking input on issues related to entry-level opportunities and rural participation in the fishery.

Community Reception – Wednesday, June 6, 6 p.m., Afognak Native Corporation Building on Near Island

Open to the public. Enjoy local seafood and commemorate Chairman Hull’s last meeting on the Council. 

The Council meeting begins June 6 and the Council will convene for the entire meeting at the Kodiak Convention Center downtown. The meeting starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. each day

Council Meeting Agenda Highlights:

Turning of the Tide report presentation by Dr. Courtney Carothers and AMCC’s Dr. Rachel Donkersloot – Wednesday, June 6

The report is a review of programs and policies to address access challenges in Alaska fisheries. 

 

Tanner Crab, Gulf of Alaska groundfish effort and observe data – Sunday, June 10

The Council will be reviewing a discussion paper in regards to federal groundfish fishing effort and observer coverage in important Tanner crab habitat areas previously identified by a local knowledge mapping project on the east side of Kodiak Island. A segment of the identified areas was approved for 100 percent observer coverage in 2010 for a period of time before the implementation of the restructured program. The action was never implemented due to timing issues. The Council will consider potential next steps.

Community Engagement – Monday, June 11

The Council will have a discussion considering the formation of a community engagement and outreach committee structured to foster two-way dialog with rural communities and Native communities.

Please share...

To all those ALFA members, Kodiak residents, and others who are interested in attending, we encourage you to go to any of these events. Please help spread the word to your friends and neighbors by sharing and forwarding this email.

Join ALFA to gain access to our 2018 bathymetric maps

By signing up to be an ALFA member and joining our Fishery Conservation Network, you can gain access to our incredible bathymetric maps, which are now more intricate than ever. Take your fishing to the next level this season with our best maps yet. 

This year's maps are the most intricate yet- the red lines show member data. 

How does it work? 

FCN members share their data with ALFA at the end of each season and we combine the files into one database that provides enhanced maps back to fishermen. These maps help fishermen catch their target species efficiently while controlling catch of non-target species (bycatch), such as rockfish, and avoid the high relief terrain that host sensitive benthic species, such as corals and sponge, which are a critical part of the ecosystem. This prevents overharvest of long-lived and tightly managed rockfish species, protects important habitats, and makes our small boat fishermen more competitive.

By sharing their fishing spots, catch data, and (in some cases) years of accumulated information with one another, participating FCN fishermen collectively benefit from more efficient fishing. The most recent release of bathymetric maps in 2018 has been the most detailed ever, boasting 140 million data points and maps that reveal previously hidden seafloor structure.

Sign up online here, by calling us at 907-747-3400, or by stopping by our office at 834 Lincoln Street.