Below please find a link to UFA’s newsletter, detailing updates on Coronavirus, including mandates, relief options, and observer coverage requirements.
https://mailchi.mp/ufa-fish/ufa-legislative-update-march-6-4090405?e=395d90f752
Tips for Managing Risk and Uncertainty in your Fishing Business
New publication from the FishBiz Project- Tips for Managing Risk and Uncertainty in your Fishing Business. Follow link for full article.
Summary of Sablefish Appointment Analysis
New Rockfish Retention and Marketing Requirements
IB 20-14: NMFS Notifies Operators of Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-line, Pot, or Jig Gear of New Rockfish Retention Requirements
February 27, 2020 - 1:30 p.m.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) notifies operators of catcher vessels (CVs) using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear of new rockfish retention requirements, effective March 23, 2020.
This action contains two main provisions: 1) requiring full retention and landing of rockfish by CVs using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear; and 2) limiting the amount of rockfish that can enter commerce. The first provision mandates that the operator of a CV required to have a federal fisheries permit using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear to retain and land all rockfish that are caught while fishing for groundfish or halibut in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the BSAI or GOA, even if the species of rockfish is closed to directed fishing or on prohibited species status.
The second provision implements a new method for limiting potential rockfish catch: the maximum commerce allowance (MCA). The MCA would limit the amount of rockfish allowed to enter commerce through barter, sale, or trade. Rockfish in excess of these limits could not be sold but could be kept for personal use, donated, processed into fishmeal, or discarded by processing plant personnel.
The MCA for rockfish is 15%, of which 5% can be yelloweye rockfish in all areas, except the Southeast Outside District of the GOA (SEO). Current full retention requirements for demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) in the SEO remain unchanged. To aid the reader in understanding how the MCA works, here is an example:
A CV operator retains all rockfish during an IFQ halibut trip in the Central GOA and delivers 1,000 pounds of halibut and 200 pounds of various rockfish species, of which 50 pounds is yelloweye rockfish. The MCA for rockfish is 150 pounds (1,000 * 0.15). The MCA for yelloweye rockfish is 50 pounds (1,000 * 0.05). The CV operator could sell all yelloweye rockfish and 100 pounds of other rockfish species. Fifty pounds of rockfish could not enter commerce but could be kept for personal use, donated, processed into fishmeal, or discarded by processing plant personnel.
More information can be found here. For any questions regarding this bulletin please feel free to contact Josh Keaton at (907) 586-7519 or josh.keaton@noaa.gov.
Senator Murkowski Visits ALFA Office
On February 20, Senator Murkowski met with Executive Director Linda Behnken and ALFA members at our office in Sitka, AK. During this meeting, Senator Murkowski and members had a productive discussion on current issues facing fishermen and Alaska, including- Restoring VHF Coverage to SE, the Sitka boatyard haul out, the Roadless Rule and related climate change issues, Halibut management and bycatch, the Young Fishermen's Development Act, and AIS use on commercial fishing gear.
Thank you to Senator Murkowski and all ALFA members who attended!
Global Warming is Speeding up Earth's Massive Ocean Currents
By Paul Voosen Feb. 5, 2020 , 2:00 PM
The oceans’ great continent-wrapping currents, each one moving as much water as all the world’s rivers combined, can rightly be considered the planet’s circulatory system. And this circulation, it appears, has started to thump faster: For nearly 25 years the currents have been rapidly speeding up, partly because of global warming.
APPLY NOW! Crew Training Program Application Period for 2020 Season is Open.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12th 2020
Contact: Tara Racine, ALFA, 907-747-3400, alfa.outreach@gmail.com
Local Fishing Group Seeks Applicants for Crew Training Program
The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), a Sitka-based fishing group, is seeking applicants for its Crew Training Program. Through a safe and well-guided entry level experience, the program aims to provide young people an opportunity to gain experience in, as well as an understanding of, commercial fishing and its importance to supporting coastal communities.
ALFA is thrilled to announce the expansion of our Crew Training Program for the 2020 season. Formalized as part of ALFA’s Young Fishermen Initiative in 2015, in late 2017 ALFA was awarded a $142,000 national grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to increase more deckhands statewide. In 2019 ALFA was awarded several additional grants to support this program from groups including the Edgerton Foundation, the City and Borough of Sitka, the Alaska Community Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. ALFA is very grateful for the support of these organizations and from our community. According to NFWF, “the work funded by these grants will result in improved management that strengthens the welfare of fishermen and local communities, promoting healthy fish stocks and healthy fisheries.”
Last year the program had over 110 local, national, and international applicants, but ALFA continues to put an emphasis on building economic opportunities in southeast Alaska. Annually about 10-15 deckhand finalists are hired by participating skippers and make it onto the water. ALFA continues to strive for an increase in the number of participating trained deckhands, skippers, and fishing vessels each year. As Executive Director of ALFA, Linda Behnken explains, “With support from NFWF, we plan to expand the program to include more boats, crew, and communities.”
Lea LeGardeur, a crew alumni of the training program, says of her experience in the program: “Beyond giving me an entry point into an industry that I otherwise would have had a harder getting into…the skippers in the program all wanted to teach, and sign up to take greenhorns so they could pass on what they know.” Linda Behnken further explains, “Giving young people an introduction to Alaska's commercial fisheries will help sustain our fishing communities and create the next generation of resource stewards.”
ALFA is seeking deckhand applicants to head out fishing this season. Crewmember application period is currently open and will close February 28th, 2020. Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Application information can be found at http://www.alfafish.org/crewtraining/.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12th 2020
Contact: Tara Racine, ALFA, 907-747-3400, alfa.outreach@gmail.com
Local Fishing Group Seeks Applicants for Crew Training Program
The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), a Sitka-based fishing group, is seeking applicants for its Crew Training Program. Through a safe and well-guided entry level experience, the program aims to provide young people an opportunity to gain experience in, as well as an understanding of, commercial fishing and its importance to supporting coastal communities.
ALFA is thrilled to announce the expansion of our Crew Training Program for the 2020 season. Formalized as part of ALFA’s Young Fishermen Initiative in 2015, in late 2017 ALFA was awarded a $142,000 national grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to increase more deckhands statewide. In 2019 ALFA was awarded several additional grants to support this program from groups including the Edgerton Foundation, the City and Borough of Sitka, the Alaska Community Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. ALFA is very grateful for the support of these organizations and from our community. According to NFWF, “the work funded by these grants will result in improved management that strengthens the welfare of fishermen and local communities, promoting healthy fish stocks and healthy fisheries.”
Last year the program had over 110 local, national, and international applicants, but ALFA continues to put an emphasis on building economic opportunities in southeast Alaska. Annually about 10-15 deckhand finalists are hired by participating skippers and make it onto the water. ALFA continues to strive for an increase in the number of participating trained deckhands, skippers, and fishing vessels each year. As Executive Director of ALFA, Linda Behnken explains, “With support from NFWF, we plan to expand the program to include more boats, crew, and communities.”
Lea LeGardeur, a crew alumni of the training program, says of her experience in the program: “Beyond giving me an entry point into an industry that I otherwise would have had a harder getting into…the skippers in the program all wanted to teach, and sign up to take greenhorns so they could pass on what they know.” Linda Behnken further explains, “Giving young people an introduction to Alaska's commercial fisheries will help sustain our fishing communities and create the next generation of resource stewards.”
ALFA is seeking deckhand applicants to head out fishing this season. Crewmember application period is currently open and will close February 28th, 2020. Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Application information can be found at http://www.alfafish.org/crewtraining/.
2020 Fishery Trends
Halibut Catch Limits and Season Dates Set
After a VERY contentious meeting with Canada, the IPHC Commissioners this morning set 2020 halibut season dates and mortality or catch limits. The Alaska area representatives, both charter and commercial, worked hard to arrive at a unanimous Alaska position that met area catch sharing plan minimums and salvaged fishing seasons to the extent supportable by the resource and the painful fixed allocations to Area 2A and 2B (70% fixed; 30% based on surveyed distribution). Huge thanks to the ALFA team for their leadership at the meeting!
IPHC Action February 6, 2020
Halibut season open dates: March 14-November 15th 2020
Catch limits:
2A 1.65 (no reduction per negotiated share)
2B 6.83 Mlbs (no reduction per negotiated historic share agreement)
2C 5.85 million pounds (8.3% reduction from 2019 levels)
3A 12.20 million pounds (10.3% reduction from 2019)
3B 3.12 million pounds (7.6% reduction from 2019)
4A 1.75 million pounds (9.7% reduction from 2019)
4B 1.31 million pounds (9% reduction from 2019)
4CDE 3.90 Mlbs (bycatch averaged over 3 years;FCEY of1.66; 2.5% reduction)
TOTAL 36.60 million pounds for an SPR 42%
Vote: 2 from US and 2 from Canada in favor
ALFA Comments on Humpback Whale Critical Habitat Proposed Rule
