June 5, 2009

In this Newsletter

  • SEAGO Membership Drive - We need your participation

  • Halibut Issues

  • Rockfish Conservation


SEAGO Membership Drive -Time to sign up or renew your membership!

As you complete those final start-of-the-season checklists, please remember to renew your membership or join SEAGO. And since there is strength in numbers, encourage your friends to join too!

Every day SEAGO takes care of business for you in the uphill battle against bad legislation, bad appointments, and bad regulations. Now we need your financial support to continue as a strong, unified voice as we work to ensure fair access to Alaska’s waters.  In recognition of the difficult economy, we have lowered our fees and created a flexible payment program for 2009.

Please click here now to join or to renew your membership.

We thank you in advance for your continued support of our organization.

 

Halibut Issues

Several items of note occurred over the past month including:

  1. In late May, the Charter Halibut Task force filed suit against the one halibut regulation.   In the first week of June, a federal judge declined a request for a preliminary injunction to delay its implementation so this matter will be decided at trial later this year.  As of June 5, the one halibut ruling went into effect.

  2. NMFS has proposed implementation of a Limited Access Program for Areas 2C and 3A, which would take effect in 2010.  Details of the program were read into the Federal Register in April.  SEAGO responded to a request for comments on June 5 [read the letter].  Our stance: we are in support of this initiative but have suggested several changes to the program as it is currently proposed.

  3. NPFMC has proposed implementation of a Charter Halibut Catch Sharing Plan next year that could have an extremely negative impact on sportfishers. In the upcoming months SEAGO will be preparing a response to this poorly crafted regulatory change.  Your input is much appreciated.

Finally, SEAGO believes that an overall halibut strategy for sportfishing needs to be developed. Our current approach isn’t working.  We have little representation in the governing councils, our industry is relying on high risk/ high cost actions, (which are unsustainable in the long term), and we all face a real challenge to maintain health of the fishery.   In the upcoming months we will develop and publish a strategy for long term viability of our industry’s participation in the halibut fishery.  Your ideas are very much appreciated.  Please contact John Blair at john@seagoalaska.org

 

Rockfish Conservation

Rockfish by-catch has been an issue for some time in our industry. Currently ADF&G assumes 100% mortality of all fish that are released (once a limit has been retained). However, several studies in other areas (California, Oregon, Australia) have indicated that survival rates as high as 90%+ can be achieved via a deep release technique. ADF&G started a similar two year study last year to determine viability in the Alaska fishery. While no formal results have been published, preliminary observations have been positive. In an effort to reduce mortality and in anticipation of future implementation of rule changes, SEAGO members will be conducting informal tests of various release devices this summer. We want to be ready with recommended procedures and equipment as soon as possible. Please contact John Blair john@seagoalaska.org with your suggestions and ideas.

[back to top]

Thanks for your continued support!

SEAGO needs your help now.  Please contact John Blair john@seagoalaska.org or call him at 925-366-6638 and ask how you can help with your time and money.  Or, go to www.seagoalaska.org/join.html.  

Please feel free to forward this newsletter on to other interested parties or email John to be added to our mailing list.