Halibut Issues

1. Governor Parnell Nominates Two Commercial Fishing People to the North Council – The eleven person panel has long been dominated by commercial fishing interests with currently ten of the members having a commercial fishing focus. SEAGO wrote to the Governor on behalf of Ben Ellis but instead he nominated two commercial fishing people, Duncan Fields of Kodiak and James Hubbard of Seward – see press release here:  http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5294 . These nominees still need final approval by the Department of Commerce.

2. Moratorium Rules Change to Angler Endorsement Calculation - At its February meeting in Portland, The North Pacific Fisheries Management Council threatened to change the Moratorium program as it is currently approved. At risk is the way the “angler endorsement” calculation is determined. In an extraordinary action, the Council intends to conduct an initial review and final action at its April Meeting.
   
   Then late on March 26th, with no notification, they posted a 45 page document spelling out the alternatives under consideration. SEAGO alerted industry members through a News Flash urging everyone to comment on the proposal. SEAGO urged that no action be taken. See our letter. In addition we will attend the April meeting in Anchorage to speak out in opposition

3. Moratorium Permit Application Process – SEAGO provided ongoing information and notification about this program over the past few months – See our news flash on March 25, here: http://www.seagoalaska.org/newsletters/2010-03-25_special_email.html . Please note that the application period is February 4 - April 5, 2010 and late applications will be denied. Additional application information can be found here and here. Enforcement of the Moratorium has been delayed until 2011, see announcement at http://www.seagoalaska.org/newsletters/2009-12-08_special_email.html.

4. Buy/Sell your Moratorium Permits Here! – The FREE buy/sell information exchange is very active. Check it out here: http://www.seagoalaska.org/bboard/bboard_index.asp Guides and lodge owners needing to purchase or sell transferrable permits can post their requirements on this easy-to-use bulletin board. See our announcement here: http://www.seagoalaska.org/newsletters/2010-03-01-buy-sell-exchange.html

5. SEAGO continues work on its Halibut Management Plan – In January, we announced a two part plan designed to address both short term 2010 issues and longer term initiatives designed to improve implementation of the catch sharing plan. For more detail, see our announcement here. We continue to solicit broad industry support and input for our long term SEAKER program through small group meetings and will report ongoing progress in upcoming newsletters and special reports. For a more detail explanation and to provide your input, please contact John Blair directly, john@seagoalaska.org

Catch Sharing General information– In a recent communication, NMFS has indicated a potential revised implementation date of 2012 for this program.

The catch sharing plan, if implemented the way it is currently written will have a profound negative economic impact on communities throughout Southeast Alaska where we live and work. SEAGO Board members and management have conducted ongoing discussions with NPFMC representatives and it appears that there is very little motivation to change any details. While catch share plans are the stated tool for fisheries management being promoted nationally by NOAA, we believe that a “commercial fishing oriented management plan” does not fit well with our sport fishing business models.  As a result SEAGO believes the catch sharing plan can be improved to benefit of all involved and would like to see changes in the plan and additional fisheries management tools implemented. We have taken a pragmatic approach and developed recommendations for improvement here.

Information about the Catch Sharing Plan can be found here:

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut_issues/CHIPFinal_supp1008.pdf  and
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut_issues/HalibutCSPmotion1008.pdf

 

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Alaska Department of Fish & Game Updates

Several key initiatives came from the Department during March including:

1. Announcement of 2010 sport bag limits for Chinook, rockfish, and PST treaty related commercial fishing quotas:

   • Sport Chinook bag limits announced - http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/EONR/PDFs/2010/R1/2_EO-01-KS-R-02-10%28F%29.pdf

   • Sport rockfish bag limits announced - http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/EONR/PDFs/2010/R1/1_EO-01-RF-R-01-10.pdf

   • Commercial Chinook quotas - http://documents.cf1.adfg.state.ak.us/AdfgDocument.po?DOCUMENT=21975

2. Long time Deputy Director Rob Bentz to retire.  At the March BOF meeting, Sport Director Swanton announced the retirement of Department veteran and Deputy Director, Rob Bentz to a standing ovation. On a personal note, this writer can say that Rob has been a very valuable coach over the past two years. I will be forever grateful for his generous outreach and guidance. More information on celebration events will be posted in the upcoming months.
   

3. Strategic Plan updated - The Department published their updated strategic plan for sportfishing here: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/strat_plan/PDFs/StrategicPlan2010Final.pdf . SEAGO provided input to this valuable document last summer.

 

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Board of Fisheries Update

SEAGO attended the eight day statewide Board of Fisheries meeting promoting our recommendations giving public testimony.  We prevailed on 100% of the 24 proposals we commented upon. The Board voted our way on every one of our recommendations.

A full list of proposals is here:

http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/2009-2010/state-props.pdf  and the results are here: - http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetsum/2009-2010/statewide-finfish-2010.pdf

The two notable Southeast issues were black cod and electric reels. We testified against statewide bag limits for sport catch of sablefish and none were approved. In addition, similar issues with dogfish and rockfish resulted in precedent setting votes indicating that arbitrary catch limits should not be established when no sustainability issues or catch data are provided. Unfortunately that still leaves the existing Southeast regulations in place until we can get them changed at the next regional BOF cycle.

The ban on electric reels was defeated plus the new definition was approved according to our specifications. We owe a big word of thanks to Captain Al Cain, ADF&G Head of Enforcement for his assistance in making the definition understandable and enforceable once implemented.

Also of note:

• A proposal to close the commercial Dungeness crab summer fishery was adopted. This action reverses a proposal from last year.

• Alaska became the first state in the country to ban felt soles on waders. This action was taken to help prevent the spread of dangerous viruses and non-native species.

• The Board of Fish updated the definition of “Subsistence way of Life” resulting from a court ruling and then they voted to retain the Chitina dipnet fishery as personal use.

Finally, this month Janet Woods tendered her resignation on the Board.  http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5309 SEAGO had written to the Governor regarding issues with her attendance.

 

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Alaska Legislature Update

The legislature will take up confirmation hearings on Board of Fish nominees Webster and Kluberton. See announcement here: http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5315

In addition, several bills are tracking thru the legislature as follows:

HB-41	BOARD OF FISHERIES CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
HB-246/SB-294	NO REPEAL OF SPORT FISH GUIDE LICENSING
HB-117/SB-137	BOARD OF FISHERIES MEETING LOCATION
HB-242	BRISTOL BAY: FISHERIES; MINING
HB-266	PERSONAL USE FISHING PRIORITY
SB-268	MANAGEMENT OF SALMON STOCKS AND FISHERIES
HB-216	BAN ON ELECTRIC REELS
HB-341/SB-275	AQUATIC FARMING
HB-198	ACCESS TO FISHING WATERWAYS

More information on each of these bills can be found here: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_title_search.asp?searchoption=bills&search=fish

SEAGO will testify as necessary on these various initiatives. During the month of March we testified on behalf of HB-246/SB-294 (sport fish logbook program) recommending continuation of funding for the very important program.

 

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SEAGO Participates in Pacific Salmon Treaty Mitigation Fund Utilization

As a result of the 2008 Pacific Salmon Treaty negotiations (treaty effective 2009-2018), mitigation money was promised to Alaska and Canada as part of the agreement.  $7.5 million in mitigation money for Alaska was approved as part of the FY2010 Federal budget.  A stakeholder panel was formed to make recommendations to the Governor’s Fish Cabinet regarding the best use of the money.  Details of this taskforce are presented in the posted document here.   The panel includes four commercial troller representatives, SEAGO President Tom Ohaus, SEAGO Vice-President Russell Thomas, one additional resident sport fishing representative, and a representative from SE Conference and another representative from the native communities.  The group began meeting in January and determined their recommendations would include money going to the following areas:  Enhancement, infrastructure development, marketing, and direct payments to the commercial troll fleet. 

$2.2 million will be spent region-wide on enhancements projects.  $1.3 million worth of projects has already been indentified and includes both Chinook and Coho projects throughout the region.  $900,000 is still available for “sport fish” enhancement projects.  Obviously enhancement benefits all user groups but this money is available for us to try to direct to projects that we think will have the most impact on the sport fishery.  We will be in consult with SEAGO members, other sport fishermen, and ADF&G to try and put a good list of ideas together for consideration.  Ultimately, the task force will need to approve the ideas before they are forwarded to the governor’s office but if they are solid there shouldn’t be any problems. 

In addition, there will be another $850,000 available for sportfishing infrastructure projects.  We will look for high-quality projects that target king salmon access (when possible) or other infrastructure projects that will improve the overall sport fishery.  These will be competitive grants that will be scored according to criteria that we outlined in today’s meeting.  The trollers have allocated another $1.8 million to their own set of infrastructure projects, as well as $300,000 to some consumer research, and $1.8 million that will be paid to trollers in direct mitigation.  Our benefit comes to about $1.4 million which is just slightly under 20% of the total. 

Please forward any project suggestions directly to John Blair, john@seagoalaska.org

 

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Save Alaska Sportfishing Campaign – SEAGO is building a coalition with sport anglers to make our combined voice more effective.  Hundreds of individual sportfishers from all over the world have already joined. More information about the program is here and http://www.seagoalaska.org/documents/SportfisherFlyer.pdf

We have developed a multipoint communication program to get your customers involved. It’s easy to implement (less than an hour of your time), doesn’t cost you anything, and angler feedback shows that it enhances your reputation with your clients. Please contact John Blair, john@seagoalaska.org  right away for details.

 

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SEAGO Membership - Your financial support is much appreciated!

Over the past year SEAGO has built a strong track record of accomplishment and promises to increase our effectiveness even more in 2010.

“I think all would agree that in addition to getting results we have proven to be dedicated, persistent, and most of all, respected for taking a professional approach to our problem solving” says John Blair, Executive Director. In a sentence, SEAGO speaks with the voice of reason.”

Please Sign Up Now - It is time consuming and very expensive to speak out on behalf of sportfishing and we need your financial contribution to continue. We fully understand the difficult economy and have created an installment payment plan, a 'pay what you can afford' approach, and more.   

• For detail information about our accomplishments, 2010 plans, and registration info, read the membership package, or
• If you already know all the great things SEAGO does to support guides and lodge owners, just open the registration form and instructions.
• Or sign-up by clicking on the button below:

SouthEast Alaska Guides Organization Dedication, Accomplishment, and the Voice of Reason

Investing a couple of minutes of your time now will ensure that you have a voice of reason representing you throughout the year. And because there is strength in numbers, ask a friend to join too!

Thanks in advance for your continued support of SEAGO. If you have any questions in advance, please contact John Blair at john@seagoalaska.org.

 

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News From Around the Web

SEAGO searches the Internet for articles that have relevance to Alaska sportfishing. Please forward any interesting articles you find to John Blair john@seagoalaska.org  and we will publish them in our next newsletter. Note that some of the links are time sensitive and may be non-functional by the time you receive this newsletter; we apologize in advance.

Finally, please understand that SEAGO does not necessarily agree the contents of any of these articles.  Here are some recent stories we found around the internet:
 
Russell Dunn announced as the NOAA Fisheries National Policy Advisor for Recreational Fisheries - http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100323_fisheries.html
Balsiger returns as Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries in Alaska - http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2010/balsiger032910.htm
Halibut opening a wild ride - Rocky start, with pent-up demand, bad weather, and prices soaring to all-time highs (>$6), then softening under pricing resistance. http://juneauempire.com/stories/033110/loc_598534091.shtml
Alaska Air tickets could now be costlier - fee may affect passengers flying on some round-trip tickets who decide mid-trip to change their return date -  http://www.adn.com/2010/03/26/1200682/change-in-alaska-air-return-tickets.html#ixzz0jbeyqLjx

ALFA- Alaska Longliners March Newsletter - Always good to see what the comfish people are doing. Among other things they oppose cameras onboard. http://www.alfafish.org/newsletters/March%202010%20Newsletter.pdf
NOAA proposes plan to cut Bering Sea salmon by-catch - http://fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?ndb=1&l=e&id=36006
Rule aims to limit accidental salmon catch - could be in place by next year limiting the number of king salmon accidentally caught in the huge Bering Sea pollock trawl fishery - http://www.juneaublogger.com/updates/?p=3503

Fisheries panel grills new NMFS chief over catch shares- http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_076223649.html?keyword=secondarystory
 
Paid Lobbyists in Juneau – Quite a list of commercial fishing promoters - http://deckboss.blogspot.com/2010/02/hired-help-in-juneau.html

2010 Sport Chinook Bag limits Announced - http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Static/EONR/PDFs/2010/R1/2_EO-01-KS-R-02-10%28F%29.pdf
Parnell Makes NPFMC Nominations – No surprise he nominated two commercial fishermen. - http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5294
Skimpy landings of season's first fresh halibut - http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/030610_fish_factor.html

Four North Council Seats for Natives only AK Senate Resolution? - http://deckboss.blogspot.com/2010/03/four-council-seats-for-natives-only.html

Fishermen push Congress for a better deal - Squeezed by tightened regulations, catch limits and a grinding economic downturn, recreational and commercial fishermen surprised members of Congress — and themselves — by coming together as a group and pressing for a better deal - http://www.app.com/article/20100228/NEWS/2280351/Following-a-successful-rally--fishermen-press-Congress-for-better-deal

If fisheries float your boat, speak up now – About catch sharing plan and AK congress-people views    http://www.adn.com/2010/02/27/1160692/if-fisheries-float-your-boat-speak.html

Schwaab, NOAA Administrator comments on Washington United We Fish rally - http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100224_schwaab.html

Bristol Bay plan aids mining, not habitat – http://www.adn.com/2010/03/05/1170190/bristol-bay-plan-aids-mining-not.html

Chief scientist makes £500,000 from fishery firm ‘jeopardizing’ sea life – By-catch concerns are gaining visibility - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/earth-environment/article7043938.ece

China preparing for Arctic melt commercial opportunities - http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/environment/2010-03-01-china-arctic-melt_N.htm?csp=34

U.S. oceans chief Jane Lubchenco sidestepped questions about her support for reducing the size of the New England fishing fleet - http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_061230433.html?keyword=topstory

Blistering Opinion Editorial on IFQ’s, DFO, Salmon restrictions, Fraser Sockeye - http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/Salmon+quota+topic/2636018/story.html

100 Percent of Fish in U.S. Streams Found Contaminated with Mercury - http://www.naturalnews.com/028284_fish_mercury.html

Call For Major Marine Fisheries Management Changes – from the CEO of Pure Fishing, Inc - http://www.purefishing.com/node/610

ADF&G announces sport lingcod and rockfish regulations: http://juneauempire.com/stories/041909/spo_430834881.shtml

Lawmakers Want NOAA's Law Enforcement Chief to Quit in Wake of Scandal - http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/03/04/04greenwire-lawmakers-want-noaas-law-enforcement-chief-to-61023.html

NOAA chief promises to review agency – Charges that NOAA has been too focused on fining New England fishermen while lax in its accounting methods - http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/03/03/noaa_chief_vows_to_conduct_review_of_agency/

Strong Columbia River Chinook run highlights 2010 salmon forecasts - http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=mar0210a

Marine Advisory Program faces cuts - http://juneauempire.com/stories/030510/loc_571149122.shtml

Growing low-oxygen zones in oceans worry scientists - in some spots off Washington state and Oregon, the almost complete absence of oxygen has left piles of Dungeness crab carcasses littering the ocean floor- http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/07/v-fullstory/1517134/growing-low-oxygen-zones-in-oceans.html

NOAA has invested $47.2 million in the groundfish industry's transition to sectors. March 7, 2010 http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_066225747.html?keyword=secondarystory

Sea lions killed for eating too many salmon - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100308/ap_on_re_us/us_sea_lion_death_warrants

Culled out - The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing some of the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters. - http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/saltwater/news/story?id=4975762

Fishing industry spews at NOAA - http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100309/NEWS/3090308

Congressional panel wades into 'catch share' debate - http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_069224540.html?keyword=secondarystory

Arctic seabed methane stores destabilizing, venting - http://www.physorg.com/news186920485.html

The Sham Recovery – The recession isn’t over according to Robert Reich - http://robertreich.org/post/443793999/the-sham-recovery

Rough weather tosses halibut prices higher than last year in Canada - http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Rough+weather+tosses+halibut+prices+higher+than+last+year/2692303/story.html

Catch share loan program held up in bottom of the bureaucratic in- box - http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/031610_fish_factor.html

$230 million fish freeway aims to save crops, salmon - http://californiawatch.org/watchblog/230-million-fish-freeway-aims-save-crops-salmon

Lawmakers request Pebble Mine study - http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=18&path=A/AK_XGR_PEBBLE_MINE

State reduces halibut seasons in Puget Sound - http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100325/SPORTS/703259975/1008/SPORTS02

Alaska appeals latest ruling in 1984 fishing license suit - http://www.adn.com/2010/03/24/1197688/state-appeals-latest-ruling-in.html

New way of fish farming could help fix environment - http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/fish+farming+could+help+environment/2722656/story.html

No international rescue for the bluefin tuna - http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2511417.ece/No_international_rescue_for_the_bluefin_tuna

Humboldt Squid Eating Salmon? - http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2010/03/30/News/Squid.Could.Upset.Salmon.In.Northwest-3896733.shtml

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