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The 2010 season is directly upon us and everyone is itching to get started – boats are serviced, tackle maintained and replaced, and best of all, early catch reports tell us that Chinook salmon have been both plentiful and large. We wish everyone a fun filled and safe season. Special Appeal to Guides and Lodge Owners - Your assistance is requested. In this Newsletter
We want to hear from you -Thanks for taking the time to read through our monthly newsletters. SEAGO works hard to keep you up-to-date on key issues affecting charter and lodge owners. As always, we sincerely appreciate your feedback and comments. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to other interested parties or email John Blair, john@seagoalaska.org, to be added to our mailing list.
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Moratorium Rules Change to Angler Endorsement Calculation - Changes to the Limited Entry (Moratorium) Program. The North Pacific Fisheries Management Council voted 10-0 in favor of a change to the Limited Entry Permit (moratorium) program which changes the way that angler endorsements will be calculated. This was the least restrictive of the options, plus based on our pre-meeting conference and in-meeting testimony, the Council took our recommendations into account as well:
Unfortunately moratorium issues still remain open. Several members spoke out on the following items:
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 SEAGO continues work on the Southeast Alaska Economic Recovery (SEAKER) 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. We recently gained support from congressional leaders and other stakeholders and positive momentum continues. 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. Information about the Catch Sharing Plan can be found here: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/halibut_issues/CHIPFinal_supp1008.pdf and Several key initiatives came from the Department during April including:
Tribute to Rob Bentz Continues – At the March BOF meeting, Director Swanton announced the retirement of Department veteran and Deputy Director, Rob Bentz to a standing ovation. Did you know that Rob started his fisheries career in Alaska working for the U.S. Forrest Service in Cordova in the late 1970’s after completing a two year stint with the Peace Corps in the Philippines? His first job with the ADF&G was as an assistant area management biologist with the Division of Sport Fish in the Palmer area office. For the last 11 years Rob has served as Deputy Director for the Division of Sport Fish and has been responsible for countless accomplishments (read improvements). All of us offer our thanks to Rob for a career’s worth of effort that will benefit us all well into the future. You can contact Rob at rob.bentz@alaska.gov , 907-465-6187 to offer your thanks. Our thanks go to Charlie Swanton for helping to prepare this information.
SEAGO testified on behalf of Webster and Kluberton and both were approved by the Alaska legislature.
On April 16th and 17th, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) held a Saltwater Anglers Recreational Fishing Summit in Arlington, VA. SEAGO was among the nationally recognized recreational saltwater fishing groups invited to participate. Both Jane Lubchenco, NOAA chief, and Eric Schwab, the new head of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), acknowledged the need for fundamental changes in the allocation and management of marine resources to be made as soon as possible. A transcript of both of their comments is here: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/PartnershipsCommunications/recfish/RecFishSummit2010.htm Time will tell how well they follow through on their commitment to give a higher priority to recreational fishing needs. The presentations made at the summit can be found at this website: http://consensus.fsu.edu/Saltwater-Recreational-Fishing/index.html In particular please refer to
– 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.
SEAGO had a successful record this year preserving your rights at the Board of Fisheries & North Council, within the Alaska legislature, and in Washington DC. We kept you up-to-date with our plans and results through our ongoing communications, (http://www.seagoalaska.org/who_news.html) and we’re sure you would agree we won more battles than we lost.
If we ever hope to undo the worst components of the upcoming catch share plan, find solutions to growing concerns over rockfish, and counter the ever-present challenges from our comfish counterparts, this is the year. Halibut issues have forced us to extend our reach to Washington DC legislators and to spend more time with the North Council, and major changes at the Board of Fisheries need to be addressed, all of which take much more time and money than before. Your membership fees are the engine that fuels this effort. It only takes a minute to donate online now: http://www.seagoalaska.org/join_signup.html Thank you in advance for your continued support.
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: Parnell Announces Board of Fisheries Appointments: http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5315 Good fish prices for commercial fishermen - big swings for halibut have steadied from the inflated first of the season highs that topped $6 a pound, to settle most recently into the $4 - $4.50 range, sablefish (black cod) is seeing strong landings with prices ranging between $5 - $6 per pound, depending on fish size, and Winter trollers in Southeast Alaska are seeing strong catches for king salmon, with prices dropping a bit to around $7.37 a pound - http://www.thedutchharborfisherman.com/article/1016feds_accepting_public_input_on_ocean_fish Mayor of Kodiak cites harm caused by Catch Shares in Alaska - asks for hearings before new policy is implemented - http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=8710 Push for catch share delay picks up steam - A recently organized New England anti-catch share petition intended for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce is picking up steam with support from a crewmen's association in Alaska that's lived through catch shares' consolidation and job loss and has reached across the country to form an alliance against the regulatory scheme. - http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/x1687717192/Push-for-catch-share-delay-picks-up-steam and more urging boycott of NOAA forum– Lawmakers demand higher fish catch limits - New England's congressional delegation Thursday went over the heads of NOAA officials and appealed directly to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. Ten senators and 13 members of the House informed Locke that he, as secretary, has the legal authority to impose emergency rules changes without running afoul of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. – three stories here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2010/04/22/lawmakers_push_for_fishing_limits_expansion/
Sting operation nets Southeast charter operator - A Southeast charter operator has been charged with f a game violation in connection with an undercover sting operation last fall - http://www.adn.com/2010/04/20/1242120/sting-operation-nets-southeast.html Seafood processor agrees to $570,000 EPA civil penalty - http://www.adn.com/2010/04/19/1240612/seafood-processor-agrees-to-570k.html#ixzz0llTy3pBk What happened to the halibut? - In the Gulf of Alaska, approximately 80% of halibut bycatch is trawl caught and approximately 60% of GOA total halibut bycatch are U32 (under 32 inch) - http://tholepin.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-happened-to-halibut-dad.html For tradition-rich halibut fisherman, the future looks prosperous - "From Florida to Alaska, catch-share programs help fishing communities provide good jobs while rebuilding and sustaining healthy fisheries," said Jane Lubchenco, a U.S. Commerce Department undersecretary. - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011494392_halibut1m.html Columbia River spring chinook salmon run appears big - A huge run of 470,000 upper Columbia spring chinook is predicted to enter the river in 2010, but projections of the run have been far off the mark in recent years. - http://www.tdn.com/lifestyles/article_0e1bed5a-4e5f-11df-adad-001cc4c03286.html Fish allocations seen opening door to lawsuit in New England - http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_091225631.html B.C. fish-farming company charged with unlawful possession of wild salmon, herring - http://www.timescolonist.com/news/fish+farming+company+charged+with+unlawful+possession+wild+salmon+herring/2932732/story.html Herring prices too low for fishermen - complaints of low prices have so far kept Kodiak fishermen at home - http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=8703 Fish managers might see more control over Yukon River king salmon - http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/6937326/article-Fish-managers-might-see-more-control-over-Yukon-River-king-salmon?instance=home_news_window_left_top_2 Fed lawmakers must put legislative clamps on runaway NOAA push - could put as many as half of the New England’s current commercial fishermen out of business. - http://www.gloucestertimes.com/puopinion/local_story_095221940.html?keyword=topstory Wild salmon sales boosted - Wild Alaska salmon faces stiff competition from farmed fish, delivered fresh to markets year round - http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/040510_fish_factor.html Kluberton awaits confirmation to fish board –Former Assembly member to replace Delo - http://www.adn.com/2010/04/06/1214903/appointee-awaits-confirmation.html#ixzz0kQPlR6wg King salmon sport fishery on Kodiak Island river is set to be closed completely this year - listen to NPR interview of ADF&G scientists- http://www.kmxt.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1697&Item=2 NOAA launches aquaculture plan, economic incentives – Administration reintroduces to the nation the rough outlines of an offshore ocean aquaculture policy dating back more than a decade - http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_097223744.html Administration signs safeguard for the 5.6 million acre tract known as the North Aleutian Basin, and offering protection until 2017 - http://www.adn.com/2010/04/07/1216538/obama-makes-right-call-on-bristol.html#ixzz0kZ3rtmJt 2009 Kodiak commercial salmon catch had a value of $35 million. - http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region4/finfish/salmon/kodiak/09kodseasum.pdf Officials hail NOAA fisheries cop's ouster - The chief of law enforcement for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was removed from his job after allegations of document shredding during an investigation by the Commerce Department's inspector general - http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100409/NEWS/4090315/-1/news State Seeks Intervention in Cook Inlet Salmon Dispute - Department of Law has moved to intervene in federal litigation to ensure that the State of Alaska can continue to manage its fishing resources. - http://www.sitnews.us/0410news/040710/040710_dispute.html Washington State pays $768 for every salmon caught - http://www.king5.com/news/Audit-State-pays-768-for-every-salmon-caught-90534164.html State expects to ease salmon subsistence fishing on Yukon - Commercial fishing for Yukon River king salmon will likely be closed again this summer, but subsistence fishermen shouldn't face the severe restrictions- http://www.adn.com/2010/04/11/1221844/state-expects-to-ease-salmon-subsistence.html Fishing Policy Must Be Consistent - The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force and reports from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy have recommended taking a comprehensive approach to planning for the multiple uses of the ocean environment, including offshore aquaculture - http://www.rollcall.com/features/Energy-Environment_2010/energy_environment/44974-1.html Alaska fish boast best protein - Alaska pollock was by far the most digestible protein, followed by Alaska salmon from the first comparative study ever on digestibility of America's most popular proteins: http://www.adn.com/2010/04/10/1220608/alaska-fish-boast-best-protein.html#ixzz0kuLozYNp Officials cautious about West Coast salmon season - Council also gave tentative approval on Monday to an Oregon commercial and sport chinook season along the full coastline for the first time in two years. - http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14870005?nclick_check=1 Bill would strengthen Wild Salmon Stocks in Alaska - http://www.bignews.biz/?id=861922&keys=Senator-mark-Begich-Salmon and http://www.akbizmag.com/from-our-elected-officials/43-government-news/3257-salmon-stronghold-bill-heard-before-commerce-subcommittee-.html Water mismanagement is killing off our salmon fisheries - http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_14908008?nclick_check=1 Shrimpers pursue bounty in Prince William Sound - 155 commercial boats, hauling up to 20 pots apiece, were registered for the first Prince William Sound commercial shrimp fishery in 19 years. - http://www.adn.com/2010/04/15/1227991/shrimpers-pursue-bounty-in-prince.html#ixzz0lfoWEmAg Tourism Tax Reduction Welcomed - Recognizing the significant impact the decline in cruise ship travel has on Alaska jobs and Alaska businesses, Governor Parnell introduced legislation that sends a clear message to cruise passengers and the industry that Alaska welcomes visitors. - http://www.sitnews.us/0410news/042010/042010_tourism_tax.html Three-quarters of the world's oceans overfished - or fished right up to their limits and 18 out of the 98 fish stocks assessed by the federal government considered as ''overfished'' or ''subject to overfishing'' - http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/catch-2010-if-you-love-it-leave-it-20100417-slhr.html Intersex fish, found across the US - More than 80% of the male bass fish in Washington's major river are now exhibiting female traits such as egg production - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/21/toxic-stew-chemicals-fish-eggs Both sides of Pebble speak out in Anchorage instead of London - http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=12361580 Protecting our most productive fishery - President Obama recently announced a halt to offshore oil and gas leasing in Bristol Bay: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/26/2705729/protecting-our-most-productive.html#ixzz0mIUHbXrv Donlin mine moves toward reality - Imagine a huge open-pit mine is proposed in the headwaters of a major salmon stream in wild, Western Alaska. Development plans call for a sea of toxic waste to be stored behind a dam awaiting treatment - http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/news/5022-donlin-mine-moves-slowly-toward-reality Taku River system needs same protection as Bristol Bay - http://www.adn.com/2010/04/27/1253158/taku-river-system-needs-same-protection.html#ixzz0mQXK3Nkq Southeast Alaskans Investing in Future Generations - Sitka is doing something that a lot of fishing communities spend a lot of time talking about - investing directly in future generations of both fishermen and fish. http://www.sitnews.us/LaineWelch/042710_fish_factor.html NPFMC Won’t Consider Electronic Monitoring - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) were in Kodiak Thursday morning for a meeting on the restructuring of the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program. http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=8739 |
