Subject: PSPA Online Update, Thursday, February 25, 2010
 
Alaska/Pacific Coast
 
Statement by Eric Schwaab, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, on Today’s “United We Fish”
Rally at Capitol Hill
NOAA FISHERIES, February 24, 2010
I am here today to listen to those who have come to rally Congress. I know the key to any successful fishery
management program is active involvement by commercial and recreational fishermen as well as other interested
stakeholders.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100224_schwaab.html
 
A quest at the center of the salmon universe
Mother Nature Network, February 23, 2010
Take a journey to Alaska's Bristol Bay, where a healthy ecosystem brims with wild salmon and rich tradition.
Imagine: A wild salmon nursery, brimming with life, waiting for the great migration out to sea.
 
Hatching Money Hatchery moves fry by the millions
JUNEAU EMPIRE, February 25, 2010
Like eaglets being pushed from the nest, salmon fry born at the local hatchery get their first taste of freedom this week.
http://juneauempire.com/stories/022510/loc_567525897.shtml
 
Researchers Issue Outlook for a Significant New England 'Red Tide' in 2010
NOAA FISHERIES, February 24, 2010
Seed Population on Seafloor Points to a large ‘Red Tide’; Impacts will Depend on Ocean Conditions and Weather
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100224_redtide.html
 
Pebble Limited Partnership Initiates US $73 Million Work Program for 2010
Northern Dynasty, February 25, 2010
February 25, 2010, Vancouver, BC -- Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX: NDM; NYSE Amex: NAK)
announces that the Pebble Limited Partnership ("PLP" or the "Pebble Partnership") Board of Directors has
approved program expenditures up to $72.9 million at the Pebble Project in 2010, with the goals of working
towards finalizing a Prefeasibility Study (PFS) and preparing the Pebble Project for permitting in 2011.
http://www.northerndynastyminerals.com/ndm/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=386596
 
Industry bids on 48,000 acres in Beaufort Sea lease sale
ADN, February 25, 2010
The state of Alaska has received oil and gas lease bids for 48,000 acres in near shore waters of the Beaufort Sea.
 
Alaska Air to install wireless Web link on most airplanes
ADN, February 24, 2010
SKY SURFING: Web service won't work over Canada.
 
Nonprofit health insurance extended to private employers
ADN, February 25, 2010
INSURANCE: Members can now participate in plan set up last year for nonprofits.
 
NOAA Fisheries - Bulletins:
29. NMFS Opens Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska.  
 28. NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska.  
 
 
International
 
Atlantic Canada's fishery and seafood industry featured at Vancouver Olympics

SEAFOD.COM NEWS [Canada News Center] - February 25, 2010 - Atlantic Canadian fish and seafood products took centre stage today in Vancouver as part of a federal initiative to promote the region's world-renowned industry to the world on Atlantic Canada Day at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Mr. John Furlong, CEO, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Mr. Shaun Majumder, Gemini Award winning Actor/Comedian were on-hand to showcase Atlantic Canadian seafood products to international and domestic media. Students from Nova Scotia Community College's Sobeys Culinary Centres (NS), the Culinary Arts Program at the New Brunswick Community College (NB), Holland College's Culinary Institute of Canada (PE), and College of the North Atlantic (NL) used their creativity and training to bring a taste of the East Coast to the West Coast. 'Promoting the Atlantic Canadian industry at the most prestigious sporting event in the world is a unique opportunity,' said Minister Ashfield. 'By seizing these opportunities to showcase the best that Atlantic Canada has to offer, we are opening doors for producers in the region. Visitors from around the world have been able to sample some of the very best Atlantic Canadian fish and seafood products as prepared by the Atlantic Canada House culinary team. This is an excellent venue for introducing these products to an international audience.' Earlier on Monday, Atlantic Canadian seafood was featured at the Global Business Leaders event in Vancouver. Hosted by the Government of Canada, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in association with the Financial Times, global business leaders, industry champions and Canadian government leaders gathered for a day-long conference that focused on the global economic outlook. Until February 28, visitors to the Atlantic Canada House pavilion in Vancouver can sample Atlantic Canadian culinary delights prepared and served by Atlantic Canadian culinary students and their instructors. All culinary samplings are free to the public. Atlantic Canada House is a pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Government of Canada, represented by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

 
 
 
Environment
 
Low-oxygen zones threaten Pacific Northwest
Energy & Environmental News, (02/24/2010)
Oxygen-deprived waters are spreading over the continental shelves off the Pacific Northwest, threatening the marine species that live there. Since 2002, more hypoxic, or oxygen-short, waters from deep offshore areas are moving into shallower areas near the shore, but they are not close enough to get oxygen from waves. That's a result of oxygen reduction in deep water, which some scientists say may be a worldwide problem due to climate change. Oxygen levels in the Pacific Northwest have been falling dramatically, leaving the area's plentiful fish, sea stars and marine worms without air. Monitoring during a hypoxic event revealed many dead marine animals that could not escape. Researchers say that if the trend continues, large fish like marlin, tuna and sailfish will have to move to shallow waters, making them more susceptible to being caught by fishers. The biodiversity of sea life would also take a great hit. A paper to be published in Deep-Sea Research describes hypoxic water as a global problem, since tropical low-oxygen zones have expanded around the world while subsurface oxygen decreases. A research team led by oceanographer Lothar Stramma found that hypoxic areas where large species cannot survive have grown to nearly 5.2 million square kilometers since the 1960s. However, the problem is more pronounced in the Pacific because the deep waters there have not reached the surface for a long time. Among the species that could benefit from the oxygen drain is the Humboldt squid, which has seen its population increase. Jellyfish blooms could also see a rise. However, larval fish could die out, as could species that rely on such fish for food (Michael Tennesen, Scientific American, Feb. 23). -- JP
 
Nancy Diaz
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
1900 West Emerson Place, Suite 205
Seattle, WA 98119
206-281-1667