Subject: PSPA Online Update, Wednesday, February 17, 2010
 
Alaska/Pacific Coast
 
Commercial Dungeness crab fishery hurts stocks
Juneau Empire, February 17, 2010
The village of Kasaan was successful in getting an out-of-cycle agenda change to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
This agenda change will address the impact and additional concerns inflicted by the 2009 summer commercial
Dungeness crab fishery.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/021710/opi_564131761.shtml
 
Methodologies Used to Estimate Total Catch
AFSC-NOAA News, February 2010
Catch sampling and estimation in the Federal groundfish fisheries off Alaska uses a combination of industry and
onboard observer information to estimate total catch. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-205.
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/techmemos/nmfs-afsc-205.html
 
Norton Sound looking to expand footprint in crab industry

SEAFOOD.COM NEWS by John Sackton - Feb 17 2010 - At the recent Norton Sound Economic Development Corp. Board meeting, the board gave the go ahead for its fishing subsidiary Siu Alaska, owner of Glacier Fish and other operations, including Aleutian No. 1, and Pacific Star, both crab vessels, to expand its operations in the crab fishery. Norton Sound already owns some crab quota. After a discussion in executive session, the board approved a motion that 'that based on discussion held in executive session, the board approve Siu's proposal to guarantee a loan to Siu to purchase fisheries assets and fishing rights, and further that NSEDC purchase the crab quota associated with that asset.' This gives a NSEDC guarantee for a loan to purchase possibly another vessel and its associated quota. In response to a query from the Nome Nugget about the venture, Siu President and CEO John Eckels wrote in an e-mail that Siu is looking at an investment opportunity involved in the Bering Sea fisheries. We are very pleased that NSEDC has today seen fit to approve our request for the guarantee of a pending financing plan. We must emphasize that there are several significant hurdles before us, including regulatory approval, before the transaction can be closed. Due to confidentiality requirements between the parties and the ongoing sensitive negotiations, we are unable to disclose further details. Should we be successful in this opportunity, we look forward to issuing an announcement at the appropriate time. In recent years Alaskan based CDQ groups have significantly increased their ownership in crab fisheries, in somewhat of a similar pattern as to how most of the CDQ groups bought vessels and co-op rights in the pollock fishery.

 
 
Catch share study cites community impact
The Gloucester Times, February 17, 2010
A new report on catch shares — the Obama administration's high-priority commitment to re-engineer and essentially
privatize America's fisheries into a system that functions like a commodities market — acknowledges the socio-economic
risks in rushing changes fraught with danger for fishing communities.
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_047224808.html?keyword=secondarystory
 
 
Politics
 
Samuels' gubernatorial bid banking on business boost
ADN, February 17, 2010
MONEY: Berkowitz outpaces candidates on the Democratic side.An aggressive fundraising push aided by heavy
hitters in Alaska business has Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ralph Samuels with more campaign cash in the
bank than his incumbent primary rival, Gov. Sean Parnell. Republican Bill Walker, an Anchorage attorney, isn't
far behind, setting up a high-dollar fight among the three for the GOP nomination.
 
Effects of oil tax increase dominate debate in Juneau
ADN, February 17th, 2010
Panel wants to know if ACES is helping or hurting the state. JUNEAU -- As lawmakers debate whether to give big
tax breaks to Big Oil this year, a key question concerns whether tax increases passed in 2007 are hurting the industry
that fuels Alaska state government, and if so, what to do about it.
 
 
National
 
Fish promotions ramp up for Lenten season

SEAFOOD.COM NEWS [Nation's Restaurant News] Feb 17, 2010 - by Mark Brandau-At the beginning of Lent, the 40-day, pre-Easter season for Christians, many U.S. customers will be giving up meat on Fridays or personal vices starting today on Ash Wednesday. Restaurants, however, are not willing to give up anything, especially sales. Not only do savvy independent restaurateurs ready their Friday night fish fry promotions and upsell seafood entrŽes during Lent, but several quick-service chains have deployed their marketing and research and development dollars into seafood items for customers observing the tradition.
Fish sandwiches are being driven at McDonald's, Wendy's and Jack in the Box, for example. Wendy's began to feature its Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich last year in commercials from the It's Waaay Better campaign, which dealt with product quality rather than just value. The fish sandwich, made from North Pacific cod and served with lettuce and tartar sauce, also fits in with Wendy's current quality-focused ad campaign, You Know When It's Real. Jack in the Box is offering a discount on its Fish Sandwich for the limited-time price of $1.49 at its more than 2,200 restaurants in the United States. The chain also will sell its Fish Pita Snack and Fish & Chips at regular menu prices. Our Fish Sandwich is a great value for guests looking for an alternative to burgers and chicken, said Tammy Bailey, Jack in the Box's division vice president of menu marketing and promotions. For just $1.49, guests receive two crispy fish fillets, lettuce and tartar sauce on a warm sesame seed bun. The industry has more Lenten specials than the fish sandwich, especially at seafood specialty chains. Long John Silver's, a division of Yum! Brands Inc., is offering a coupon on its website for a free Crispy Breaded Fish item. The offer is part of the chain's Spin & Win Fish Fry contest, in which guests can enter to win $20,000 by playing an online game. Captain D's Seafood Kitchen also has released a Lenten limited-time offer, built upon shrimp rather than a fish fillet. Its 15-piece Butterfly Shrimp Dippers entrŽe is being featured for Lent, and it's served with two sides and hush puppies. Shrimp also is the basis for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen's annual Lent offering, its Butterfly Shrimp Tackle Box. The $4.99 limited-time item includes eight fried shrimp, served over a bed of Cajun Fries with a buttermilk biscuit. While supplies last, guests also will receive a free Mardi Gras Key, containing a special offer, with every Tackle Box.

 
 
International
 
Aid for sustainable fisheries is key to global food security
Physorg.com, February 16, 2010 
Seafood is a very important source of proteins and income for many people in poor countries. Their food security
should be enhanced, according to a paper published in Science. Lack of governance threatens global seafood
supplies and the food security of billions of people who rely on fish for protein or livelihoods. Increased aid from
developed countries, earmarked specifically for supporting sustainable seafood infrastructure in developing countries,
could improve food security, according to a policy paper by an international working group of 20 economists, marine
scientists and seafood experts in the Feb. 12 issue of Science.
 
Nancy Diaz
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
1900 West Emerson Place, Suite 205
Seattle, WA 98119
206-281-1667