Alaska
Ecosystem-based management helps Bering Sea fisheries battle climate change Researchers say that a similar study has just been funded for the Gulf of Alaska Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - September 23, 2020 A new NOAA Fisheries study on the Eastern Bering Sea concludes that ecosystem-based fisheries management has proven an effective tool to date and may help ensure sustainable fisheries under climate change for the near term. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2020/09/23/ecosystem-based-management-helps-bering-sea-fisheries-battle-climate-change/ Boards of Fisheries, Game contemplate challenges of meeting season Alaska Journal of Commerce by Elizabeth Earl - September 23, 2020 In a fall littered with elections and other political fencing matches, two other political bodies are debating whether to meet at all or just punt until next year: the boards of Fisheries and Game. https://www.alaskajournal.com/2020-09-23/boards-fisheries-game-contemplate-challenges-meeting-season Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association Wins $600,000 Match from U.S. EDA Build to Scale Grant SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - September 23, 2020 Alaska has won a federal economic development grant to accelerate innovation in the state’s world-class ocean economy. The Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association (BSFA) secured the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale Grant for $600,000; with match funding from program partners, a $1.2 million infusion to benefit ocean-based entrepreneurship and innovation in Alaska. BSFA's Alaska Ocean Cluster program partnered with the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Arctic Domain Awareness Center at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Moonbeam Exchange, AKWA-DC, and the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region to provide $600,000 in match funding, for a total of $1.2 million in funding over three years. The federal program is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. The Alaska Ocean Cluster promotes and enhances growth in the state’s maritime industry, leveraging coalitions of private, public, and academic stakeholders. BSFA is a non-profit working to support healthy and vibrant fishing communities by fostering greater social, financial, and political capacity to access, sustainably develop, and preserve fisheries in the Arctic, Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Bristol Bay regions of Alaska. “Alaska’s ocean-economy stands out as a tremendous opportunity for economic development," said Alaska Ocean Cluster Program Director, Justin Sternberg. "With the proper strategy, it is easy to envision Alaska as a world-leader in emerging areas of full utilization seafood processing and mariculture, as well as nascent industries such as the blue bioeconomy with applications in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and medicine. "By leveraging technology, human capital, and a culture of innovation, the Ocean Cluster is building a platform capable of delivering jobs, investment, and opportunities to Alaska, which provides multiplier benefits, particularly in Alaska’s coastal communities,” Sternberg said. For the past three years, the Ocean Cluster has piloted a series of programs throughout the state designed to engage ocean-based businesses and entrepreneurs. For instance, the Ocean Technology Innovation Sprint, as well as the Blue Pipeline Incubator, based in Seward, Alaska, demonstrated tremendous opportunity, while generating valuable quantitative and qualitative insights. Based on this foundational work, funding from the Build to Scale grant will support full development of the Blue Pipeline Venture Studio, a next-level program that supports innovation and will weave together existing programs and build on the momentum generated to date. In addition, the grant will fund an ongoing partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ (UAF) College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. This includes the development of the University’s interdisciplinary Alaska Blue Economy Center (ABEC). “The UAF ABEC is excited to partner with the Alaska Ocean Cluster and Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association in support of this important project that will bolster Alaska’s blue economy” said Bradley Moran, UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences dean and ABEC founding director. "ABEC was developed to serve as a resource and support center for research, instruction, and outreach related to Alaska's vast aquatic resources and ecosystems” said Moran. Alaska is known for its entrepreneural spirit and data shows it ranks in the top three states for entrepreneurship per capita. But this year especially, Alaskan entrepreneurs struggle with high costs of transportation and logistics due to operating in remote locations, workforce and talent constraints, and access to capital. The Ocean Cluster’s approach to cultivating innovation and overcoming the inherent challenges of operating in Alaska is to work with entrepreneurs and corporate executives alike, while also applying lessons learned from proven models and its network of national and international ocean cluster programs. “Alaska’s ocean economy encompasses the largest fisheries in the world and together, with our extensive coastline, enterprising spirit, and ecological diversity, represents an enormous opportunity for future sustainable economic growth for the state," noted Karen Gillis, the Executive Director for BSFA. "This grant is an important victory and will build on our work engaging with Alaska’s ocean-based industries to implement sustainable long-term growth for the benefit of all Alaskans.” Ocean Cluster also announced the hiring of Taylor Drew Holshouser as Business Development Analyst for the Blue Pipeline Venture Studio. Taylor, a lifelong Alaskan, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his roles in government and the private sector, most recently as a Research Fellow at the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute. Globally, the blue economy is expected to double to an estimated 3 trillion dollars by 2030, in a business-as-usual forecast. Alaska’s importance is undeniable, with the state producing 60% of the United States’ seafood and possessing well over half of the nation’s coastline and potential ocean energy resources. Alaska Ocean Cluster promotes and grows Alaska’s ocean economy by leveraging existing strengths while supporting innovation and emerging opportunities to diversify our economy, for the benefit of Alaskans. “While the Blue Economy is a global movement, BSFA has taken the best of other cluster models localizing it to the unique needs and talents of Alaskans. It is time we view the ocean as part of our long-term economic identity. Alaska Ocean Cluster is designed to inspire transformational ideas, strategically develop and fully utilize our unique Alaskan resources, advance existing services and industries, and create new opportunities linking our communities and culture," said Karen Gillis, BSFA Executive Director. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1181282/Bering-Sea-Fishermens-Association-Wins-600000-Match-from-US-EDA-Build-to-Scale-Grant Environment/Science In secret tapes, mine executives detail their sway over leaders from Juneau to the White House Video recordings by the Environmental Investigation Agency shed light on an effort to win a key federal permit for Pebble Mine Washington Post by Juliet Eilperin - September 23, 2020 A direct line to the White House, but routed through a third party to hide it from public view. Easy access to Alaska’s governor, as well as the state’s two U.S. senators. A successful push to unseat nine Republican state lawmakers who opposed their plan to build a massive gold and copper mine — the biggest in North America — near Bristol Bay in Alaska. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/09/22/pebble-mine-secret-tapes/ Pebble CEO Tom Collier resigns KDLG by Isabelle Ross - September 23, 20202 Northern Dynasty says Collier resigned because of his comments about Alaska’s elected leaders and federal regulators in Alaska. The calls were secretly recorded by an environmental group who had hired men to pose as potential investors. https://www.kdlg.org/post/pebble-ceo-tom-collier-resigns FYI’s Five More Maritime Exam Centers Will Reopen on September 28 Fishermen's News - September 23, 2020 U.S. Coast Guard officials say the National Maritime Center has reopened five more regional examination centers on Monday September 28 for maritime exams, which must be scheduled in advance and are by appointment only. http://fnonlinenews.blogspot.com/2020/09/five-more-maritime-exam-centers-will.html
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