Friday, February 16, 2024

Alaska 3 seafood processors announce closures, selloffs following historic price collapse for Alaska fishing industry Alaska Public Media by Ava White - February 15, 2024 Three major seafood processors in Alaska have announced plans to sell off their plants or temporarily close for the upcoming fishing seasons. Trident, Peter Pan Seafood Company and most recently OBI Seafoods – just last month – have all cited turbulent market conditions for their decisions. https://alaskapublic.org/2024/02/15/3-seafood-processors-announce-closures-selloffs-following-historic-price-collapse-for-alaska-fishing-industry/ State reacts to proposed management of Cook Inlet EEZ National Fisherman by Carli Stewart - February 15, 2024 According to a letter addressed to NMFS, the State of Alaska has substantial concerns with the proposed federal management of the Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Doug Vincent-Lang, Department of Fish and Game commissioner, signed the letter. He stated that he submitted on behalf of the state in response to a request for public comments NOAA opened regarding the proposed rule. https://www.nationalfisherman.com/alaska/state-reacts-to-proposed-management-of-cook-inlet-eez Electronic monitoring bill unpopular with fishermen at first hearing KFSK by Hannah Flor - February 14, 2024 Alaska lawmakers heard overwhelming opposition to a bill last Wednesday that would allow electronic monitoring in state fisheries. https://www.kfsk.org/2024/02/14/electronic-monitoring-bill-unpopular-with-fishermen-at-first-hearing/ Delegation Applauds USDA Purchase of Alaska Seafood Products Murkowski.senate.gov - February 14, 2024 Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) and Representative Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) applauded the USDA announcing its plans to purchase about $100 million of Alaska pink and sockeye salmon through Section 32 and the Commodity Credit Corporation. https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/delegation-applauds-usda-purchase-of-alaska-seafood-products More areas around Kodiak Island could become critical habitat for endangered North Pacific Right Whales KMXT by Davis Hovey - February 15, 2024  The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is in the process of expanding the critical habitat of North Pacific Right Whales off the coast of Alaska. If finalized, the rare marine species could have further protections near Kodiak Island and other waters across the Gulf of Alaska. KMXT’s Davis Hovey reports: https://kmxt.org/2024/02/more-areas-around-kodiak-island-could-become-critical-habitat-for-endangered-north-pacific-right-whales/ Federal Register North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/15/2024 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Scallop Plan Team will meet in Alaska. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/15/2024-03202/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting List of Fisheries for 2024 A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/16/2024 NMFS is publishing its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2024, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2024 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based on the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as those on registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/16/2024-03013/list-of-fisheries-for-2024

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