Monday, October 17, 2022

Alaska New federal Arctic strategy lacks focus on issues local to Alaska KYUK by Emily Schwing - October 14, 2022 The federal government rolled out a new Arctic Strategy this month, a move welcomed by the Alaska congressional delegation. But it's unclear what it means for residents back in Alaska. https://www.kyuk.org/science-and-environment/2022-10-14/new-federal-arctic-strategy-lacks-focus-on-issues-local-to-alaska Bycatch task force considers new rules, more research to protect Alaska fish intercepted at sea As salmon runs falter and western Alaska villagers suffer, some worry that measures will be too incremental and slow to provide meaningful help Alaska Beacon by Yereth Rosen - October 14, 2022 In the search for a solution to the problem of bycatch, the unintended at-sea harvest of non-target species, the stakes in Alaska are high. https://alaskabeacon.com/2022/10/14/bycatch-task-force-considers-new-rules-more-research-to-protect-alaska-fish-intercepted-at-sea/ Alaska Fisheries Report October 13, 2022 KMXT - October 14, 2022 This week on the Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: KMXT’s Kirsten Dobroth reports on the snow crab closure, KDLL’s Riley Board on the fish that makes fat bears fat, and a story from her colleague Sabine Poux on Cook Inlet closures ordered back open. https://kmxt.org/2022/10/alaska-fisheries-report-october-13-2022/ West Coast Pacific Marine Expo Preview: How are commercial fishing concerns being factored into the offshore wind development process? National Fisherman by Jeremiah Karpowicz - October 11, 2022 A recent report detailed how offshore wind lease sales are a significantly better use of ocean acreage than oil and gas but the underlying narrative of the piece is connected to the speculative hype related to offshore wind development, especially on the West Coast of the United States. As of this moment, there are not any operational offshore wind projects on the West Coast and BOEM is currently not considering a test project or pilot program, underscoring the unproven nature of technology that could greatly impact fisheries and commercial fishing operations of all sizes across the entire region. https://www.nationalfisherman.com/west-coast-pacific/pacific-marine-expo-preview-how-are-commercial-fishing-concerns-being-factored-into-the-offshore-wind-development-process National Merger of Kroger and Albertsons likely to impact seafood suppliers Seafood Source by Christine Blank - October 14, 2022 Two prominent U.S. grocery store chains will be merging, they announced on 14 October. Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons is likely to impact how the retailer sources its seafood products. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/foodservice-retail/kroger-albertsons-merger-likely-to-impact-seafood-suppliers Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 10/17/2022 NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/17/2022-22628/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-ocean-perch-in-the-central-regulatory In Memoriam - Ben Stevens It is with deep and heartfelt condolences that we pass on news of the untimely death of Ben Stevens who suffered a heart attack while hiking yesterday. PSPA offers our sincerest sympathy on this profound loss to Alaska and the seafood industry. As a fisherman, mariner, former Alaska State senator and Senate President, proponent of responsible resource development, and son of the late Senator Ted Stevens, Ben loved Alaska and shared in expanding on his father’s legacy for the responsible use of Alaska’s natural resources for the benefit of all Alaskans. We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our friend and colleague and our deepest sympathies are with Elizabeth and their children. Pacific Seafood Processors Association 1900 W Emerson Place Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.281.1667 E-mail: admin@pspafish.net; Website: www.pspafish.net Our office days/hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. *Inclusion of a news article, report, or other document in this email does not imply PSPA support or endorsement of the information or opinion expressed in the document.