Alaska Rodger May invites stakeholders to help him revive shuttered Peter Pan processing plant In January, Peter Pan closed the plant, dealing a crippling blow to the town. Intrafish by John Fiorillo - October 25, 2024 Rodger May, co-owner of beleaguered Alaska processor Peter Pan Seafood, has sent a letter to stakeholders with ties to the company's plant in King Cove, Alaska, inviting them to join him in reviving operations at the plant, which Peter Pan closed in January as part of an attempt to restructure the company's finances. https://www.intrafish.com/processing/rodger-may-invites-stakeholders-to-help-him-revive-shuttered-peter-pan-processing-plant/2-1-1730243 * Requires Subscription New Clues Reveal Genetic Diversity among Alaska's Harbor Porpoises Powerful tools reveal hidden structure of harbor porpoise population. NOAA Fisheries - October 25, 2024 Harbor porpoises are shy, elusive creatures that live in Alaska's coastal waters and are vital parts of the marine ecosystem. But how these animals are distributed and connected across the vast Alaskan waters remains a mystery. A new study published in the scientific journal Molecular Ecology sheds light on the hidden structure of Alaska's harbor porpoise populations, using the powerful tools of environmental DNA (eDNA) and molecular genetic analyses. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-clues-reveal-genetic-diversity-among-alaskas-harbor-porpoises West Coast West Coast Crabbers Getting Ready for Dungeness Season Despite CA Season Delay SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - October 28, 2024 Dungeness crab pots are being trailered into ports from California and Washington. Shiny new pots or pots that have been repaired and refreshed, ready for dumping the Pacific for one of the most valuable seafood species on the West Coast.But before that happens, the industry must jump through the entanglement, biotoxin testing and meat quality hoopsAlready, crabbers will miss the Nov. 15 traditional start date in Central California due to risks of whale entanglements. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham announced Friday that “Upon evaluation of the management considerations pursuant to Section 132.8(d), I have determined that the management action … protects humpback whales based on the best available science.”According to CDFW documents, four whales were confirmed entangled in California commercial Dungeness crab gear and more than eight were entangled in fishing gear of unknown origins this year. Those entanglements resulted in numbers that exceeded triggers set through the Risk Assessment and Management Program protocols.But even though commercial crabbing is closed, some recreational fishermen, whose fishing behaviors and areas fished differ from the commercial crabbers’, will be able to fish in Northern California and one area in Southern California: Zones 1 and 2, from Oregon to the Mendocino/Sonoma county border, and Zone 5, around Morro Bay. Additionally, one area in Zone 1, Northern California, and Zone 3, which includes Bodega Bay and San Francisco, showed crab exceeding domoic acid exceeding safety levels will require additional testing. “Concentrations of domoic acid in the meat of crab with elevated concentrations of domoic acid in the viscera are below action levels that would otherwise warrant a recreational closure,” the state said in an industry notice.CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place on or around Nov. 15, 2024, at which time the Director will re-evaluate risk for the Dungeness crab fisheries. That risk assessment is expected to inform the potential for a statewide commercial fishery opener on Dec. 1, 2024, and the potential to modify the recreational trap restriction.Still, some conservation groups remain concerned that not enough is being done to protect whales. Oceana’s campaign manager and marine scientist said stronger actions are needed.Caitlynn Birch, Oceana’s campaign manager and marine scientist, released the following statement in response:“It’s true that many people are working hard to reduce whale entanglements—including by implementing time and area closures, gear reductions, and shortened fishing seasons. But it is also true that there are still too many whales dying entangled in commercial fishing gear and the current management system is not enough,” Birch said in a statement. “While the Department of Fish and Wildlife is developing a new regulatory package for the crab fishery, some elements pertaining to whale entanglement risk are being weakened, and proper gear marking, electronic vessel tracking, and pop-up fishing gear authorization are all being delayed. We need to do more to strengthen conservation measures and expedite actions that protect whales and the future of California’s crab fishery.”A lawsuit regarding whales entanglements in crab, sablefish and spot prawn pot gear already has necessitated the implementation of a federal Take Reduction Team. That TRT is targeted to start in 2025. Additionally, each state is taking proactive action to establish gear marking and electronic monitoring rules to minimize entanglements while also keeping one of the West Coast’s most valuable fisheries viable.Oregon and WashingtonWhile California is continuing to gather data on whales and other regulatory information, Washington opted to conduct an October pre-test for meat quality. “Given historical trends of crab condition improving first within fishing grounds north of Klipsan Beach, only the Westport test fishery was conducted during the pre-test this season. WDFW plans to complete the first round of testing within the Westport and Long Beach test areas by November 15, 2024. Domoic acid testing will be conducted as needed based on harmful algal bloom monitoring efforts,” the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in an industry notice.That early test showed only a 17.3 percent recovery rate, with more than 98 percent of the crab unmarketable.Oregon biotoxin testing completed in early October showed no elevated levels of domoic acid in crab. Testing will resume ahead of the traditional start date of Dec. 1, when crab is obtained for meat quality testing.Crabbers in Washington also must adhere to line-marking rules and ensure crabbers have registered their buoys, WDFW said in its notice. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1288831/West-Coast-Crabbers-Getting-Ready-for-Dungeness-Season-Despite-CA-Season-Delay FYI’s Alaska pollock advocacy group names new CEO Stephanie Madsen, who has served as the executive director of APA for the last 18 years, will step down from the role Intrafish by Drew Cherry and Rachel Sapin - October 28, 2024 The At-sea Processors Association on Monday announced it will name a new CEO and vice president of policy and engagement at the end of this year. https://www.intrafish.com/whitefish/alaska-pollock-advocacy-group-names-new-ceo/2-1-1731004 * Requires Subscription
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