Thursday, October 13, 2022

**************************************** October is National Seafood Month! PSPA is proud to be a strong supporter of SeaShare! SeaShare donations are in demand at the nation's food banks and throughout AK: SeaShare’s seafood partners are working harder than ever to keep markets supplied, shelves filled, and families fed. Despite all the challenges, these same partners — fishermen, processors, distributors, and others — have donated over 2 million seafood servings to food banks across the country so far this year. Our collective response to the unprecedented need has been incredible. Together we are supplying the best protein to families who can really use a good meal. Please consider donations to SeaShare as you finalize your end-of-year donation plans. Just $1 helps provide 6 servings of seafood to hungry neighbors nationwide. We at PSPA and SeaShare appreciate support and hope you have a great day! ****************************************

Alaska Bristol Bay king and snow crab fisheries close due to low numbers Alaska Journal of Commerce by Elizabeth Earl - October 12, 2022 Two of the largest crab fisheries in Alaska will be completely closed this season as stocks continue to decline. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced closures in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery and the Bristol Bay red king crab fisheries on Oct. 10. The fisheries usually begin in mid-October. Fish and Game has the final say on whether a fishery goes forward, and there just weren’t enough crab to allow for seasons in those two fisheries, according to the announcements. https://www.alaskajournal.com/2022-10-12/bristol-bay-king-and-snow-crab-fisheries-close-due-low-numbers West Coast Many Pacific Region COVID-19 Relief Plans Still In Progress For Fishermen, Processors SeafoodNews.com by Susan Chambers - October 13, 2022 Roughly three years into global chaos thanks to COVID-19, the world is trying to return to normal. At the same time, many state and federal relief funds for fishermen and processors are still in the works, with deadlines looming. NMFS announced in March 2021 that a second round of "CARES Act" funding -- $255 million for coastal states -- would be made available as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Some of that funding has yet to be disbursed. In the Pacific area, Oregon, Alaska and Washington CARES Act "Round 2" funding assistance remains open. California, Hawaii and other Western Pacific entities have either closed their application periods or already disbursed funds. According to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the organization in charge of administering the federal funds, the status for the last three states' Round 2 funding includes: Oregon Total amount: $13,487,797 ($13,261,177 after deduction of assessments and administrative fees) NMFS approved Oregon's July 2022 amended spend plan Fisheries Assistance became available on Sept. 1, 2022 Online applications will be available until 11:59 (Pacific time) on Oct. 31, 2022 Anticipated funds disbursement: By May 2023 The PSMFC notes that, "Oregon’s 'Round 2' applications are available exclusively online. In an effort to ensure there were no issues or delays with traditional mail and to expedite processing, paper applications are not available. Those without access to a computer or smart device are encouraged to solicit assistance from a family member/friend or find a public facility with computer access, e.g., public library." Questions about Oregon’s spend plan should be directed to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at: ODFW.CARESAct@odfw.oregon.gov. Questions regarding Oregon’s “Round 2” application should be directed to: ORCares@psmfc.org or by calling (877) 695-3457. Alaska Total amount: $40 million ($39,315,305 after deduction of assessments and administrative fees) NMFS approved Alaska's amended spend plan of June 2022 Applications became available online on July 29, 2022 (applications are sector-specific) Applicants will have until Oct. 31, 2022, to postmark their applications, which are available for download from the PSMFC website (requests for mailed applications MUST be received prior to Friday, October 14, 2022; applicants should call (888) 517-7262 or write to AKCares@psmfc.org). Anticipated funds disbursement: May 2023 The PSMFC noted that applicants will need to know their Round 1 relief amounts in order to apply for Round 2 funds. Additionally, "... Round 2 applications may not be emailed, faxed, or uploaded. We are only accepting applications that are mailed through traditional methods, e.g., USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc." Washington Total amount: $39,379,255, after deduction of assessments and administrative fees. NMFS approved Washington's amended spend plan as of July 2022 Applications became available on Friday, July 1, 2022 Applicants will have until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, to submit their applications (PSMFC warned that late applications will not be accepted for any reason). Anticipated funds disbursement: By March 2023 For more information regarding Washington’s Round 1 or Round 2 spend plans, those interested should contact the WDFW at: CARESfisheries@dfw.wa.gov. For questions regarding the application, applicants should contact the PSMFC at WACares@psmfc.org or call (866) 990-2738. Funds to fishermen and processors in other states are either completed or in the process of being distributed. In California, for example, a high number of applicants needed to be contacted to fix errors or application omissions, requiring more time for review. Relief is expected to be disbursed by the end of this year, the PSMFC said. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1237151/Many-Pacific-Region-COVID-19-Relief-Plans-Still-In-Progress-For-Fishermen-Processors National News Release: Coast Guard Strategy released for 2022 and beyond U.S. Coast Guard - October 12, 2022 WASHINGTON – Adm. Linda L. Fagan, commandant of the Coast Guard, released the Coast Guard Strategy on Wednesday, October 12, which provides a framework for the service’s priorities during the next four years and beyond. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/331e473?reqfrom=share Environment/Science News Release: U.S. Coast Guard releases Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for base expansion U.S. Coast Guard - October 11, 2022 SEATTLE – The Coast Guard is inviting the public to comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Coast Guard’s proposed expansion and modernization of Base Seattle. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the PEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action alternatives. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/331aacb?reqfrom=share 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.