A NOAA Fisheries official offered no short-term hope for Sitka small-boat bottom-fishermen who are objecting to the possibility of having on-board bycatch observers starting this year. In a meeting with about 45 fishermen last week, Martin Loefflad said electronic monitoring of potential bycatch in the halibut and black cod fishery is at least two years away, following NOAA testing that's starting this spring. As KCAW reports, NOAA has already rejected a fishermen-proposed electronic monitoring program. The fishermen feel their boats are too small and there are too many expenses and complications involved in having a monitor aboard.
Speaking from the audience, Linda Behnken, the director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association, noted that 90 percent of the catch was landed at on-shore processors, where this data could be easily collected. Loefflad suggested that was inadequate.
"If there are some beasts that never make it to the dock, the only way to get those beasts is on the boat."
Read the full story at the Anchorage Daily News>>
Callifornia crabbing: Here's a fun video shot on the decks of the Majestik while catching Dungeness crab off the coast of northern California.
Alaska fisherman and commercial fisheries activist Kevin Adams was elected chairman at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors meeting on May 9 in Anchorage.
The governor-appointed board consists of seven members: five seafood processors and two industry representatives actively engaged in commercial fishing. Adams was appointed to fill a harvester seat by Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2004.
With 38 years of fishing experience in Bristol Bay, Adams has long been an active member in the Alaska fishing industry, ASMI says. He has worked for both the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation and the Bering Sea Fisherman's Association, and represents Alaska fishermen on numerous boards.
The Northeast Regional Planning Body, a group of state, tribal and federal representatives from New England who are working to implement the National Ocean Policy and address critical New England ocean issues, is holding a series of public meetings in May and June.
The meetings are being held to discuss draft regional ocean planning goals and associated potential actions. The planning body seeks input on these goals and actions. Additional information on the group's progress can be found here.
The meetings will also provide an opportunity to review draft maps and products from initial efforts to gather information on the natural resources and diverse uses of the ocean, including fishing, transportation, energy and infrastructure, aquaculture, and recreation.
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