Debate Concerning Catch Limits Creates a Divide in the Fishing Industry

ALFA Members,

NOAA recently released their annual stock status document, which stated that the number of overfished stocks in the U.S. are at an all time low. According to NOAA fisheries, overfished is when a specie's population has become too small for harvest. Compared to overfishing, which occurs when the rate of catch is too high. NOAA's annual report found 35 of 235 stocks to be overfish. This is the lowest number since 2000.

This report sparked a debate among fishermen concerning fishery regulations and sources that should be used to inform management decisions, such as peer-reviewed science. Many conservation groups and commercial fishing industry members argue that this will undermine all rebuilding and management efforts. On the other hand, sport fishermen are arguing that they are unfairly managed in conjunction with commercial fishermen and the regulations need to be updated.

ALFA's own Linda Behnken was featured in this article stating her opposition to curbing science-based management. Linda shared that, 

“Conservation management becomes moot if the recreational sector is exempted from annual catch limits, or if alternative methods of assessing fish stocks are adopted instead of the current science-based approach.”

— Linda Behnken

The reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act will be a major deciding factor in this debate. To help sustain our fisheries and support a continuing legacy of science-based fishery management, click here to sign a letter supporting the Act and share your thoughts with Senator Sullivan.

The full news article by Adam Allington can be found here.

Banner image courtesy of Alyssa Russell

NPFMC Meeting, June 4-11

ALFA Members,

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is meeting in Kodiak, AK this week (June 4-11). The NPFMC regularly holds meetings in Anchorage, as a result council meetings held in rural locations are important opportunities for community participation in the policy arena. Important topics concerning fishery policy, stock health, ecological sustainability, social issues, catch limits, and management schemes are often discussed at these meetings. These meetings also bring together Council members and community members fostering invaluable interactions and information sharing. During this particular meeting, stakeholders and community members will have a chance to comment on the the sablefish and halibut IFQ program and the role of fishing families in Alaska's communities. The full council agenda can be found here. The following events in particular allow communities to share their fishing stories, opinions and concerns.

Fishing Families Workshop - Monday, June 4, 5:15-7:15 p.m., Kodiak Convention Center

Hosted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Discussion focusing on interactions of fishing families and changing regulations, environments, and socioeconomic conditions in Alaska’s fisheries and fishing communities. 

Informal Charter Meeting - Monday, June 4, 7-9 p.m., Fishermen's Hall

Hosted by Andy Mezirow of the NPFMC, Kurt Iverson with the Regional National Marine Fisheries Service Recreational Sector, and Tyler Polum ADF&G sport fish area biologist. Status update on charter-related issues in the NPFMC process, expectations for charter halibut harvest over the next few years, process overview for charter halibut recommendations each fall, and discussion on Kodiak Charter operators future engagement. Potential discussion on Halibut Charter annual reporting requirements for CQE’s.

IFQ Outreach Session – Tuesday, June 5, 5-6:30 p.m., Kodiak Convention Center

Hosted by The Council

Public outreach session with open forum for stakeholders to give insight on the present state of the halibut and sablefish IFQ Program and provide direction for future actions that might be considered by the Council and its IFQ Committee. The Council is particularly seeking input on issues related to entry-level opportunities and rural participation in the fishery.

Community Reception – Wednesday, June 6, 6 p.m., Afognak Native Corporation Building on Near Island

Open to the public. Enjoy local seafood and commemorate Chairman Hull’s last meeting on the Council. 

The Council meeting begins June 6 and the Council will convene for the entire meeting at the Kodiak Convention Center downtown. The meeting starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. each day

Council Meeting Agenda Highlights:

Turning of the Tide report presentation by Dr. Courtney Carothers and AMCC’s Dr. Rachel Donkersloot – Wednesday, June 6

The report is a review of programs and policies to address access challenges in Alaska fisheries. 

 

Tanner Crab, Gulf of Alaska groundfish effort and observe data – Sunday, June 10

The Council will be reviewing a discussion paper in regards to federal groundfish fishing effort and observer coverage in important Tanner crab habitat areas previously identified by a local knowledge mapping project on the east side of Kodiak Island. A segment of the identified areas was approved for 100 percent observer coverage in 2010 for a period of time before the implementation of the restructured program. The action was never implemented due to timing issues. The Council will consider potential next steps.

Community Engagement – Monday, June 11

The Council will have a discussion considering the formation of a community engagement and outreach committee structured to foster two-way dialog with rural communities and Native communities.

Please share...

To all those ALFA members, Kodiak residents, and others who are interested in attending, we encourage you to go to any of these events. Please help spread the word to your friends and neighbors by sharing and forwarding this email.

Join ALFA to gain access to our 2018 bathymetric maps

By signing up to be an ALFA member and joining our Fishery Conservation Network, you can gain access to our incredible bathymetric maps, which are now more intricate than ever. Take your fishing to the next level this season with our best maps yet. 

This year's maps are the most intricate yet- the red lines show member data. 

How does it work? 

FCN members share their data with ALFA at the end of each season and we combine the files into one database that provides enhanced maps back to fishermen. These maps help fishermen catch their target species efficiently while controlling catch of non-target species (bycatch), such as rockfish, and avoid the high relief terrain that host sensitive benthic species, such as corals and sponge, which are a critical part of the ecosystem. This prevents overharvest of long-lived and tightly managed rockfish species, protects important habitats, and makes our small boat fishermen more competitive.

By sharing their fishing spots, catch data, and (in some cases) years of accumulated information with one another, participating FCN fishermen collectively benefit from more efficient fishing. The most recent release of bathymetric maps in 2018 has been the most detailed ever, boasting 140 million data points and maps that reveal previously hidden seafloor structure.

Sign up online here, by calling us at 907-747-3400, or by stopping by our office at 834 Lincoln Street. 

On Mother's Day, I worry about the world we're leaving our kids

Our executive director Linda Behnken recently wrote an op ed for the Seattle Times about the importance of managing our fisheries wisely for the next generation. 

My son has fished with me since he was 5 months old. He was not much help then, but he was on the boat that first summer of his life and every summer since, toughing out his share of seasickness and gradually changing from a liability to an asset. Fishing is in his blood; he wants to be at the rail as each and every hook comes aboard so he can see the fish and help land them.

He loves fish — not just catching, selling or eating them, but learning all he can about their characteristics and habitat niche. He has two fish tanks at home, and we often have a tote of water sloshing around on deck with a fish, snail or crab he wants to watch for a while, swimming in habitat he has created with seaweed, rocks or shells.

Read the full article here. 

ADF&G to Host Chinook Salmon Symposium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2, 2018

 

CONTACT: Charles O. Swanton, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Pacific Salmon Treaty Commissioner 907-465-4115

 

ADF&G to Host Chinook Salmon Symposium

May 2, 2018 - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) invites the public to attend a Chinook Salmon Symposium, Monday, May 21, 5:00-8:00pm, at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka, Alaska. Attend this free symposium and learn about the status of Southeast Alaska Chinook salmon, research and management, the Pacific Salmon Treaty, and participation in the public process.

Hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, this event features:

• Chinook salmon research– what we know about how local stocks are performing, as well as Pacific Northwest Chinook salmon stocks coastwide.
• A look at the last 10 years of Chinook salmon management for the commercial and sport fisheries - annual allocations, actual harvest, and performance relative to the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
• Conservative actions – management measures in response to poor Chinook salmon production.
• Treaty transparency – a summary of the treaty past, present, and future.
• Public process and participation –  an overview of the public regulatory process and how to get involved.
• Public question and answer session.

ADF&G encourages those interested in Chinook salmon issues to join this evening of informative presentations by our fisheries research and management team.

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Input needed for Alaska's climate action policy

ALFA's executive director, Linda Behnken, was recently appointed by Governor Bill Walker as a  member of the Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team. The team will focus on mitigation, adaptation, research, and response for Alaska. 

The team just released a working draft Alaska Climate Change Policy and are accepting comments from the public. We would strongly encourage ALFA members and fishermen to weigh in on this important document. 

The public comment period will close on June 4, 2018. 

You can find more information about this initiative and submitting comments by visiting this page. 

ALFA NPFMC Comments

ALFA members, 

Please see below relevant documents containing ALFA comments on ABM and Chinook Management for the NPFMC meeting. 

April ABM Comments

ABM Response

C6 Comments

Restrictions Coming in 2018 to Southeast Alaska Chinook Fisheries

ALFA members,

Please see below for a press release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 

PRESS RELEASE                   

for immediate release  March 29, 2018           

CONTACT:    Charles O. Swanton        

Deputy Commissioner    

Juneau, (907) 465-4115

 

Restrictions Coming in 2018 to Southeast Alaska Chinook Fisheries

(Juneau) — Chinook (king) salmon fisheries in Southeast Alaska are facing restrictions in 2018 as fisheries managers work to increase escapement and rebuild stocks affected by several years of poor marine survival. The restrictions – to be shared by commercial, sport, personal-use, and subsistence fisheries – are needed as forecasts project record-low Chinook returns for regional and transboundary drainages.  

“Southeast Alaska and transboundary-river Chinook stocks are experiencing a period of very low productivity,” said Deputy Commissioner Charlie Swanton. “Escapement objectives are not being met, so we’re calling for an all-out conservation effort on behalf of Alaskans and our Canadian neighbors alike.”

Planning for 2018’s Chinook conservative management actions began at the Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting in Sitka in January. With input from stakeholders, the board considered and approved action plans for three stocks of concern: Chilkat River, King Salmon River, and Unuk River stocks. While other Southeast Alaska and transboundary river Chinook salmon stocks are not officially designated stocks of concern, given recent run data and the outlook for record low runs in 2018, additional conservative management actions are being implemented to protect all of these stocks.

Commercial restrictions include the recent closure of the winter troll fishery on March 15, while the May-June spring troll fishery will open only in select terminal harvest areas and a few defined areas on the outside coast to target hatchery Chinook and conserve wild stocks.

Throughout Southeast’s inside waters, the sport fishery will be restricted to non-retention of Chinook salmon. If surplus hatchery Chinook salmon are present, an opportunity to harvest those fish will be provided in designated terminal harvest areas and announced at a later date.

In personal use and subsistence fisheries, area-specific actions detailed in the board’s action plans will be applied along with measures to protect transboundary Taku and Stikine Chinook salmon stocks. 

As a result of meetings between Alaska and Canada Pacific Salmon Commissioners, Canada has agreed to share the Chinook conservation burden. Reductions in Canada could include time, area, bag limit, and gear restrictions to sport and commercial fisheries. An allowable catch reduction and nonretention are also being considered.

The department will issue details about Southeast Alaska’s restrictions and closures early next week. Fisheries stakeholders are encouraged to check regulations announcements, news releases, and emergency orders at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=newsreleases.main.

To view the Southeast Alaska Chinook salmon action plans, visit the following links:

•   Chilkat River and King Salmon River King Salmon Stock Status and Action Plan, 2018:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/FedAidPDFs/RIR.1J.2018.05.pdf

•   Unuk River King Salmon Stock Status and Action Plan, 2018:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/FedAidPDFs/RIR.1J.2018.04.pdf

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Oil & Gas Drilling

ALFA Members, 

Earlier this year, the Trump Administration released the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program (DPP).  The DDP proposes to offer all areas of the Alaska coastline from the Beaufort Sea to Southeast Alaska for oil and gas leasing, with the exception of Bristol Bay.  The DPP is the first stage of the OCS leasing process for regulating offshore oil and gas activities, and it determines which areas will be made available for leasing and establish a sale schedule. 

COMMENTS on the areas offered for lease are open until MARCH 9, 2018. The Department of the Interior needs to hear from fishermen about risking Alaska’s renewable permanent fund—our incredible fisheries—for non-renewable oil. Please note that Alaska’s Governor and Congressional delegation have called for OCS oil exploration to be limited to Cook Inlet and the Beaufort and Chukchi Sea; they have also specifically asked that the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska be removed from further oil and gas leasing consideration. Fishermen need to support the delegations’ ask relative to the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska by submitting comments to the Secretary of Interior before the March 9th deadline.

Below is a draft letter to inform your comments.

You can send comments to by regular mail to: 

Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Chief
National Oil and Gas Leasing Program Development and Coordination Branch, Leasing Division
Office of Strategic Resources, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA
20166-9216

You can also submit comments on the Internet through the Regulations.gov web portal by navigating to http://www.regulations.gov and under the Search tab, type in Docket ID:  BOEM-2017-0074 to submit comments.

Sample Letter: 

Dear Secretary Zinke,

I participate in Alaska salmon, halibut and/or sablefish fisheries.  Collectively, these fisheries are worth over half a billion dollars a year in ex-vessel value alone. 

I request that you remove all potential sales in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska planning areas from the Draft Proposed Program. The Alaska planning areas in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska encompass some of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems and together form the breadbasket of Alaska’s fisheries. Coastal Alaska communities depend on the fishery resources contained in these ecosystems. Overall, coastal communities in Alaska account for 58 percent of all seafood landings and 29 percent of all seafood value harvested in the United States. In fact, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea fishing ports in the proposed lease sale planning areas are eleven of the top thirty ports in the United States in terms of both fishery value and volume.

Offshore oil and gas development would increase noise, water and air pollution, vessel traffic, and threaten the clean waters and healthy ecosystems essential for fish production and marketing of Alaska’s fish.

Do not place our fisheries and our communities at risk. Remove all potential sales in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea from any further consideration of oil and gas development.

Sincerely,

*YOUR NAME HERE* 

Click here to view a letter submitted by ALFA members pertaining to offshore oil & gas drilling in Alaska.