Update on observer waivers moving forward. Please note this extension applies to vessels in the Partial Coverage Category of the North Pacific groundfish and Pacific Halibut fisheries operating from
ports other than Kodiak, Alaska.
COVID-19 ACTION BY HOUSE
Observer Program Updates
During this time of COVID-19 and Social distancing mandates, there are slight changes to the EM Observer Program. Everyone still needs to log in, and EM boats will still turn on their systems. Boats picked for observers need to call the observer program to request a waiver- NOAA has NOT authorized a waiver for the entire fishery. They will issue waivers for each trip. You are still required to login or call ODDS to see if you are selected for an observer. If you are selected, AIS will request a waiver for you. If you go fishing without contacting ODDS, you may be in violation of the current rules.
VHF Update
1. The below lists the current Alaska Rescue 21 (R21) outages. VHF outage hours are most commonly caused by generator issues, with microwave communications issues as the second most common factor. For all generator issues, interim repairs are being made to the current generators prior to generator replacement. Note: The information is current as of March 25, 2020.
2. The following repairs have been completed since the previous update:
· Althorp Peak was restored on March 23, 2020.
· Cape Fanshaw was restored on March 19, 2020.
· Raspberry Island was restored on March 14, 2020
· Cape Gull was restored on March 14, 2020
· Duke Island was restored on March 13, 2020
· Zarembo Island was restored on March 15, 2020
· Cold Bay was restored on March 11, 2020
COVID-19 Update- UFA
Below please find a link to UFA’s newsletter, detailing updates on Coronavirus, including mandates, relief options, and observer coverage requirements.
https://mailchi.mp/ufa-fish/ufa-legislative-update-march-6-4090405?e=395d90f752
Tips for Managing Risk and Uncertainty in your Fishing Business
New publication from the FishBiz Project- Tips for Managing Risk and Uncertainty in your Fishing Business. Follow link for full article.
Summary of Sablefish Appointment Analysis
New Rockfish Retention and Marketing Requirements
IB 20-14: NMFS Notifies Operators of Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-line, Pot, or Jig Gear of New Rockfish Retention Requirements
February 27, 2020 - 1:30 p.m.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) notifies operators of catcher vessels (CVs) using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear of new rockfish retention requirements, effective March 23, 2020.
This action contains two main provisions: 1) requiring full retention and landing of rockfish by CVs using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear; and 2) limiting the amount of rockfish that can enter commerce. The first provision mandates that the operator of a CV required to have a federal fisheries permit using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear to retain and land all rockfish that are caught while fishing for groundfish or halibut in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the BSAI or GOA, even if the species of rockfish is closed to directed fishing or on prohibited species status.
The second provision implements a new method for limiting potential rockfish catch: the maximum commerce allowance (MCA). The MCA would limit the amount of rockfish allowed to enter commerce through barter, sale, or trade. Rockfish in excess of these limits could not be sold but could be kept for personal use, donated, processed into fishmeal, or discarded by processing plant personnel.
The MCA for rockfish is 15%, of which 5% can be yelloweye rockfish in all areas, except the Southeast Outside District of the GOA (SEO). Current full retention requirements for demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) in the SEO remain unchanged. To aid the reader in understanding how the MCA works, here is an example:
A CV operator retains all rockfish during an IFQ halibut trip in the Central GOA and delivers 1,000 pounds of halibut and 200 pounds of various rockfish species, of which 50 pounds is yelloweye rockfish. The MCA for rockfish is 150 pounds (1,000 * 0.15). The MCA for yelloweye rockfish is 50 pounds (1,000 * 0.05). The CV operator could sell all yelloweye rockfish and 100 pounds of other rockfish species. Fifty pounds of rockfish could not enter commerce but could be kept for personal use, donated, processed into fishmeal, or discarded by processing plant personnel.
More information can be found here. For any questions regarding this bulletin please feel free to contact Josh Keaton at (907) 586-7519 or josh.keaton@noaa.gov.
Senator Murkowski Visits ALFA Office
On February 20, Senator Murkowski met with Executive Director Linda Behnken and ALFA members at our office in Sitka, AK. During this meeting, Senator Murkowski and members had a productive discussion on current issues facing fishermen and Alaska, including- Restoring VHF Coverage to SE, the Sitka boatyard haul out, the Roadless Rule and related climate change issues, Halibut management and bycatch, the Young Fishermen's Development Act, and AIS use on commercial fishing gear.
Thank you to Senator Murkowski and all ALFA members who attended!
Global Warming is Speeding up Earth's Massive Ocean Currents
By Paul Voosen Feb. 5, 2020 , 2:00 PM
The oceans’ great continent-wrapping currents, each one moving as much water as all the world’s rivers combined, can rightly be considered the planet’s circulatory system. And this circulation, it appears, has started to thump faster: For nearly 25 years the currents have been rapidly speeding up, partly because of global warming.