Alaska Commercial Fisheries News Since 1988
Top Stories
New reports assess the pros and cons of seaweed processing at six Alaska communities; eager world markets await!
New easy to read reports assess pros and cons for seaweed processing at six Alaska communities and market challenges/opportunities.
International Fish Art contest for kids in grades K-12 accepting entries at Wildlife Forever
Art work featuring any fish in the sea is wanted as part of Fish Art 2022 competition. Deadline to enter is March 31.
Halibut Coalition “deeply disappointed” at NPFMC relook at giving halibut to charter ops from commercial quota – for free
“This reconsideration of allocation puts Alaska, Washington, and Oregon Commercial and Charter interests in unnecessarily adversarial positions, which is something previous council members intended to avoid. Bob Alverson, Fishing Vessel Owners Association
NPFMC reopens the possibility of “uncompensated reallocation” from AK commercial halibut fishermen to charter operators
“Evidently paying for quota is an obstacle for charter operators; they prefer to take it and the Council just legitimized that approach by scheduling this analysis.” Linda Behnken, AK Longline Fishermen’s Association
GCI is bringing Fiber Optic cable to the Aleutians.
Click to learn more →
Coming Soon
Tradex: Buyer’s Updates on Cod, Pollock, Halibut, Snow Crab, Lent — look for high prices
Demand is strong for many favorite seafoods as Lent approaches; look for high prices to continue, says Tradex.
AK Senators Murkowski and Sullivan take aim at Russia’s ban on buying US seafood — ongoing since 2014
The U.S.-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act would impose a ban on Russian seafood products into the U.S. — nearly 8 years after Russia banned purchases of all US seafood. During that time, US imports of Russian seafood have increased by nearly 175%.
USDA announces $50m in Covid relief grants for seafood processors, processing vessels
The USDA grant money “will help defray costs incurred by seafood processing facilities and processing vessels preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID pandemic
February crab fishing, halibut catch updates, Copper River sockeye forecast falls flat
February crabbing from Southeast AK to the Bering Sea, halibut catch increases/black cod too! Copper River’s sockeye forecast is weak … Lots of frigid winter fishing and updates …
NPFMC this week: Halibut allocation to charters; Rebuilding plans for snow crab; Streamlining some processes
The North Pacific Council is meeting virtually through Feb. 10 — giving more halibut to charter ops, plans for rebuilding “overfished” snow crab in the Bering Sea, and making changes to the Advisory Panel are on the agenda.
Valuable market squid multiplying in warming Southeast AK waters
The species that supports California’s most valuable commercial fishery may be moving north; becoming abundant in Southeast AK.
Relief funds for fishery disasters can take years to receive: Sen. Murkowski aims to ease the process
The latest amount of AK fisheries relief funds hasn’t been announced yet, nor when people can apply. Sen. Murkowski is working to make the process/payouts more transparent and quick.
Oysters, shrimp being sold in vending machines in Japan; Mussels in Denmark
Vending machines are selling fried and raw oysters in Japan and mussels in Denmark.
AK lawmakers take on unfair seafood trade deals with China and Russia
AK lawmakers are asking the US government to get tough on punitive tariffs with China and to stop buying Russian seafood until full access to that market is secured.
Alaska Native CDQ groups expand Bering Sea pollock quota; includes nine fishing vessels
Norton Sound and Coastal Villages CDQ groups have partnered with Maruha Nichiro to purchase an additional four percent of Bering Sea pollock quota, nine fishing vessels and a moored processing vessel
Southeast AK crabbers could have the best Tanner crab hauls in decades
Southeast AK crabbers will drop pot for Tanners on Feb. 11 – it could be the most valuable fishery in decades.
Bering Sea snow crab officially designated as “overfished” — but “not subject to overfishing” says NOAA
Bering Sea snow crab is officially declared “overfished” — but is not subject to “overfishing” because “the stock dropped for other reasons that scientists and managers aren’t entire sure of yet.” Meanwhile, the 2022 snow crab bycatch cap is 5.99 million crabs, or nearly 7.8 million pounds.