Alaska Commercial Fisheries News Since 1988
Top Stories
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 …
GCI is bringing Fiber Optic cable to the Aleutians.
Click to learn more →
Coming Soon
International Year of the Salmon kicks off 2022 N. Pacific research expedition
Four research vessels will spend January-April in the N. Pacific to try and gain better understandings of how extreme climate variability is affecting salmon stocks.
Pacific halibut catch limit for 2022 increased by 5.7%; more details
The coast wide Pacific halibut catch for 2022 reflects a 5.7% increase. SeafoodNews.com has more details —
Pacific halibut fishing removals increased for 2022
The Pacific Halibut removal limits are increased for 2022. For Alaska, only Southeast gets a slight decrease in commercial catches.
Oregon Dungeness fishery sets a record for value as fishing continues!
The Oregon Dungeness fishery has already set a record for value – and the season is ongoing until mid-August. Price to fishermen is averaging $5.05/lb!
Friday links: Halibut catches for 2022 announced; Bycatch Task Force meets
On Friday morning, the Bycatch Task Force meets and the IPHC will announce the halibut catch limits for 2022.
Link and agenda for AK Bycatch Task Force meeting on Friday, 9-10am
The first AK Bycatch Task Force meeting is Friday, Jan. 28 from 9-10am. The public can tune in via Zoom or phone.
No comments on NPFMC February meeting agenda that includes Bering Sea crab harvest specs, snow crab rebuilding. Deadline 1/28.
Friday (1/28) is the public comment deadline is Friday for the upcoming NPFMC online meeting set for Feb. 7-10. As of yesterday there were zero comments on any agenda items suggesting better public outreach is needed.
China tariffs batter AK, US seafood sales and benefit competitors
China tariff increases since 2018 = a 65% drop in US seafood market share; AK pollock faces a 500% higher tariff rate than Russia
AK Board of Fish meets on Thursday to determine location for Southeast/Yakutat meetings in March
The AK Board of Fisheries is holding a public online meeting Thursday, Jan. 27 at 1:45pm to discuss the meeting location for Southeast/Yakutat fish and shellfish issues to be held in March.
House Fisheries Committee meets on Tuesday to discuss Russian trade embargo, other AK seafood export roadblocks
Tomorrow (Jan.25) the House Fisheries Committee will meet at 11am to discuss the eight-year Russian embargo and other roadblocks to AK seafood trade
Disaster declarations for 8 Alaska fisheries from 2018-2020 make them eligible for relief funds
Disaster assistance will be available for salmon and crab fisheries in parts of Alaska dating from 2018-2020
NOAA survey seeks input from fishermen on climate change in Gulf of AK fisheries
A NOAA survey wants to hear from fishermen on how climate scenarios are going to impact Gulf of Alaska Fisheries