JUNEAU – Tribes, fishermen, and Alaskans share a deep concern over a bill that could take away Alaskans’ ability to protect the pristine waterways that support world-class salmon runs and sustain subsistence ways of life. House Bill 138 politicizes a process that should be driven by science and favors resource development projects over the […]
A new escapement goal for late-run Chinook salmon into the Kenai River approved in mid-February by the Alaska Board of Fisheries has some commercial harvesters on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula concerned that it will limit setnet opportunities. On Feb. 14 the board approved in a 5-2 vote substitute language for proposal 104, which was submitted […]
Alaska’s seafood industry added $5.6 billion in economic output to the state economy in 2017–2018, employing nearly 59,000 workers in harvesting, processing and other industry-related jobs who earned a combined $1.7 billion in wages. The 29,400 commercial fishermen employed in harvesting fish in each of those year came away with earnings of more than […]
The Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit builds leadership and networking capacity in the Alaska commercial fishing industry during three days of intensive training. The fast-paced program features industry leaders in fishing business management, the fisheries management process, and the role of Alaska seafood in the global marketplace. The summit is also timed to take advantage […]
Seine, troll and gillnet harvesters in Southeast Alaska are appealing to federal authorities to keep the Roadless Rule intact for Tongass National Forest to protect spawning grounds for salmon and the livelihoods of hundreds of area residents. “We need to manage Southeast Alaska for fish habitat, not logging,” says commercial harvester Jeff Farvour, vice president […]
Wednesday morning in Washington D.C., the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hosted an oversight hearing to look into critical issues surrounding the permitting process for the proposed Pebble Mine. Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay wishes to thank committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chairwoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), co-chairs of the Subcommittee on […]
Washington, D.C. — This week, Alaska Congressman Don Young and Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME-02) introduced the Funding Instruction for Safety Health, and Security Avoids Fishing Emergencies (FISH SAFE) Act today. The FISH SAFE Act is bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would increase the federal funding available for grants to support fishing safety training and research programs. […]
Dillingham, AK — Today, Senator Lisa Murkowski and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies issued a stern warning to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stating: “The Committee notes that multiple Federal agencies commented to express their concerns that the DEIS is inadequate and does not meet the Army Corps’ obligations […]
Government scientists conclude that Pebble plan and Army Corps Assessment fail to assure Bristol Bay Fisheries will be protected Naknek, AK — As Bristol Bay commercial fishermen haul in millions of fish a day during the peak of another strong season, top State and Federal agency scientists have submitted comment letters to the U.S. […]