An economic study released by the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corp. shows that for the past five years PWSAC has been a key supplier of Alaska pink salmon, producing 43 percent of the statewide pink salmon harvest.
In 2010 along, PWSAC hatcheries produced 46 percent of the statewide pink harvest, the study said.
Large harvests of PWSAC pinks have provided the industry with the volume and economies of scale needed to fulfill demand, PWSAC said.
Conclusions of the McDowell Economic Impact Study were released April 5.
The study also found that pink salmon product-form shift from canned to frozen production had a major impact on the wholesale value of pink salmon products, which in turn increased the ex-vessel price for pinks. The wholesale price of frozen pinks climbed 37 percent to $1.27 a pound.
The report also drew several other conclusions.
One was that the increased volume of pink salmon harvested and canned from Prince William Sound enabled other regions to efficiently focus on frozen production. Another was that more health-conscious consumers are turning to wild salmon to meet their needs for alternative sources of protein.
New consumers also have entered the market, due to widely available and inexpensive farmed salmon, driving up demand for all sources, including Alaska wild caught salmon.
Consumers are more aware of the environmental impact of their spending choices too, with the state’s emphasis on responsible and sustainable resource management The economy has also increased demand for budget-friendly salmon choices. Over 50 new value-added products featuring pink salmon, including salmon burgers, have helped to fill the void.
Dave Reggiani, general manager for PWSAC, said the 2010 season produced the largest run of pink salmon in the history of the fishery, with more than 50 million fish caught and processed in just three weeks, “underscoring PWSAC’s importance as both an economic drier for the state and a commodity source for global markets.
“Increased demand for Alaska seafood and value-added salmon products boosts the demand for the enhanced salmon fisheries,” Reggiani said. “This makes reliable and sustainable returns even more critical.”
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Bristol Bay Native Corp. Produces “Pebble Watch” Newsletter
The land department of the Bristol Bay Native Corp., the regional Alaska Native Corporation for Southwest Alaska, is producing Pebble Watch, a newsletter dedicated to impartial information on the proposed Pebble Mine project. In addition to its printed form, BBNC is offering updates on current events affecting the proposed mine area at www.pebblewatch.com
Pebble developers have said they intend to begin the permitting process in 2012.
Pebble Watch does not attempt to integrate or interpret data; this would occur during an Environmental impact Statement process, BBNC says. Instead the publication and online updates are intended to help BBNC shareholders and all others interested to better understand data by providing summaries as well as context, such as how the data may be used in the permitting process and how it relates to regulatory benchmarks. The current issue of Pebble Watch focuses on the Pebble Partnership’s data release “report Series F: Surface Water and Groundwater Quality,” an overview of surface water and groundwater quality data collected between 2004 and 2007 in the Pebble project deposit area, Iliamna Lake and along the proposed transportation corridor. The newsletter includes a summary of the report, explains how the data relates to permitting, highlights some water quality issues related to mining and supplies answers to questions community members first asked Pebble developers in 2005.
Because of the potential for some mining activities and facilities to affect water quality, federal and state agencies often require monitoring programs to continue well beyond operations and closure as a condition of the permit. The deposit area is undeveloped and includes habitat for salmon and other fish harvested for both personal and commercial use. Establishing baseline water quality data is important for determining what an undeveloped environment looks like and for documenting any seasonal or site-specific conditions in the region, which include salmon habitat.
In mining projects, new permit applications must be completed as the work changes from exploration to construction, operation and closure. A temporary water use permit already exists for exploration of the Pebble deposit area. New applications pertaining to water resource use will be required if the project is developed
Pebble developers have said they intend to begin the permitting process in 2012.
Pebble Watch does not attempt to integrate or interpret data; this would occur during an Environmental impact Statement process, BBNC says. Instead the publication and online updates are intended to help BBNC shareholders and all others interested to better understand data by providing summaries as well as context, such as how the data may be used in the permitting process and how it relates to regulatory benchmarks. The current issue of Pebble Watch focuses on the Pebble Partnership’s data release “report Series F: Surface Water and Groundwater Quality,” an overview of surface water and groundwater quality data collected between 2004 and 2007 in the Pebble project deposit area, Iliamna Lake and along the proposed transportation corridor. The newsletter includes a summary of the report, explains how the data relates to permitting, highlights some water quality issues related to mining and supplies answers to questions community members first asked Pebble developers in 2005.
Because of the potential for some mining activities and facilities to affect water quality, federal and state agencies often require monitoring programs to continue well beyond operations and closure as a condition of the permit. The deposit area is undeveloped and includes habitat for salmon and other fish harvested for both personal and commercial use. Establishing baseline water quality data is important for determining what an undeveloped environment looks like and for documenting any seasonal or site-specific conditions in the region, which include salmon habitat.
In mining projects, new permit applications must be completed as the work changes from exploration to construction, operation and closure. A temporary water use permit already exists for exploration of the Pebble deposit area. New applications pertaining to water resource use will be required if the project is developed
BBEDC Offers Fishing Permit Loan Program
Bristol Bay watershed residents wishing to acquire limited entry fishing permits can save a lot of money by qualifying for the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp.’s permit loan program, a cooperative effort with the Commercial Fisheries and Agriculture Bank.
BBEDC, one of six community development quota organizations established by the state of Alaska, is working cooperatively with CFAB to guarantee appropriate loans to qualified Bristol Bay drainage residents to purchase drift or set permits.
The program also will provide financial assistance in the form of interest subsidy and “sweat equity” as well as business counseling and educational opportunities to improve the permit holder’s ability to manage their business successfully.
Patience, however, will be appreciated, for as BBEDC notes, this is a new program for administrators as well as participants.
The first step for those interested is to apply for a loan with CFAB in Anchorage. If the loan is denied the resident then becomes eligible to apply for the BBEDC permit loan program. Qualifications include being a resident of one of 25 Bristol Bay watershed communities, and at least 18 years of age. Applicants must have no overdue child support payments or be delinquent in their IRS tax obligations. They must also demonstrate active participation for three years previously in the Bristol Bay drift or set net fishery for which the permit is being acquired. Approval will be based on credit worthiness that can be addressed via the permit loan program.
There are several benefits of this program over some other existing loan options.
The loan guarantees are from 25 percent to 75 percent of the permit costs.
They require 5 percent rather than 20 percent down payment. Loan terms do not exceed 15 years.
A reduction of principal is available through sweat equity, as well as an interest subsidy. BBEDC will pay CRAB on behalf of the borrower up to 4.5 percent of the original loan amount under the CFAB loan annually as an interest subsidy for the duration of the loan term, not to exceed 15 year, payable on the anniversary date of the agreement, with the annual payment not exceeding $4,000 or the total amount of the interest due, whichever is less.
More information is at www.bbedc.com
BBEDC, one of six community development quota organizations established by the state of Alaska, is working cooperatively with CFAB to guarantee appropriate loans to qualified Bristol Bay drainage residents to purchase drift or set permits.
The program also will provide financial assistance in the form of interest subsidy and “sweat equity” as well as business counseling and educational opportunities to improve the permit holder’s ability to manage their business successfully.
Patience, however, will be appreciated, for as BBEDC notes, this is a new program for administrators as well as participants.
The first step for those interested is to apply for a loan with CFAB in Anchorage. If the loan is denied the resident then becomes eligible to apply for the BBEDC permit loan program. Qualifications include being a resident of one of 25 Bristol Bay watershed communities, and at least 18 years of age. Applicants must have no overdue child support payments or be delinquent in their IRS tax obligations. They must also demonstrate active participation for three years previously in the Bristol Bay drift or set net fishery for which the permit is being acquired. Approval will be based on credit worthiness that can be addressed via the permit loan program.
There are several benefits of this program over some other existing loan options.
The loan guarantees are from 25 percent to 75 percent of the permit costs.
They require 5 percent rather than 20 percent down payment. Loan terms do not exceed 15 years.
A reduction of principal is available through sweat equity, as well as an interest subsidy. BBEDC will pay CRAB on behalf of the borrower up to 4.5 percent of the original loan amount under the CFAB loan annually as an interest subsidy for the duration of the loan term, not to exceed 15 year, payable on the anniversary date of the agreement, with the annual payment not exceeding $4,000 or the total amount of the interest due, whichever is less.
More information is at www.bbedc.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Aid Offered to Fishing Communities Affected by Japan Earthquake
The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission, Inc. has reactivated to aid fishing communities affected by the disastrous Japan earthquakes and tsunamis.
The announcement this week came from Larry Cotter, chairman of the AFIRM board and chief executive officer of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association. AFRIM is offering aid through the combined donations of fishermen, processors, transportation and financial segments of the seafood industry from Alaska, the West Coast and their respective offshore federal waters.
Cotter noted that Japan is Alaska’s largest trading partner, with the majority consisting of Alaska seafood.
“In one way or another, everyone involved in any aspect of the seafood industry in Alaska and the West Coast has strong ties and relationships with Japan,” he said.
AFIRM director Terry Shaff, president of Unisea Inc., and chairman of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, said many contributions have already come in and more will be eager to help when the situation allows for a good assessment as to what kind of help is needed most.
AFIRM, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, was first formed to assist the Gulf fishing communities following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The group coordinated the donation of a Marine Travellift to refloat thousands of vessels grounded far inshore by the hurricanes, as well as providing for an ice-making facility.
Even before AFIRM was born, Alaska seafood processors had donated large quantities of shelf-stable products such as canned and pouched salmon, to be distributed in the Gulf region by America's Second Harvest and other groups.
United Fishermen of Alaska’s Mark Vinsel, secretary treasurer of AFIRM, said the organization is looking for contacts in the industry and hoping to duplicate its success to help fishing communities impacted by the Gulf of Mexico hurricanes several years ago. “We want to help fishing communities and we will look for guidance from them,” he said.
More information is at www.akjapanhelp.org. Donations are fully tax deductible.
The announcement this week came from Larry Cotter, chairman of the AFIRM board and chief executive officer of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association. AFRIM is offering aid through the combined donations of fishermen, processors, transportation and financial segments of the seafood industry from Alaska, the West Coast and their respective offshore federal waters.
Cotter noted that Japan is Alaska’s largest trading partner, with the majority consisting of Alaska seafood.
“In one way or another, everyone involved in any aspect of the seafood industry in Alaska and the West Coast has strong ties and relationships with Japan,” he said.
AFIRM director Terry Shaff, president of Unisea Inc., and chairman of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, said many contributions have already come in and more will be eager to help when the situation allows for a good assessment as to what kind of help is needed most.
AFIRM, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, was first formed to assist the Gulf fishing communities following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The group coordinated the donation of a Marine Travellift to refloat thousands of vessels grounded far inshore by the hurricanes, as well as providing for an ice-making facility.
Even before AFIRM was born, Alaska seafood processors had donated large quantities of shelf-stable products such as canned and pouched salmon, to be distributed in the Gulf region by America's Second Harvest and other groups.
United Fishermen of Alaska’s Mark Vinsel, secretary treasurer of AFIRM, said the organization is looking for contacts in the industry and hoping to duplicate its success to help fishing communities impacted by the Gulf of Mexico hurricanes several years ago. “We want to help fishing communities and we will look for guidance from them,” he said.
More information is at www.akjapanhelp.org. Donations are fully tax deductible.
Gulf Residents Ask for Solutions to Chinook Salmon Bycatch
With the North Pacific Fishery Management Council poised to begin an initial review of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon bycatch controls, the Alaska Marine Conservation Council this week issued a call for action.
AMCC issued a news release in Anchorage, where the council is meeting from March 28 through April 5, urging that the limit on incidental harvest of king salmon in the Gulf Pollock fishery be set at a maximum of 15,000 fish.
Council members are expected to look at limits ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 kings, when the agenda item comes up on Friday.
Along with the bycatch cap, the NPFMC will consider requiring that the trawl fleet cooperate to meet any new conservation goal. Such an approach would emulate systems now used by the larger Pollock fleets in the Bering Sea that reward clean fishing and penalize vessel owners with high bycatch.
Last year some 41,000 Chinook salmon were taken as bycatch during the Gulf Pollock fishery, a record bycatch according to federal statistics., while the region’s king salmon runs were at historic low returns.
Chinook salmon returns for all Gulf of Alaska management areas last year were below 10-year averages. In fact, AMCC argued, the Pollock fishery bycatch exceeded the combined commercial king salmon harvest in the Kodiak and Chignik areas by some 20,000 fish.
More than 500 people living in coastal Alaska communities recently signed a letter urging that the bycatch not be allowed to exceed 15,000 kings, AMCC said.
Harvester Theresa Peterson, who serves as Kodiak outreach coordinator for AMCC, said fishermen are looking for solutions – commercial, sport and subsistence salmon fishermen as well as the trawl fleet. Peterson said the group hopes the state and fishery managers can reach an agreement for expedited and meaningful action that will be in the best interest of the state, fishing jobs and coastal communities.
AMCC issued a news release in Anchorage, where the council is meeting from March 28 through April 5, urging that the limit on incidental harvest of king salmon in the Gulf Pollock fishery be set at a maximum of 15,000 fish.
Council members are expected to look at limits ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 kings, when the agenda item comes up on Friday.
Along with the bycatch cap, the NPFMC will consider requiring that the trawl fleet cooperate to meet any new conservation goal. Such an approach would emulate systems now used by the larger Pollock fleets in the Bering Sea that reward clean fishing and penalize vessel owners with high bycatch.
Last year some 41,000 Chinook salmon were taken as bycatch during the Gulf Pollock fishery, a record bycatch according to federal statistics., while the region’s king salmon runs were at historic low returns.
Chinook salmon returns for all Gulf of Alaska management areas last year were below 10-year averages. In fact, AMCC argued, the Pollock fishery bycatch exceeded the combined commercial king salmon harvest in the Kodiak and Chignik areas by some 20,000 fish.
More than 500 people living in coastal Alaska communities recently signed a letter urging that the bycatch not be allowed to exceed 15,000 kings, AMCC said.
Harvester Theresa Peterson, who serves as Kodiak outreach coordinator for AMCC, said fishermen are looking for solutions – commercial, sport and subsistence salmon fishermen as well as the trawl fleet. Peterson said the group hopes the state and fishery managers can reach an agreement for expedited and meaningful action that will be in the best interest of the state, fishing jobs and coastal communities.
Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium Begins April 9
Organizers of Kodiak’s first marine science symposium plan to pack into the four-day event beginning April 9 presentations of decades of marine research conducted in the Kodiak area, for the benefit of fishermen, students and other residents of Kodiak.
The event, sponsored by Alaska Sea Grant, is aimed at educating the people who live on and fish in the Kodiak area about how Kodiak’s marine environment and resources function change and affect their lives and livelihoods. Discussions will span all dimensions of marine science in the Kodiak area, from physical oceanography to zooplankton, crabs to salmon, puffins to killer whales and historic to current human dimensions, organizers said.
Community support for infrastructure needed for resident state, federal and academic researchers on the island has helped Kodiak develop into a center of marine research, with facilities including the NOAA search ship Oscar Dyson.
While a wealth of marine research has been conducted in Kodiak waters over the years, few of these studies have been presented broadly before to local fishermen and other residents of the community.
Duncan Fields, a commercial fisherman and a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council from Kodiak, will speak on the importance of science for sustainable fisheries.
Courtney Carothers of the University of Alaska Fairbanks will speak on fisheries privatization and shifting human-environment relationships in the Kodiak Archipelago,
Lowell Fritz of NOAA Fisheries in Seattle will speak on changes in the survival and reproduction of Steller sea lions in the central Gulf of Alaska from 1976 through 2009. Molly Odell of the University of Washington’s Department of Anthropology, will take on a broader topic – 7,000 years of intertidal shellfish exploitation in Chiniak Bay.
Daniel Urban of NOAA Fisheries at Kodiak will discuss Pacific cod predation on tanner crab in Marmot Bay, and Christina Conrath. Also of NOAA Fisheries at Kodiak, will talk about the Gulf of Alaska rockfish maturity project.
The complete agenda is at http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences
The event, sponsored by Alaska Sea Grant, is aimed at educating the people who live on and fish in the Kodiak area about how Kodiak’s marine environment and resources function change and affect their lives and livelihoods. Discussions will span all dimensions of marine science in the Kodiak area, from physical oceanography to zooplankton, crabs to salmon, puffins to killer whales and historic to current human dimensions, organizers said.
Community support for infrastructure needed for resident state, federal and academic researchers on the island has helped Kodiak develop into a center of marine research, with facilities including the NOAA search ship Oscar Dyson.
While a wealth of marine research has been conducted in Kodiak waters over the years, few of these studies have been presented broadly before to local fishermen and other residents of the community.
Duncan Fields, a commercial fisherman and a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council from Kodiak, will speak on the importance of science for sustainable fisheries.
Courtney Carothers of the University of Alaska Fairbanks will speak on fisheries privatization and shifting human-environment relationships in the Kodiak Archipelago,
Lowell Fritz of NOAA Fisheries in Seattle will speak on changes in the survival and reproduction of Steller sea lions in the central Gulf of Alaska from 1976 through 2009. Molly Odell of the University of Washington’s Department of Anthropology, will take on a broader topic – 7,000 years of intertidal shellfish exploitation in Chiniak Bay.
Daniel Urban of NOAA Fisheries at Kodiak will discuss Pacific cod predation on tanner crab in Marmot Bay, and Christina Conrath. Also of NOAA Fisheries at Kodiak, will talk about the Gulf of Alaska rockfish maturity project.
The complete agenda is at http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences
ComFish 2011 Offers Full Array of Topics, Speakers
ComFish 2011, coming at Kodiak April 14-16, is packed with fishery policy forums on a list of topics ranging seafood marketing updates to safety technology, alternative energy information, new products and environmental issues.
An impressive speakers list begins with Kodiak’s Mark Buckley, with his report card to fishermen on how their efforts paid off in much improved quality of sockeye salmon harvested from Bristol Bay during the 2010 season.
Buckley, who is pursuing a doctoral degree based on his fisheries research, has spent nearly 40 years working in many fields related to Alaska fisheries, and fished the bay himself for 22 summers. Now his research is based on helping fish harvesters get a better price for their salmon by better handling of the fish from the time it is picked from nets until it reaches the processing facilities.
Peter Bechtel of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, who is affiliated with the US Department of Agriculture, will talk about waste in the seafood industry , with tips on how now wasted parts of fish can be turned into profitable new products.
Alaska Senator Mark Begich, who chairs the Senate subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, will update ComFish attendees on congressional legislation, and Ken Lawrenson, fishing vessel safety coordinator for the U.S. Coast Guard 17th district, will talk about new regulations for dockside exams that will begin in late 2012.
Another perennial topic – development of non-renewable natural resources – will be discussed in forums on the proposed Chuitna coal mine project in Cook Inlet and the proposed Pebble mine at the headwaters of the Bristol Bay watershed.
These presentations will be led by Dennis Gann, of Cook InletKeeper and the Renewable Resources Coalition respectively.
The last day of ComFish will include the showing of the film “Ocean Fury: Tsunamis in Alaska,” by Alaska Sea Grant. The award-winning film features live footage and interviews with survivors of the 1964 Alaska earthquake and deadly tsunamis in its wake on Alaska communities.
More information is at www.comfishalaska.com
An impressive speakers list begins with Kodiak’s Mark Buckley, with his report card to fishermen on how their efforts paid off in much improved quality of sockeye salmon harvested from Bristol Bay during the 2010 season.
Buckley, who is pursuing a doctoral degree based on his fisheries research, has spent nearly 40 years working in many fields related to Alaska fisheries, and fished the bay himself for 22 summers. Now his research is based on helping fish harvesters get a better price for their salmon by better handling of the fish from the time it is picked from nets until it reaches the processing facilities.
Peter Bechtel of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, who is affiliated with the US Department of Agriculture, will talk about waste in the seafood industry , with tips on how now wasted parts of fish can be turned into profitable new products.
Alaska Senator Mark Begich, who chairs the Senate subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, will update ComFish attendees on congressional legislation, and Ken Lawrenson, fishing vessel safety coordinator for the U.S. Coast Guard 17th district, will talk about new regulations for dockside exams that will begin in late 2012.
Another perennial topic – development of non-renewable natural resources – will be discussed in forums on the proposed Chuitna coal mine project in Cook Inlet and the proposed Pebble mine at the headwaters of the Bristol Bay watershed.
These presentations will be led by Dennis Gann, of Cook InletKeeper and the Renewable Resources Coalition respectively.
The last day of ComFish will include the showing of the film “Ocean Fury: Tsunamis in Alaska,” by Alaska Sea Grant. The award-winning film features live footage and interviews with survivors of the 1964 Alaska earthquake and deadly tsunamis in its wake on Alaska communities.
More information is at www.comfishalaska.com
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