A plan announced by Alaska officials this past week seeks to provide COVID vaccines for seafood workers, including nonresidents, who are at least 50 years of age and working as essential frontline workers, but it’s still a work in process, with nothing finalized.
According to Jason Wiard, with the state’s COVID-19 Unified Command, Alaska officials have had a conversation with the state of Washington regarding vaccinations, but nothing has been decided yet. “We have also encouraged our industry partners interested in the vaccine to look into having eligible employees seek vaccination in their home state before coming to work in Alaska,” he said. One option being considered is to have these essential workers get their first shot in their home state and the second on when they arrive for work in Alaska, but no details have been worked out on that either.
In a letter sent to fishing industry representatives, Alaska Commissioner of Health Adam Crum and Ben Stevens chief of staff for Gov. Mike Dunleavy noted that the state to date had not received any additional amounts of vaccine from the federal government.
Industry representatives who met with state officials after learning about the proposal to vaccine qualified resident and nonresident seafood workers noted that just because the state has opened up vaccinations to nonresidents doesn’t mean those vaccines are going to be quickly available. The problem, said one, is the supply of vaccines is currently limited and if a community has a wait list for vacations, it could be quite a while before one’s turn came for the shot, so fishing industry operators also need to engage with communities and work with them to get these people vaccinated before they come to work in Alaska.
Seafood processing workers often work in close quarters and despite efforts to quarantine and pretest them before they go to work, often in rural areas of the state, there have been outbreaks of COVID-19, most recently at Trident Seafoods huge processing facility at Akutan in the Aleutians, as well as two processing facilities at Unalaska.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
VHF Radio System Issues in Southeast Alaska Remain a Work in Progress
Coast Guard officials say the VHF network issue that has been causing intermittent communication outages across Southeast Alaska has been resolved and that repairs are ongoing. Still due to extreme weather conditions and the remote locations where these radio towers are installed does remain an issue and intermittent outages are expected to continue at various locations.
Sites that the Coast Guard is still unable to receive communications from or have intermittent VHF communications include Mt. McArther, Deception Hills, Sukkwan Island, Althorp Peak, Cape Gull and Raspberry Island. The Coast Guard is urging mariners to use extra caution in areas serviced by those VHF towers.
Mariners are also reminded that due to mountainous terrain and limited VHF coverage, even with fully operational VHF sites, that the Coast Guard cannot hear VHF calls in all areas. Mariners are advised to have secondary means of communications on board at all times, file a float plan with a trusted person and carry safety equipment on board in the event they find themselves in a survival situation.
All boaters are also asked to also carefully evaluate their ability to assist distressed mariners and to always relay any heard distress calls to the Coast Guard. Emergency phone numbers include 907-463-2980 for Sector Juneau Command Center, 907-428-4100 for Sector Anchorage Command Center and 907-463-2000 for the 17th District Command Center. Charts showing the locations of VHF tower sites in Alaska on the Coast Guard’s Navigation Center websites include https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/images/marcomms/cgcomms/Rescue21/SecAnchorage.jpg and https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/images/marcomms/cgcomms/Rescue21/SecJuneau.jpg.
Sites that the Coast Guard is still unable to receive communications from or have intermittent VHF communications include Mt. McArther, Deception Hills, Sukkwan Island, Althorp Peak, Cape Gull and Raspberry Island. The Coast Guard is urging mariners to use extra caution in areas serviced by those VHF towers.
Mariners are also reminded that due to mountainous terrain and limited VHF coverage, even with fully operational VHF sites, that the Coast Guard cannot hear VHF calls in all areas. Mariners are advised to have secondary means of communications on board at all times, file a float plan with a trusted person and carry safety equipment on board in the event they find themselves in a survival situation.
All boaters are also asked to also carefully evaluate their ability to assist distressed mariners and to always relay any heard distress calls to the Coast Guard. Emergency phone numbers include 907-463-2980 for Sector Juneau Command Center, 907-428-4100 for Sector Anchorage Command Center and 907-463-2000 for the 17th District Command Center. Charts showing the locations of VHF tower sites in Alaska on the Coast Guard’s Navigation Center websites include https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/images/marcomms/cgcomms/Rescue21/SecAnchorage.jpg and https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/images/marcomms/cgcomms/Rescue21/SecJuneau.jpg.
Commercial Crab Fishery Opens North of Cape Falcon
in Oregon
The commercial fishery in the most northern section of the Oregon Coast has opened after a significant delay for the harvest of Dungeness crab.
Officials with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said that the fishery, one of 12 such harvest areas in the state, opened yesterday, and will continue through Aug. 14.
Some 424 permitted vessels have access to the derby fishery.
According to DFW officials the area had remained closed to commercial crabbing to coordinate an orderly start with the Washington coastal Dungeness crab fishery. Results of recent testing of crab viscera, or guts, for the marine biotoxin domoic acid conducted by Washington state fisheries biologists indicate that levels of the biotoxin are still elevated in crab viscera. That said, until further notice all crab harvested from Point Chehalis, Washington to the Washington-Oregon border must have the viscera removed by a licensed crab processor prior to sale to ensure that crab going to market are safe for consumption.
All Dungeness crab tested from all Oregon crab harvest areas have been well below alert levels and determined to be safe to eat. The Oregon Department of Agriculture plans to continue to regularly test crab and shellfish to ensure that toxin levels in all areas remain below alert levels.
Crabbers fishing in this area were allowed to begin setting gear on Feb. 13, using the pre-soak period to set gear in anticipation of the first pull of ocean crab pots yesterday.
More information about Oregon’s shellfish marine biotoxin monitoring is available from the Oregon Department of Agriculture shellfish safety information hotline at 800-448-2474 and online at https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/foodsafety/shellfish/pages/shellfishclosures.aspx.
Officials with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said that the fishery, one of 12 such harvest areas in the state, opened yesterday, and will continue through Aug. 14.
Some 424 permitted vessels have access to the derby fishery.
According to DFW officials the area had remained closed to commercial crabbing to coordinate an orderly start with the Washington coastal Dungeness crab fishery. Results of recent testing of crab viscera, or guts, for the marine biotoxin domoic acid conducted by Washington state fisheries biologists indicate that levels of the biotoxin are still elevated in crab viscera. That said, until further notice all crab harvested from Point Chehalis, Washington to the Washington-Oregon border must have the viscera removed by a licensed crab processor prior to sale to ensure that crab going to market are safe for consumption.
All Dungeness crab tested from all Oregon crab harvest areas have been well below alert levels and determined to be safe to eat. The Oregon Department of Agriculture plans to continue to regularly test crab and shellfish to ensure that toxin levels in all areas remain below alert levels.
Crabbers fishing in this area were allowed to begin setting gear on Feb. 13, using the pre-soak period to set gear in anticipation of the first pull of ocean crab pots yesterday.
More information about Oregon’s shellfish marine biotoxin monitoring is available from the Oregon Department of Agriculture shellfish safety information hotline at 800-448-2474 and online at https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/foodsafety/shellfish/pages/shellfishclosures.aspx.
PSMFC Application Period Opens for COVID Relief Funds
The application period is now open for eligible commercial fishing shellfish, charter and seafood sector industry members hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for assistance with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Those in the industry who saw a gross revenue loss from January through July 2020 that is greater than 35 percent of their average for 2015-2019 are eligible to seek federal relief funds. Washington-based commercial harvesters who fish in Alaska are also eligible.
Congress has provided under Section 12005 of the CARES Act $300 million for states to distribute to participants in these fisheries. NOAA Fisheries allocated the funds, with the highest allocation - $50 million each – going to Washington and Alaska.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a deep impact on commercial fisheries. “This sorely needed relief will help protect our people, businesses and communities,” he said.
The governor’s office has developed a plan for distributing these funds with assistance from the state departments of Fish and Wildlife, Agriculture, Commerce and the Washington Office of Financial Management.
State officials have already met virtually with commercial harvesters, shellfish growers and seafood processors to better understand the impact of the pandemic on the industry and to coordinate with fisheries managers in neighboring West Coast states as well.
WDFW is inviting those who may qualify to participate in a virtual public meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Meeting details will be available online at https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/foodsafety/shellfish/pages/shellfishclosures.aspx.
More information, including eligibility details and applications, is on the PSFMC website, psmfc.org/cares-act-the-coronavirus-aid-relief-and-economic-security-act.
Applications may be submitted through March 25.
The second round of assistance is expected to cover losses incurred between August and Dec. 31, 2020, made possible by another $300 million approved by Congress in December.
NOAA Fisheries has not yet announced how these funds are to be divided between the state territories and tribes.
Congress has provided under Section 12005 of the CARES Act $300 million for states to distribute to participants in these fisheries. NOAA Fisheries allocated the funds, with the highest allocation - $50 million each – going to Washington and Alaska.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a deep impact on commercial fisheries. “This sorely needed relief will help protect our people, businesses and communities,” he said.
The governor’s office has developed a plan for distributing these funds with assistance from the state departments of Fish and Wildlife, Agriculture, Commerce and the Washington Office of Financial Management.
State officials have already met virtually with commercial harvesters, shellfish growers and seafood processors to better understand the impact of the pandemic on the industry and to coordinate with fisheries managers in neighboring West Coast states as well.
WDFW is inviting those who may qualify to participate in a virtual public meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Meeting details will be available online at https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/foodsafety/shellfish/pages/shellfishclosures.aspx.
More information, including eligibility details and applications, is on the PSFMC website, psmfc.org/cares-act-the-coronavirus-aid-relief-and-economic-security-act.
Applications may be submitted through March 25.
The second round of assistance is expected to cover losses incurred between August and Dec. 31, 2020, made possible by another $300 million approved by Congress in December.
NOAA Fisheries has not yet announced how these funds are to be divided between the state territories and tribes.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Northern Dynasty, Pebble Partnership, Former CEO Subpoenaed by Feds
A Canadian mining company, its Alaska subsidiary and the former CEO of that subsidiary have been subpoenaed by the U.S. Attorney’s office for Alaska to produce documents in connection with a grand jury investigation apparently regarding the proposed Pebble mine.
Northern Dynasty Minerals, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, announced receipt of the subpoenas by the parent company, the Pebble Limited partnership in Anchorage, and former PLP CEO Tom Collier on its website, saying they intend to cooperate with the investigation.
Ron Thiessen, president and CEO of Northern Dynasty, said the grand jury investigation apparently involves previously disclosed recordings of private conversations regarding the proposed mine. Thiessen said that Northern Dynasty is not aware of any charges filed against any entity or individual in this matter. Thiessen said that Northern Dynasty will provide updates on the investigation in its periodic and interim filings and releases as necessary and appropriate. The company provided no further details on the matter.
Controversy over the proposed copper, gold and molybdenum mine has been ongoing for decades. Northern Dynasty has been working for several years to get to the point of permitting. The mine site is adjacent to the Bristol Bay watershed in Southwest Alaska, home to the world’s largest run of millions of wild sockeye salmon. The company contends that the mine can be built and operated in a manner that will not adversely impact salmon habitat, a contention challenged by fishermen, biologists and several environmental entities.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently declined to issue a critical water quality permit required for construction. Collier resigned in September after the non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency, a private entity in Washington D.C., released online in September videotape recordings known as the “Pebble Tapes.” The tapes, which are still online, are a series of recorded conversations with Thiessen and Collier who thought they were having private discussions with potential investors in the mine.
The tapes revealed plans to build a long-term mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, plus plans to expand the mine plan to open up other large areas of western Alaska, with the mine life expanded to 180 to 200 years. The recorded conversations include statements from Thiessen and Collier that contradict previous public statements by company executives on plans for Pebble to be a 20 year mine, as described in the company’s application for a Clean Water permit.
Northern Dynasty Minerals, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, announced receipt of the subpoenas by the parent company, the Pebble Limited partnership in Anchorage, and former PLP CEO Tom Collier on its website, saying they intend to cooperate with the investigation.
Ron Thiessen, president and CEO of Northern Dynasty, said the grand jury investigation apparently involves previously disclosed recordings of private conversations regarding the proposed mine. Thiessen said that Northern Dynasty is not aware of any charges filed against any entity or individual in this matter. Thiessen said that Northern Dynasty will provide updates on the investigation in its periodic and interim filings and releases as necessary and appropriate. The company provided no further details on the matter.
Controversy over the proposed copper, gold and molybdenum mine has been ongoing for decades. Northern Dynasty has been working for several years to get to the point of permitting. The mine site is adjacent to the Bristol Bay watershed in Southwest Alaska, home to the world’s largest run of millions of wild sockeye salmon. The company contends that the mine can be built and operated in a manner that will not adversely impact salmon habitat, a contention challenged by fishermen, biologists and several environmental entities.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently declined to issue a critical water quality permit required for construction. Collier resigned in September after the non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency, a private entity in Washington D.C., released online in September videotape recordings known as the “Pebble Tapes.” The tapes, which are still online, are a series of recorded conversations with Thiessen and Collier who thought they were having private discussions with potential investors in the mine.
The tapes revealed plans to build a long-term mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, plus plans to expand the mine plan to open up other large areas of western Alaska, with the mine life expanded to 180 to 200 years. The recorded conversations include statements from Thiessen and Collier that contradict previous public statements by company executives on plans for Pebble to be a 20 year mine, as described in the company’s application for a Clean Water permit.
Preseason Testing for Upcoming Crab Fishery in Petersburg, Alaska, Reveals One Positive Case
Officials with OBI Seafoods LLC say that preseason testing of its workforce for the upcoming Tanner and golden king crab fishery in Petersburg, Alaska, confirmed one positive case of the novel coronavirus. OBI Seafoods said that the infected individual was immediately isolated and that other employees who might have been in contact with the infected person were identified for additional testing and quarantine.
The company has hired a completely local workforce for this fishery, which begins on Feb. 17.
In addition to preseason screening, OBI Seafoods said plans are to continue testing at regular intervals during the season, as mandated by the state.
The company is working closely with the local medical team and public health officials to identify any further quarantine and testing recommendations, initiate contact tracing, and identify any potential risks to the individuals and the community.
Mark Palmer, chief executive officer of OBI, said they are glad to see that their preseason screening protocols were able to identify this asymptomatic positive case before the season began, so that the individual could be isolated and minimize possible spread of the virus.
Preseason testing and isolation of employees who test positive for COVID-19 is considered an important step in reducing the spread of the virus.
Company officials said that as they continue operating in an unprecedented pandemic and learn more about COVID-19 that they are updating their existing plans and protocols to protect their employees and the communities they work in.
All employees will undergo daily symptom and temperature checks prior to entering the worksite and periodic continuous screening testing, in compliance with state health mandates. OBI said that all of its locations have adopted heightened standards for cleaning and sanitation, and all employees are trained on enhanced personal protective equipment protocols and personal hygiene practices.
OBI Seafoods was formed in 2020 through the merger of the Alaska salmon and Gulf of Alaska groundfish operations of Ocean Beauty Seafoods and Icicle Seafoods, two of the oldest seafood companies in Alaska. OBI operates 10 processing plants in Alaska and is a leading producer of fresh, frozen and canned Alaska seafood. OBI’s ownership includes Cooke Seafood and the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp., a community development quota group based in Dillingham that supports economic development in the villages of Southwest Alaska.
The company has hired a completely local workforce for this fishery, which begins on Feb. 17.
In addition to preseason screening, OBI Seafoods said plans are to continue testing at regular intervals during the season, as mandated by the state.
The company is working closely with the local medical team and public health officials to identify any further quarantine and testing recommendations, initiate contact tracing, and identify any potential risks to the individuals and the community.
Mark Palmer, chief executive officer of OBI, said they are glad to see that their preseason screening protocols were able to identify this asymptomatic positive case before the season began, so that the individual could be isolated and minimize possible spread of the virus.
Preseason testing and isolation of employees who test positive for COVID-19 is considered an important step in reducing the spread of the virus.
Company officials said that as they continue operating in an unprecedented pandemic and learn more about COVID-19 that they are updating their existing plans and protocols to protect their employees and the communities they work in.
All employees will undergo daily symptom and temperature checks prior to entering the worksite and periodic continuous screening testing, in compliance with state health mandates. OBI said that all of its locations have adopted heightened standards for cleaning and sanitation, and all employees are trained on enhanced personal protective equipment protocols and personal hygiene practices.
OBI Seafoods was formed in 2020 through the merger of the Alaska salmon and Gulf of Alaska groundfish operations of Ocean Beauty Seafoods and Icicle Seafoods, two of the oldest seafood companies in Alaska. OBI operates 10 processing plants in Alaska and is a leading producer of fresh, frozen and canned Alaska seafood. OBI’s ownership includes Cooke Seafood and the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp., a community development quota group based in Dillingham that supports economic development in the villages of Southwest Alaska.
House Committee Holds Hearing on COVID-19 Impact on U.S. Maritime Sector
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is looking into the impact of the global novel coronavirus on the U.S. maritime supply chain and the maritime workforce as well as strategies to improve the nation’s marine transportation industry.
In opening remarks during a virtual Washington D.C. hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 9, committee chairman Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore, noted that over the past year the maritime industry has endured significant hardships and substantial impacts to business.
“With so much of U.S. trade and our national economy dependent on a seamlessly efficient global maritime supply chain, it is critical that we understand the impacts and implications moving forward as we shape recovery actions and future responses to national emergencies,” DeFazio said. The situation is complicated by the fact that certain portions of the industry weren’t faring well even before the pandemic, he said, with the internationally trading fleet shrunk to 85 vessels and carrying less than 1.5 percent of the goods entering and exiting domestic ports.
“Without a robust U.S. flag maritime industry, we would not have the mariners needed to go to war or supply our internationally deployed members of the military,” he said.
Constructive action must begin now to support all sectors of the maritime supply chain, from Coos Bay to Port Miami to revitalize the economy, he said.
Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-CA, and chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, told the committee that many passenger vessels operating in the Jones Act trade lost the entirety of their 2020 operating season. While passenger vessels and ferries are one of the few sectors of the maritime industry to receive federal assistance, they were left to compete for that assistance with other modes of passenger transportation, he said.
Meanwhile the remainder of the maritime industry had to shoulder the burden of increased costs of new safety measures, acquiring protective gear and complying with public health measures while other industries received federal assistance, he said.
Carbajal called for funding of the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief program, to protect American maritime jobs and assist operators struggling to stay afloat.
In opening remarks during a virtual Washington D.C. hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 9, committee chairman Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore, noted that over the past year the maritime industry has endured significant hardships and substantial impacts to business.
“With so much of U.S. trade and our national economy dependent on a seamlessly efficient global maritime supply chain, it is critical that we understand the impacts and implications moving forward as we shape recovery actions and future responses to national emergencies,” DeFazio said. The situation is complicated by the fact that certain portions of the industry weren’t faring well even before the pandemic, he said, with the internationally trading fleet shrunk to 85 vessels and carrying less than 1.5 percent of the goods entering and exiting domestic ports.
“Without a robust U.S. flag maritime industry, we would not have the mariners needed to go to war or supply our internationally deployed members of the military,” he said.
Constructive action must begin now to support all sectors of the maritime supply chain, from Coos Bay to Port Miami to revitalize the economy, he said.
Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-CA, and chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, told the committee that many passenger vessels operating in the Jones Act trade lost the entirety of their 2020 operating season. While passenger vessels and ferries are one of the few sectors of the maritime industry to receive federal assistance, they were left to compete for that assistance with other modes of passenger transportation, he said.
Meanwhile the remainder of the maritime industry had to shoulder the burden of increased costs of new safety measures, acquiring protective gear and complying with public health measures while other industries received federal assistance, he said.
Carbajal called for funding of the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief program, to protect American maritime jobs and assist operators struggling to stay afloat.
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