By Kris Norosz, Julie Decker and Doug Ward
With our massive land endowment and bragging rights as the largest state in the nation, it’s easy to lose sight of an important fact – Alaska is a maritime state.
We have more miles of coastline than all other US coastal states combined. Alaska’s Arctic coast makes the US an Arctic nation. We share international maritime borders with Russia and Canada. Our location in the North Pacific makes Alaska the strategic lynchpin for logistical, security and economic activity between North America, Europe and Asia. And our only designated National Highway System connector is the Alaska Marine Highway System.
The sectors that drive our economy are dependent on direct maritime activity and support.
The waters off Alaska’s shores produce more than 60 percent of the nation’s seafood harvest. Significant amounts of oil and gas are produced offshore. Communities and consumers depend upon marine lines for fuel, durable goods and consumer products. In fact, more than 90 percent of all goods arrive on a ship. Ferries, cruise ships and personal watercraft ply our waters filled with commuters, fishers, and sightseers, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Alaska’s economy.
Alaska depends on maritime infrastructure to facilitate all of this economic activity. There are 95 ports and harbors in 60 different locations with more than 10,700 mooring slips in our state.
Keeping the fleet shipshape creates opportunities to provide shore-side support in the form of marine electronics, boatlifts, supplies and gear. Also, let’s not forget the building and repairing of ships and boats suitable for our waters in Alaska’s shipyards and drydocks.
Are you beginning to see the picture?
Seafood harvesters, seafood processors, marine occupations, support industry jobs, and research, enhancement and management – all recognize the need to address our critical and growing workforce shortages together. Which is why these groups, joined by five state agencies – Labor and Workforce Development, Fish and Game, Transportation and Public Facilities, Education and Early Development, and Commerce, Community and Economic Development – and the University of Alaska, worked hand-in-hand to develop a strategic plan to work together and support this important workforce.
While you won’t see “maritime industry” in any economics report, these sectors all work on or near the water. The workforce for these sectors must possess common skillsets and competencies.
A recent study found Alaska ranks third in the nation in per capita maritime jobs. Our state relies heavily on this workforce, estimated at nearly 70,000 jobs, to keep our economy sailing smoothly.
That’s why this group of industry, education and government representatives are working together to resolve shared challenges – an aging workforce, misperceptions about maritime career opportunities and difficulties in filling well-paying jobs – through the creation of a maritime workforce development plan.
The University of Alaska provided resources to guide the planning effort, hold stakeholder meetings and support development of the plan.
With its long commitment to Alaska and particularly the fishing industry, the Rasmuson Foundation leant support and vision to the process. The foundation was instrumental in convening industry, university and state leadership to support the planning process, and to adopt an expansive vision of maritime workforce development. This vision spans frontline occupational preparation to more advanced technical and middle skill careers, as well as professional and managerial opportunities.
Senator Lyman Hoffman and Representative Bryce Edgmon also provided leadership, support, and advice as the plan developed. We are grateful for their contributions.
After two years of research, assessment and analysis, the Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan is now available. Go to http://www.Labor.Alaska.Gov/MaritimePlan to download or read online.
The plan identifies 23 priority occupations across the four maritime sub-sectors. It also includes strategies to create a seamless workforce development system that will prepare Alaskans for these opportunities.
In reality, our work has just begun. Now we must work together to implement the plan, inform Alaskans about maritime job opportunities, align educational and training resources, and create new pathways of opportunity for maritime employers and workers.
Over the next few months salmon fisheries will be in full gear, visitors will flock to our shores, and Alaskans will take to the water for commerce, recreation and subsistence. As we enjoy the opportunities our maritime state provides, let’s also make a commitment to work together to build the strong, skilled maritime workforce that makes these opportunities possible.
Read the plan. Tell others, such as local educators and maritime business owners. Provide your thoughts and ideas to help us implement the plan. Alaska’s maritime legacy is vast and inspiring. Its future will be equally challenging and rewarding. It begins with educated, trained and experienced Alaskans engaged in marine transportation, maritime support services, marine resource and ecosystem management, and seafood harvesting and processing. Let’s get underway.
Kris Norosz is government affairs director for Icicle Seafoods and co-chair of the Fisheries Seafood Maritime Initiative. Julie Decker is a commercial fisherman and executive director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation. Doug Ward is shipyard development director for Vigor Alaska and chair of the Alaska Workforce Investment Board.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Wild Salmon Harvest in Alaska Jumps
to 23.6 Million Fish
Commercial harvests of wild salmon by fishermen in Alaska has jumped to 23,626 million fish, including 16,444,000 sockeye, 4,651,000 pink, 2,361,000 chum, 151,000 Chinook and 19,000 silver salmon. For the same period just a week ago, the estimated harvest came to 5.5 million salmon of all species.
In Alaska’s central region, including Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound, harvesters have delivered 19,563,000 fish, including more than 14 million sockeyes, 4.4 million humpies, more than 1 million chum, 22,000 king and 2,000 silvers.
The run into Bristol Bay, which is expected to peak this week, has already produced a harvest of 11,160,000 reds, 207,000 chums and 9,000 king salmon, delivering more than 11 million 376,000 fish to processors. The biggest harvest within Bristol Bay has been in the Naknek-Kwichak, with 4,628,000 salmon hooked, and close behind are the Nushagak district, with a catch of 3,507,000 salmon, and Egegik district, with 3,129,000 salmon delivered to processors.
The king run on the Nushagak, which started off strong, fell a little behind the escapement goal range this week, but was expected to reach the goal within the next few days, said Tim Sands, an area management biologist at Dillingham.
In Cook Inlet, 333,000 salmon have been caught, 323,000 of them sockeyes, while in Prince William Sound, the harvest total reached 7,855,000 fish, including 4.4 million humpies, 2.6 million reds, 793,000 chum, 11,000 kings and 1,000 cohos.
That includes 1.7 million salmon from the Copper River drift district.
On the Alaska Peninsula, the harvest has grown to 1.8 million salmon, with fishermen delivering 1.2 million sockeyes, 389,000 chum, 184,000 pink, 3,000 king and 2,000 silvers. In Kodiak, deliveries to processors have to date included 1.1 million salmon, including 983,000 sockeyes, 94,000 chum, 24,000 pink and 2,000 king salmon.
The Lower Yukon has also had a healthy summer chum run, delivering more than 231,000 fish to processors.
With more and more wild salmon competing for consumer dollars, Copper River sockeye salmon are still commanding $59.95 a fish at the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. The Pike Place Fish Market also is offering whole fresh trolled king salmon from Southeast Alaska for $16.99 a pound, and fillets for $27.99 a pound.
At 10th and M Seafoods in Anchorage, red salmon from Main Bay and Whittier was selling this week for $7.95 for the headed and gutted whole fish and $10.95 a pound for fillets; while the price for Southeast trolled kings was $17.95 a pound for fillets and $12,95 a pound for the whole headed and gutted fish.
In Alaska’s central region, including Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound, harvesters have delivered 19,563,000 fish, including more than 14 million sockeyes, 4.4 million humpies, more than 1 million chum, 22,000 king and 2,000 silvers.
The run into Bristol Bay, which is expected to peak this week, has already produced a harvest of 11,160,000 reds, 207,000 chums and 9,000 king salmon, delivering more than 11 million 376,000 fish to processors. The biggest harvest within Bristol Bay has been in the Naknek-Kwichak, with 4,628,000 salmon hooked, and close behind are the Nushagak district, with a catch of 3,507,000 salmon, and Egegik district, with 3,129,000 salmon delivered to processors.
The king run on the Nushagak, which started off strong, fell a little behind the escapement goal range this week, but was expected to reach the goal within the next few days, said Tim Sands, an area management biologist at Dillingham.
In Cook Inlet, 333,000 salmon have been caught, 323,000 of them sockeyes, while in Prince William Sound, the harvest total reached 7,855,000 fish, including 4.4 million humpies, 2.6 million reds, 793,000 chum, 11,000 kings and 1,000 cohos.
That includes 1.7 million salmon from the Copper River drift district.
On the Alaska Peninsula, the harvest has grown to 1.8 million salmon, with fishermen delivering 1.2 million sockeyes, 389,000 chum, 184,000 pink, 3,000 king and 2,000 silvers. In Kodiak, deliveries to processors have to date included 1.1 million salmon, including 983,000 sockeyes, 94,000 chum, 24,000 pink and 2,000 king salmon.
The Lower Yukon has also had a healthy summer chum run, delivering more than 231,000 fish to processors.
With more and more wild salmon competing for consumer dollars, Copper River sockeye salmon are still commanding $59.95 a fish at the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. The Pike Place Fish Market also is offering whole fresh trolled king salmon from Southeast Alaska for $16.99 a pound, and fillets for $27.99 a pound.
At 10th and M Seafoods in Anchorage, red salmon from Main Bay and Whittier was selling this week for $7.95 for the headed and gutted whole fish and $10.95 a pound for fillets; while the price for Southeast trolled kings was $17.95 a pound for fillets and $12,95 a pound for the whole headed and gutted fish.
NOAA Funds Mariculture Industry Development Plan
in Alaska
The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation has been awarded a $216,812 federal grant to expedite development of the mariculture industry in the state, using a strategic planning process.
The goal, says AFDF executive director Julie Decker, is to grow a $1 billion mariculture industry within 30 years. According to the mariculture initiative developed by AFDF, this goal was attainable via a coordinated effort, a public-private partnership, and a strategic plan.
And part of the strategy plan, Decker said, in an interview with Fishermen’s News, is to bring in harvesters and processors, to help them understand that this will benefit them as well.
AFDF is looking at coordinating with all the (seafood) entities around the state over the next two years to develop a long-term strategic plan, to include how to address issues regarding mariculture sites. While there have been some very legitimate conflicts in the past over use of some sites for mariculture, these can be worked out, said Decker. “The more we talk about aquatic farming and what it means, the more people will become comfortable with it,” she said.
Finfish aquaculture is illegal in Alaska, but salmon enhancement is allowed, and that is really a form of aquaculture, she said. What AFDF is looking to develop is mariculture involving shellfish and aquatic plants, she said.
So the project has identified two interim goals to reach the end goal: expanding the stakeholder base, and developing a clear and comprehensive strategic plan.
Expansion of the stakeholder base – to include aquatic farming, wild fishery enhancement and restoration of species ranging from king crab to mussels and sea urchins- with creation of partnerships, would increase the capacity for the project to be effective. To develop the strategic plan, AFDF would convene strategic planning conferences in Alaska, including experts from other regions with successful mariculture industries.
The goal, says AFDF executive director Julie Decker, is to grow a $1 billion mariculture industry within 30 years. According to the mariculture initiative developed by AFDF, this goal was attainable via a coordinated effort, a public-private partnership, and a strategic plan.
And part of the strategy plan, Decker said, in an interview with Fishermen’s News, is to bring in harvesters and processors, to help them understand that this will benefit them as well.
AFDF is looking at coordinating with all the (seafood) entities around the state over the next two years to develop a long-term strategic plan, to include how to address issues regarding mariculture sites. While there have been some very legitimate conflicts in the past over use of some sites for mariculture, these can be worked out, said Decker. “The more we talk about aquatic farming and what it means, the more people will become comfortable with it,” she said.
Finfish aquaculture is illegal in Alaska, but salmon enhancement is allowed, and that is really a form of aquaculture, she said. What AFDF is looking to develop is mariculture involving shellfish and aquatic plants, she said.
So the project has identified two interim goals to reach the end goal: expanding the stakeholder base, and developing a clear and comprehensive strategic plan.
Expansion of the stakeholder base – to include aquatic farming, wild fishery enhancement and restoration of species ranging from king crab to mussels and sea urchins- with creation of partnerships, would increase the capacity for the project to be effective. To develop the strategic plan, AFDF would convene strategic planning conferences in Alaska, including experts from other regions with successful mariculture industries.
Steller Sea Lion Protections Proposed for Aleutian Island Fisheries
Federal fisheries officials have published a proposed rule to implement Steller sea lion protection measures for groundfish fisheries in Alaska’s Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
The intent of the proposed rule is twofold. First, it is to protect endangered western distinct population segments of Steller sea lions and their critical habitat, as required under the Endangered Species Act, and second, to conserve and manage the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to minimize the economic impact of fishery management measures, to the extent practicable, as required under the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Western Steller sea lions, those generally found west of 144 degrees longitude in Alaska, are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
These Steller sea lions eat a diet principally of Atka mackerel, Pacific cod and pollock. The proposed NOAA measures would maintain a cautionary approach to fishing for these resources in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.
Publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register opened a 45-day pubic comment period, which concludes on Aug. 15.
Comments may be submitted electronically via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, or mailed to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional administrator for sustainable fisheries, c/o NMFS Alaska Region, attn: Ellen Sebastian, Po Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
NOAA Fisheries said they will review and consider public comments submitted in developing a final rule to implement Steller sea lion protective measures. NOAA Fisheries expects to implement the new regulations in January 2015 to comply with a court ordered deadline set by the federal district court for the state of Alaska. Go to www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ for related documents.
The intent of the proposed rule is twofold. First, it is to protect endangered western distinct population segments of Steller sea lions and their critical habitat, as required under the Endangered Species Act, and second, to conserve and manage the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to minimize the economic impact of fishery management measures, to the extent practicable, as required under the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Western Steller sea lions, those generally found west of 144 degrees longitude in Alaska, are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
These Steller sea lions eat a diet principally of Atka mackerel, Pacific cod and pollock. The proposed NOAA measures would maintain a cautionary approach to fishing for these resources in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.
Publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register opened a 45-day pubic comment period, which concludes on Aug. 15.
Comments may be submitted electronically via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, or mailed to Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional administrator for sustainable fisheries, c/o NMFS Alaska Region, attn: Ellen Sebastian, Po Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
NOAA Fisheries said they will review and consider public comments submitted in developing a final rule to implement Steller sea lion protective measures. NOAA Fisheries expects to implement the new regulations in January 2015 to comply with a court ordered deadline set by the federal district court for the state of Alaska. Go to www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ for related documents.
Alaska-Argentina Collaborate on Crab Research
Researchers from Alaska and Argentina are collaborating this summer in Juneau in studying the biology of the early life stages of southern king crab, whose scientific name is lithodes santolla.
Staff at the Alaska King Crab Research, Rehabilitation and Biology Program said the collaboration with Paula Sotelano of the Austral Center for Scientific Research in Ushuaia, Argentina is providing an excellent opportunity for international sharing of king crab research.
Southern king crab stocks in Argentina are currently depressed, similar to some king crab stocks in Alaska, and declines in landings have motivated research and development for a stock enhancement program in Argentina.
Sotelano has studied the effects of density, stage and molt condition on juvenile king crab growth and cannibalism as a postdoctoral researcher at the Austral Center’s Marine Crustaceans Laboratory.
In Alaska she is earning about Alaska king crab culture and research so that technologies might be transferred to Argentina.
Sotelano arrived in Alaska in April to attend the Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium, where she heard about a variety of crab research in the area, including the NOAA Kodiak Laboratory. She visited the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery in Seward to learn the hatchery setup and was in Juneau through the end of July, comparing behavioral traits between wild and hatchery-raised Alaska red king crab juveniles to learn more about potential effects on hatchery rearing.
The AKCRRAB program is sponsored by a number of community groups, industry members, the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, NOAA Fisheries, the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean sciences, and Alaska Sea Grant.
Staff at the Alaska King Crab Research, Rehabilitation and Biology Program said the collaboration with Paula Sotelano of the Austral Center for Scientific Research in Ushuaia, Argentina is providing an excellent opportunity for international sharing of king crab research.
Southern king crab stocks in Argentina are currently depressed, similar to some king crab stocks in Alaska, and declines in landings have motivated research and development for a stock enhancement program in Argentina.
Sotelano has studied the effects of density, stage and molt condition on juvenile king crab growth and cannibalism as a postdoctoral researcher at the Austral Center’s Marine Crustaceans Laboratory.
In Alaska she is earning about Alaska king crab culture and research so that technologies might be transferred to Argentina.
Sotelano arrived in Alaska in April to attend the Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium, where she heard about a variety of crab research in the area, including the NOAA Kodiak Laboratory. She visited the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery in Seward to learn the hatchery setup and was in Juneau through the end of July, comparing behavioral traits between wild and hatchery-raised Alaska red king crab juveniles to learn more about potential effects on hatchery rearing.
The AKCRRAB program is sponsored by a number of community groups, industry members, the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, NOAA Fisheries, the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean sciences, and Alaska Sea Grant.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wild Salmon Catch in Alaska Exceeds 5.5 Million Fish
Alaska’s annual wild salmon catch is quickening its pace, with Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Western Alaska harvesters bringing thousands of fish, even as Copper River has peaked, but still continues to keep processors busy.
As of June 24, the estimated harvest stood at 5,506,000 salmon of all species, including 3,906,000 sockeye, 1,126,000 chum, 338,000 pink, 117,000 king and 20,000 silver salmon.
The state’s central region, including Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound, has delivered to processors nearly 3 million salmon, the bulk of them reds. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimated in its daily blue sheet that those harvesters have delivered 2,144,000 sockeye, 561,000 chum, 198,000 pink, 15,000 silver and 10,000 king salmon.
For the Copper River district drift fishery alone, the estimated harvest stood yesterday at 1,591,000 fish, including 1,543,000 sockeye and 9,000 kings.
State area research biologist Chuck Prazil at King Salmon said the run into Bristol Bay is just starting to ramp, with the usual overcast weather, but if it stays at the usual pace the run appears to be at this week, it should peak right around July 4.
The catch in Bristol Bay’s Egegik District alone rose from 115,000 sockeyes by June 23 to 190,000 reds delivered on June 24, and the Togiak district has reached a harvest of 3,000 fish. Meanwhile prices are starting to fluctuate more.
At the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, whole Copper River sockeyes were commanding $69.95 a fish, with fillets being sold for $19.99 a pound. Pike Place was out of Copper River kings, but whole wild troll-caught king salmon from Southeast Alaska were fetching $16.99 a pound, and fillets of those kings $27.99.
In Anchorage, 10th and M Seafoods offered Prince William Sound reds for $6.95 a pound for the whole fish and $9.95 a pound for fillets. FishEx posted prices for wild salmon, including $44.95 a pound for fresh and frozen Copper River kings, $32.95 a pound for fresh Copper River sockeye fillets and $29.95 a pound for fresh Cook Inlet king salmon fillets.
Consumers are also finding online deals for smoked, fillet and canned wild Alaska salmon products via Amazon.com
As of June 24, the estimated harvest stood at 5,506,000 salmon of all species, including 3,906,000 sockeye, 1,126,000 chum, 338,000 pink, 117,000 king and 20,000 silver salmon.
The state’s central region, including Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound, has delivered to processors nearly 3 million salmon, the bulk of them reds. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimated in its daily blue sheet that those harvesters have delivered 2,144,000 sockeye, 561,000 chum, 198,000 pink, 15,000 silver and 10,000 king salmon.
For the Copper River district drift fishery alone, the estimated harvest stood yesterday at 1,591,000 fish, including 1,543,000 sockeye and 9,000 kings.
State area research biologist Chuck Prazil at King Salmon said the run into Bristol Bay is just starting to ramp, with the usual overcast weather, but if it stays at the usual pace the run appears to be at this week, it should peak right around July 4.
The catch in Bristol Bay’s Egegik District alone rose from 115,000 sockeyes by June 23 to 190,000 reds delivered on June 24, and the Togiak district has reached a harvest of 3,000 fish. Meanwhile prices are starting to fluctuate more.
At the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, whole Copper River sockeyes were commanding $69.95 a fish, with fillets being sold for $19.99 a pound. Pike Place was out of Copper River kings, but whole wild troll-caught king salmon from Southeast Alaska were fetching $16.99 a pound, and fillets of those kings $27.99.
In Anchorage, 10th and M Seafoods offered Prince William Sound reds for $6.95 a pound for the whole fish and $9.95 a pound for fillets. FishEx posted prices for wild salmon, including $44.95 a pound for fresh and frozen Copper River kings, $32.95 a pound for fresh Copper River sockeye fillets and $29.95 a pound for fresh Cook Inlet king salmon fillets.
Consumers are also finding online deals for smoked, fillet and canned wild Alaska salmon products via Amazon.com
State of Alaska Launches Chinook Salmon Website
Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game has introduced the online publication Chinook News, to offer a statewide perspective on major issues related to Chinook salmon in Alaska.
The publication is designed to highlight these issues while giving the reader an overview of what ASF&G is doing to understand and sustainably manage this important resource, said Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell.
Ed Jones, the state agency’s Chinook salmon research initiative coordinator, notes that Alaska’s Chinook salmon stocks currently are suffering from a prolonged period of poor productivity and research suggests that the problem lies mostly in the marine environment. “This is not unprecedented, it has happened historically, and it’s not a matter of if the runs will rebound, but when,” Jones said.
Meanwhile weak Chinook runs have impacted subsistence harvests, sport fishing opportunities and commercial activity. On the Lower Yukon River, commercial harvesters are using dip nets to harvest keta salmon, to avoid the kings that could otherwise be caught in drift nets.
ASF&G hopes that its Chinook Salmon Research Initiative launched in 2012 will help determine the causes for the downturn in production. They hope this effort will provide the information needed to better predict Chinook runs in the future and help them to better manage fisheries to sustain harvests even in years of low runs. Plans are over the next five years to study 12 river systems throughout Alaska.
Campbell said ADF&G is committed to keeping all Alaskans informed about this issue through the website, http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/library/pdfs/chinooknews/cn_summer2014_n1.pdf The current issue explains the research initiative and extensive information on king salmon, their diversity of life history traits, their role in Alaska’s lifestyle and Alaska and the world’s economy.
The publication is designed to highlight these issues while giving the reader an overview of what ASF&G is doing to understand and sustainably manage this important resource, said Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell.
Ed Jones, the state agency’s Chinook salmon research initiative coordinator, notes that Alaska’s Chinook salmon stocks currently are suffering from a prolonged period of poor productivity and research suggests that the problem lies mostly in the marine environment. “This is not unprecedented, it has happened historically, and it’s not a matter of if the runs will rebound, but when,” Jones said.
Meanwhile weak Chinook runs have impacted subsistence harvests, sport fishing opportunities and commercial activity. On the Lower Yukon River, commercial harvesters are using dip nets to harvest keta salmon, to avoid the kings that could otherwise be caught in drift nets.
ASF&G hopes that its Chinook Salmon Research Initiative launched in 2012 will help determine the causes for the downturn in production. They hope this effort will provide the information needed to better predict Chinook runs in the future and help them to better manage fisheries to sustain harvests even in years of low runs. Plans are over the next five years to study 12 river systems throughout Alaska.
Campbell said ADF&G is committed to keeping all Alaskans informed about this issue through the website, http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/library/pdfs/chinooknews/cn_summer2014_n1.pdf The current issue explains the research initiative and extensive information on king salmon, their diversity of life history traits, their role in Alaska’s lifestyle and Alaska and the world’s economy.
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