March 16 2009 Disclaimer: Inclusion of a news article, report, or other document in this email does not imply MCA support or endorsement of the information or opinion expressed in the document.
Fisheries Managers Say Canada Taking Steps To Better Contain Farmed Salmon (KFSK Audio) (3/13)
USCG – consolidation of merchant mariner credentials
STATE
New Alaska Ship Supply store to open in May (3/11)
Annual Alaska Salmon Production Report for 2008 (2/24)
Alaska Salmon Production Report for Sep-Dec 2008 (2/18)
Southeast harvester is rising star in Alaska fisheries (3/13)
MARKETING
Gillnetters Association To Host Preseason Informational Meeting (3/15)
ASMI. Alaska Seafood 2009, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Performance Report and Posture Statement
Cost of certifications to fall to private fishing industry (3/13)
Alaska Air Cargo Enhances Seafood Shipment Services (3/14)
FEDERAL
Fisheries Managers Say Canada Taking Steps To Better Contain Farmed Salmon (KFSK Audio) (3/13). Commercial and sport fishermen in southeast Alaska turned in 40 Atlantic salmon last year, following an escape from a British Columbia fish farm.
USCG – consolidation of merchant mariner credentials. The US Coast Guard issued a final rule consolidating credentials for US merchant mariners. The changes come into effect for credentials issued on or after April 15, 2009. As of that date, the issuances will be the consolidated merchant mariner credential (MMC). Previously issued merchant mariner documents (MMDs), merchant mariner licenses, certificates of registry (CORs), and STCW endorsements may remain valid until their normal expiration date, but not later than April 15, 2014. As shown here, the MMC (or Certificate of Competency) will resemble a US passport in size and shape, but be red in color. It will consolidate all records of the mariner’s qualifications, with the exception of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The MMC will serve as evidence of the mariner’s qualifications, but will not replace the TWIC as proof of the individual’s eligibility for unescorted access to secure areas of regulated facilities and vessels. Note: At least from the psychological perspective, this is a major development for US merchant mariners. It has, though, the potential to make their professional lives less complex and to bring the documentation process into the 21st century.74 Fed. Reg. 11195
STATE
New Alaska Ship Supply store to open in May (3/11). Alaska Ship Supply will soon be remodeling and moving into the old AC building next to the Grand Aleutian. The company is still in the planning phase, but they hope to open their doors on May 1, 2009. Alaska Ship Supply general manager Bob Owens said the new store will offer all of the same departments as the old store, such as clothing, food, marine hardware, appliances, and money gram services, but will add some new ones, too, including a home hardware department with a paint counter and a lumber yard.
"We'll have a very nice new d cor, a new environment. People will see a huge difference when they walk in the store," said Owens. More
Southeast harvester is rising star in Alaska fisheries (3/13). Editor's note: "Working Women" is a series that features a few of today's women who have forged their way into jobs that are traditionally known as male-dominated occupations.
It's still a man's world out there in the raucous Bristol Bay salmon fishery. But among the roughly 1,800 vessels jockeying for position, Southeast Alaska Capt. Lindsey Bloom holds her own aboard the 32-foot drift boat Erika Leigh.
"I really feel like fishing chose me," she said. "There wasn't much choice when my dad called and said, 'You're coming up to be permit holder on the Erika Leigh.'"
That was the summer, over a dozen years ago, when her brother decided not to fish. Bloom was told she was going to Bristol Bay to hold the family's limited entry permit for the drift vessel.
"When she started running the Erika Leigh, we actually had to move the steering wheel on the flying bridge lower so that she could physically do it," said Art Bloom, who recruited his daughter as crew when she was just 16 years old. "To me, it doesn't matter whether she's a man or a woman. I'm happy for her. I have a strong personal believe in working for yourself." More
MARKETING
Gillnetters Association To Host Preseason Informational Meeting (3/15). JUNEAU - Southeast Alaska's Regional Seafood Development Association and United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Association will co-host an preseason informational meeting for all Juneau gillnetters who want to learn more about current opportunities and issues related to Southeast Alaska's gillnet fishery, including the upcoming self-assessment vote in June. The meeting will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 25 at DIPAC, 2697 Channel Drive.
There also will be a discussion led by Southeast Alaska's RSDA about the upcoming gillnet self-assessment vote in June, which all Southeast gillnet permit holders will receive ballots for starting in April. This meeting will be a chance to learn more about Southeast Alaska's RSDA and ways that it can help Southeast gillnetters get more for their salmon and also cut their operating costs. Southeast Alaska's RSDA is a fishermen-led organization that works for Southeast's fishermen, so ideas and suggestions are encouraged.
All Juneau gillnetters and other interested parties are welcome to attend. Free snacks and refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Dubovsky at elizabeth@rainforestwild.org or 321.7221. Link
Cost of certifications to fall to private fishing industry (3/13). Managing fisheries for sustained yield is a mandate Alaska fisheries officials intend to keep honoring. But the price of proving that sustainability to the Marine Stewardship Council is a cost state fisheries managers say must be shared more fully within the industry, as the state of Alaska will cease in October to be the client paying all costs of the certification process.
At issue is the next annual audit of Alaska's sustainable salmon fisheries, which must be done if Alaska's commercial salmon harvest is to continue to carry the MSC stamp of approval.
The council, which bills itself as the world's leading certification and eco-labeling program for sustainable seafood, is based in London. The organization certifies various fisheries from around the world.
What the certification is worth these days is a matter of much debate in Alaska's fisheries industry.
The cost of MSC recertification every five years, to assure Alaska's salmon fisheries are sustainable, runs about $150,000. The annual sustainability audits cost about $75,000. All costs to date have been funded through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game budget; not any specified fish taxes. More
Alaska Air Cargo Enhances Seafood Shipment Services (3/14). SEATTLE — Prized wild seafood from the state of Alaska will arrive as fresh as possible at grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, thanks in part to a new quality control program at Alaska Air Cargo designed to keep seafood shipments cold. Alaska Air Cargo is one of the first air carriers to implement a special training program for employees who handle perishables such as fresh Alaska seafood.
These strict seafood quality standards require employees to pass an annual food quality course. Defined by the seafood industry as "cool chain," the program is used by processors and shippers to ensure a temperature-controlled environment for proper food handling. The goal is to keep the seafood moving expeditiously throughout its journey on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air and maintain temperatures between 32 and 40 degrees for fresh fish from the time it leaves the water to when it arrives at stores and restaurants.
"Preserving the quality of fresh seafood from the bountiful waters of the state of Alaska and delivering it to cities throughout our expansive route network is our top priority," said Joe Sprague, vice president of Alaska Air Cargo. "Our seafood partners can be confident their shipments will receive the attention they deserve when they choose Alaska Air Cargo."
Training and program materials were created by Alaska Air Cargo based on material used by seafood processors throughout the state of Alaska and was provided by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and Ocean Beauty Seafoods, LLC. More
