Environment

ComFish, Kodiak’s annual commercial fisheries trade show, had some big names for its forums, including the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s commissioner, Doug Vincent-Lang. The job is mostly focused on ecology, but the commissioner opened his remarks by talking about economic sustainability.  Commissioner Doug Vincent Lang gave his 2024 forum in the Kodiak Best Western’s Harbor Room. (Brian Venua/KMXT) …

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel Oscar Dyson left its homeport in Kodiak on April 1. The boat mostly provides insight into Alaska’s fish populations, from the Gulf of Alaska to the Bering Sea.  The Oscar Dyson docked at Kodiak’s Pier 2 on March 31. Most of the day was foggy and misty but lifted later that afternoon. …

There’s a new partnership to monitor Kodiak Island beaches for harmful algal blooms, which spread marine toxins like Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. Academic, federal, and tribal entities are working to better understand which waters are most susceptible to the toxins.   The project’s partners held a presentation about what they hope to find on Near Island in a building owned by …

As warmer spring weather approaches, and the snow continues to build in the backcountry on Kodiak Island, conditions are prime for avalanches. This week the Alaska Avalanche School will be in Kodiak to provide classes for residents who want to be safe when recreating in avalanche areas. Chris Bruno, one of the instructors with the Alaska Avalanche School, formerly lived …

Kodiak Island, like many places in Alaska, has dozens of historic military installations in need of cleanup, known as Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). There are 533 total in Alaska, 138 of them are in need of cleanup. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the remediation of multiple sites across the archipelago. But as KMXT’s Davis …

Beaked whales are a rare sight and spend most of their lives deep in the ocean. But one was found dead on a beach near Kodiak last week. KMXT’s Brian Venua joined a small team of researchers to dissect and study the whale.  Editor’s Note: Some photos depict blood and whale organs being removed. Viewer discretion is advised.   The drive …

Trident Seafoods is requesting a temporary exception to the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) so it can replace its bunkhouse dock along the western shore of Near Island Channel, in downtown Kodiak. The company’s work could potentially disturb a population of approximately 460 northern sea otters in the area. Trident currently owns three of the 14 shore-based processing facilities …

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is in the process of expanding the critical habitat of North Pacific Right Whales off the coast of Alaska. If finalized, the rare marine species could have further protections near Kodiak Island and other waters across the Gulf of Alaska. KMXT’s Davis Hovey reports: It’s estimated that less than 50 North Pacific Right Whales …

This week KDLG’s Christina Mc Dermott reports on seafood restaurant dynamics that drive low prices, Theo Greenly of KUCB on petition pushback from Unalaska, and hatchery salmon gets a hearing in the State House.

This week on The Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: Nothing is easy in the Cook Inlet EEZ, story by KDLL’s Riley Board, plus Jack Darrell of KRBD on the prohibition on yelloweye fishing in Southeast Alaska. Plus: what is a pelagic performance standard, and can it be enforced? Yelloweye rockfish. Credit: Alaska Department of Fish and Game