Fisheries

More than two years after the 2016 pink salmon season was officially declared a disaster, things might finally be looking up for gulf fishers expecting relief payments. For months, the disaster relief plan has bounced around in federal and state bureaucracy, without a clear timeline for when it would be officially approved. And as the 2019 season ramps up, many …

The governor nominates a former aide to serve on the Board of Fish. He’s little known among commercial fishing folks, but his support of sport fishing over commercial interests in Cook Inlet has some fishermen nervous. We take a look at shrimp fishing in Southeast Alaska. A lack of data on smelt in the Kuskokwim River has many in Southwest …

In this May 10 photo, the crew of the Kodiak-based Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley, give a tour to a class of Adak students. Here they check out a deployable small boat attached to the cutter. The Alex Haley (WMEC 39) was named for the author of ‘Roots” and is a 282-foot, Medium-Endurance cutter. The ship is used for fisheries …

City says the Environmental Impact Statement for Pebble Mine poses “more questions than it provides answers.” Letter says it needs more information, analysis and forecasting on fishery impacts–from construction to operation, to worst-case scenarios. Letter also states the potential to harm the ‘Alaska Brand’ would cause all fisheries to suffer if something bad happens to Bristol Bay’s fish.   Photo …

  Here’s something that seems odd – new data compiled by five North Pacific countries shows that salmon abundance has declined in the North Pacific but catches are at an all-time high. Unalaska is set to once again use drones to monitor salmon. In some cases collecting data on Unalaska’s little-studied streams. Gray whales migrating to Alaska for the summer …

Time is running out for young fishermen to apply for a number of fishing fellowship opportunities for later this year. The fellowships gives fishermen a chance to learn a different aspect of the fishing industry. Be it research, history, fish policy or some other on-shore aspect of the broad view of fishing in Alaska. The new deadline to apply is …

If you’ve never been in a survival suit in the water, you cannot imagine how difficult it is to maneuver. But maneuver they did–with the fastest time for this weekend’s Norm Holm Memorial Survival Suit Race at just 1:30:8. That means they ran down the dock, donned their suits, passed the “zipper” test to be sure they were sealed up …

Among new things at Crab Festival this year is a covered area for the main stage. It’s located in the plaza right outside the Sun’aq Hall on the mall. A number of events will take place there, including the new Pardoning of the Crab on Friday afternoon.   Crab Festival 2019 is officially opened Wednesday at noon. Before you head …

  Things look good for Copper River fishermen. The Copper River opening is the year’s first salmon season of the year. A judge rules a Bristol Bay seafood association can take a position on Pebble Mine and can fund groups opposed to the mine. We’re coming up on Memorial Day and that means Boating Safety Week and Festivals in fishing …

  Crab Festival Midway. Crab Fest opens Thursday at noon. File photo courtesy Kodiak Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.