Living to Longline
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Union story: ‘One Hook at a Time’ UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA www.pacificfishing.com THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR FISHERMEN n MARCH 2015 Living to longline US $2.95/CAN. $3.95 03 • Halibut quotas head up 63126 • Welcome Aboard: F/V Kariel DANA F. BESECKER CO. AGGRESSIVELY TRYING TO BUY YOUR FISH BUYERS OF HIGH-QUALITY ALASKAN AND WEST COAST HALIBUT AND BLACK COD SPECIALIZING IN LONGLINE AND POT CAUGHT FISH – WE BUY IN ALL FISHING AREAS IF YOU PLAN ON DELIVERING TO ANY OF THESE PORTS – CALL US FOR A QUOTE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND READY TO OFFER YOU A GREAT PRICE ON YOUR TRIP ALASKA SEATTLE BELLINGHAM ERIC 907.299.1161 OFFICE 206.232.5040 OFFICE 360.676.1606 FAX 907.235.1918 DANA 206.295.7500 TONY 360.739.3656 ALT FAX 907.332.7101 TYLER 206.354.7717 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] DISPATCH: 5644 [email protected] DISPATCH: 4944 DUTCH HARBOR | KODIAK | YAKUTAT | KING COVE | JUNEAU | HOMER | SEWARD | SITKA | ASTORIA | ILWACO | BELLINGHAM FAMILY RUN EST. 1988 INDEPENDENTLY OWNED PHOTO COURTESY OF ALASKA SEAFOOD IN THIS ISSUE Editor's note Wesley Loy ® Alaska’s oil THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR FISHERMEN INSIDE: problem The recent steep decline in crude oil prices is welcome news for commercial fishermen, who should be feeling less pain at the fuel dock. In Alaska, however, lower oil prices aren’t entirely positive. The state government relies heavily on oil royalties and taxes. Nothing compares to oil when it comes to paying the bills and filling reserve accounts vital for Alaska’s future as a state. Herring roundup • Page 10 With that as a backdrop, what’s happened to oil prices in recent months is scary. At the end of January, Alaska North Slope crude was less than $50 a barrel, compared to $110 back in July. The price could go even lower. Or it could go higher. Who knows? It’s not just the price that’s worrisome. Alaska oil production also has seen a huge decline over the years. The hand-wringing has begun in Alaska. On Feb. 5, the state’s new governor, Bill Walker, released a spartan budget proposal for fiscal year 2016. Halibut focus • Page 13 “There are cuts in here, and some will be painful,” Walker said. His spending plan eliminates 300 jobs and significantly cuts operating budgets, including that of the Department of Fish and Game. This grim situation presents a clear threat to the commercial fishing industry. It’s conceivable that policy makers will look for new ways to generate revenue and wean the state off oil money. Alaska’s fishing industry already pays significant sums through the raw fish tax and other levies. The industry also enjoys certain tax credits. Whether, on balance, the fishing industry fully pays its way is a complex question, and we’re not prepared to answer it here. One Hook at a Time • Page 18 The important point is that some might feel the fishing industry, as well as other industries, don’t pay enough. Alaska has no state income or sales taxes, and politicians naturally aren’t eager to impose them on the people. And so, the hunt for revenue likely will first point toward industry, toward new or higher user fees, and toward tax breaks that might be curtailed or eliminated. Depending on how fiscally dire things become, we could even see concepts such as fishery royalties enter the discussion. What should the fishing industry do? At press time, we were hearing talk of Welcome Aboard: F/V Kariel • Page 23 an organized effort to showcase the industry’s importance in Alaska’s economy. This sounds like a smart move. While Alaska remains a rich state, with tens of billions of dollars in savings, the time to be heard is now. ON THE COVER: Longlining in the Bering Sea. John Matzick photo A crewmen’s tale: We are pleased this month to print an excerpt from a new book, “One Hook at a Time: A History of the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union of the Pacific.” VOLUME XXXVI, NO. 3 • MARCH 2015 This is a terrific volume, professionally written by Jeff Kahrs under the direction of project managers Jan Standaert and Sara Chapman. The engaging Pacific Fishing (ISSN 0195-6515) is published 12 times a year (monthly) by Pacific Fishing Magazine. Editorial, Circulation, and Advertising offices at 1028 Industry words and evocative photos tell the story of “the oldest known fishing union Drive, Seattle, WA 98188, U.S.A. Telephone (206) 324-5644. n Subscriptions: representing crewmen in the United States.” One-year rate for U.S., $18.75, two-year $30.75, three-year $39.75; Canadian subscriptions paid in U.S. funds add $10 per year. Canadian subscriptions paid in If you’re like me and maintain a commercial fishing library, this book is an Canadian funds add $10 per year. Other foreign surface is $36 per year; foreign absolute must. Turn to page 18 to read the excerpt and to find out how to get airmail is $84 per year. n The publisher of Pacific Fishing makes no warranty, express or implied, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the your copy. information contained in Pacific Fishing. n Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, Washington. Postmaster: Send address changes to Pacific Fishing, 1028 Industry Drive, Seattle, WA 98188. Copyright © 2015 by Pacific Fishing Magazine. Contents may not be reproduced without permission. POST OFFICE: Please send address changes to Pacific Fishing, 1028 Industry Drive, Seattle, WA 98188 WWW.PACIFICFISHING.COM £ MARCH 2015 £ PACIFICFISHING 3 YOUR BUSINESS Keeping up PREFERRED PUBLICATION OF: It’s FREE! It’s DAILY!* It’s the best commercial fishing news digest ALASKA INDEPENDENT Fish available in the North Pacific. Here’s some of FISHERMEN’S MARKETING ASSOC. Wrap what you missed by not reading FishWrap. CORDOVA DISTRICT FISHERMEN UNITED Retention of smaller halibut proposed: Silver Bay Seafoods executive talks OREGON DUNGENESS The Seattle-based Fishing Vessel Owners’ StarKist deal: The fast-rising processor also is CRAB COMMISSION Association suggests reducing the minimum investing $8 million in a canning operation at UNITED FISHERMEN size requirement for commercially caught its home base in Sitka. – kcaw.org halibut from 32 inches to 30 inches. OF ALASKA Strong Copper River sockeye catch expected: – deckboss.blogspot.com WASHINGTON DUNGENESS If the forecast proves accurate, the commercial CRAB FISHERMEN’S ASSOC. New Bristol Bay reality show to premiere harvest will exceed 2 million fish again this year. Thursday: Animal Planet's eight-part series – deckboss.blogspot.com WASHINGTON REEF NET “Alaska: Battle on the Bay” follows five Bristol OWNERS ASSOC. Alaska legislative session begins today: Bay salmon boats and their crews. Lawmakers face a tight budget year with the WESTERN FISHBOAT – discovery.com decline in the price of crude oil. OWNERS ASSOC. The importance of China: A new report – peninsulaclarion.com prepared for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Alaska governor appoints fish and game Institute examines the state’s global seafood commissioner: Sam Cotten previously had exports. – alaskaseafood.org served in an acting capacity. To Subscribe: – peninsulaclarion.com www.pacificfishing.com Bristol Bay association backs ‘The Breach’: Ph: (206) 324-5644, ext. 221 Audiences at some screenings of the documen- NMFS urges relief on Bering Sea halibut: Main Office tary film will receive complimentary cans of Agency tells IPHC that moderating harvest 1028 INDUSTRY DRIVE Bristol Bay sockeye. – bbrsda.com cuts in Area 4CDE would spare local residents TUKWILA, WA 98188 economic hardship. – deckboss.blogspot.com PH: (206) 324-5644 Florida senator to chair key subcommittee: Republican Marco Rubio replaces Alaska’s Mark Commentary: Alaska’s flatfish trawl fleet is an Chairman/CEO/Publisher Begich as chairman of the Senate Commerce important economic contributor committed MIKE DAIGLE [email protected] Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisher- to reducing halibut bycatch. Associate Publisher ies, and Coast Guard. – commerce.senate.gov – pacificfishing.com CHRISTIE DAIGLE [email protected] New director of Washington Fish and San Francisco herring fishery under way: Wildlife chosen: Jim Unsworth comes from Two commercial vessels are reported to have EDITORIAL CONTENT: the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. made landings. – cdfwherring.wordpress.com Editor – wdfw.wa.gov WESLEY LOY Aleutian marine sanctuary nomination [email protected] More salmon disaster relief approved: rejected: Federal officials cite lack of Ph: (206) 324-5644, ext. 234 Nearly $13 million in federal aid will fund community support. – kucb.org Field Editor MICHEL DROUIN research and direct payments to recreational Opinion: Governor may regret Roland Maw Copy Editor and commercial interests in Alaska’s Yukon- appointment: Karl Johnstone says his BRIANNA MORGAN Kuskokwim and Cook Inlet regions. replacement on the Alaska Board of Fisheries – alaskafisheries.noaa.gov has had a goal of shifting fisheries manage- PRODUCTION OPERATIONS: ment from the state to the feds. – adn.com Production Manager Coast Guard medevacs injured fisherman DAVID SALDANA [email protected] near Kodiak: A Jayhawk helicopter safely Trident’s ‘The Alaskan’ brand debuts at Art Director, Design & Layout hoisted the man off the F/V Irene H after he Walmart: Exclusive new items are now on ERIN DOWNWARD reportedly suffered an abdominal injury while shelves at each Alaska Supercenter and 20 [email protected] pulling pot gear. – uscgnews.com stores in Washington, Walmart says. – news.walmart.com SALES & MARKETING: Alaska board backs Cotten as commissioner: Advertising Sales Manager Arrests made in Dillingham boat break-ins: DIANE SANDVIK Sam Cotten currently is serving as the acting Ph: (206) 920-5516 head of the state Department of Fish and Game. Police believe 24 fishing vessels were [email protected] – adn.com burglarized at the PAF boat yard.