Fall 2006 Other major aspects of the new program include Norton Sound Economic Coast Guard Bill Signed a major change in oversight of the program Development Corporation On July 11, President Bush signed into law H.R. (including drastic reductions in day-to-day 889, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation state oversight), elimination of many report- 420 L Street, Suite 310 ing requirements, the legislatively-mandated Anchorage, AK 99501 Act of 2006, which in part amends the Magnuson- Stevens Conservation and Management Act and increases in certain fishery allocations to the Phone: 1-800-650-2248 more specifically, the federal Community Devel- CDQ program over time, and the formation of Fax: (907) 274-2249 opment Quota Program. The signing of the bill a CDQ Panel, which has a single representa- www.nsedc.com Web Site: marks the end of a long-fought battle amongst the tive from each of the CDQ groups. The panel 6 CDQ groups that involved the State of Alaska, was formed in theory by Senator Stevens as a NSEDC Mission Statement the National Marine Fisheries Service, the North body that would administer program regulation Pacific Fishery Management Council, and ulti- (other than what was included in the legislation) “NSEDC will participate in and mately the U.S. House of Representatives and the using a unanimous decision-making process. encourage the clean harvest U.S. Senate. NSEDC has long pushed for program The CDQ groups have been working diligently to officially incorporate the panel. of all Bering Sea fisheries to reform that provides more autonomy for our promote and provide eco- company both in administrative operations and, Ultimately, one of the most important effects of more importantly, the ability to choose what type this legislation and the subsequent end to nomic development through of projects we administer within the Norton Sound allocation battles, increased ability to direct education, employment, train- region. There is still a lot of work to do to finalize (continued on page 11) ing and financial assistance this process but we’re moving ahead rapidly to to member communities and embrace the new laws. What’s Inside... Western Alaska, while protect- One of the most significant aspects of the bill is ing subsistence resources.” the modification of the allocation process. The legislation locks in allocations at the current Coast Guard Bill Signed ................1 levels until 2012, and then subsequently goes to a NSEDC Board Members & NSSP Report ...............................2 Member Communities ten-year cycle. Further allocation cycles can only adjust a group’s allocation a maximum of 10% 2nd Quarter EET Report ...............3 Walter Seetot • Brevig Mission in the negative; however allocation decisions will Mary Menadelook • Diomede be determined using a group’s own performance NSFR&D Program ........................4 Charles Saccheus, Sr. • Elim against its own criteria weighting as a metric (no competition against other groups), so the alloca- NSEDC Community Benefits .........5 Gilbert Ungott • Gambell tions are essentially “fixed” at the current levels. Dean Peterson • Golovin NSEDC Fishermen Spotlight ..........5 Another important component of the legislation Elvina Naranjo • Koyuk Fishermen Fairs ..................... 6-7 Don Stiles • Nome is the codifying of the ability to perform non- fisheries project work within the region. NSEDC Victor Joe • St. Michael Community Spotlight has long advocated for the ability to assist com- Nome .................................... 8-9 Truman Kava • Savoonga munities both with and without potential for Harvey Sookiayak • Shaktoolik commercial fisheries development with programs Community Spotlight Wilfred Katcheak • Stebbins that do not require some tangible link to fisheries. Brevig Mission ................. 10-11 Norman Menadelook • Teller The NSEDC Board and staff are working together NSEDC Committees Paul Johnson • Unalakleet at this time through joint visioning meetings to determine how to best convey benefits from the and Staff .............Back cover VACANT • Wales CDQ program to residents of member communi- Dan Harrelson • White Mountain ties via economic development projects; fisheries- related or not. 1 NSSP REPORT 2006 Chef’s Tour Kotzebue for two summers and then as a Fisheries Development Coordinator. Most On July 8, 2006 forty-two people from all recently he worked for two years at a small over the country arrived in Nome to enjoy fish plant in New Zealand processing all sorts three days of amazing sun and fun. The Crab of species and Broker, a major distributor of Norton Sound exporting fish. Red King Crab, organized the trip and asked NSEDC to help host the event. The majority On the other side, he has participated in the summer red Demonstration by Phoebe Omelak on how to cut king crab, fish for drying halibut and course dinner at Caesar’s Palace in Las salmon fisheries. He has also marketed his Vegas. From the proceeds, a $1000 own salmon, freshwater fish and herring roe donation was given to the Bering Sea on kelp. Women’s Group. He is happy to be home in Unalakleet and Tour guests checking out a fresh delivery of On July 9th, Richard Benneville gave a more working for the region. NSEDC is happy to Norton Sound Red King Crab extensive tour of Nome complete with gold have someone managing the plant who is of the guests were chefs but there panning. For dinner, the Safety Roadhouse dedicated to its efficient operation for the were people from all areas of the welcomed the group and many locals. The benefit of the fishing fleet and the company. seafood industry. chefs jumped in to prepare salmon, steak Welcome aboard Middy. The trip was orchestrated to showcase and crab tails. The “Ice Cream Lady”, Kerry Norton Sound Seafood Center’s (NSSC) Webster, showed up to provide ice cream product – primarily Norton Sound Red King courtesy of NSEDC. Crab, how it is caught, processed and Our last full day with the tour group, another delivered. A cameraman from the Deadliest gorgeous day, was spent at Pilgrim River. Catch traveled with the group to capture the Everyone at camp that day enjoyed and many highlights of the trip. provided tons of fun. After a huge barbecue, The cameraman and a small group of chefs the tour group headed up river with the went straight from Alaska Airlines to Bering Merchant family, Earl Martinson, Jerry Air for a flight to Golovin and then by boat to Miller, Roger Thomas and “Buffy” to help fishing grounds. The owner of the boat, Paul seine for red salmon. Johnson and his crewmember Don Stiles, The experiences this group had will not soon both NSEDC board members, showed the be forgotten. Many of the participants have Iced fresh salmon ready to be processed in Unalakleet tour group the “ropes” and gave them the promised to return on another tour. NSEDC opportunity to help pull pots. gives our great thanks to the residents of Those that stayed in Nome were given a tour Nome for their hospitality and to the Crab of Nome. At the mouth of the Nome River Broker for organizing the trip. they enjoyed an impromptu demonstration by Phoebe Omelak on how to cut fish for New Hires drying. The tour ended at the seafood center William “Middy” Johnson was hired in April where they were able to observe crab being of 2006 as the Unalakleet delivered, graded and processed. Plant Manager. With his 24 That evening, July 8th, a crab feast was years of commercial hosted at the beautifully restored Old St. fishing experience, both as Joes. NSSC provided the crab and Patty a fisherman and processor, Anderson and her crew prepared the he has seen both sides of incredible meal. The Crab Broker planned the operations. Middy has an auction with items donated by guests. held two other positions in Auction items ranged from t-shirts to a full the past with NSEDC, as a fish buyer in Unalakleet Plant salmon processing line 2 2ND QUARTER EET REPORT Education made it through the fisheries safety orien- among all age groups. There were many tation class at AVTEC in Seward. highlights, but what I found most impres- Via phone poll of the NSEDC Scholarship sive was listening to the older kids cheer The total from all companies paid to our Committee, six post-secondary scholarships on the younger ones, creating a supportive processors reached $10,550,358.58. were awarded in the second quarter of 2006 and upbeat environment. to Rebecca Atchak, Stebbins, Laureli Kin- neen, Nome, Victoria Kotongan, Unalakleet, Training This internship has provided me with an opportunity to reconnect with the youth MacKenzie Oles, Nome, Zacharia Olson, A NSEDC Fisheries Safety Orientation Class Nome, and Wilma Osborne, Nome. Nine and has encouraged me to return to rural was held at AVTEC in Seward on April Alaska and participate in community devel- vocational awards were made to Tyson Asick- 23-May 4, 2006 with Epraim Bouchan Jr., sik, Anchorage, Brian Cannon, Nome, Scott opment. I am grateful to all who made this Stebbins, Dwayne Thrasher, Stebbins, Mor- experience possible. Kingeekuk, Savoonga, Ivan Larsen, Golovin, gan Annogiyuk, Savoonga, William Cooper, Derek and Martin III Nanouk, Koyuk, Russell Unalakleet, Letia Martin, Stebbins, John Yvonne “Galsy” Ashenfelter Saccheus, Elim, David Slwooko, Unalakleet, Nashoanak, Stebbins, Shane Iknokinok, and Jason Veara, Unalakleet. Nome. In Anchorage, Adaline Pete, Steb- It was a great experience and wonderful The NSEDC Scholarship Financial Summary bins, Vincent Matthias, Stebbins, Cyrilene opportunity to work with the Anchorage reflects $260,000.00 budgeted for 2006 with Mike, Stebbins, and Justin Nanouk, Unal- office this past summer. Working with and a contribution of $4000.00 from Glacier Fish akleet, successfully completing the class helping the people Company for a total of $264,000.00. with a total class expense of $34,869.73. who carry out the With $132,288.50 awarded in the first quar- A CPR/First Aid was held in Nome on decisions made by ter and $19,635.00 awarded in the second April 22, 2006 at the Northwest College the Board gave me quarter, this leaves a total of $112,076.50 in Campus with Adam P.