Looking Back: Hansen seiners UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA www.pacificfishing.com THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR FISHERMEN n OCTOBER 2016 Salmon wrapup US $2.95/CAN. $3.95 10 • California herring reform 63126 • Pink problems IN THIS ISSUE Editor's note Wesley Loy ® Pink THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR FISHERMEN INSIDE problems Just as this issue of the magazine was going to press, Alaska Gov. Bill Walk- er sent a letter asking U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker to declare a fishery disaster for parts of the state experiencing poor pink salmon harvests this season. Walker also directed staff to promptly consider payment waivers for pink salmon fishermen holding state loans. Observer safety review • Page 6 A disaster declaration potentially could result in millions of dollars in federal relief for Alaska’s fishing industry. Alaska isn’t the only state hoping for help after a tough fishing season. California is seeking a federal disaster declaration for its crab fishery, which was hobbled last season due to an algae-related marine toxin. For sure, Alaska pink salmon fishermen had a miserable year. The state- wide harvest of about 38 million pinks was far below the preseason forecast of 90 million. Walker requested a disaster declaration for two areas that historically have Salmon wrapup • Page 8 produced large volumes of pink salmon – Prince William Sound and Kodiak. He also included two minor fisheries in his request – Chignik and Lower Cook Inlet. Curiously, the major Southeast Alaska fishery was not included in the governor’s request, even though Southeast likewise had a subpar pink salmon harvest this year. Now, you might suppose Alaska’s fishing industry would be all for Uncle Sam’s help, as well as loan concessions. Certainly, the state has benefitted before from federal disaster aid, such as the millions doled out for the poor Chinook Looking Back: Hansen seiners • Page 16 runs of a few years ago. But some don’t feel government relief is sound economic policy for the fishing industry. “As a person who is trying to buy into the seine fishery, I am upset that the government would consider bailing these guys out,” said one anonymous commenter on the Deckboss blog. “Given how bad this year was, we should be seeing a major correction in the prices of these boats and permits. Anything the government does to coddle these permit holders will prevent boats and permits from hitting the deck as hard as they should.” Processor vs. processor • Page 19 It was fairly recently, in 2013, that Alaska enjoyed its largest pink salmon haul ever – 219 million fish. And the industry took 190 million pinks last year. Federal officials may weigh such facts in considering Walker’s request. ON THE COVER: The F/V Selma sits at anchor waiting It’s worth noting that government already is doing much to aid the Alaska to deliver the day’s catch to a tender in Bristol Bay’s salmon industry. In late July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it Ugashik District. Chris Miller photo had purchased nearly $10 million in canned pink salmon for child nutrition and other food assistance programs. VOLUME XXXVII, NO. 10 • OCTOBER 2016 Pacific Fishing (ISSN 0195-6515) is published 12 times a year (monthly) by Pacific Fishing Magazine. Editorial, Circulation, and Advertising offices at 1028 Industry Drive, Seattle, WA 98188, U.S.A. Telephone (206) 324-5644. Subscriptions: 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 Canadian funds add $10 per year. Other foreign surface is $36 per year; foreign airmail is $84 per year. The publisher of Pacific Fishing makes no warranty, express or implied, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the information contained in Pacific Fishing. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, Washington. Postmaster: Send address changes to Pacific Fishing, 1028 Industry Drive, Seattle, WA 98188. Copyright © 2016 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 £ OCTOBER 2016 £ PACIFICFISHING 3 KEEPING UP PREFERRED PUBLICATION OF: It’s FREE! It’s DAILY!* It’s the best commercial fishing news digest BRISTOL BAY Fish available in the North Pacific. Here’s some of FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION Wrap what you missed by not reading FishWrap. CORDOVA DISTRICT FISHERMEN UNITED She’s gone: The abandoned trawler Alaska million fish. – adfg.alaska.gov OREGON DUNGENESS Juris is presumed sunk in deep water in the Corn, soybeans, and salmon? A new CRAB COMMISSION Bering Sea. – deckboss.blogspot.com company has announced plans to raise UNITED FISHERMEN Opinion: Let’s feast on Alaska Wild Salmon salmon in Iowa. – farmfutures.com OF ALASKA Day. – adn.com Epic failure: This year’s Fraser River sockeye Sugar kelp, anyone? Alaska is consider- run is said to be the lowest in more than WASHINGTON DUNGENESS CRAB FISHERMEN’S ASSOC. ing issuance of a permit to grow sugar kelp 120 years. – vancouversun.com on longlines anchored in Larsen Bay on the Better luck next year: Southeast Alaska WASHINGTON REEF NET west side of Kodiak Island. – aws.state.ak.us seiners are quitting early amid a poor pink OWNERS ASSOC. Crab in focus: The Joint Committee on salmon season. – kfsk.org WESTERN FISHBOAT Fisheries and Aquaculture will convene a Trawler vs. frigate: A multimillion-dollar OWNERS ASSOC. special hearing Aug. 10 on California’s settlement has been reached in a 2013 troubled Dungeness season. harbor incident in which the factory trawler – sd02.senate.ca.gov American Dynasty crashed into a Canadian Disappointing season: The Upper Cook To subscribe: warship. – timescolonist.com www.pacificfishing.com Inlet sockeye run looks smaller than Champions wanted: The Obama Ph: (206) 324-5644, ext. 221 expected, and prices are lower this year. administration is inviting nominations for Main Office – peninsulaclarion.com “White House Champion of Change for 1028 INDUSTRY DRIVE B.C. bust: This year’s Fraser River sockeye TUKWILA, WA 98188 Sustainable Seafood.” – whitehouse.gov PH: (206) 324-5644 return, already forecast to be below average, Not so fast: Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has has turned out to be even worse. decided to “pause” implementation of his Chairman/CEO/Publisher – vancouversun.com MIKE DAIGLE controversial order dismantling the [email protected] Celebrating salmon: Today, Aug. 10, marks Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission. Associate Publisher the first official Alaska Wild Salmon Day. – gov.alaska.gov CHRISTIE DAIGLE [email protected] – prnewswire.com Pink relief: In response to this year’s poor Rupert ruckus: Tensions are running high pink salmon harvest, an Alaska legislator is EDITORIAL CONTENT: between fishermen and regulators in north- seeking a state disaster declaration and a Editor WESLEY LOY ern British Columbia. – thenorthernview.com loan repayment holiday for fishermen. [email protected] Raising revenue: Washington state is – adn.com Ph: (206) 324-5644, ext. 234 Field Editor proposing higher commercial fishing license Selling sockeye: The Bristol Bay Regional MICHEL DROUIN fees, including a new charge for crewmen. Seafood Development Association says its Copy Editor – columbian.com BRIANNA MORGAN branding pilot project will launch Sept. 1 in Nice save: The U.S. Coast Guard rescued Boulder, Colo. – bbrsda.com PRODUCTION OPERATIONS: three fishermen from a life raft west of Cape Coping with a bad year: A state agency Production Manager Blanco, Ore., on Sunday. – uscgnews.com DAVID SALDANA says loan restructuring is one possible [email protected] Making noise: Navy exercises proposed for option for Alaska fishermen struggling Art Director, Design & Layout next year in the Gulf of Alaska are stirring through a poor pink salmon season. ERIN DOWNWARD [email protected] concern in Homer. – alaskapublic.org – deckboss.blogspot.com Ideas aplenty: The Alaska Board of Modern art: So, what’s the story behind SALES & MARKETING: Advertising Sales Manager Fisheries has released its 2016-17 proposal that new Bristol Bay sockeye logo? – kdlg.org DIANE SANDVIK book. – adfg.alaska.gov Ph: (206) 920-5516 Nearly shrimp time: The state has set [email protected] Slow season: Alaska’s salmon harvest is season dates and quotas for the Southeast Ad Support Alaska pot shrimp fishery. – adfg.alaska.gov CANDICE EGAN lagging and only just this week reached 100 Ph: (206) 324-5644, ext. 221 [email protected] *You can subscribe to Fish Wrap by sending an email to [email protected]. Write your first name, your last name, and the words “Fish Wrap.” Do it now, before you go another month without Fish Wrap. 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