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#09-25-2013 - ComFish News Roundup

Alaska pushes back on 'sustainable seafood' label denied by Marine Stewardship Council
Suzanna Caldwell
MSC ecolabel
MSC ecolabel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
September 24, 2013
In Alaska, fish labeled “sustainable” is more than a trendy buzzword -- it's the principle that drives the fisheries, through both management and the fishermen themselves. But who gets to decide exactly what makes a fishery sustainable? That's the question lawmakers, industry officials and giant companies like Wal-Mart are trying to figure out. For over the last decade, that certification came from the Marine Stewardship Council, a London-based non-profit that uses independent auditors to check fisheries for compliance with sustainable fishing practices. This year, Alaska's salmon industry decided to opt out of the program, citing costs and questionable practices. But with questions over the group's rationale -- including what Sen. Mark Begich called a “shifting goal post” on the definition of sustainability -- and increased costs to buy into the program, many..... http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130924/alaska-pushes-back-sustainable-seafood-label-denied-marine-stewardship-council


Bristol Bay salmon values = $141 million (before bonuses)
September 24, 2013 by Laine Welch
From ADF&G, 9/24/13
The following is an overview of the 2013 Bristol Bay commercial salmon season. Fishing has been completed in all districts and preliminary harvest totals should be representative for all species. It..... http://www.alaskafishradio.com/bristol-bay-salmon-values-141-million-before-bonuses/

Fisheries and Science Come Together in Kodiak Alaska
September 24, 2013 by ladyfish
Scientists from all over the state will be in Kodiak to teach the importance of fisheries science and how it is widely connected to Alaskas marine resources, mainly our fisheries. The American Association for the Advancement of Science is holding its  2013 Arctic Science Conference for the.... http://www.alaskafishradio.com/fisheries-and-science-come-together-in-kodiak-alaska/

Former Fish and Game commissioner leaves Kodiak Island fisheries job for Anchorage post
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: September 24, 2013 - 6:07 pm
Last Updated: September 24, 2013 - 6:09 pm
KODIAK, Alaska — A former commissioner of the state Fish and Game department has submitted his resignation as a fisheries consultant for the city of Kodiak and the Kodiak Island Borough. Denby Lloyd's last day will be Oct. 16. He will become the executive director of the North Pacific Research Board in Anchorage, the.... http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/25a64a501e484425b9f76ec766dd2e3b/AK--Lloyd-Kodiak-Island/

Seldovia economy hit hard by lack of ferry service
Naomi Klouda
Homer Tribune
Sep 24th, 2013
Seldovia’s had its share of economic knocks in recent years, then along came new troubles when the Alaska Marine Ferry service in and out of the Kachemak Bay village was reduced to a third of its normal schedule.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assemblyman Mako Haggerty wants to send a strong message to the governor’s office: Not acceptable. Haggerty drafted a resolution passed by the Borough Assembly at its last meeting, Sept. 17 in Homer. The resolution spelled out the hardship and stated: “the assembly formally requests the governor and Legislature to act swiftly to develop.... http://homertribune.com/2013/09/seldovia-economy-hit-hard-by-lack-of-ferry-service/

Council to Consider Major Dock Upgrades
By Lauren Rosenthal
Tuesday, September 24 2013
Plans to upgrade Unalaska’s docks -- and even create new moorage -- will dominate tonight’s city council meeting. Ports director Peggy McLaughlin will present a plan for renovating the Bobby Storrs small boat harbor. In a memo to council, McLaughlin writes... http://kucb.org/news/article/council-to-consider-major-dock-upgrades/

Kennicott Ferry Delayed Due to High Winds
By Ben Matheson
Tuesday, September 24 2013
Passengers on the Kennicott ferry will spend the night in Unalaska. The vessel’s captain ordered a delay because of a storm expected later this evening. The National Weather Service is forecasting..... http://kucb.org/news/article/kennicott-ferry-delayed-due-to-high-winds/

Oregon Tuna Vessel Sinks, Husband-Wife Crew, Two Cats Survive
Newport fishermen’s wives organization collecting donations
October 1, 2013
Albacore tuna fishermen have endured vagaries of wind, weather and water during a 2013 season that has ebbed and flowed, but two long-time tuna trollers lost almost everything the first week of August when their vessel went down about 80 miles offshore northwest of Coos Bay, Oregon. Mark and Cynthia Schneider, who have fished together each summer for 25 years while living aboard their vessel, lost the 60-foot F/V Sea Princess on August 5, when an explosion below.... http://www.fishermensnews.com/story/2013/10/01/features/oregon-tuna-vessel-sinks-husband-wife-crew-two-cats-survive/215.html

'Monsanto Protection Act' To Expire, Won't Be Part Of Continuing Resolution
The Huffington Post  |  By Ashley Alman
Posted: 09/24/2013 10:42 pm EDT
The so-called Monsanto Protection Act is set to expire, and will not be included in a bill designed to avert a government shutdown, according to a statement Tuesday from the press office of Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).House Republicans earlier this month released legislation that would include an...... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/24/monsanto-protection-act-expire_n_3985673.html

Putin: Greenpeace Activists Are Not Pirates
BY REUTERS ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
SALEKHARD, Russia, Sept 25 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Greenpeace activists arrested for staging a protest at Russia’s first offshore oil platform had violated international law but signalled they should not face charges of piracy. The activists’ ship was seized and towed to shore on Tuesday after two.... http://gcaptain.com/putin-greenpeace-activists-pirates/

















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