Tag Archives: Alaska Seafood Cooperative

NOAA Fisheries releases more information about ‘high level’ of killer whales caught this year by Alaska trawl fleet

Six killer whales caught in trawl net gear this year in waters off Alaska died as a result of their entanglement, while a seventh whale was seriously injured by this gear, according to a NOAA Fisheries statement released Friday. The trawl fishing industry’s 2023 take of killer whales, first made by public NOAA Fisheries in September, is significantly higher than in recent years past, according to a review of NOAA Fisheries death tolls through 2021. Bering Sea killer whales are not listed under the Endangered Species Act but are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. John Gauvin, fisheries science director for the Alaska Seafood Cooperative, “We want to conduct our fisheries without harming orcas and we’re taking steps to avoid future mortalities,” more, >>click to read<< 10:19

Multiple investigations of incidents ongoing – NOAA Report Claims Harassment, Intimidation of Observers

The 2014 annual report on the North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program notes that observers reported a number of incidents of harassment, intimidation, hostile work environment, or attempted sample bias related to the collection of prohibited species catch data. The report said these investigations include allegations of physical sample bias including removing halibut from observer samples, or physically preventing a halibut from entering an observers sample during collection. Read the rest here 17:36

Steller sea lion lawsuit parties ask court to change timeline on reimbursement decision

23523_354387901211_7651997_aFishing industry plantiffs and federal defendants have asked for a new timeline to decide reimbursements in the lawsuit over Steller sea lion protection measures.The Alaska Seafood Cooperative, The Groundfish Forum and the Freezer Longline Coalition asked the federal government to reimburse them $1,208,409.87 for attorney fees and costs in the lawsuit. Read more here 13:08

Fishing orgs ask for $1.2 million in sea lion lawsuit costs

The Alaska Seafood Cooperative, The Groundfish Forum and the Freezer Longline Coalition filed motions Feb. 13 asking the federal government to reimburse them $1,208,409.87 for their attorney fees and costs in bringing the suit forward and arguing their case. The National Marine Fisheries Service severely restricted fishing for Atka mackerel, pollock and Pacific cod in the western Aleutian Islands to protect the western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions. Read more@alaskajournal  20:39