Commerical Fishing

2009 salmon harvest 11th largest in history

This year's commercial salmon harvest was the 11th largest in state history. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said nearly 162 million salmon were harvested in 2009.

LAINE WELCH

More Alaska halibut eaten at home this year

Alaska's halibut fishery ended Nov. 15 with little fanfare. Brutal winter weather wreaked havoc on deliveries in the final week and bumped up prices as buyers scrambled for the last fresh fish of the year.

Scientists recommend slightly lower pollock catch

Government scientists have come up with their recommendation for next year's allowable catch of Bering Sea pollock -- the nation's largest commercial fishery.

Mine defenders call for boycott of restaurants

The fight is on between backers of an Alaska mine being developed near the world's most productive wild salmon streams and 13 Seattle restaurants.

Chefs serve salmon with message as a side dish

Seattle diners who order the salmon will get their meal with a message this week. Chefs at more than a dozen restaurants are serving fish dishes that come with a a warning that the creature's future could be threatened by a giant gold and copper mine proposed for Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska.

EPA files complaint against fish processor

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has filed a complaint against a Haines fish processor, accusing the plant of violations of the federal Clean Water Act.

LAINE WELCH

Crabbers get a boost in bairdi Tanner quotas

Kodiak and Alaska Peninsula crabbers got some good news last week -- bigger catch quotas for bairdi Tanner crab, a mid-January fishery important to local economies. Bairdi are the larger cousins of the better-known opilio Tanners, or snow crab.

Commercial fishing banned in Arctic waters as of Dec. 3

A plan that puts a large area of the Arctic Ocean off-limits to commercial fishing goes into effect Dec. 3, federal officials said Tuesday.

Kodiak opens shipyard to service local fleet

It's taken a decade and $18 million but the city of Kodiak has a new shipyard capable of servicing 660-ton vessels.

Owners plan salvage attempt for capsized fishing boat

A 59-foot commercial fishing boat that capsized near Unalaska Island is drifting toward the Gulf of Alaska and attempts to salvage it could begin as early as today, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Seafood firm foreclosure suspended

Foreclosure proceedings on the biggest business enterprise in Pelican have stalled.

LAINE WELCH

Fishing rules await sea lion report

Alaska's fishing industry will soon know if more restrictions might be imposed to protect sea lions in prime fishing grounds.

Oceans ambassador calls for useage study in Arctic

The United States must move forward with science research to make good decisions about how to manage human activities in the Arctic Ocean, the ambassador for oceans and fisheries said Wednesday.

Coast Guard prepares for crabbing season

The Coast Guard says it has redeployed some personnel and equipment to the Aleutian Islands to prepare for the crabbing season in the Bering Sea.

Fisherman rescued after his boat sinks near Sitka

The U.S. Coast Guard pulled a 68-year-old man from the cold waters of Sitka Sound this weekend after his boat began taking on water and sinking beneath him, the Coast Guard said Monday.

LAINE WELCH

Southeast sea otters to be focus of survey

Threatened sea otters in Southwest Alaska received more protection last week in hopes it will help boost a rebound of their dwindling numbers. The Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct an extensive sea otter survey throughout Southeast next year.

Red, blue king crab fishing in Southeastern closed

The red and blue king crab commercial fishery will not open in southeast Alaska this year because the available harvest is too small.

Recommendations at a glance

Results of the NTSB investigation of the Alaska Ranger sinking

NTSB recommends more safety oversight for fishing fleet

In response to the fatal sinking of the Alaska Ranger last year, the National Transportation Safety Board wants the Coast Guard to have authority to inspect the nation's commercial fishing fleet.

Recommendations at a glance

LAINE WELCH

Swirl of global factors drives seafood prices

Alaska's abundant fisheries can make people forget our seafood industry is just one relatively small player in a very competitive world market. And factors driving fish prices occur far beyond the docks.

Fishing boat grounded off Alaska Peninsula; crew rescued

Three people have been picked up by a Good Samaritan vessel after their wooden-hulled fishing ship went aground off the Alaska Peninsula southwest of Kodiak Island.