In a highly unusual maritime theft, an imposter successfully took control of an 80-foot commercial fishing vessel in Westport, Washington while the crew was still aboard. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police, the imposter hijacked the F/V JAMIE MARIE, an $8 million groundfish vessel, and…
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has introduced a bill that could mark a significant shift in the state’s approach to aquaculture by legalizing finfish farming in controlled environments. The proposed legislation, House Bill 111 (HB 111), would authorize closed-system finfish farms, ending Alaska’s longstanding ban on the practice. Currently, Alaska prohibits…
A recent study using advanced genetic testing has revealed alarmingly high infection rates of bitter crab disease in Tanner and snow crabs, two commercially important species in the Bering Sea. Scientists estimate that up to 42 percent of Tanner crabs and 36 percent of snow crabs were infected during the…
Alaska’s Permanent Fund trustees invested over $29 million in Peter Pan Seafood, a seafood processing company in King Cove, Alaska, as part of an effort to support local businesses. However, the company shut down, leading to financial losses for the state and economic hardship for the community. The Permanent Fund,…
In response to mounting economic challenges within Alaska’s seafood sector, the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry has released a preliminary report. The report identifies critical issues affecting the industry and proposes policy recommendations to address them. Key Challenges Identified The task force report highlights several pressing challenges:…
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the 78-foot F/V NORTHERN ENDURANCE ran aground near Little Priest Rock, approximately three miles from Unalaska. The City of Unalaska Fire Department initially arrived on the scene, then relinquished control of the situation to U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit. A representative from the Fire…
Washington’s commercial Dungeness crab season is set to begin January 15th, 2025 for coastal areas from Klipsan Beach on the Long Beach Peninsula south to Cape Falcon, Oregon, including the Columbia River and Willapa Bay. However, the opening date for the remainder of Washington’s Pacific Coast remains undecided. The Dungeness…
Alaska’s trawl fisheries report they are facing critiques from groups that some industry leaders call “radical organizations funded by out-of-state interests.” Often focused on environmental concerns and fishing methods, these groups have sparked a heated debate about the future of Alaska’s most productive fisheries. Trawling, a method used by most…
The U.S. Coast Guard District 17 headquarters announced that the next of kin of the five individuals missing after the sinking of the F/V WIND WALKER have been notified. The agency also released the names of the missing crew members. GoFundMe accounts have been established for all five grieving families:…
Alaska’s commercial salmon fishery experienced significant setbacks in 2024, with double-digit declines in both catch numbers and market value. According to preliminary figures released by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), just over 101 million salmon were harvested across the state. This represents a 56% decrease compared to…