Alaska

Published on: October 22, 2024

Pacific Seafood will Acquire Trident Seafoods Kodiak Operations

Trident Seafoods and Pacific Seafood have reached a preliminary agreement for Pacific Seafood to acquire Trident’s processing operations in Kodiak, Alaska. While the transaction is still subject to completion of the due diligence process, both firms expect to finalize the agreement by November.

In a joint statement, the companies emphasized their shared commitment to maintaining job security and ensuring uninterrupted operations throughout the transition.

“Our top priority is to reassure employees and the fleet that this is a handoff, not a shutdown,” said Joe Bundrant, CEO of Trident Seafoods. “We are committed to a smooth transition with Pacific Seafood, so they are well prepared to operate for the 2025 A season.”

Published on: October 1, 2024

Bycatch of Nearly 20,000 Chinook Salmon Shuts Down Alaska Pollock Fishery

by Joseph Stacey

Nearly 20,000 Chinook salmon were accidentally caught as bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska’s pollock fishery, forcing an early closure and igniting outrage among scientists studying endangered southern resident orcas and advocates for wild salmon. Chinook salmon, highly prized for their size and nutritional value, are a critical food source for the southern resident orcas that frequent the Salish Sea.

Although genetic testing of the caught Chinook has not yet been completed, it is highly likely that fish from Washington’s rivers were among those captured. Pollock, a white fish commonly used in products like fish sticks and fast-food sandwiches, was the intended target of the fishing operation.

The shutdown came after just two fishing vessels surpassed the allowable bycatch limit during the weekend of September 21-22. According to Julie Fair, a spokesperson for the Alaska region of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the boats were monitored by either onboard human observers or cameras. Starting next year, the entire fleet will be subjected to this level of monitoring.

Published on: September 24, 2024

Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC Expands with new Office in Anchorage, AK

by Nigel Stacey

Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC, one of the nation’s leading maritime personal injury plaintiff firms, is proud to announce the opening of a second office in Anchorage, Alaska. This expansion strengthens the firm’s ability to provide legal services to maritime workers and their families across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, two of the most vital regions for the fishing and maritime industries. Stacey & Jacobsen has a storied history in Alaska, including trials, mediations, vessel inspections, hearings, and depositions. This new office reinforces the firm’s commitment to aggressively and effectively protect and pursue our clients’ rights and will build upon the firm’s reputation.

The Seattle office located at Fishermen’s Terminal, is just minutes from the Port of Seattle, and positions the firm at the heart of one of the nation’s most active maritime hubs. In Anchorage, the new office in Midtown Anchorage places the firm in close proximity to Alaska’s thriving fishing and maritime communities and the Alaska state and federal courthouses, reinforcing their commitment to serve injured seamen, commercial fishermen, and other maritime workers who often face dangerous working conditions. The new office offers a dynamic environment to assist the firm’s next chapter in Alaska.

Both offices are equipped to manage cases related to maritime law, Jones Act claims, and wrongful death cases. Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC has long been known for its comprehensive understanding of maritime law and dedication to securing compensation for injured workers.

Published on: September 17, 2024

The Dangers of Commercial Fishing Winches

by Joseph Stacey

Within Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, deck machinery has emerged as a leading source of serious injuries, with winches being a major culprit. In a study prepared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the Journal of Agromedicine, Volume 28, 2023 – Issue 3, injury data from the past 20 years was analyzed and used to highlight the critical need to develop targeted safety measures.

The study reviewed injury claims submitted to the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund (AFF) between January 1, 2000, and November 1, 2020. Researchers identified 125 traumatic injuries caused by commercial fishing winches, revealing alarming patterns of injury and highlighting the need for practical solutions.

The vast majority of winch-related injuries occurred among male fishermen, who accounted for 94% of the cases. A significant proportion (54%) were under the age of 30, emphasizing the vulnerability of younger, less experienced workers. Over 80% of the injuries took place in Alaska’s salmon fisheries, with specific risks depending on the type of gear in use.

Published on: August 27, 2024

Commercial Fishing and Expanded Functionality for Vessels

by Joseph Stacey

Commercial fishing is currently facing a range of challenges that include overfishing, climate change, illegal fishing that is depleting stocks, regulatory changes, and economic changes that include higher fuel prices, equipment costs, and labor costs. In response, commercial fishermen are increasingly pivoting to adapt. Fishermen are also investing in advanced technology and collaborative efforts to enhance resource management and ensure the long-term viability of their operations amid growing pressures on seafood resources.

One way fishers are successfully pivoting is by outfitting their vessels to expand functionality. John Schumacher founded Distinctive Finishes, a business located in Haines, Alaska, as a response to the growing need for versatile fishing equipment. It became clear to John and others that relying solely on salmon and crab fishing was no longer financially sustainable for many fishermen.

Distinctive Finishes is nearing completion on the overhaul of the F/V DAB CHICK, a 53-year-old 34-foot crabber and gillnetter. Once the project is finished, the F/V DAB CHICK will be equipped for longlining, trolling, gillnetting, and crabbing. This opens many more fishing options for the vessel owner.

Published on: August 20, 2024

Coast Guard to Purchase Polar Icebreaker Aiviq

by Joseph Stacey

The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed plans to purchase a commercial icebreaker and deploy it in Juneau, Alaska, the agency announced on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. This decision follows an earlier preliminary announcement and comes just days after the HEALY, a 27-year-old icebreaker, was forced to abandon its Arctic mission due to an electrical fire.

Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard operates only two icebreakers. The HEALY’S sister ship, the POLAR STAR, is dedicated to maintaining sea lanes in Antarctica, which are crucial for resupplying American research stations. The U.S. Navy, notably, does not have any icebreakers in its fleet, leaving the U.S. Coast Guard as the sole operator of these essential vessels.

Alaska’s congressional delegation has long advocated for increased funding to allow the U.S. Coast Guard to expand its fleet of icebreakers, stressing the importance of these ships for both Arctic and Antarctic operations.

Published on: August 20, 2024

Sitka Fisherman Killed in Tragic Accident

by Joseph Stacey

A 75-year-old Sitka fisherman died Monday, August 19, 2024, following a fatal accident in the engine room of his fishing vessel.

Alaska State Troopers identified the victim as Barry McKee, who was fishing aboard his troller LISA JEAN near Salisbury Sound, approximately 20 miles northwest of Sitka. According to reports, McKee became entangled in the mechanical gear below deck and was fatally injured.

Emergency responders from the Sitka Fire Department were dispatched to the scene and recovered McKee’s body. A good Samaritan vessel assisted by towing the LISA JEAN to protected waters, allowing troopers to conduct an investigation into the accident.

Published on: August 13, 2024

American Seafoods Opens $150K Grant Program for Western Alaska

by Nigel Stacey

American Seafoods Group, the largest at-sea processor of wild Alaska pollock and hake in the United States, has reintroduced its grant program under a new name: The American Seafoods Community Partnership Program.

Based in Seattle, Washington, the company recently announced the relaunch, indicating a significant expansion in its support of organizations in Western Alaska. The revamped program will offer twice the previous amount in grant funding. Annual donations will jump from $90,000 to $150,000, with $75,000 to be distributed biannually. These grants will focus on community projects that address critical issues such as food security and other local needs.

The initiative, which has been in place since 1997, has already provided over $2 million to various organizations and programs across the state. American Seafoods CEO Einar Gustafsson emphasized the importance of this initiative, explaining that it originated in the 1990s out of a desire to support Alaskan communities.

Published on: August 6, 2024

Salmon Advocates Alarmed after Yukon River Cyanide Spill

by Nigel Stacey

Salmon advocates are expressing grave concerns after a recent cyanide spill at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Mine, fearing that the pollution, which has not been fully contained, could harm the Yukon River’s already struggling salmon populations.

Following a major equipment failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Mine, the Government of Yukon has taken charge of a comprehensive cleanup effort. The accident, which occurred on June 24, 2024, resulted in the release of nearly 10.54 million cubic feet of cyanide solution into the Stewart Watershed, a crucial segment of the Yukon River’s extensive network. This incident has sparked widespread concern about its potential long-term environmental impact in both the United States and Canada.

The spill, equivalent to the volume of over 120 Olympic-sized swimming pools, poses a severe threat to the ecosystem. Yukon officials have confirmed that extensive monitoring will be required to assess and mitigate the damage caused by the cyanide, a substance known for its toxicity to salmon and other aquatic life. Within ten days of the spill, elevated cyanide levels were detected in a nearby creek, raising warnings among environmentalists and local authorities.

Published on: July 30, 2024

The Supreme Court Trawl Bycatch Decision

by Joseph Stacey

On July 24, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that could reshape fisheries management in Alaska. The decision, centered on trawl bycatch practices, underscores the ongoing tension between environmental conservation and commercial interests. By invoking the legal principle of Chevron deference, the Court has mandated stricter regulations on bycatch, which could have significant implications for both marine ecosystems and the fishing industry.

The case was brought forth by a coalition of environmental groups and Alaskan tribes, who argued that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) was not adequately regulating bycatch under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Bycatch is defined as the unintentional capture of non-target species during commercial fishing, which can result in substantial ecological harm. The plaintiffs contended that the NMFS’s regulations were insufficient to protect fish populations and the broader marine environment.

Chevron deference, a principle derived from the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., played a crucial role in this decision. Chevron deference dictates that courts should defer to a federal agency’s interpretation of ambiguous statutory language, as long as that interpretation is reasonable. In this case, the Supreme Court evaluated whether the NMFS’s interpretation of the MSA was reasonable and whether it sufficiently addressed the issue of bycatch.