Maritime Economy

Published on: November 5, 2024

Balancing Economics and Environmental Sustainability after Pollock Trawling Bycatch Incident

The recent bycatch incident involving the Alaskan pollock trawl fishery has cast a spotlight on the challenges of balancing economic survival for fishermen and coastal communities with environmental sustainability. Following a significant bycatch of Chinook salmon, the pollock fishing season was closed early, leading to economic hardships that have prompted debate across the fishing industry, conservation groups, and policymakers.

The Alaska pollock fishery is one of the largest and most closely monitored in the world, providing about half of the whitefish consumed in the United States and a critical source of income for Alaskan communities. However, the recent bycatch incident involved the unintended capture of more than 20,000 Chinook salmon, which caused regulatory caps on bycatch and the early closure of the pollock season.

Sustainability is at the forefront of fishery management, and preventing bycatch is essential to preserving salmon populations and maintaining the ecosystem. Fisheries science has increasingly focused on minimizing bycatch through better technology and regulatory oversight. However, as this incident shows, the consequences of this closure have a ripple effect on the economics of the fishing industry.

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 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 23, 2024

Bristol Bay Sockeye Season Sees Citation Spike

by Joseph Stacey

Commercial fishing citations are on the rise this Bristol Bay sockeye season. As the sockeye run begins, Alaska State Troopers from all over gather to patrol and ensure that commercial fishers are following all rules and regulations. With so many regulations in place, some waters are closed at certain times while others remain open.

According to Alaska State Troopers, most of the violations are occurring in areas that are currently closed, and additional troopers are being brought in from Kodiak and other parts of western Alaska for this special enforcement period.

The Bristol Bay sockeye salmon industry brings in approximately $2.2 billion every year. This season, over 1,500 commercial fishing boats are registered in the bay, all vying for the 2024 catch. In a surprising move, Silver Bay Seafoods set a pre-season price for Bristol Bay sockeye. They announced that fishers bringing chilled fish to their processing facility would earn $1.10 per pound, with an additional bonus for bled fish.

Published on: July 16, 2024

Disaster Relief Applications Due August 24th

by Nigel Stacey

Federal disaster relief is coming to help many commercial fishing permit-holders. The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) will be administering the payments of three federal awards. For more information, you can visit their current disasters page.

Permit-holders and processors need to submit their applications to the PSMFC in Portland, Oregon or upload applications through the online portal before August 24th. Crew and subsistence users have until September 28th to submit their applications.

The PSMFC mailed out applications on June 26th, 2024. If you have not received a hard copy, email AKFishDisaster@psmfc.org to request an electronic copy. Once you have completed the application, you may either mail it to the commission or upload it online.

Published on: June 11, 2024

Silver Bay Seafoods will acquire Trident Seafoods False Pass Facilities

by Nigel Stacey

On Friday, June 7^th, 2024, Trident Seafoods and Silver Bay Seafoods announced that Silver Bay is set to acquire Trident Seafoods False Pass processing facility and fuel business on the Alaska Peninsula. This is Silver Bay’s second big move in a region where they already have a presence processing salmon. With this latest addition, Silver Bay will be overseeing salmon at their facilities in Southeast Alaska (Craig, Sitka, Ketchikan), south-central Alaska (Valdez), Kodiak, Bristol Bay (Naknek), and now the Alaska Peninsula (False Pass).

By acquiring the Valdez plant in Prince William Sound and the False Pass plant in Southwest Alaska, Silver Bay has effectively doubled its capacity. The False Pass plant, which Silver Bay opened in 2019, is now an integral part of this expansion.

False Pass is a remote fishing community in southwest Alaska, situated on Unimak Island between the tip of the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. Trident’s False Pass operation was fully dedicated to processing salmon.

Published on: June 4, 2024

Renovation Begins at Historic Fisherman’s Terminal

by Nigel Stacey

The team at Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC is delighted to announce that The Port of Seattle has broken ground and begun the renovation and modernization of the historic Ship Supply Building at Fishermen’s Terminal. The community can expect a state-of-the-art Maritime Innovation Center (MInC) certified by the Living Building Challenge (LBC). This new facility will cater to the maritime industry needs, fostering collaboration among students, businesses, public agencies, educators, and community members. The Port has teamed up with Miller Hull to reimagine this distinctive landmark.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a celebration of the Port’s substantial commitment to support innovation as a way to foster the maritime industry’s ability to sustain our region’s blue economy,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman. “The transformation of the Port’s oldest asset into one that can meet the Living Building Challenge symbolizes the Port’s recognition of the maritime industry’s significance to our region’s history and future.”

“The future of the maritime industry and the ocean economy is innovative, sustainable, and equitable,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins. “The Maritime Innovation Center will foster an atmosphere of collaboration and innovation which will ensure that all the sectors of the maritime industry, from commercial fishing to the growing green maritime economy, have not only a home but an anchor in Seattle.”

Published on: April 16, 2024

Partners Nigel Stacey and Joe Stacey Judge 31st Annual Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition

by Nigel Stacey

Last week, Nigel Stacey and Joe Stacey, partners at Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC, were honored to serve as judges for the esteemed 31st Annual Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition.

This annual competition hosted 32 law school teams from across the country to deliver arguments on issues pertaining to maritime law. The event honors Judge John R. Brown, renowned for his service as a distinguished admiralty judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Other volunteers in this competition have included federal judges, prominent members of the maritime bar, presidents and past presidents of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, as well as admiralty professors.

Published on: April 16, 2024

Peter Pan Suspends Summer and Winter Production Indefinitely

by Joseph Stacey

Peter Pan Seafood’s future has been uncertain since January when the company disclosed plans to shutter its King Cove facility for the winter fishing seasons of cod, whitefish, and crab. Today, the company has officially announced it will “suspend operations at its processing facilities, ceasing both summer and winter production cycles indefinitely.”

The cessation of operations follows shortly after Peter Pan finalized an agreement with Silver Bay Seafoods. Silver Bay has officially acquired Peter Pan’s Valdez processing plant and will oversee the operations of Peter Pan’s facilities in Port Moller and Dillingham for the upcoming season.

The agreement raised numerous industry concerns, particularly regarding the future of the King Cove plant. Moreover, uncertainty lingers around the fate of the Port Moller and Dillingham facilities, with Silver Bay’s commitment limited to operating them for the upcoming “2024 salmon season.”