Maritime News

Published on: March 3, 2025

Imposter Hijacks $8 Million Fishing Vessel with Crew Aboard

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 steered it into the Grays Harbor bar before the crew realized something was very wrong.

WDFW Sergeant Alexander, who was on patrol at the time, overheard a radio call about a “vehicle theft” in progress. However, the stolen vehicle in question wasn’t a car or motorcycle, but a full-scale fishing vessel.

Published on: February 25, 2025

Alaska Governor Dunleavy Proposes Legalizing Finfish Farming

by Nigel Stacey

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 all finfish farming except for private nonprofit salmon hatcheries, many of which are operated by Indigenous communities to support wild salmon populations. This restriction was enacted in 1990 to safeguard the state’s wild fish stocks from risks such as disease, pollution, and genetic interbreeding with escaped farmed fish.

In a statement accompanying the bill’s introduction, Governor Dunleavy framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to enhance Alaska’s food security. “Alaska can join other regions of the world by raising fish that can be sold and consumed here in Alaska and be available for export,” he said. “This legislation will yield new jobs, economic growth, and a new food source for all Alaskans.”

Published on: February 25, 2025

Genetic Testing Uncovers High Infection Rates in Commercially Vital Bering Sea Crabs

by Nigel Stacey

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 study period, considerably higher than previous estimates.

Bitter crab disease, caused by microscopic parasites, has been shown to be lethal in a lab setting. Traditional detection methods which relied on visual observations and blood sample analysis, suggested infection rates of less than 10 percent. However, the more sensitive genetic methods used in this study show a drastically different situation.

“That is a nearly four-fold increase in the annual prevalence levels previously detected,” said Erin Fedewa, a fisheries biologist at NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

Published on: February 17, 2025

Investment in Peter Pan Seafood Ends in Financial Loss and Economic Struggles

by Nigel Stacey

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, valued at approximately $80 billion, is a crucial part of Alaska’s economy. It provides annual dividends to residents and helps fund public services. Traditionally, the fund has focused on investments in global markets, but in recent years, state leaders have pushed to use the fund to support Alaska-based businesses. Peter Pan Seafood became one of the major investments under this new strategy.

Peter Pan Seafood had a long history in King Cove, where its seafood processing plant was a primary source of employment. However, in recent years, the company faced increasing financial difficulties due to aging infrastructure, rising operational costs, and shifting seafood markets. In 2021, McKinley Capital Management, an Anchorage-based firm, helped arrange the acquisition of Peter Pan Seafood using funds from the Alaska Permanent Fund. With limited experience in private equity and corporate restructuring, this raises concerns about whether the investment was properly vetted.

Published on: February 4, 2025

Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluates Alaska’s Seafood Industry

by Joseph Stacey

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:

Published on: January 28, 2025

78-Foot F/V Northern Endurance Runs Aground Near Unalaska

by Nigel Stacey

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 Department confirmed that the vessel’s captain had assured authorities that all crew members were unharmed, and there were no immediate environmental hazards to report.

The following morning, Resolve Marine, a local salvage operation, was successful in freeing the F/V NORTHERN ENDURANCE, according to Lt. Lawrence Schalles, who heads the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit in Unalaska. The vessel has been secured near Unalaska’s spit for a thorough inspection.

Published on: January 14, 2025

Washington’s Dungeness Crab Season Opens South of Klipsan Beach

by Nigel Stacey

Washington’s commercial Dungeness crab season is set to begin January 15^th, 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 crab fishery represents the state’s most lucrative commercial fishery. The 2023-24 season brought in $66.8 million, second only to the record $88.2 million catch during the 2021-22 season.

The annual start of the season is determined collaboratively by fish and wildlife departments in Washington, Oregon, and California as part of a tri-state agreement to manage the West Coast Dungeness crab fishery. Opening dates depend on test fishing results, which assess the condition of the crab population. Detailed results can be found at psmfc.org/crab.

Published on: January 7, 2025

Defending Alaska’s Trawl Fleet

by Joseph Stacey

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 fishery landings in Alaska and across the United States, plays a critical role in Alaska’s coastal communities and the seafood industry. Yet, some activist groups are seeking to ban trawling, threatening not only the livelihoods of thousands but also the availability of wild, healthful, sustainable seafood enjoyed across the country.

A recent article published in the Alaska Beacon offers a defense of the trawl industry. The editorial was written by four seasoned Alaskan fishermen with decades of experience. Sam Wright, a 30-year veteran of Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska fisheries; Dan Carney, a farmer, homesteader, and 43-year Bering Sea survivor; Jason Chandler, a lifelong Kodiak resident; and Kiley Thomson, a 32-year resident of Sand Point, united to address misconceptions and misinformation surrounding Alaska’s fisheries.

Published on: December 10, 2024

Coast Guard Releases Names of Lost F/V Wind Walker Crew

by Nigel Stacey

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:

Published on: December 3, 2024

Alaska Salmon Fishery 2024 Reports Sharp Declines in Catch and Value

by Joseph Stacey

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 the more than 232 million salmon caught in 2023, marking one of the most dramatic year-over-year declines in recent history.

The decline in harvest volumes has been accompanied by a sharp drop in the fishery’s overall value. Fishermen collectively earned $304 million in 2024, down nearly 24% from the $398 million recorded in 2023. These figures underscore the economic challenges faced by Alaska’s fishing communities, many of which are heavily reliant on the health of the state’s salmon industry.

“Market conditions significantly impacted the pricing of salmon statewide and, consequently, the value of the harvest,” ADF&G noted in its summary.