The maritime industry in Washington state, particularly within the Puget Sound region, is a thriving sector that offers diverse career opportunities both on shore and at sea. This part of the state’s economy contributed more than $45.9 billion in 2022 and provided more than 174,300 jobs. These maritime professions are…
House Bill 116 is currently under consideration by the Alaska State Senate, representing a potential turning point for the state’s commercial fishing industry. This legislation would authorize Alaskan fishermen to form their own insurance cooperatives, which would lower operating costs and ensure the financial stability of smaller operators facing increasingly…
A bipartisan effort led by Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and supported by fellow coastal state senators has introduced new legislation aimed at providing relief to the Alaska seafood processing industry. The proposed “Save Our Seafood Act” seeks to exempt seafood processing companies from the federal cap imposed on the…
Proper maintenance and rebuilding of fishing vessels is critical for ensuring the safety and livelihood of fishermen at sea. Regular inspections, repairs, and upgrades not only extend the life of these vessels but also significantly reduce the risk of accidents and equipment failures, ultimately protecting the crews who rely on…
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…
In a significant policy shift, the Alaska Board of Fisheries has approved a proposal to permit a limited commercial harvest of red king crabs in Southeast Alaska. This decision, approved during the board’s Southeast and Yakutat Finfish and Shellfish meeting in Ketchikan from January 28 to February 9, 2025, changes…
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…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that PSF, Inc., formerly known as Peter Pan Seafood, has paid a $750,000 penalty for violating state and federal Clean Water Act permit requirements. These violations relate to seafood processing waste discharge limits designed to protect the marine environment. The violations occurred…
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 Pacific Marine Expo has been held in Seattle for more than 50 years, and the 2024 Expo (which ran from November 20th to the 22nd at Lumen Field Event Center) did not disappoint. One of the featured sessions focused on King Cove, Alaska, and the history surrounding this beautiful…