Alaska

Published on: April 23, 2024

Three Charged with Illegally Transporting Crab from Alaska to Washington

An indictment from a federal grand jury in Alaska has been issued, accusing the owner and captains of two crab catcher vessels of unlawfully transporting crab from Alaska, a violation of the Lacey Act.

According to legal documents, Corey Potter is identified as the owner of two fishing vessels. Justin Welch and Kyle Potter serve as the captains. Between February and March of 2024, these vessels amassed a haul exceeding 7,000 pounds of Tanner and golden king crab in Southeast Alaska. Corey Potter allegedly instructed Kyle Potter and Justin Welch to transport the crab to Seattle, Washington, in an effort to fetch a higher price than that which could be obtained in Alaska. Neither captain docked the harvested crab at an Alaskan port, failing to document the harvest on a fish ticket, as mandated by state law.

Reportedly, the crab was transported through Canadian and Washington waters. Upon reaching Washington, a significant portion of the king crab was discovered to be dead or unsuitable for sale. Corey Potter purportedly admitted that some of the crab on board was afflicted with Bitter Crab Syndrome (BCS), a fatal parasitic disease affecting crustaceans. An additional 4,000 pounds of Tanner crab was allegedly disposed of due to the risk of BCS contamination. Legal documents contend that had the crab been correctly landed in Alaska, the harvest would have been inspected, and infected crab would have been identified and discarded before departing from Alaska.

Published on: April 9, 2024

Alaska Legislature Boosts Fishermen’s Fund Payments

by Joseph Stacey

Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC is pleased to announce that Senate Bill 93 sailed through the Alaska House with a resounding 39-1 majority, with only Representative David Eastman, R-Wasilla, in opposition. This legislation, championed by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and several other organizations, raises the caps on compensation from the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund for injuries and illness sustained by commercial fishermen. Its passage strengthens the assurance that medical expenses from fishing-related accidents are better addressed for crew members.

“I think it’s crucial that we support hard working Alaskans, especially when they’ve become ill or injured on the job and need money from funds that they have paid into,” said Senate Labor and Commerce Committee Chair Jesse Bjorkman R-Nikiski. “Commercial fishermen will have greater financial support from the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund when they file a claim with no cost to the State, because the Fisherman’s Fund dollars come from fees received from commercial fishing license sales.”

The Fishermen’s Fund was established in 1951. The fund provides medical treatment and care for licensed commercial fishermen who sustain injuries while working in fishing activities in Alaska. Whether offshore or onshore, fishermen are covered while on active crew status.

Published on: March 5, 2024

Bering Sea Trawling Study Postponed

by Nigel Stacey

A federal agency has decided not to proceed with a controversial bottom-trawling experiment that was planned this year for the Northern Bering Sea. Tribal and environmental groups, prepared to take legal action to stop the project, are welcoming the decision.

The Northern Bering Sea Effects of Trawling Study (NETS) aims to investigate the consequences of commercial bottom trawling, a fishing technique utilizing nets to sweep the seafloor, in an area of the Bering Sea where it is presently prohibited. Despite the ban on bottom trawling in the Northern Bering Sea, the study anticipates that changes in fish populations due to climate change may create future pressures for its implementation in the region.

The research project, slated to begin as early as August, is structured as a multiyear endeavor. Janet Coit, the director of NOAA Fisheries, conveyed the decision via email to tribal organizations that had voiced objections to the project.

Published on: February 27, 2024

USDA to Purchase Millions of Pounds of Alaska Seafood

by Joseph Stacey

AlaskaSeafood-300x157 On Tuesday February 14^th, 2024, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make a significant purchase of Alaska salmon and pollock in support of food and nutrition initiatives.

The ASMI stated that the purchase of seafood aims to support people experiencing food insecurity as well as school lunch programs. These purchases are being made possible through Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935. This program assists U.S. agricultural food markets by purchasing commodities to relieve market surpluses, which in turn stabilizes agricultural income and prices.

“USDA’s Section 32 purchase announcement is great news for Alaska—almost $100 million of Alaskan seafood for people experiencing food insecurity. This purchase won’t just bolster Alaska’s seafood industry and support our coastal communities, but will help bring the highest-quality and healthiest seafood products in the world to families in need. I am grateful for the USDA’s investment in our fishermen and the health of Americans,” said Sen. Murkowski.

Published on: February 20, 2024

What Caused the Sinking of the F/V Hotspur?

by Nigel Stacey

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has completed an inquiry into the 2022 sinking of the F/V HOTSPUR near Prince of Wales Island. The report concludes that an unnoticed leak in an unoccupied area likely caused the vessel to lose stability, capsize, and sink near Nunez Rocks. Bilge alarms failed to sound or alert crew members that there was flooding below deck, which led to the capsizing of the 53-foot purse seiner.

On August 2, 2022, at about 7:35 PM, the captain and senior deckhand saw that the F/V HOTSPUR was listing to the port side while crossing the Clarence Strait. The captain went below to inspect the bilges and the engine room. He reported that everything appeared normal. To correct the listing of the vessel, the captain initiated a fuel transfer from a port-side tank to a starboard day tank. Despite his efforts, the listing persisted, and the senior deckhand noticed water spilling onto the rear deck from the port quarter.

The captain directed the senior deckhand to notify the other crewmembers to ready the life raft for abandoning ship. The captain transmitted a distress announcement via VHF radio. Nearby F/V LADY KODIAK and THE CODFATHER II heeded the call and altered their course to provide assistance.

Published on: February 6, 2024

OBI Seafoods Closes Larsen Bay This Season

by Nigel Stacey

On Wednesday, January 31^st, 2024, OBI Seafoods verified that the Larsen Bay facility on Kodiak Island will remain closed for the 2024 salmon season. John Hanrahan, the CEO of OBI Seafoods, stated that operations will cease at the Larsen Bay plant due to the “poor pink salmon forecast” from Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) as well as challenging market conditions for salmon products.

In November 2023, John Hanrahan was promoted to CEO from his previous position as Chief Operating Officer overseeing sales and marketing. He succeeded Mark Palmer after his retirement.

OBI Seafoods, based in Seattle, Washington, was established in 2020 following the merger of Ocean Beauty Seafoods and Icicle Seafoods. This strategic merger created an entity with a more competitive edge against competitors Trident Seafoods and Silver Bay Seafoods. OBI Seafoods has since become a prominent participant in Alaska’s salmon fishery.

Published on: January 23, 2024

4 Rescued After F/V Alaska Rose Capsized

by Nigel Stacey

U.S. Coast Guard members, along with the crew of the good Samaritan vessel KYLIA, successfully rescued four individuals from a fishing boat that capsized about 2 miles northeast of Chiniak Island, Alaska.

Watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage were alerted at around 4:31 p.m. on Sunday, January 21^st, 2024, via VHF channel 16 that the 46-foot F/V ALASKA ROSE, was taking on water. Watchstanders broadcasted an urgent marine information message and deployed a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew.

The helicopter aircrew reached the scene at about 4:56 p.m. and located an individual on the overturned vessel. The individual was hoisted by the U.S. Coast Guard, then transported to Air Station Kodiak and awaiting EMS personnel.

Published on: January 16, 2024

No Processing for Peter Pan Seafood at King Cove Plant

by Joseph Stacey

Peter Pan Seafood has been processing Alaskan seafood including salmon, halibut, crab, and caviar since 1912. With processing plants in Dillingham, Port Moller, King Cove, and Valdez, they employ approximately 1,310 people during peak season.

The fishing industry in Southwest Alaska is facing a significant blow as Peter Pan Seafood announced the decision to keep its large plant in King Cove closed for the winter. Peter Pan Seafood informed local officials of the closure last week. King Cove city administrator Gary Hennigh reported that the plant generates roughly one-third of the community revenue. The company will not be processing seafood which contributes nearly $2 million in yearly fish tax revenue to the small community.

Peter Pan Seafood has also announced that only workers from previous seasons will be hired for the 2024 A Season. Due to the number of returning workers and the closure of the King Cove processing plant, there will be no new hires will be interviewed according to the company website.

Published on: November 21, 2023

Coast Guard Helicopter Crashes in Alaska

by Joseph Stacey

Four Coast Guard personnel sustained injuries following the crash of their MH-60 Jayhawk during a search and rescue mission in Alaska. The Air Station Sitka based helicopter crashed on Read Island, just south of Juneau.

At approximately 8 p.m. on Monday, November 13^th the F/V LYDIA MARIE began taking on water amidst the rough seas of Frederick Sound. A distress signal was promptly transmitted by the ship’s captain to the U.S. Coast Guard, and the vessel navigated towards the sheltered northern coast of Read Island in Farragut Bay while awaiting assistance.

According to reports, the initial responders to Monday night’s Air Station Sitka helicopter crash were the crew members from the distressed fishing vessel the U.S. Coast Guard was dispatched to assist. Two brothers aboard the F/V LYDIA MARIE reportedly played a pivotal part in rescuing the stranded air crew after hearing the crash.

Published on: October 14, 2023

Red King Crab Harvesting Opens in the Bering Sea

by Nigel Stacey

After a two-year closure due to insufficient stock levels for fishing, the Bristol Bay red king crab fishery in Alaska is scheduled to reopen at noon on October 15, 2023. The established quota for this reopening is 2.15 million pounds, slightly less than the 2.6 million pounds set in 2020.

Jamie Goen, executive director of Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers, said members are happy to return to their work on the water. However, they are committed to ensuring minimal impact, aiming for the sustainability of the crab resource for future generations.

“They are tracking closely the science around the health of crab stocks and want to help crab continue to rebound,” she said. We’re adding extra measures this season during our directed pot fishery for crab to reduce our interactions with crab. We’re increasing communication with the fleet on best handling practices, clean fishing areas, and opportunities to share gear.”