Maritime News

Published on: October 8, 2024

Ropeless Crab Gear Trial

The recent trial of innovative ropeless crab fishing gear off the California coast has ignited controversy among the Dungeness crab fishing community. The trial, which ran from April 9 to June 30, 2024, allowed a limited number of commercial crabbers to use ropeless gear to harvest during a time typically restricted to protect whales and crabs. While the technology has been hailed by some as a major breakthrough in reducing whale entanglements, others in the community view it as a complication in an already strained industry.

The trial, the largest of its kind to date, focused on testing “pop-up” fishing gear designed to eliminate the need for traditional buoy lines, which are known to cause entanglements for marine mammals such as whales. Instead of using long lines of rope that extend from the ocean floor to a surface buoy, ropeless systems employ underwater cages that release to the surface when remotely activated by the fishermen. This eliminates the vertical ropes, which have been identified as a major hazard for migrating whales that can become trapped.

Whale entanglements in traditional crab fishing gear have become an increasingly urgent concern over the past decade, leading to frequent delays and shutdowns of the crabbing season in California. In recent years, crabbers have faced shortened seasons, which often fall during critical whale migration periods. As a result, the fishing industry has been under pressure to find solutions that balance both marine conservation and the economic sustainability of crab fishing. Proponents of ropeless gear argue that the technology offers a new way to allow crabbing to continue while protecting endangered species like humpback and blue whales.

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: 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 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: July 16, 2024

Ken Stetz Wins 2024 Coast Guard Art Competition

by Joseph Stacey

We are delighted to report that Ken Stetz has been named the winner of the 2024 George Gray Award for Artistic Excellence at the Coast Guard Art Program (COGAP). The annual art acceptance ceremony was held on Thursday, July 11^th, 2024. The award-winning piece, titled “Absorbing the Roll,” is a 15″ x 24″ oil on canvas, and was selected from thirty-six submissions.

The thirty-six art pieces will be on exhibit at the Salmagundi Club, an art and cultural center located at 47 Fifth Avenue in New York, through July 26^th, 2024. Additionally, twenty-eight works from previous collections will be on display, including pieces by and in honor of deceased COGAP artists C.R. “Bob” Bryant and Dick Kramer. The collection features artwork depicting search and rescue, marine environmental protection, patrols, and training exercises.

The exhibition is open to the public and can be viewed Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is free. After the exhibition at the Salmagundi Club, the show will be on display at the Federal Hall National Memorial in lower Manhattan for two months.

Published on: June 11, 2024

One Rescued, One Deceased after Fishing Vessel and Skiff Collide

by Joseph Stacey

It is with great sadness that we report the tragic incident that unfolded after a collision between the 58-foot F/V VIS and a 20-foot skiff in Wrangell Narrows, Alaska.

The collision claimed the life of a 73-year-old woman from California, as confirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard, and resulted in another individual being thrown into the water.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, good Samaritans pulled a 71-year old, later identified as Gordon Paul of California, from the water. He was transported to a nearby boat launch at Papke’s Landing and taken to Petersburg Medical Center.