What a State Budget-Triggered Shutdown Will Mean for Alaska's Fisheries
If Alaskan lawmakers cannot agree on a budget by June 30 the state will be forced to layoff state workers on July 1, which will have widespread ramifications on state fishery management. The biggest punch would be felt by salmon fisheries — and the harm could extend well beyond this year. Field staff at remote weirs, towers and salmon sonar counting projects from Southeast to Kotzebue will be pulled, said Scott Kelley, a division director with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Fish and Game Commissioner Sam Cotten said that the department is working with the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Law to analyze the impacts of a shutdown on the commercial, subsistence, personal use and sport fisheries, as well as hunting seasons.
The range of full-cycle fish aquaculture that does not depend on harvests of wild fisheries is expanding in Japan and is being led by major fisheries companies Nippon Suisan (Nissui) and Maruha Nichiro. Nissui is working on bringing a fully-farm raised octopus product to the market by 2020. Maruha, meanwhile is close to perfecting farmed raised kampachi.
In other news, a revision to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, finalized last week, will give the US Customs Department more authority to ban imported seafood that is produced with forced labor. The change to the Enforcement removes the "consumptive demand" clause from the regulation. Under this clause, US importers were able to import merchandise into the US that was produced with forced labor if domestic production could not satisfy demand for the product.
Meanwhile, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and California Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein called for a federal salmon fishery disaster declaration for both states to support economic recovery for coastal communities, in a letter Friday to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. “Salmon are a vital part of our region’s history, economy and culture,” the senators wrote in the letter. “This disaster declaration will provide a much needed safety net to keep fishermen in business, communities afloat, and the industry open for business until salmon stocks are restored.”
Finally, fishermen in Mississippi say shrimp harvests are plentiful and bigger compared to last year's initial landings. The season opened on June 7. “Last year, we were looking at 80-100's. Right now, we're looking at 40-50's. Big difference,” said dock manager, Chris Lyons. Gulf inventories heading into the season were tight on many mid-sized shrimp counts.
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