Today's Main Story Alaska Pollock stock now double its ten year average, discrediting Greenpeace's pollock 'redlist'
The latest Alaska pollock assessment has found stocks are up to more than double the ten-year average. According to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s (AFSC) report, which was released during today’s Groundfish Plan Team meeting in Seattle, the fishery’s total biomass is at 9.2 million metric tons and is expected to climb to 9.4 million tons by 2016. AFSC recommended that the 2015 Allowable Biological Catch be set at 1.35 million metric tons; the NPFMC will set the TAC in early December. In our news analysis, Peggy Parker reports how this massive increase is one of the most stunning fisheries management successes in the world and how it discredits Greenpeace’s pollock “redlist”.
Alaska’s crabbers wrapped this season’s Bristol Bay red king crab fishing in just four weeks. The crabbers fished the entire 9 million pound quota with an average of 28 crabs per pot.
In other news the New England Fishery Management Council will consider a ban on lobster fishing in certain parts of the Gulf of Maine in order to protect the region’s dire cod stock situation. A vote on the matter is expected today or tomorrow. Both state officials and lobster fishery representatives question the practicality of the proposal as a way to manage the cod crisis in the Gulf.
Finally, a delegation of Russian fish and seafood inspectors from its Rosselkhoznadzor agency are meeting with Chilean fishery officials to discuss import and export regulations. Russia wants to source more salmon and other seafood products from Chile and has sent the representatives to tour and audit plants and inspection laboratories. The goal is educate Chilean producers and other industry participants how to remain compliant under Russian import standards.
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