Commerical Fishing

Biologists predict low Yukon River king return

Yukon River king salmon fishermen hoping for a change from last year's dismal returns are getting bad news. State and federal biologists say the 2012 king salmon run may be worse.

Coast Guard rescues 5 from fishing vessel

A Coast Guard helicopter team rescued the captain and four crew members of a fishing tender that lost steering in the Gulf of Alaska's 20-foot seas Friday night, the Coast Guard says.

Senate rejects Murkowski amendment on genetically modified salmon

The U.S. Senate has rejected an amendment by Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski that would have required a comprehensive study of genetically engineered salmon before it can be sold to consumers.

Washington man collapses, dies on fish processor near Togiak

Alaska State Troopers say a 43-year-old Washington state man died Thursday on board a commercial fishing vessel anchored 10 miles off Togiak.

First of season's Copper River salmon arrive in Seattle

The first shipment of Alaska's Copper River salmon arrived Friday morning at Sea-Tac Airport aboard an Alaska Airlines cargo flight from Cordova.

Seattle chefs await Alaska's Copper River salmon

Some of the first salmon caught in Alaska's Copper River this year are scheduled to arrive at Sea-Tac Airport on Friday aboard an Alaska Airlines cargo flight from Cordova.

Studies point to trouble when hatchery and wild salmon mix

New studies published this week in a special issue of the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes present more evidence of potential trouble when hatchery salmon mingle with wild stocks. But hatcheries are important in preserving salmon fisheries, the guest editor of the edition tells The New York Times, and a balance needs to be found.

Coast Guard airlifts 3 from trawler with ammonia leak

Three people have been airlifted from a factory trawler in the Bering Sea after an ammonia leak aboard the vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard reported, adding that all three were in good condition.

Owner of sunken Sitka boat says he'll refloat it

A nearly-century-old commercial fishing boat that ran aground last week in Sitka is now in worse shape. The wooden troller Igloo sank as it was being towed to harbor. Owner Kris Foster says he plans to recover the boat. All fuel was pumped out of the Igloo's tanks before the sinking, he says.

Boom truck operator dies in fall at Seward small boat harbor

An Icicle Seafoods boom truck tipped while loading a vessel with fishing equipment Tuesday morning in the Seward small boat harbor, killing the 52-year-old operator.

Federal contractors to monitor Southeast Alaska gillnetters

Observers hired by the National Marine Fisheries Service will monitor commercial fishermen catching salmon with drift gillnets near Petersburg and Wrangell starting next month in what the NMFS is calling a data-collecting project.

Southeast fishermen approve salmon permit buyback plan

Southeast Alaska commercial fishermen have approved a $13 million plan to buy back 64 state permits for purse seine fishing to boost market conditions.

Feds take control of seized fishing vessel

Federal officials are deciding how to dispose of a ship seized last year for illegal fishing.

Canadian crew grabbed souvenirs from Japanese 'ghost ship'

The captain of the Canadian fishing crew that briefly considered trying to salvage the tsunami-launched Japanese "ghost ship" said the experience was all about "fun and adventure," though they had hoped to return the ship to its Japanese owners. After boarding the ship in Alaska waters, they concluded they couldn't salvage it -- and also that it had been previously plundered, reports The Province of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Grand jury issues indictment for ocean dumping by fisherman

A federal grand jury has indicted a Kodiak man on charges of dumping pollutants from his fishing vessel into the harbor at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands.

LAINE WELCH

Boosting quality of catch pays off for fishermen

Fishermen in the world's largest salmon fishery at Bristol Bay are getting good grades for improving the quality of their salmon, and it's boosting their bottom line.

Harvest of ocean's smallest fish takes toll on food chain

As ocean scientists probe what ails some of the largest creatures in the sea, a wave of new research is urging them to look at the little things -- specifically, the tiny schooling fish that make up the cornerstone of ocean food webs.

Restaurant to pay $18,000 fine for serving subsistence-caught halibut

The owners of a Juneau restaurant have agreed to pay a penalty for buying subsistence-harvested halibut.

State to begin Sitka herring aerial surveys

The Department of Fish and Game says aerial surveys will begin Tuesday in preparation for the first opening of the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery.

LAINE WELCH

Home-grown Alaska salmon return dropped in 2011

The state's annual report on its fisheries enhancement programs shows that last year hatchery returns and harvests were down by more than half from 2010, when a record 77 million hatchery salmon were caught.

Coast Guard suspends search for overboard fisherman

Coast Guard air rescue crews spent six hours Friday searching more than 40 square miles of water before suspending a search for a man who went overboard from a fishing boat near Sand Point.