Anchorage - The Bristol Bay, Alaska commercial salmon fishery is the world’s most valuable wild salmon fishery and in total produces an astounding annual value of $1.5 billion, according to a new report, “The Economic Importance of the Bristol Bay Salmon Industry.” The fishery supports a significant number of jobs in the four West Coast states, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California, and the total value of Bristol Bay sa
Mine permitting is neither rigorous nor scientific. Disagree? Name one mine that did not proceed because of review process rejection. Then name one open pit mine that does not have, or has not had, serious environmental problems.
Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2013/05/04/2889832/compass-pebble-cant-work-for-alaska.html#storylink=cpy
A spokesman for Bristol Bay salmon drift permit holders says proponents of the Pebble mine are betting fishermen’s assets that they can safely develop and operate a large-scale mine at the headwaters of a critical watershed.
“They are playing poker with chips they don’t own,” said Bob Waldrop, executive director of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association.
The companies spearheading development of the proposed Pebble Mine anticipate going into permitting before the end this year. KDLG's Mike Mason reports.
The organization that represents Bristol Bay’s driftnet fleet is taking a survey about a possible permit buyback program. KDLG's Mike Mason has the details.
Although I was glad to hear that DNR was coming to Port Heiden to discuss and take public comment on the amendments to the 2005 Bristol Bay Area Plan, I was extremely unhappy with the unprofessional and misleading meeting they conducted.
Incidental harvest of thousands of Chinook salmon in Gulf of Alaska trawl fisheries is an issue that just won't go away, simmering before federal fisheries managers as debate continues over whether a catch share program would solve the problem.
As a 43-year resident of the Bristol Bay area, with extensive experience in the biological resources of the area, I am compelled to comment on the revised Bristol Bay Area Plan. I helped with the development of the original 1984 plan that was based on numerous public drafting meetings in Bristol Bay area villages and elsewhere in the state.
If there’s one thing salesmen know, it’s the abiding faith that if they say something over and over again, that it will become true (at least in terms of public perception). So it’s no wonder that the Pebble Partnership has spent millions of dollars on advertising and lobbying to convince us that there is no plan to mine in Bristol Bay
A universal truth in all major oil spills is that once the oil is spilled, the damage is done. In Alaska, damage from the 1989 Exxon Valdez persists today, 24 years later.
As scientists from around the state and country gathered to discuss Arctic shift last week, it became clear that more questions than conclusions are available about Arctic fish populations - and where the warm winds of change will take them.
A new plan is being crafted by federal managers for Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries that will reduce bycatch by trawlers, and it will very likely result in a catch share plan. Now is the time for fishing residents to make sure the new program protects their access to local resources and sustains, instead of drains, their coastal communities.
Currently, the plan includes trawlers in the Central Gulf and both trawl and pot cod gear in the Western Gulf.
In partnership with State and Tribal agencies, the Obama Administration released the first nationwide strategy to help public and private decision makers address the impacts that climate change is having on natural resources and the people and economies that depend on them.
Developed in response to a request by Congress, the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy is the product of extensive national dialogue that spanned nearly two years and was shaped by comments from more than 55,000 Americans.
"The floor of the Alaska House is sacred, and his conduct last night was patently inexcusable and disrespectful" to Chenault, said Higgins at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The Tongass National Forest is a globally significant source of wild salmon and efforts should be made to preserve that resource, the forest’s fish program manager said at a “Lunch and Learn” presentation at the Alaska State Capitol Thursday.
Ron Medel said that while non-wild salmon may outsell wild salmon, salmon that hatch in and return to the wild as part of their natural life cycle carry significant commercial, cultural and ecological value.
John Shively: "Will I stand here and say there will be zero problems? No. Just as I'm not going to stand here and say that ocean acidification may not do in salmon before we do."
Or to put it another way: Hey, Pebble can f*** you or ocean acidification can f*** you, but either way, you're f***ed.
Great, thanks for that Mr. Shively. But there's just one rather important difference between Pebble and ocean acidification. You see, we can stop Pebble tomorrow. So tell your paymasters to fold up their tents and go back to the UK or Canada or wherever the hell they came from. -Ed.
