NMFS Extends Comment Period on Proposed Fishing Restrictions in Far Western Aleutian Islands

Comment Period for Western Steller Sea Lions Protection Measure Rule Pushed Back 45 Days

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is extending the comment period for the interim final rule to reduce commercial fishing for groundfish stocks in the far western Aleutian Islands. The original public comment period for the interim final rule ends tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011). Today, NMFS filed a notice with the Federal Register to extend the public comment period for an additional 45 days to February 28, 2011.

NMFS claims the fishing restrictions in the far western Aleutian Islands are necessary to protect food sources for endangered Steller sea lions. However, Governor Parnell and a number of commercial fishing groups say NOAA's response is too drastic and that the agency's conclusion isn't supported by the best available scientific information. The State of Alaska filed a lawsuit last month in an attempt to stop NMFS from implementing the restrictions. Earlier this month, several commercial fishing groups also filed suit.

The original comment period occurred over the holiday season, limiting the number of work days available to the public for developing a response to this action. Various stakeholders and members of the public requested more time, so NOAA's Fisheries Service filed for the extension.

For more details, click on the headline of this post to see the press release.

Post your Comments

If you'd like to post a comment on AEB Fish Blog, here's how to do it:

Click on "Comment" below the latest post. A box will appear for you to type in your remarks. Then click on "Comment As". Choose "Name/URL" (or choose "anonymous", and you're done). If you've chosen to type in your name, go to the next step. For "URL", type in: www.aleutianseast.org or another Web site that you're affiliated with.

That's all there is to it.

Fishermen and Organizations Sign Up for Committees - BOF - Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands - Proposals

Committee A - South Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands Groundfish

Board committee members: Brown (chair), Morris, Delo

(14 Proposals)


Frank Kelty Dutch/UnAK AC
Grant Newton King Cove AC
Kenny Down Freezer Longline Co.
Patrick Burns Blue North Fisheries
David Polushkin K-Bay Fisheries Assoc.
Kris Norosz Icicle Seafoods
Dan Gunn Self
Lloyd Johnessen Self
Melanie Rotter Self
Dan Martin Northern Victor Coop.
Mike Sharrah/Rick Koss ACDC
Carol Foster Self
Bert Ashley F/V Goldrush
Dick Jacobson Sand Point / Aleut Corp.
Brent Paine UCBA Trawlers


Committee B : Salmon Gear Requirements, June and Post June Fishery
Board committee members: Jensen (chair), Woods, Johnstone
(20 Proposals)


Grant Newton King Cove AC
Don Bumps Chiguak AC
Virgil Umphenour Fairbanks AC
Dan Dunway Nush AC
Abe Williams Naknek AC
Jack Fagerstrom N. Norton AC
Melvin Larsen Area M Seine
Gene Sandone Lower Yukon
Art Nelson
Mike Kurtz Area M Seine
Tim Andrew Kusko
Mike Smith Upper Yukon/Interior
Mike Sloan Norton
Tom Wooding Area M Driftnetter
Dale Schwartzmiller Processor
Robert Hayano BB
Pat Martin Area M Driftnetter
Ben Mobeck Area M Setnetter
John Foster Area M Setnetter
Johnathan Forsling Togiak Seafoods
Rachel Allen Chignik
Chuck McCallum Lake and Peninsula


Committee C: Herring and Salmon
Board committee members: Delo (chair), Jensen, Woods
(15 Proposals)


Frank Kelty UnAK/Dutch AC
Abe Williams Nak/Kvi AC
Don Bumpus Chignik AC
Dan Dunaway Nushagak AC
Virgil Umphenour Fairbanks AC
John Foster Sand Point AC
Dean Anderson Self and other for Prop 140 Seiner
Chuck McCallum Lake and Peninsula
Mark Wagener Area M Set
Tony Gregorio Self Chignik
Wally Hinderer Self Chignik
Ken Wilson Self
Mike Kurtz Self Sand Point
Rachel Allen Self Chignik
Ben Allen Self Chignik
Dan Veerhusen Self 158-159 author
Paul Gronholdt Self Sand Point
Melvin Larsen Self Sand Point
Duane Kapp Self Setneter
Rod Campbell USFWS/OSM Fed. Rep
Drew Sparlin Self Setnet S.P.
Patrick Brown Self Area M Setnet
David Osterback Sand Point Seiner


Committee D : Salmon: Sportfish and North Peninsula Management
Board committee members: Morris (chair), Johnstone, Brown
(16 Proposals)


Ralph Zimin BBDGN NAK/KVI AC
Roland Briggs Ugashik
Johnathon Forsling Village Togiak
Art Woinowsky Ugashik DGN
Fred Marinkovich AIFMA DGN
Brian Hartman Nelson Lagoon S&DGN
Mark Briski Peter Pan/Pt. Moller
Kurt Johnson BB DGN Nak/Kvi
Victoria Briggs Ugashik Processor
Theo Chesley Nelson Lagoon DGN
Brad Barr CAMF SGN
Fritz Johnson BB DGN
Robin Samuelson BBEDC/BB DGN
Frank Woods Port Heiden DGN
Pat Martin CAMF DGN
Tom Wooding APFC DGN
Ane Williams Nak/Kvi AC

Reminder: BOF to Hear Testimony on Proposals Affecting Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands

The Aleutians East Borough (AEB) would like to remind Area M fishermen that the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) is scheduled to hear testimony on multiple proposals impacting the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands finfish. The public hearing will take place Feb. 2 - 6, 2010 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center.

The AEB is renting space at the Egan (Space #14, lower level) for fishermen to gather and seek advice from the Borough's fish experts (AEB Resource Director Beth Stewart and Borough Fisheries Consultant Sam Cotten) on testimony that will be presented to the BOF.

Those unable to attend the hearing in Anchorage can listen to audio from the BOF public hearing. It will be streamed live via the Board's Web site: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/index.php .

AEB Seeks Fishermen to Testify at Alaska Board of Fisheries Meeting Feb. 2 - 6, 2010

The Aleutians East Borough is seeking fishermen to testify at the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) meeting in Anchorage scheduled for Feb. 2 - 6, 2010 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center. The BOF will hear testimony on multiple proposals concerning the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands Finfish Proposals.

The proposals include:

* Possible changes to the Kupreanof Line (Proposal # 141)
* The lack of fishing time with the Southeastern District Mainland (SEDM) (Proposals # 132 - 138).
* Possible restrictions to openings in the Northern District to allow more fishing in Nelson Lagoon.

Fishermen interested in testifying at the Alaska Board of Fisheries should contact:
Tina Anderson, AEB Clerk/Planner
Toll free: (888) 383-2699