Featured Press Release
NPFMC, State and Federal decision makers fail to act, as some Alaska salmon runs at reach an all time low
JUNEAU, AK: This week in Sitka, Alaska, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council failed to take action on Chinook and chum salmon bycatch, despite the pleas of a broad array of Alaskans and overwhelming evidence from state and federal scientists that some runs are on the verge of collapse.
SalmonState: After court ruling, it’s even more clear EPA must stop Pebble Mine now
ANCHORAGE—Today, a U.S. District Court ruling paves the way for the Environmental Protection Agency to complete its Clean Water Act process aimed at protecting Bristol Bay from the massive, open pit Pebble Mine and associated industrial development. In essence, the court has made clear that the EPA has the ability to issue 404(c) protections under the Clean Water Act. For the past two decades, Tribes, fishermen, Alaskans and Americans across the country have been fighting the threat of the proposed Pebble Mine: a massive open pit gold, copper and molybdenum mine proposed for Bristol Bay’s headwaters.
New MSA Reauthorization bill gives Alaska’s fishing communities and fishermen tools they need
ANCHORAGE— SalmonState applauds the introduction of Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act, which reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) — the bill governing fishing in federal waters. Vitally, the act updates the MSA to include challenges like climate change adaptation and bycatch reduction, and to ensure community participation and Tribal representation. It was introduced by Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Representative Ed Case (D-HI). The MSA has not been updated since 2006.
Alaskans ask Biden Administration to Move Quickly to Protect Critical Alaskan Salmon Watersheds, Make 30×30 a ‘Reality’
Juneau, AK – Yesterday, President Biden released his plan to address climate change, including a ‘30×30’ provision that calls for conservation of 30 percent of our lands and oceans by 2030. “Coming on the heels of an alarming report from the State of Washington showing salmon on the brink of extinction with climate change being a major factor, we need to take bold steps right now if we are going to have a fighting chance to preserve the healthy wild salmon runs many of us take for granted,” said SalmonState executive director Tim Bristol.
State of Washington Report Predicts the Extinction of Wild Pacific Salmon
Juneau, AK: On January 20th, Washington State’s Recreation and Conservation Office and the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office released a sobering report warning that Washington’s wild salmon populations are “teetering on the brink of extinction” with the majority of their runs in threatened or endangered status. In the report, habitat loss and climate change are identified as major challenges facing wild salmon and the authors call for Washington to choose a path to recovery that “recognizes salmon and other natural resources as vital to the state’s economy, growth, and prosperity.” The State’s conclusions sent shock waves across news outlets, including the New York Times and US News and World Report.
Executive Order Threatens Future of America’s Fisheries and Fishing Families
On Thursday May 7, the White House issued an Executive Order “Promoting American Seafood and Economic Growth,” which the Trump Administration claims to protect America’s seafood supply chain. Despite its intentions, the Executive Order is raising concerns amongst Alaska and the nation’s fishing and conservation communities due to its emphasis on increasing farmed fish production in U.S. waters.
Alaska Commercial Fishermen Survey Launches: Online Survey Responses Due May 1
JUNEAU, AK – Seafood directly employs more workers than any other private sector industry in Alaska, and is the foundation of many rural communities (McDowell 2020). To ensure fishermen’s voices are heard in the response to and mitigation of COVID-19 related impacts, today SalmonState is kicking off an online fisherman’s survey. The organization is seeking to hear directly from Alaska’s commercial fishermen about the challenges and opportunities faced by independent fishermen, families, and communities. The survey seeks input and guidance from fishermen as the seafood industry adapts to COVID-19 in the 2020 season.