Saving Seafood

Congressman Don Young Introduces Legislation to Protect Oceans and Marine Life

May 12, 2021 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Don Young (R-AK):

Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young introduced the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act, legislation to direct NOAA to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee with the goal of keeping fishing communities healthy and viable through local collaboration, data collection, and expanded research investments. Upon introduction, Congressman Young was joined by Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata (R-AS).

“Since I first came to Congress, I have made protecting our oceans and fisheries one of my highest priorities,” said Congressman Don Young. “The American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act is a critical piece of legislation that will help protect our oceans for generations to come. Alaska has more coastline than any other state in the nation, and our oceans play a central role in our culture, economy, and way of life. This is not only an environmental issue, but an economic one as well. Without healthy oceans, Alaska’s seafood industry cannot succeed; this bill is as critical for our fishermen and processors as it is for our precious ecosystems. I am grateful for the support of my friend, Congresswoman Amata, and will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it across the finish line.”

“In American Samoa, the ocean is always part of our daily lives, and fishing is our community’s economic backbone,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to my friend, Dean of the House Don Young for this important effort. The American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act can help protect the healthy ocean we depend on so that we can preserve fishing as part of our way of life.”

“The American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act may be the very best piece of legislation for the U.S. seafood industry,” said Bruce Schactler, Director of the National Seafood Marketing Coalition. “This bill will serve not only as a tool for developing a larger footprint in the marketplace, but will also address what the seafood industry at all levels feels is the most needed to help move forward.”

ALASKA: There are plenty of herring to catch in Bristol Bay, but there’s nowhere to sell them

December 16, 2019 — There are plenty of herring around in the fishery in Togiak, on the northwest side of Bristol Bay. This year’s quota is roughly 80 million pounds.

But herring fishermen, who come to Togiak from all over the state, still have a problem. They target herring for their tiny eggs, which once commanded steep prices in Japan. But not any more.

“I’m a recovering herring fisherman,” joked Bruce Schactler.

Schactler, who lives in Kodiak, has been fishing in Togiak off and on since 1985. But he won’t be returning this summer.

“The market is so bad that Trident will not be buying fish this year, so we’re not going. Every ton that is frozen and shipped off to Japan is a loser. There’s no money being made,” he said.

Trident is one of four companies that buy herring roe and sell it to Japan, the only customer. In the 1990s, that roe could sell for $1,000 a ton. But in 2019, that price was at $75. Fishermen’s total earnings last year were about $1.5 million, down from a high of more than $20 million in 1995. Fishermen like Schactler say that even at that low price, processors are still losing money on herring.

Read the full story at Alaska Public Media

Fisheries marketing bill passes Senate unanimously

October 16, 2018 — On Aug. 22, the Senate passed bill 1322 to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee with unanimous consent.

“That’s a big deal,” said Bruce Schactler, who helped write the bill and has been advocating for different versions of this committee for nearly a decade as a member of the National Seafood Marketing Coalition.

“Who passes anything out of the Senate unanimously?” asked Schactler. “Who passes anything out of the Senate at all, let alone unanimously?”

The Senate referred the bill to the House Natural Resources Committee, where it awaits markup to be sent to the floor for a vote.

If the House does pass the bill this year, then in the 2019 fiscal year, 10 percent of the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant funds would be delegated specifically to fisheries research and development. Proposals would be reviewed by a new committee of industry representatives, including fishermen, seafood marketers, processors, aquaculture stakeholders, and six regional seats.

“What we’re hoping will happen is the House takes this version verbatim and passes it as is,” Shactler added.

Looming on the horizon is another session of Congress, which would mean starting all over again.

Read the full story at National Fisherman