Ugashik Set Net Association

2001Outlook

1000' & 18' High Tide
 

Board of Fish 2001

Alaska Fishermen's Journal

Changing Attitudes & Changing Times

Big News for Area M

Ole & Einar

Ugashik Set Net Association Newsletter April, 2001

After June 23, EO fishing periods will be influenced by the entry rate of sockeye salmon into Ugashik District and Ugashik River. District test fishing will begin sometime in late June. In-river test fishing will begin around June 23. The Ugashik towers will begin deployment a few days earlier than last year and counting will start around June 30 instead of July 3.

Fishing time after June 22 will depend on the results of these projects, but with the weak forecast, fishing may not occur until sometime in July.

If the Naknek in-river fishery is in effect, the Western line of the Ugashik District will be moved shoreward through the June 28th. This reduced district area is defined as follows: all waters south of a line between 57E43.90 N. lat., 157E 43.00' W. long. and 57E 43.54' N. lat., 157E 41.82' W. long. and east of a line between 57E 43.90' N. lat., 157E 43.00' W. long. and 57E 29.10' N. lat., 157E 53.20' W. long.

During the January 2001 Board of Fisheries meeting, the Board also changed the northern boundary line for the Ugashik District back to the way it was before 1998. The new north line now runs between 57E 44.05 N. lat., 157E43.31' W. long. and 57E 43.54' N. lat., 157E° 41.82' W. long. The rest of the district boundaries are the same as they were in previous years.

Bristol Bay fishers are reminded that the 48-hour transfer waiting period for Ugashik District is in effect through July 17, even if the midpoint of the escapement goal is reached before July 17. The 48-hour wait is also in effect if the emergency order period is extended for any reason.

Parent-year coho escapement data from two aerial surveys flown in 1997 revealed a count of approximately 9,400 coho salmon in selected areas. When compared to the 1997 commercial harvest of 7,200 coho salmon, a removal rate of less than 43% occurred. This is a relatively low exploitation on coho salmon when compared to harvest rates on coho stocks in other areas of the State. The 9,400 escapement count is the third highest observed in the last five years, but the 7,200 harvest is the fourth lowest recorded in 20 years and it is 73% below the recent 20-year average of 26,400. A below average coho run is expected in 2001. Management of the fall coho fishery will be based on fishery performance information.

Area T permit holders who fish Cinder River and Port Heiden Sections prior to 1 July and deliver their catch in Ugashik District are reminded to report the Section of catch on the fish tickets. Only Inner Port Heiden Section and Cinder River Lagoon have fishing periods available to Area T permit holders in June; outside waters of Cinder River Section are open after August 1; and there is a small closed waters area between Cape Menshikof and Loran C line 9990-Y-32920 of Cinder River Section.

Fishers interested in test fishing in the Ugashik District should contact Keith Weiland in Anchorage at (907) 267-2229, and after June 10, in King Salmon at (907) 246-3341.

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I would like to address the regulation of being 1000 feet from the 18 foot high tide mark and our enforcement efforts for the 2001 Bristol Bay commercial fishing season.

The regulation for being no more than 1000 feet from the 18-foot high tide mark is found in 5 AAC 06.331(m), which states: "In the Naknek-Kvichak, Egegik, Ugashik, and Togiak Districts, no part of a set gillnet may be more than 1,000 feet from the 18-foot high mark…"

The location on the shore, where an 18-foot high tide would come up to, would establish the measuring point from which no part of a set gillnet may be more than 1,000 feet seaward from. Wildlife Protection enforcement would determine if there is a violation of this regulation by using a standard measuring device (i.e steel tape measure) or a laser range finder or a combination of these. The measurement would be from / to the 18 foot high tide mark from / to the seaward end of the net. Some tide books can plot specific stages of the tide at specific times, which would aid in determining the 18-foot high tide mark.

The intent of our enforcement efforts is to reduce the number of violations.

We are planning on having at least one and maybe two large patrol vessels for Bristol Bay this season. We will also be using our post 32-foot patrol vessel and numerous skiffs. These vessels will be responsible for patrolling the Ugashik district in conjunction with aircraft patrol.

As always we solicit reports of violations from other fishermen who are trying to fish legally. If another fishermen would like to report a violation they can remain anonymous but we would appreciate as much detail of the violation as possible as this will facilitate our ability to make the case. This would include the following for drifters: the specific location, the vessel name, a description of the vessel, the ADF&G number, how much gear is in the water, the time observed, and any other pertinent information. For set nets this would include the following: the specific location, the permit number, the vessel type, how much gear in the water, and any other pertinent information.

Good fishing and be safe!

........... Sgt. Peter Mlynarik.......... Alaska State Troopers............

Fish & Wildlife Protection                King Salmon Post

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Eric Beeman, Catie Bursch, Marv Ebnet, Roger Kuchenbecker and Sandy Umlauf attended the Board of Fish meetings held in Anchorage January 9^th – January 31^th. In those 23 days, these Ugashik set net fishermen spent in excess of 380 hours attending the Board of Fish meetings. Ugashik drift fisherman, Art Woinowsky, spent 23 days at the meeting very actively lobbying and working for commercial fishing in Ugashik Bay. Ugashik Set Net Association was well represented and recognized at the Board of Fish meetings.

Day #1 and my name was on the list for the Bristol Bay Commercial Non-Stocks of Concern committee. I also attended the Bristol Bay salmon sport fish committee meeting that first day. Listening in on the discussion of the Egegik and Ugahsik salmon sport proposals was interesting. Part of the proposals involved creating regulations and day limits for theAlaska Peninsula further out than Port Moller.

Committee E went through 44 Bristol Bay proposals that did NOT have to do with Kvichak stocks of concern. There were 25 proposals left for the stock of concern section. I spoke on about thirteen proposals that in some way concerned Ugashik setnetters. The ones I think had the most affect on us were Proposals 32 and 25. Proposal 32 was from Lower Bristol Bay Advisory Committee to begin the allocation plan June 23 rather than June 1. This was intended to favor the local drift fleet so that their June catch didn't count towards the allocation numbers. The Board did not pass this. Proposal 25 was for the repeal of the allocation plan. I'm happy to say that after three years many groups of Bristol Bay fishers are satisfied with the allocation plan. There were some fine tuning issues that a few districts worked out. The Board did not repeal any allocation plans. Proposal 70 -- the "hottest" topic in this session... We will not have to paint a black stripe on our white bouys any longer ! Thats right folks. Just a white bouy will do now.

Proposals 72 and 73 had to do with keeping the drifters 100' away from the inside set net bouy and from going inside the outside bouys even if there is no set net gear set. The Board did not pass any of these.

Proposal 271 -- Statewide – Clarify the definition of a drift gillnet. One word was eventually changed in the wording to make it easier for enforcement to ticket driftnetters who are not moving.

Seen in the Alaska Fishermen’s Journal.......

You say you don’t need to join the association that represents your fishery? Then it can be assumed that it really doesn’t matter to you if interests opposed to commercial fishing lobby the government to ban your chosen occupation. RIGHT?

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Our industry is constantly changing. Look at your own current attitude toward issues and players in the industry and compare them to five years ago. Ten years ago. Processors, Factory Trawlers, Hatcheries. Farmed Salmon, Greenpeace, PEW Charitable Trust. What’s changed? Have you changed your perspective or has the other guy changed so that you like him/her/them more or less today than before?

Well, I’d like to take just a few words to list some of my observations while being on the UFA board the past four and a half years. I’m sure some of these thoughts are shared by the entire UFA board but I think you need to give UFA credit for the good ones and take shots at me for the ideas or thoughts you don’t like. That’s the inverse of rule #1.

>>>Rule #1 --Don’t take down people in your own industry with "friendly fire." Often times we let folks in the fishing industry get out front because we haven’t paid much attention to issues. Then we suddenly wake up and, before we realize where to aim the rifle, we shoot our leaders in the back with "friendly fire." These people are on boards and leadership positions for a reason. Certainly we need to ensure accountability and have our leaders do the bidding of their constituents. But that can be done by communicating without having to shoot them in the back in the local bar or coffee shop.

>>>Rule #2 – Always be careful of what you ask for, because you just might get it. I’ve seen situations where a fisherman or company worked diligently to regulate and slander the "other guy" only to enter the same fishery or arena that the "other guy" operated in. Or times when they actually bought the "other guy". Now they ARE the "other guy" and have to live with those same allegations and regulations.

The Alaska seafood industry is a huge system that is interdependent and interconnected. When you tweak something, somewhere, there can be unintended results elsewhere. This gets us to my next point.

>>>Rule #3 – United We Stand. More than ever our industry is one huge interdependent system. What happens in Akutan affects Ketchikan. St. Paul affects Petersburg. And vise-versa. We need every sector of our industry to balance out the cyclical nature of our industry. We also need our industry to stick together for protection and self-preservation. From troller to factory trawler. From deckhand to CEO. Everyone. We need to quit comparing our gear types and intrastate regions.

And what’s this resident thing? I hear, "my fishery is 80% resident and theirs is only 50%." Hey, we’re all Alaskan fishermen whether we park our boats in Seattle or Bethel. My grandfather used to refer to anyone who arrived in Alaska after 1940 as a newcomer that didn’t deserve residency.

Let’s keep it together and fight our issues with one voice. And if you don’t buy into this, at least have the common decency to keep the "other guy" in the room so that he/she/they can take some of the arrows and bullets that were aimed at you. Because, once again, you may some day be the "other guy."

>>>Rule #4 – Do your share to fight the fight. Pay your way. Very few folks get out there on the front lines. This is really okay. The most important people are those providing the financial commitment to support the front line troops. Sometimes people feel that those giving of their time and resources are fools for not keeping it for themselves.

Now let’s get this straight. I’m not altruistic. I’m just as greedy as the next guy. But is it greed wisely pursued to not then protect your investment? Would you buy a car or a house and then not shut or lock the doors when you went fishing?

Why there isn’t more participation in fishing associations is a mystery to me. And to those who have a lot, much will be required. Because they have the most to lose.

Bob Thorstenson, Jr. President,  United Fishermen of Alaska

211 Fourth Street, Ste. 110 ---Juneau, AK 99801-1143

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Quality Crucial to Fishery Survival

I recently attended the Fish to Food symposium sponsored by the World Trade Center of Alaska. The primary focus was on how Alaskan seafood, especially salmon, competes in the world market, and how to respond to its lessening market share.

Any dialog about salmon marketing nowadays is a discussion about quality, or in our case, a lack of. That most Alaskan salmon are delivered in better shape than they were 20 years ago is a given.

Fishermen today are equipped with knotless brailers and some have chilling systems for their holds. However, "better shape than 20 years ago" is a mantra that can be mindlessly chanted all the way to the soup line because the salmon buyers of the world have other options. "Better than" is nothing but a lame excuse put forth by an entire industry in denial.

I'm part of that industry and it's past time for me, and for the rest of my brethren, to "fess up" and start making some changes. Fast.

While our fresh, wild product is undoubtedly superior when harvested, something nasty often happens on the way to the consumer. According to Lisa Goche of Surefish, a seafood quality certification company, the number one barrier to quality seafood is a lack of chilling. Without stabilizing the fish's temperature soon after landing, shelf life decreases dramatically and interior flesh separation-- "gaping"--occurs.

At present, the two primary methods to combat this problem are RSW chilling, and icing. The concept is simple: chilled fish equals quality fish and a future market. Warm fish equals a risky product which only reinforces the inferior quality image of wild salmon.

So what's the solution?

In Cook Inlet it's easy. Processors, make it mandatory for the fleet to carry and use ice properly, or RSW chill. Fishermen, demand your buyers adhere to these procedures and that they provide the ice. For years in the western Inlet I've worked with a buyer who refuses to carry ice. His excuse? Too slow to separate the fish from the ice during delivery weigh-in. Ever heard of slush-ice and brailers? It works on the Arctic Keta program up north. Too much trouble?

Well, do you like the alternative?

Bristol Bay brings a whole new bunch of challenges. Vast amounts of fish slam the processors and fishermen alike and often push up the rivers causing a mad scramble to harvest and process as much as possible before the whole show is over.

Labor shortages are common. Many of the production lines are on floating processors with no shore side capacity.

So what's to be done?

Processors, require all your fisherman to chill. Continue to pay RSW fisherman a premium, and put some ice barges in the Bay for those of us without chilling capability. Also processors, refuse to buy low-quality junk from careless fishermen who are repeat offenders. It won't take long before the word gets around.

Non-RSW fishermen, harangue your markets for available ice, and use it! Operate with the idea that the next lousy load you attempt to deliver may meet with a well deserved rejection.

Ice barges! Catch rejections! Oooh, listen to everyone howl! Good. The industry needs to howl. Better this than the beaten whimpering exhibited lately.

And another thing, fishermen. Fish are food, and are, in a very real sense, food on our own families' tables. Treat them as such.

For every fish that gets slammed hard on the deck, a Chilean salmon farmer smiles. When someone's future meal is pulled scaleless from the surf it makes a New Zealand hatchery owner's day complete. Even the stoic Norwegian's demeanor lightens upon the contemplation of a net dry in the mud with seagulls happily reconstructing all the slowly baking catch into one-eyed-jacks.

Gentlemen, we in the fishing industry have caused these smiles for way to long. No more.

I challenge the processors and the fishermen, myself included, to quit doing business in this lousy, dead-end way. Speak out against apathy and resistance to change. Vocalize your ideas. Find solutions that solve the problem. Implement them now, no matter how Draconian.

Regain some control of your industry. Too late--can't be done--cost to much? Do you like the alternative?

BIG News for Area M

The Alaska Board of Fisheries, in a marathon session that ended January 31^st, slashed the fishing time for the salmon fleet in the False Pass area in an effort to return more chum salmon to Western Alaska.

The board repealed a cap on the number of chum salmon that could be caught incidentally to the fishery and put in place a system of windows for purse seine and drift gillnetters in the June fishery. It would allow fishing no more than three days of any seven day period, no more than 16 hours of fishing a day, for a maximum of 48 hours of fishing in any seven days period. The set gillnet fisher will continue to operate as usual. Under the old regulations, most of the fleet was able to fish 24 hours a day until they reached the allowable catch or by-catch limit.

"They’ve now taken three-fourth of the fishery," said Pat Martin, a commercial fisherman from Montana who has fished in the False Pass area since 1982. Martin said he did not feel changing the fishery would improve the flow of chum salmon to Western Alaska. But Robin Samuelson, a commercial fisherman from Dillingham, who has served on the Board of Fisheries, heartily approved the action. "It’s high time that Area M fishermen shared the burden of conservation, not only with Bristol Bay stocks, but with AYK (Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim) stocks," he said.

"I’m pleased with it. I hope regulation will allow for passage of fish to Bristol Bay and AYK. Area M is screaming about being cut back, but they still have an opportunity to harvest fish," said Samuelson, who said he attended the meeting as part of the Bristol Bay coalition to help save the Kvichak sockeye salmon fishery.

"I think windows is one of the best options we have," said Roger Kuchenbecker, a Ugashik setnetter. But Sandy Umlauf, president of the Ugashik Set Net Assocation, said unless the board made changes in the North Peninsula fishery, "this is just feeding more fish to the North Peninsula." The board, in its final session, made no changes in the North Peninsula fishery, and also turned down a proposal that would have slashed chum salmon production at state hatcheries in Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska.

The board opted instead for more statewide discussion on the impact to market and th environment from production of millions of hatchery chums.

Gov. Tony Knowles, who declared salmon disasters for Western Alaska three of the past four years, had urged the board to halt the chum salmon interception at False Pass, in hopes it would boost chum runs to the financially devastated village fishermen.

Board meetings on fish stocks passing through the False Pass area have for years prompted impassioned testimony from Area M fishermen and those who fish in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim fisheries. Though at one time, an extemely lucrative fishery, Area M has been the target for several years of increasing regulation aimed at improving the number of chum migrating to natal streams in the AYK area.

The board considered a number of options to restructure the Area M fishery, in an effort to resolve the issue fairly.

"The conservation of these stocks is paramount," said John White, a board member from Bethel. But board member Ed Dersham from Anchor Point, said "even if we closed this whole area down, it is not likely we would see an improvement in Western Alaska stocks.

On a related note, earlier in its meeting, the board unanimously failed a proposal that would have limited the Copper River salmon fishery to allow escapement of more fish upstream for dipnetters in the Interior..........

The Fishermen’s News       February, 2001

Ole & Einar

Ole and Einar were commercial fishing buddies for years. They made a scratch living, always putting money back into their boats and gear, but they had been fishermen all their lives, going back generations and they loved what they did. One day, Einar’s uncle died and left him a million dollars.

Einar didn’t say too much about it but when he and Ole were out fishing the next day, Ole said "well, I don’t know .... it is going to be tough fishing alone ... I don’t know if I can do it." Einar didn’t say anything. A few hours later Ole said again, "boy, this is going to be hard to do without you...." Einar again didn’t say much.

Finally, Ole asked, "Einar, just what are you going to do now that you have all that money..." Einar, just looked puzzled but didn’t hesitate with his answer .... "Well," he said, "I guess I’ll just keep fishing until it is all gone...."

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Ugashik Set Net Association