Canada and Alaska Challenge NMFS on Halibut Bycatch
Two letters, one from Canada’s DFO and the other from Alaska’s ADF&G have challenged NMFS to address a number of issues related to the halibut bycatch situation in Alaska. The first letter, from former IPHC Commissioner Michael Pearson, now Deputy Minister for Fisheries Management Operations in DFO, went to Eileen Sobeck, head of NMFS, encouraging her support for significant decreases in halibut bycatch and sharing Canada’s perspective of obligations of both countries as the two signatories of the halibut treaty. The second letter from ADF&G Commissioner Sam Cotten called for a full review of NMFS and Alaska’s recusal determinations that recently saw the removal of voting privileges for two Alaskan members of the NPFMC. Each letter in its entirety is available in today’s story.
Nova Scotia‘s Lobsters ‘R’ Us Seafood will increase its live lobster storage capacity by up 1 million pounds. The Cape Breton-based company will use a $500,000 federal loan to make the upgrades.
In other news ASMI has elected Peter Pan’s CEO Barry Collier as the new board chair for the organization.
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Finally, a strike among Chile’s Customs workers that broke out last week is still unresolved, and has already cost fresh salmon exporters tens of millions of dollars in estimated sales. "Chile has lost credibility as a reliable supplier. Buyers are going to buy from Canada and Norway," said Camanchaca CEO Ricardo Garcia. Government officials and workers’ union representatives are scheduled to hold another round of labor negotiations today.
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