Citizen Portal News Alaska

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16 hours ago

Rep. Jimmy urges HB 125 to rebalance Board of Fisheries; tribal leaders and elders back measure Representative Jimmy introduced HB 125 to provide equal representation to subsistence, commercial and sport users on the Board of Fisheries; tribal leaders and community elders testified about salmon collapses, subsistence impacts and the need for stronger rural representation.

Representative Jimmy's push for HB 125 aims to give subsistence users an equal voice in fishery management, a move supported by tribal leaders amidst alarming salmon collapse concerns.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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3 weeks ago

Committee backs HB 33 to let conflicted Board of Fisheries/Game members remain for deliberations but not vote HB 33 would let Board of Fisheries and Board of Game members who declare a personal or financial conflict under AS 39.52 remain in deliberations and share expertise (but still prohibit them from voting or offering amendments). The committee advanced the bill after several fisheries stakeholders testified in favor.

House Bill 33 is making waves in Alaska, allowing conflicted Board of Fisheries members to share their expertise in discussions while still abstaining from votes!

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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3 weeks ago

Senate Finance sets aside plan to repeal sunset on fisheries tax credit after objection Senate Finance deferred action on a committee substitute for SB 130, which would repeal the sunset for the fisheries product development tax credit and broaden eligible investments. Senate staff and the Alaska seafood task force supported the CS; a committee objection led leaders to place the bill aside for sponsor dialogue.

The Senate Finance Committee has paused a crucial decision on a fisheries tax credit overhaul after a last-minute objection raised concerns about its future.

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#AK #AlaskaFisheries #TaxCredits #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #SustainableFishing

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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3 weeks ago

Alaska agencies warn of spread of Northern pike, green crab and invasive mussels; lawmakers pressed on capacity and funding Department of Fish and Game and DNR briefed the House Special Committee on Fisheries on aquatic invasive species threats — Northern pike, European green crab and dreissenid mussels — and urged expanded monitoring, community engagement and training while acknowledging limited rapid‑response capacity and regulatory hurdles.

Alaska is under threat from invasive species like Northern pike and European green crab, prompting urgent calls for community action and monitoring efforts.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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4 weeks ago

Experts warn of environmental and cultural risks as BOEM considers seabed mineral areas off Alaska Ocean-policy experts and tribal representatives at a House Resources briefing said BOEM's request for information (RFI) on seabed minerals overlaps critical fish habitat and subsistence areas, urged a full environmental impact statement and government-to-government tribal consultation, and flagged uncertain economics and long-lasting ecological risks.

Experts raise alarm as BOEM's new offshore Alaska mineral development plan threatens vital fisheries and Indigenous rights.

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1 month ago

Researchers pitch low‑cost profilers, AI and stream cameras to give managers near‑real‑time fish counts The Prince William Sound Science Center asked the fisheries committee to consider investing in low‑cost profilers, plankton cameras, AI‑based scale aging and stream cameras/sonar as cheaper, faster alternatives to traditional weirs and to improve in‑season fisheries decision making.

Researchers are revolutionizing fisheries management with low-cost monitoring tools that could provide instant insights on fish populations—transforming how we understand our waters.

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1 month ago

Yukon River fisheries group warns of steep Chinook declines, outlines local training and drone monitoring plan At a March 12 House Tribal Affairs hearing, the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association told lawmakers steep Chinook declines have left fisheries closed and data gaps after legacy weirs were decommissioned; the group described training, research and a planned drone pilot to restore local monitoring capacity.

Chinook salmon returns in the Yukon River are plummeting, prompting urgent action from local fisheries to train residents and utilize drones for monitoring.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Senate committee hears expansion of fisheries product‑development tax credit to boost value‑added processing SB 130 would broaden the fisheries product development tax credit to include all species, incentivize investment in new processing equipment and technologies, and extend the program term; processors and trade groups urged passage while the Department of Revenue called revenue impacts indeterminate. The committee set the bill aside after Q&A.

Senate Bill 130 aims to revolutionize Alaska's fishing industry by expanding tax credits for all fish and shellfish, promising a potential 300% return on investment for coastal communities.

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1 month ago

House Finance subcommittee adopts FY27 Fish and Game budget, 5–3, after debate over hatchery funding On March 3, 2026, the House Finance Department of Fish and Game Subcommittee voted 5–3 to adopt its FY27 operating budget recommendations, approving funding swaps that move some hatchery costs onto federal Dingell‑Johnson receipts and adding three temporary positions for the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC).

The House Finance Subcommittee's narrow 5-3 vote to adopt the FY27 Fish and Game budget sparks controversy over hatchery funding and new positions at CFEC!

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Alaska Senate hearing on SB 161 draws sharp divisions between subsistence tribes and Gulf fishing interests At a March 4 Senate Resources Committee hearing, tribes, conservation groups and some sport‑fishing organizations urged a ban on gear that makes substantial bottom contact to protect salmon and seafloor habitat; processors and trawl representatives warned the statewide ban would harm coastal communities. The committee set SB 161 aside for further consideration.

A heated debate unfolds in Alaska as Senate Bill 161 seeks to ban destructive fishing gear to protect vital salmon habitats, pitting tribal leaders and conservationists against fishing industry advocates.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Bill would let conflicted Board of Fisheries and Game members speak in deliberations but still bar them from voting House Bill 33 would allow Board of Fisheries and Board of Game members who declare a personal or financial conflict to remain at the deliberation table and offer expertise during final deliberations while prohibiting them from voting; the committee heard sponsor and stakeholder testimony and set the bill aside for future consideration.

A new bill aims to ensure that conflicted members of Alaska's Board of Fisheries and Game can still share their invaluable expertise during deliberations while keeping their vote off the table.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Bristol Bay researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking in-season genetic monitoring program that could revolutionize bycatch management and protect Western Alaska's salmon stocks!

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Committee hears concerns after NOAA shutters Little Port Walter research site; operators warn of data gaps Committee members and hatchery operators discussed the recent closure of NOAA’s Little Port Walter research facility, the potential loss of long‑running data and broodstock work, and requested follow‑up from the commissioner and Alaska Hatchery Research Project about genetic monitoring and research continuity.

The closure of NOAA’s Little Port Walter research facility could spell disaster for decades of vital salmon research and genetic monitoring.

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#AK #AquacultureDevelopment #AlaskaFisheries #CitizenPortal #GeneticMonitoring #ResearchContinuity

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1 month ago

CFEC asks Legislature for more IT funding as commissioners discuss carry-forward risk and leadership change The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission told the House Finance Subcommittee on Fish and Game it needs additional IT modernization funding and warned of carry-forward shortfalls that could disrupt operations; commissioners also discussed an imminent leadership change and how remote residency may affect oversight.

The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission is sounding the alarm over funding shortfalls that could jeopardize operations while also navigating a leadership transition in Alaska's vital fishing industry.

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#AK #CivicAccountability #AlaskaFisheries #ITModernization #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Alaska private‑nonprofit hatcheries cited as major economic contributor; operators urge regulatory fixes Hatchery operators told the House Special Committee on Fisheries that Alaska’s private nonprofit (PNP) hatcheries produce hundreds of thousands of fish and support thousands of jobs, but they warned a 2024 Department of Revenue regulation change is creating administrative burdens that threaten a revenue tool for some operators.

Alaska's private nonprofit hatcheries are not only boosting salmon populations but also generating a staggering $576 million in economic output—now they’re calling for crucial regulatory support to keep this vital industry thriving.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

Senate hearing examines bill to create East Side administrative area for Cook Inlet set-net fishery Senate Bill 158 would direct the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to establish a new administrative area for East Side Cook Inlet set-net permit holders so CFEC can reassign permits, facilitate voluntary buybacks and allow locally driven management; the committee heard testimony and set the bill aside for further consideration.

A new bill aims to empower East Side set-net fishers in Cook Inlet by creating a dedicated administrative area, potentially transforming their fishing opportunities.

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2 months ago

Fish and Game asks to protect surveys and vessels as funding tightens; highlights marine research Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials told lawmakers they seek to preserve core fisheries assessment programs and vessel maintenance after prior cuts forced survey reductions; commissioners emphasized marine research into salmon declines and measures to reduce trawl bycatch.

Alaska's fishery experts reveal troubling insights about salmon declines and the urgent need for marine research amidst tightening budgets.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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2 months ago

Alaska's House Fisheries committee has taken a bold step to extend the ban on Russian seafood imports, a move that could protect local prices and support the fishing industry.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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2 months ago

Alaska lawmakers hear divided testimony on bill letting conflicted fisheries board members speak during deliberations At a Jan. 27 Senate committee hearing, proponents said House Bill 33 would let Board of Fisheries and Board of Game members share expertise during deliberations while still recusing from votes; opponents warned it would allow conflicted actors to influence allocation decisions and undermine public trust.

Alaska lawmakers are divided over a new bill that could reshape how fisheries board members contribute their expertise while navigating conflicts of interest.

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Citizen Portal News US

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10 months ago

Senator Sullivan pushes for legislation banning Chinese fish in military commissaries Senator Sullivan advocates for country of origin labeling and banning Chinese seafood in military

Senator Sullivan is pushing for a ban on Chinese fish in military commissaries, highlighting the urgent need for transparency in seafood sourcing to protect both consumers and domestic fisheries.

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10 months ago

🚨 Alaska projects a major rebound in 2025 salmon harvests: 214.6M fish — nearly 2x 2024!

🔹 Pink: +98M
🔹 Sockeye: +10.8M
🔹 Coho & Chum: Moderate gains
🔹 Chinook: Slight drop

Good news for fisheries

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#AlaskaFisheries #SeafoodIndustry #OceanTreasure

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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11 months ago

Bycatch analysis reveals uneven impact on Western Alaska chum salmon stocks Recent data highlights challenges in managing chum salmon bycatch in pollock fishery.

Alaska's rural communities are facing a crisis as chum salmon stocks plummet, revealing the urgent need for a new approach to fishery management.

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#AK #EnvironmentalStewardship #SustainableFishing #CommunityLivelihoods #CitizenPortal #AlaskaFisheries

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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11 months ago

Alaska Fisheries Committee debates recapitalization of CFAB loans amid industry concerns Fisheries Committee discusses CFAB loans, industry impact, and Alaska's fish revenue challenges.

The Alaska Legislature's Fisheries Committee is locked in a heated debate over how to maximize the $8 billion fishing industry, with local economic benefits hanging in the balance.

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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11 months ago

Commissioner Doug Vincent Lang commits to Alaska fisheries for two more years Doug Vincent Lang delays retirement to continue protecting Alaska's natural resources and fisheries.

Commissioner Doug Vincent Lang’s commitment to Alaska’s natural resources is inspiring, as he postpones retirement to ensure a sustainable future for the state's fisheries.

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#AK #CommunityLeadership #NaturalResources #SustainablePractices #CitizenPortal #AlaskaFisheries

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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11 months ago

Board of Fish member Carpenter discusses Alaska's salmon conservation strategies Carpenter highlights efforts to improve salmon fisheries and subsistence access in Alaska.

Alaska's fisheries are at a crossroads, balancing the needs of local communities with the push for sustainable resource management—what's next for salmon conservation?

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11 months ago

Alaska fisheries leaders seek confirmation for Tom Carpenter and Olivia Irwin Community members express support for Carpenter and Irwin amid fisheries challenges.

Community voices unite to champion experienced leaders like Tom Carpenter and Olivia Irwin, crucial for navigating Alaska's fisheries challenges.

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#AK #ResourceManagement #SustainableFishing #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #AlaskaFisheries

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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11 months ago

Alaska Legislature advances SB156 to support commercial fishing loans initiative Senate passes bill to enable Alaska Commercial Fishing Bank to issue loans for fisheries.

Alaska's Senate just took a big step to boost its fisheries by passing a bill for the Commercial Fishing Bank to issue essential loans!

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#AK #LocalBusinessSupport #SustainableFishing #CitizenPortal #AlaskaFisheries #EconomicDevelopment

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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11 months ago

Senator Kawasaki discusses salmon bycatch concerns at Alaska fisheries board meeting Kawasaki highlights salmon bycatch issues and proposes further discussion on related studies.

Alaska's fisheries are under scrutiny as alarming reports reveal that up to 94% of salmon bycatch could be foreign, sparking safety concerns for local fishers.

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11 months ago

Senator Walakowski defends king salmon conservation measures during fisheries board meeting Senator Walakowski emphasizes conservation for king salmon over expanding dipnetting areas.

Senator Wilikowski sparks a heated debate over king salmon conservation versus safety in Alaska's fisheries management—what's at stake?

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11 months ago

Miss Erwin addresses salmon sustainability and stakeholder engagement during Board of Fish hearing Miss Erwin prioritizes salmon resource conservation while valuing stakeholder input in fisheries management.

Miss Erwin emphasizes the critical balance between salmon sustainability and stakeholder engagement in Alaska's fisheries management debate.

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