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On March 10, 2019, the Board of Fisheries approved a change to 5 AAC 39.260 (c) and (j), which define when a purse seine has stopped fishing in response to an ADF&G proposal.  The rule now reads as follows: “(c) A purse seine has stopped fishing when both ends of the seine, excluding skiff tow lines and straps, are attached to the seine vessel.”  Subparagraph (j) was amended by increasing the length of line used to make the attachment to the vessel to “not more than 13 fathoms” instead of “not more than 10 fathoms.”  The amended rule can be found here.

Southeast Alaska salmon purse seine permit holders have voted to approve a $10,127,988 loan to remove 36 permits.  The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) mailed ballots to all 315 permit holders.  As of the March 6, 2019, voting deadline, NMFS received 206 timely and valid votes; 180 of which approved the loan.  This exceeded the majority of permit holders (158) required to approve the loan.  Upon receiving notice from the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission that the 36 permits have been relinquished, NMFS will tender payment to the permit holders on or about April 15, 2019.  The notice published in the Federal Register regarding the results of the referendum can be found here.

The National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) is experiencing delays in issuing Certificates of Documentation (COD) as result of the federal government shutdown.  In recognition of the need to minimize the effects of the delays on the maritime community, including the commercial fishing industry, the Coast Guard has agreed to allow fishing vessels to operate with an expired COD provided a renewal application has been submitted to the NVDC.  Vessel owners should be prepared to present evidence, upon request, that a renewal application was submitted.  The official Coast Guard notice can be found here.

Meeting Date & Time:

November 17, 2018 at 10:00AM. 

Meeting Location: 

Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle North Lynnwood

20610 44th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Room: St. Helens

This is a closed meeting for PSVOA & SVR members only please. 

Dinner Date & Time: 

November 17, 2018 at 6:00PM.

Dinner is open to PSVOA members, SVR members, PSVOA Associate Business members each with a plus one.

If you have not made your dinner selection, please contact our office at 206-283-7733. All dinner selections must be submitted by Thursday November 1, 2018.

Dinner Location (same as meeting):

Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle North Lynnwood

20610 44th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Room: St. Helens

Room Reserveations:

To reserve a room with the PSVOA block, you must do so by October 27, 2018 at the address below.

https://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/S/SEALWES-600-20181117/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POGhttps://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/S/SEALWES-600-20181117/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Stuart was Executive Director of Salmon For Washington, representing the Puget Sound salmon net fleet and fish processors during the 1990s. His new mystery novel: “Final Adjournment: A Washington Statehouse Mystery,” published by Epicenter Press, is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. The story deals with some of the challenging political issues faced by our industry. When a powerful State Senator is found murdered in his office at the Capitol, former fisherman and fishing industry lobbyist, Sandy Dalton, must defend himself from an unjust murder charge while also protecting his fishing industry clients from harmful legislation. This is a book that should appeal to mystery buffs and commercial fishermen alike.

The Port of Seattle is sponsoring a Development Open House to discuss the first phase of future development of Fishermen's Terminal. The open house will be held on October 20, 2017 from 10:00-11:00 am at the Nordby Conference Center. Please contact Capital Project Manager Tim Leonard at (206) 787-3018 or [email protected] 

The states of Washington, Oregon, and California cooperatively manage the West Coast Dungeness crab fishery in federal waters under a tri-state agreement that Congress first authorized in 1998. The bill makes that existing authority permanent. The agreement expired without a replacement in 2016.  The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Herrera-Beutler in the House and Sen. Maria Cantwell in the Senate.  President Trump signed the bill into law on August 18.  Kudos to both Rep. Herrera-Beutler and Senator Cantwell for their efforts in moving this important piece of legislation through Congress, which greatly benefits the commercial fishing industry and the crab resource.