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Marine Conservation News & Updates
July 29, 2010
EPA Administrator Visits Dillingham, Residents Make Their Opposition to Pebble Mine Clear
The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson recently visited Dillingham and local residents came out in force to declare their opposition to the proposed Pebble Mine. Read the full story in the Cordova Times.
July 22, 2010
Obama Takes Important Steps Toward a National Oceans Policy
The Obama Administration announced the final recommendations of the Ocean Policy Task Force on July 19th. The recommendations, along with an accompanying framework for marine spatial planning, and the creation of a National Ocean Council, mark a bold move toward improving ecosystem health. Read the full final recommendations.
July 19, 2010
BP's Deepwater Horizon Spill: The Ultimate Wake-up Call for Bristol Bay
- Photo: US Coast Guard
On April 20, 2010 BP's offshore oil rig, the Deepwater Horizon experienced a deadly blowout and two days later sunk into the Gulf of Mexico. Massive amounts of oil have spewed uncontrollably into the ocean, causing immeasurable harm to the Gulf's marine life as well as to the region's fishermen, communities and local economies. The Deepwater Horizon incident is a clear example of the dangers of offshore drilling and serves as the ultimate wake-up call for Alaska's fish-rich Bristol Bay, which has been a target of the oil industry for more than 30 years and is not yet permanently protected. Read AMCC's publication on the causes and effects of the Gulf oil spill and what it means for Bristol Bay.
July 12, 2010
Act Now to Address Ocean Acidification
The US House and Senate are gearing up for a critical debate on pending legislation to redirect national energy policy to reduce carbon emissions. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich play key roles in Senate deliberations on the energy bill. Now is the time for Alaskans to urge them to safeguard our oceans and fisheries through effective carbon emissions reductions. Read AMCC's talking points and call your Senators today to tell them that now is the time to act.
May 17, 2010
New Site Focusing on Ocean Acidification in Alaska Launches
Alaskafisheries.org, a site dedicated to AMCC's efforts to address ocean acidification in Alaska's waters, launched today. This new resource is chock-full of educational materials, multi-media resources, and information on actions YOU can take to combat the 'evil twin' of climate change. You can also become a 'fan' of the corresponding Facebook page.
April 21, 2010
Outreach Meeting in Kodiak - Restructuring of Groundfish Observer Program
On April 29th from 9am-noon, representatives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center will hold a public outreach meeting at the Kodiak Refuge Visitor Center in downtown Kodiak on the subject of the restructuring of the groundfish observer program. This will effect boats both under and over 60 feet that participate in the federally managed groundfish fisheries. Processors will also be affected. Vessels and processors of all sizes are encouraged to attend.
April 21, 2010
AMCC's 'Fish Speak' and E-News now available on our website
Our website now has archived copies of AMCC's monthly E-news letter and Fish Speak, our report on select issues from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings. Don't forget to sign up for E-news to receive both of these great publications in you inbox!
March 31, 2010
Victory! Obama Administration Grants Protection for Bristol Bay from Offshore Drilling
- Photo: Nick Hall
Alaska and the nation's commercial fisheries stronghold in Bristol Bay is receiving protection from offshore drilling, President Obama and Secretary Ken Salazar announced on March 31, 2010. Obama reinstated protection for the region from offshore drilling through 2017 by way of a presidential withdrawal of the area from leasing that had been in place under former administrations. This is a huge victory for AMCC and our Friends of Bristol Bay Program!
Read more.
March 15, 2010
Parnell Makes Nominations to North Pacific Fishery Management Council
Two members of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council are seeing their terms expire in August of this year. Governor Parnell recently submitted his nominations for Duncan Fields of Kodiak to serve an additional term, and for James Hubbard of Seward to fill the additional seat. He also named Sam Cotten of Eagle River and Matt Moir of Kodiak as alternate nominees. To read the full press release, click here. To learn more about the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, click here.
March 11, 2010
Learn About Ocean Acidification in Alaska - Participate in an Educational Webinar on March 23rd
- (c) NOAA/PMEL
Jeremy Mathis, a leading expert on ocean acidification in Alaska and professor at the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at UAF , will lead an educational webinar on Tuesday March 23rd. This is a great way to learn more about one of the most serious effects of climate change on our oceans. The purpose of this webinar will be to educate participants and promote dialogue between scientists, government, land and resource management, industry, and individual residents who need information related to climate change in Alaska to make well informed decisions. The webinar will take place between 10:00 and 11:00am on Tuesday March 23rd. Visit the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy's website for more information about how to participate.
March 4, 2010
Secretary Salazar Announces University of Alaska as Host of Nation's First Regional Climate Science Center
Click here to read the Department of Interior's press release.
February 11, 2010
AMCC staffer Dan Strickland's OpEd highlights role fishing industry can play in conservation
Click here to read Dan's OpEd which was recently published in the Juneau Empire. In his piece, Dan describes why it is not hypocritical for the fishermen whose vessels are powered by fossil fuels to advocate for tougher standards in the oil industry. Dan also describes the role that vessel owners can play in conservation.
February 11, 2010
Winter 2009/2010 Sea Change newsletter
available online.
Click here to download the most recent edition of AMCC's newsletter. The current edition is chock full of updates on all of our programs and contains a message from our new board chair. You can also find past editions of Sea Change here.
January 25, 2010
Join AMCC on Facebook!
Did you know that AMCC is now on facebook? By adding yourself to our "cause" page you can stay updated on our work, learn about ways to take action, find out about events, recruit friends, donate, and network with other AMCC friends and supporters. Click here to check it out.
January 18, 2010
AMCC Welcomes New Executive Director, Kelly Harrell
AMCC is pleased to welcome Kelly Harrell as our new Executive Director! Kelly has been with the organization for over four years, most recently serving as Project Director for the Friends of Bristol Bay. Long-time AMCC staffer Dorothy Childers will remain with the organization, happily returning to her role as Program Director. Along with her years of first-hand experience with AMCC, Kelly brings to her new role an unwavering dedication to marine conservation and a strong educational background in the field.
Click here to learn more about Kelly and how to contact her.
December 7, 2009
Listen to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting Online
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is meeting in Anchorage from December 7-15. Major topics include groundfish catch limits, Gulf of Alaska sector split, and salmon bycatch.
Find out what's happening by at the meeting! Click here to view the agenda, supplementary materials and listen to the meeting online.
November 9, 2009
Visit AMCC at Fish Expo in Seattle- Free Show Admission & Invitation to Fishermen's Reception
Pacific Marine Expo (aka Fish Expo), the longest running show for the commercial marine industry in the Northwest, will be held in Seattle from November 19-21. We invite folks to take advantage of free show admission and visit AMCC at our booth in the Alaska aisle, #524. AMCC also invites you to attend the third annual fishermen's reception during Pacific Marine Expo co-hosted by AMCC and other groups working to protect the rich waters of Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea from major industrial development threats. The reception will be held the first night of Expo- Thursday, November 19 from 5-7 pm at the Elysian Fields Brewpub near Qwest Field.
Click here for an invitation to the reception including more details.
Click here for information on free admission to Fish Expo.
October 28, 2009
Coastal Alaska Sends Unified Message Urging Senators to Support Climate Change Legislation
Residents from communities spanning thousands of miles across Alaska’s magnificent coastline gathered on Saturday, October 24 to send a unified message to Senators Murkowski and Begich urging them to support strong climate change legislation in 2009. Alaskans in the coastal communities of Homer, Kodiak, Ketchikan, Haines, Petersburg, Seward, Gustavus, Soldotna, Sitka, and Anchorage participated in the global climate day of action organized across the world by 350.org and sponsored locally by AMCC and Cook Inlet Keeper. Each community held one piece of a message that communicated support for renewable energy, energy efficiency standards, a sustainable green economy, and a cap on carbon dioxide emissions.
Coastal Alaska stands on the front lines of ocean acidification and climate change, both caused by global carbon dioxide and other emissions. The way of life and economy of people living in the participating communities, as well as others throughout Alaska, are at risk. Alaskans joined a global call for action asking our leaders to support action to address these threats.
The 350.org campaign is organized around a scientific data point. 350 parts per million carbon dioxide is considered by scientific experts as the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the campaign is targeted at lowering levels of the greenhouse gas below that threshold.
Click here to see a photo montage of the message from coastal Alaska.
Click here to see a video from the Homer climate action day event.
View photos from climate action day events around the world the day at: http://www.350.org/media-photos
October 14, 2009
NOAA Comments Support Protecting Bristol Bay from Drilling
A strong supporter for deferring plans for offshore drilling in the ecological and economic fisheries powerhouse that is Bristol Bay recently surfaced. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) submitted comments on September 21 on the proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2010-2015 that recommended reinstating presidential protections for Bristol Bay from offshore drilling.
The detailed comments state that the Minerals Management Service (MMS) failed to adequately address the challenges of oil spill cleanup in Arctic and subarctic conditions and that environmental information is lacking to support oil and gas leasing on the current timeline.
AMCC applauded the NOAA comments and expressed hope that the Obama administration would heed the agency's call to protect the region.
Click here to read the full news release from AMCC.
Click here to read the comments from NOAA.
October 8, 2009
Crucial Step Taken Towards Protection for Kodiak Tanner Crab
Photos Revealed Extreme Crab Bycatch in Trawl Fisheries
Today the North Pacific Fishery Management Council received new photos showing high numbers of Tanner crab on a trawl vessel fishing for groundfish around Kodiak Island.
Taking an important step towards addressing this problem, federal fishery managers voted to evaluate a range of potential management measures including expanding no-trawl zones to exclude bottom trawl operations from areas of biological importance to Tanner crab. The decision represents an achievement for conservation and local fishermen who have been working over the last five years on proposals to the federal fishery body to reduce Tanner crab bycatch and protect seafloor habitat.
Click here to read the full news release.
Click here for high resolution photos of crab bycatch.
Hot Off the Press! Clean Boating for Alaskans
A new publication aims to help boaters maintain the health of the marine environment. AMCC collaborated with the National Park Service and the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program to produce the booklet “Clean Boating for Alaskans.” The booklet describes how boat operations affect the environment and how to minimize your impact. Learn how you can—immediately and in the future—operate your boat more efficiently and with more environmental responsibility, and save money at the same time. Tips include how to save fuel, keep your operation and maintenance green, mitigate marine debris, respect wildlife, and access the latest boat technology.
Click here to get your free copy of “Clean Boating for Alaskans.”
September 8, 2009
Alaska Fishermen Send Message to Leaders- "SOS- Acid Ocean"
Compelling Call for Protection Made by Over 100 Boats off of HomerMore than 100 fishing boats, sail boats, skiffs and kayaks took to the waters of Homer Alaska this past Sunday as commercial fishermen, mariners and others from coastal communities spelled out an urgent message to protect jobs and fisheries from the threat of ocean acidification. The boats arranged themselves in the ocean to spell out “Acid Ocean SOS” as part of a ‘Voices for the Ocean’ event hosted by the Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) with International Aerial Artist John Quigley.
Click here for more information on the event including links to high resolution video and photos.
August 26, 2009
New Research Highlights Increased Risks to Fisheries from Ocean Acidification
Recent news articles have highlighted potential dire consequences to Alaska's fisheries resources from ocean acidification. University of Alaska-Fairbanks Professor Jeremy Mathis discovered several sites during spring research cruises where mineral levels were low enough to have negative impacts on shell-building marine creatures like plankton and crabs. By causing a ripple of ecological effects starting at the very base of the food chain, acidification could take a toll on fisheries resources across the state. AMCC is working to support fishing industry voices calling for reduction in carbon emissions. Click here to learn more on our climate change program and ocean acidification.
Click here for the recent Anchorage Daily News story on ocean acidification.August 25, 2009
Obama Officials Hear from Alaskans at First Ocean Policy Task Force Hearing
Concerns expressed over climate change, healthy fisheries and offshore drilling
White House officials held the first Ocean Policy Task Force hearing in Anchorage on Friday, August 21. Hundreds of Alaskans from across the state packed the Dena'ina Center to voice their opinions on the health and management of our oceans. Major themes included concerns over climate change, bycatch, privatization of fisheries, involving Tribes and local communities in decision making as well as offshore oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay and the Arctic. AMCC Executive Director Dorothy Childers was an invited speaker on the task force panel.
Click here for a copy of Executive Director Dorothy Childers' testimony to the Task Force.
Click here for a copy of Friends of Bristol Bay Project Director Kelly Harrell's testimony.
Click here to read the Anchorage Daily News Story on the hearing.