Observer Program
Dear Editor: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council recently approved a restructured observer program that extends observer coverage to Alaska’s small boat fleet. With the National Marine Fisheries Service taking over observer deployment, the industry-funded restructured program increases the cost of an observer day from the current $400 to approximately $1,000.
Fourteen fishing organizations representing fishermen from Seattle to Kodiak signed a letter asking NMFS for programmatic changes to control costs, prioritizing observer coverage for high bycatch fisheries and provide Electronic Monitoring as an alternative to human observers on small boats. For the past three years these same organizations have worked in good faith to develop tools that provide at-sea data from Alaska’s previously unobserved, community-based fishing vessels without causing fleet consolidation, job loss, or disruption of business operations.
Fishermen have stated their willingness to pay for a program that adequately monitors bycatch and gathers at-sea data from previously unobserved fishing vessels – they simply asked for cost-effective deployment and an alternative that works on small boats. Alaska’s Congressional delegation, Senators Murkowski and Begich and Congressman Young, supported the fishermen’s request in a strongly worded letter to Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, urging delayed deployment on small vessels until NMFS resolves outstanding deployment issues and implements EM. To date, the request has been ignored and NMFS apparently intends to implement the flawed program in 2013.
Our members are grateful to the Alaska delegation for their support and strong, clear policy directive to NMFS. Finally, someone listened, understood, and acted. For three years we have voiced these same concerns to the NPFMC and NMFS with little effect. We continue to ask that NMFS increase coverage on fisheries with significant bycatch concerns and provide alternative monitoring tools before requiring observer coverage on small fishing vessels. Alaska’s Congressional delegation deserves our industry’s thanks for responding to the concerns of coastal fishermen.
Steve Fish,
Alaska Longline
Fishermen’s Association;
Kelly Harrell,
Alaska Marine
Conservation Council;
Dale Kelley,
Alaska Trollers Association;
Eric Olson,
Fishing Vessel Owners Association;
Chuck McCallum,
Gulf of Alaska
Coastal Communities Coalition;
Peggy Parker,
Halibut Association
of North America;
David Polushkin,
Kachemak Bay Fisheries;
Jim and Rhonda Hubbard,
Kruzof Fisheries;
Buck Laukitis,
North Pacific Fisheries Association;
Brian Lynch,
Petersburg Vessel
Owners Association;
Tom McLaughlin,
Seafood Producers Cooperative;
Kathy Hansen,
Southeast Alaska
Fishermen’s Alliance;
Roland Maw,
United Cook Inlet Drift Association;
Jeff Stephan,
United Fishermen’s
Marketing Association
Count the Lights
Dear Editor: The contest ‘‘Count the Lights and Light Up Town’’ is under way and will continue through Jan. 7. The Christmas tree is located in front of St. Michael’s Church on Lincoln Street. We would like to thank the following businesses who have so generously donated gift certificates/gifts for the lucky winner of the contest. Ballots to cast your guess are available at these businesses as well. The winner will be announced on Jan. 8.
Businesses are Abby’s Reflection and Quilt Works, Alaska Computer Center, BackDoor Cafe, Bear Country Gifts and Colliver’s, Ben Franklin Store, Bev’s Flowers and Gifts, Botanika Organic Spa and Eco-Boutique, Brenner’s Fine Clothing and Gifts, The Cellar, Chocolate Moose, Fishermen’s Eye, Goldsmith Gallery, Harry Race Pharmacy and Seasons, Larkspur Cafe, My Faevorate Store, Mountain Miss, Old Harbor Books, The Pub, Russell’s, Salon 264, Silver Basin, Sitka Rose Gallery, Sitka Sound Science Center, Stereo North, True Value, Videl Video Wintersong Soap Co. and Work and Rugged Gear.
Melissa Danville, Dana Pitts
and Revitalize Sitka
Merry Christmas
Dear Editor: Hi luvs. Look back on my Sitka years with you all as quite a lovely time. When I get copies now of the paper I think back to all those good times, but no regrets. Wish I was back with you all now, but at 97 years I do need to be with my kids. Ha!
Freda Aron,
3500 Sheridan Rd., Apt. 420,
Zion, IL 60099
Something Needs to Change
Dear Editor: On Wednesday, Dec. 19, a group of Sitkans gathered at the Larkspur Cafe at an event entitled “Something Needs to Change.” This public discussion and letter-writing campaign was held in response to the school shooting in Newton, Conn., on last Friday, Dec. 14. In the past five years there have been 19 mass shootings across the nation. This has become a shared, nationwide tragedy. SOMETHING needs to change in our nation, our states, and our communities.
Attendees were encouraged to contribute their thoughts on how to build a safer community in Sitka as well as submit letters regarding solutions to gun violence. Letters were addressed to our Alaska U.S. senators, representative, and President Obama.
Over 20 people participated in the “Something Needs to Change” event, and more than 100 letters were signed. Letters and discussion topics included but were not limited to: better access to mental healthcare, increased education, concerns over the effect of realistically violent video games and other media, and the need for different gun laws.
“Something Needs to Change” sparked a conversation. We live in a community full of people that are caring and motivated, but that doesn’t mean we are immune to gun violence. I challenge Sitkans to continue to think critically about the changes they would like to see in our community, to send letters to our legislators, and to talk about this issue with others that share your viewpoint, and perhaps more importantly, with those who don’t share your viewpoint.
I’d like to thank those who participated in this event and invite everyone to be involved in the future. To join the conversation, and help come up with a creative plan to shift the culture of gun violence in our country, please email: Sitkansforchange@gmail.com
“Something Needs to Change”
Participants:
Kristen Green, Cleo Brylinsky,
Ryan Kauffman,
Isaac Grody-Patinkin,
Kristen Widmeyer, Tiffany Bryner,
Brian Sparks, Kari Sagel,
Mim McConnell, Eric Matthes,
Erin Matthes, Toby Campbell,
Norman Campbell,
Graeme Campbell,
Sarah Campbell, Grace Brooks,
Kelsey Skaggs, Ashia Lane,
Darcy Ziel, Naomi Bargmann,
Cerisa Swanberg, Paul Norwood
and Kitty LaBounty
A Big Thank You
Dear Editor: On behalf of St. Michael’s Cathedral, and I believe for all of the great people of Sitka, I would like to thank the Downtown Revitalization Committee, the Boy Scouts and Allen Marine for their wonderful contribution to the Community Christmas Tree this year which rests in front of the Cathedral. The Boy Scouts graciously found the tree for us all, Allen Marine staff transported and erected the tree and the Committee members trimmed and decorated the tree. It is such a beautiful tree this year and I hope you all enjoy it! Merry Christmas!
Fr. Michael Boyle, Parish Priest,
St. Michael’s Cathedral
Children’s Clothes
Dear Editor: I recently asked for children’s clothes to go to Kenya East Africa. I took to the post office three boxes of clothes the people gave me. The post office said that used clothing was prohibited. It must be something new.
I’ve mailed clothing to Africa before, with no problem. but now, I’m wondering what to do with the clothes since I can’t mail them.
Fed-Ex would take them, but they wanted $600 for one box. So, I’d like the people to tell me where to take them: Salvation Army or White Elephant Shop? 747-7265.
I’m really disappointed because the clothes are needed in Kenya.
Mary Ann Hill, Sitka
