This month we we attended more meetings, did some networking, then did a little industrial shopping and marketing at the Pacific Marine Expo. We attended the NMFS Plan Team and IPHC meetings to learn about fish stock status, and  Rhonda was a guest on a Direct Marketing panel that was sponsored by National Fisherman.

After months of catching fish, our focus shifted to some serious, and time consuming policy work. Re-structuring of the Observer program for the groundfish and halibut fleet was approaching final action at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting, and industry needed to weigh in. Result of new changes could mean a three time increase in observer coverage costs for certain vessels and sectors.  We followed the issue from the Observer Advisory Committee, to commenting at the Advisory Panal and to the Council.  During Council debates it was interesting theater at the meeting watching our State representatives do a great job in simplifying NMFS Agency complex coverage and financial tables for other council members.  They also kept them from getting more money than we think they will need to run the program.  We fought off a 2% fee for a 1.25% fee on the raw fish value of our fish. However we won’t really know if is too much or too little until the program actually gets started, and the price and volume of annual fish catch is determined. If interested in more detail about the program go to http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/current_issues/observer/observer.htm

The Kruzof took its seasonal journey to Southeast Alaska to fish sablefish in Clarence & Chatham Straits, then Southeast Alaska.  They landed all the product in Petersburg at the Alaska Marine Line’s Dock.  AML was very accommodating and we really appreciated the logistic and freight services the staff provided us. The offloads went smooth but were especially complicated in trying to meet the demand of several customers wanting different sizes to go to three different countries. Crewmember, Kit Durnil was a great help in following through on the load plan getting size grades stowed in the right place and maximizing container weights.

After catching the southeast offshore product they picked up more sablefish on the way home in the West Yakutat region. Catching the fish later in the season proved fruitful as 80% of the individual fish, headed and gutted, weighed over 5 pounds.

Over a two trip period we accommodated three extra IFQ holders (80 years and older) and a Pacific Halibut Commission intern who came along to document the age and sex of the halibut.  The change in company was nice and fish was caught in a timely fashion.

After some anxious inquiries from our customers for sablefish, we finally landed a trip for their liking- lots of big fish.  If we fished earlier, it would have been more 3-5 size fish versus the 5/up size fish we caught on this trip.  Customers spanned from the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, Canada, Japan and Europe, and I still needed more to fill demands in Singapore and the U.S. market.  Its always fun to trade in a sellers market, just need more fish to sell.

Also this month Jim got the word that he did not make the cut as Governor Parnell’s primary North Council nominee. The Secretary of State instead chose incumbent, and the Governor’s alternate choice.  The speculation is that the choice got political among party lines, which is quite unfortunate.  Fisheries policy should not be determined based on political leanings, as much as it should be about how to best manage and sustain the resource for the public good by providing jobs, food and respect for our natural environment.  Nevertheless, we wish Mr. Cotton and all the other council, advisory panel and staff members well as they work to formulate fisheries policy for Alaska.  We look forward in continuing to participate in the process.

Jim needed a new challenge so in addition to fishing pacific cod he ventured up to the Bering Sea to participate in the Turbot Fishery. Prices were said to be decent, even for the heads. After a few weather days in Dutch Harbor, the hunt started. Thinking he could pick up at his past production spots from several years ago, it wasn’t long before he realized a new search was needed. Several searches here and there took him farther north to meet the ice pack. It provided little and going as far as the Russian Border was not an option. After three weeks of dismal catch results, cutting losses became a better option. The boat and crew were able to end on a good note however by picking up some halibut in the Western Gulf on their way home.

In March, Jim was honored to be nominated by the Governor’s office to serve on the North Pacific Management Council. While being greatly encouraged by his peers, Jim is struggling already over the time it will take from his more comfortable profession as a fisherman and boat operator. And then there is all that sitting. However he’s told the chairs are comfortable.

(See Jim’s nomination letter for a seat on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council from Governor Parnell– We’ll know in June if folks in Washington formally appoint him.)

Industry support letters for Jim’s appointment to the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council

• Seafood Processors Cooperative
• Halibut Coalition
• Petersburg Vessel Owners Association
• Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association

The IPHC set the Halibut opening early this year, March 6th. It was blowing, cold, and icing conditions. The trip proved fruitful with prices high due to low inventories. After the first opening the prices dropped like a rock. Rather than going on another halibut trip, we contemplated a sablefish trip. The market for sablefish was also quite good due to low inventories and improved demand in the domestic and European markets in addition to the Asian markets. Weather didn’t cooperate with the plan, and because the fish come in small in the spring, it was decided to finally take an extended vacation from fishing.

Jim and the crew arrived in Seward from Seattle on January 15th after a long repair and maintenance stint in Washington. Such included a paint job, reefer repairs, upgrades in the galley, and a big switcharoo in the captain’s stateroom (all things starboard went port and all things port went starboard), allowing for a larger bunk and more storage space

The Kruzof started fishing/freezing January 21st in Central Gulf for Pacific Cod, however to the chagrin of operations it closed five days later. Then it was decision time, Eastern Gulf or the state water fishery in Prince Wm Sound to continue fishing and load the boat. It was the latter. Delivery time came in mid February. Then it was break time until the halibut opening.