Commercial Fishing

  It's an Earth Day movie tradition that I hope continues from Disney. Last year it was "Earth," next year it's African lions, now it's "Oceans," which was shot in areas all over the world, including Alaska. This one was done a little differently than "Earth" was. "Oceans" isn't in story form, but more of going from animal to animal; some familiar, some new, some beautiful, and some ugly. There's also a different narrator this time. "Earth" had golden-toned James Earl Jones; "Oceans" has a British twist with Pierce Brosnan.

The Federal Subsistence Board is considering a set of drastic proposals for the Yukon River. Low king salmon returns have shut down commercial fishing and limited subsistence fishing. The Board says it's trying to find a way to boost salmon runs, while still providing for the people who rely on the salmon. Up for consideration are a 12-year moratorium on the first salmon run of the season and restrictions on fishing gear. The kings in the Yukon River don't run like they used to. Low returns have everyone concerned and wondering what to do. “Now it's come to the point where the pie is being sliced narrower and narrower,” said Jack Reacoff, a subsistence fisherman.

by Ted Land Wednesday, March 3, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- One of the world's most advanced marine tracking systems continues to grow in Alaska. The Juneau-based Marine Exchange is a non-profit group devoted to safety at sea. Boat owners will mount a satellite transponder on their vessel and almost immediately they become a part of one of the most sophisticated marine tracking systems in the world. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game research vessel, the Medeia, spends about 125 days a year at sea. "We go out and do surveys for king crab and herring and whatnot," said Capt.

by Jason Lamb Thursday, April 22, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- As Coast Guard officials investigate the sinking of a fishing vessel, the Northern Belle, friends of the fallen captain remember him. Investigators have flown over the scene in the Gulf of Alaska and interviewed the three survivors, both in Cordova and Anchorage. While friends and family of Capt. Robert Royer mourn, those of the surviving crew members are thankful they're alive. "He had panic in his voice.

Location and Climate Seward is situated on Resurrection Bay on the east coast of the Kenai Peninsula, 125 highway miles south of Anchorage. It lies at the foot of Mount Marathon, and is the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. Bear Creek and Lowell Point are adjacent to Seward. The community lies at approximately 60.104170° North Latitude and -149.442220° West Longitude.  (Sec. 10, T001S, R001W, Seward Meridian.)   Seward is located in the Seward Recording District.

Location and Climate The City and Borough of Wrangell is located on the northwest tip of Wrangell Island, 155 miles south of Juneau and 89 miles northwest of Ketchikan. It is near the mouth of the Stikine River, an historic trade route to the Canadian Interior.It lies at approximately 56.470830° North Latitude and -132.376670° West Longitude (Sec. 25, T062S, R083E, Copper River Meridian). The area encompasses 2,582.0 sq. miles of land and 883.0 sq. miles of water. Wrangell is in the maritime climatic zone and experiences cool summers, mild winters, and year-round rainfall.

Location and Climate Unalakleet is located on Norton Sound at the mouth of the Unalakleet River, 148 miles southeast of Nome and 395 miles northwest of Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 63.873060° North Latitude and -160.788060° West Longitude.  (Sec. 03, T019S, R011W, Kateel River Meridian.)   Unalakleet is located in the Cape Nome Recording District.  The area encompasses 2.9 sq. miles of land and 2.3 sq. miles of water.  Unalakleet has a subarctic climate with considerable maritime influences when Norton Sound is ice-free, usually from May to October.