Fishing

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Alaska, Washington and Oregon representatives settled negotiation Monday with Canada on how to share dwindling Chinook salmon harvests through a 10-year international treaty. The agreement,… Continue reading

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say
Opinion: Salmon hatcheries support Alaskans, and feed the world

Opinion: Salmon hatcheries support Alaskans, and feed the world

When the Good Friday earthquake shook Alaska in 1964, the damage wasn’t confined to buildings and homes. In some coastal areas, the land and ocean… Continue reading

Opinion: Salmon hatcheries support Alaskans, and feed the world
Fishing for the Soul

Fishing for the Soul

A close friend asked me what changed during a particularly deep conversation the other night.

Fishing for the Soul
Roger Castillo watches as a coho salmon he caught leaps he fishes at the Wayside Park on Channel Drive on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has increased the limit to 12 coho salmon in the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area due to the large number of returning hatchery coho salmon in excess of broodstock needs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coho limit doubles as hatchery fish produce large run

Silver fishing in certain areas is now twice as nice.

Roger Castillo watches as a coho salmon he caught leaps he fishes at the Wayside Park on Channel Drive on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has increased the limit to 12 coho salmon in the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area due to the large number of returning hatchery coho salmon in excess of broodstock needs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A male pink salmon makes its way upstream to spawn in August of 2010. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Pink harvest lowest in 40 years

This year’s pink salmon harvest has been dismal.

A male pink salmon makes its way upstream to spawn in August of 2010. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaskans worried by prospect of deep-sea fish farms

Alaskans worried by prospect of deep-sea fish farms

In a Centennial Hall listening session, Alaskans raised concerns about federal plans to boost open-ocean fish farms under a new strategic plan for the U.S.… Continue reading

Alaskans worried by prospect of deep-sea fish farms
Fish Factor: Tiny cod fish reappearing around Kodiak

Fish Factor: Tiny cod fish reappearing around Kodiak

Tiny cod fish are reappearing around Kodiak. Researchers aim to find out if it is a blip, or a sign that the stock is recovering… Continue reading

Fish Factor: Tiny cod fish reappearing around Kodiak
Fish Factor: Shellfish and seafood businesses growing

Fish Factor: Shellfish and seafood businesses growing

As Gov. Bill Walker prepares to sign a bill this week enacting the Alaska Mariculture Development Plan, 16 new applicants hope to soon begin growing… Continue reading

Fish Factor: Shellfish and seafood businesses growing
Metro Creative Connection stock image

Fisherman pleads guilty to multiple violations

Michael Patrick Duby, a repeat wildlife offender in Southeast, pleaded guilty in Juneau District Court on Tuesday to two non-criminal fishing violations. According to the… Continue reading

Metro Creative Connection stock image
James McKnight holds a coho salmon he caught on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 at the Golden North Salmon Derby. The fish, weighed at 17.7 pounds, was the largest one caught at the derby. (Courtesy Photo | Derby Committee)

Salmon Derby winner finds good luck, victory ‘shocking’

When James McKnight pulled a coho salmon out of the water Saturday morning, he knew it was big. He didn’t realize quite how big, though.… Continue reading

James McKnight holds a coho salmon he caught on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 at the Golden North Salmon Derby. The fish, weighed at 17.7 pounds, was the largest one caught at the derby. (Courtesy Photo | Derby Committee)
Scott and Shari Guenther pull in a catch during the 72nd Annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Friday, August 17, 2018, sponsored by the Territorial Sportsmen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

2018 Golden North Salmon Derby live blog

Follow along for the latest updates.

Scott and Shari Guenther pull in a catch during the 72nd Annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Friday, August 17, 2018, sponsored by the Territorial Sportsmen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Derby days start

Derby days start

Starting today and lasting through Sunday, Juneau sport fishermen will ply the backside of Admiralty, Douglas, Shelter islands and elsewhere in search of a money… Continue reading

Derby days start
Seafood byproducts are processed into cat food in this 2015 file photo in Juneau. Tariffs could have a significant impact on Alaska seafood being shipped to secondary processing plants in China. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute prepares to protest Trump’s seafood tariffs

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute will push back against a steep seafood tariff suggested by the Trump Administration. In a board meeting Thursday morning, ASMI… Continue reading

Seafood byproducts are processed into cat food in this 2015 file photo in Juneau. Tariffs could have a significant impact on Alaska seafood being shipped to secondary processing plants in China. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Final product: Jarred dog salmon eggs (Vivian Faith Prescott | Capital City Weekly)

Planet Alaska: 13 ways of looking at dog salmon

Sitting on our fishcamp porch watching the ocean, my dad tells me how to identify a dog salmon.

Final product: Jarred dog salmon eggs (Vivian Faith Prescott | Capital City Weekly)
A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Celebrate Wild Salmon Day in Juneau

One of the best ways to appreciate our wild salmon is to eat them.

A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon ballot measure proponents fight back after legislative hearing

Proponents of the pro-fisheries Ballot Measure 1 are fighting back after a Friday legislative hearing that saw state officials discuss the costs and consequences of… Continue reading

A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Fish Factor: Tariffs increase cost of seafood

Fish Factor: Tariffs increase cost of seafood

Trump’s trade war now includes tariffs on seafood going to and from China. China is Alaska’s biggest seafood buyer, purchasing 54 percent of Alaska seafood… Continue reading

Fish Factor: Tariffs increase cost of seafood
Alaska Rep. Don Young speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Partisanship shouldn’t undermine our fisheries

We must remain committed to the bipartisan, bicameral tradition of fisheries management and my legislation accomplishes just that.

Alaska Rep. Don Young speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Partisanship shouldn’t undermine our fisheries

Partisan rancor may be standard operating procedure for most of Washington, but let’s not allow it to unravel the progress we’ve made for our country’s… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Mallott kills fish measure

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a proposed pro-fisheries ballot initiative as inappropriately restricting the powers of the Alaska Legislature. On Tuesday morning, the lieutenant… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)