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By ENENews<\/p>\n
NOAA<\/a>, Jan 18, 2017 (emphasis added): Pritzker declares fisheries disasters<\/strong><\/em>\u2026 Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today determined there are commercial fishery failures<\/strong> for nine salmon and crab fisheries in Alaska, California and Washington\u2026 these fisheries experienced sudden and unexpected large decreases in fish stock biomass or loss of access due to unusual ocean<\/strong> and climate conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Alaska Journal of Commerce<\/a>, Jan 18, 2017: [T]he pink salmon\u2026 catch sank to dismal lows<\/strong>\u2026 In 2016, the pink salmon harvests\u2026 came in woefully under forecast and stumped biologists<\/strong>\u2026 The total state harvest was the smallest since the late 1970s<\/strong>\u2026 State and federal scientists interviewed directly following the poor pink salmon season each emphasized that they were mystified<\/strong>\u2026 \u201cI am relieved to see that the Department of Commerce [is]acknowledging the dire situation<\/strong>\u2026\u201d said Sen. Lisa Murkowski.<\/p>\n Spokesman Review<\/a>, Jan 23, 2017: [T]he region\u2019s fishing communities\u2026 have suffered through several years of lower-than-expected catch\u2026 \u201cthe past few years our salmon runs have been hit hard and dropped to alarmingly low levels<\/strong>\u2026\u201d [said Congressman Derek Kilmer].<\/p>\n Alaska Dispatch News<\/a>, Jan 26, 2017: After a pitiful return of pink salmon to much of Alaska<\/strong> last summer, a federal disaster declaration was officially announced\u2026<\/p>\n Gov. Jay Inslee\u2019s Request<\/a>: I respectfully request that you declare a commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster<\/strong> in Washington State. This request is based upon the failure of coho salmon runs<\/strong> returning to Washington State in 2016\u2026 Coho salmon returns to Washington watersheds in 2015 were unexpectedly low due to poor survival during the time these fish spent in marine waters of coastal Washington and the Pacific Ocean<\/strong>\u2026 Expectations for coho returns in 2016 are very poor due to persisting poor conditions in the Pacific<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n US Dept. of Commerce<\/a>, Jan 18, 2017: Dear Governor Inslee\u2026 Your request relates to the impacts to the 2016 ocean salmon troll fishery as a result of the failure of coho salmon runs returning to Washington State<\/strong> due to unusual environmental conditions in the Pacific Ocean that have led to the poor survival and growth of coho salmon<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n Gov. Bill Walker\u2019s Request<\/a>: Districts across the entire area have experienced very poor escapement results, with the Kitoi Hatchery pink salmon return having the lowest survival rate on record<\/strong>\u2026 Two out of three Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) hatcheries are experiencing record low commercial harvests<\/strong>.<\/p>\n US Dept. of Commerce<\/a>, Jan 18, 2017: Dear Governor Walker\u2026 The impacts resulted from poor pink salmon returns due to\u2026 unfavorable ocean conditions, freshwater environmental factors, and disease<\/strong>\u2026 NMFS Alaska Region looks forward to [a] fishery that can better withstand similar environmental disasters<\/strong> in the future.<\/p>\n