AMSEA Blog

Lovers of the printed NOAA Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables publications will soon have an empty spot in their hearts and on the pilothouse bookshelf. NOAA has announced that the 2020 edition will be the last. Coast Guard acceptance of online and electronic services providing tide and tidal current predictions have made the publications redundant. However, one person’s redundant publication is another’s contingency plan in case the electronics fail. Fear not, you can stil

Mandate 17 from the State of Alaska requires that a vessel fly a to fly a “'Lima' flag or similar yellow and black pennant" if a vessel is under self-quarantine or returns to port with a sick crew member aboard. In order to help commercial fishermen obtain Lima flags, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association has announced on the BBRSDA Facebook page that they will be providing their members with Lima flags ahead of the salmon season at no cost. Other commercial fi

As the summer salmon season approaches, the State of Alaska has issued its health and safety guidance for commercial fishing vessels, in Health Mandate 017: Protective Measures for Independent Commercial Fishing Vessels. There's quite a lot to take in. So, if you plan to operate a commercial fishing vessel in the State of Alaska, on or after April 24, click the links below and start reading. Health Mandate 017 – Protective Measures for Independent Commercial Fishing Vessels

To help you navigate the new operating environment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have published a list online resources for vessel operators on our new COVID-19 Resources web page for your easy reference. Thanks to CDC/NIOSH for sending us a list of resources from around the country for commercial fishermen. Available resources include safety information, templates for developing vessel mitigation plans, information on financial assistance, and more. While many of

Discovery Health MD has just released onboard procedures for catcher boats and tenders to prevent the transmission of coronavirus when the salmon season get underway in the coming months. The procedures, a product of their collaboration with Alaska fishermen and fisheries groups, include a draft procedures manual, a draft checklist for captains, a number of handouts for crew education, and a notice from the State of Alaska on the use of cloth masks during air travel. Click th

We are gratified to receive the support of everyone that supports AMSEA through an annual membership. However, we need to acknowledge a membership renewal from United Fishermen of Alaska and a new membership from Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers. Both organizations advocate for commercial fishermen and fisheries in Alaska and we're proud to have their support! United Fishermen of Alaska has been an AMSEA member for seven years, but they have been around a longer than that. Since 19