Commercial Fisheries Information
An ad hoc work group was established on December 20, 2004, to review available data regarding Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea fisheries that may be impacted by the December 7, 2004 M/V Selendang Ayu oil spill at Unalaska Island. The group consists of experts from state and federal fishery management agencies, environmental health agencies, fisheries biologists, oceanographers, local government and fish marketing organizations.
The group meets regularly to consider all available information regarding the potential impact of the spilled oil to Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea fisheries. Information is being compiled from water quality samples, computer models, and overflight observations to determine areas at risk of oil contamination.
A water quality sampling program is being conducted to determine whether oil is present in areas beyond the immediate spill impact zone. Water intakes at local fish processing facilities will also be sampled to ensure that no oil contamination exists. Water quality sampling in potentially at-risk fishing grounds began on December 25, 2004 and will continue for as long as oil is observed to be in the vicinity of fishery management areas.
- Public Information Release #1, 12/23/2004 (PDF 164K)
- Public Information Release #2, 1/4/2005 (PDF 160K)
- ADEC Threatened Water Body Finding, 12/27/2004 (PDF 48K)
- Seafood Inspection Activities in Response to M/V Selendang Ayu Oil Spill, posted 1/12/04 (PDF 162K)
- Recommended Crab Fishery Oil Sampling Procedure, posted 1/13/2005 (PDF 165K)
- Operational Procedures For Vessels Participating in the 2005 Opilio Crab Season, posted 1/13/2005 (PDF 156K)
Removal of ADEC Threatened Water Body Designation, added 10/3/2005 (PDF 23K)
Fact Sheets on Bering Sea/Aleutian Island Fisheries
- Makushin Tanner Crab Fishery - Fishery Fact Sheet #1 (PDF 179K)
- Unalaska Tanner Crab Fishery - Fishery Fact Sheet #2, updated 4/18 (PDF 179K)
- Bering Sea Snow Crab Fishery - Fishery Fact Sheet #3, updated 4/18 (PDF 179K)
- Bering Sea/Aleutians Pacific Cod Fishery - Fishery Fact Sheet #4, updated 4/18 (PDF 179K)
- Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pollock Fishery “A Season” - Fishery Fact Sheet #5, updated 4/18 (PDF 178K)
- Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Fishery - Trawl - Fishery Fact Sheet #6, updated 4/18 (PDF 183K)
Seafood Safety
Decisions regarding potential closures or delays to upcoming fishery openings will be made based on the best available information at the time. State seafood processing regulations mandate a “zero tolerance” approach to oil-contaminated seafood. Fishery managers will make decisions about fishery closures to ensure that target species, fishing gear, and processing facilities remain 100% free of oil contamination. ADEC Environmental Health personnel will actively monitor processor facilities and conduct sight and smell tests on landed species to ensure that no contaminated fish enter the seafood processing environment.
Advisories
- Seafood Advisory: Seafood Inspection Activities in response to M/V Selendang Ayu oil spill, 1/10/2005 (PDF 162K)
- Seafood Advisory: Recommended Crab Fishery Oil Sampling Procedure, 1/13/2005 (PDF 162K)
- Seafood Advisory: Advisory For Vessels Participating in the 2005 Opilio Crab Season, 1/21/2005 (PDF 56K)
- Seafood Advisory: Notice To Fishing Vessels Operating In State Waters From Spray Cape South To Umnak Pass, 2/25/2005 (PDF 56K)
Regulations and Fact Sheets
- State of Alaska Regulations for Seafood Processing and Inspection
- Fact Sheet: The State of Alaska’s “Zero Tolerance” Regulations for Preventing Oil Contamination of Seafood Products (PDF 38K)
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