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Whaling Commission Upholds Subsistence Catch Limits
Wendi Jonassen, APRN – Anchorage
The International Whaling Commission voted 48-10 to uphold the catch limits for the Alaska subsistence whaling communities which were set to expire this year. Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission members were worried political debate over commercial and research whaling would interfere with their catch limit.
Sen. Begich, Fishermen Discusses Low King Runs
Matthew Smith, KNOM – Nome
Senator Mark Begich was in Bethel Monday for a roundtable discussion with subsistence fishermen about the record low king runs on the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers. Representatives of state and federal fisheries managers were also in attendance. Begich says the state needs to do more for managing kings.
Financial Pressure Mounts For Military Downsizing
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The Air Force’s decision to delay relocation of Eielson’s F-16’s does not end Alaska’s concerns about military downsizing. The head of a consulting team hired by the state to develop a strategy for protecting Alaska installations, says financial pressure remains on the military. Washington D.C. based consultant Steve Hijek gave a presentation to state legislators recently during a joint armed services committee hearing. Hijek laid out federal budget control act cuts approved last year, and the potential for additional reductions to be triggered in 2013.
Baby Found In Sitka Sink Returns As Adult
Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
On a winter night in 1994, a newborn baby was found lying in a sink at Sitka’s Thomsen Harbor. Eighteen years later, that girl is now a young woman named Karissa Amrhein. She graduated from high school this spring and last week, she returned to Sitka.
Slavic Population Influx Slowing In Delta
Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
The refugee settlement office that serves members of Delta’s Slavic community is closing. The influx of immigrants from Russia and other Eastern European nations that’s boosted the area’s population by nearly 40 percent over the past 20 years, is slowing.
Park Service Releases New Denali Road Management Plan
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
There’s a new plan for managing bus and other traffic on the road into Denali National Park. The Park Service has released the plan and an environmental impact statement following 4 years of studies and meetings. The process looked at numbers and schedules for the buses that move visitors along the 92 mile Denali road. Park Service spokeswoman Kris Fister says the preferred alternative allows for some increase in traffic.
Oyster Farms Flourishing in Southeast
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
More oyster farms are opening up in Southeast Alaska. It’s part of an effort to create jobs through tribal businesses in small communities.
Dismal Runs Close Ship Creek Fishery
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Anglers are usually packed shoulder to shoulder this time of year on the banks of Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage. But state managers closed the popular fishery over the weekend. Like many rivers and streams around the state, the king run has been weak in Ship Creek in recent years. Even though the fishery is stocked, managers are worried about collecting enough broodstock for the hatchery upstream. APRN’s Annie Feidt caught up with some anglers before the fishery closed and has this story.
