Joe Viechnicki, KFSK - Petersburg
Joe Viechnicki is a reporter at KFSK in Petersburg.
Small commercial fishing boats need life rafts this month
Fishermen in Southeast Alaska are learning about new safety requirements for life rafts that take effect later this month. The changes are included in past Coast Guard re-authorization bills and will mean smaller fishing boats will have to have a life raft to go three miles offshore.
Halibut commission boosts catch limits for most of the coast
The International Pacific Halibut Commission Friday approved an increase in halibut catch limits for most of the coast. The joint U.S. and Canadian body oversees management of the prized bottom fish from California to Alaska. The commission held its annual meeting in Juneau this week.
Halibut commission boosts coast-wide catch limit
The International Pacific Halibut Commission Friday approved an increase in halibut catch limits for most of the coast. The joint U.S. and Canadian body oversees management of the prized bottom fish from California to Alaska. The commission held its annual meeting in Juneau last week and approved a coast-wide catch of just under 30 million pounds for 2016. That’s an increase of two point two percent from last year’s limits.
Petersburg schools consider added in-service day
School administrators in Petersburg are floating the idea of adding one more day a month off from school for students next year. It’s a proposal to help teachers catch up with required training and the district is hoping to hear feedback on the plan.
Petersburg land selection committee narrows down choices
A committee of Petersburg residents is narrowing down its list of land the new borough might select from the state. That committee met this month and focused on economic development lands like rock pits, boat ramps and parcels that could be used for environmental mitigation.
Petersburg asks for smaller pot business setback
Petersburg is asking the state to relax limitations on where marijuana businesses can open their doors this year. Petersburg’s assembly approved a resolution Monday asking for a smaller setback for pot businesses.
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Positive forecast could mean early fishing for Stikine kings
That’s a large enough return to allow commercial fishing on this side of the border and an allowable catch of 1,100 Chinook. Catches of Stikine kings are managed under the Pacific Salmon Treaty between the U.S. and Canada.
Cargo-passenger “combi” jets out from Alaska Airlines lineup in 2017
Alaska Airlines will be phasing out its combination cargo and passenger planes used in Southeast Alaska and elsewhere around the state.
Tongass plan drafts timeline for transition to young-growth harvest
The U.S. Forest Service has released a new plan for managing timber lands on the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. It puts a timeline on the transition from young- to old-growth logging and it attempts to make it easier to develop hydro projects on forest land.
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Alaska budget cuts lead to less fishing opportunity
Because of Alaska’s budget crisis, state agencies cut spending this year and are planning additional reductions in the next few years. For the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, those cuts have meant less monitoring of fish runs, a change that will lead to more conservative management and less fishing opportunity. That was the message from Fish and Game officials to a commercial fishing industry organization that met in Petersburg in late October.
Scientists ID dead killer whale found in Southeast
Scientists have identified the dead killer whale found on a shoreline in Southeast Alaska last week. The dead whale was discovered by a moose hunter last week, about 25 miles from Petersburg.
Scientists ID dead orca in Southeast Alaska
Scientists have identified the dead killer whale found on a shoreline in Southeast Alaska last week. NOAA fisheries spokesperson Julie Speegle says a team of scientists made it to the Portage Bay on northern Kupreanof Island Monday.
Independent ferry tied up for repairs in Wrangell
An independent ferry in Southeast Alaska is tied up with mechanical problems in Wrangell, the latest in series of delays and difficulties for the new service.
Mudslide blocks Haines Highway
The Haines Highway is blocked by mudslides this evening after a few days of heavy rainfall. According to Highway residents, there are four slides between mile markers 18 and 21 that have made the road impassable.
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Hurricane Oho barrels in on Southeast
The remnants of a hurricane in the Pacific will bring high winds and heavy rains to southern and central Southeast Alaska on Friday.
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Middle schoolers join in monitoring for invasives in Petersburg harbor
Sixth graders were in Petersburg’s Middle Harbor Thursday morning checking for an invasive species that has shown up on the waterfront not too far away in Sitka. So far there’s no sign yet of the tunicate called D Vex here.
Southeast feels the sting of curtailed ferry service
People who use the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries will have longer travel times and less service next year under a proposed summer schedule released by the state this week. The Marine Highway is proposing to keep the state’s two fast catamarans tied up next year along with two other, older vessels. That will mean fewer stops in some coastal communities.
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Launch of Independent Ferry Service Delayed In Southeast
A new independent ferry service in Southeast Alaska is delaying the start-up of service that was planned for this weekend.
Strong King Salmon Catch Means Early Closure For Southeast Trollers
Southeast Alaska’s commercial salmon trollers are heading back into port now that the winter season has closed. Thanks to strong catches of king salmon on the outer coast near Sitka.
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Petersburg Man Arrested For Meth Importing
Petersburg police and the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force arrested a Petersburg man this week in an investigation into two packages of methamphetamine mailed to town.