In Japan, fishermen have filed a lawsuit to stop the disposal of treated nuclear waste water into the Pacific Ocean, arguing that it violates their fishing rights.

Spurred by drastic cuts to haddock, hake, and cod quotas, a New England fisheries association is suing the federal government, challenging the quota cuts and arguing that the regional council system set up under the MSA to manage federal fisheries is itself unconstitutional. Alaska's federal fisheries are managed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, one of the eight regional councils across the country.

Round 2 CARES Act relief checks are being mailed to commercial fishermen this week.

Today's Alaska Fisheries Report: salmon suffocation, cross-border salmon cooperation, and NMFS has closed its comment period for MSA guidelines.

The Seattle Fishermen's Fall Festival will be held September 30 at Fishermen's Terminal.

The government has warned fishermen of Russian missile operations in the Bering Sea near St. Lawrence Island, which are scheduled to start today and continue through the 24th. The Coast Guard has sent a cutter to the area to provide support.

Some fishermen who received funds from the Seafood Trade Relief Program have received letters and an invoice from the USDA, requesting repayment of the funds that they received back in 2020. If you are one of the reportedly 209 individuals, be sure to respond to the letter and/or reach out to USDA with questions. More info here from UFA.

A few reminders:

The State of Alaska Division of Investments will be in Homer September 21-22 to help with new loan applications, loan extension applications, and answer any questions you have about financing, purchasing, etc. More info here.

Longline and pot vessel owners: the electronic monitoring (EM) pool enrollment is open through November 1. Opting in allows you to skip carrying human observers and fish in more than one regulatory area per trip. Onboard cameras are installed on your vessel at no additional cost to you. Saltwater Inc. is recruiting new vessels for their EM pool. More info here.