Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, November 17, 2008 19% cut in Bering Sea pollock harvest urged Associated Press ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Federal government scientists are recommending a cut of nearly 19 percent in the catch of Bering Sea pollock, the raw material used in fish sticks and imitation crab. If regulators follow the recommendation, the Bering Sea next year could yield its smallest catch of pollock in more than 30 years. The cutback could hurt processors but is no cause for consumers to be alarmed, according to scientists and industry representatives. "The sky is not falling when it comes to pollock in the Bering Sea," said David Benton of the Juneau-based Marine Conservation Alliance, which represents fishing fleets, processors and ports. "This was an expected downturn, and we've seen similar patterns in the past," he said. Others see plenty to worry about. In 2006, the fishery produced close to double the catch recommended for next year. Jon Warrenchuk, an ocean scientist with the conservation group Oceana, said fishery regulators may be overly optimistic in the ability of pollock stock to rebound. Government scientists who track the population of the bottom fish are recommending a 2009 commercial catch limit of 815,000 tons, the lowest catch limit since federal management of the fishery began in 1977. Warrenchuk and other conservationists say it might be wise to cut the catch limit even more deeply. Pollock are important for reasons other than commercial harvest. "Anyone who's concerned about the overall health of the Bering Sea ecosystem is always watching what the pollock stock is doing," Warrenchuk said. "It's central to the food web." Pollock historically have ranked as the nation's largest commercial catch by weight and the most valuable of Alaska fisheries, worth some $1 billion after processing. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Hoax claims 'ridiculous,' Minutemen leader says 2. New product safety law a blow to shops 3. Gregoire's whereabouts a mystery 4. Flood watch on for Snohomish County rivers 5. Gregoire visits National Guard troops in Iraq 6. Deadly Everett fire's cause still elusive 7. Avalanche closes U.S. 2 near the summit 8. Tuesday Hot Sheet: Governor found, budget battles, ferry tales 9. Silvertips trade Beach to Lethbridge 10. Smokers' struggle to quit is even harder during tough times 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• The poet speaks • Quieting the mind • Students of the Month • T-Wolves survive slow start, beat M-P • T-birds' Michaels on track for state titles • The senior center limbo • Clues to destructive fire frozen in plastic • Bonding on the lanes • Terrace learns from holiday tourney losses • Edmonds surgeons on cutting edge of weight loss • Stillaguamish Tribe’s Angel of the Winds Casino opens new addition Dec. ...