The Alaska Fisheries Report

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Coming up this week, a familiar face takes on the science advising for a group of Aleutian crabbers, Mark Begich talks about warns against a holiday surprise, and a look at one of the last salmon cultures on earth.
And that’s another year in the tote for the Alaska Fisheries Report. As usual, it couldn’t be done without help from the dozens of fishy contributors near and far. So, in alphabetical order by first name, thank you to: Aaron Selbig, Alexandra Gutierrez, Angela Denning-Barnes, Annie Ropeik, Ariel Van Cleave, Ashley Ahern, Ben Matheson, Brian Lynch, Brianna Gibbs, Casey Kelly, Dan Bross, Dave Bendinger, Ed Ronco, Ed Schoenfeld, Ellen Lockyer, Heather Hardcastle, Joaqlin Estus, Joe Viechnicki, John Sackton, Kyle Clayton, Laine Welch, Lauren Rosenthal, Leila Kheiry, Lisa Phu, Maggie Wall, Margaret Friedenauer, Matt Miller, Mike Mason, Peter Granitz, Phillip Manning, Robert Woolsey, Rosemarie Alexander, Sean Carlson, Shady Grove Oliver, Shaylon Cochran, Sophie Evan, Stephanie Joyce, Tara Bicknell, Tom Banse, Tony Gorman, and Wesley Loy.
We have a special shout-out and thank-you to Matt Lichtenstein of KFSK Radio in Petersburg. He has been a reliable and prolific reporter whose work has brought the stories of Southeast fishermen to life. His work will be sorely missed, and not just by the folks in Petersburg. After nearly two decades, Matt is leaving KFSK next week to become a full-time fisherman. So long Matt, and thanks for all the fish.

Hilsinger Takes on Consulting Role for Crab Group

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John Hilsinger (UAF photo)

Jay Barrett/KMXT
A long time Alaska fisheries biologist has signed on to be the new science advisor for a group of crabbers who ply their trade in one of the state’s more far-flung fisheries. The Aleutian King Crab Research Foundation recently announced the hire of John Hilsinger, who will take over as consultant from Denby Lloyd.
“My job is to advise them. I work with the biologists from both the NMFS and Fish and Game, and other consultants, and advise them on projects and how those projects should be conducted so that we can get the information we need to develop a good long-term sustainable management regime for golden king crab.”
Hilsinger says six boats have participated in the golden king crab fishery, which has been a directed fishery for more than 30 years, with a yearly harvest capped at 6-million pounds.
The Aleutian King Crab Research Foundation focuses on improving research into golden, and to a lesser extent, red king crab.