Four proposals aimed at reducing trawl bycatch in Alaska's Prince William Sound pollock fishery are set to be reviewed by a regulatory panel. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game argues that these measures could eliminate fishing opportunities without addressing conservation concerns, as the stock has been sustainably harvested for years. The proposals are part of a broader effort to manage fisheries more effectively.

The US Department of Agriculture has awarded a $1,382,400 contract to Pacific Seafood Group to supply 108,000 pounds of frozen wild salmon fillets. The delivery is scheduled between January 1 and June 30, 2025, highlighting a significant procurement in the seafood industry.

NOAA scientists have reached a consensus on the acceptable biological catch (ABC) for Alaska pollock, indicating stable stocks in the Eastern Bering Sea but a projected decrease in the Gulf of Alaska. This decision marks the initial phase in determining the total allowable catch for the region.

A US community development quota entity in St. Paul, Alaska, celebrates a US judge's decision to uphold abundance-based restrictions on halibut bycatch for the non-pollock trawl fleet. This ruling is seen as a victory for local halibut fishing families, ensuring fairer management of the halibut resource. Ray Melovidov of the Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association expressed satisfaction with the decision, highlighting its importance for the community's fishing practices.

A federal judge in Alaska, Sharon Gleason, ruled against the Amendment 80 fleet's legal challenge to halibut bycatch limits, determining that the Amendment 123 rule was lawful. The fleet had argued that the rule unfairly targeted their sector. The decision was expedited ahead of the 2025 fishing season.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated the first bids for over a million pounds of wild Pacific seafood for its 2025 domestic food programs, marking the start of the new fiscal year. Craig Morris from Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers expressed appreciation for these federal purchases, which support food and nutrition assistance programs. This move highlights the USDA's ongoing commitment to incorporating domestically caught and processed seafood into national food distribution efforts.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game forecasts a strong sockeye salmon run in Bristol Bay for 2025, predicting a total run of 51.31 million fish, with a potential harvestable surplus of 36.33 million. This follows an above-average run in the previous year, although the fish were smaller in size.

The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) has partnered with Silver Bay Seafoods to jointly operate the processing plant in False Pass, Alaska, previously owned by Trident Seafoods. This strategic partnership reflects the industry's evolving landscape, as noted by APICDA's board member Luke Fanning.

The article discusses the importance of open government and the public's right to know. It is a monthly column distributed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, which is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to this cause. Jacob Resneck, an investigative reporter with Wisconsin Watch, contributes to the column. The article also invites readers to share their opinions on the topic by sending letters to the editor, providing specific instructions on how to do so, including word limit and verification details.

The article discusses three police shootings in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, in 2023, including one fatal incident. Despite the officers being cleared of wrongdoing, their identities have not been disclosed, with officials citing undercover work, credible threats, and Marsy's Law, which enhances crime victims' rights. The article mentions the withholding of names in other Wisconsin cases and similar practices in Florida and Ohio. It also covers the challenges and costs associated with obtaining police bodycam footage due to proposed legislation. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's guidance on Marsy's Law is criticized for being insufficient, and the article calls for public and press advocacy for police accountability and transparency.