I understand things are different up in Alaska, I was really addressing the so called mountain lion problem in Ca. and out west in general.
Fair enough and I am aware of those issues. It is often inevitable in the often expanding suburban areas encroaching on what even 10 years ago would have been prime habitat for any number of species, including those which are sometimes more aggressive to humans or inadvertantly dangerous to humans, i.e bears, cougars, deer, etc. Also, it speaks something about limiting the number of armed people, and less, or more restrictive hunting/trapping guidelines. So there are often many causes to negative human/wildlife interations.
This is from literally this afternoon in Anchorage. A black bear was darted a removed from downtown Anchorage. Literally in downtown. Imagine a black bear loose in Central Park, or the DC mall, or Golden Gate Park. Mayhem, but in Anchorage, and most of Alaska it is routine.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/428877.html
But just for fun, here are some photos from the Anchorage Daily News.
Look at the tourists run!
Say Bunz, this is somewhat off topic, but I caught the tail end (last 1/2 hour or so), the following Sunday, of the Tougher in Alaska episode you brought up last month.
Excellent, glad you saw it. Shows like Deadliest Catch often dramatize events or appear to have a more dramatic story line created for TV. But I was glad this series doesnt do that and just gives the overall scope of what happens.
What did you think of the show overall?
In it, the boat they were highlighting, while fishing for salmon in Bristol Bay, was putting 1200 ft. or more of net in the water. I don't remember exactly how many pounds of salmon they ended up with for the season, except that it was a hefty amount.
Ah, the one boat, fishing in the Naknek-Kvichak district. Where they were always talking about the AK State Troopers. That was a unique boat actually. He had a modern double ender, and owned a dual permit. Meaning, that vessel could set the net out of either end of the boat. From the bow or stern. It is probably the most efficient type in the fishery. Very expensive to operate though. But he also is the holder of two permits. Well him, or more likely is his crew member owning one and fishing the same vessel. One permit is allowed 150fathoms(900 feet) a dual permit is allowed 200fathoms(1200ft)
This has only recent been allowed, in an effort to have less nets in the water and boats in the fleet. But in that show, the double ender caught 200,000 pounds. Which at $.68 a pound, isnt to bad. Skipper probably brought home $60k in 6 weeks.
I operate a stern picker with average quality equipment and a single engine versus his 3 engined vessel.
My question is this, isn't there a significant danger of over fishing? And with nets that size, the populations of other sea life are being harmed as well. I understand the Alaska red king crab has been driven to near extinction due to fishing methods of this sort. I realize many people rely upon salmon fishing for their livelihood, but wouldn't it be in everybody's best interest to keep close tabs on things?
I understand your concerns and they are not unfounded. The Bristol Bay Salmon Fisheries are certified organic and sustainable and is known world wide for being among the very best managed fishery in the world. The penalties for violations are very stiff and among the fishers, followed quite closely. In the last 10 years or so, there has been a major shift in the awareness of the fishers towards being more responsible stewards of the resource. But the way the fishery operates is monitored for escapement upriver to spawning rivers before the commercial fisheries can happen.
I would be happy to expand on this, because I have spent a few years past working at a sonar and counting tower for Fish and Game biologists.
There is a major threat on the horizon though. This is actually a local issue that I am very vocal about, but I generally keep it out of discussion here. But at the very headwaters of two of the major watersheds in the region supporting millions of salmon, there is a proposed mine. What will turn into the largest open pit mine in North America. Pebble Mine, google it.
The fishermen are up in arms about it. It is a very divisive issue in Alaska. Popeye, I think it would be awesome if you read the info about it and made a thread. My view is so tainted, I would like to see what a third party with a liberal viewpoint would have to say about it.
