Author: kfskadmin

Three Petersburg residents swept the top three spots on the leader board for the Chamber of Commerce’s 30th annual salmon derby, which wrapped up Memorial Day. Stan Malcolm landed his 49-and-a-half pound king Friday morning, the first day of the derby, and it remained in first place throughout the rest of the four-day event. Malcolm brought in his fish just a couple hours after Tom Drennan brought in a 43-point-9 pounder. Drennan wound up in second place but his fish was also the first fish of this year’s derby. The first place prize is 75 hundred dollars. It’s 35 hundred for second place and 27 hundred and fifty for third. Melissa Newman had third place on the leader board with the 43-point-five-pound king she landed on Sunday. Anglers landed a total of about 340 fish during the event, over 100 more than last year. Matt Lichtenstein spoke with Malcolm, Newman and several of the other participants Monday night as the weigh-in station closed.

A new method for estimating red king crab numbers has yielded some encouraging news for Southeast Alaska fishermen. The region’s commercial red crab harvest hasn’t opened since 2005 because the state’s annual catch survey has shown low crab numbers. Crabbers have long disputed the assessment method and its results. Over the past year and a half, the department’s scientists have worked with the commercial fleet to try a different approach and so far, it’s resulted in much higher estimates for part of Southeast. That study is expected to continue this year. In the meantime, the department plans to make adjustments with the findings it has so far.

A federal court has issued its final judgment for reinstating roadless protections for the Tongass National Forest. It overturns an exemption put in place by the Forest Service under the administration of President George W. Bush. The judgment includes a list of hydro power, mining and other developments that can still move forward in Roadless areas with federal approval. The Forest Service says it does not plan to appeal.

Petersburg’s Salmon Derby coincides with National Boating Safety week this year. The Coast Guard in Petersburg is taking the opportunity to remind boaters to make sure they have all their required safety gear before they head out on the water. Matt Lichtenstein spoke with Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer Brad Wells about some of what a recreational boater should have onboard and use:

The five thousand and ten thousand dollar fish are tagged. The tickets are on sale and there’s herring in the harbor. Petersburg’s salmon derby started Friday morning. The annual Chamber of Commerce event draws hundreds of local and visiting participants. Matt Lichtenstein checked in with Derby Committee member Ron Loesch Thursday morning about this year’s contest.