Author: kfskadmin

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the commercial crab fleet are trying out some different approaches to estimating the amount of red king crab in Southeast. The effort was prompted by crabbers who say the department’s current stock survey under-estimates crab abundance. The fishery has remained closed for the last four years because of low survey numbers. The department tried out two new survey methods last fall and presented the results of that pilot project to crabbers late last month.

The festivities marking the 100th anniversary of the city of Petersburg are underway. Dozens of local residents gathered Sunday afternoon in the Sons of Norway Hall as the Petersburg’s Centennial Committee and the Petersburg Arts Council unveiled a new logo for the city’s 100th year, and honored local artist Polly Lee for her contributions to the community. Here are some sounds from Sunday’s party, including the voices of centennial committee member Sue Paulsen, mayor Al Dwyer and Polly Lee.

Southeast Alaska commercial halibut fishermen will not see as big a cut to their catch limits as originally proposed. The International Pacific Halibut Commission on Friday voted to go with somewhat higher numbers than its staff had recommended for this year.

It took $1.1 million to fix Petersburg’s pipeline to its main water reservoir at Cabin Creek. The city came out this month with a final cost for the pipeline repair work completed last summer. There were multiple problems with the under-performing line. The first phase of rehab work meant lowering one section of the pipe, replacing some damaged segments along with the installation of several new air relief valves. The work also meant cleaning an organic growth off the inside of the pipeline. Petersburg’s city council last year debated whether to do a second phase of the repairs, which would have meant installing a second outflow pipe from the cabin creek reservoir to the pipeline. The city went as far as purchasing some of the material for that second phase and awarding a contract for the work. After the first phase work looked to have improved the pipeline’s performance, the council ultimately decided not to pursue the second phase work. City staff have been working to recoup some of the cost of materials already purchased for that additional work. Joe Viechnicki spoke with public works director Karl Hagerman about the costs of the Cabin Creek repairs.