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B&J Sporting Goods Response To NOAA's Redacted Bycatch Images
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Statement On: Press Release by Oceana
Referencing: Original article for the Alaska Beacon by Yereth Rosen
B&J Sporting Goods Response To NOAA's Redacted Bycatch Images
Why Is NOAA Hiding Bycatch Data? We Demand Answers
Bycatch is a critical issue that impacts Alaskan waters and the communities who depend on them. We’re demanding full transparency from NOAA.
We Saw These Images, Now We Too Want Answers
Here’s What We Want to Know from NOAA and the Trawl Industry...
At B&J Sporting Goods, we’ve been part of Alaska’s fishing community since the 1950s and are, in fact, older than the industrial trawl industry and many of the regulatory bodies overseeing our fisheries. Our business isn’t just about selling fishing gear—it’s about facilitating and preserving Alaska’s rich fishing heritage and advocating for the transparent, responsible, and trustworthy management of our fisheries by the boards, councils, and agencies charged with doing so.
We’ve seen, heard, and in many cases, experienced firsthand the changes in Alaska, the industry, and the waters we rely on. We’ve been here longer than trawl fishing in Alaska, and we’ve always been committed to preserving the health of our waters for future generations. When the voices of local Alaskans, fishermen, and concerned community members are ignored, it’s time to step up and demand straightforward answers from those required to provide them. Here’s what we want to know:
1. Why is bycatch data being redacted, and why isn’t it readily available to the public?
Source: Activists sue federal government for images of dead orcas entangled by fishing boats
If trawling is truly a clean, sustainable practice, why is it so difficult to access basic bycatch data? The recent lawsuit by Oceana for the release of bycatch images of dead whales and other marine mammals only highlights the lack of transparency in the fishing industry. If the industry is truly committed to the sustainability and clean fishing practices it claims to uphold, shouldn’t the public have full access to this information?
2. How are bycatch numbers being tracked and reported?
Source: Vessel Specific Bycatch Rates in Alaska | NOAA Fisheries
Bycatch continues to be a significant issue in Alaskan waters, but how is it actually being tracked? We know bycatch is recorded through skipper fish tickets and observer programs. But who’s verifying the numbers? How accurate are they? And how do we know they’re not being manipulated to tell the story the trawl industry wants people to believe? We need to ensure that bycatch data correctly and accurately reflects the true toll on our marine wildlife.
3. What measures are being taken to minimize bycatch in Alaskan waters?
Source: Flatfish Trawl Sector Recommendations – BSAI Crab Bycatch
There have been some measures proposed to reduce bycatch, but are they enough? The Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) flatfish trawl sector has introduced bycatch reduction devices and area closures, but how effective are they in the long term? We need to know what other steps are being taken by the fishing industry to minimize bycatch and how well those steps are being enforced.
4. What is the true cost of ‘cheap’ seafood, and who is paying for it?
Source: The Alaska Seafood Industry Crisis: Challenges, Costs & Solutions
In the push for cheap, extremely high yield seafood, what’s being overlooked? Overfishing and overexploitation of resources ultimately hurt local economies and disrupt entire ecosystems. The industry focuses on low-cost products, but the true cost is being paid by our local communities and marine life. Is this cost worth it? And who’s really paying the price?
5. Why are large corporations outside of Alaska allowed to dictate fishing practices in our waters?
Source: Alaska trawl fisheries are vital and under attack by those using myths
The majority of the industrial trawl fishing fleet is not Alaskan-owned. Instead, it is run by large corporations based in Seattle, Oregon, and even Asia. Out-of-state and foreign corporations are controlling the fishing practices in our waters—practices that impact local ecosystems, fishing communities, and the cultural traditions of Alaskans. Why are these corporations allowed to dominate the industry when their primary focus is profit, not contentious harvesting for longevity and long-term sustainability of a fragile, easily decimated living resource?
6. How can we ensure transparency in the fishing industry moving forward?
Source: Bycatch Report - home
Transparency is the key to ensuring accountability in the fishing industry. Bycatch Report advocates for open data, improved monitoring, and clear public access to all bycatch-related information. We need stronger regulations requiring that fishing operations make their data public, and that the public is empowered to hold these companies accountable for more than just legal compliance. What would the fishing industry look like if it measured itself to a standard of moral responsibility, prioritizing the long-term benefits for Alaska and its people?
7. Is the 6% Increase in Trawl Catch Wise?
Source: Bering Sea Pollock Catch to See 6% Increase Next Year
With a 6% increase in trawl catch expected in 2024, we have to ask: Is this truly sustainable? Is this wisdom? The push for higher quotas comes at a time when Alaskans are demanding better stewardship of our fisheries. Public comments on Proposals 14-17 were ignored by the Board of Fisheries, but the truth remains—if we continue down this path without proper regulation, the health of our ecosystems is at risk.8. How Accountable Are Alaskan Trawl Fleets for Their Contributions to the Pacific Garbage Patch?
Source: Oceana - Ghost Gear
When we talk about the impact of the trawl industry, it’s not just about overfishing or bycatch—there’s also the growing issue of marine debris, particularly fishing nets. A significant portion of the Pacific Garbage Patch—that massive swirling heap of plastic waste in the ocean—is made up of discarded fishing gear.
An important question is: How accountable are Alaskan trawl fleets for the waste they contribute? These “ghost nets” can float in our oceans for decades, trapping marine mammals, turtles, and birds, and wreaking havoc on our ecosystems. A huge amount of this waste comes from the fishing industry, especially lost or abandoned trawl nets.
According to Oceana, fishing gear—including nets, lines, and traps—is responsible for over 10% of ocean plastic pollution, with trawl nets being a major contributor. If the industry claims to care about sustainability, shouldn’t they be more accountable for the waste their operations leave behind in the Pacific Ocean?
9. Are Alaska’s Fisheries Being Managed in the Public’s Best Interest?
Source: Alaska State Constitution – Article VIII
10. What is the Economic Impact of Bycatch on Local Communities?
Source: The Alaska Seafood Industry Crisis: Challenges, Costs & Solutions
Bycatch doesn't just affect marine life—it also has significant economic impacts. Subsistence fishermen and local communities rely on healthy fish populations for food and livelihoods. When bycatch occurs, it directly reduces available fish stocks, particularly salmon and halibut, which Alaskans depend on. The economic toll of bycatch on local economies—especially subsistence fishing communities—is a hidden cost that needs to be addressed to protect both our natural resources and Alaska’s economy.
11. How is Corporate Influence Shaping Fisheries Management?
Source: Alaska trawl fisheries are vital and under attack by those using myths
Large, corporate-controlled fishing operations are influencing policy decisions across Alaska. The fishing industry’s corporate influence has led to the adoption of policies that prioritize short-term economic gains over the long-term sustainability of our fisheries. What’s the impact of outsider influence on Alaska’s fisheries management? Why are the voices of local Alaskan fishermen being drowned out in favor of corporate profits?
12. How is the Trawl Industry Impacting Species Diversity in Alaskan Waters?
Source: Effects of Trawling - Alaska's Marine Species
The trawl industry doesn't just target high-value species like pollock and cod—it also unintentionally harms non-target species through bycatch. The destruction of habitats and the loss of non-commercial species through trawl fishing disrupts species diversity, weakening our fragile ecosystem. How is the industry working to ensure that non-commercial species are protected, and how is it contributing to maintaining species diversity in Alaskan waters?
13. What is the Environmental Impact of Bottom Trawling Beyond Bycatch?
Source: USGS - Impacts of Bottom Trawling
Bycatch is a serious issue, but it’s not the only environmental toll of trawling. Bottom trawling causes direct habitat destruction, particularly in areas like coral reefs and seafloor ecosystems. Additionally, the process of dragging nets along the seafloor releases toxins and disrupts sediment, harming water quality and further destabilizing marine life. What steps are being taken to mitigate these environmental impacts and ensure that bottom trawling does not further harm fragile ecosystems?
What Can We Do?
It’s time for all of us—whether we’re Alaskans, fishermen, or simply concerned consumers who care about where their food comes from and how it gets from harvest to table—to demand accountability and transparency from the trawl industry. We must advocate for stronger oversight, clearer data, and better regulations to ensure that Alaska’s fisheries are managed responsibly, and that local communities are not left to bear the environmental and economic costs of unsustainable practices.
Together, we can push for a sustainable future by holding both the trawl industry and regulatory bodies accountable. This isn’t just about the fish—it’s about the health of our oceans, the sustainability of our fishing practices, and the future of our communities. We need to raise our voices and demand a system that prioritizes ethical fishing practices, environmental stewardship, and transparency in all levels of fishing regulation.
It’s time for a collective effort—we can change the future of Alaska’s fisheries if we work together.
Get involved. Submit public comments, attend public meetings, and continue to share your thoughts with your community. Your voice can make a difference, and together, we can ensure Alaska’s fisheries remain sustainable, vibrant, and thriving for generations to come.
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