BBFA Prices Now Available to All

BBRSDA is sponsoring ex-vessel price reporting from the Bristol Bay FIshermen’s Association (BBFA) to make them available to all S03T permit holders. Click on this LINK to see ex-vessel price data for 2018 and 2019, including information on chilling/quality bonuses by processor. Prices for the 2020 season will be available once prices are announced and will be updated as data/info becomes available.

Market Analysis & Data Updated

Visit our ‘Market & Value Info’ webpage for more updated market data.

With several months of data now available, it’s a good time to check in on wholesale market conditions pertaining to the 2019 harvest. In general, the pace of wholesale sales appears to be lagging last year slightly and frozen H&G sockeye prices are down. U.S. export volume of frozen H&G sockeye fell 5% during the July-November 2019 period, compared to the previous year. Export value declined by 15% and the average export price was down 9%. Wholesale prices for the 2019 sales season are generally lower than 2018, but above those seen in 2017.

Multiple sources report that 4-6lb. and 6-9lb. sizes of frozen H&G sockeye are moving well, but a sizeable quantity of smaller 2-4lb. fish remains. We’ll have to wait until late February when the State of Alaska posts total wholesale sales data to have a better understanding of frozen fillet sales and a more complete picture for other products, including frozen H&G sockeye. Farmed salmon prices lagged the previous year from July-November 2019 but have increased significantly since then and are now running higher than the previous year.  

BBRSDA’s marketing team has been working hard to step up promotions and build greater, more durable demand. We coordinated Bristol Bay sockeye promotions with 14 major retail partners at nearly 1,000 stores across the country in 2019. Last year's participating retailers included Costco, Earth Fare, H-E-B, Harris Teeter, Market Basket, New Seasons Market, QFC, Raley’s, Rouses, Rosauers, and Wegmans. An average sales volume increase of 34% was reported from participating retailers across market demographics in 2019. We started 2020 at full throttle too, with promotions scheduled at four different retail chains this month. The response from retailers, qualitatively and quantitatively, has been excellent.

“Our experience with Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon promotions have been overwhelmingly positive, and we have gotten tremendous response from our customers,” said Paul McLean, Earth Fare’s Senior Director of Fresh, Meat, and Seafood. “We more than doubled our sockeye sales compared to the previous sales periods, and we are eager to provide our shoppers with this quality product in the new year.”

BBRSDA promotional efforts include funding sales contests, branded point-of-sale assets, targeted digital advertising, in-store cooking demonstrations, and more, allowing retailers an à la carte style menu of options to tailor efforts to their unique market’s customers. High quality imagery, video, and point-of-sale materials bolster all promotional activities and make Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon stand out in stores and at seafood counters. For an example of our work, check out this great video we made in Bristol Bay last summer with Raley’s, a California-based retailer.

It's important to note that while executing retail promotions certainly moves more volume through the supply chain, the primary goal of BBRSDA’s marketing program is to build lasting demand and create new customers for Bristol Bay sockeye. Building a recognizable, premium brand is a long-term effort that might not solve all short-term market fluctuations, but we believe the program is providing and will continue to provide our members a healthy return on their investment in BBRSDA.

New BBRSDA Waypoints Newsletter is Out

A new edition of the BBRSDA Waypoints newsletter is now available (link). Read all about BBRSDA’s upcoming FY20 projects, ice project RFPs, changes to the CFEC permit renewal process, and get more info about our last remaining RSW for sale. If you’re a Bristol Bay fisher or want to follow BBRSDA activities, feel free to sign up for our Waypoints newsletter here and we’ll send you each e-newsletter right to your inbox.

Photo Contest winners

Out of 210 photo submissions from 36 individuals, we have five winners in five categories and an overall winner. See our full album on Facebook to view all the winners, click HERE.

Overall Winner: Bethany Branstiter (pictured)

Fishing
1st - Ian Vincent
2nd - Kathrine Carscallen
3rd - Jo-Anne Dixon
4th - Emily Ekbom
5th- Perry Broadrick

Kids & Animals
1st - Shannon Ford
2nd - Kathrine Carscallen
3rd - Jon Jeremy Larsen
4th - Bethany Branstiter
5th - Shannon Ford

Portraits
1st - Chris Rhoads
2nd - Lindsey Bloom
3rd - Shannon Ford
4th - Lukas Strickland
5th - Bethany Branstiter

Scenic
1st - Bethany Branstiter
2nd - Ian Vincent
3rd - Kathrine Carscallen
4th - Sandy Coghill
5th - Bethany Branstiter

Sockeye
1st - Frances Bursch
2nd - Frances Bursch
3rd - Emily Mayer
4th - Frances Bursch
5th - Emily Mayer

New Waypoints Newsletter is Out

A new edition of the BBRSDA Waypoints newsletter is now available (link). Read all about upcoming BBRSDA meetings & events, recent marketing activities, and get the latest on the Pebble Mine. If you’re a Bristol Bay fisher or want to follow BBRSDA activities, feel free to sign up for our Waypoints newsletter here and we’ll send you each e-newsletter right to your inbox.

Board Member Rodvik Resigns, Ure Appointed to Seat

Hans Rodvik was elected and seated to the BBRSDA Board this past June. Mr. Rodvik has been the subject of controversy, due to his neutral stance on the Pebble Mine and the events surrounding his election. After nominations were closed for board seat elections, BBRSDA members mounted a write-in campaign which ultimately resulted in Nels Ure receiving more write-in votes. However, because write-in votes were not provided for in BBRSDA bylaws, Mr. Rodvik was seated on the board as the election winner. Mr. Ure was appointed to a non-voting ex-officio board seat. During the ensuing months many BBRSDA members expressed concern about Mr. Rodvik's position on the board due to his stance on the Pebble Mine.

At the recent September BBRSDA Board Meeting, Mr. Rodvik graciously resigned his board seat citing a desire to conserve organizational resources for mission-oriented activities. The BBRSDA Board of Directors would like to acknowledge that Mr. Rodvik conducted himself with an extraordinary level of class and professionalism during this difficult situation. Mr. Rodvik wishes to address BBRSDA members, as follows:

Dear BBRSDA Members,

At the conclusion of the September BBRSDA Board meeting I officially resigned from the BBRSDA Board of Directors. This was a difficult personal and professional decision as I care tremendously about our fishery and the success of the BBRSDA. I volunteered to serve on the Board because I believed I could bring a unique set of skills to the table and help, even in a small way, increase the value of our fishery.

As a Board member I wanted to see the BBRSDA continue its positive track record of building a brand, further increase consumer awareness of our product, achieve 100% chilling by the fleet, and drive up the price we get paid for our world class salmon. After reviewing the statutes and regulations that govern the BBRSDA, as well as our strategic plan, these were the areas I wanted to focus on as a Board member to get the most bang for your buck when it came to funding projects and work the BBRSDA does.

I didn’t focus on Pebble when I ran as I thought it fell outside the BBRSDA’s purview and scope of work. The court case that arose this summer dealt with many questions about the BBRSDA’s ability to act/weigh in on issues like Pebble. Even with that case’s outcome I still had reservations about the BBRSDA engaging in costly legal battles and other activities surrounding Pebble (not because I support the project – I am neutral on it), but because I felt our primary focus as an organization was to be about marketing, promotion, sales and quality.

Throughout the election process and after being seated on the Board, it became clear to me that many in the fleet have different ideas and priorities about what the BBRSDA should be spending its resources on. Furthermore, it was evident the fleet was not happy with how the election played out and concerned about my neutral stance on Pebble. I may not agree with some of the reasons why people didn’t want me on the Board, however I do fully respect their right to express their opinions and concerns. I heard the concerns and did my best to listen respectfully.

After much deliberation about my future on the Board, I determined it would be best for the organization and fleet if I resigned. In no way was I looking to get entangled in controversy or be the center of attention. I simply wanted to help move our fishery forward in a positive manner. Having the BBRSDA go through an extended period of conflict is something I wanted to avoid. I realized that being an effective Board member was going to be quite difficult given the circumstances before me. Therefore, in order to prevent your money from being spent on non mission-oriented activities I opted to resign and remove the problem completely.

I don’t regret running for the Board. I have learned many valuable lessons and met a number of you I hadn’t known before. I believe in the mission of the BBRSDA and want it to flourish for the benefit of us all.

In closing, I’d encourage the fleet to engage with the Board. Attend the meetings. Submit proposals. Email and call the Directors to know what is going on and how you can help. Sign up for the Waypoints email. If you’re on social media follow the BBRSDA’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as our BristolBaySockeye brand pages. Stay up to date on the projects and partnerships the BBRSDA is developing to market our fish. Pay attention to the quality guidelines and be aware of best practices to improve our product. For those who really want to be involved I recommend you run for the Board. The Staff and Board put in a tremendous amount of work for the benefit of each of us, and succeed even more when the fleet is trusting, supportive and behind the organization.

Thank you for your time. Have a safe winter everyone and good luck next season.

Sincerely,
Hans Rodvik

SWAMC is offering low-cost energy audits and access to a USDA REAP improvement grants

Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) is again offering low-cost energy audits and access to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) REAP improvement grant for small businesses in Southwest Alaska. So far, five Bristol Bay commercial fishers have used this program and received $54,000 in grant funding for energy efficiency improvements including RSW upgrades and adding hold insulation. 

All small, for-profit businesses in Southwest Alaska are eligible for the program including commercial fishing vessel owners and building owners – offices, warehouses, stores, restaurants, hotels, and more.

This is how the program works for commercial fishers. You sign-up for a targeted fishing vessel energy audit to identify the energy savings of upgrading or installing an RSW system, insulating fish holds, switching out lighting, installing high performance hydraulic pumps and gensets, and more. You use the energy audit report to apply for USDA’s improvement grant that covers 25% of the upgrade cost. We help you with the application process.  

For example, the cost of the targeted fishing vessel audit runs between $500 and $625. A commercial fisher looking to purchase an RSW system and have it professionally installed for $50,000 would be able to apply for a USDA grant that reimburses them for $12,500 of the system cost.

Keep in mind – All commercial fishers that live or fish (and store their vessel) in Bristol Bay, Kodiak, and the Aleutians are eligible.

Spots are filling up! Find out more on the program and how to register by emailing  energy@swamc.org, calling Jamie Hansen at 907.450.2461, or visitinghttp://www.southwestakenergy.org/.

AML Shipping Discounts Available Now

Need to ship your vessel south for upgrade or repair work? There’s a discount for that! Alaska Marine Lines (AML) has extended an agreement with BBRSDA to offer Bristol Bay fishermen a discount on shipping driftnet boats between Bristol Bay and Seattle for repair or upgrade work. This program can save BBRSDA members approximately $1,300 on the cost of round-trip shipping (discounted rates: $6,636 southbound and $6,780 northbound, not including fuel surcharges or other handling).

In order to qualify for the discount, you must be shipping a gillnet vessel from Dillingham or Naknek on a round-trip basis to Seattle and present a quote or an invoice from the vendor performing work on the vessel. Vessel length must not exceed 34’ in length or 15’ in width.

Contact your local AML office or call 1-800-950-4265 and ask about the Bristol Bay Fishermen’s Boat Repair Program to learn how you can benefit from this discount.

BBRSDA greatly appreciates AML’s service to the Bristol Bay fleet and them taking an active role in fleet development. Thank’s AML!

Other details: Measurements shall be the maximum dimensions including hitches, railings, etc. but not including swim steps and outdrives. Shipper must furnish necessary skids, cradles, chocks, crates or necessary devices to ensure safe handling. When a boat trailer is used, an additional flat charge of $748 will be assessed. Shipper will be responsible for inspecting and approving of the method, materials, and placement of the blocking and cradle devices. Shipper or his agent waives any right to claim for loss or damage that is associated with the blocking devices, cradles, or trailers. In Naknek, at the Port of Bristol Bay, 24 hours free time is allowed for boats or boat cradles. Boats and cradles remaining at the Port of Bristol Bay past the free time will be subject to additional charges as per the Port of Bristol Bay Tariff, charged directly to the boat owner. Boat lift charges in Naknek will be assessed at $443 for boats between 28-32’ in length, and $19 per additional linear foot. Rates include lifting/discharging boats from the water at Carrier’s terminal in Seattle, WA. For all other ports, Shipper must make boat lift arrangements directly with the applicable port authority. Booking must be accompanied with the cash deposit equaling 25% of ocean charges. The remainder of the balance is due at the time of shipment.