INFORMATION BULLETIN (02-31)          April 26, 2002
 Sustainable Fisheries Division        4:00 p.m.             
 907-586-7228                         

                                
                                
      THE WASHINGTON SEA GRANT PROGRAM PRESENTS WORKSHOPS 
 ON SEABIRD 'BYCATCH' AVOIDANCE IN SITKA, ALASKA ON MAY 6, 2002
               AND CORDOVA, ALASKA ON MAY 7, 2002
                                
                                
The Washington Sea Grant Program (WSGP) is presenting a series
of workshops on Seabird 'Bycatch' Avoidance for commercial
longliners in several Alaska ports, according to James W.
Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS). 

A question and answer session will follow the one hour
presentation on the status of Short-tailed Albatross and other
seabirds, research findings on seabird incidental catch
deterrents, use of streamer line deterrents, and recommended
seabird avoidance regulations and their enforcement. Speakers
include Greg Balogh, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Ed Melvin,
WSGP, and Kim Rivera and Mark Kirkland, NMFS.

To date, workshops are scheduled for Sitka and Cordova.  The
Sitka workshop will be facilitated by Dan Falvey, Alaska
Longline Fishermen's Association, and held on May 6 at the
Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA)
Meeting Room, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road at 7 PM. The Cordova
workshop will be facilitated by Dan Hull, Cordova District
Fishermen United, and held on May 7 at the Labor Hall on Main
Street at 7 PM.

There is no cost to attend the workshops.  Free streamer lines
will be available.

For further information contact Ed Melvin, WSGP, (206)543-9968
or Kim Rivera, (907)-586-7424.