SRKW Archives

New study of salmon abundance prompts a rethink of endangered killer whale decline

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Nov 25, 2024 | Local News, Syndicated

Some new research is challenging the established scientific thinking about why an endangered population of killer whales in Puget Sound continues to be in jeopardy. The animals were at the center of a 4-year legal battle that nearly brought an end to the commercial king salmon fishery in Southeast Alaska. The lawsuit is resolved, but the science behind it is continuing to evolve. Read More

Three Alaska trollers contemplate a summer without chinook

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | May 17, 2023 | Local News, Syndicated

Without a successful stay, appeal, or other eleventh-hour legal relief, Alaska trollers will be prohibited from catching king salmon this coming season. The court ruling will affect every troller professionally, of course, but there will also be grief and uncertainty in other aspects of their lives. Three Sitka trollers share their views on a summer without chinook. Read More

Gov. Dunleavy says state prepared to appeal killer whale lawsuit to Supreme Court if necessary

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Jan 31, 2023 | Local News, Syndicated

Taking off the gloves at last, Gov. Mike Dunleavy assured a caller on Tuesday's "Talk of Alaska" (1-31-23) that the state would fight the Wild Fish Conservancy lawsuit to the US Supreme Court, if necessary. Read More

US Court ruling on endangered killer whales likely won’t shut down Southeast trolling. But it could force a rewrite of federal fisheries policy

by Robert Woolsey, KCAW | Aug 17, 2022 | Local News, Syndicated

A federal judge in Seattle has ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated a key provision of the Endangered Species Act in 2019, when NMFS published research on the harvest of king salmon in Southeast Alaska – and failed to address its impact on a small population of killer whales in Puget Sound. Read More