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Southeast Alaska salmon purse seine permit holders have voted to approve a $10,127,988 loan to remove 36 permits.  The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) mailed ballots to all 315 permit holders.  As of the March 6, 2019, voting deadline, NMFS received 206 timely and valid votes; 180 of which approved the loan.  This exceeded the majority of permit holders (158) required to approve the loan.  Upon receiving notice from the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission that the 36 permits have been relinquished, NMFS will tender payment to the permit holders on or about April 15, 2019.  The notice published in the Federal Register regarding the results of the referendum can be found here.

The National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) is experiencing delays in issuing Certificates of Documentation (COD) as result of the federal government shutdown.  In recognition of the need to minimize the effects of the delays on the maritime community, including the commercial fishing industry, the Coast Guard has agreed to allow fishing vessels to operate with an expired COD provided a renewal application has been submitted to the NVDC.  Vessel owners should be prepared to present evidence, upon request, that a renewal application was submitted.  The official Coast Guard notice can be found here.