The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that with one week remaining until the application period for participation in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab fisheries, it has only received about half the applications expected.
Participation in the crab quota system is part of the new "rationalization" management system in the area's crab fisheries.
"The application period began April 4. We've received about 220 applications so far," wrote Phil Smith, director of NOAA's restricted access program in Alaska, in a press release. The application period ends June 3, and no late applications will be accepted.
The crab rationalization program allocates harvesting and processing privileges for king and tanner crab fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands to fishermen and processors, and an application is necessary to obtain shares. The program is designed to increase efficiency, provide stability and reduce the number of boats competing for crab.
Those cultivating bonsai trees — miniaturized trees grown under the art of training — have a new supplier in Jahnsai Bonsai. The store specializes in both indoor and outdoor bonsai trees, and carries tools, pottery and books on bonsai. The owners, John Sheipe and Beth Carroll, also hold regular workshops in beginner and advanced bonsai. The store is located on 3601 Main St. Sheipe and Carrol can be reached at 235-9445 or jahnsai.bonsai@gmail.com.
Spit Sisters, a new coffee shop featuring food from Two Sisters Bakery, will have a grand opening Saturday at its location near Sockeye Thai on the Harbor View Boardwalk at the Homer Spit. The shop's hours are from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jeanne Sims has begun tapestry work in the area again under a new business name, Homer Tapestry. Sims is the original founder of Kachemak Tapestry. Her line of work, which also includes soft luggage, can be found at Ptarmigan Arts, The Cove Gallery in Kenai, and at various shows this summer.
The Kenai Wild Program, part of the nonprofit Cook Inlet Salmon Brand Inc., will hold a fishermen's quality training event in Kenai at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Building on K-Beach Road. The event is free. Attendees should be salmon fishermen with Area H permits. Membership applications for Kenai Wild can be found at www.kenaiwild.org. The event will run approximately 90 minutes.
Northern Enterprises Boat Yard announced it has purchased a new Marine Travelift mobile boat hoist, possibly the "largest radio remote toy in town," according to owner Ken Moore. As a result, the company hopes to be more dependable and faster taking care of its customers.Crab applications trickle in
Bonsai hits Homer
Sisters' set grand opening
Tapestry business back in
Kenai Wild to train fishermen
Boat yard adds lift
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