A big win for trollers

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today issued an opinion reversing a lower court ruling that could have idled Southeast Alaska Chinook salmon trollers.

A troller speaks out

An ongoing lawsuit that threatens to close their fishery has Southeast Alaska salmon trollers agitated, none more so than David Richey, who bought a full page in the Daily Sitka Sentinel to argue the suit is misguided.

Trolling for help

The Alaska Trollers Association is asking the City and Borough of Sitka for $25,000 to help fight a lawsuit that threatens to close the Southeast Alaska Chinook troll fishery.

Here's a letter from the association's president, Matt Donohoe.

And here's a background legal summary from the association's attorney.

The Sitka Assembly is set to consider the funding request on Jan. 10.

Trollers 'outraged' over Chinook quota

The summer troll season for Chinook salmon in Southeast Alaska will open July 1.

But the state announcement fails to clearly spell out the quota.

The Alaska Trollers Association says the quota is 237,000 fish. And the trollers are outraged.