News

Humboldt Bay commissioner Greg Dale loses job at Coast Seafoods

Major shellfish wholesaler Coast Seafoods has terminated Greg Dale, a Humboldt Bay official who says the separation will ease his conflict of interest in future harbor decisions involving his now former employer.

Dale’s most recent title was coastal operations manager for Coast Seafoods, the largest producer of shellfish in California and a prominent seafood company at the harbor. Since 2011, Dale has served on the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District’s board of commissioners.

Waterkeeper's Safety Recommendations for COVID-19

Since the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been detected in wastewater, Waterkeeper Alliance recommends against fishing, surfing, or swimming in waters near communities with a COVID-19 outbreak, especially following a rainstorm. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Coastal Commissioner Steve Padilla hospitalized with COVID-19

Coastal Commissioner and Chula Vista Councilmember Steve Padilla was admitted to the hospital and placed on a respirator to aid with difficulty breathing associated with COVID-19. Padilla, who has asthma, asked his daughter to pass on this message:

“Everyone needs to take COVID-19 seriously. Please follow the advice of our public health professionals to reduce spread of the virus and take precautions to keep your families and our community safe.”

He had recently traveled through the San Jose Airport, where multiple TSA agents have tested positive.

Island of Resilience: The Wiyot Reclaim Their Land and Culture from a Dark Past

This past October, the City of Eureka returned the island to the Wiyot people. Although in 2014 the Wiyot Tribe was able to complete the World Renewal Ceremony that was cut short by the massacre, this March, they will be holding this sacred ceremony on their own island. The land, which has long been known as Indian Island, will now be called by the Wiyot name, Tuluwat Island. This unconditional return of land by a U.S. city to its original Native owners is a historic opportunity for both the tribe and the island to heal.

“This story tells you that you can change history,” said Tribal Administrator Michelle Vassel. “But it doesn’t happen just because it’s right. It takes a lot of people working over time.”

Nordic’s fish farm plans beginning to take shape

While they’re not exactly finalized, a Norwegian company’s plans for a proposed fish farm at the site of a former pulp mill are starting to take shape.

“It takes about two years to build it,” said Marianne Naess, Nordic Aquafarms’ commercial director, at a meeting attended by a couple dozen people at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka on Tuesday night.

Nordic Aquafarms is still going through the permitting process to build the $400 million on-land fish farm on the Samoa Peninsula, but Naess said she expects the company to complete that process this summer and start demolition of the old buildings within a year to a year-and-half. Construction will likely start in 2021 or 2022, meaning fish will be on the market around 2024 or so, Naess said.

In terms of the soil and groundwater, Erik Nielsen, of SHN, said “they’re chipping away at the facility as things become available” because the buildings that remain are blocking their ability to check for dioxins and heavy metals, but so far the results are favorable.