The TAA programs were originally designed to compensate farmers who are hurt by foreign competition stemming from free trade agreements. Last August, the program was expanded to include farmers of the sea - commercial fishermen. That opened the door for Alaska salmon fishermen, long clobbered by foreign imports of cheap farmed fish, to become eligible for cash benefits up to $10,000 annually through the USDA. Another TAA program through the U.S. Department of Labor provides job retraining or relocation and other federal benefits.

So far, 4,800 salmon fishermen have applied for the TAA benefits - and 25 percent have been rejected. The problem stems from their IRS Schedule C documents not showing the required net fishing income decline (from 2001 to 2002) because of various adjustments, according to Mark Vinsel, director of United Fishermen of Alaska. "In many cases, fishermen made less money but their Schedule C's simply don't reflect it," Vinsel said.

"What I'm hearing from many fishermen is that they had a decline in fishing income, but they may have had more expenses in 2001 than in 2002. So it made the bottom line appear that they had higher net fishing income," Vinsel explained, adding: "Or vice versa, some anticipated a poor season in 2002 and they cut their expenses to the bone. And again, their net income appeared to be just slightly higher than in 2001 even though they made less money."

UFA, which represents more than 30 diverse fishing groups, is working closely with Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office to make the TAA program less reliant on Schedule C's, or to waive the net fishing income requirement altogether. Fishermen have 30 days from the receipt of their rejection letters to appeal the decision, and Vinsel said people should not give up hope.

"Fishermen are in a farmer's program and it's not always the best fit. People forget that it was originally designed to help fish farm workers. But this is the first year of the program, and it is a step forward to even be eligible for the program," Vinsel said.

Anyone needing help in working through the TAA appeal process can contact UFA in Juneau at (907) 586-2820 or USDA Farm Service Agent Chad Padgett in Palmer at (907) 761-7738.

New fish degree

A degree program in fisheries technology is being offered at the University of Alaska in Ketchikan. Starting this fall, students can achieve a one-year certificate and a two-year associate of applied science degree in fisheries technology. The new program, which was approved in April by the university board of regents, is the only two-year program in the state focusing on broad fisheries technician training. The goal is to help develop fisheries technicians with academic and practical skills in fish and invertebrate culture, fisheries habitat analysis, fish stock assessment and wild stock management for both the public and private sector.

More on omega 3s

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recently issued a statement praising the Food and Drug Administration for allowing nutrient content claims for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids - and wild salmon tops its list.

"At a time when about a third of all cancer cases are related to nutrition, physical activity and other lifestyle factors, AICR urged the FDA to take this step so that the public will be better informed about those foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids," the AICR said in a press release. Of special importance for AICR is to help consumers identify foods high in DHA and EPA, two omega-3 fatty acids that have been associated with lower cancer risks.

In its advice to eat more fish, the statement urges limiting intake of farmed salmon. The AICR also pointed out that Americans eat too much food with omega-6 fats found in vegetable oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower and soybean oil. These are commonly used in processed snacks, baked products and commercial salad dressings. AICR researchers expressed concern that American diets are overloaded with omega-6 fats and deficient in omega-3 fats, a state of affairs that has been linked to increased cancer risk.

"The ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s in the current American diet has been measured as high as 15-to-1," said Melanie Polk, director of nutrition education at AICR. To put that figure in perspective, in countries consuming a traditional plant-based diet, the ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s is closer to 4-to-1, or even 2-to-1. The ratio of omega fats in a given diet has been linked to heart disease for years, but new research suggests that it seems to have a direct effect on cancer risk, Polk said. Her previous AICR-funded research has demonstrated that omega-3s also have a potential role in helping chemotherapy drugs work more effectively and in reducing side effects from cancer treatment.