Aleutians

A magnitude 7.9 earthquake early Tuesday is what is known as a strike-slip, or when two large blocks move side-to-side instead of up-and-down. That, and it’s distance from shore may explain why tsunami waves were so small.

Reporters in many coastal communities say tsunami evacuations have been called off. Tsunami advisories remain in effect in some areas. Initially, no damage was reported from the earthquake itself.

The recall election of Unalaska Mayor Frank Kelty is set for March 6. A recall petition signed by 172 community members seeks to remove him due to allegations of misconduct in office – specifically attempting to sole-source land use agreements for the Unalaska Marine Center positions 5-7.

The processor F/V Akutan was abandoned in Unalaska’s Captains Bay in September following a disastrous fishing season in Bristol Bay where the ship’s owner went broke, the crew went unpaid, and it’s 158,000 pound haul of salmon was declared unfit for human consumption.

Colvin believes he was pushed out by Public Safety Director Mike Holman while the interim city manager was out of town. Citing personnel issues, the City of Unalaska is limited in what they can say about Colvin’s departure.

A dispute over a fishing company’s tax bill is challenging Alaska’s fisheries resource landing tax on constitutional grounds. The landing tax is crucial for fishing dependent communities that receive half the revenue.