Flexible Foam Insulation Deadline March 15, 2012

Chilling Products Application

Vessel Upgrade Program

With more fish buyers paying chilling bonuses for iced fish, BBEDC wants to make sure that all CDQ resident fishers have access to the tools they need to chill their salmon.

If you are a BBEDC community commercial fisher who has not received insulated totes or slush ice bags in the past, you need to apply by Feb. 1 to receive them in time for the 2012 season.

• Insulated totes are most often used to hold ice, but some fishers use them as bleeding tanks or to keep fish cold. BBEDC totes are available in two sizes: the larger tote is approximately 44”x44” by 30” high and holds about 800 pounds of ice; the smaller totes are approximately 44”x24” by 30” high and hold about 400 pounds. Resident fishers can request one of the following options; two large totes, three small totes, or two small and one large tote. This is a one-time opportunity for resident fishers, so please don’t request replacements if you’ve received totes from BBEDC previously. To receive insulated totes for 2012, orders must be placed by Feb. 1.
  
  
• Slush ice bags, custom made of heavy duty vinyl to fit in your fish holds, hold a mix of ice and water. Your brailer fits inside the slush bag and fish go in the brailer to be chilled by the cold water flowing through the mesh. The water and ice stays behind in the slush bag when the brailer is lifted out. (Don’t put ice in the brailer itself that won't melt before you deliver; too much will slow down your delivery).  
  
  Since slush bags are custom-built to fit your fish hold, fish holds need to be measured carefully to properly size the slush bag. It’s OK to size the bags longer on one side than the other if that’s what you need. Generally slush bags should be just slightly larger than your brailer, and big enough to fit against the hull and any bulkheads or bin boards without hanging suspended in the air.
  To receive slush bags for 2012, orders must be placed by Feb. 1.
  
  BBEDC’s slush bag distribution began in 2004, and we’re aware that some are wearing out. Replacements are not available at this time. BBEDC does have vinyl material to patch slush bags available upon request.

BBEDC's Chilling Products Program has two additional options to help resident fishers
chill their catch and improve fish quality:

• Flexible Foam Insulation is the easiest to access and is provided free to resident fishers. The foam sheeting is used to line fish holds to keep ice from melting and keep fish cold longer. The half-inch-thick foam comes in a 60-inch wide roll, doesn’t absorb water and can be removed for cleaning. To order the insulating foam, along with a chilling products application you must provide a sketch of the layout of your fish holds with their dimensions to show how many square feet of insulation you need. Multiply the depth, length and width of your fish holds to determine the total square feet. Requests for rolled insulating foam made after March 15 cannot be guaranteed.
  
  
• A limited number of vessel improvement grants are also available to help upgrade boats and skiffs in ways that will improve fish quality. The amount of the grant has been increased to $10,000 per vessel, and the program has been expanded to include deck improvements and fish hold modifications and repairs in addition to insultation. Although these grants are a one time opportunity for resident fishers, those who received a previous grant of up to $5,500 can still apply for the balance -- up to a total of $10,000 -- by meeting all the requirements of the vessel improvement grant program. Applicants must provide a detailed description of their boat and the work to be done that includes photos, a materials list, work schedule and a cost estimate. You must receive a signed commitment from BBEDC before beginning the work, and BBEDC will not disburse any money without proof that the work is complete and satisfactory.
  
  Contact your community liaison, BBEDC’s Regional Fisheries Coordinator or visit the Fishing Vessel Upgrade page for more information.

2012 TOTE & SLUSH BAG ORDER DEADLINES The Feb. 1, 2012 deadline for insulated totes and slush bags will be strictly enforced in order to avoid delivery delays. Similarly, requests for rolled insulating foam made after March 15 cannot be guaranteed.

Download a Chilling Products Application

Download an Affadavit of Residency