Tag Archives: North Pacific Fishery Management Council
Harvest quotas set for 2015; pots for sablefish pondered
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted unanimously to approve the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska groundfish allocations for 2015. Bering Sea quotas – Gulf of Alaska quotas, Pots for the blackcod fishery? The council unanimously passed a request for further review on the possibility of allowing pots into the largely hook-and-line sablefish, or black cod, fishery in the Gulf of Alaska. Read the rest here 14:45
Trawlers defeat relief for halibut fishermen – Balk at Compensation
The emergency measure was opposed by the At-sea Processors Association, United Catcher Boats, and other industry groups. The failed emergency measure was part of the voting to set quotas for Bering Sea groundfish species, including the billion dollar pollock fishery. Trawlers feared that a reduction in halibut bycatch limits for trawlers could shut them down early, leaving their fish in the water. But halibut fishermen complain that the trawlers are allowed to waste more than they’ll be allowed to catch for the high-value market, a policy called “unacceptable” by St. Paul mayor Simeon Swetzof. Read the rest here 21:08
Dischner: Another year of halibut quota cuts on the table for 2015 (lots of info)
Pacific halibut fishermen could have a reduced catch next year if the International Pacific Halibut Commission opts to go with the “blue-line” projection released Dec. 2, but Alaskan fishermen in some areas may see a slightly higher quota than in 2014. The blue-line projection calls for a coastwide catch of about 25.02 million pounds million pounds, and total fishery removals of 38.72 million pounds. Read the rest here 13:12
Gulf of Alaska catch share proposals move to analysis
Catch shares in the Gulf of Alaska are one step closer after the North Pacific Fishery Management Council asked for analysis of an alternative structure to reduce bycatch and end the race to fish. Read the rest here 16:18
Council asks for analysis of Gulf of Alaska catch shares
After more than a day of staff reports and public testimony on a possible Gulf of Alaska trawl bycatch management program, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously agreed to a motion asking for formal analysis of a program that would allocate pollock and Pacific cod harvest privileges to trawl fishermen participating in voluntary cooperatives. Read the rest here 09:16
My Turn: It’s time for trawlers to pay their fair share – Pete Wedin, F/V Julia Lynn, Homer, AK
In short, in 2012, after 20 years of unchanged halibut bycatch limits for the Gulf of Alaska trawl fisheries, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council took action to reduce the halibut bycatch limit by 15 percent, to be phased in over three years.,,, At the end of the day, despite the council’s best efforts, thousands of kings and millions of pounds of halibut continue to be taken from the . This is wasted resource. Read the rest here 09:03
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting October 6-14, 2014 in Anchorage – Listen online
NPFMC will hold its 219th Plenary Session October 6-14, 2014 in Anchorage, Alaska at the Hilton Hotel, 500 W. 3rd Avenue. The AGENDA is available here , as well as the SCHEDULE OF EVENTS is here which has other meeting information. To access the meeting online, click here 12:46
Observer changes, Gulf ratz on tap for North Pacific council
Changes to the observer program and discussion of a possible Gulf of Alaska rationalization program are back on the menu at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s October meeting. The council, which will meet Oct. 8-14 in Anchorage, will also approve crab fishery catches, take final action on Pacific cod fishery for the Community Development Quota, or CDQ, fleet and take action on Bering Sea crab fishery provisions. Read the rest here 14:20
Tribes Request King Bycatch Reduction as Pollock Season Wraps Up
As the Pollock season wraps up in the Bering Sea, the Association of Village Council Presidents and the Tanana Chiefs Conference want immediate action to protect declining Western Alaska King Salmon stocks from trawl bycatch. Listen, and read the rest here 09:07
Opinion: What “Green Governor” Jay Inslee could do on World Oceans Day
This Sunday, people around the world will mark World Oceans Day by celebrating the water that unites us. Here in Seattle, we have the opportunity to preserve a critical part of the ocean that supports one of our greatest industries: the North Pacific commercial fishing industry. Read more here 11:22
North Pacific Fishery Management Council suggests observer program changes
The North Pacific Council took action to address issues with the revised marine observer program today, including getting rid of the vessel selection pool that put observers on certain smaller boats for 60 days at a time. Read more here 08:31
North Pacific Fishery Management Council takes up 2014-2015 crab catches
NOME — The North Pacific Fishery Management Council set lower catches for the Norton Sound red king crab and Aleutian Islands golden king crab fisheries today. For Norton Sound red king crab, the council set an overfishing limit, or OFL, of 460,000 pounds and an acceptable biological catch, or ABC, of 420,000 pounds. Read more here 00:22
Council convenes in Nome, familiar bycatch topics on tap
Bering Sea fishery issues will top the agenda when the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meets in Nome this month. Several agenda items revolve around incidental catches of halibut, chum and king salmon in the Bering Sea. The council will also discuss the Norton Sound red king crab fishery, a potential new Pacific cod fishery for the Community Development Quota organizations, and,,, Read more here 17:21
Managers meet, tackle state waters Gulf issues
Currently, the council is considering a rationalization program for trawlers targeting pollock, Pacific cod, and several other target and secondary species in the central Gulf of Alaska, western Gulf of Alaska and west Yakutat management areas. The most recent council motion asked for a discussion paper that looks at using cooperatives to help manage the fisheries, by allocating the quota to cooperatives, rather than individuals, with an option for fishers to remain outside of the cooperative structure, but not receive a direct allocation of quota. Read more here 19:20
Alaska: Commercial fishing groups, feds, testify on salmon management
Alaska has managed its own salmon since statehood, and neither party is questioning that. But the United Cook Inlet Drift Association and Cook Inlet Fishermen’s Fund, who brought the lawsuit forward in February 2013, want federal oversight of salmon management — and believes that is what congress has intended in its regulations of fish in federal waters. The National Marine Fisheries Service, however,, Read more here 08:02
NMFS Nears New Steller Sea Lion Restrictions
The new year will likely bring new fisheries to the western Aleutian Islands, now that the National Marine Fisheries Service has issued its final report on the way commercial fishing affects an endangered population of Steller sea lions. Read more here 07:00
Tonight in Political Inaction – Lu Dochtermann, a 72 year old still in his wheelhouse, and he wants some answers.
Lu Dochtermann, a 72 year old still in his wheelhouse for multiple annual fisheries, continues to obtain a simple and swift solution to the problem plaguing the North Pacific Halibut longline fleet.,,For weeks, Dochtermann has been asking for some immediate action, and today, again takes up the cause with Senator Lisa Murkowski and her fishery aide, Jay Sterne in Washington DC with the following email. Read more here 20:27
State, federal managers hear about Gulf of Alaska changes
Members of the Alaska Board of Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council met today in Anchorage to discuss the issues of mutual concern, including how to address changes coming for the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries. Read more here 13:09
North Pacific council asks for three Gulf of Alaska papers – how to manage bycatch – adaptive management quota – community fishing associations
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council asked for three discussion papers on issues associated with Gulf of Alaska trawl fisheries today. The 11-member council manages federal fisheries from three to 200 miles offshore from Alaska. Read more here 21:44
NMFS give go-ahead to new Steller sea lion management – Oceana “We cannot and will not,,,
The National Marine Fisheries Service announced April 2 that the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s preferred management measures to protect the western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions in the western Aleutian Islands would not cause jeopardy or adverse modification to the sea lion habitat. Read more here alaskajournal 17:24
North Pacific Fishery Management Council takes up sea lions, scallops and salmon in Anchorage April 9 to 14 Meeting
Fishing and tender vessels traveling in the walrus protection area at Bristol Bay could have a little more room to maneuver under action slated for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s April meeting. The council will also take up several other issues, including fishery management measures to protect Steller sea lions, the ongoing Bering Sea canyons issue, reports from various fishing cooperatives, a discussion of Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska salmon bycatch and the 2014 scallop harvest levels. Read more here 12:58
Reports scheduled on Gulf rationalization options Read more here
NMFS clears commercial fishing in sea lion habitat – Not if, but, When will Oceana sue?
After a research review, the NMFS is prepared to loosen controversial limits on commercial fishing in the western Aleutian Islands. That has cleared NMFS to open more fishing grounds in the western Aleutians, as early as next year. Michael LeVine says that’s pretty sudden. LeVine is a lawyer for Oceana, Read more here ktoo.org 12:37
Public Comments Split on Gulf of Alaska CFAs
On Monday night roughly two dozen community members filled the borough assembly chambers for the Kodiak Fisheries Work Group meeting. It was a long night of testimony, panel discussion and guest presentations, as the work group considered what recommendations it might pass on to the city council and borough assembly for bycatch management in the Gulf of Alaska trawl industry. Read more here 21:19
North Pacific Fishery Management Council acts on guide loophole, grenadiers; open seat debated
SEATTLE – Halibut guides and grenadiers will see management changes in coming years under action taken at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s February meeting. The council took final action to define a sportfishing guide at its February meeting, but a new regulation likely won’t be implemented until the 2015 fishing season, at the earliest. Grenadiers were added,, Read more@alaskajournal 15:47
Alaskans hear East Coast perspective on MSA
SEATTLE — Several members of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council participated in a workshop on the Magnuson-Stevens Act Tuesday organized by the Center for Sustainable Fisheries and National Fisherman magazine. The Center for Sustainable Fisheries is a New Bedford-based nonprofit. President Brian Rothschild was the primary speaker, offering his perspective on what changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act are needed. Read more@alaskajournal 09:26
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting February 5-11 continues, Listen Live
The agenda and supporting documents are available through npfmc.legistar.com, and through links on the Agenda. The meeting will be broadcast at npfmc.webex.com. The agenda will be continually updated with the associated documents. For information on how to access these documents through an app on an ipad called iLegislate, please call the office (907-271-2809). Details and info here 10:17
Coastal Villages Region Fund’s (CVRF) CUT IN HALF; LARGEST REDUCTION FOR ANY CDQ GROUP BY FAR
“Our residents are in for a rude awakening when they see CVRF’s 2014 halibut quota limit,” said CVRF Board Member Robert Pitka Sr. of Toksook Bay. “Our area has been overlooked for ages and halibut fishing has been abundant. We believe that there is enough halibut in our area to support an increase in quota, certainly not this massive reduction.” Read [email protected] 07:59
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting February 5-11 continues, Listen Live
The agenda and supporting documents are available through npfmc.legistar.com, and through links on the Agenda. The meeting will be broadcast at npfmc.webex.com. The agenda will be continually updated with the associated documents. For information on how to access these documents through an app on an ipad called iLegislate, please call the office (907-271-2809). Details and info here 12:20
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting February 5-11, 2014 – Seattle Wa.
The agenda and supporting documents are available through npfmc.legistar.com, and through links on the Agenda. The meeting will be broadcast at npfmc.webex.com. The agenda will be continually updated with the associated documents. For information on how to access these documents through an app on an ipad called iLegislate, please call the office (907-271-2809). Details and info here 22:15
