In July 2016, NMFS issued a Fisheries Allocation Policy Directive, which describes a mechanism to ensure fisheries allocations are periodically evaluated to ensure that OY is being achieved under current conditions. The policy and directives establish three steps in an allocation review process, with the first step occurring if a review trigger is met. Categories of triggers that can be used by a council to initiate an allocation review: public interest, time, or indicators. The councils are required to identify one or more triggers for each fishery with an allocation that meets the definition contained in the revised policy directive.
At its June meeting, the Council reviewed a discussion paper describing the new requirements for triggering an allocation review. Potential trigger approaches were examined and a list of allocations meeting the definition was developed. Based on this review and input from the AP, the Council adopted the following policy on allocation review triggers, which is posted on the Council website:
The Council identifies three non-LAPP allocations (the Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and the GOA and BSAI Cod Allocations), and LAPPs as subject to the allocation policy directive. The CDQ allocation is not subject to this review. The Council adopts the LAPP review process for meeting the allocation review policy with the necessary modifications to the LAPP review recommended by staff. The Council adopts the 10-year timeframe as the primary trigger criteria for review for non-LAPP allocations, and the existing Council public input process as the secondary trigger criteria for review. The Council will specify its approach to allocation review at final action for any future allocation decisions.
Staff contact is David Witherell.
