• Contact Us
  • Subscribe

North Pacific Fishery Management Council

Managing our Nation's Fisheries off the Coast of Alaska

  • Home
  • Meetings
    • Council Meetings
      • Current (or next) Council Meeting
      • Future Council Meetings
      • Archive of Council Meetings
      • Three Meeting Outlook (PDF)
      • Calendar
  • About
    • Overview
      • FAQ
      • Bob Mace Award
      • Management Policies
      • Navigating the Process
      • Staff
      • fisherycouncils.org
    • Engagement topics
      • Halibut Subsistence
      • Outreach: Salmon Bycatch
      • Northern Bering Sea Research Area
      • Community Quota Entity Program
  • Membership
    • Council and Committee Members
      • Council Members
      • Scientific and Statistical Committee
      • Advisory Panel
    • Committees
      • List of Committees
      • Charter Halibut Management Committee
      • Community Engagement Committee
      • Cook Inlet Salmon Committee
      • Ecosystem Committee
      • Enforcement Committee
      • Halibut ABM Stakeholder Committee
      • Halibut Management Committee
      • IFQ Committee
      • Joint Protocol Committee
      • Legislative Committee
      • PNCIAC
    • Fishery Management Plan Teams
      • Overview
      • Groundfish Plan Teams
      • Salmon FMP
      • Scallop Plan Team
      • BSAI Crab Plan Team
      • Social Science Planning Team
  • Fisheries
    • Halibut
      • Halibut Subsistence
      • Charter Halibut Management
        • Charter Halibut Management Committee
        • Halibut Charter Stakeholder Committee
      • Halibut Bycatch Overview
    • Groundfish
      • Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish
      • Groundfish Plan Teams
      • BSAI Groundfish FMP Doc
      • BSAI FMP Appendix
      • GOA Groundfish FMP Doc
      • GOA FMP Appendix
    • Crab and Scallop
      • BSAI Crab Plan Team
      • BSAI Crab FMP Doc
      • Scallop Plan Team
      • Scallop FMP Doc
    • Other FMPs
      • Salmon
      • Arctic
  • Current Issues
    • Habitat Protections
      • Overview
      • Bering Sea Canyons
      • Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)
      • Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC)
        • HAPC Proposals
      • Northern Bering Sea Research Area
      • Gear Modifications
    • Protected Species
      • Overview
      • Steller Sea Lions
      • Seals
      • Seabirds
      • Walrus
      • Whales
    • Catch Shares Allocation
      • CDQ Program
      • Community Quota Entity Program
      • Halibut/Sablefish IFQ Program
      • AFA Pollock Cooperatives
      • BSAI Crab Rationalization
      • GOA Rockfish Program
      • Amendment 80 Program
      • Pacific Cod Allocations
      • Cooperative Reporting
    • Other Conservation Issues
      • Alaska Marine Ecosystem Forum
      • Aleutian Islands Fishery Ecosystem Plan
      • Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan
      • Non Target Species Management
      • Observer Program
  • Bycatch Controls
    • Salmon Bycatch
      • Overview
      • BSAI Salmon Bycatch
      • GOA Salmon Bycatch
    • Crab Bycatch
      • Overview
      • BSAI Crab Bycatch
      • GOA Crab Bycatch
    • Halibut Bycatch
      • Overview
      • BSAI Halibut Bycatch
      • GOA Halibut Bycatch
    • GOA Trawl Bycatch
      • GOA Trawl Bycatch Management
  • Publications
    • Publications
      • Research Priorities
      • Scientific Papers
      • Summary Reports
      • NPFMC Newsletters
      • SAFE (Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation) Reports
    • Resources
      • Plan Teams
      • Related Links
      • Meeting Minutes
      • Council Mailings
      • NOAA Fisheries Policy Directives
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe

Ecosystem Committee

You are here: Home » Committees » Ecosystem Committee

The Council‘s Ecosystem Committee provides advice on specific Council analyses, considers North Pacific management in the light of national ecosystem discussions, and suggests new ways for the Council to engage in ecosystem-based management. Staff contact is Steve MacLean.

Membership →

(Updated 11/28/18)

  • Jim Ayers
  • Dave Benton
  • Jeremy Rusin, NMFS AFSC
  • Dave Fluharty
  • Rose Fosdick
  • Gretchen Harrington, NMFS Alaska Region
  • John Iani
  • Stephanie Madsen
  • Theresa Peterson, Co-Chairman
  • Bill Tweit, Co-Chairman

Items of interest

  • Council motion on Essential Fish Habitat Descriptions, Motion October 2016
  • Status of NPFMC Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Development Process and Actions, May 2014
  • Council’s Ecosystem Approach Vision Statement, adopted February 2014
  • Council motion on Ecosystem Committee path forward, February 2013

Meetings

  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2013-2014
  • 2009-2012
  • 2005-2008

2019

  • February 5 CANCELLED DUE TO PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

2018

  • November 27 via teleconference and https://npfmc.adobeconnect.com/eco1118/
    • AGENDA
    • REPORT
  • October 2, 2018 Hilton Hotel, Anchorage, AK. Teleconference (907) 271-2896
    • AGENDA
    • FEP Presentation
    • Minutes and Kawerak written comments
  • August 20, 2018 Teleconference (907) 271-2896
    • AGENDA
  • July 24, 2018 – BS FEP Review, Chart Room Hilton Hotel, Anchorage, Alaska
    • MINUTES
    • AGENDA
    • DRAFT Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan
    • FEP Team response to Feb 2018 Ecosystem Committee comments
    • FEP Team map of changes to goals/objectives
    • Draft FEP graphics
    • Draft Alaska Climate Change Policy
    • Teleconference at (907) 271-2896
    • Web Delivery at https://npfmc.adobeconnect.com/eco718/
  • June 5, 2018: 9AM – 5PM, Kodiak, Alaska. Teleconference at 907-586-7060, AdobeConnect web delivery at https://npfmc.adobeconnect.com/eco618/
    • AGENDA
    • Northern Fur Seal Presentation
    • Bathymetry Presentation
    • US Army Corps Dutch Harbor Dredging Presentation
    • Ecosystem Workshop Presentation
    • Minutes
  • February 6, 2018: 8 AM – 5 PM, Marion Rm Renaissance Hotel Seattle, Washington
    • AGENDA
    • Arctic Exploratory Fisheries Discussion Paper
    • Pre-DRAFT BS FEP
    • Minutes

2017

  • September 22, 2017: 9 AM – 5 PM, Traynor Rm – AFSC Seattle, Washington
    • AGENDA
    • Minutes
    • EBFM Papers
      • NOAA Science Advisory Board Report – 2014
      • NOAA Response to SAB Report
    • Arctic Fishery Papers
      • Van Pelt et al. 2017
      • Arctic CAO Compilation Report
  • April 4, 2017: 9 AM – 5 PM, Chart Room Floor 15 – Hilton Hotel Anchorage
    • AGENDA; Minutes
    • EFH information
    • BS FEP
    • Programmatic Groundfish Objectives
    • Lenfest report
  • January 31, 2017: 8 AM – 12 PM, Marion Room Renaissance Hotel
    • AGENDA
    • Minutes

2016

  • December 7, 2016: 9 AM – 12 PM, Hilton Hotel, Teleconference (907) 271-2896
    • AGENDA
    • EFH Fishing Effects – Proposed Methods for Analysis
    • EFH Non-Fishing Effects Report
  • October 3, 2016: 12 PM – 5 PM, Hilton Hotel, Lupine Room. Join at https://npfmc.adobeconnect.com/eco-10-3/  Teleconference (907) 271-6368
  • October 4, 2016: 9 AM – 12 PM, 605 West 4th Ave, Room 205, Anchorage. Join at https://npfmc.adobeconnect.com/eco-10-4/  Teleconference (907) 271-6368
    • Minutes
    • AGENDA
    • Draft Fishing Effects Methods 9/12/16
    • Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Policy DRAFT  9/9/15
    • Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Policy FINAL  5/23/16
    • Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Roadmap Comments  7/12/2016
    • Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Roadmap For Public Comments  8/17/16
    • Impacts to Essential Fish Habitat from Non-fishing Activities in Alaska – Initial Review Draft 9/20/16
  • April 4, 2016: 9:30 AM – 5 PM, Old Federal Building Room 205, Anchorage, AK
    • AGENDA
    • Minutes
  • February 2, 2016: 1-5 pm, Benson Hotel, Portland, OR
    • AGENDA
    • Minutes
    • Groundfish Policy Workplan presentation

2015

  • October 29-30, 2015:  1-5 pm October 29 and 9 am-12 noon October 30; 222 West 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK. Teleconference available by calling (907) 271-6368
    • Agenda
    • BS FEP discussion paper 10/22/15
    • Minutes 10/15
  • August 6-7, 9 am – 5 pm, Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute, Juneau, AK. Teleconference available by dialing (907) 586-7002
    • Agenda, Minutes 
    • BS FEP Discussion Paper
  • March 17-18 Workshop, Seattle, WA: agenda / minutes; appendices: Ecosystem Committee FEP approach, FEP Goals and Objectives
    • USCG PARS presentation, packet;
    • EFH presentation, SSC discussion in Feb 2015;
    • Deep Sea Corals presentation;
    • Bering Sea subsistence synthesis presentation
    • Lenfest FEP Taskforce update;
    • AFSC presentations on EBM science – Aydin, Holsman, Zador, Ortiz (video)
    • BS FEP synthesis of comments, approach/next steps

2014

  • September agenda / report; BS FEP (materials: Staff synthesis; Public comment – Nome, ICC, Marx; Lenfest FEP taskforce fact sheet; Pacific Council FEP); Ecosystem action plan; EFH 5 year review (2014 EFH research); Updates (National ocean acidification report; Science Advisory Board letter and report; AIRA draft summary report; US Corps of Engineers Nome update)
  • April agenda / report; BS Canyons, PSEIS SIR, EFH 5 year review, updates
  • February agenda / report; Ecosystem vision statement (Council motion), BS FEP, updates

2013

  • December agenda / report; EBM vision statement
  • September workshop agenda / report; EBM vision statement, AI FEP, Arctic FMP, BS Corals, BS research closures; Presentations: Kurland, Lederhouse, Dugan, Sigler, Ayers, Zador, Ianelli, Aydin, Fluharty, Levin, Tweit
  • June agenda / report; BS canyons, MONF3 update, EBM workshop
  • March teleconference report; Norton Sound mining/EFH
  • February agenda / report; BBRKC, AI risk assessment, deep sea corals, Norton Sound mining/EFH, EBM planning (Council motion)

2012

  • March agenda/report EFH consultation process, EBM planning
  • January agenda/report Skate HAPC, BBRKC/EFH, deep sea coral research

2011

  • March agenda/report EFH amendments, BBRKC/EFH, EBM planning
  • February agenda/report EFH amendments, Skate HAPC, sablefish habitat conservation, NBSRA research plan, EBM planning

2010

  • April agenda/report EFH 5 yr review, HAPC process, AIET terms of reference, NBSRA research plan
  • January – joint meeting with Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Team – Agenda/Report; AI FEP, national CMSP framework

2009

  • December Agenda/Report; AK– MPA framework nominations, Ocean Policy Framework and MSP, EFH 5 yr review, HAPC process, NBSRA research plan
  • February  Agenda/Report; Arctic FMP

2008

  • September meeting, Anchorage, AK– Agenda/Report; Arctic FMP, AI FEP, AMEF update
  • May meeting, Seattle, WA– Agenda/Report; Arctic FMP, AI FEP, NOAA Integrated Services Plan
  • February, Seattle, WA– Agenda/Report; Arctic FMP, AI FEP, AMEF and other updates

2007

  • August meeting, Juneau, AK– Agenda/Report; Arctic FMP, AI FEP, AMEF and other updates
  • May meeting, AFSC, Seattle, WA– Agenda/Report; AI FEP
  • February meeting, Portland, OR– Agenda/Report; AI FEP

2006

  • October teleconference– Agenda/Report AMEF, Natl Ocean Research Priorities, AI FEP
  • May meeting in Seattle– Agenda/Report; AI FEP, AMEF and other updates
  • February meeting in Seattle– Agenda/Report; AMEF, AI FEP

2005

  • December meeting in Anchorage– Agenda/Report; AMEF, MSA reauthorization, AI FEP, other updates
  • June meeting in Girdwood– Agenda/Report; AMEF, AI FEP, EAM updates
  • April meeting in Anchorage– Agenda/Report; MONF2, AFSC ecosystem updates, AMEF, AI FEP
  • March teleconference– Agenda/Report; MONF2, AMEF
  • February meeting in Seattle– Agenda/Report; Committee mission statement, review of national materials

History

The Council founded its Ecosystem Committee in 1996, with then-Council member Dr. Dave Fluharty as chairman. Its purpose was to provide advice to the Council, to serve as an educational forum on ecosystem issues, to interact with the groundfish Plan Teams and to provide direction and feedback for specific ecosystem related research projects. Over the next few years, the Committee developed a working definition of ecosystem-based management in the context of the NPFMC, provided advice on the Council’s essential fish habitat (EFH) actions, and provided direction for the development of the Ecosystem Considerations chapter in the annual groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation reports.

In 2004, the Council reconstituted its Ecosystem Committee with a new membership, and then-Council Chair Ms. Stephanie Madsen as chair. The committee’s mission statement was to discuss current ecosystem-related initiatives and assist in shaping Council positions relative to:

  1. defining ecosystem-based management;
  2. structure and Council role in potential regional ecosystem councils;
  3. implications of NOAA strategic plan;
  4. draft guidelines for ecosystem-based approaches to management;
  5. draft MSA provisions or requirements relative to ecosystem-based management; and
  6. generally coordinating with NOAA and other initiatives regarding ecosystem-based management.

During the next several years, the Committee was instrumental in the development of Aleutian Islands Fishery Ecosystem Plan (AI FEP), and the memorandum of understanding creating the Alaska Marine Ecosystem Forum. The Committee also advised the Council on the Arctic Fishery Management Plan (FMP), EFH, and habitat of particular concern (HAPC) issues.

In February 2013, the Council once again rearticulated the Committee’s purpose, and added two new members to the Committee, including a new chairman, Council member Bill Tweit. In response to Committee discussions, the Council requested the Committee both to continue to provide advice on immediate Council issues, but also to take a longer-term view of how the Council could take a leadership role in the continuing evolution of ecosystem-based management (EBM).

Upcoming Meetings

View Calendar →

Recent Updates

Archive of Council Meetings

Current (or next) Council Meeting

NPFMC Newsletters

Halibut/Sablefish IFQ Program

Future Council Meetings

Photo Stream

More Photos →

Newsletters

All →

Subscribe to our Agenda/Newsletter:

Contact Info

View Map →

North Pacific Fishery Management Council 605 West 4th, Suite 306 Anchorage, Alaska 99501-2252 Phone: (907) 271-2809 Fax: (907) 271-2817 northpacificcouncil@gmail.com

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2019. North Pacific Fishery Management Council. All Rights Reserved. · Website by Sundog Media LLC. Log in