The IFQ Committee met on Monday, April 1, and reviewed three documents that came before the Council at this meeting: CQE fish-up in halibut Area 3A, IFQ eligibility criteria, and small sablefish discards. Committee comments and recommendations were presented to the Council under each agenda item and are summarized in the minutes. The Committee’s other business addressed the desire for the Council to define the term “owner-operator” in regards to the IFQ Program’s original objectives, requested routine updates on the cost recovery fees charged to the IFQ fisheries, and requested that IFQ-related agenda items be consolidated into review packages that come before the Council during meetings do not coincide with the timing of the fishery.
The Council did not take any action under this agenda item. However, under the Staff Tasking agenda item the Council expressed its desire to receive the three-year review of the GOA sablefish longline pot fishery as soon as is practicable following the conclusion of the 2019 fishing season.
The Council also received a report on the Whale Depredation Workshop that was held on Monday evening, April 1. The event brought together fishermen, stock assessment scientists, SSC members, Council members, and other stakeholders to discuss this issue of sablefish depredation off of longline gear. Stock assessment scientists described how depredation is presently monitored and accounted for, fishermen shared their experiences with depredating whales, and all attendees had an opportunity to discuss avenues for cooperative research to enhance data collection and application. Staff prepared a report on the proceedings which was presented to the Council under the Staff Tasking agenda item.
Staff contact is Sam Cunningham.
