After review of a staff discussion paper, the Council drafted a suite of alternatives to establish abundance-based halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the BSAI groundfish fisheries, for preliminary analysis. The discussion paper synthesized staff work on ABM control rules and their relative performance compared to Council objectives, using the Council’s draft suite of… Read More →
Staff Tasking
In addition to discussing the relative priority and scheduling of previously tasked projects, the Council took the following actions and clarified direction and tasking for its committees: Initiated an analysis to adjust regulations implementing the Aleutian Islands Pacific cod set aside for catcher vessels delivering to shore-based processors in Aleutian Islands communities (implemented under BSAI… Read More →
Regulatory Reform
The Regulatory Reform agenda and requirements in Executive Order (E.O.) 13771 and E.O. 13777 require NMFS, as part of the Department of Commerce, to evaluate existing regulations and make recommendations regarding repeal, replacement, or modification, consistent with applicable law. As the fishery management plans and associated regulations for the conservation and management of the federally… Read More →
Research Priorities
Every year, the SSC and Council review five-year research priorities. This is an obligation under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and publication of Council research needs informs research and funding entities about potential research opportunities. Following annual review at the June 2017 meeting, the Council expressed a desire to streamline its annual review process. In April 2018,… Read More →
Northern Edge 2017 Report
John Mosher and Andrea Balla-Holden from the U.S. Navy provided an after-action presentation on Northern Edge 2017 joint training exercise that was completed May 1-12, 2017, in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The Council had previously received a presentation from the Alaska Command and the U.S. Navy explaining plans for the Northern Edge 2017 joint… Read More →
Charter Halibut Economic Data
The Council requested that staff develop a brief framework on economic data needs for the upcoming 2021 Halibut Catch Sharing Plan allocation review. The framework will be available for review and approval by the Council at the June 2018 meeting. It is anticipated that data gaps would inform the Council’s research priorities regarding research projects… Read More →
Community Engagement and Outreach
In response to public testimony in February and April, and a staff discussion paper on the Council’s approach to outreach in recent years, the Council expressed interest in creating a community engagement and outreach committee. The Council will further discuss the purpose and scope of such a committee at the June 2018 meeting. The discussion… Read More →
NIOSH Report
At the April Council meeting, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provided a presentation on safety and health in Alaska’s Commercial fishing and seafood processing industry. Information from the presentation showed Alaska commercial fishing fatalities declining faster than US commercial fishing fatalities. The presentation also included information on surviving fishing vessel sinkings… Read More →
Upcoming Meetings
Here is the revised Three-Meeting Outlook resulting from this Council meeting. Fishing Families Workshop, May 7, 5:15-7:15 pm Birch/Willow Room, Anchorage Hilton Crab Plan Team meeting, May 8-10, Anchorage, AK Social Science Planning Team meeting, May 8-9, Anchorage, AK OAC Subgroup teleconference, May 11, 9am-12pm EM Workgroup meeting, May 15, AFSC, Seattle, WA Observer Advisory… Read More →
