Scientific and Statistical Committee The Council approved the following reappointments for a one-year term to the SSC: Dr. Chris Anderson, Dr. Amanda Bishop, Dr. Jennifer Burns, Robert Clark, Dr. Sherri Dressel, Dr. Jason Gasper, Dr. Brad Harris, Dr. Anne Hollowed, Dr. George Hunt, Jr., Dr. Gordon Kruse, Dr. Dayv Lowry, Dr. Ian Stewart, Dr. Franz… Read More →
Solicitation for Charter Halibut Management Committee
The Council is seeking nominations for representatives from Area 2C and Area 3A from smaller communities off the road system to complement representation from larger, road system communities. Nominations are open until February 2, 2018. Please send a letter of interest and brief resume to steve.maclean@noaa.gov.
Charter Halibut Management Measures
The Council reviewed the ADF&G analysis of proposed management measures for charter halibut fisheries in Areas 2C and 3A, and recommended the following management measures for application in 2018: Area 2C If the allocation is 0.69 million pounds: one fish per day with a reverse slot limit U35:O80. No annual limit. If the allocation is below… Read More →
Annual CHP Trip Limits
The Council chose to take no action at this time on a proposal to establish annual charter halibut permit (CHP) trip limit categories. The proposal was suggested because the amount of effort expended in the fishery is one of the contributing factors to the overall charter halibut harvest, and increased effort can contribute to increasingly… Read More →
RQE Ownership Caps
The Council chose to postpone an action that considered increasing the CHP ownership caps for a future recreational quota entity (an RQE). Current Federal regulations limit individuals and entities from holding more than five CHPs (with some exceptions). The proposed action would allow an RQE to purchase and hold up to 30 percent of the… Read More →
Self-Guided Halibut Rental Boats
At this meeting, the Council identified a purpose and need statement and directed staff to develop an expanded discussion paper further exploring an unguided rental boat registration requirement. The Council took this action in response to a preliminary discussion paper that identified concerns that the Council would need to address in order to move forward… Read More →
BSAI Groundfish Harvest Specifications for 2018 and 2019
The Council approved the BSAI Groundfish SAFE report and annual catch limits after recommendations from its advisory committees. The SAFE report provides an overview of the assessed stocks as well as a timeline for the assessment frequency for all stocks. Based on consideration of stock prioritization, including assessment methods and data availability, some stocks are… Read More →
GOA Groundfish Harvest Specifications for 2018 and 2019
The Council approved the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) and recommended final harvest specifications for the 2018 and 2019 GOA groundfish fisheries. The 2017 GOA Groundfish SAFE includes stock status updates for all 24 stocks or stock complexes managed through the GOA Groundfish FMP. The Council also reviewed the… Read More →
Small Sideboards
At this meeting, the Council reviewed an initial review draft that analyzed a proposed action to revise federal regulations prohibiting directed fishing for species with sideboard limits insufficient to support directed fishing by non-exempt AFA vessels and crab vessels. NMFS would no longer publish these AFA and Crab Rationalization Program sideboard limits in the annual… Read More →
Bering Sea Pacific cod Trawl CV Participation
The Council reviewed a discussion paper that examined participation and effort in the Bering Sea trawl catcher vessel Pacific cod fishery, in response to a potential need to limit entry and participation in the trawl catcher vessel sector and the sector’s delivery of Bering Sea Pacific cod to Amendment 80 catcher/processor vessels acting as motherships.… Read More →
