The Council made the following appointments during the meeting. Advisory Panel The following members of the AP were reappointed to a 3-year term: James Johnson, Mellisa Johnson, Matt Upton, and Anne Vanderhoeven. Also, John Gruver was reappointed for a 1-year term, and Brian Ritchie was appointed to complete the term of Daniel Donich’s seat, which… Read More →
Observer Annual Deployment Plan
The Council received a report on the Final Observer Program 2021 Annual Deployment Plan (ADP). This report highlighted changes to the report since the Council’s review of the Draft ADP in October. The 2021 ADP uses the Council’s recommended port-based approach for partial coverage observer deployment, consistent with the redesigned 2020 ADP that is responsive… Read More →
Charter Halibut
The Council approved management measures for charter halibut fishing in Areas 2C and 3A in 2021 that will be submitted for approval by the IPHC at its annual meeting in January 2021. The measures approved by the Council were developed by the Charter Halibut Management Committee based on analyses provided by ADF&G as well as… Read More →
Cook Inlet Salmon
The Council took final action on Cook Inlet salmon by selecting Alternative 4 – Federal management with the Cook Inlet EEZ closed to commercial salmon fishing, as its preferred alternative. Following Secretarial approval, the Council’s action will amend the Salmon FMP by removing an exclusion from federal management that applies to a portion of Cook… Read More →
BSAI Groundfish Specifications
The Council reviewed the Ecosystem Status Reports for the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea, approved the BSAI Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report, and made final recommendations on groundfish harvest specifications, prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and halibut Discard Mortality Rates (DMRs) to manage the 2021 and 2022 BSAI groundfish fisheries. Harvest and… Read More →
GOA Groundfish Specifications
The Council approved the 2020 Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report and recommended final harvest specifications for the 2021 and 2022 GOA groundfish fisheries. For final rulemaking for the 2021 and 2022 fishing years, the Council recommended OFLs and ABCs consistent with SSC recommendations, and final TACs. The Council… Read More →
BSAI Pacific Cod Pot LLP Licenses
The Council received an initial review draft analysis of alternatives that could modify the number of License Limitation Program (LLP) licenses endorsed to fish for BSAI Pacific cod with pot gear as a catcher-processor. The current number of licenses holding that endorsement is eight. The analysis was moved forward for public review, at which point… Read More →
BSAI Trawl CV Pacific Cod LAPP
At this meeting, the Council conducted an initial review of an analysis for a Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Pacific cod trawl catcher vessel (CV) limited access privilege program (LAPP). After reviewing the analysis, the Advisory Panel’s recommendation, and listening to public testimony, the Council modified the purpose and need statement to include minimizing… Read More →
Staff Tasking
The Council discussed the relative priority and scheduling of previously tasked projects, and provided guidance to the Chair and Executive Director about which items to prioritize for February and subsequent meetings. The revised 3 meeting outlook reflects this guidance, along with the posted February eAgenda. Council meetings, including Plan Team and Committee meetings, will be… Read More →
Upcoming Meetings
Before February Council meeting Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Taskforce on Climate Change – Dec 14 and 16, 2020 BSAI Crab Plan Team –January 11-15, 2021 Community Engagement Committee – January 12, 2021 Ecosystem Committee –January 26, 2021 Enforcement Committee – January 28, 2021 (T) Finance/Executive Committee –January 29 (T) – Executive Session, not open… Read More →
