The evening before the Council meeting, fishing industry and other involved groups hosted a seafood buffet and reception at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in downtown Seattle. Many people had attended the Ecosystem Research Workshop held at the same location earlier in the day and were able to continue their conversations in a relaxed setting. Thank… Read More →
Elections and Appointments
The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) elected Anne Hollowed and Gordon Kruse as co-Chairs of the SSC for 2018. Dr. Hollowed chaired the February meeting, and will chair in April and December. Dr. Kruse will chair in June and October. Sherri Dressel was re-elected as vice-Chair. The Council noted the retirement of Doug DeMaster. … Read More →
Trawl CVs to Join EM Workgroup
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED In February 2018, the Council changed priorities for the EM Workgroup to reflect a new focus in developing EM use on trawl catcher vessels. The Council formed the EM Workgroup in February 2014 to create an ongoing forum for EM discussions (initially with a fixed gear focus), and to inform… Read More →
AFSC Marine Mammal Lab Mammal Status
The SSC received a series of presentations from ecosystem program leads at the AFSC Marine Mammal Laboratory, as requested by the SSC in December 2017. The purpose of the presentations is to regularly bring to the SSC information about marine mammals of conservation concern, or for those with unexpected survey or research results. For this… Read More →
BSAI Crab Specifications
The final Norton Sound red king crab assessment was reviewed by the SSC, AP and Council in order to set catch specifications for the 2018 fishery. This stock has a separate specifications timing in order to accommodate the CDQ fishery which can open in early May. The stock is healthy and with an estimated mature male biomass… Read More →
Small Sideboards
The Council took final action in February to prohibit directed fishing by regulation for species with sideboard limits insufficient to support directed fishing for non-exempt American Fisheries Act (AFA) vessels and Crab Rationalization (CR) vessels. The Council also recommended removing the sideboard limit on AFA catcher/processors for Central Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel since the sideboard… Read More →
GOA Trawl CV Chinook Salmon PSC
The Council considered an initial review analysis of alternatives to modify the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) non-pollock trawl catcher vessel (CV) sector’s prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for Chinook salmon. The Council established a purpose and need statement that affirms the need to balance the optimum yield objective with bycatch minimization, and the need to… Read More →
IFQ Medical Transfer Provision
The Council reviewed a discussion paper, developed a Purpose and Need Statement, and approved alternatives for analysis. Alternatives were included to broaden the definition of a Certified Medical Professional that would be allowed to certify the Medical Transfer Application Form. Currently only a licensed medical doctor, an advanced nurse practitioner, or a primary community health… Read More →
IFQ Beneficiary Designation
The Council reviewed a discussion paper on IFQ survivorship beneficiary designation and developed a Purpose and Need Statement and alternatives to be analyzed (available on the Council’s website under the Agenda Item C5). The alternatives provide options for the Council to add “estate” to all references to surviving spouse and immediate family at 50 CFR… Read More →
IFQ Committee
The IFQ Committee met on February 5, 2018 to review two Council discussion papers and a set of 20 proposals for modifications to the IFQ program which were offered by members of the Committee. The discussion papers addressed use of IFQ lease provisions that cover medical hardship and survivorship beneficiaries and are summarized separately. The Committee… Read More →
