In Kodiak, the Council received an update from NMFS staff concerning an ongoing deck sorting analysis. NMFS is developing a proposed regulatory amendment to implement voluntary halibut deck sorting on trawl catcher processors when operating in non-pollock groundfish fisheries off Alaska. The proposed amendment is derived from the exempted fishing permits (EFPs) issued by NMFS… Read More →
BSAI Halibut in Pots
After reviewing the initial review analysis for halibut retention in pots in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI), the Council revised its purpose and need statement and chose a preliminary preferred alternative (PPA). The preliminary preferred alternative would allow retention of halibut in pots in the BSAI, if participants have sufficient halibut IFQ or… Read More →
Halibut Abundance-Based Management (ABM)
Two items related the Council’s initiative on halibut abundance-based management (ABM) were addressed at this meeting. The SSC reviewed a discussion paper on proposed methodological approaches for the broader ABM EIS analysis and a proposed sub-set of the alternative set for preliminary analysis in October 2018. Of the three approaches proposed, the SSC recommended moving… Read More →
Mixing of Guided and Unguided Halibut
In February 2017, the Council initiated an analysis for limiting the simultaneous possession of guided halibut with unguided halibut in IPHC Areas 2C and 3A in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action was undertaken by the Council because different regulations apply to guided and unguided (i.e., charter and non-charter) halibut fishing trips, which presents… Read More →
Halibut Retention in Pots
After reviewing the initial review analysis for halibut retention in sablefish pots in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI), the Council revised its purpose and need statement and revised the action alternative to expand the scope of action. The action considered by the Council at this April meeting proposed an opportunity to retain halibut… Read More →
BSAI Halibut Abundance-based Management of PSC Limits
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 →
Mixing of Guided and Unguided Halibut
At this meeting, the Council reviewed an initial review analysis for limiting the mixing of guided and unguided halibut on a fishing vessel. Alternatives for consideration include: 1) no action; 2) prohibit the possession of guided and unguided halibut simultaneously on any vessel; and 3) if halibut harvested using sport fishing guide services is on… Read More →
BSAI Halibut Abundance-based PSC Management
The Council reviewed a discussion paper on the development of abundance based PSC limits for BSAI halibut prepared by an inter-agency workgroup of analysts from the Council, NMFS, and the IPHC. The paper compiled results from topic-specific discussion papers prepared for the Council over the last two years, and reviewed a range of potential indices… Read More →
Halibut Retention in Pot Gear
After reviewing a staff discussion paper, the Council initiated an analysis to allow vessels using pot gear in the BSAI to retain legal-size halibut if they possess the appropriate IFQ. The Council established a purpose and need statement that recognizes the challenge of whale depredation on longline gear and on halibut that must be discarded… Read More →
Joint IPHC and Council Meet
The Council met jointly with the IPHC on June 8 to discuss several issues of mutual concern. Status reports were given on specific management actions and research priorities, and views of individual members were expressed. The Council noted that occasional meetings with the IPHC can be useful when focused on specific issues directly related to… Read More →
