The Council initiated an analysis of alternatives to modify the existing four-season structure of the Western and Central GOA pollock fishery and the relative allocation of the trawl CV sector’s annual Pacific cod TAC across A and B seasons. For pollock, the Council will consider combining the existing A and B seasons into a single… Read More →
Fishery Effort and Observer Coverage Relative to Tanner Crab Distribution in the CGOA
The Council reviewed a discussion paper on nonpelagic trawl and pot cod effort and observer coverage in two ADF&G statistical areas around Kodiak Island as well as in Chiniak Gulley (see Figure), and chose to take no further action. The discussion paper was a targeted follow up to a 2017 discussion paper on the protections… Read More →
Social Science Planning Team
The Council heard a report from the newly formed Social Science Planning team (SSPT), which hosted its first in-person meeting May 8th and 9th. The purpose of the SSPT is to provide inter-agency support to improve the quality and application of social science data that informs management decision-making and program evaluation, and to strategize medium-… Read More →
Community Engagement
In June 2018, the Council established an ad-hoc Community Engagement Committee and is soliciting nominations for the new committee. The Council took action after reviewing a staff discussion paper requested in April 2018, which presented considerations for how the Council could foster engagement with rural and Alaska Native communities. The paper presented a series of… Read More →
3-River Index and Kuskokwim Model Review
At this meeting, the SSC and the Council reviewed a new ADF&G model for assessing the postseason abundance estimates for Chinook salmon on the Kuskokwim River, which is a contributing factor in the specification of the Chinook salmon PSC limit for the Bering Sea pollock fishery each fall. Amendment 110, implemented in July 2016, modified… 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 →
Research Priorities
In accordance with Council procedures, the SSC and Council review research priorities each year at the Council’s June meeting. Prior to Council review, the Council’s GOA and BSAI Groundfish, BSAI Crab, and Scallop Plan Teams review existing research priorities and make recommendations for modifications or additions, as needed. Following the June meeting, the updated five-year… Read More →
IFQ Outreach
The Council hosted an evening outreach/listening session in Kodiak on Tuesday, June 5. More than 50 stakeholders – including Council members – attended to comment on opportunities to help the halibut and sablefish IFQ fishery continue to address the program’s objectives. The session was specifically focused on entry-level opportunities and rural participation. The Council received… Read More →
NMFS Survey Planning
At the June 2018 meeting, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center requested input from the SSC and the Council on longer-term planning for BSAI and GOA surveys. In order to complete the full complement of surveys conducted with chartered vessels, the agency needs funding for 5 vessels. It is likely that due to budget constraints and other… Read More →
Ecosystem Workshop Report
The Council received a summary report on the one-day ecosystem research workshop held on February 7th, in conjunction with the February Council meeting. The workshop was intended to engage the broader Council community, including Council members, scientific and industry advisors, and stakeholders, in a discussion about how the growing body of ecosystem knowledge can be… Read More →
