The Council has scheduled an evening session on Monday, April 1st during the April Council meeting, to convene fishery participants and stock assessment scientists around the issue of whale depredation on sablefish. Depredation of sablefish from hook-and-line gear by sperm and killer whales occurs throughout Alaska and affects both fishermen’s returns and the precision of stock assessments. This workshop will provide an opportunity for fishery participants to interact with stock assessment scientists, understanding how depredation is accounted for in the assessment and scoping cooperative research efforts that could enhance estimates in a scientific and actionable manner. Staff contact is Sam Cunningham.