Tag: NPFMC

NPFMC Approves Revisions of Salmon Bycatch Proposals for Another Staff Analysis
10Apr By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

NPFMC Approves Revisions of Salmon Bycatch Proposals for Another Staff Analysis

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) on April 8 approved a lengthy revised list of alternatives for staff to analyze as part of a process where final action is still a year away. As council member Andy Mezirow noted during the meeting, the analyzed document is expected to come back before the council in the fall and final action is expected in April 2025. “This is not an action we are taking that will change anything,” said Mezirow, a charter vessel operator from Homer whose last council meeting before leaving office is set for June in Kodiak. “When the Board of Fisheries meets, they make a decision, but here it takes more time. “How can we do a better job of communicating that?” Mezirow asked fellow council members.  “Is there a better way of communicating we ...
Read More
Wash. Governor Nominates Conservationist for Seat on NPFMC
27Mar By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

Wash. Governor Nominates Conservationist for Seat on NPFMC

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on March 22 nominated Becca Robbins-Gisclair, senior director of Arctic Programs for the Ocean Conservancy, to one of two obligatory Washington state seats on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The governor said Robbins-Gisclair was his first choice, noting her work with Alaska tribes and grassroots organizations to protect a region that is on the frontlines of global climate change. She also serves as a domestic advisor for the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and the Bering Sea Fishery Advisory Body, and has worked for several Alaska organizations as a natural resources advisor. Robbins-Gisclair resides on Coast Salish lands in Bellingham, Wash. In his letter of recommendation to NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator for Fish...
Read More
NPFMC Amendments Would Expand Electronic Monitoring Program
24Jan By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

NPFMC Amendments Would Expand Electronic Monitoring Program

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 126 to the Fishery Management Plans for groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area and Amendment 114 to the Fishery Management Plan for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska. If approved, the amendments would expand electronic monitoring (EM) to pelagic trawl pollock catcher vessels and tenders delivering to shoreside processors or stationary floating processors in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. Both amendments 126 and Amendment 114 are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the BSAI FMP and the GOA FMP. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Monday, Jan. 22 by the National Oceani...
Read More
Norton Sound Winter Red King Crab Fishery Begins Feb. 1
10Jan By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

Norton Sound Winter Red King Crab Fishery Begins Feb. 1

Although the allowable harvest is yet to be determined, the commercial red king crab fishery in Alaska’s Norton Sound is set to begin on Feb. 1, with a guideline harvest level (GHL) similar to last year’s winter fishery. To date, no buyers have registered for this winter red king crab season and participating commercial crab permit holders will need their own markets. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) said catcher-seller and direct marketer application forms are available at the Nome ADF&G office or online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishlicense.main. Crewmember licenses are also available at ADF&G in Nome or online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Crab Plan Team has yet to make recommendations on 20...
Read More
Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit Begins Dec. 5 in Anchorage
29Nov By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit Begins Dec. 5 in Anchorage

The Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit (AYFS) gets underway at the Marriott Hotel in Anchorage on Dec. 5, with three days of intensive training and networking opportunities to train the next generation of commercial fisheries harvesters. The event is organized by Alaska Sea Grant and includes presentations on a range of topics for those getting into the business of fisheries, from financing fishing vessels and business insurance, to marketing the catch and participating in the Alaska Board of Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The keynote address is to be delivered by veteran commercial fisherman Duncan Fields, owner of Shoreside Consulting in Kodiak, and a former North Pacific Fisheries Management Council member. Alaska Sea Grant marketing specialist Que...
Read More
Federal Fisheries Council Action on Bycatch Prompts Critical Rebuttal
18Oct By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

Federal Fisheries Council Action on Bycatch Prompts Critical Rebuttal

A group of commercial, sport and subsistence fishing entities are taking issue with a decision by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) to postpone setting limits on chum salmon bycatch and reducing seafloor damage caused by midwater trawl gear. Their concerns were summarized in a statement issued Oct. 12 by the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), SalmonState, DeepStrike Sportfishing and the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association. During its October meeting in Anchorage from Oct. 2-10, the council approved analysis of additional management measures to minimize chum salmon bycatch. The council acknowledged that about  99% of the chum salmon encountered as bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery are encountered ...
Read More
Public Comment Sought on Research Priorities for Alaska’s Exclusive Economic Zone
19Jul By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

Public Comment Sought on Research Priorities for Alaska’s Exclusive Economic Zone

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is seeking public comment regarding research priorities for fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off of Alaska for a triennial review. The council is mandated to develop research priorities for fisheries, habitats and other areas necessary for management purposes and reviews those priorities every three years. Comments may be sent via the council’s eAgenda meeting portal up until 5 p.m. Alaska Time (6 pm Pacific) on Oct. 31. Written comments should be sent via “Request for Information: Research Priorities Triennial Review”, https://meetings.npfmc.org/​Meeting/​Details/​2998, using either the “Comment Now” function on the eAgenda page or by using the comment form, https://forms.gle/​PPfkFPQ1JCXJrRSN9, by the October 31 deadlin...
Read More
NOAA Schedules Hearing on Management of Upper Cook Inlet EEZ Salmon Fishery
3May By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

NOAA Schedules Hearing on Management of Upper Cook Inlet EEZ Salmon Fishery

NOAA Fisheries has announced a public webinar hearing for 5 p.m. Alaska time (6 pm PT) on May 18 to hear comments on amending the fishery management plan (FMP) to establish federal management for salmon fisheries in federal waters off Alaska’s upper Cook Inlet. NOAA Fisheries officials said they would provide a brief opening statement before accepting public testimony for the record, and that the hearing would be recorded in order to prepare transcripts of all oral comments received. The hearing is to close 15 minutes after the conclusion of public testimony and after responding to any clarifying questions from hearing participants, concluding no later than 8 p.m. Those wishing to make an oral statement during the public hearing are encouraged to also submit a written statement. The de...
Read More
Fishery Closure Issues on Tap for June NPFMC Meeting
26Apr By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

Fishery Closure Issues on Tap for June NPFMC Meeting

Harvest specifications for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands crab harvests and an initial review of Bristol Bay Red King Crab closure areas are on tap when federal fisheries managers convene their June 5-11 meeting in Sitka, Alaska. The meeting agenda for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) is online at https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/2993. The council meeting’s schedule also include reports from NPFMC’s executive director, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the council’s Advisory Panel and Scientific and Statistical Committee. The Council is accepting written comments on all matters before the council and its advisory panel from May 12 through noon on June 2. Submitted com...
Read More
Decision on Fishing in Cook Inlet EEZ Goes to Feds
12Apr By Fishermen's NewsNo Comments
Fishermen's News Online, News

Decision on Fishing in Cook Inlet EEZ Goes to Feds

Members of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council took no action during its April meetings regarding amending the fishery management plan for salmon in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters off of Cook Inlet. The inaction now puts the decision in the hands of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS’ Alaska Regional Administrator Jon Kurland said his agency is now tasked with coming up with a plan to revise that fishery management plan, which was written by the federal fisheries council. Marine Fisheries Service members had intended to amend the salmon management plan for management of all salmon fishing in the federal waters of upper Cook Inlet. Federal management must be consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, consistent with...
Read More