Alaska Fish News
By Laine Welch
May 23rd, 2024
On May 22 AK Representative Mary Peltola introduced a pair of bills to restrict bottom trawling and reduce bycatch – the bipartisan Bycatch Reduction and Mitigation Act and the Bottom Trawl Clarity Act.
“Since coming to Congress, I’ve worked to make fish and fishing policy the issue of national importance it deserves to be,” said Rep. Peltola in announcing the bills. “I know fish, I know Alaska, and I know how to work with people in both parties to get stuff done.”
The Bycatch Reduction and Mitigation Act supports Alaskan fishermen working to reduce bycatch by:
Authorizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Bycatch Reduction and Engineering Program (BREP) at $10 million for five years.
Establishing the Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund, to be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and used to help fishermen and vessel owners purchase new gear or technology to reduce bycatch – such as camera systems, lights, and salmon excluders.
The Bottom Trawl Clarity Act limits bottom trawling in vulnerable ocean by:
Mandating each Fisheries Management Council that permits the use of any bottom trawl gear to define the terms “substantial” versus “limited” bottom contact.
Requiring the designation of Bottom Trawl Zones, limiting the areas where gear that scrapes the seafloor is allowed.
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