North Pacific Fishery Management Council Decision on Bycatch Reductions

Commissioner Cotton moved for PSC reductions that would reduce actual bycatch below 2014 levels by 18% in total, stating that he would prefer and support greater reductions but that he recognized he did not have support from Washington and Oregon Council members.  Washington Council member Bill Tweit then amended the PSC allocations to each sector, allowing more bycatch in each sector.  The amendment that passed establishes the following limits:

Amendment 80-25% PSC reduction
Trawl limited Access-15%
Non-trawl pacific cod- 15%
CDQ- 20%

- Even though this action reduced the caps, it allows an INCREASE in bycatch over 2014 and historic levels.  
- NMFS Council member Mr. Merrill amended motion to change the Trawl limited access sector's PSC to 20%  Motion Failed
- Substitute Motion: Council member Duncan Fields moved to postpone action and to bring it back for final action at a subsequent meeting with an option for performance standards for the A80 sector (performance standard would reduce PSC by 25%, set performance standard at 30%, trigger a 35% reduction in PSC cap if A80 fleet exceeds 30% performance standard in 3 out of 5 years.) = would have allowed final action in October Failed 5-6
- FOR THE RECORD: Ed Dersham voted AGAINST Alaskan's asking for a reduction in bycatch on every motion. 
- Mr. Tweit's amendment to the main motion passed 5-4.
- Council members all stated on the record that this is a first step and more action on bycatch should be expected.  
- Final motion passed with NMFS, WA, OR and Ed Dersham voting in favor.

To everyone who testified on this issue, THANK YOU.  The testimony was outstanding even though the outcome is dismal. 

Linda Behnken

Board of Fisheries Update on Groundfish Proposals

The Board of Fisheries met in Sitka from February 23rd - March 3, addressing SE finfish and groundfish proposals.  On Friday the Board took action on groundfish proposals aimed at spiny dogfish and state waters sablefish.  

The Board opposed a proposal to allow a pot fishery for spiny dogfish

The Board did not take action on proposals that would have allowed pots in the Chatham and Clarence sablefish fisheries (Dept of Law determined that the BOF did not have authority to permit additional pot gear in the limited entry Clarence pot fishery; the Board did not authorize pot gear in the Chatham Strait fishery.)

The Board adopted a substitute proposal that established the following limits for personal use sablefish harvest in SE state waters:
- 50 sablefish annual limit per household permit, and
- 350 hook limit per household permit, and
- 200 sablefish vessel limit per trip.

Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Mallott Release Transition Team Reports

January 20, 2015 JUNEAU - Governor Bill Walker and Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott today released the Transition Team Conference reports to the public via the Governor’s website (link below).  A common theme among the 17 working groups is a call for an open, accountable and participatory government.

More than 250 Alaskans were charged with identifying and agreeing upon the top five priorities in 17 categories during a two-day conference held in Anchorage in late November. Each working group was comprised of a diverse body of individuals representing a wide range of expertise and opinions. Their goal was to work together not only on priorities, but also to identify barriers to success and actions that could be taken to address those barriers.


*  Link to Transition Report: http://gov.alaska.gov/Walker/transition-2014.html
*  The Fisheries Transition team was not allowed to address allocation issues (eg bycatch).  
*  ALFA's Executive Director, Linda Behnken, served on the Fisheries Transition Team.