ALFA's remarks in opposition to the bill can be found here.
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Click here to read a comprehensive fact sheet on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Although ALFA does not agree with Food and Water Watch on many issues, they did a good job on this one.
You may also want to check out Tradewinds and Global Development and Environmental Institute at Tufts University review of the TPP.
2016 Halibut Catch Limits and Sablefish Quotas
Attached are the 2016 Catch limits. Note that areas 3A and 2C reflect combined charter and commercial Catch Limits.
Taking into account charter catch and wastage and commercial wastage, the final commercial catch limits for Area 3A is 7.336.
The final commercial catch limit for Area 2C is 3.924
A more detailed look at 2016 Catch Limits can be found on the IPHC website.
The season will open on March 19 and close on November 7.
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A more detailed look at 2016 Quotas can be found on the NOAA Fisheries website
Black Cod Almanac 2016
Click here for the Third edition of the Black Cod Almanac, which includes new and ongoing research updates, as well as another longline survey calendar.
Please contact Dana Hanselman at dana.hanselman@noaa.gov or Katy Echave at Katy.Echave@noaa.gov with any feedback on what you find useful or interesting, and what other kinds of information you might like to see included next year.
ALFA Meeting Minutes: Membership Meeting, January 18
Attached here are meeting minutes from the ALFA meeting on January 18.
Sablefish Summit: Chatham and Federal Water.
2016 Southeast Alaska Chatham Strait Sablefish Industry Meeting, download news release here.
Jana Suchy Calendars for Sale
ALFA is selling Jana Suchy's two amazing 2016 Calendars $25.00
Calendar with color photos
Calendar with Black & White photos
Sablefish Catch Limits
NPFMC Adopts Sablefish Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) Limits
Listed in TonnesRegion 2015 ABC 2015 Catch 2016 ABC
Western GOA 1473 1012 1272
Central GOA 4658 4570 4023
West Yakutat 1708 1802 1475
South East Outside 2682 2822 2317
Total GOA 10521 10206 9087
Fishery Closure Hotline
Call 907-747-4882 for fishery closure info updated by ADFG.
ACTION ALERT: Comment to the Council on Halibut Management Framework and Abundance Based Management for Halibut Bycatch
The Council is scheduled to tackle these two halibut issues at their December meeting in Anchorage. Comments were due by 5 pm December 1st
Let the Council know that more needs to be done to protect the halibut resource, fisheries, and communities. Remind the Council that in June Council members stated their action on Bering Sea bycatch was “just the first step.”
Illustrate your concern with these facts:
a. The current estimated halibut biomass represents the lowest biomass level since 1996 when Congress passed the Sustainable Fisheries Act.
b. The current female spawning biomass is about half as large as it was during the 1980’s and early 1990’s.
c. Over the past decade, bycatch mortality in the BSAI has increased to 60% of total removals while directed fishery landings have decreased to about 30% of removals. Bycatch in 4CDE accounts for 87% of total mortality.
d. At present, the IPHC can only reduce harvest in the directed fisheries to offset bycatch impacts—as a result bycatch receives priority over the directed fisheries.
e. The Bering Sea is the nursery ground for halibut that eventually migrate to all other areas. Bering Sea bycatch hurts the halibut resource and all who depend on that resource.
ASK the Council to make the halibut resource and directed halibut fisheries the PRIORITY and REDUCE BYCATCH. Email comments to: npfmc.comments@noaa.gov
https://npfmc.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4146206&GUID=D5244F3B-0B44-495E-AEF6-88E3AC869BAB
C9 Abundance-Based BSAI PSC Limits.pdf
https://npfmc.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4151899&GUID=F25FD055-CBAB-4640-BACB-DA14F1D9BEE4
D2 Halibut Retention in Sablefish Pots - Discussion Paper
https://npfmc.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4145836&GUID=AAA67DD2-1023-4864-94D6-4E63FE7C51A1
D4 Halibut/Sablefish IFQ Program Review - Review Outline
https://npfmc.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4146217&GUID=D10F2919-F98C-4E83-BCEC-6C6922C8EB97