AK committee eyeing uses of bycatch meets Jan. 30

Dec. meeting recap: SeaShare, State requirements, Processors’ roles

The Bycatch Utilization Subcommittee, part of the AK Bycatch Advisory Council, will meet January 30, 2024 at 9:00 am AK time. Below are the links and information on how to join the meeting.

• Agenda (PDF 129 kB)
• Join Zoom Meeting:
  • Time: January 30, 2024 09:00 AM Alaska
  • Topic: Bycatch Utilization Subcommittee Meeting
  • Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88118904135?pwd=VGxyUEhQLy9YcjQ5RmhIV1h4WjEwZz09
  • Meeting ID: 881 1890 4135
  • Passcode: 067515
  • Dial in by phone:
    • 253-205-0468
    • Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdMAv9HNV2

All future and current meeting information are posted here https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=bycatchtaskforce.meetinginfo along with additional resources.

December meeting focus: Getting processors at the table

Here are the minutes of the December 19 meeting of the bycatch utilization meeting that included three presentations.

The SeaShare donation program was presented by outgoing Executive Director Jim Harmon. SeaShare accepts bycatch of salmon and halibut for distribution to communities and food banks throughout the US, including. Harmon said: “SeaShare could distribute ten times the amount that is currently donated.”

Deputy Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game Commissioner Rachel Baker provided an overview of Gulf of Alaska bycatch requirements and restrictions.

“Processors need to be part of the (bycatch) conversation moving forward and looking ahead to the next 20 years,” said Chelsae Radell in an oral presentation on behalf of Kodiak’s shoreside processors. Radell is Assistant Director at Alaska Groundfish Data Bank and a member of the North Pacific Council’s Advisory Panel.

Meeting minutes/audio highlight complex bycatch issues and questions

Here is a Drop Box link to the audio of the December 19 bycatch utilization meeting. Below are the minutes.