NOAA is “evaluating” the trawler whale takes. Any other fisherman/gear would immediately be arrested and fined thousands of dollars.

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NOAA is “evaluating” the trawler whale takes. Any other fisherman/gear would immediately be arrested and fined thousands of dollars.
The word ‘bycatch’ does not even appear in the State of AK’s testimony to NOAA about its intent to modernize fishing regs.
NOAA says it’s “unclear” about lethal takes of orcas by trawlers. “No comment.”
Public input is wanted on FAQ ideas, bycatch priorities and ‘roadmap’ for various issues.
Salmon and crab bycatch research, management top the meeting agenda.
Gov’t aims for more “equity” in ocean benefits and “sharing the burdens” of negative impacts by human activities.
AK communities get clipped to protect halibut stock while trawl bycatch increases, per IPHC.
Crabbers have asked for Kodiak Tanner protections for 2 decades; NPFMC will revisit discussions in December.
Decision said “certain and substantial impacts” of closing the harvest outweigh “speculative environmental threats.”
Funding was vetoed “to save money.”