All fishing regions have reduced halibut catches for 2023 except for the west coast states.

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All fishing regions have reduced halibut catches for 2023 except for the west coast states.
Gov says: “We must do all we can to sustain our great fisheries and ensure that our resources are managed to benefit Alaskans first and foremost.”
Amendment 123 means halibut bycatch taken by Bering Sea bottom trawlers will be based on ups & downs of the stock, like all other users.
A cap on chum salmon trawl bycatch is in the mix of “potential” regulatory recommendations.
King crab protections don’t fit ’emergency’ criteria. Business as usual as NPFMC defaults to more studies.
Bycatch task force did an incredible job in identifying ways to reduce bycatch. Now it falls to the governor to take action.