Stutes: “Alaskans deserve a Board that follows its own policies, regulations, and statutes. An impartial and independent review is now underway to ascertain if the Board is meeting those standards.”
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Meetings
AK Bycatch Advisory Council creates information portal; Public meeting set for May 4
New portal includes links to up to date NOAA bycatch numbers in the Bering Sea and Gulf of AK, overviews of management and research.
KMXT: Head of NOAA Fisheries, market experts, lawmakers on ComFish agenda in Kodiak
Tune in to ComFish forums via Zoom to listen to and pose questions to AK’s Congressional representatives, & ADF&G Commissioner. New this year is a forum by Seattle pollock reps.
Board of Fish punts on pelagic trawl gear; Takes no action on salmon hatcheries
The BOF chose a do-nothing dodge on pelagic trawl gear, punting it back to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for more discussion later this year. The Board also rejected all hatchery proposals.
ADF&G nixes Board of Fish proposals to keep “midwater” trawls off bottom in state waters
ADF&G cites increasing costs and suggests “coordinating efforts to address trawl effects” with federal managers, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.
Proposal for bag limit of one halibut for AK anglers driven by burgeoning private businesses
A proposal aims to rein in “DIY” unguided, private halibut fishing that allows anglers to fish anywhere, anytime and with no size limits.
NOAA rec’d 627 comments on trawl chum bycatch; NPFMC taking comments through Jan. 30
Nearly all comments to NOAA urged a limit on chum salmon that can be taken as Bycatch by trawlers. Now the NPFMC is taking comments through Jan. 30.
Pacific halibut catches for 2025 declined in all regions; fewer and smaller fish
Halibut catches in parts of the Bering Sea dropped by 78% and 57% as coast wide fishermen face the lowest spawning biomass in over 40 years.
Pacific halibut meetings begin this week; continue into January 2026
The total 2025 coast wide halibut catch for all users dropped by nearly 16%; down by over 18% for commercial fishermen. The spawning biomass was the lowest in 40 years.
More NPFMC trawl talk, little action as “mid-water” gear grabs ocean bottom
Public outcry urges absent NPFMC to keep “midwater” trawls off the bottom – you read that right!