Posted on November 25, 2024
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) will meet online and in person on December 2 - 10, 2024, at the Egan Center in Anchorage. The draft agenda has been updated, and written comments are due on Friday, November 29, at 12:00 p.m. AST. You can find all the December meeting details here.
Alaska Marine Conservation Council will focus on key topics central to coastal communities and advancing sustainable and climate-resilient fisheries. These include harvest specifications for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries, climate planning and the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program Review report.
This blog post explains more about each issue and why we consider them priorities.
Agenda Item C-1 and C-2:
Harvest Specifications for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries
NPFMC Council Members (Council Members) will recommend final harvest specifications at this meeting. These specifications are significant because they determine the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the upcoming fishing year, setting limits on how much fish can be harvested sustainably without depleting stocks. These limits are based on the ABC (scientific recommendations for maximum sustainable yield) and the OFL (the threshold beyond which overfishing is considered likely).
In addition to reports on updated stock status and abundance estimates, Council Members will receive Ecosystem Status Reports (ESRs) and Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Profiles (ESPs). ESRs serve as an annual report card on the state of the ecosystem, providing updates on a range of indicators. These reports are designed to inform Council Members and other stakeholders about changes in the ecosystem that may affect stock health and management decisions. ESPs provide a compilation of indicators that reflect both ecosystem and socioeconomic trends. Relevant ecosystem factors include, for example, habitat health, oceanographic conditions and species interactions. Socioeconomic factors may include community reliance on fisheries and market trends, which are systematically integrated into stock assessments.
AMCC recognizes that every decision in commercial fishing has ripple effects on ecosystems and human communities. We will continue to advocate for increased consideration of ecosystem impacts when setting the TAC. These include biological impacts, such as shifts in food webs and social and economic repercussions that affect the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing. Managing fisheries for long-term ecosystem health benefits all stakeholders, including those who rely on the ocean for food, employment and cultural practices.
Agenda Item D-1:
Climate Planning
Council Members are scheduled to review the final report from the Climate Change Task Force, which was established based on recommendations from the Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan. As discussions unfold at the NPFMC and decision-makers seek improved tools to manage fisheries and ecosystems in the face of climate change, AMCC supports a robust, inclusive and equity-focused approach that integrates climate considerations into every aspect of policy design, decision-making and implementation. Ensuring resilience across communities and ecosystems alike will require technical solutions and a commitment to fairness and social justice in the face of climate-induced challenges.
It's clear that climate change will not affect all regions, communities or ecosystems equally. Different fisheries sectors and communities face distinct vulnerabilities. Some groups may depend more on natural resources for their livelihoods or have less capacity to adapt to climate-related changes. When designing policies, it is important to consider ecological sustainability, human well-being, equity and resilience.
The idea of incorporating climate change impacts directly into decision-making processes is key. This involves collecting data, analyzing climate risks and making this information accessible and actionable for all stakeholders. AMCC supports exploring a robust climate work plan that supports developing and implementing equitable climate resilient strategies and tools.
Agenda Item D-5:
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program Review
AMCC remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for coastal communities and addressing the “graying of the fleet” to strengthen accessible and sustainable local fisheries in Alaska. We will participate in the upcoming Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program Review during the NPFMC meeting in line with this aim. This program undergoes a comprehensive review every five years.
During the last IFQ Program Review, AMCC and partners presented a motion to the Advisory Panel and Council Members to consider establishing an Access Pool for young, locally based halibut and sablefish harvesters. Unfortunately, Council Members chose not to advance this initiative in 2021.
While Council Members have shown limited interest in new pathways for fishery access, AMCC is determined to continue building the case for addressing the graying of the fleet and the loss of fishery access within Alaska’s coastal communities.
Here are key dates to be aware of:
IFQ Committee: December 2
Advisory Panel discussion: December 5
NPFMC discussion: December 9
AMCC remains committed to championing solutions that support future generations of Alaskan fishermen and strengthen the resilience of our coastal communities.
Photo courtesy of Patrick McCormick
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