North Pacific Fish Council Schedules Virtual Quota Chat Sessions
Published Date: 3/13/2025
Notice
Summary
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding virtual meetings from March 27 to April 7, 2025, to discuss important fishery rules and science updates. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and communities depending on North Pacific fisheries should pay attention, as these talks could lead to changes in fishing limits and survey methods. No direct costs are mentioned, but the decisions could impact how fish are managed and caught in the future.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 7 mixed.
MRA Adjustment Reviews Scheduled
The Council and its advisory committees will review MRA (Maximum Retainable Amount) adjustments in meetings beginning March 31, 2025 and again during the Council session April 3–7, 2025. Fishermen and seafood businesses who retain multiple species should note the MRA adjustments are on the SSC, AP, and Council agendas for review.
Survey Modernization Under Review
The Scientific and Statistical Committee will review AFSC survey modernization efforts and survey prioritization on March 31–April 1, 2025. Changes to how surveys are done could influence future stock assessments and management decisions that affect fishing limits.
Area 4 Vessel Use Caps Reviewed
The Advisory Panel and Council will review the Area 4 vessel use caps final action analysis during meetings March 31–April 7, 2025. This agenda item concerns possible limits on vessel use in Area 4 that could affect how and when vessels operate.
Small Sablefish Release Rule Review
The Advisory Panel and Council will review final action analyses on small sablefish release between March 31 and April 7, 2025. This topic addresses rules about releasing undersized sablefish that could influence what fish must be returned at sea.
NMFS Annual Cost Recovery Discussed
The Advisory Panel and Council agendas include 'NMFS Annual Cost Recovery' as a report and discussion paper item during March 31–April 7, 2025. This topic relates to NMFS cost recovery matters that could affect fee assessments or cost allocations for fisheries.
GOA Tanner Crab Protections Reviewed
The Advisory Panel and Council will review discussion papers on Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Tanner crab protections during the March 31–April 7, 2025 meetings. This agenda item covers potential protective measures for Tanner crab in the GOA.
Central Rockfish Program Under Review
The Advisory Panel and Council will review the Central Rockfish Program report during meetings March 31–April 7, 2025. The program review could inform future management changes for central rockfish fisheries.
Virtual Meetings and Remote Access
All meetings will be held as a virtual conference on the dates March 27, 2025, and March 31–April 7, 2025, with connection information posted at https://www.npfmc.org/upcoming-council-meetings. You can join by computer, tablet, smartphone, or phone-only, and technical support contacts are provided.
Public Comment Period and Deadline
Written public comments are accepted electronically from March 7, 2025 through March 28, 2025 and close at 12 p.m., Alaska Time on March 28, 2025. The Council strongly encourages written comments to avoid possible technical problems with oral testimony.
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