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Gulf of Alaska King Salmon Bycatch
King Salmon Bycatch Cap in the News
King salmon have been making waves in the media since the June 12th decision given by the federal fishery managers (NPFMC) in Nome. The decision places the first ever, 25,000, limit on Chinook bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska’s pollock fishery. From print to online media and radio the Chinook cap has been covered.
Check out some of the great coverage here including an editorial from the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, The Alaska Journal of Commerce, Arctic Sounder,Fishermen’s News, and extending out to the western coasts of Alaska in the Bristol Bay Times.
Alaska’s valuable runs of king salmon from the Copper River to Cook Inlet and Kodiak have been suffering over past years with sport, subsistence and commercial fishermen facing restrictions due to ailing populations. At the same time these salmon stakeholders have been feeling the pinch, bycatch of our prized king salmon soared to over 51,000 Chinook in the Gulf of Alaska. This all-time high number reinvigorated a call from AMCC, coastal Alaskans and federal fishery managers to finally put an end to the unacceptable level of waste and put in place the first ever hard cap on king salmon bycatch in the Gulf trawl fisheries. On Sunday during the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) meeting in Nome, federal fishery mangers voted to establish the first ever limit on Chinook salmon bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska pollock fishery. The NPFMC voted to set the cap at 25,000 kings. While that number is higher than the 15,000 that AMCC, fishermen and coastal residents initially called for, it’s considered an important first step. AMCC Kodiak Outreach Coordinator, salmon fisherman and member of the NPFMC Advisory Panel Theresa Peterson framed the decision in this way: “The good news is there will be a cap on Chinook bycatch. With final action occurring at this meeting, management measures may be in place by mid year 2012. In addition to the cap, requirements include100% retention of all salmon (which will enable comprehensive stock composition of the Chinook caught as bycatch) and increased observer coverage for the under 60 foot pollock trawl fleet” The State of Alaska, through ADF&G Commissioner Cora Campbell, demonstrated leadership on the issue and held firm in supporting a lower cap of 22,500. |
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AMCC has worked closely with fishermen and coastal residents over past months to put in place protections for Gulf of Alaska Chinook. Over 500 fishermen and other coastal Alaskans twice signed on to letters that were presented to NPFMC supporting a cap on king bycatch in the Gulf. Engaging in the fishery management process – getting the word out, studying the analysis, participating on the Advisory Panel, testifying and supporting concerned members is what led to this important outcome. AMCC
will continue working towards even more rigorous solutions to limit
bycatch of king salmon in the future. Also, reducing halibut bycatch is
coming up on the federal fishery management agenda. Please join AMCC or make an additional contribution to help make progress on reducing bycatch in our fisheries. Also, consider cooking up some delicious king salmon to celebrate this landmark Chinook bycatch decision. Let’s keep more Chinook from becoming a bycatch statistic – leaving more to return to streams and more available to support the salmon fisheries that feed our families, drive local economies and honor our heritage. |
Fishery Management Council Takes Step Toward Reducing King Salmon Bycatch
Renewed Support from Fishermen, Coastal Residents & Salmon Lovers Needed!
At their April meeting, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted in favor of conservation measures to protect Chinook (king) salmon from being caught as bycatch in the pollock trawl fishery in the Gulf of Alaska. The NPFMC voted for a bycatch cap of 22,500 Chinook as their 'preferred alternative'. Final action on this issue is scheduled to take place during the June meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Read AMCC's press release to learn more.
Background: Gulf of Alaska Chinook Bycatch Soars with No Conservation Measures in Place
In 2010, levels of king salmon (Chinook) bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska groundfish trawl fishery hit a record high of 51,000 fish incidentally caught. This occurred at the same time that many of the Gulf king salmon runs are suffering from historic low returns.
Photo credit: NOAA
The revelation of the number of wasted Chinook in trawl nets astonished and outraged many subsistence users, commercial salmon fishermen and charter and sportfishing business owners across Gulf communities. Chinook bycatch is not particularly well estimated in the Gulf because there is not 100% observer coverage. The fleet is required to carry observers 30% of the time for vessels over 60 feet and no coverage is required for vessels under 60 feet. Estimates are based on assumptions that observed and unobserved vessels are doing the same thing. There is sufficient reason to question those assumptions.
Residents of the Kenai Peninsula, Homer and Kodiak are demanding action from fishery managers to address this unacceptable level of waste that puts their businesses, jobs and livelihoods at risk. AMCC is working closely with these fishermen and other stakeholders to spur decisions needed to lower the amount of Chinook bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska pollock fishery.
Photo credit: Kip Thomet
Currently, there are no incentives for the Gulf groundfish fleet to minimize their salmon bycatch, however, in March of 2011 the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) took action on measures to address Chinook salmon bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl fisheries. The NPFMC voted for a bycatch cap of 22,500 chinook as the 'preferred alternative'. Final action is scheduled for June, 2011. Your voice is needed to ensure that the NPFMC follows through with their chosen preferred alternative and sets a meaningful catch on king salmon bycatch.
Take Action to Reduce King Salmon Bycatch!
Your help is needed to catalyze action to reduce the waste of our Chinook salmon.
Photo credit: Eric Jordan
1.) Even if you signed on to the previous letter, please add your name to this new letter to be presented to the NPFMC for their upcoming June meeting when final action will be taken.
2.) Contact North Pacific Fishery Management Council members directly and make your voice heard.
3.)Write your own letter to include in Council packets when the issue is heard
in April. View a sample letter.
4.) Attend the Council meeting in Anchorage and testify.
News and Information:
- March 2011 letter signed by over 600 fishermen & concerned residents calling for solutions to king salmon bycatch
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"King Bycatch a Waste"- Homer Tribune featuring quotes from AMCC Board members.
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"Speak Now to Reduce King Bycatch"- Homer Tribune opinion piece by AMCC Board Member and Homer Charter Boat Captain Pete Wedin.
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Kenai Peninsula Borough resolution urging the NPFMC to adopt measures that reduce the Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch in the Gulf of Alaska commercial trawl fisheries.
- National Association of Charter Boat Operators resolution on king salmon bycatch
For more information or to get involved contact Theresa Peterson at (907)486-2991 or email theresa "at" akmarine.org.