NPFMC Votes to Reduce Trawlers’ Halibut Bycatch

Federal fisheries managers have approved a regulatory package which could reduce the future incidental halibut catch from trawlers fishing in the Bering Sea by up to 35%, a move that could result in a multi-million-dollar loss to Washington-based flatfish fishermen.

The decision of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council on abundance-based management of halibut in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands came on an 8-3 vote after several days of passionate testimony in support and opposition to such action.

The council’s action, a negative net benefit to the nation says Groundfish Forum, a trade association

The council’s action during the Dec. 13 virtual December meeting will have a devastating effect on the federal flatfish fishery off Alaska with no significant improvements to the halibut fishery and a negative net benefit to the nation, according to Chris Woodley, executive director of the Groundfish Forum, a trade association that represents five member companies who operate trawlers harvesting groundfish in federal waters off Alaska.

Woodley said such action would, according to the council’s own analysis, result in a $110 million loss to Washington-based harvesters, as well as the loss of over 200 million affordable seafood meals.

Its action could put at least one flatfish company out of business

“For the first time in its history, the council has ignored science and its own analysis and chosen a path that has no conservation benefit and results in a net negative benefit to the nation,” Woodley said, adding that the council ignored the potential that its action could put at least one flatfish company out of business.

“We believe this action does not meet the standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and we are exploring all options due to the unprecedented nature of this decision,” he said.

But Jeff Kauffman, a veteran halibut harvester and vice president of the Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association (CBSFA), said the decision would give fishermen in the Pribilof Islands and commercial halibut harvesters around the Bering Sea more access to halibut in these times of low abundance.

“The council responded to our requests to consider the availability of halibut for directed fisheries at all levels of stock abundance,” said Kauffman. “While we and many others advocated for a solution that would have gone further to reduce bottom trawl bycatch, we understand the multiple considerations facing the council, and consider this an important step in achieving our goals of equitable access and conservation of the halibut biomass.”

CBSFA is a community development quota entity allocated a percentage of all Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands quota for groundfish, prohibited species, halibut and crab via the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program, for the social and economic benefit of its member communities.

Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association praised those for their vote in favor of this action

Kauffman praised Alaska Department of Fish and Game Deputy Commissioner Rachel Baker for leadership in this action beginning in 2016, as well as five other council members who represent Alaska, as well as a Washington state member and the representative of the National Marine Fisheries Service for their vote in favor of this action.

Opposing votes were cast by three other members, two from Washington state and one from Oregon.