May 31, 2011
Mr. Eric Olson, Chair Governor Sean Parnell
North Pacific Fishery Management Council P.O. Box 11001
P.O. Box 103136 Juneau, AK 99811
Anchorage, AK 99510
RE: Agenda item C-4 Final Action on GOA Chinook Salmon Bycatch in Pollock Fishery
Dear Chairman Olson and Governor Parnell,
We, the undersigned, urge the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) to take final action in June to adopt a prohibited species catch (PSC) limit on Chinook salmon bycatch in Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl fisheries.
We support the preliminary preferred alternative (PPA) of a 22,500 hard cap selected by the NPFMC as a starting point to reduce Chinook salmon bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska. While we feel that 15,000 is a more appropriate hard cap because it represents an actual reduction from historical averages, we support the PPA as an important%u2014and long overdue%u2014first step at placing limitations on the waste of Chinook salmon in the GOA pollock fishery. We support expanded observer coverage for trawl vessels which currently carry no observers and increased observer coverage for all pollock trawl vessels within the restructured observer program to increase confidence in the accuracy of the data. We support the requirement for 100% retention of all salmon species to provide additional data on which to base sound management decisions.
Chinook salmon are a vital and essential component of our communities, our cultures and our economies in the Gulf of Alaska.
Significant and unrestricted Chinook salmon bycatch has been occurring in the Gulf of Alaska for decades. This level of bycatch is unacceptable, particularly in a time in which many Gulf of Alaska salmon stocks are struggling, and puts undue hardship on Alaska%u2019s commercial, sport, recreational, personal use, and subsistence Chinook salmon harvesters. The time is now to address this issue by putting a meaningful limit on Chinook salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fisheries.By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
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