Bering Sea non-Chinook Salmon Bycatch
Bering Sea non-Chinook Salmon Bycatch Management Analysis
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), in consultation with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare an analysis of measures to minimize non-Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The analysis will support decision-making for management measures to minimize non-Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery by analyzing the impacts of the alternatives on the human environment. We are considering new measures to minimize non-Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery because of the potential negative impacts on salmon stocks in general, and on western Alaska salmon stocks in particular. Four species of salmon (sockeye, coho, pink, and chum) are aggregated into the “non-Chinook salmon” species category. Chum salmon, however, comprises over 99.6% of the total bycatch of this non-Chinook salmon category. We are requesting written comments from the public to determine the issues of concern and the alternatives that should be considered for analysis.
Public Comment Period
Please provide written comments by March 23, 2009. Written comments should be submitted through mail, facsimile (fax), or email to, Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator:
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Attn: Ellen Sebastian
NMFS Alaska Region
Sustainable Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802 - Fax: (907) 586-7557
- Email: ChumSalmonBycatchEIS @noaa.gov
NOTE: When submitting fax or email comments, include the following document identifier in the comment subject line: RIN 0648–XM37.
- Supporting Documents
- 74 FR 798, January 8, 2009. Notice of intent to prepare either an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement on measures to minimize non–Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea. Comment period through March 23, 2009.
- Chum Salmon Bycatch Discussion Paper, December 2008
- Related Information
- Salmon Fishery Mangement
- Report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council on the Bering Sea Pollock Intercooperative Salmon Avoidance Agreement, Karl Haflinger, Sea State Inc. - Intercoop Monitor, John Gruver, AFA Catcher Vessel Intercooperative Manager, February 2008
- EA/RIR/FRFA for Modifying existing Chinook and chum salmon savings areas: Final Rule Implementing Amendment 84 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, October 2007
- BSAI Chinook Salmon Mortality Estimates, 1991-2008 (PDF)
- BSAI Non-Chinook Salmon Mortality Estimates, 1991-2008 (PDF)