Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Allocations and Fixed Gear Recency

Management of the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries has become increasingly complex as a result of Steller sea lion protection measures, increased participation by vessels displaced from other fisheries, and requirements to reduce bycatch under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).  These factors have made achieving the goals set by the National Standards in the MSA difficult, and have had significant adverse social and economic impacts on harvesters, processors, crew, and communities that depend on the GOA fisheries. 

In 1999, the Council began developing a package of measures to rationalize the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries.  The Council worked to develop these measures until December 2006, when the Council elected to delay further consideration of the comprehensive rationalization program.  The Council decided to instead proceed with the more discrete issues of allocating the GOA Pacific cod resource to the various gear sectors and limiting future entry to the GOA groundfish fisheries by extinguishing latent LLP licenses.  The Council and NOAA Fisheries are currently developing amendments to the GOA fishery management plan that address these issues. 

Recent Documents and Council Motions

GOA Pacific Cod Sector Allocations EA/RIR/IRFA June 2008
The Council reviewed this draft analysis at its June 2008 meeting and requested an expanded analysis of options for sector allocations (see link to June 2008 motion).  Initial Review of the analysis is scheduled for the December 2008 Council meeting in Anchorage.   GOA Pacific Cod Sector Allocations Motion June 2008

GOA Fixed Gear Recency EA/RIR/IRFA June 2008
The Council reviewed this draft analysis at its June 2008 meeting and requested an expanded evaluation of options for removing latent fixed gear licenses from the fisheries (see link to June 2008 motion).  Initial Review of the analysis is scheduled for the December 2008 Council meeting in Anchorage.  GOA Fixed Gear Recency Motion June 2008

Past Documents and Council Motions
GOA Pacific Cod Sector Allocations Discussion Paper December 2007
GOA Pacific Cod Sector Allocations Motion December 2007
GOA Pacific Cod Sector Allocations EA/RIR/IRFA October 2007
GOA Pacific Cod Sector Allocations Motion October 2007
GOA Fixed Gear Recency Motion April 2007