Gulf of Alaska Salmon Bycatch
Pacific salmon are taken as bycatch in the GOA groundfish fisheries, in which they are considered prohibited. Although five species of salmon are caught in the fisheries, the Council has been concerned about Chinook salmon, as the species with the highest bycatch in recent years. Chinook salmon bycatch primarily occurs in trawl fisheries, in the central and western regulatory areas. Between 2003 and 2010, the pollock target fishery accounted for an average of three-quarters of intercepted Chinook salmon, while other, primarily nonpelagic, trawl fisheries for flatfish, rockfish, and Pacific cod accounted for the remainder.
In 2011, the Council approved Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the GOA pollock fisheries in the central and western regulatory areas. Once these annual limits are reached, the pollock fishery in the respective regulatory area will be closed. The Council is also considering other, comprehensive management measures to address Chinook salmon bycatch in the GOA trawl fisheries.
Documents and Council Motions
2012
GOA Chinook Bycatch in all Trawl Fisheries 2/12; GOA Chinook non-pollock PSC Limits Motion2/12
2011
- GOA Chinook bycatch Final Motion – 6/11
- GOA Chinook bycatch Public Review draft – 6/11
- GOA Chinook bycatch motion – 4/11
- GOA Chinook bycatch Initial Review draft – 4/11
- GOA Chinook bycatch motion – 2/11
- GOA Chinook bycatch workplan, cooperative discussion paper – 2/11
2010
- GOA Chinook bycatch motion – 12/10
- GOA Chinook bycatch discussion paper – 12/10
- GOA Chinook bycatch discussion paper - 4/10
2009
- Chinook and Bairdi bycatch in GOA fisheries discussion paper - 10/09
- GOA Salmon and Crab bycatch discussion paper – 4/09
2008
- Salmon and Crab bycatch in the GOA fisheries discussion paper - 12/08
- GOA salmon/crab bycatch discussion paper - 6/08
2005
- Salmon and Crab bycatch paper, maps - 12/05
- Crab/Salmon Bycatch discussion paper – 10/05