Overview
Title
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit
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ELI5 AI
The government is thinking about letting people try out a special tool that helps salmon escape when they're catching fish in the ocean, so they don't catch too many salmon on accident. People can say what they think about this idea until April 11, 2025.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reviewing an application from the North Pacific Fisheries Research Foundation for an exempted fishing permit (EFP). If approved, the permit will allow the testing of new salmon excluder devices during summer pollock fishing in the Bering Sea, particularly aimed at reducing the bycatch of chum salmon. The experiment will involve exemptions from certain regulations to facilitate this testing. Public comments on the application are invited until April 11, 2025, and the application will be considered during a virtual meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in late March and early April 2025.
Abstract
This notice announces NMFS' receipt of an application and the public comment period for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from North Pacific Fisheries Research Foundation. If issued, this permit would allow the applicant to develop and test salmon excluders to optimize salmon escapement under summer pollock fishing conditions in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. In order to facilitate testing of salmon excluders, this EFP would exempt participating vessels from complying with certain regulations, described below under Exemptions. Field testing would be conducted in July and August during the fishery's "B' season. Effective dates of the EFP would be from June 30, 2025 to September 1, 2025. This experiment would test salmon excluder designs that aim to optimize salmon escapement and thus promote the objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
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AnalysisAI
The document at hand details a notice from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) submitted by the North Pacific Fisheries Research Foundation. This permit is intended to enable the testing of salmon excluder devices aimed at decreasing chum salmon bycatch during summer pollock fishing in the Bering Sea. The NMFS is currently in the process of reviewing this application and seeking public comments.
General Summary
The proposal allows for testing newly designed salmon excluders that could potentially improve salmon escapement in the Bering Sea during the summer pollock fishing "B" season. The testing requires exemptions from certain fishing regulations, such as those related to bycatch limits and fishing locations. The document summarizes the procedures for the public to submit comments and mentions the regulatory oversight by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which will discuss the application in a series of meetings held virtually. If the permit is approved, it will run from June 30 to September 1, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Regulatory Familiarity Gap: The document presumes familiarity with specific regulations, such as §§ 679.21(a)(2)(i) and 679.22(a)(5), without elaborating on them. This lack of context might alienate or confuse readers who are not acquainted with technical or regulatory language.
Environmental Impact Oversight: The project’s potential environmental impacts are assumed to be minimal due to a categorical exclusion, yet this assurance might not satisfy all interested parties, particularly environmental advocates looking for comprehensive assessments of potential impacts.
Regulation Exemptions: Authorizing exemptions from rules designed to protect marine species and regulate fishing efforts raises concerns over the long-term implications for salmon populations and overall marine ecosystems if not effectively monitored and managed.
Broad Public Impact
The proposal opens a window for innovation and testing of technology that may reduce bycatch—unwanted fish caught during fishing for other species. If successful, this could lead to more sustainable fishing practices that balance economic interests with the conservation of marine life. This is particularly important for the public at large due to the increasing concerns about biodiversity and sustainable natural resource management.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Fishermen and Industry: Those in the fishing industry could benefit significantly if the new technology leads to reduced bycatch, as this may potentially lower costs associated with bycatch penalties or reduce impacts on seasonal quotas. However, some stakeholders may worry about the competitive landscape if regulatory exemptions offer unfair advantage or disrupt equitable TAC (Total Allowable Catches) distributions.
Environmental Groups: These groups may harbor concerns about the implications of regulatory exemptions and the actual measuring of environmental impacts. While the focus on reducing chum salmon bycatch is potentially beneficial for salmon populations, skepticism about the rigor of the experimentation and whether it may inadvertently harm other aspects of Bering Sea ecosystems might persist.
Regulatory Bodies and Policymakers: The document highlights a collaborative approach between NMFS and other bodies like the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, pointing to a structured regulatory process. However, the issue arises as to whether the feedback from different stakeholders, including the public, will effectively influence eventual decision-making.
Overall, the document calls for public attention and input, presenting a technically ambitious plan that necessitates thorough discussion and careful consideration of both ecological and economic outcomes.
Issues
• The document assumes familiarity with specific regulatory sections without providing explanations or context, such as § 679.21(a)(2)(i) and § 679.22(a)(5), which may limit understanding for those not versed in these regulations.
• The potential environmental impact of the project is not detailed, relying on a categorical exclusion, which may not fully assure there are no significant impacts.
• The application exempts vessels from regulations without a detailed analysis of the possible implications of these exemptions, especially regarding salmon bycatch and overall fishing impacts.
• The plan allows for fishing of 3,000 mt of pollock without accruing against the pollock TAC, which could raise concerns about fair resource management and fairness to other fisheries participants bound by TAC limits.
• The description of the testing methodology for salmon excluders lacks detailed scientific explanation, which might be critical for evaluating the potential success or failure of the tests.
• Public comments are invited, but the document does not specify clear criteria on how these will influence the decision-making process, potentially limiting the perceived transparency and accountability of the procedure.
• Although the document mentions working with NMFS on sampling procedures, it does not provide comprehensive details, leaving some ambiguity about the methodologies and their acceptance.
• The addressing of AFSC recommendations and feedback is mentioned but not elaborated, which could impede understanding of how these inputs influenced the final application.