Eric Olson, Chairman
Chris Oliver, Executive Director
SUBJECT:Title
BS Trawl Salmon Excluder EFP - Review/consultation
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ESTIMATED TIME:
2 hours
ACTION REQUIRED: Recommended Action
Review EFP Environmental Assessment
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BACKGROUND:
In December 2013, Mr. John R. Gauvin (Gauvin and Associates, LLC) submitted an application requesting an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to continue research on salmon bycatch reduction devices in the Bering Sea pollock trawl fishery. The purpose of the EFP would be to improve performance of the salmon excluder device developed under EFP 11-01 in 2011 and 2012. The objective is to significantly reduce chum and Chinook salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fishery without significantly reducing pollock catch rates. The EFP would allow for testing of the salmon excluder device from January 2015 through June 2016, for several weeks in each pollock A and B seasons. Testing in the A season is expected to examine the performance of the excluder primarily with Chinook salmon and roe-bearing pollock, testing in the B season would be with both Chinook and chum salmon and pollock that are not roe-bearing. EFP fishing would be conducted with one or two vessels in each season. The EFP would be subject to modification bending new, relevant information regarding the 2015 and 2016 fishery, including pollock harvest specifications or restructuring of the salmon bycatch management program.
To test the salmon excluder device, exemptions from existing regulations for salmon bycatch management, observer requirements, several closure areas, and total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for groundfish would be necessary. Taking salmon during the experiment is critical for determining the effectiveness of the device. Salmon taken during the experiment would not be counted toward the Chinook or chum salmon bycatch limits under ? 679.21(e)(1)(vii) and (f)(2). The amount of Chinook or chum salmon bycatch by the pollock trawl fishery during ...
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