Dan Hull, Chairman
David Witherell, Executive Director
SUBJECT: title
Salmon FMP Amendment for Cook Inlet - Review FMP measure proposals
end
STAFF CONTACT: Jim Armstrong (NPFMC) and Gretchen Harrington (NMFS)
ACTION REQUIRED: recommended action
• Review Stakeholder Comments
• Develop Scope of Work for Salmon Committee
• Initiate “Call for Nominations” for Salmon Committee
body
BACKGROUND:
In April 2017, the Council announced its intent to amend the Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off Alaska (Salmon FMP) to address traditional net fishing areas in the EEZ that are currently excluded from the management unit. At its October 2017 meeting, the Council limited the scope of the amendment to the traditional net fishing area that is located in Cook Inlet. The Council also initiated solicitation of written proposals from the public to identify conservation and management measures that the committee could assist in developing and evaluating. At the April 2018 meeting, these proposals (attached) will be reviewed by the Council to determine the scope of work for the Salmon Committee. The Council will create the Salmon Committee to assist in the development of the measures necessary to satisfy Section 303(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and related MSA provisions.
At its December 2017 meeting, the Council asked NOAA General Counsel to provide legal guidance on UCIDA and CIFF's objections to the scope of the action alternatives. For the April 2018 meeting, NOAA General Counsel provides legal guidance (attached) in response to the Council's request.