Innovative Approaches in Managing North Pacific groundfish Fisheries

Moderator: Jane DiCosimo
Email: Jane.DiCosimo@noaa.gov

Date: Thursday, September 15, 2005
Time: 8:00 am to 5:40 pm
Location: Discovery Theatre

Oceans, and the fisheries that thrive there, represent one of the Nation’s most important resources, providing food, livelihoods, and recreational opportunities for all citizens. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, responsible for the stewardship of these resources, has been in place for nearly 30 years. The North Pacific is a successful example of how the current process, which incorporates both national and regional interests, can result in responsible stewardship of these precious resources. Active participation by NOAA Fisheries, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Coast Guard, the states of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, universities, non-governmental organizations, commercial, sport, subsistence, and community fishing representatives, and members of the general public assures that all stakeholders are represented. The North Pacific Council has employed a wide array of management tools in managing nearly 60 groundfish and shellfish stocks, worth more than $1 billion representing over half of total US landings each year. These measures include: conservative quotas by species or assemblage, season, gear, and area; closed areas encompassing 98,000 square nautical miles; marine mammal protection and seabird take reduction programs; bycatch limits that close directed fisheries when reached; bycatch reduction, retention, and utilization requirements; observer requirements; reporting requirements; dockside and at-sea enforcement; limited entry for nearly all fisheries; direct access privileges to gear types, fishing sectors, cooperatives, communities, and/or individuals. While the Council has already met many of the recommendations made by the US Commission on Ocean Policy and National Research Council for achieving sustainable marine fisheries, more can be accomplished. Initiatives to develop an ecosystem approach to fisheries, strengthen scientific advice for management, develop criteria for individual fishing quota programs, develop a national system of marine protected areas, reduce overfishing and rebuild stocks, and strengthen fisheries governance are underway. This symposium will examine strengths and weaknesses in meeting these charges.

Link to list of presentations in this symposium

Sponsor:

Marine Conservation Alliance

North Pacific Fishery Management Council