March 2016 Briefing Book - Pacific Fishery Management Council

A. Call to Order

Agenda Item A.3: Executive Director’s Report
- Agenda Item A.3, Attachment 1: Council Coordination Committee Meeting, February 24-26, 2016 Meeting Agenda
- Agenda Item A.3, Supplemental Attachment 2: Bycatch reporting methodology proposed rule open for comment
- Agenda Item A.3, Supplemental Attachment 3: U.S. National Bycatch Report, First Edition Update 2
- Agenda Item A.3, Supplemental Attachment 4: Proposal for Protocol for Submitting Electronic Presentations at Council Meetings in Public Testimony, Agency Reports, and Advisory Body Statements
Agenda Item A.4: March 8-14, 2016 Proposed PFMC Meeting Agenda

B. Open Comment Period

Agenda Item B.1: Comments on Non-Agenda Items
- Agenda Item B.1.b, Open Public Comment 1: Letter from Heather Mann Individual Vessel Caps
- Agenda Item B.1.b, Supplemental Open Public Comment 2: Robert Behne, re: Fukushima
- Agenda Item B.1.b, Supplemental Open Public Comment 3: End the driftnet fishery now!

C. Habitat

Agenda Item C.1: Current Habitat Issues
- Agenda Item C.1.a, Supplemental HC Report
- Agenda Item C.1.b, Supplemental SAS Report

D. Ecosystem Management

Agenda Item D.1: California Current Ecosystem Report Including Integrated Ecosystem Assessment
- Agenda Item D.1.a, NMFS Report 1: California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Team, California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (CCIEA) State of the California Current Report, 2015
- Agenda Item D.1.a, NMFS Report 2: CCIEA Supplementary Materials
- Agenda Item D.1.a, Supplemental IEA PowerPoint (Harvey/Garfield)
- Agenda Item D.1.b, Supplemental EWG Report
- Agenda Item D.1.b, Supplemental EAS Report
- Agenda Item D.1.b, Supplemental SSC Report
- Agenda Item D.1.b, Supplemental HC Report
Agenda Item D.2: Update on Coordinated Ecosystem Indicator Review Initiative

E. Salmon Management

Agenda Item E.1: National Marine Fisheries Service Report (Salmon)
- Agenda Item E.1.a, Supplemental NMFS PowerPoint: Recovery Action Mapping Tool (Shanna Dunn)
- Agenda Item E.1.b, Supplemental NMFS PowerPoint: Report on Science Center Activities (Pete Lawson)
Agenda Item E.2: 2015 Fisheries and Summary of 2016 Stock Abundance Forecasts
- Review of 2015 Ocean Salmon Fisheries Published February 2016 (Electronic Only)
- Preseason Report I: Published February 2016, Corrections were made on March 1, 2016 to Table V-4 and Table V-6 (Electronic Only)
- Agenda Item E.2, Attachment 1: Excerpts from Chapter 3 of the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan
- Preseason Report I: Stock Abundance Analysis and Environmental Assessment Part 1 for 2016 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations (Supplemental Briefing Material)
- Agenda Item E.2.a, Supplemental STT Report: EXCERPTS From: Preseason Report I
- Agenda Item E.2.a, Supplemental SSC Report
- Agenda Item E.2.a, Supplemental ODFW Report
Agenda Item E.3: Chinook Fishery Regulation Assessment Model (FRAM) Co-Manager Update
- Agenda Item E.3, Attachment 1: January 19, 2016 letter from the Comanagers to Dr. McIsaac and Turner regarding the Chinook FRAM base period
- Agenda Item E.3.a, Supplemental SSC Report
Agenda Item E.4: Identification of Management Objectives and Preliminary Definition of 2016 Salmon Management Alternatives Including Test Fishery Alternatives
- Agenda Item E.4, Attachment 1: Guidance for Alternative Development and Assessment
- Agenda Item E.4, Attachment 2: Emergency Changes to the Salmon FMP
- Agenda Item E.4, Attachment 3: FR 97-22094: Policy Guidelines for the Use of Emergency Rules
- Agenda Item E.4, Attachment 4: California Klamath Management Zone Commercial Salmon Troll Test Fishery Proposal
- Agenda Item E.4, Supplemental Attachment 5: Letter from PFMC to NMFS regarding Pacific Council’s salmon season-setting for 2016
- Agenda Item E.4, Supplemental Attachment 6: Letter from NMFS to NWIFC and WDFW regarding North of Falcon process
- Agenda Item E.4, Supplemental Attachment 7: Letter from NMFS to PFMC regarding PSC Chinook Model calibration agreement
- Agenda Item E.4, Supplemental Attachment 8: Letter from NMFS to the co-Managers regarding uncertainty about how to model the predicted abundance of Chinook salmon in Southeast Alaska (SEAK)
- Agenda Item E.4, Supplemental Attachment 9: Letter to Bob Turner from PSC regarding PSC recommendations
- Agenda Item E.4, Supplemental Attachment 10: Response letter from Bob Turner to Charlie Swanton
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental ADFG Report: Response to Bob Turner
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental NMFS Report: Genetic Stock Identification Study Proposal
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental NMFS Report 2: Letter Summarizing NOAA Fisheries’ Consultation Standards and Guidance Regarding the Potential Effects of the 2016 Season on ESA-Listed Salmonid Species
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental Tribal Report: Comments from the Quinault Indian Nation
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental Tribal Report 2: Testimony of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental Tribal Report 3: Testimony of Russell Svec, Fishery Director for the Makah Tribe; March 10, 2016
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental Tribal Report 4: Treaty Tribes Testimony: Washington Coho 2016
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental Tribal Report 5: Quinault, Quileute and Hoh Tribe Joint Testimony on the Initial Range of Ocean Options for the 2016 Treaty Troll Fishery
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental Tribal PowerPoint (CRITFC): Tribal Perspective on the use of Hatcheries for Recovery Purposes
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental SAS Report: Proposed Initial Salmon Management Alternatives for 2016 Non-Indian Ocean Fisheries (March 10, 2016)
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental CDFW Report
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental SSC Report
- Agenda Item E.4.b, Supplemental Tribal/WDFW Report: Tribal and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 2016 Management Objectives for Puget Sound Chinook and Coho Salmon
- Agenda Item E.4.c, Supplemental Public Comment
Agenda Item E.5: Council Recommendations for 2016 Management Alternative Analysis
- Agenda Item E.5.a, Supplemental STT Report: Collation of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2016 Ocean Fisheries (March 11, 2016)
Agenda Item E.6: Further Council Direction for 2016 Management Alternatives
- Agenda Item E.6.a, Supplemental STT Report: Initial Analysis of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2016 Ocean Fisheries (March 12, 2016)
Agenda Item E.7: Adoption of 2016 Management Alternatives for Public Review
- Agenda Item E.7.a, Supplemental STT Report: Analysis of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2016 Ocean Fisheries (March 13, 2016)
- Agenda Item E.7.a, Supplemental Tribal Report: Testimony of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes, March 13, 2016
Agenda Item E.8: Salmon Hearings Officers
- Agenda Item E.8, Attachment 1: Schedule of Salmon Fishery Management Alternative Hearings
Agenda Item E.9: Sacramento River Winter Chinook Control Rule Update
- Agenda Item E.9, Attachment 1: Draft Sacramento River Winter Chinook Harvest Policy Review schedule
- Agenda Item E.9.a, Supplemental SRWCW Report

F. Highly Migratory Species Management

Agenda Item F.1: National Marine Fisheries Service Report (HMS)
- Agenda Item F.1.a, NMFS Report: National Marine Fisheries Service Regulatory Activities
- Agenda Item F.1.b, Supplemental SWFSC PowerPoint: HMS Activities (Dinardo/Werner)
Agenda Item F.2: Report on Ongoing Exempted Fishing Permits
- Agenda Item F.2, Attachment 1: 50 CFR 600.745, Scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity
- Agenda Item F.2, Supplemental Attachment 2: March 1, 2016 Federal Register notice; NMFS WCR has determined that an application for an EFP (large-mesh DGN and/or new approaches or methods for targeting swordfish and other HMS off the U.S. West Coast) warrants further consideration and requests public comment on the application
- Agenda Item F.2.a, Supplemental CDFW Report: PIER EFP Update
- Agenda Item F.2.a, Supplemental DSBG PowerPoint: PIER-EFP update (Chugey Sepulveda)
- Agenda Item F.2.b: NMFS Report
- Agenda Item F.2.b, Supplemental HMSMT Report
- Agenda Item F.2.b, Supplemental HMSAS Report
- Agenda Item F.2.c, Public Comment: EcoCast: Real Time Data Tools for Dynamic Fisheries Management Progress Report
- Agenda Item F.2.c, Supplemental Public Comment 2
- Agenda Item F.2.c, Supplemental Public Comment 3
- Agenda Item F.2.c, Supplemental Public Comment 4
- Agenda Item F.2.c, Supplemental Public Comment PowerPoint 1: (Gonzalez)
Agenda Item F.3: Deep-Set Buoy Gear Amendment Scoping
- Agenda Item F.3.a, NMFS Report
- Agenda Item F.3.a, HMSMT Report
- Agenda Item F.3.a, Supplemental HMSMT Report 2
- Agenda Item F.3.a, Supplemental CA Lt. Governor Report: Letter to PFMC and NMFS from California Lieutenant Governor Newsom expressing support for the authorization of deep-set buoy gear under the HMS FMP
- Agenda Item F.3.a, Supplemental CA Legislature Report: Letter to PFMC and NMFS from the California Legislature expressing support for the authorization of deep-set buoy gear under the HMS FMP
- Agenda Item F.3.a, Supplemental HMSAS Report
- Agenda Item F.3.a, Supplemental CDFW Report
- Agenda Item F.3.a, Supplemental EC Report
- Agenda Item F.3.b, Public Comment: The Sportsfishing Conservancy
- Agenda Item F.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment 2 (Full Version Electronic Only)
- Agenda Item F.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment 3
- Agenda Item F.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment 4
- Agenda Item F.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment PowerPoint 1: (Gonzalez)
- Agenda Item F.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment PowerPoint 2: (Shester)
- Agenda Item F.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment PowerPoint 3: (Karpa)
Agenda Item F.4: Recommendations for International Management Activities Including U.S.-Canada Albacore Treaty Area Fishery Update
- Agenda Item F.4, Attachment 1: Letter from Michael Tosatto to Council Chairs on Outcomes of the Twelfth Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
- Agenda Item F.4, Attachment 2: Cover Email and Proposed Northern Committee Member Management Objectives for North Pacific Albacore
- Agenda Item F.4, Attachment 3: PacFIN APEX HMS Port Report: Commercial Albacore Landings by Port for All Gear Types and All Areas: Metric-Tons (mt), Revenue ($), and Price-per-pound ($/lbs)
- Agenda Item F.4 Supplemental Attachment 4: Letter to IATTC from David Hogan, US Department of State, regarding ratification of the Convention for the Strengthening of the IATTC
- Agenda Item F.4 Supplemental Attachment 5: Preliminary Options for Discussion Revised IATTC Resolution C-13-01 Prepared by Hawaii Longline Association (Draft)
- Agenda Item F.4.b, Supplemental NMFS Report 1: Landings and Ex-vessel Revenue in the U.S. West Coast albacore surface hook-and-line fishery
- Agenda Item F.4.b, Supplemental NMFS Report 2: Schedule of 2016 international meetings; update of international activities
- Agenda Item F.4.b, Supplemental Canadian Consulate Report: Statement to the PFMC, March 12, 2016 (Patrick Higgins)
- Agenda Item F.4.c, Supplemental HMSMT Report
- Agenda Item F.4.c, Supplemental HMSAS Report
- Agenda Item F.4.d, Supplemental Public Comment
- Agenda Item F.4.d, Supplemental Public Comment 2

G. Groundfish Management

Agenda Item G.1: National Marine Fisheries Service Report (Groundfish)
- Agenda Item G.1.a, NMFS Report 1: Rulemaking Plan for 2016, Groundfish and Halibut
- Agenda Item G.1.a, NMFS Report 2: Groundfish and Halibut Federal Register Notices
- Agenda Item G.1.b, Supplemental NOAA Science Center PowerPoint: Groundfish Science Report (McClure)
Agenda Item G.2: Exempted Fishing Permit for California Mid-Water Commercial Jig Gear for 2017-2018
- Agenda Item G.2, Attachment 1: Application for Exempted Fishing Permit for Yellowtail Rockfish Jig Fishing for the 2017-2018 Fishing Season
- Agenda Item G.2.a, Supplemental GMT Report
- Agenda Item G.2.a, Supplemental GAP Report
Agenda Item G.3: Biennial Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for 2017-2018 Groundfish Fisheries
- Agenda Item G.3, Supplemental Agenda Item Overview PowerPoint: 2017-2018 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures (Ames, et al)
- Agenda Item G.3.a, Supplemental NMFS Report: Results of NEPA scoping and schedule for regulation deeming and FMP transmittal
- Agenda Item G.3.a, REVISED Supplemental ODFW Report
- Agenda Item G.3.a, Supplemental GAP Report
- Agenda Item G.3.b, Public Comment
- Agenda Item G.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment 2
- Agenda Item G.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment 3
REVISED Agenda Item G.4: Consideration of Inseason Adjustments, Including Carryover
- Agenda Item G.4.a, Supplemental CDFW Report
- Agenda Item G.4.a, Supplemental GMT Report 1: GMT report on routine adjustments
- Agenda Item G.4.a, Supplemental GMT Report 2: GMT report on surplus carryover
- Agenda Item G.4.a, Supplemental GAP Report
Agenda Item G.5: Oregon Mid-Water Sport Fishery Regulations Final Action
- Agenda Item G.5, Attachment 1: Authorization of an Oregon Recreational Groundfish Fishery for Mid-water Species, Draft Environmental Assessment
- Agenda Item G.5.a, Supplemental ODFW PowerPoint: Authorization of an Oregon Recreational Fishery for Midwater Groundfish Species (Mirick)
- Agenda Item G.5.a, Supplemental GAP Report
- Agenda Item G.5.a, Supplemental GMT Report
- Agenda Item G.5.a, Supplemental EC Report
- Agenda Item G.5.b, Supplemental Public Comment
Agenda Item G.6: Salmon Endangered Species Act Consultation Update
- Agenda Item G.6, Attachment 1: Excerpt from September 2015 Council Meeting Record for Agenda Item
- Agenda Item G.6.a, Supplemental NMFS PowerPoint: Susan Bishop
- Agenda Item G.6.a, Supplemental SAS Report
Agenda Item G.7: Electronic Monitoring Exempted Fishing Permit Update and Revisions
- Agenda Item G.7.a, NMFS Report
- Agenda Item G.7.a, Supplemental PowerPoint: Electronic Monitoring EFP Update (Hooper)
- Agenda Item G.7.b, Supplemental GMT Report
- Agenda Item G.7.b, Supplemental GAP Report
Agenda Item G.8: Changes to Trawl Catch Share Program Gear Regulations – Final Action
- Agenda Item G.8, Attachment 1: Gear Changes for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery’s Trawl Catch Share Program, Preliminary Draft EIS (Full Version Electronic Only)
- Agenda Item G.8, Attachment 2: Regulations Related To Trawl Gear Configuration, Gears Allowed On Board, and Area of Use
- Agenda Item G.8, Supplemental Attachment 3: Federal Register notice dated March 3, 2016, notice of intent to prepare an EIS to analyze the impacts on the human environment of gear changes in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery’s Trawl Catch Share Program; request for comments
- Agenda Item G.8, Supplemental Attachment 4: FPA Decision Template for Changes to the Trawl Catch Share Program Gear Regulations
- Agenda Item G.8.a, NMFS Report: Groundfish Gear Changes—Issues for Consideration, Trawl Gear Configuration and Use
- Agenda Item G.8.a, Supplemental NMFS PowerPoint 1: Preliminary Draft EIS (Goen)
- Agenda Item G.8.a, Supplemental NMFS PowerPoint 2: Issues for Consideration (Goen)
- Agenda Item G.8.a, Supplemental SSC Report
- Agenda Item G.8.a, Supplemental GMT Report
- Agenda Item G.8.a, Supplemental GAP Report
- Agenda Item G.8.a, Supplemental EC Report

H. Pacific Halibut Management

Agenda Item H.1: Report on the International Pacific Halibut Commission Meeting
- Agenda Item H.1, Attachment 1: 2016 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Allocations
- Agenda Item H.1.a, IPHC Report: IPHC News Release
- Agenda Item H.1.a, Supplemental IPHC PowerPoint: Summary of the 2016 IPHC Annual Meeting (Leaman)
- Agenda Item H.1.b, IPHC Representative Report: Report on the 2016 International Pacific Halibut Commission Annual Meeting
- Agenda Item H.1.c, Supplemental NMFS Report: Report on the 2014 Pacific Halibut Fisheries in Area 2A (2/24/2016)
- Agenda Item H.1.c, Supplemental GAP Report
Agenda Item H.2: Incidental Catch Recommendation Options for the Salmon Troll and Final Recommendations for Fixed Gear Sablefish Fisheries
- Agenda Item H.2, Attachment 1: Summary of Pacific Halibut Incidental Catch Management
- Agenda Item H.2.a, Supplemental SAS Report
- Agenda Item H.2.a, Supplemental GAP Report
Agenda Item H.3: Halibut Incidental Groundfish Regulations Final Action
- Agenda Item H.3.a, NMFS Report 1: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Report on Halibut Incidental Groundfish Regulations
- Agenda Item H.3.a, Supplemental GAP Report
- Agenda Item H.3.a, Supplemental EC Report

I. Administrative Matters

Agenda Item I.1: Approval of Council Meeting Record
- Agenda Item I.1, Attachment 1: Draft Council Meeting Record: 232nd Session of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (November 14-19, 2015)
Agenda Item I.2: Membership Appointments and Council Operating Procedures
- Agenda Item I.2, Supplemental Attachment 1: Pacific Fishery Management Council Executive Director Vacancy; Schedule and Process for Recruitment and Hiring Decision-Making
- Agenda Item I.2, Supplemental Attachment 2: Executive Director Recruitment Announcement
- Agenda Item I.2, Supplemental Attachment 3: Executive Director Position Description, CY 2016
- Agenda Item I.2.b, Supplemental Public Comment
Agenda Item I.3: Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- Agenda Item I.3, Attachment 1: Pacific Council Workload Planning: Preliminary Year-at-a-Glance Summary
- Agenda Item I.3, Attachment 2: Draft Proposed Council Meeting Agenda, April 8-14, 2016 in Vancouver, Washington
- Agenda Item I.3, Attachment 3: Groundfish Workload Priorities
- Agenda Item I.3, Supplemental Attachment 4: Pacific Council Workload Planning: Preliminary Year-at-a-Glance Summary (dated March 14, 2016)
- Agenda Item I.3, Supplemental Attachment 5: Draft Proposed Council Meeting Agenda, April 8-14, 2016 in Vancouver, Washington (dated March 14, 2016)
- Agenda Item I.3.a, NMFS Report 1: NMFS’ West Coast Region Recreational Fisheries Implementation Plan for 2016-2018
- Agenda Item I.3.a, Supplemental HMSAS Report
- Agenda Item I.3.a, Supplemental HMSMT Report
- Agenda Item I.3.a, Supplemental GMT Report 1: Future Council Meetings and Workload
- Agenda Item I.3.a, Supplemental GMT Report 2; Response to the Midwater Trawlers Cooperative Open Comment Letter Regarding the Disaster Tow of the F/V Seeker
- Agenda Item I.3.a, Supplemental GAP report
- Agenda Item I.3.b, Public Comment
- Agenda Item I.3.b, Supplemental Public Comment 2

Ancillary Meetings (Advisory Body and Committee Agendas AND Committee Memos)

Ancillary Agendas

Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (ECW) Agenda
Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel (EAS) Agenda
Enforcement Consultants (EC) Agenda
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel (GAP) Agenda
Groundfish Management Team (GMT) Agenda
Habitat Committee (HC) Agenda
Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel (HMS) Agenda
Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) Agenda
Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) Agenda
Salmon Technical Team (STT) Agenda
Sacramento River Winter Chinook Workgroup (SRWCW) Agenda
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Agenda
- SSC DRAFT November 2015 Minutes
Salmon Technical Team (STT) Agenda

Committee and Advisory Body Memos

Informational Reports, General Information, and Membership Roster

Informational Reports

Informational Report 1: News Release from NOAA Fisheries “U.S. Fisheries Management Clears High Bar for Sustainability Based on New Assessment”
Informational Report 2: Guidance on Fishing Vessel Risk Assessments and Accounting for Safety at Sea in Fishery Management Design (Full Version Electronic Only)
Informational Report 3: DRAFT West Coast Region Recreational Fisheries Implementation Plan 2016-2018
Supplemental Informational Report 4: National EFH Summit invite and agenda
Supplemental Informational Report 5: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and NOAA to co-host a workshop this June on artificial reef science and management
Supplemental Informational Report 6: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Transitions
Supplemental Informational Report 7: NMFS Instruction 02-204-01, February 22, 2016; Guidelines for Preparing Stock Assessment Reports Pursuant to the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA

General Information, Chair’s Reception, Membership Roster

General Information, March 2016: General Information, March 2016: Chairs’ Reception, Hotel Information, Council Seating Chart, Membership Roster