Updates

Announcing a 2022 Marine Resource Education Program (MREP)

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is pleased to announce the Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) in the West Coast fishery region.


By fishermen, for fishermen, MREP provides fishermen and others with an interest in federal fisheries with an opportunity to gain insight into how fisheries data are collected and how those data lead to regulations. MREP brings together commercial, charter, and recreational fishermen with scientists, managers, and other marine resource professionals from the Pacific coast to learn, share insights, and network in a neutral and professional setting. Participants leave the program empowered and better prepared to be a voice in federal fisheries management. Listen to West Coast fishermen describe what MREP meant to them on a short video at https://mrep.gmri.org/.


The MREP West Coast Fisheries Science & Management Workshop will be held April 25 – 29, 2022 at the Sheraton La Jolla Hotel in La Jolla, CA.

The workshop is free to selected participants and includes meals, travel, and accommodation. Seats are limited. Applications to participate can be found on the MREP website at: https://mrep.gmri.org/apply

The regional program principals are available to respond to inquiries about the workshop:

  • Bob Dooley, commercial fisherman, phone (650) 619-4713
  • Dan Wolford, recreational fisherman, phone (408) 656-1524
  • Brad Pettinger, commercial fisherman, phone (541) 251-1746

MREP recognizes that times are unpredictable and will continue to monitor national, state, and local CDC guidelines for gatherings and remain in close contact as we progress with planning. Health experts predict the spread of the new variant will peak in coming weeks and then subside. All things considered, MREP is confident we can deliver a safe in-person workshop this April.


General questions about the program should be directed to Lauren O’Brien, MREP Senior Program Manager, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, (207) 228-1684 or lobrien@gmri.org.

This announcement posted as a courtesy to MREP.

January 2022 Decision Summary Document

January 21, 2022 

Council Meeting Decision Summary Documents are highlights of significant decisions made at Council meetings.  Results of agenda items that do not reach a level of highlight significance are typically not described in the Decision Summary Document.  For a more detailed account of Council meeting discussions, see the Council meeting record and transcripts or the Council newsletter.

Salmon Management

Southern Oregon / Northern California Coast Coho (SONCC) Harvest Control Rule

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) rescinded the action taken at its November 2021 meeting under Agenda Item F.3  regarding the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho harvest control rule.

The Council adopted final preferred alternatives for a harvest control rule for SONCC coho.  The Council will recommend that the National Marine Fisheries Service evaluate the new harvest control rule for potential implementation under the Endangered Species Act and as an amendment to the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan.  Consistent with the range of Alternatives provided in the Risk Assessment submitted at the November 2021 Council meeting under Agenda F.3, the Council adopted Alternative 5, a total fishery (marine and freshwater) exploitation rate (ER) limit of 15 percent as the preferred harvest control rule for all populations within the SONCC Evolutionary Significant Unit, except the Trinity River coho populations.  The Council adopted Alternative 6, a total fishery ER limit of 16 percent as the preferred harvest control rule for the Trinity River coho populations.

During its annual salmon preseason planning process, the Council will evaluate ocean fisheries using the Coho Fishery Regulation Assessment Model (FRAM) so that, when combined with estimated freshwater impacts, the preseason projected total ER does not exceed the adopted harvest control rules. The estimated freshwater impacts will be determined using projections provided by co-managing agencies. Postseason ERs will be estimated for each year once postseason harvest and abundance estimates become available. Coho-directed fisheries and coho retention in Chinook-directed fisheries will remain prohibited in the Exclusive Economic Zone off of California.

PRELIMINARY DRAFT JANUARY 2022 MOTIONS IN WRITING

Cautionary Note — These preliminary motions do not represent the final official administrative record. The motions and amendments contained in this blog are as projected on the screen at the Council meeting at the time of the Council vote and often use expedited language and references without the benefit of any final editing or proofing. They may use short-hand language or abbreviations that may not be clear without the context of verbal comments and clarifications made during their development at the meeting, or may contain inadvertent transposition errors. They have not been approved by the Council to represent the final official record of Council action. The final official record will be posted on the Council website after the Council approves the full meeting record at a future Council meeting.

Coastal Pelagic Species Subcommittee of the Scientific and Statistical Committee to hold online meeting March 2, 2022

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