Ad Hoc Climate and Communities Core Team Meeting, May 30-31, 2019

The Ad Hoc Climate and Communities Core Team met on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2019 in Portland, Oregon (see agenda). The Team worked on climate change scenario planning and began developing a plan for a Council-focused scenario planning exercise as part of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate and Communities Initiative.

The Team was formed in March 2019 and will report back at the September 2019 Council meeting.

The specific tasks addressed during this meeting were:

  • Refine the scenario topic used in the exercise
  • Develop a timeline for the scenario planning process (to be conducted between the September 2019 and March 2020 Pacific Council meetings)
  • Identify participants in the exercise.
  • Plan future meetings or webinars if necessary.

ADD ANY RESULTING REPORTS HERE

Climate and Communities Initiative Spring 2019 Update

In March 2019 the Council formed the Climate and Communities Core Team (Ad Hoc CCCT) to manage a scenario planning exercise on the topic of shifting stock availability (including shifting distribution) across species, FMPs, and communities across the west coast. The Council expects this exercise to result in the definition of tools, products, and processes necessary to react to potential future ecosystem states resulting from climate variability and climate change. The Core Team will flesh out the details of this scenario planning exercise and report back to the Council in September 2019. The bulk of the scenario planning activities would occur between October 2019 and March 2020 when the Council would receive a report on the outcomes of the exercise. Using Scenarios to Explore Climate Change: A Handbook for Practitioners (National Park Service, 2013) provides a general overview of using scenario planning methods to evaluate adaption strategies for climate change.

Climate and Communities Initiative: 2018 Activities

In 2018, the following activities took place:

Climate and Communities Initiative 2017 Activities

2017 ACTIVITIES

In March 2017 the Council scoped a potential Fishery Ecosystem Plan initiative to take up in the coming years. They asked the Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) to report back in September 2017 with more information to choose between a combined initiative on the socioeconomic effects of fisheries management practices on fishing communities (A.2.7) and on human recruitment to the fisheries (A.2.6), and an initiative on the effects of near-term climate shift and long-term climate change on our fish, fisheries, and fishing communities (A.2.8). 

The EWG presented a report in September that identified specific objectives of the initiatives, inventoried available information, and proposed a timeline for completing either or both initiatives.  Based on this scoping the Council decided to begin work on the Climate Shift Initiative with an emphasis on the wellbeing of dependent fishing communities.

Habitat Committee

The Council’s Habitat Committee provides advice to the Council on a wide variety of habitat-related issues. The committee works with other advisory bodies on habitat issues, helps develop ways to resolve habitat problems and avoid future habitat conflicts, and makes recommendations for actions that will help achieve the Council’s habitat objectives. Meetings are open to the public.

Lance Hebdon is the Chair and Dr. Correigh Greene is the Vice-Chair of the Habitat Committee (HC). 

See the HC roster.

Latest Habitat Reports

Current Habitat Topics

The list below includes major topics discussed by the Habitat Committee since 2015. For more information, see the briefing book archives.

General topicDetailsRelevant agencies or organizationsDate last discussed in Habitat Committee
Essential fish habitat for highly migratory speciesFive year reviewNMFS2020 (March)
Ecosystem-based fishery managementAnnual Integrated Ecosystem Assessment reportNMFSAnnually
SalmonSalmon rebuildingNMFS, Council2020 (March)
Groundfish essential fish habitat (EFH)Groundfish EFH (Amendment 28)Council, NMFS2019 (September)
Fishery Ecosystem PlanFive-year reviewCouncil2020 (March)
Fishery Ecosystem PlanClimate and communities initiativeCouncil2019 (March)
DamsKlamath dam removal2019 (November)
CoralsDeep sea coralsNOAA2019 (March)
Columbia RiverDissolved gas levels at damsStates of Washington, Oregon2019 (March)
AquacultureHumboldt Bay aquacultureHumboldt Bay Harbor District, Nordic Aquafarms2019 (March)
Sacramento waterCentral Valley Operations BiopBureau of Reclamation, NMFS2019 (November)
Sediment managementWashington and California coastal sediment management activitiesWDFW, California Natural Resources Agency2019 (June)
Research and dataCalCOFI ( California Cooperative Oceanic
Fisheries Investigations) update
NMFS2019 (June)
Offshore energyBureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) California task force activities; offshore windBOEM2019 (June)
Liquified natural gas (LNG)Jordan Cove LNG project and pipelineFERC2019 (November)
KlamathNew Biological OpinionBureau of Reclamation2019 (June)
KlamathFlushing flowsBureau of Reclamation, NMFS2019 (June)
SanctuariesSanctuariesNational Marine Sanctuary Program2020 (March)
Sacramento DeltaStudy of Juvenile Salmon Use of the Sacramento DeltaNMFS2019 (April)
PrioritiesShared Council/NMFS habitat prioritiesCouncil, NMFS2019 (November)
PollutantsNational Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for offshore Seafood ProcessorsEnvironmental Protection Agency2019 (April)
DroughtWashington drought declarationWashington state2019 (April)
Coastal zone managementProposed Rule Changes to Coastal Zone Management Act Federal Consistency ProcessNMFS2019 (April)
BeaversOregon Dept of Transportation (ODOT) beaver removal policiesODOT2019 (April)
AquacultureNOAA aquaculture rules/planNational Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)2019 (April)
Research and dataResearch and data needsCouncil2018 (September)
Killer whales (southern resident)Expansion of critical habitatNOAA2019 (November)
Ecosystem-based fishery managementWest Coast Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Roadmap ImplementationNMFS2018 (September)
Columbia RiverTreaty negotiationsDept. of State2018 (September)
Climate changeReport to legislature on ocean acidificationOregon Coordination Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia2018 (September)
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management ActReauthorizationCouncil2018 (November)
DamsRaising of Shasta damBureau of Reclamation2018 (November)
DamsSan Clemente dam removal2018 (November)
Columbia RiverEssential fish habitat in the Columbia RiverEPA2018 (November)
AquaculturePacific Ocean Aquafarms (proposed offshore yellowtail tuna facility)Hubbs Sea World Research Institute2018 (November)
EstuariesGeneralPMEP, others2019 (September)
Columbia RiverFlows2018 (June)
Offshore energyTrident/Morro Bay offshore wind projectTrident Wind2018 (April)
Columbia RiverSpill (through dams)Federal Columbia River Power System2018 (April)
SalmonEscape of Atlantic salmon from aquaculture facility2017 (September)
Fishery Ecosystem PlanClimate vulnerability assesssment reportCouncil/NMFS2017 (September)
DamsOroville DamUS Army Corps of Engineers, others2017 (September)
California Current Integrated Ecosystem AssessmentAssessment indicatorsNMFS2017 (September)
AquacultureRose Canyon Aquaculture project (offshore project for seabass, yellowtail, etc)Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute2017 (September)
Ecosystem-based fishery managementSablefish ecosystem indicatorsCouncil, NMFS2017 (November)
SalmonCoastal Coho Restoration PlanNMFS2017 (March)
Fishery Ecosystem PlanGeneral initiativesCouncil2017 (March)
Research and dataHabitat Use DatabaseNMFS2017 (June)
Research and dataBOEM data portal for offshore renewable energyBOEM2017 (June)
Marine planningMarine planning2017 (June)
Law enforcmentNMFS Office of Law Enforcement Strategic Plan reviewNMFS2017 (June)
Climate changePacific Coast Collaborative and Ocean Acidification AlliancePacific Coast Collaborative (states of WA, OR, CA)2017 (June)
AquacultureCoast Seafoods aquaculture projectCoast Seafoods/Humboldt Bay2017 (April)
GeneralFisheries-specific habitat objectivesPacific States Marine Fisheries Commission2016 (November)
DamsHells Canyon Section 401 CertificationFederal Energy Regulatory Commission2016 (November)
Columbia RiverColumbia River operations, generalNMFS, BOR, EPA, USFWS2020 (March)
Sacramento waterSacramento winter-run chinook outlook and planningNMFS2016 (March)
Nuclear powerDiablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant closure/fish entrainmentPacific Gas & Electric2016 (June)
Climate changeWestern Regional (Climate Change) Action PlanNMFS2016 (June)
Ecosystem-based fishery managementEcosystem indicatorsNMFS2016 (April)
Climate changeThermal Refugia in the Columbia River System/Norwest Stream Temperature ModelNMFS2016 (April)
Climate changeOcean Acidification policy recommendationsNMFS2016 (April)
Riparian buffersOregon Forest Practices Act buffer requirements inadequateOregon Board of Forestry2015 (November)
GeneralIntergovernmental Policy Council habitat framework2015 (November)
DroughtFederal legislation - drought issues2015 (November)
Columbia RiverHigh temperatures and fish killsNMFS/WDFW/ODFW2015 (November)
Forage fishUnmanaged forage fish protectionCouncil2015 (March)
Climate changeNMFS Climate Science Strategy UpdateNMFS2015 (March)
Offshore energyOregon State University (OSU) wave energy test siteOSU2015 (June)
DesalinationProposed desalination projects in CaliforniaDeepWater Desal, California American Water, People's Moss Landing Water Desal Project2015 (June)
AquacultureCatalina Sea Ranch/KZO Sea Farms proposed projectCatalina Sea Ranch/KZO Sea Farms proposed project2015 (June)
FloodingChehalis River flood damage reduction projectWashington Dept of Ecology, USACE2019 (September)
AquacultureVentura Shellfish Project2019 (September)
SanctuariesChannel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan ReviewOffice of National Marine Sanctuaries2019 (November)
EelgrassReview of California eelgrass mitigation policyNOAA2019 (November)
SalmonSalmon reintroduction upstream of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee damsConfederated Tribes of the Colville/UCUT2019 (November)
Offshore energyResponsible Offshore Energy Development Alliance (RODA)RODA2019 (November)
Humpback whalesExpansion of critical habitatNOAA2019 (November)

Habitat Correspondence and Resolutions

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Pacific Council News: Administrative Briefs

A dory fisherman brings in his boat in Pacific City, Oregon.
A dory fisherman brings in his boat in Pacific City, Oregon.

New Council newsletter format debuts

The Council is updating the format of its newsletter to make it more flexible and user-friendly. The web-based format uses a “post” style for articles on similar topics, which makes it easier to share articles across platforms and allows third-party news outlets to link to Council articles. In addition, the new format is smartphone-friendly and will eventually reflect the look of the Council’s new website, which is currently under construction. We welcome your comments during this transition period.

E-Portal open for June briefing book comments

The Council’s comment portal is now accepting comments on June briefing book materials. Please visit the June 2019 Council Meeting E-portal to submit your written comment. Select the agenda item you are interested in commenting on and either enter your comments in the text box, or upload a file containing your comments in .pdf format. You may submit one comment per agenda item in advance of the initial advance briefing book public comment deadline (Thursday, May 23, 5:00 pm).

You will then be allowed one more comment opportunity between 5:01 p.m., May 23 and the supplemental public comment deadline (5:00 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2019), which will allow you to review the advanced briefing materials scheduled to be posted to the Council website no later than close of business, Monday, June 3, 2019.

If you have questions on this process, please contact Kris Kleinschmidt or see the instructional demo YouTube video.

Advisory body appointments

In March and April, the Council reviewed and approved the following appointments: Greg Krutzikowsky was appointed to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) seat on the Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team formerly held by Cyreis Schmitt; Patrick Mirick was appointed to the ODFW seat on the Groundfish Endangered Species Workgroup formerly held by Dr. Caren Braby; Caroline McKnight was appointed to the California Department of Fish Wildlife (CDFW) vacancy on the Groundfish Management Team; Travis Buck was appointed to the CDFW seat on the ad hoc Ecosystem Workgroup formerly held by Deb Wilson-Vandenberg; Melinda Rowse was appointed to the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center seat on the Salmon Technical Team formerly held by Dr. Robert Kope; Jon Pink was appointed to the Washington Coastal Tribal Fisheries vacancy on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel; and Robin Bown was appointed to  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service position on the Groundfish Endangered Species Workgroup formerly held by Laura Todd.

The Council recommended adding an additional at-large Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) position as a means of bringing needed expertise to the committee and appointed Dr. Marisol Garcia-Reyes, Dr. Kristen Marshall, and Dr. Jason Shaffler to the three vacant at-large positions on the SSC.

Chris German of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will replace CDR Jason Brand as RADM Throop’s second designee and as an Enforcement Consultant for the USCG.  The Council expressed their appreciation for CDR Brand’s contributions to the Council and wished him the best in his future endeavors. The Council also welcomed Sergeant Kit Rosenberger as an alternate for Captain Dan Chadwick as a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Consultant.

The Council approved the revisions to the Council Operating Procedures regarding rules of conduct, staffing expectations, and the Council’s new electronic  public comment policies with minor language changes.

Legislative News

The Legislative Committee met in April to discuss several bills, including:

H.R. 549: the FISH Act, introduced by Ken Calvert (R-CA).  This bill is the same as H.R. 3916, which was the subject of a 2017 Council letter to Congressman Calvert. The bill transfers all functions with respect to anadromous species and catadromous species under the Endangered Species Act from the Secretary of Commerce or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the Secretary of the Interior. Opposing groups believe the bill would weaken protections that currently exist under NMFS jurisdiction.

S. 906/H.R. 1979: Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, introduced by Diane Feinstein and Ted Lieu (D-CA). This bill would extend current California state regulations regarding driftnets to all Federal waters within five years.

H.R. 2236: Forage Fish Conservation Act, introduced by Debbie Dingell (D-MI). This bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require Scientific and Statistical Committees to provide scientific advice on maintaining a sufficient abundance of forage fish populations; adds forage fish populations and distribution as a research priority; calls for Councils to develop lists of unmanaged forage fish species and prohibit development of new fisheries (as the Pacific Council has done); and requires Councils to reduce annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries according to the dietary needs of fish species and other marine wildlife.

The Council is tracking the driftnet and forage fish bills, but has not been asked to provide comments. (The Council may not comment on legislation unless it receives a Congressional request).

The Legislative Committee will meet next at the June Council meeting.

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2019: Third-party video review discussed

In April 2019 the Council scheduled electronic monitoring (EM) items for the June, September, and November 2019 Council meetings and recommended the Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Policy Advisory Committee (GEMPAC) meet as necessary to review National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) procedural directives and program guidance documents.

In September the Council recommended that NMFS consider changes to the EM Program Guidelines and the draft Data Storage Procedural document that had been identified by the GEMAC. The Council agreed to ask Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) to identify a way forward that would allow PSMFC to continue providing EM review services for the industry in 2021.

In November the Council reviewed, but did not finalize, their recommendations on the revised EM Program Guidelines and the Draft EM Manual. The Council agreed to tell NMFS that they wanted to delay implementation of the EM regulations until 2022, and would consider extending the EM exempted fishing permit at the March 2020 meeting. The Council asked for more information on the appropriate level of video review for vessel steam time (nonfishing activity).

The Council noted that an analysis was needed to understand the effect of applying vessel-specific halibut discard mortality estimates to non-reviewed trips as noted by the GEMPAC/TAC. Finally, the Council expressed concern about the cost effectiveness of the program and said it would like the industry to continue to work with NMFS and PSMFC to find a way for industry to fund part of the EM program.

Pacific Council News Spring 2019: Admin

New Council newsletter format debuts

The Council is updating the format of its newsletter to make it more flexible and user-friendly. The web-based format uses a “post” style for articles on similar topics, which makes it easier to share articles across platforms and allows third-party news outlets to link to Council articles. In addition, the new format is smartphone-friendly and will eventually reflect the look of the Council’s new website, which is currently under construction. We welcome your comments during this transition period.

E-Portal open for June briefing book comments

The Council’s comment portal is now accepting comments on June briefing book materials. Please visit the June 2019 Council Meeting E-portal to submit your written comment. Select the agenda item you are interested in commenting on and either enter your comments in the text box, or upload a file containing your comments in .pdf format. You may submit one comment per agenda item in advance of the initial advance briefing book public comment deadline (Thursday, May 23, 5:00 pm).

You will then be allowed one more comment opportunity between 5:01 p.m., May 23 and the supplemental public comment deadline (5:00 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2019), which will allow you to review the advanced briefing materials scheduled to be posted to the Council website no later than close of business, Monday, June 3, 2019.

If you have questions on this process, please contact Kris Kleinschmidt or see the instructional demo YouTube video.

Advisory body appointments

In March and April, the Council reviewed and approved the following appointments: Greg Krutzikowsky was appointed to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) seat on the Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team formerly held by Cyreis SchmittPatrick Mirick was appointed to the ODFW seat on the Groundfish Endangered Species Workgroup formerly held by Dr. Caren BrabyCaroline McKnight was appointed to the California Department of Fish Wildlife (CDFW) vacancy on the Groundfish Management Team; Travis Buck was appointed to the CDFW seat on the ad hoc Ecosystem Workgroup formerly held by Deb Wilson-VandenbergMelinda Rowse was appointed to the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center seat on the Salmon Technical Team formerly held by Dr. Robert KopeJon Pink was appointed to the Washington Coastal Tribal Fisheries vacancy on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel; and Robin Bown was appointed to  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service position on the Groundfish Endangered Species Workgroup formerly held by Laura Todd.

The Council recommended adding an additional at-large Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) position as a means of bringing needed expertise to the committee and appointed Dr. Marisol Garcia-ReyesDr. Kristen Marshall, and Dr. Jason Shaffler to the three vacant at-large positions on the SSC.

Chris German of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will replace CDR Jason Brand as RADM Throop’s second designee and as an Enforcement Consultant for the USCG.  The Council expressed their appreciation for CDR Brand’s contributions to the Council and wished him the best in his future endeavors. The Council also welcomed Sergeant Kit Rosenberger as an alternate for Captain Dan Chadwick as a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Consultant.

The Council approved the revisions to the Council Operating Procedures regarding rules of conduct, staffing expectations, and the Council’s new electronic  public comment policies with minor language changes.

Legislative News

The Legislative Committee met in April to discuss several bills, including:

H.R. 549: the FISH Act, introduced by Ken Calvert (R-CA).  This bill is the same as H.R. 3916, which was the subject of a 2017 Council letter to Congressman Calvert. The bill transfers all functions with respect to anadromous species and catadromous species under the Endangered Species Act from the Secretary of Commerce or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the Secretary of the Interior. Opposing groups believe the bill would weaken protections that currently exist under NMFS jurisdiction.

S. 906/H.R. 1979: Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, introduced by Diane Feinstein and Ted Lieu (D-CA). This bill would extend current California state regulations regarding driftnets to all Federal waters within five years.

H.R. 2236: Forage Fish Conservation Act, introduced by Debbie Dingell (D-MI). This bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require Scientific and Statistical Committees to provide scientific advice on maintaining a sufficient abundance of forage fish populations; adds forage fish populations and distribution as a research priority; calls for Councils to develop lists of unmanaged forage fish species and prohibit development of new fisheries (as the Pacific Council has done); and requires Councils to reduce annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries according to the dietary needs of fish species and other marine wildlife.

The Council is tracking the driftnet and forage fish bills, but has not been asked to provide comments. (The Council may not comment on legislation unless it receives a Congressional request).

The Legislative Committee will meet next at the June Council meeting.

Administrative shorts

On Earth Day a few members of the Council staff conducted a litter cleanup at Chinook Landing, a boat ramp and park near the Council office. They gathered three bags of debris, mostly beer bottles and plastic water bottles. The Pacific Council and its staff continue to look for ways to reduce impacts to our environment. We work with hotels to ensure recycling bins are available and clearly labeled, encourage the use of electronic documents, reuse paper, and collect styrofoam, batteries, and plastic clamshells from staff for recycling. Please help us out by supporting our recycling efforts at Council meetings!

National Marine Sanctuaries: Bill Douros, Regional Director of the National Marine Sanctuaries program, reported to the Council on Office of National Marine Sanctuary activities and programs.

Saltonstall-Kennedy program: Cliff Cosgrove, National Saltonstall-Kennedy Program Manager, briefed the Council on the program and solicited feedback on ways to improve communications, dissemination, and utilization of results achieved through projects funded by the program. An evening session on the program was held on April 12. Each year, the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program awards up to $10 million to fisheries research and development projects which are selected based on how well they address the needs of fishing communities, benefit U.S. fishing industries (including both commercial and recreational fisheries), and involve fishing community participation. From 2010 through 2018, over $15 million in funding was awarded for 57 projects through the S-K Program in the West Coast region.

Allocation review: The Council approved a draft operating procedure (COP 27) on intersector allocation reviews for public review.


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Pacific Council News Spring 2019: Highly migratory species

Council explores ways to measure bycatch, interactions in drift gillnet fishery

In March, the Highly Migratory Species Management Team reported on the development of new methods to report bycatch rates in the large-mesh drift gillnet fishery relative to performance metrics.

Performance metrics provide a way for the Council to monitor the drift gillnet fishery’s bycatch of finfish and interactions with certain marine mammals and sea turtles compared to historical levels or performance objectives. If these numbers are consistently at a level higher than one of the performance objectives, the Council may consider whether new measures are necessary to limit bycatch or reduce interactions with protected species. In June the team will report on bycatch estimates for the 2016/17 fishery for 22 species as well as measures of the overall bycatch rate for the fishery.

The team is also assessing the uncertainty surrounding bycatch estimates under different levels of observer coverage, and is working on ways to reduce bycatch if the fishery fails to meet its standards.


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Pacific Council News Spring 2019: Pacific halibut

Changes to halibut management may be on the horizon

The non-Indian commercial directed halibut fishery may be managed by the Council in the future, in response to International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) recommendations to change the structure of the fishery, citing safety concerns. The Council asked representatives from NMFS, the states, and Council staff to meet with the IPHC before the June Council meeting to discuss the logistics associated with a transition plan.  Next steps will be discussed at the June Council meeting.

The fishery structure has been a topic of discussion between the IPHC and Council since May 2017, when the IPHC recommended the Council consider a change in the management of the fishery. The IPHC did not recommend a particular management structure for the fishery, but supported changes that would reduce the concentration of fishing effort.

A stakeholder workshop may occur later in 2019 to discuss regulatory alternatives (opening date, season structure, and vessel limits) for the 2020 fishery. At the November Council meeting, NMFS will provide a report on the process, timeline, and workload associated with transitioning the management of the fishery. Skip to other halibut news

Halibut incidental catch limits for salmon troll fishery set

The Council adopted final incidental landing restrictions for the salmon troll fishery as follows: from May 1, 2019 through the end of the 2019 salmon troll fishery, and from April 1-30, 2020, license holders may land no more than one Pacific halibut per two Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 35 halibut landed per trip.


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