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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Pacific Council News Spring 2019: Coastal pelagic species

Pacific sardine assessment shows stock below overfished threshold

The Pacific sardine stock assessment approved in April estimated a biomass of 27,547 metric tons, which is below the minimum stock size threshold of 50,000 mt, which corresponds with the overfished threshold. As a result, NMFS is expected to declare the stock overfished in the near future. Once that occurs, the Council and NMFS are required to put a rebuilding plan in place within two years.

For the past four fishing years, the biomass estimates in the stock assessments have been below the sardine harvest control rule cutoff threshold of 150,000 mt. Aside from small-scale directed fishing and live bait fishing, directed fishing has been prohibited.

The Council adopted harvest specifications and management measures for the 2019-20 Pacific sardine fishing season, which runs July 1 through June 30 (see table).

Biomass27,547 mt
Overfishing limit5,816 mt
P*0.40
Acceptable biological catch4,514 mt
Annual catch limit4,514 mt
Annual catch target4,000 mt

Harvest specifications:

A 20 percent incidental catch allowance applies to the primary directed commercial fishery. This means that no coastal pelagic species (CPS) fisheries may have landings with more than 20 percent of sardine by weight. CPS species often school together and it’s not unusual to encounter mixed schools.

Directed take of sardines in the live bait fishery will be allowed, within limits described below. However, if Amendment 17 to the CPS fishery management plan is not approved before the July 1, 2019 start date, the live bait fishery will be limited to 15 percent incidental take of sardines until Amendment 17 is approved.

If the live bait fishery attains 2,500 mt, a limit of 1 mt of sardines per trip in the live bait fishery will apply. If the annual catch target of 4,000 mt is attained, a limit of 1 mt per trip of incidentally caught sardines would apply to both the live bait and primary directed CPS fisheries. In addition, an incidental per-trip allowance of 2 mt of sardines applies to non-CPS fisheries.

Council discusses management of central population of northern anchovy

In April the Council addressed management, harvest specifications and reference points for the central subpopulation of northern anchovy (CSNA). The coastal pelagic species advisory bodies, along with the Scientific and Statistical Committee and NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center, will meet in the fall to discuss nearshore estimation methods,  frequency of assessments, and accountability measures related to CSNA management. Those groups are to report back in November.

In addition, a recent court order required NMFS to issue a new final rule on CSNA reference points (overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and annual catch limit) by May 28, 2019. Although the Council and its advisory bodies had limited time to review the proposed rule, they generally expressed support the new reference points. The Council submitted a comment letter to NMFS describing its efforts  to explore improved management approaches to CSNA and other coastal pelagic stocks.

In June, the Council will consider alternatives to current coastal pelagic species management categories, available data, and options for a stock assessment prioritization process. In November, the Council will revisit these CSNA management issues.

Two exempted fishing permits endorsed

In April the Council endorsed two coastal pelagic species exempted fishing permit proposals, and recommended that NMFS approve them. One is for aerial survey work in Southern California, submitted by the California Wetfish Producers Association. The other is a “proof of concept” for research in the Pacific Northwest, submitted by the West Coast Pelagic Conservation Group. Both are designed to advance the science of coastal pelagic species stock surveys in the nearshore zone. Exempted fishing permits are issued by NMFS to allow exemptions from some regulations in order to study the effectiveness, bycatch rate, or other aspects of an experimental fishing gear.


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Pacific Council News Spring 2019: Groundfish

Changes to groundfish essential fish habitat, Rockfish Conservation Areas approved

In March the Council approved sending groundfish fishery management plan Amendment 28 for Secretarial review. Amendment 28 incorporates changes to groundfish essential fish habitat, trawl rockfish conservation areas, deepwater bottom contact gear closures, and other groundfish fishery and habitat protections. The Council also amended a previous motion to align the Arago Reef eastern boundary with the state waters boundary, and asked the Project Team to consider how best to survey interested persons to gather “lessons learned” and recommendations for future groundfish essential fish habitat reviews.

In addition, the Council approved a new Council Operating Procedure 22 (COP 22), which describes how essential fish habitat reviews for all fishery management plans will be conducted. Final approval of COP 22 is scheduled for this September after advisory body review.

Council makes inseason adjustments, discusses quota carryover, lingcod, blackcod, exempted fishing permit

In March, the Council directed the Groundfish Management Team (GMT) to examine adjustments to commercial non-trawl fixed trip limits for minor nearshore rockfish species, excluding black rockfish, in California; and recreational bag limits for canary and black rockfish. The GMT found that trip limits could be increased for the limited entry fixed gear and open access fisheries.

The GMT also examined proposed bag limit changes to canary and black rockfish recreational bag limits, and found that it was unlikely that increasing the sub-bag limit by one fish for each species would result in harvest guidelines being exceeded.

As a result, the Council recommended the following inseason adjustments for the remainder of the current 2019/2020 biennium:

California commercial limited-entry fixed-gear and open access nearshore rockfish fisheries:

  • For 42° 00’ N. lat. to 40° 10’ N. lat., increase the minor nearshore rockfish (other than black rockfish) sub-limit to 1,500 lbs per two months as soon as possible.
  • For 40° 10’ N. lat. to the Mexico Border, increase the deeper nearshore rockfish trip-limit to 1,200 lbs per two months beginning with trip Period 3 (May-June). Period two (March-April) will remain closed.

California recreational fisheries:

  • Increase the California canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) sub-bag limit from two to three fish within the overall 10-fish bag limit as soon as possible.
  • Increase the California black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) sub-bag limit from three to four fish within the overall 10-fish bag limit as soon as possible.

Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota Surplus Carryover

In April, the Council recommended that NMFS issue the maximum amount of carryover quota pounds into the shorebased individual fishing quota program for 2019 for all eligible species. This is usually done in March, but due to the partial government shutdown, NMFS was unable to finalize the data needed to evaluate the remaining 2018 surplus.

Up to 10 percent of the used and unused quota pounds in a vessel’s account may be carried over from one year to the next. However, NMFS will not issue surplus carryover quota pounds for species that have annual catch limits established equal to their acceptable biological catches.

Platt/Emley Exempted Fishing Permit

The applicant of the Platt-Emley exempted fishing permit (EFP) notified NMFS that the EFP was missing the requested 1.5 mt of lingcod for south of 40° 10′ N. lat. The Council reviewed the issue and recommended that one metric ton of lingcod be reallocated to the EFP from the south of 40° 10′ N. lat. research set-aside and 0.5 mt from the Incidental Open Access sector, totaling 1.5 mt annually for 2019 and 2020.

Lingcod

The Council reviewed updated projections for lingcod south of 40° 10′ N. lat. The findings showed increasing commercial limited entry fixed gear and open access trip limits, as well as recreational bag limits, could be adjusted for this area.

For lingcod south of 40° 10′ N. lat., the Council adopted the following adjustments to commercial and recreational fisheries for the remainder of 2019 and 2020. The Council recommended these adjustments go into effect by June 1:

  • Increase lingcod trip limits for the limited entry fishery south of 40° 10’ N. lat. to 1,200 lbs per two-month trip period for the remainder of 2019 and 2020.
  • Increase lingcod trip limits for the open access fishery south of 40° 10’ N. lat. to 500 lbs per month for the remainder of 2019 and 2020.

For the recreational fishery south of 40° 10′ N. lat., the recreational bag limit was increased to two lingcod for the remainder of 2019 and 2020, effective June 1.

Blackgill Rockfish

The GMT investigated the possibility of increasing limited entry fixed gear and open access trip limits for blackgill rockfish. Their analysis showed increasing trip limits would provide more opportunity to the fleet. Therefore, the Council adopted new blackgill trip limits for the two fisheries south of 40° 10′ N. lat. In the limited entry fixed gear fishery, limits were increased to 4,000 lbs./2 months, and in the open access fishery to 800 lbs./ 2 months.

Council adopts preferred alternative for seabird mitigation measures

In April the Council adopted its preliminary preferred alternative responding to the 2017 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion (BiOp) on short-tailed albatross take in commercial groundfish longline fisheries.

Under the preliminary preferred alternative, non-tribal commercial vessels that are 26 feet and longer and use bottom longline gear to catch groundfish in Federal waters would be required to either use streamer lines according to the Alaska streamer line specifications or to deploy gear at night. (This includes vessels fishing in the limited entry and open access fixed gear fisheries or those fishing with longline gear under the gear switching provisions of shorebased individual fishing quota program.) This action would extend the current requirement for vessels 55 feet and longer to smaller vessels, although night setting would be a new option available to the larger vessels as well. The requirement for larger vessels was implemented in 2015 based on a 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service BiOp.

Commercial groundfish longline vessels would be exempt from these requirements when fishing south of 36° N. lat. Vessels using floated mainline gear, if not using streamer lines that are at least 300 feet in length, could only deploy gear between one hour after local sunset and one hour before local sunrise.

For vessels between 26 and 55 feet, the use of streamer lines would be discretionary during a Small Craft Wind Advisory (sustained winds or frequent gusts ranging between 25 and 33 knots), or more severe weather conditions. This sets a different, lower threshold for discretionary use compared to the current requirement for larger vessels.

The Council is slated to adopt its final preferred alternative in June. NMFS intends to finalize regulations implementing these requirements by the beginning of 2020.

Council adopts alternatives for salmon mitigation measures in groundfish fishery

In April the Council adopted a range of alternatives to address the 2017 NMFS Biological Opinion to mitigate salmonid interactions in the groundfish fishery.

The BiOp assessed the continued impact of groundfish fisheries on seven listed Chinook salmon and four coho salmon evolutionary significant units (ESU) and concluded that they were not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of these ESUs.

The BiOp required 25 actions that the Council and/or NMFS must comply with within three years to avoid reinitiation. The Council successfully addressed a number of these terms and conditions as part of the 2019-2020 groundfish harvest specifications and management measures; however, two terms and conditions remained outstanding and required Council action.

One of the measures relates to the “reserve” of 3,500 Chinook. The Reserve would be available only as an emergency measure in case of unexpected high bycatch levels, and would be accessed only when a sector (whiting or non-whiting) exceeds its Chinook salmon bycatch guideline. It is not meant to be accessed as part of normal operations and reconsultation will be initiated if the reserve is accessed in three out of any five years. A sector may only access the reserve if the Council or NMFS has taken action to minimize Chinook salmon bycatch in that sector prior to reaching its Chinook salmon bycatch guideline.

The second measure required the Council to reexamine current salmon-bycatch mitigation measures. The Council examined block area closures, net types, and current industry-designed rules used by the whiting fleet to minimize Chinook bycatch. The range of alternatives [includes an analysis of] these measures, including an extension of any block area closure seaward to the western boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone instead of the 250-fathom waypoint line.

Blackgill rockfish remains in Slope Rockfish complex

The Council will not remove blackgill rockfish from the Slope Rockfish complex south of 40° 10’ N. lat., as originally planned, given improved blackgill rockfish stock status and potential impacts to the trawl fishery.

Amendment 26 to the groundfish fishery management plan considered that action, in addition to changing the trawl/non-trawl allocations of blackgill rockfish and the remaining species in the southern Slope Rockfish complex.

At Council direction, the Groundfish Management Team explored higher non-trawl trip limits in April to provide greater access to blackgill rockfish (see article, inseason adjustments). Further, the Council discussed removing the formal trawl/non-trawl allocations for the southern Slope Rockfish complex from the fishery management plan and making biennial allocations in the 2021-2022 biennial specifications process.

NMFS reports on trawl catch share cost recovery program

Each year (usually in April) the Council receives a report from NMFS on the trawl catch share program cost recovery, which charges fees to industry to pay for administrative costs. The report covers costs and fee collections from the previous year along with fee rates for the current year.

Constituents have generally expressed a desire for more detail in these cost recovery reports, and Council and NMFS staff and industry representatives have met to discuss ways to increase transparency. In response to this year’s substantially improved report, the Council asked that NMFS explore ways to reduce observer and catch monitor costs, that Council analytical documents include an assessment of impacts of cost recovery prior to any future management actions affecting the trawl catch share fishery, and that NMFS continue to hold meetings with industry to evaluate the costs of the catch share program and make recommendations on where efficiencies can benefit both the fishing industry and NMFS.

New approach to prioritizing groundfish management takes shape

Groundfish management measures will be prioritized using a new process in the future. Rather than prioritizing actions every two years, there will now be a separate agenda item on new management measures at most meetings, under which staff will report on progress and the public may present new candidate measures.

This spring the Council identified several new management measures as top priorities for Council attention as soon as time becomes available. The items include non-trawl rockfish conservation area modifications, trawl/non-trawl Amendment 21 allocations, mothership sector utilization, and moving the midwater jig exempted fishing permit into regulation to allow its use within the non-trawl rockfish conservation area.

Groundfish shorts

Whiting stock healthy: A 2019 Pacific whiting assessment has indicated the stock is healthy at 64.1 percent of its unfished spawning biomass, which is slightly lower than estimated last year. The stock has remained at a relatively high abundance since 2013 due to the strength of large 2010 and 2014 cohorts. The 2019 coastwide total allowable catch of 597,500 mt is the same as in 2017 and 2018, resulting in an allocation of 441,433 mt for U.S. fisheries.

New sigma methodology: The Council has adopted new sigma values for groundfish and coastal pelagic species stocks recommended by the Scientific and Statistical Committee, including updated baseline sigma values and an increase in sigma due to stock assessment age. Sigma, coupled with the overfishing probability (P*), is used to determine acceptable biological catch buffers for these species. The sigma value addresses scientific uncertainty in estimating the overfishing limit, and varies by the uncertainty associated with the stock category and the age of the stock assessment.

Other science improvements: The Council accepted the recommendations of the Scientific and Statistical Committee and the Groundfish Management Team on science and methodology improvements that will inform future Council groundfish management decisions. The recommendations related to a “rockfish steepness prior” (recruitment productivity) to be used in 2019 stock assessments, a revised Accepted Practices Guidelines for Groundfish Stock Assessments document, which details accepted practices for conducting groundfish stock assessments this year, and additional sigma recommendations for determining the uncertainty in estimating overfishing limits using assessment projections older than ten years (see above). The 2009 greenstriped rockfish assessment is one of the rare cases where such a sigma consideration may apply.

Enhanced” VMS systems not allowed: “Non-type-approved” vessel monitoring system units will not be allowed in West Coast fisheries, based on a Council decision in April. In 2016, the Council recommended NMFS allow vessels to use less expensive “enhanced” VMS units that are not on the official list of NMFS-approved units. However, NMFS stated in April that the option to use enhanced VMS would increase agency costs to develop and maintain a new VMS program. Specifically, NMFS would need to establish a redundant infrastructure to accommodate both approved and non-approved units. NMFS will report in June on potential cost reductions in the VMS program.

The Council recommended that NMFS implement other measures and alternatives, including an increase in the VMS reporting rate from 1 to 4 times per hour, with some exceptions. Other measures allow vessels to change their fishery declarations while at sea, and allow pot gear vessels to move fishing gear to other management areas before returning to port to deliver their catch. 


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Pacific Council News Spring 2019: Salmon

Salmon seasons set for 2019

In April the Council adopted ocean salmon season recommendations that provide recreational and commercial opportunities for most of the west coast, and achieve conservation goals for the numerous individual salmon stocks on the West Coast. A large increase in hatchery coho over last year will provide a welcome increase in both recreational and commercial fishing opportunities in Oregon and Washington. See the Council-adopted management measures for 2019 ocean salmon fisheries (Salmon Preseason Report III).

National Marine Fisheries Service reinitiates consultation on southern resident killer whales

NMFS announced plans in March to reinitiate Endangered Species Act consultation on the impact of Council-managed fisheries on southern resident killer whales. In April, the Council formed an advisory group, the Southern Resident Killer Whale Workgroup, to help NMFS reassess the effects of Council-area ocean salmon fisheries on the Chinook salmon prey base of the whales. The Council endorsed a draft terms of reference and timeline to accomplish this task, as well as a list of participants. The workgroup, which meets for the first time in late May, will focus solely on Council-area ocean salmon fisheries. Its tasks are scheduled to be completed by November 2019 so that in the event that any needed changes are recommended, NMFS can review them in time for 2020 salmon management.

Council rebuilding plans for Klamath, Sacramento fall Chinook

In April, the Council adopted the salmon rebuilding plans for Klamath River fall Chinook and Sacramento River fall Chinook as drafts for public review (Agenda Item F.5). In June 2019, final action is scheduled for these two plans, and adoption of drafts for public review are scheduled for Queets, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Snohomish coho.

Three coho stocks (Strait of Juan de Fuca coho, Queets River coho, and Snohomish River coho) and two Chinook stocks (Sacramento River fall Chinook and Klamath River fall Chinook) were declared overfished last June. A rebuilding plan for each of these stocks must be proposed for Council consideration within one year, and developed and implemented within two years.

The Salmon Technical Team has worked collaboratively with tribal, state, and Federal entities to produce rebuilding plans for each of the five stocks. The plans will also go through the Federal notice and comment rule-making process, and will require an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. Council staff and NMFS have been coordinating efforts to streamline the processes.

Salmon methodology review topics considered

In April, five potential salmon methodology review topics were identified for potential review.  The list will be refined and considered for adoption in September, so that any analytical work can be completed in time for the November Council meeting, when the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will conduct a full review of any proposed changes.

Of the five topics identified, the first three were “carry-overs” from 2018, and two new topics were added to the list.

  • Complete the documentation of the development of the new Chinook Fishery Regulation Assessment Model (FRAM) base period including algorithms, and review and update the FRAM documentation and user manual that is currently on the Council website (assigned to the Model Evaluation Workgroup [MEW]).
  • Develop a framework for evaluating post-season metrics of model performance for FRAM (assigned to MEW).
  • Conduct the technical analysis needed to inform a change of the salmon management boundary line from latitude 40° 05’ (Horse Mountain, California) five miles north to latitude 40° 10’ (assigned to the Salmon Technical Team [STT]).
  • Examine the data and models used to forecast impacts on Columbia River summer Chinook to determine whether a change in methodology is warranted (assigned to MEW).
  • Provide documentation of the abundance forecast approach used for Willapa Bay natural coho (assigned to STT).

The STT and SSC Salmon Subcommittee will hold a joint work session in October 2019 to address these matters.


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Pacific Council News Spring 2019: Habitat and ecosystem

State of the California Current Report notes ecosystem improvements and challenges

In March the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers reported on the 2019 Annual State of the California Current Ecosystem Report.

Several ecological indicators in 2018 reflect average or improving conditions. For example, the copepod community off Newport was predominately cool-water, lipid-rich (“cheeseburger”) species; krill lengths off northern California have increased; anchovy densities continued to increase; and several indicators of juvenile and adult salmon survival increased slightly, particularly for coho salmon in the northern part of the system. In addition, sea lion pup numbers, sea lion pup growth, and piscivorous seabird densities were high.

However, there was lingering evidence of unfavorable conditions in 2018. Warmer-than-average subsurface water was found in the southern portion of the system, and strong hypoxia on the shelf in the northern part of the system. Pyrosomes (warm-water tunicates) remained abundant in northern and central water, and reports of whale entanglements in fixed fishing gear were high for the fifth straight year.

Climate, oceanographic and streamflow indicators were near average in 2018, though indices suggest weakening circulation and emerging mild El Niño conditions.

West Coast fishery landings in 2017 increased by 27.4% over 2016. Revenues increased by 12.3%. Increases were driven by Pacific hake, Dungeness crab, and market squid. Fishery diversification remains relatively low on average across all vessel classes.

Forecasts for 2019 include a five percent chance of a weak El Niño through at least the spring; average coho returns to Oregon coast, but below-average Chinook returns to the Columbia River; and extensive hypoxia and acidified bottom waters over the shelf off Washington and Oregon.

Habitat briefs

Central Valley Operations

The Habitat Committee and Council discussed pending regulatory actions in the California Central Valley which could have a detrimental impact to Council-managed fisheries.

A Bureau of Reclamation biological assessment proposes significant changes to Central Valley Project operations, which include Shasta Dam, Oroville Dam, Trinity Dam, and the pumping facilities that supply water to the California Central Valley via the California Aqueduct. Initial modeling shows that the proposed changes could result in up to twice the maximum level of mortality of winter-run Chinook salmon necessary to prevent the stock from declining.

NMFS was directed to produce a biological opinion on the revised operations under a quick timeframe that limits the peer review process. The proposed changes include, among other things, eliminating requirements to consult with NMFS before issuing initial water allocations to contractors; eliminating the carryover storage requirements that help ensure there is water in storage at the end of the year to maintain water temperatures and water supply for subsequent potential dry years; eliminating April and May pumping restrictions and an action that protects Delta habitat, resulting in a 50 percent increase in pumping for those months and likely impacting fall run salmon migrations; delaying water temperature management plans until May, after the Bureau of Reclamation has already begun draining Shasta reservoir for contract deliveries; and eliminating requirements to provide fish passage above Shasta Dam. Most of these proposed actions could result in significant mortality to listed and non-listed salmonids.

The Council is developing a letter on the Bureau of Reclamation Biological Assessment on the Central Valley Project/State Water Project and 2019 Central Valley operations conditions and forecasts. The letter will be sent by the deadline of June 17 and will be available on the Council website. The letter will encourage peer review of the analyses, highlight that the proposed changes are likely to weaken protections not only for winter and spring runs but also for Council-managed fall and late fall runs, and urge improvements in temperature management to promote survival across all stocks.

Humboldt Aquaculture

Nordic Aquafarms has signed a three-year lease from the Humboldt Bay Harbor District, with a renewal option for a 30-50 year term, for a shorebased aquaculture facility adjacent to Humboldt Bay. Permit applications may be forthcoming and the species to be produced are yet to be determined. The facility would occupy the site of a former pulp mill. If the project is permitted, it has the potential to be the largest aquaculture facility on the West Coast.

Dissolved Gas Levels

The states of Washington and Oregon are going through their processes to modify total allowable dissolved gas levels at dams for increased spill. Both states expect to raise total dissolved gas levels to 125% by 2020, a level that is considered optimal for outmigrating smolts.

Climate and Communities initiative moves forward

The Council is conducting a climate change scenario planning exercise in order to further the goals of the Climate and Communities Initiative. This exercise is intended to help develop tools to allow the Council to react to ecosystem shifts resulting from climate change. Last November, the Ad Hoc Climate Scenario Investigation Committee provided guidance on identifying potential topics for such an exercise. In March, the Council chose shifting stock availability (including shifting distribution) across species, fishery management plans, and communities across the west coast as a general topic, recognizing that it will need to be further refined.

The Council created the Ad Hoc Climate and Communities Core Team composed of Council members, ecosystem advisory body members, and NMFS scientists to refine the topic and plan the exercise, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2020. The Core Team is meeting in May and plans to report back in September 2019 with a project description and timeline, which would be carried out between then and the March 2020 Council meeting.

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Ad Hoc Sablefish Management and Trawl Allocation Attainment Committee May 21-22, 2019 meeting

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s ad hoc Sablefish Management and Trawl Allocation Attainment Committee (SaMTAAC) met, May 21-22, 2019.

Meeting documents

Based on its proceedings at this meeting, the SaMTAAC provided a progress report to the Council (Information Report 2, June 2019 briefing book)

  1. May 2019 Meeting Agenda
  2. SaMTAAC Agenda Item B, Attachment 1: Process – Sablefish Management and Trawl Allocation Attainment
  3. SaMTAAC Agenda Item D, Attachment 1: October 2018 SaMTAAC Principles and CAB Purpose and Need Statement
  4. SaMTAAC Agenda Item E, Attachment 1: Updated SaMTAAC Proposal Descriptions (Ver: April 14, 2019)
  5. SaMTAAC Agenda Item E, Attachment 2: Updated SaMTAAC Proposal Descriptions—Alternative 3 (Ver: April 25, 2019)
  6. SaMTAAC Agenda Item F, Attachment 1: Analysis of Sablefish Management and Trawl Allocation Attainment Issues, Preliminary Draft, (Incorporates Corrections from May 20, 2019 Errata) Produced for the May 21-22 2019 SaMTAAC Meeting
  7. SaMTAAC Agenda Item F, Attachment 2: Analysis of Sablefish Management and Trawl Allocation Attainment Issues, Preliminary Draft – ERRATA (May 20, 2019) Produced for the May 21-22 2019 SaMTAAC Meeting
  8. SaMTAAC Agenda Item F, Attachment 3: Updated SaMTAAC Proposal Descriptions Alternative 4 (Proposed Modifications)
  9. PFMC – SaMTAAC Meeting May 21-22, 2019, Powerpoint
  10. SaMTAAC Public Comment 1: Pacific Seafood
  11. SaMTAAC Public Comment 2: Lackey
  12. SaMTAAC Public Comment 3: Ocean Gold
  13. SaMTAAC Public Comment 3 (Video): Ocean Gold  (available from the Council’s YouTube Channel)
  14. SaMTAAC May 2019 Meeting Summary (Draft)

Instant Pot smoked salmon chowder

Serves 6. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can use a pressure cooker, or just use a regular pot (it will take longer).

Ingredients:

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp fennel seeds lightly crushed
  • 2 1/2 cups fish or seafood stock warmed
  • 1 lb gold potatoes cut into 3/4 inches dice
  • 15 oz can diced tomatoes drained
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp Capers
  • 2 leaves
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened and cut into pieces
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 4 oz Shrimp chopped or use salad shrimp
  • 8 oz thick-cut smoked salmon cut into bite-sized pieces

Add butter to the Instant Pot. Using the display panel, select the SAUTE function. When butter melts, add onion and celery to the pot and saute until soft, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic, basil and fennel and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

Add stock to the pot and deglaze by using a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Then add potatoes, tomatoes, tomato paste, capers and bay leaves and stir to combine.

Add cream cheese to the top in an even layer – do not stir.

Turn the pot off by selecting CANCEL, then secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed. Then, using the display panel, select the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK function. Use the +/- keys and program the Instant Pot for 4 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 4 minutes, then quick-release the remaining pressure.

Stir for 1-2 minutes until cream cheese is fully incorporated, then add cream and Old Bay and stir to combine. Gently fold in shrimp and smoked salmon and heat through, returning to SAUTE mode as needed.

Serve hot with cracked pepper, oyster crackers or crusty bread.

From the Instant Pot website

Spicy Chinese dungeness crab

Ingredients

  • 2 whole Dungeness crabs
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 (3-inch) knob ginger, minced (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 3 to 4 fresh red bird’s-eye chiles, seeded and minced
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese fermented black beans or black bean sauce
  • 1 tablespoon shaohsing rice wine or sherry
  • 1/2 cup plain tomato sauce

Directions

Using a cleaver or large chef’s knife, cut Dungeness crabs in half lengthwise and remove back shell and spongy green matter.

Remove claws from body section and, using the back of a cleaver or chef’s knife, crack in several places. Cut each body section into two or three pieces, leaving legs attached. Rinse all pieces thoroughly and pat completely dry.

In a wok or large skillet over moderate heat, heat the oil until hot but not smoking. Add ginger, garlic, and chiles, and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add black beans and stir-fry several seconds. Add crab and stir-fry until meat begins to turn opaque, about one minute. Stir in rice wine, tomato and chili sauces, sugar, salt, pepper, and one cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently, until crab meat is fully cooked, three to four minutes.

In small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and two tablespoons water. Stir into crab mixture in pan and simmer, uncovered, until sauce thickens, about one minute. Stir in eggs and simmer, uncovered, until bits of egg are fully cooked, about one minute.

Stir in cilantro and scallion. Serve immediately with steamed Chinese buns or baguette slices.

Source: Epicurious.com

Oregon pink shrimp cakes with wasabi dipping sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. Oregon pink shrimp. Do not wash.
  • 1 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1 cup celery stalks, finely minced
  • 1 cup onion, finely minced
  • 1 cup green pepper, finely minced
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. Tabasco
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Additional bread crumb for coating the cakes
  • 1/2 cup oil for frying (or more as needed)

Wasabi tartar sauce

  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh garlic, finely minced
  • 1 Tbsp. white vermouth
  • 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 1 tsp. lime zest
  • 1 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 2 tsp. wasabi paste (finely minced jalapeno pepper can be substituted)

Directions

For shrimp cakes, combine all ingredients except the breadcrumbs for coating and the oil for frying. Form the mixture into 8 1” thick cakes. Coat cakes on both sides with the additional breadcrumbs, patting the crumbs lightly into cakes.

Preheat 10” to 12” sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup oil. Cook four cakes at a time, four minutes per side. The should be nicely browned on both sides and heated through. Keep the cooked cakes warm in the oven while you prepare the remaining four. Use fresh oil for the second batch.

For tartar sauce, use food processor to puree ginger, wasabi, garlic, vermouth, sesame oil. lime juice and zest. Puree for three minutes. Add mayonnaise and sour cream and process until smooth.