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NOAA Denies Emergency Closure Request for Bering Sea Pollock Fishery Amidst Chinook Salmon Bycatch Dispute.
In a recent decision, NOAA Fisheries has turned down a request for emergency action to enforce a zero cap on Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. The petition, submitted by various groups representing Alaska's commercial and recreational salmon fisheries as well as Native Alaskan communities, aimed to address concerns over declining Chinook salmon runs.
NOAA stated that implementing such a measure, which would have closed the fishery for the first half of 2024, was deemed impractical. The agency highlighted the adverse impacts such a closure would have on stakeholders, including Community Development Quota groups.
While acknowledging the severity of the Chinook salmon crisis, NOAA emphasized that a complete elimination of Chinook bycatch is not feasible and does not meet the criteria for emergency action. The agency also expressed concerns that the closure would not effectively resolve the broader challenges faced by Western and Interior Alaska communities.
Despite opposition from some quarters, NOAA's decision received support from the Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance (APFA). The APFA echoed NOAA's stance, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to address the complex environmental factors affecting Chinook salmon populations.
NOAA reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to address the challenges facing Western Alaska salmon runs, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research and monitoring efforts in managing fisheries sustainably.
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