Federal fishery managers took a step toward a firm cap on accidental catches of chum salmon by pollock trawlers in the Bering Sea, a subject that has gained urgency with salmon run failures along Western Alaska rivers. Via AlaskaBeacon
— a group with representatives of industry, fishers and communities — recommended chum bycatch caps ranging between 22,000 and 54,000 fish. Pollock fisheries would be forced to cease for the season if bycatch limits were reached. Average annual chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea fisheries from 2011 to 2021 wasThe action taken Saturday was the most prudent step to be taken now, council members said.
“That provides the urgency that we need to move this as quickly as we possibly can in the process that we have, which is not known for being quick, but it’s the process that we’ve got,” he said.“We’re disappointed but not surprised by the inaction of the council,” said Tim Bristol, executive director of SalmonState, a nonprofit organization focused on protection of Alaska salmon.
“We were hoping the Council would start the process of analyzing management action to reduce Western Alaska chum salmon bycatch, rather than asking more questions and delaying true action. However, we have hope that we are moving forward, in great part because of the ongoing and powerful testimonies from Alaska Native salmon fishermen, and that the information from the Council’s ask will inform meaningful action to conserve salmon in the Bering Sea,” Whitworth said in a statement.
In testimony to the council, residents of Yukon and Kuskokwim villages described how the salmon crashes are hurting them. “We are making enormous sacrifices on conservation, and it is hurting our food security, our culture, our children and elders. There is nothing else that we can give,” Williams said.
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