NPFMC Sets Total allowable Catch for Cook Inlet EEZ salmon

Today the North Pacific Fishery Management Council accepted the Scientific and Statistical Committee's (SSC) recommendations on Cook Inlet salmon in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) outside of 3 miles from shore in Cook Inlet. The Council motion also sets total allowable catch (TAC) for Cook Inlet EEZ salmon

The motion from member Kurland set the combined TAC for all sockeye at 696,111 numbers of fish, including a 13% TAC buffer. Chinook TAC is set at 261; Coho TAC at 16,753; Chum TAC is set at 78,006; and Pink salmon TAC is 52,357. The draft Council motion can be found here. The SSC recommendations are found here.

An amendment from member Moller to the motion from Kurland, to remove the additional 13% buffer to the sockeye TAC, passed by a 6-5 vote, making the final total sockeye TAC, 800,126 fish. The final amended motion passed unanimously. Here's the Final Motion.

The Council, SSC and the Advisory Panel are meeting at the Egan Center this week. The Council will now begin hearing reports and testimony on the only other agenda item, C2 Chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea Pollock fishery.