Council staff, advisory bodies reshuffle 2025 agenda; staff to watch new deregulatory guidance

Council staff presented an updated year‑at‑a‑glance and revised quick reference agendas for June, September and November during the April 15 meeting, and advisory bodies offered scheduling, workload and procedural recommendations.

Executive Director Burton opened H3 with a review of edits to the council’s planning calendar: the groundfish “gear‑switching implementation clarifications” item was removed from the June agenda, the groundfish risk‑tables initiative was moved from June to September, the take‑reduction team update was shifted from September to November, and a sardine stock‑structure and management item was added for November following earlier CPS decisions. Staff also added a salmon Essential Fish Habitat Phase 1 synthesis to April 2026.

Why it matters: The council’s year‑at‑a‑glance sets where advisory bodies and technical panels meet, affects workload for NOAA Fisheries staff and science centers, and determines whether complex items receive sufficient premeeting review. Advisory panels urged prioritization of a smaller set of topics to ensure thorough technical review and draft statements.

Advisory‑body and staff…