Council asks at‑sea cooperatives for active in‑season communication as whiting year begins

Summary

At the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s meeting, staff and advisory panels discussed the 2025 Pacific whiting fishery, emphasizing timing issues with the U.S.–Canada Joint Management Committee, the role of at‑sea set‑asides for non‑target mortality, and concerns about recent set‑aside exceedances. Advisory bodies urged stronger in‑season coop

The Pacific Fishery Management Council considered implementation of the 2025 Pacific whiting fishery and expectations for at‑sea set‑aside (ATSI) management amid concerns from advisory panels and industry representatives.

Todd Phillips, who presented the agenda item overview, reminded the council that Pacific whiting is jointly managed by the United States and Canada under the Pacific Whiting Treaty and that the usual process starts with the Joint Technical Committee’s stock assessment followed by review by the Scientific Review Group and the Joint Management Committee (JMC). This year the JMC and its advisory panel meet midweek and their outcomes will not be available in time for the council to provide formal guidance on the coastwide total allowable catch (TAC). Phillips said the council should ‘‘consider making a formal statement that it does not intend to comment on the 2025 JMC recommendations due to the timing of that those advisory bodies meeting.’’

Why it matters: the JMC recommendation normally informs the council’s advice to the Secretary of Commerce; because the JMC meets during the council meeting this year, the council cannot complete its usual review ahead of final TAC decisions.

Advisory‑body reports and…

Council asks at‑sea cooperatives for active in‑season communication as whiting year begins

Summary

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