Pacific Council adopts 2025 operational budget, confirms appointments and approves meeting minutes

The Pacific Fishery Management Council on Sept. 24 adopted its final calendar year 2025 operational budget and approved a set of administrative items, including two advisory‑body appointments and the meeting record for June 2025.

Budget adoption

The council’s Budget Committee reviewed 2025 grant distributions, carryover funds and a proposed staff operational budget. The committee reported that the council received approximately $4.9 million in its 2025 administrative grant and that total available funding (including no‑cost extensions and special project funds) allowed a proposed operational budget of $5,926,734 for calendar year 2025. The committee recommended the council proceed with that budget and advised the executive director to use discretion in timing the hiring of a vacant staff officer if budget uncertainties emerge.

Council action

The council adopted the Budget Committee recommendation and approved the calendar year 2025 operational budget of $5,926,734, authorizing the proposed in‑person November council meeting and supporting the backfill of the vacant staff officer position with executive‑director discretion on timing.

Why it matters

The adopted budget funds core council staff operations, advisory‑body support and planned meetings. The committee report flagged uncertainty for 2026, noting a proposed House budget that would cut NOAA funding substantially; the council…