Council votes to analyze a coast‑wide Pacific sardine stock; staff to draft FMP amendment
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Summary
After review of recent genetics, literature reviews and management implications, the Council adopted a purpose and need and selected a preliminary preferred alternative to treat Pacific sardine in U.S. waters as a single coast‑wide stock for analysis; staff and advisory bodies will analyze amendment impacts (harvest control rules, reference points, potential addition of Japanese sardine) before future regulatory action.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted a preliminary preferred alternative (PPA) to treat Pacific sardine in U.S. waters as a single coast‑wide stock in the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan and directed staff to analyze an FMP amendment.
Council staff reviewed recent scientific literature, including whole‑genome analyses and literature reviews indicating little genetic differentiation among previously hypothesized northern and southern sardine subpopulations. Staff noted the recent discovery of Japanese sardine in U.S. surveys and emphasized that any change in stock delineation would require reassessment of reference points, harvest control rules and catch accounting procedures.
Science and advisory reports (SSC, CPSMT, CPSAS) generally supported a single‑stock approach for the initial amendment analysis while urging the council to preserve means to address regional life‑history differences and to monitor Japanese sardine. The CPS Management Team recommended Alternative 1 as the PPA.
Council action: Dr. Rebecca Lehi moved, and the motion was seconded and carried, to adopt the purpose and need, adopt a range of alternatives and select Alternative 1 (coast‑wide single Pacific sardine stock in US waters) as the PPA. Council staff will prepare an FMP amendment analysis addressing biological, management and legal implications, including whether Japanese sardine should be added to the FMU in a subsequent analysis.
What’s next: Staff will draft an amendment scope and analysis for public review; advisory bodies and SSC will assist with technical questions about assessment changes, reference points and monitoring for Japanese sardine.
Speakers: Katrina Bernhouse (council staff) presented the analysis and literature overview; Jason Schaffler (SSC) summarized committee endorsement; CPSMT and CPSAS recommended Alternative 1 as PPA.
Sources from the meeting: Katrina Bernhouse, SSC, CPSMT, CPSAS (presentation and committee reports).
