|
Tribal Engagement Newsletter
This newsletter serves as an information source for NOAA Fisheries contacts, job postings, grants, educational opportunities available throughout Alaska, and upcoming North Pacific Fishery Management Council issues.
|
|
North Pacific Fishery Management Council
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC, also referred to as Council) was established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA, also referred to as the Magnuson-Stevens Act) to manage fisheries off the coast of Alaska. The NPFMC meets five times per year and consists of the Science and Statistical Committee (SSC), the Advisory Panel (AP), and the Council. This newsletter includes information about the upcoming October Council meeting and is adapted from the three meeting outlook (Council schedule for the next three meetings). Visit the NPFMC webpage for the upcoming meeting schedule, which includes a detailed breakdown of the upcoming Council meeting by agenda item. If you wish to consult on any of the Council topics below, please contact Tribal Relations Coordinator Amilee Wilson at amilee.wilson@noaa.gov.
Council Process
June 2023 Council Meeting
B Reports (Agency level reports on recent events under their jurisdiction)
- (B1) Executive Director’s Report on general announcements about Council meetings, any personnel changes, and additional opportunities for public input;
- (B2) NMFS Management Report the Salmon FMP Secretarial amendment (tentative), update on Section 7 consultation, NEPA changes, and tribal updates
- (B3) NOAA General Counsel Report on any legal issues;
- (B4) NOAA Enforcement Report;
- (B5) ADF&G report on State of Alaska fisheries management;
- (B6) USCG report on any highlights and news;
- (B7) USFWS report on a summary of major agency updates;
- (B8) North Pacific Commission Report
- (B9) North Pacific Research Board Report
- (B11) SSC report on SSC agenda items; and
- (B12) AP report on AP agenda items
C1: BSAI crab harvest specifications (Yearly Report)
- The Council’s SSC will review the Crab Plan Team’s report and recommendations and the Council will set appropriate harvest levels, as well as providing suggestions associated with crab rebuilding plans and crab management
- Tribal consultation has been offered in May 2023 for this action item, but no tribal requests for consultation have been received
C2: Observer 2024 Annual Deployment Plan (Yearly Report)
- The 2023 Annual Deployment Plan documents how NOAA Fisheries intends to assign fishery observers and electronic monitoring to vessels fishing in the partial observer coverage category in the North Pacific during the calendar year 2023
- Tribal consultation has been offered in May 2023 for this action item, but no tribal requests for consultation have been received
C3: BBRKC closure areas (Initial Review)
- The Council will review an initial analysis to consider management measures that may reduce Bristol Bay Red King Crab (BBRKC) mortality from groundfish fishing in areas that may be important to BBRKC and where BBRKC may be found year-round. Such measures could help increase stock abundance and promote achievement of optimum yield from the directed BBRKC fishery while minimizing negative impacts to affected groundfish fleet operations
- Tribal consultation has been offered in May 2023 for this action item, but no tribal requests for consultation have been received
C3: BSAI/GOA Groundfish Proposed Specifications (Yearly Specifications)
- The SSC, AP, and the Council will review proposed specifications, plan team reports from the plan team meetings held in mid-September
- The Council will also receive a presentation on the discussion paper on GOA DSR/other rockfish
- Tribal consultation is being offered for this action item in August 2023
C4: Chum Salmon Bycatch (Preliminary Review)
- The Council will review an analysis on management measures to reduce chum salmon bycatch. The April 2023 motion describes the purpose and need statement and alternatives outlined for the analysis
- Tribal consultation was offered for this action item. This action was consulted on and continues to be open for consultation to interested Tribes
C5: Area 4 Vessel Use Caps (Initial Review)
- The Council will review an analysis to remove vessel cap limitations for IFQ halibut harvested in Area 4 as a longer term policy change
- In the near term, the final rule, published July 26th, 2023 (88 FR 48137) removes the limit on the maximum amount of halibut IFQ that may be harvested by a vessel (i.e, vessel use caps) in Area 4 for 2023 through 2027
- Tribal consultation is being offered for this action item in August 2023
C6: Crab facility use caps (Initial Review)
- The Council will review an analysis on crab facility use caps. The February 2023 motion provides an overview of the purpose and need as well as alternatives outlined for the analysis.
- Tribal consultation is being offered for this action item in August 2023
D Items
- D1 Bering Sea Local Knowledge/Traditional Knowledge/Subsistence Information Protocol and Onramps
- D2 BSAI Crab Program Review
- D3 IFQ Program Review
Highlighted Upcoming Agenda Items
Tribal consultation will be offered for action items where consultation has not occurred prior to each of the Council meetings.
- BSAI/GOA Final Harvest Specifications
- Ecosystem status reviews
- Crab C share
- Charter halibut management measures
- Amendment 80 Program Review
- Bristol Bay Red King Crab closure areas
- Small sablefish release
Resources
|
|
Contacts
-
Amilee Wilson, Tribal Engagement Point of Contact for the Alaska Regional Office, amilee.wilson@noaa.gov (can assist with requests for consultation or engagement, questions on tribal policy, information on tribal projects, and feedback or questions on this tribal newsletter)
-
Maggie Mooney-Seus, Communications Program Manager for the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), marjorie.mooney-seus@noaa.gov (can assist with requests for consultation or engagement on research efforts and questions related to research activities being conducted in Alaska)
-
Kate Haapala, Rural Fishing Community and Tribal Liaison for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, kate.haapala@noaa.gov (can assist with questions regarding Council actions and process)
NOAA Fisheries
- NOAA Fisheries Tribal Consultation
-
Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
-
NOAA Tribal Resources & Updates: On July 12, 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen its relationship between NOAA and Indigenous peoples by releasing its updated Tribal Consultation Handbook, Revised NOAA Administrative Order, and Indigenous Knowledge Guidance. Updated resources are available here.
NOAA Fisheries Vacant Positions
-
Upcoming Jobs at NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region:
- The Alaska Region has been frequently posting new job opportunities. Please check USAJobs for updates (Use search query with the keyword: “NOAA” and location: “Alaska” for NOAA jobs in Alaska)
- Current Openings
- Please share these recent openings within your tribal networks. We would love to have you join our team
-
Resources for navigating USAJOBS:
Upcoming Events
- On September 17, 2023, the Alaska Sealife Center, Chugach Regional Resources Commission’s Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks Seward Marine Center, and NOAA Ocean Exploration will host the first annual 2023 Seward Marine Science Symposium
- Join us for the opportunity to tour local marine science facilities, meet and hear from ocean scientists and explorers, and contribute to a community art project
- Learn about local marine science activities, including Indigenous-led science research and recent work on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to explore deep waters in the region, and how all of these activities impact the City of Seward, the Resurrection Bay area, Kenai Fjords Park, and beyond
Grants
Educational Opportunities
-
Hollings Scholar Program (opens in September): A 9-week, paid, summer program to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities.
-
Hollings Preparation Program (HPP) (opens next March): The HPP will prepare undergraduates to be competitive applicants for the full NOAA Hollings Scholarship in their sophomore year of college. HPP scholars will be paired with NOAA mentors primarily on the West Coast, including California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska, for four to six weeks during the summer of 2023. For more information contact: hollingsprep.wcr@noaa.gov
-
Knauss Fellowship Program (opens next February): The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
-
Alaska Sea Grant Fellowship Program (applications due February 11): A unique professional opportunity for soon-to-graduate or recently finished graduate students interested in the science and policy needed to keep our marine resources healthy.
- Graduate Programs at University of Alaska Fairbanks
|
|
|
|
|
