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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.
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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 December 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 prior to the December meeting, please contact the Fisheries Tribal Team at: AKRO.SFD.tribal.team@noaa.gov.
Council Process
December 2023 Council Meeting
NOTE: For referenced materials that are available online, links are provided below. Leading up to the Council meeting, Council staff will post additional materials on the eAgenda. For the dates on which staff will post the materials, click here.
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 including a CCC update, IRA funding workplan, GOA Pacific cod allocation review, and industry reports on 2023 crab avoidance
- (B2) NOAA Fisheries Management Report the Salmon FMP Secretarial amendment, 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: Crab C share recent participation requirement - Final Action
- The Council will decide whether to recommend an exemption to participation requirements for crew share (C-share) Individual Fishing Quota holders in the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program, who have been impacted by COVID-19 and recent declines in crab abundance and fishery closures. Background information is in the initial analysis. The purpose and need statement and potential options are in the Council’s June 2023 Motion.
- Tribal consultation for this action item was offered in May 2023. No request for consultation was received.
C2: Crab facility use cap - Final Action
- The Council will decide whether to recommend the removal of caps on the use of Individual Processing Quota (IPQ) by individual crab processing facilities and IPQ holders in the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program. Background information is in the initial analysis and the Council’s preferred approach is in the Council’s October 2023 motion.
- Tribal consultation for this action item was offered in August 2023 and no requests for consultation have so far been received.
C3: BSAI Groundfish Proposed Specifications (Yearly Specifications)
- The Council will review Bering Sea and Aleutian Island Ecosystem Status Reports, Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report, adopt Acceptable Biological Catch and Overfishing Limits, and receive a report from the BSAI Groundfish Plan Team.
- Tribal consultation was offered and occurred in February 2023 for the previous year’s specifications. A meeting summary can be found here. Tribal consultation was offered for this year’s specifications in August 2023 and one request was received at the October Council meeting. Tribal consultation was again offered for this action in November 2023..
C4: GOA Groundfish Specifications (Yearly Specifications)
- The Council will review Gulf of Alaska Ecosystem Status Reports and the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report, adopt Acceptable Biological Catch and Overfishing Limits, and receive a report from the GOA Groundfish Plan Team.
- Tribal consultation was offered for this action in August 2023 and no requests for consultation have so far been received. Tribal consultation was again offered for this action in November 2023.
C5: EFH FMP Amendments Initial/Final Action
- The Council will review amendments to the BSAI Groundfish, GOA Groundfish, BSAI Crab, Salmon, and Arctic FMPs to update EFH information from the 5-year Review. The 2023 EFH 5-year Review concluded in February 2023.
- New information includes updated EFH text descriptions and maps, evaluation of fishing effects on habitat, conservation recommendations for non-fishing activities, and EFH research priorities.
- NOAA Fisheries is beginning planning for the next iteration of the EFH 5-year Review.
- Tribal consultation was offered for this action in November 2023.
C6: Crab FMP housekeeping amendment (Initial/Final Action)
- The Council will review proposed amendments intended to reorganize and clarify parts of the BSAI Crab Fishery Management Plan. No substantive changes to the plan are being proposed under these amendments.
- Tribal consultation was offered for this action in November 2023.
C7: 2024 Charter halibut management measures – Final Action
- The Council is scheduled to recommend management measures (e.g., bag limits, size restrictions, day-of-the-week closures, etc.) for the charter halibut fisheries in IPHC Areas 2C (Southeast) and 3A (Southcentral), for implementation in 2024, based on recommendations from the charter halibut management committee.
- Tribal consultation was offered for this action in November 2023.
D Items
- D1 Gulf of Alaska Tanner crab protections
- The Council will review a discussion paper that will provide information to inform potential GOA Tanner crab protections, including information on groundfish harvest, Tanner crab bycatch, observer coverage, and current Tanner and king crab distributions with primary focus on statistical areas 525702 and 525630 of the Kodiak District.
- D2 Bering Sea Fisheries Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Taskforce.
- The Council will review the Climate Change Taskforce's work plan and receive an associated report. For more information on the Task Force, click here.
- Tribal consultation was offered for this action in November 2023.
Highlighted Upcoming Agenda Items
Tribal consultation will be offered for action items prior to each of the Council meetings.
- Amendment 80 Program Review (tentative)
- Workplan Review for the American Fisheries Act Program Review (tentative)
- Regulation revisions for pelagic trawl gear definition
- Bristol Bay Red King Crab closure areas (initial review)
- Crab unobserved fishing mortality (workplan report, tentative)
- Cook Inlet salmon (status determination criteria)
- Programmatic environmental impact statement (tentative)
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April Council Meeting
- Sablefish - small sablefish release in the sablefish Individual Fishing Quota fishery
- Bering Sea, Aleutian Island Crab - Crab Rationalization Program Review report
- Bering Sea, Aleutian Island Groundfish - Maximum retainable amount (discussion paper)
- Halibut - Area 4 (Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area) Vessel use caps
- Halibut - Individual Fishing Quota program review report
- Scallop - Stock assessment and fishery evaluation report and harvest limits
- Research Priorities
Resources
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Contacts
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Amilee Wilson, Tribal Engagement Point of Contact for the Alaska Regional Office, amilee.wilson@noaa.gov (can assist with requests for consultation, information on regulations, and NOAA Fisheries tribal engagement policy, in addition please contact Amilee with feedback or questions on this newsletter.
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Maggie Mooney-Seus, Communications Program Manager for the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), marjorie.mooney-seus@noaa.gov (can assist with questions on collaborative research efforts)
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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
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Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
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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
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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).
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Current Openings (NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region)
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Marine Habitat Resource Specialist, Habitat Conservation Division, Anchorage/Juneau
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Research Fish Biologist, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management, Juneau/Kodiak
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Management and Program Analyst, Office of Law Enforcement, Juneau
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Management and Program Analyst, Office of Law Enforcement, Juneau
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Foreign Affairs Specialist, Office of Law Enforcement, Juneau
- Please share these recent openings within your tribal networks. We would love to have you join our team
- Resources for navigating USAJOBS:
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How to use advanced search in USAJOBS
- Navigating USAJOBS Announcements: A Hiring Manager's Perspective
Co-Management Update
- NMFS AKR Protected Resources Division, AFSC Marine Mammal Lab (MML), and the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island (ACSPI) have been working together formally since 2000 under a co-management agreement established under Section 119 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In 2018, we began to develop a broad laaqudan (northern fur seal in Unangam Tunuu) research collaboration, funded by the Alaska Native Co-Management Funding Program. The work is built upon decades of cooperative research and monitoring regarding subsistence use, entanglement in marine debris, and food safety and security regarding this critical subsistence species for the Unangan of the Pribilof Islands. NMFS began VHF tagging lactating adult female laaqudan in 2014 to examine attendance behavior and update our understanding of their emigration rates; this is used to correct survival estimates at breeding areas where we have tagged pups and sighted them in later years. ACSPI’s work uses VHF tagged lactating adult female laaqudan to assess their response to human-caused disturbance (e.g. research, subsistence use, and tourism). The Tribe collects data from researchers, subsistence users, and tour operators regarding the timing and duration of their presence on the breeding area that might result in a tagged laaqudax̂ (single seal) spending less time on land relative to on-shore visits with no sources of disturbance present. Our collaborative fieldwork began in 2021 with the installation of 30 receiver stations able to detect laaqudan at all breeding areas. We tagged 84 seals in 2022 and 124 in 2023, across 4 breeding areas. We will have a complete attendance dataset from 2023 and have developed data sharing agreements with the Tribal Government for both projects. The results will be crucial for improving our understanding of terrestrial threats to laaqudan, their emigration among breeding areas, and variation in adult female attendance behavior.
Upcoming Events and Publications
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NOAA Fisheries Equity & Environmental Justice Town Halls for Alaska Native Tribes and Organizations: On October 17 and 25, AKRO Regional Administrator Jon Kurland and AFSC Director Bob Foy hosted five "Town Hall" teleconferences for Tribal government members and their representatives regarding the development of an Alaska Implementation Plan for the national NOAA Fisheries Equity & Environmental Justice (EEJ) Strategy. These five meetings were geographically focused for Tribes in Southeast Alaska, Eastern and Western Interior, Southcentral/Kodiak/Aleutians/Seward Peninsula, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and Bristol Bay, and the Northwest Arctic/North Slope. The goal was to discover how NMFS can better serve the needs of historically underserved communities. We thank you for your feedback and look forward to working with you more as we develop a draft EEJ Implementation Plan for Alaska.
- Missed the NOAA Fisheries EEJ Town Halls? No problem! Visit our Alaska Equity and Environmental Justice Implementation Plan website for more information. Recordings of the Town Hall teleconferences will be available and posted on our website.
- Or, join NOAA Fisheries EEJ Town Hall public teleconference on November 17 from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM AKT to share information about the NOAA Fisheries Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy and our plans to develop an implementation plan for Alaska. To join, dial 1-800-857-9834 and use passcode EEJ.
- NOAA Fisheries is requesting written comments to inform the development of the Alaska EEJ plan that is specific and responsive to the needs of underserved communities in Alaska.
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Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs): On October 19, 2023, NOAA Fisheries announced a 60-day public comment period to assist with the identification of study areas, data, and analyses relevant to identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska state waters. NOAA will incorporate input from Alaska Native Tribes & Organizations, State and Federal Agencies, aquaculture stakeholders, and public comments collected through the Request for Information into final study areas. Following this comment period, and analysis by the agency, NOAA will identify areas that are environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture in Alaska.
- Comments may be submitted through Regs.gov until December 18, 2023. Additional information in submitting comments can be found through the Alaska AOA Request for information website.
- NOAA will also host two public listening sessions to gather input from those who prefer to submit oral comments:
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A new scientific study on Snow Crab: NOAA Fisheries scientists released a publication in Science on October 20, 2023. It links the collapse of the snow crab to a marine heatwave during 2018-2019 and identifies starvation as a likely factor in that decline.
- Our scientists used survey data and lab studies to demonstrate the likelihood that increased metabolism and decline in suitable habitat for foraging were the leading factors behind the sudden and unprecedented decline of both adult and juvenile snow crabs in the eastern Bering Sea.
- Please feel free to reach out Mabel.BaldwinSchaeffer@noaa.gov or Marjorie.Mooney-Seus@noaa.gov if you would like to learn more about NOAA Fisheries research in Alaska.
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The Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Task Force Meeting: On November 1 & 2, the Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Task Force will be conducting a Hybrid meeting at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E., Building 4, Seattle, WA. For more information and to attend remotely, click here.
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The Alaska Salmon Research Task Force is seeking comment on an early version of its DRAFT Report at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/outreach-materials/draft-alaska-salmon-research-task-force-report-october-2023: The Task Force is seeking comments on existing knowledge, research gaps, and applied research that is needed to better understand the increased variability and declining salmon returns in some regions of Alaska.
- The task force is especially interested in comments regarding Indigenous/Traditional Knowledge that can be applied to the Pacific salmon life cycle framework.
- Comments can be submitted by using this form.
- On November 14-15, 2023, the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force will be holding an in-person meeting at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, Summit Hall (Lower Level), 555 W. 5th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. You can also attend virtually.
- Comments on the Draft Report may also be provided during the afternoon sessions (1:00-4:30) of this meeting. For an agenda and registration information, click here.
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NOAA Fisheries seeks nominations to fill vacancies on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). MAFAC is an advisory group that researches, evaluates, and provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary and NOAA on agency policies, activities, science, conservation, and regulatory programs critical to the mission and goals of NOAA Fisheries.
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A letter of interest and resume are due by December 15, 2023; full details on the opportunity, including instructions for submitting nominations, can be found here.
- NOAA Fisheries strives to ensure MAFAC members represent a diversity of individuals and interests. We encourage nominations from all those interested across the country.
Grants
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Alaska Region Federal Funding Website: The Alaska Region has put together a website to include federal funding opportunities related to fisheries and mariculture. The website is updated regularly and lists all programs and funding that the Alaska Region supports as well as other opportunities that may be of interest to those living in Alaska. The grants office is constantly working on listing available opportunities and welcome any feedback on the site. The website is fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska-grants, and any feedback or questions about grants or upcoming announcements can be sent to akr.grants@noaa.gov.
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FY24 Species Recovery Grants: On August 1, 2023, NOAA Fisheries announced the FY24 Species Recovery Grants to Tribes Notice of Funding Opportunity recently opened on grants.gov. All federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply. These grants support tribally-led management, research, monitoring, and outreach activities that have direct conservation benefits for threatened and endangered species. Feel free to visit our FAQ webpage. Applications were due Oct 31.
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Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Funding Opportunity Open Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act: On August 14, 2023, the the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation announced the availability of up to $240 million in funding for habitat restoration and coastal resilience through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Proposals must be received through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern time on November 17, 2023.
If you have any questions regarding this funding opportunity, please contact Natalie McLenaghan at (240) 614-3192 or Resilience.Grants@noaa.gov.
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Alaska Native Organization Co-Management Funding Program: The National Marine Fisheries Service recognizes the unique importance of marine mammals to Alaska Native Organizations and values ongoing efforts by Alaska Native Tribes and ANOs to conserve and protect subsistence species under NOAA Fisheries' jurisdiction. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. §1388, NOAA Fisheries may provide Federal assistance to ANOs to conserve marine mammals and to promote co-management of Alaska Native subsistence use of such mammals under NOAA Fisheries' jurisdiction. This program, provided in the form of cooperative agreements, may be used to support conservation of marine mammals utilized for subsistence purposes by Alaska Natives. Funded activities may include development and implementation of species management, subsistence harvest monitoring, subsistence harvest sampling, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Tribally-Authorized ANOs with a signed agreement for co-management with NMFS are eligible to apply under this program. Applications are due February 2, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding this funding opportunity, please contact Kristin Cieciel at (907)586-7273 or Kristin.Cieciel@noaa.gov
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Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program: The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting competitive applications for the fiscal year 2024 Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program. Projects are being solicited to improve education and training on marine resource issues throughout the Alaska geographic region and increase scientific education for marine-related professions among coastal community residents. Projects must be conducted within Alaska. Applications are due March 1, 2024. If you have any questions regarding this funding opportunity, please contact Kristin Cieciel at (907) 586-7273 or Kristin.Cieciel@noaa.gov
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National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Funding Opportunity: On October 13, 2023, the National Marine Fisheries Service shared a funding opportunity with the Alaska Coastal Resilience Area. The Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area targets rural areas in Alaska that have previously not had the high resolution data necessary to run advanced models that evaluate coastal resilience management options. The NCCOS is soliciting proposals that will leverage existing data where possible, to advance coupled coastal modeling in the region.
- The deadline for Letters of Intent for focus areas is November 13, 2023, and for full applications is January 24, 2024.
- More information can be found here. View the full NOFO here.
- If you have any questions regarding this funding opportunity, please contact Jennifer Stegar at jennifer.steger@noaa.gov.
Educational Opportunities
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Hollings Scholar Program (due end of January): A 9-week, paid, summer program to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities. All applications and supporting materials must be received by Monday, January 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.
- Our scientists used survey data and lab studies to demonstrate the likelihood that increased metabolism and decline in suitable habitat for foraging were the leading factors behind the sudden and unprecedented decline of both adult and juvenile snow crabs in the eastern Bering Sea.
- Please feel free to reach out Mabel.BaldwinSchaeffer@noaa.gov or Marjorie.Mooney-Seus@noaa.gov if you would like to learn more about NOAA Fisheries research in Alaska.
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Hollings Preparation Program (HPP) (due mid 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. Apply by sending a cover letter and resume to: hollingsprep.wcr@noaa.gov by March 14, 2023.
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Knauss Fellowship (due mid 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. All applications must be received by February 15, 2024.
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Alaska Sea Grant Fellowship (applications due mid February): 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.
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Graduate Programs at University of Alaska Fairbanks
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