Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Alaska North Pacific Fishery Management Council - April 2022 Newsletter Meeting News: Council Holds First Hybrid Meeting For the first time in two years, the Council met in-person, along with an online option for presenters and attendees. The meeting was held at the Anchorage Hilton, using double the meeting space allowing for extra distancing for both the Council members as well as the public following COVID protocols. Council administrative staff engineered the hybrid approach which also allowed remote public comment if a stakeholder indicated they would be testifying remotely. The zoom addresses, documents, presentations and motions were all available through the eAgenda, as were sign-ups for public comment by agenda item. The Council intends to keep the hybrid portion of the meeting for June, but may re-assess at a future date depending on the internet capabilities of upcoming meeting venues and locations. If you attended the meeting, either in person or remotely, and have logistical or technical feedback, please email npfmc.admin@noaa.gov. https://www.npfmc.org/april-2022-newsletter/ Environment/Science NOAA showcases new mapping tool for marine species Data reveals fish are shifting into different waters NOAA Fisheries - April 19, 2022 NOAA Fisheries is launching a new tool to better track the location and movement of marine fish in U.S. waters. The Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal reveals that the ranges of many marine species are shifting, expanding and contracting in response to changing ocean conditions. The interactive website will improve data sharing and collaboration, facilitate decision-making about fishery management and science and increase overall knowledge of species distribution for stock assessments. https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-showcases-new-mapping-tool-for-marine-species Sustainability Sustainable Fisheries, Sustainable Seafood Celebrating success in recovering our nation's fisheries. NOAA Fisheries - April 18, 2022 Every year on Earth Day, NOAA Fisheries joins citizens and organizations around the world in celebrating our planet and recognizing the need to care for our natural resources. After all, stewardship of our nation’s marine natural resources is the crux of NOAA Fisheries’ mission. It drives the work we do on Earth Day and every other day, too. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/sustainable-fisheries-sustainable-seafood Federal Register Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 04/19/2022 NMFS issues this proposed rule to revise regulations for the commercial individual fishing quota (IFQ) Pacific halibut (halibut) fisheries for the 2022 IFQ fishing year. This proposed rule would remove limits on the maximum amount of halibut IFQ that may be harvested by a vessel, commonly known as vessel use caps, in IFQ regulatory Areas 4A (Eastern Aleutian Islands), 4B (Central and Western Aleutian Islands), 4C (Central Bering Sea), and 4D (Eastern Bering Sea). This action is needed to provide additional flexibility to IFQ participants in 2022 to ensure allocations of halibut IFQ can be harvested by the limited number of vessels operating in these areas. This action is within the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to establish additional regulations governing the taking of halibut that are in addition to, and not in conflict with, those adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the IFQ Program, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), and other applicable laws. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/19/2022-08278/pacific-halibut-fisheries-catch-sharing-plan List of Fisheries for 2022 A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 04/19/2022 The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2022, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2022 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/19/2022-08210/list-of-fisheries-for-2022 FYI’s Seafood Expo Global No Longer Requiring Masks, Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - April 20, 2022 Last month members of the seafood industry flocked to Boston for the first Seafood Expo North America event since the pandemic. The show, while with fewer exhibitors and attendees than in years past, ended up being a reunion of sorts for those ready to return to normal after two years of dealing with lockdowns and restrictions. Now, the show organizers, Diversified Communications, are getting ready to host their first post-COVID Seafood Expo Global show. Seafood Expo Global is set to take place in Barcelona, Spain, from April 26 through April 28. And those with pandemic fatigue will be happy to learn that masks are no longer required to attend the event. Spanish authorities lifted the mask requirement on April 20, meaning that face masks are no longer mandatory. However, certain settings, like healthcare centers and public transportation, still require masks. In addition to the removal of the mask mandate, attendees and exhibitors are no longer required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or a negative COVID-19 test. But with that said, Diversified is also offering medical insurance for non-Spanish attendees. “For extra peace of mind, we have secured inclusive insurance to cover you during the entire duration of the Expo in the event you get a positive PCR test result for COVID-19,” Diversified explained on the expo’s “Health and Safety” page. “This includes medical and hospitalization expenses, medical transport to your country of origin and hotel stays for insured individuals.” More information on the medical insurance can be found here on the FAQ page. This is the first year that the expo will be taking place in Spain. Originally held in Belgium for the past 27 years, the 2020 show was set to be the last at the Brussels Expo. However, due to the coronavirus, Diversified ended up postponing, and later canceling the event. The 2021 event was supposed to kick off Seafood Expo Global’s big move to Barcelona, but that too was canceled due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions at the time. In 2019 the event attracted 29,288 buyers and suppliers from around the globe. Liz Plizga, Diversified Communications’ Group Vice President, said last month that the 2022 event currently features 39,545 m2 of net exhibit space, representing 97% of the size of the 2019 event. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1223874/Seafood-Expo-Global-No-Longer-Requiring-Masks-Proof-of-COVID-19-Vaccination Pacific Seafood Processors Association 1900 W Emerson Place Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.281.1667 E-mail: admin@pspafish.net; Website: www.pspafish.net Our office days/hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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