Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Environment/Science NOAA Fisheries embracing eDNA tool for rockfish management Seafood Source by Nathan Strout - August 25, 2025 NOAA Fisheries has developed an improved environmental DNA (eDNA) tool that will enable scientists to better understand rockfish species and could inform management of the U.S. commercial fishery. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/noaa-fisheries-embracing-edna-tool-for-rockfish-management Labeling and Marketing Efforts in Improvement, Innovation in Fishery Management to be Showcased at Alaska Pollock Meeting Seafood News by Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers - August 26, 2025 Researchers, captains and industry leaders will come together to discuss the historical and recent significant improvements the Wild Alaska Pollock fishery has made at the industry’s annual gathering, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. Two panels, one dedicated to a discussion around collaborative research informing environmental impacts and a second focused on technological advancements for bycatch avoidance will illuminate recent efforts along the industry’s journey of continuous improvement.“This industry has worked incredibly hard, since its inception, to constantly look at the ways we harvest our fish and how we can do it more responsibly, more sustainably and more efficiently,” said Craig Morris, GAPP Chief Executive Officer. “While we haven’t always done a great job highlighting the efforts underway to continuously understand how we fish and what we can do better, this meeting will be one opportunity to put those robust discussions front and center.”The panels, featuring renowned researchers including Alaska Pacific University’s Dr. Bradley Harris and Dr. Suresh Sethi, captains from the Alaska Pollock fleet, scientists including Jordan Head and Steve Martell, as well as other industry leaders will showcase the work that’s been done and what comes next on critical fishery management topics.In addition to those two panels, the work of the newly-formed Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance (APFA), a cross-industry organization housed within GAPP, will also be spotlighted during an in depth discussion between APFA’s Director of Communications, Sam Murphy, and public relations expert consultants Heather Handyside and Sarah Eckmann Ward of Blueprint Alaska.“For too long, we’ve been focused on fishing and not on telling our story and deepening genuine connections in Alaska where we harvest the world’s most perfect protein: Wild Alaska Pollock,” said Morris. “APFA was formed to ensure that we share the truth about how we fish responsibly, deepen our connections within the communities where we operate in Alaska and beyond and correct misinformation about our fishery. We’ve been making progress against those objectives and I’m eager for our attendees to hear what we’ve been up to and how they can get engaged.”The W Hotel in downtown Seattle will play host to the annual meeting for the second consecutive year. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m., with an evening networking reception to immediately follow. Full registration information is available here for those wishing to attend the Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting. GAPP's annual meeting is exclusively for those connected to the Wild Alaska Pollock industry, and registration is subject to GAPP approval.For guests traveling to Seattle for the meeting, meeting attendees can enjoy a 7% discount on Alaska Airlines for flights to and from Seattle. Please reach out to GAPP directly at info@alaskapollock.org to receive your discount flight code. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1317244/Efforts-in-Improvement-Innovation-in-Fishery-Management-to-be-Showcased-at-Alaska-Pollock-Meeting Federal Register North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 08/27/2025 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Groundfish Plan Teams will meet September 16, 2025, through September 18, 2025. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/27/2025-16380/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 08/27/2025 NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processor vessels to amendment 80 vessels in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/27/2025-16435/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-reallocation-of-pacific-cod-in-the-bering-sea Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 08/27/2025 NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/27/2025-16428/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-in-the-bering-sea-and-aleutian FYI’s NOAA Fisheries Seeks Recommendations for Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness A 45-day public comment period in support of the recent Executive Order is open until October 14, 2025. NOAA Fisheries - August 26, 2025NOAA Fisheries wants to make sure more American seafood gets on American plates. We’re inviting the public to share input on how to help make that a reality. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/noaa-fisheries-seeks-recommendations-restoring-american-seafood-competitiveness

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