CORDOVA, ALASKA—The Alaska State Board of Fisheries is this week set to consider four proposals that would reduce or eliminate bycatch in Alaska’s only state-managed pollock pelagic trawl fishery, which takes place from January 20 through March 31 in Prince William Sound. The fishery has zero observer coverage and while supposedly “midwater,” trawlers regularly bycatch bottom-dwelling species like shortraker and rougheye rockfish, halibut, black cod, lumpsuckers, skates, sole, flounder, octopus and prowfish, as well as non-bottom species like Chinook salmon, chum salmon, and squid.

“Once again, the Council has failed to take a common-sense step to close a trawl-sized loophole in the fishery it manages,” said Tim Bristol.

ANCHORAGE, AK— The National Marine Fisheries Service was forced to close most of the Gulf of Alaska to pollock trawling last week after two “midwater” trawlers accidentally netted 2,000 Chinook salmon in one day bringing the estimated season total of Chinook bycatch to near or over their allowable number. While pelagic or midwater gear is supposed to be off the seafloor, recent studies found that trawl nets contact the bottom on average 40% to 80% of the time, with rates up to 100% on factory ships, also called catcher/processors.  Last week's closure halts fishing for 20 boats ahead of their scheduled Nov. 1 closure.  The North Pacific Council will meet this week in Anchorage to discuss whether or not to clarify if midwater nets should be allowed to drag the bottom.