Council moves two trawl EFP exemptions into regulation; delays decision on recreational fish‑waste sale

The council adopted final preferred alternatives to transition two trawl‑gear Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) exemptions into regulations, while pausing consideration of a separate action that would permit commercial sale of recreational groundfish waste.

Todd Phillips, staff, reviewed three related actions: (1) move two EFP exemptions (midwater trawl north of 40°10' and bottom trawl shoreward of the 100‑fathom contour between 40°10' and 42° N) into regulation; (2) update at‑sea declaration requirements so vessels can change declarations while at sea (with monitoring continuity requirements); and (3) amend federal rules to allow sale of recreational fish waste and defer details to state rules. Phillips noted that the EFP record shows low average salmon bycatch in the EFPs and that thresholds have not been exceeded.

"Midwater EFP averages about 41 Chinook per year and about 0.6 coho per year," Phillips said, placing the EFP contribution at roughly 6% of non‑whiting trawl salmon bycatch and below regulatory thresholds. After advisory bodies and enforcement consultants reviewed the draft language, council member Heather Hall moved that the council adopt GMT recommendations for actions 1 and 2 but defer action 3 (the recreational fish‑waste sale) for further state and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement work; the motion passed unanimously.

Groundfish advisory groups and processors said the regulatory change would provide operational flexibility and year‑round landing options important to fishermen and local processors. Enforcement consultants and several states said they are still working to reconcile the scope of a sale/permit pathway for recreational waste and recommended delaying final council action until state rules and enforcement agreements are aligned.