Briefing asks whether some noncontroversial measures could require fewer council meetings

Council staff introduced a late‑breaking attachment (Supplemental Attachment 5) asking whether the Pacific Council should consider options to reduce the number of required meetings for certain actions, particularly noncontroversial measures with broad support and thorough prior analysis.

Gilly explained the staff note was prompted by earlier council guidance to explore procedural efficiencies identified in the 2025 scoping paper. The attachment does not propose specific actions but asks whether staff should draft criteria and a proposed approach that could allow some FMP measures to be handled in fewer meetings—for example, shortening a typical three‑meeting amendment process to two meetings or using a one‑meeting process for limited, low‑controversy measures where FMP language already allows flexibility.

Staff emphasized that changes would not automatically alter FMP content and that some COP edits or administrative frameworks could enable these efficiencies. Gilly noted roughly 19 potential items in the briefing book staff could pursue and said advisory bodies will help winnow priorities. Advisory bodies were asked to flag items they support, oppose or believe should be prioritized for staff development.

Next steps mentioned by staff include developing draft criteria and a framework for council consideration in September or later, with COP modifications possible in 2026 if the council requests them.