Public Comment Sought on Research Priorities for Alaska’s Exclusive Economic Zone
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is seeking public comment regarding research priorities for fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off of Alaska for a triennial review.
The council is mandated to develop research priorities for fisheries, habitats and other areas necessary for management purposes and reviews those priorities every three years. Comments may be sent via the council’s eAgenda meeting portal up until 5 p.m. Alaska Time (6 pm Pacific) on Oct. 31.
Written comments should be sent via “Request for Information: Research Priorities Triennial Review”, https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/2998, using either the “Comment Now” function on the eAgenda page or by using the comment form, https://forms.gle/PPfkFPQ1JCXJrRSN9, by the October 31 deadline.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that regional fishery management councils develop multi-year research priorities for fisheries, fisheries interactions, habitats, and other areas of research necessary for management. This includes research to support fishery management plans and associated regulations for fisheries requiring conservation and management to protect against overfishing, rebuild depleted fish stocks, and to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
The Council reviews its research priorities every three years; the next triennial review of research priorities is tentatively scheduled for April 2024.
