The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has voted to establish the first-ever limit on chinook salmon bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska pollock fishery, a news release said.
In 2010 the groundfish fleet caught over 51,000 chinook salmon. This all-time high number reinvigorated a call from coastal Alaskans and members of the NPFMC to pursue a limit for future years. While a limit on chinook bycatch was established for the Bering Sea pollock fishery in 2009, this will be the first salmon bycatch restriction in the Gulf of Alaska pollock fishery.
"This is a critical time for getting king salmon bycatch under control," said Theresa Peterson, Kodiak Island salmon fisherman and community coordinator for Alaska Marine Conservation Council. "Central Gulf chinook runs are hurting and salmon fishermen are restricted. This is a time for the groundfish trawl fleet to be part of the solution."
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