Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force Moves Quickly to Identify Course of Action on Bycatch
— ADF&G Press Release

Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811-5526

Press Release: March 8, 2022

CONTACT: ADF&G Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, 907-267-2591, Doug.Vincent-Lang@alaska.gov

Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force Moves Quickly to Identify Course of Action on Bycatch

(Juneau, AK) — The Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force (ABRT) held its first full meeting on Friday, February 11th. A steering committee was formed to decide what decision-making processes will be used for ABRT recommendations and to draft a workplan and timeline for the Task Force. The steering committee also provided suggestions on subcommittees for future ABRT work. The subcommittees will be finalized at the next full task force meeting on Wednesday, March 9th.

"Once the structure of the taskforce is framed, it will be a good road map of how we can incorporate everyday Alaskans' voices into the decision-making process," said Commissioner Vincent-Lang, "because they are the owners of these resources."

Governor Mike Dunleavy, by Administrative Order, formed the task force comprised of 13 voting members. Two voting members are State Commissioners and the other 11 represent key Alaskan fishery stakeholder groups. These representatives are recognized for not only their knowledge of fisheries, but also their commitment to sustainable fisheries management for the benefit of current and future generations of Alaskans.

The ABRT met for nearly six hours in February and heard staff presentations from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. These presentations provided an overview of information and data concerning bycatch of Alaska's high-value fishery resources.

The department has launched a new webpage for the ABRT where information about ABRT members, meetings, and other resources can be found: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=bycatchtaskforce.meetinginfo