Purpose and Need

Approximately 6,500 metric tons of halibut were taken incidentally to the Alaska groundfish fisheries during 1999. Vessels participating in these fisheries typically use trawl, hook-and-line, or pot gear, with trawl gear accounting for most of the groundfish catch and halibut bycatch. A portion of this bycatch is landed dead at shoreside processing facilities and must be returned to Federal waters for disposal as a prohibited species. The Council's intent was to:

 1) reduce regulatory discards and protein waste in the groundfish trawl fisheries; 

2) provide additional opportunity to collect biological samples or scientific data; and 

3) support an industry initiative to reduce regulatory discards and provided a healthy alternative to the diets of needy people. 

The purpose of this amendment was to reduce the waste of dead, but wholesome, fish, and in doing so provide public benefit by allowing fish that would otherwise be discarded to be retained for processing and delivery to food bank organizations. Any costs associated with this recommended action would be borne by the voluntarily participating shore side processors and the NMFS authorized distributor.

Analysis

The Council discourages the discard of incidental catches of fish as wasteful. Managing halibut incidentally caught in the groundfish fisheries as a prohibited species is an appropriate short term bycatch measure. Except under the prohibited species donation program, retention of prohibited species captured while harvesting groundfish is prohibited to prevent covert targeting on these species. The prohibition removes the incentive that groundfish fishermen might otherwise have to target on the relatively high valued prohibited species, and thereby, results in a lower incidental catch. It also eliminates the market competition that might otherwise exist between domestic halibut fishermen and groundfish fishermen who might land halibut in the absence of the prohibition. A 20-page analysis (Secretarial review draft dated September 12, 1997) determined that no changes in fishing activities that would affect the amount of groundfish harvested nor the amount of halibut taken as bycatch in the Alaska trawl fisheries was expected by the preferred alternative. The total burden to processors resulting from the preferred alternative could not be estimated because participation would be voluntary; however, based on information acquired through the SDP, costs were estimated at approximately 20 cents per pound for donated halibut.

Regulation Summary

This action authorized the voluntary donation of Pacific halibut taken as bycatch in specified groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska to economically disadvantaged individuals. Under the prohibited species donation program, NMFS expanded the existing salmon donation program to also authorize distributions by tax-exempt organizations through a NMFS-authorized distributor. The program is limited to dead halibut landed by trawl catcher vessels to shoreside processors.

Results

Waste of salmon and halibut has been reduced by allowing bycatch to be donated to food banks. The food banks in turn distribute the fish to needy people in the northwestern United States. Many fishing companies voluntarily participate in the donation program. In 2015, 482,165 pounds of PSC salmon and 48,285 pounds of PSC halibut were distributed. Of that, 182,000 pounds were donated to Alaska, bring the three year total to over 630,000 pounds. Currently, SeaShare is the only organization authorized by NMFS to retain and distribute PSC fish for hunger relief.

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