The Council appointed members to the newly formed Salmon Bycatch Committee, which will hold its first meeting on November 28, 2022. The NPFMC Salmon Bycatch Committee will be co-chaired by two Council members, Andy Mezirow and Rachel Baker. Members and their affiliations are listed below. The November meeting will provide an opportunity for Committee introductions, review of a draft Terms of Reference for the Committee, review and recommendations on the Council staff discussion paper on chum salmon bycatch, and if possible, review of the State of Alaska Bycatch Taskforce recommendations on salmon.
Rachel Baker (co-chair) – Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Ruth Christiansen – United Catcher Boats
Oscar Evon – Coastal Villages Region Fund
Serena Fitka – Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association
Jennifer Hooper – Association of Village Council Presidents
Mellisa Johnson – Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Tribal Consortium
Stephanie Madsen – At-Sea Processors Association
Andy Mezirow (co-chair) Gray Light Fisheries
Elizabeth Reed – Westward Fishing Company
Steve Ricci – Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation
Kevin Whitworth – Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Mike Williams, Sr. – Akiak
For more information, please contact Council staff Dr. Diana Stram – diana.stram@noaa.gov