The NPFMC recommended adding the communities of Naukati and Game Creek and Cold Bay to the list of Amendment 66 communities able to develop community quota entities (CQE) which will allow the two SE communities to purchase quota share to lease for commercially fishing and to receive up to 4 free community halibut charter limited entry permits and to purchase up to four more permit. The community charter limited entry permit must begin or end within the limits of the CQE community.

The staff is recommending using instead of the slow up /fast down policy of the past using a slow up /full down policy going into the future with these recommendations

AREA     2011         2010      %change
2A           0.86           0.81           +
2B           7.65            7.50          +      2B quota includes all removals, recreational and commercial combined
2C           2.33            4.4           -47%
3A         14.36         19.99         -28%
3B          7.52            9.90          -24%
4A          2.41            2.33             +
4B           2.18            2.16             +
4CDE     3.72            3.58             +

Total     41.02         50.67          -19%

2010 D68 GN TF pt 1

2010 D11 Gillnet Taksforce summary pt 1

2010 D11 Gillnet Taksforce summary pt 2

2010 D11 Gillnet Taksforce summary pt 3

2010 D11 Gillnet Taksforce summary pt 4

2010 Tree Point gillnet presentation

D-15 2010 DGNTF Presentation

Cora Campbell was appointed as Acting Commissioner of Fish and Game starting December 1st.

The Joint Regional Planning Team (RPT) will be meeting in Ketchikan on Dec. 8, 2010 at 9:30 am at the Ted Ferry Civic Center. On the agenda are:
Permit alteration request (PAR) for SSRAA to add McLean Arm release
Sheldon Jackson PAR update on chum salmon fry monitoring as a condition of the increased release at Deep Inlet
Sitka Sound Science Center Hatchery PAR for Sheldon Jackson permits
Application for builing a hatchery at Baranof Warm Springs by the Sustainable Salmon Institute
ADFG Presentation on chum salmon escapement goals and a summary of straying results in SE AK
SSRAA discussion on moving release of 300K coho from Neets Bay to Nakat Bay
Allocation Proposals to balance SE Enhance Allocation Plan

The Tongass National Forest is initiating a NEPA analysis to consider proposed changes to the tailings and waste disposal facilities at the Greens Creek Mine.
Based on comments received during the scoping period, a
draft EIS will be prepared and submitted to the EPA in the summer of 2011 with a 45 day public comment period. The final EIS and record of Decision are expected to be published in the spring of 2012.
Enclosed is a link to the scoping letter and document with details about the planned expansion. Comment deadline has been extended to Nov. 19th
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/10/05/2010-24907/admiralty-national-monument-tongass-national-forest-alaska-expansion-of-tailings-disposal-facility

ADFG announced Nov 5th that the preseason harvest forecast for West Behm Canal in 2011 of 8.61 tons. In accordance with the 1-E 7 1-F sac roe herring management plans [5 AAC 27.197] which allows for alternating years of set gillnet and purse seine fisheries has the 2011 fishing year will be opened for set gillnet fishery. (Remember in 2004 based on in-season observations the fishery did not open). Mesh size for the West Behm Canal fishery is 2-1/4″ and 50 fms long except 2 permit holders onboard under 5AAC 27.131 may fish a 75 fm long net.There will be closed areas near Ketchikan including Naha Bay, Clover Pass, and Tongass narrows creating a sanctuary for a significant portion of the spawning herring stock.

For additional information view the news release

http://documents.cf1.adfg.state.ak.us/AdfgDocument.po?DOCUMENT=22774

and check out the regulations developed at the 2003 Board of Fish meeting for the West Behm Canal area.