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Today, at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting in Anchorage, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced their recommendation that the halibut moratorium program be delayed for one year and be implemented in 2011. This action still requires approval by the Secretary of Commerce, which is considered likely. The reason cited in testimony by Sue Salveson, NMFS Assistant Regional Administrator, was that "many charter operators had cited confusion over the application and appeal process" so they decided the best course of action would be to open the permit application and the appeal process throughout 2010 and then implement the full program in February, 2011. In a direct conversation with Salveson afterwards, she clarified that the intent is to keep 2004-05 as the 'basis year' and 2008 as the 'participation year', so no change. She did say however that in the unlikely case that the program is further delayed, that these facts could change. She indicated that she expected the final rule to be published in February, 2010 and start the application and appeals processes after the 30 day waiting period. If you have any questions please feel free to contact John Blair directly, john@seagoalaska.org 925-366-6638, www.seagoalaska.org
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