Unalaska, AK – The National Marine Fisheries service has finalized Amendment 91, which sets new rules for the Bering Sea's pollock fishing fleet in an attempt to reduce Chinook salmon bycatch. The comprehensive plan is the product of a joint effort from NMFS and the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. While Amendment 91 contains some enforcement measures, it also hinges upon incentive plans proposed by the pollock fleet itself.

The Incentive Plan Agreements, or IPAs, takes a stick-and-carrot approach, according to Stephanie Madsen, the executive director of the At Sea Processor's Association. The IPAs also help place some responsibility on the industry for monitoring enforcement, rather than making NMFS the first and last authority when it comes to reducing the accidental catch of pollock.

The NMFS plan also sets a hard cap of 60,000 on Chinook salmon bycatch. If more salmon than that are accidentally caught, the pollock fishery will be closed. It also sets a soft cap of just over 47,000. That's a goal number for NMFS and pollock trawlers to keep in mind, and if the fishing vessels exceed that limit regularly, harsher rules could be implemented.

The last major component of the plan involves increased observer coverage. Observers will be required to count each Chinook salmon caught by pollock fishing vessel.

While gear like salmon excluders have helped reduce bycatch, a recent peak in bycatch in 2007 prompted the Council to consider improving its management plans, says Gretchen Harrington, a NOAA fisheries plan coordinator.

Incentive plans are being considered until October 1st, and the program will go into effect in 2011.