Ian Stewart
313:49 - 314:22
“We did not support the crab plan team recommended buffer of 50%, but instead recommended a buffer of 40%, which is the same buffer that was applied last year.”
- Speaker
- Ian Stewart
- Timestamp
- 313:49 – 314:22
- Transcript
- NPFMC 280 Day 2 - October 9, 2026
- Community
- Alaska News
- Location
- Alaska
- Captured at
- October 9, 2026
From the transcript
We recommended the, the, as I said, we recommended the RIMA Tier 4 approach and its associated OFL. We did not support the crab plan team recommended buffer of 50%, but instead recommended a buffer of 40%, which is the same buffer that was applied last year. The primary considerations were that the concern over the size of males at maturity really hasn't changed since last year, and the additional, uh, crab plantain concerns we felt were already generally accounted for in the buffer that we set last year, and that's why the SSC opted to stick with the 40% instead of increasing it to 50% this year.
Related Coverage
North Pacific council raises Tanner and Bristol Bay red king crab limits, keeps snow crab in rebuilding
North Pacific Fishery Management Council raised Tanner and Bristol Bay red king crab harvest limits for 2026-2027 while keeping snow crab in rebuilding.
Outside scientists find NOAA's Alaska fishing observer program sound, recommend no 2027 changes
Three outside scientists reviewed how NOAA decides which Alaska fishing boats carry observers or cameras. Verdict: sound methods, no changes needed for 2027.
