Presented By:

Bernt O. Bodal

Chairman & CEO

American Seafoods Group

Ecosystem ConsiderationsIn Fisheries Management

October 1, 2001Reykjavik, Iceland

Key Points

Large-Scale Industry Perspectives

Large-scale fishing operations. Elements contributing to sustainable

fisheries in the US North Pacific. Large scale fisheries:

More mobile. Able to avoid sensitive habitat.

Harvesting Cooperatives. Summary.

Large-scale Fishing Operations

Play important role in fishing communities. Provide the most cost effective source of

healthy protein for human consumption. Operational Considerations:

Large size of resource. Remote fishing grounds. Perishable nature of the fish. Need for capital-intensive production

equipment.

Harsh and Dangerous Fishing Conditions

Commitment to Responsible Management

Healthy fisheries are dependent upon the degree of responsibility practiced by government and regulatory institutions, and on the commitment of the fishing industry.

U.S. North Pacific Groundfish Stocks Are Healthy

 Region

# of Species not Overfished

# Approaching Overfished

# of SpeciesOverfished

North Pacific 63 0 0New England 7 2 12Mid Atlantic 6 0 5South Atlantic 5 1 14Gulf of Mexico 6 1 4Pacific Coast 16 6 13Hawaii 21 0 26All Others 59 1 12

Bering Sea Groundfish

North Pacific Groundfish Stocks have Increased

During 20 Years of Careful Management.

0

5

10

15

20

25

1977 1983 1989 1995 2001

Me

tric

To

ns

(M

illio

ns

)

Total PopulationTotal Harvest

Cleanest Groundfish Fishery in the World…98.4% Alaska Pollock

Relative Size of Alaska Not a “Minor Portion of the

World”

Harvesting Cooperatives

Voluntary agreement to allocate quotas.

Eliminates “race for fish.” Minimizes by-

catch and discards.

Reduces fishing effort.

Maximizes resource utilization.

Pollock Conservation Cooperative

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

1998 1999 2000

Total Product Recovery 1998-2000

Source: SeaState, Inc. 1998-2000;NMFS AK Region

Pacific Whiting Conservation CooperativeA Partnership in Responsible Fishing

Alaska Ocean Seafoods - American SeafoodsGlacier Seafoods - Trident Seafoods

Fish harvesting practices in the catcher/processor sector of the Pacific whiting fishery have changed significantly during the 1990’s. These practices have evolved from an Olympic style race for fish into a fish harvesting cooperative that emphasizes conservation rather than speed. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) provided the   needed regulatory framework for the change when it divided the annual total allowable catch of Pacific whiting among three competing sectors—vessels delivering to onshore Pacific whiting processors; vessels delivering to processing vessels; and vessels that both catch and process. The Pacific Council also imposed a license limitation program that limited participation in the fishery to qualified vessels.

Research ProgramReducing Management Uncertainty Industry-Government Cooperative Surveys

Achieving reductions in bycatch

Enhance Product Utilization

Alaska’s Midwater Pollock Fishery

Avoid Junk Science

Conclusion

Ensure responsible and sustainable fishery management.

Industry support of research and fishery management efforts. Incorporate ecosystem principles based upon clear, measurable benefits. Encourage industry and scientific community to work together cooperatively.

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