Presented By: Bernt O. Bodal Chairman & CEO American Seafoods Group Ecosystem Considerations In Fisheries Management October 1, 2001 Reykjavik, 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

Bering Sea Groundfish North Pacific Groundfish Stocks have Increased During 20 Years of Careful Management.

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 Total Product Recovery Source: SeaState, Inc ;NMFS AK Region

Pacific Whiting Conservation Cooperative A Partnership in Responsible Fishing Alaska Ocean Seafoods - American Seafoods Glacier 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.Pacific Fishery Management Council Research Program Reducing 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.

01 October