Learning Alaska Fisheries Conservation and Management Experience

2017-08-04

In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection (IASI), NRDC hosted a delegation of Chinese government officials, scientists and policy advisors for a visit to Alaska which has the most sophisticated and advanced fishery management system in the U.S. and one of the best in the world from July 31 to August 4. The delegation included key experts that have been working to establish the national and provinvial total allowable catch (TAC) system, setting up a recreational fisheries management system, and amending the fisheries law of China. The delegation visited the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NMFS Kodiak office, U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Fisheries Science Center Kodiak Laboratory, and industries such as the Trident Seafood and Pacific Seafood Processors Association. The delegation had a successful exchange with U.S. government officials and experts on total allowable catch (TAC), recreational fisheries management and catch monitoring and enforcement with the US government officials and experts. The robust and in-depth exchange directly feeds to China's on-going reform in key fisheries conservation and management policies and enforcement, including the Observer Program, an effective approach to catch monitoring, which was added to the Zhejiang TAC pilot after the Alaska study tour. As a substantive exchange between NOAA and Chinese fishery bureau, this event builds a trustful relationship and provides future collaborative opportunities for them. We will continue to help build China's capacity in sustainable fisheries management. 

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