The Inshore Incentive Plan Agreement (Inshore IPA) is entered into by pollock catcher vessels from the inshore sector along with several Community Development Quota (CDQ) organizations. Working together, these vessels and CDQ partners coordinate fishing activity, share real-time information, and implement innovative bycatch reduction strategies and includes Sea State, a third party data monitor. This collaborative structure ensures that all the inshore catcher vessels and coops are held to the same high standards for accountability, salmon avoidance, and sustainable fishing practices in the Bering Sea.
The Inshore IPA isn't one rule or tool - it's a whole system with a suite of dynamic salmon bycatch avoidance tools that come with incentives, penalties, and vessel level accountability.
The Inshore IPA isn't one rule or tool - it's a whole system with a suite of dynamic salmon bycatch avoidance tools that come with incentives, penalties, and vessel level accountability.
CHINOOK & CHUM AVOIDANCE PLAN
Rolling Hot Spot Program (RHS)
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One of the main tools used is the Rolling Hot Spot (RHS) Program. This is a dynamic salmon avoidance system that uses real-time information from observers, fish tickets, and at-sea communication. Data is reviewed daily and formally assessed each Thursday.
If salmon bycatch rates rise, managers set a week-long closure—called a Rolling Hot Spot or Bycatch Avoidance Area from Friday to Friday. This temporarily shifts fishing effort away from areas where salmon are showing up, reducing risk to Chinook and chum salmon. |
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Extra Focus on Western Alaska Salmon
The Inshore IPA takes this one step further. When setting closures, it prioritizes areas where chum bycatch is more likely to be of Western Alaskan origin. To do this, managers use historic genetic data—and beginning in 2025, real-time genetic data—to estimate where these salmon are most at risk.
The Inshore IPA takes this one step further. When setting closures, it prioritizes areas where chum bycatch is more likely to be of Western Alaskan origin. To do this, managers use historic genetic data—and beginning in 2025, real-time genetic data—to estimate where these salmon are most at risk.
Tier Assignments
Catcher vessels get a weekly ranking of either a Tier 1 or a Tier 2. These rankings are based on the last two weeks of fishing. IF they don't maintain a low bycatch rate, they get ranked Tier 2 and are prohibited from fishing inside RHS closures until they can maintain a low bycatch rate. The Tier 1 vessels are those that have maintained a low salmon bycatch rate. While the Tier 1 vessels are not prohibited from the RHS closures, they usually move their fishing efforts away from the RHS closures so not to take a risk.
Penalties are in place to keep Tier 2 vessels from fishing inside a rolling hot spot closure that they are prohibited from. A vessel’s first incursion is a serious fine starting at $1,000 is the penalty. Multiple incursions by a vessel results in even higher penalties.
Catcher vessels get a weekly ranking of either a Tier 1 or a Tier 2. These rankings are based on the last two weeks of fishing. IF they don't maintain a low bycatch rate, they get ranked Tier 2 and are prohibited from fishing inside RHS closures until they can maintain a low bycatch rate. The Tier 1 vessels are those that have maintained a low salmon bycatch rate. While the Tier 1 vessels are not prohibited from the RHS closures, they usually move their fishing efforts away from the RHS closures so not to take a risk.
Penalties are in place to keep Tier 2 vessels from fishing inside a rolling hot spot closure that they are prohibited from. A vessel’s first incursion is a serious fine starting at $1,000 is the penalty. Multiple incursions by a vessel results in even higher penalties.
ACCOUNTABILITY & INCENTIVES
The Alaska pollock fishery is committed to sustainability and work diligently to minimize unintentional salmon bycatch. Since salmon and pollock can swim near each other, our salmon avoidance management measures in the Inshore IPA are critical tools for our fishermen as they work hard to harvest a clean catch with as little salmon as possible.
Certain required elements and approval from NMFS. Then NMFS and NPFMC hold the sectors accountable by requiring annual reports on how the tools worked in the previous year.
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CHINOOK PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH (PSC) LIMITS
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The Alaska Pollock fishery receives an annual Chinook PSC Limit. These limits are determined by a three-system index of in-river adult Chinook salmon run sizes, known as the “3 River Index”. The annual Chinook PSC limit is then apportioned to the 3 sectors of the pollock fishery.
The inshore sector limit is reduced multiple times by a performance standard and an insurance pool deduction to get to a lower limit the sector must operate under This PSC limit is then apportioned pro-rata to each individual vessel to keep them accountable and ensure they are prioritizing Chinook salmon avoidance. The vessels are managed at the cooperative level as well, so they work together and communicate information helpful for avoidance. |
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
REPORTS
Inshore Salmon Savings Incentive Plan (ISSIP) Reports |
