On December 21, 2021 an emergency petition was submitted to the Honorable Gina M. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, from Kawerak, Inc., Association of Village Council Presidents, Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, and the Bering Sea Elders Group respectfully requesting that the Department of Commerce takes emergency action to eliminate Chinook salmon bycatch and set a cap on chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock trawl fishery in the 2022 season.
In addition, it was requested that the Department engage in meaningful consultation with Tribes in Western and Interior Alaska to develop long-term measures to reduce salmon bycatch, ensure the long-term health of salmon stocks in Western and Interior Alaska, and meet the subsistence needs of communities in the regions.
On January 25, 2022 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Janet Coit official responded denying the emergency petition.