PIC Accomplishments as of March 2005
  • Convened a uniquely diverse group of stakeholders from a broad array of constituent groups with varying interests (Pribilof Island residents, Bering Sea fishermen, CDQ's, and environmental organizations) who are united in seeking proactive solutions to the resource declines on and around the Pribilof Islands.

  • Raised awareness of the decline of northern fur seals:
    • Put a diverse group of players from different agencies and stakeholder groups on high alert that the northern fur seal decline is a problem.
    • The decline of northern fur seal has been mentioned in several high-profile press reports, some of which reference the PIC (Anchorage Daily News, November 12, 2004; New York Times February 22, 2005; Smithsonian Magazine, March 2005).

  • The NOAA budget for northern fur seal research has been increased from $0 in 2004 to $700,000 in 2005, partly as a result of PIC highlighting the need (including letters to the Congressional Delegation)

  • PIC helped obtain the right for Pribilovian fishermen from area 4C to spread their fishing effort into area 4D. This decision was partly as a result of a letter of support from the PIC, which was developed during the August 2004 meeting.

  • In January 2005, convened a first-of-its-kind symposium on the northern fur seal and the northern fur seal population decline. The symposium included presentations by the world's authorities on the species.

  • In March 2005, reached consensus among the Formal Stakeholders on a list of prioritized research needs covering, among others, the following broad categories:
    • Commercial fishing activity
    • Predation on fur seals
    • Changes in ecosystems and in fur seal carrying capacity
    • Human activities on the Islands.

  • In March 2005, reached consensus among the Formal Stakeholders on a list of agreeable mitigating actions covering, among others, the following broad categories:
    • Reducing fur seal entanglement in discarded net fragments and debris
    • Expanding LTKW efforts (see below)
    • Identifying and supporting the filling of specific data gaps
    • Improving on-island research facilities

  • The PIC has completed a pilot project for the gathering, storage, and dissemination of Local and Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom (LTKW) on northern fur seals from both Pribilovians and other long-time Bering Sea fishermen. The results of the pilot project were well received during the January 2005 meeting. The PIC plans to expand the project to further develop a protocol for LTKW collection and incorporation.

  • The PIC data workgroup is developing a mechanism for data sharing and coordination among the diverse interest groups
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