Here's the final motion the North Pacific Fishery Management Council passed regarding Gulf of Alaska halibut bycatch.
The action, subject to U.S. commerce secretary approval, would impose a 15 percent reduction in the annual halibut bycatch limit for the trawl and longline catcher vessel fleets targeting groundfish. The longline catcher-processor sector would see a 7 percent reduction.
The cuts would be phased in over three years, starting in 2014.
The council, meeting in Kodiak, passed the motion Friday on a 10-1 vote.