During a recent council meeting, members convened to discuss the progress and future plans for three significant projects funded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), aimed at enhancing climate resilience in fisheries management. The projects, which must utilize their allocated funds by the end of 2027, focus on improving decision-making processes, assessing the impacts of management actions on vulnerable fishing communities, and developing methods to mitigate bycatch of non-target species.

The council reviewed draft work plans and timelines for these initiatives, emphasizing that these documents are expected to evolve as the projects progress. Staff members highlighted the importance of feedback from council members to refine these plans further. The projects are designed to be interconnected, with the council anticipating that they will collectively address the challenges posed by climate change on marine ecosystems.

Project 1 aims to streamline the implementation of council management actions in response to a dynamic ocean environment. It seeks to create a more efficient decision-making framework that can adapt to both immediate climate shifts and long-term changes. Project 2 focuses on understanding how management decisions affect the well-being of fishing communities, with plans to develop tools that assess community resilience in the face of climate change. Project 3 is dedicated to minimizing bycatch of non-target species, particularly in light of shifting marine species distributions due to climate impacts.

The council also discussed the roles and composition of the Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel (EAS) and the Ecosystem Work Group (EWG), which are expected to play crucial roles in supporting the IRA projects. Recommendations were made to maintain these groups while potentially adding socioeconomic expertise to better address the needs of the projects.

Throughout the meeting, members expressed concerns about the ambitious timelines and workload associated with these projects, emphasizing the need for clear communication and collaboration among advisory bodies. The EWG and EAS were encouraged to provide ongoing support and guidance, ensuring that the projects align with the council's broader goals and existing initiatives.

As the council moves forward, it will continue to refine the project plans and engage with advisory bodies to ensure that the initiatives effectively contribute to the resilience of West Coast fisheries in the face of climate change.