The March 2025 PFMC Council Meeting continued on March 8, focusing on critical discussions surrounding fisheries management and whale interactions. The meeting began with public comments, where Dave expressed concerns about the council's involvement in ongoing litigation, emphasizing that recreational fishers in Oregon and Washington likely share his sentiments.

Following Dave, Heather Mann, the executive director of the Midwater Trawlers Cooperative, addressed the council. She highlighted the cooperative's commitment to transparency and collaboration with the council, particularly regarding best practices for whale encounters in fisheries. Mann noted the recent receipt of a draft document outlining these practices, which she described as a significant step forward after a year and a half of advocacy. She urged her members to document whale interactions through photos and videos, expressing frustration over the ambiguity surrounding the deaths of two whales mentioned in a gap report. Mann insisted that the whales were clearly deceased before entering the trawl net, a point she felt was not adequately acknowledged in the report.

Asia Subdued echoed Mann's appreciation for the outreach efforts by council members Ryan Wolf and Keeley Kidd, commending their proactive communication with the fishing community. Subdued suggested that continued collaboration and improved reporting could help clarify discrepancies in the records of whale encounters.

The meeting then shifted to council discussions, with Rebecca Lett requesting an update on the Tick Reduction Team (TRT) appointments. Keeley Kidd responded that the appointments would be made by the NIMS assistant administrator when the agency is ready to proceed.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing dialogue between the fishing industry and regulatory bodies, with a focus on improving practices and communication regarding marine wildlife interactions. The council's commitment to addressing these issues reflects a broader effort to balance fishing activities with environmental stewardship.