The June 2025 Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting commenced on June 13, 2025, with a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of council meetings and addressing critical issues related to fisheries management. The meeting was structured to respond to recent developments at NOAA, including staffing and funding challenges, and aimed to align the priorities of the council with those of NOAA.

The first significant topic discussed was the impact of recent executive orders and their implications for NOAA's staffing capacity. The council acknowledged the management of approximately 500 fish stocks across the United States, with the Pacific Council overseeing around 130 of these. NOAA leadership emphasized the need to prioritize management efforts due to capacity limitations, introducing a risk management framework to guide future decisions.

Following this, the council received updates on science and management capacity, highlighting the importance of aligning research priorities with NOAA's operational needs. The executive directors raised questions about how NOAA utilizes the council's research and data needs documents, which are crucial for ensuring that both entities are on the same page regarding shared priorities. This discussion was timely, as the council was set to finalize its research priorities during the meeting.

The meeting also included a discussion on cooperative research, with a shared interest in leveraging partnerships with the industry to gather essential information. NOAA expressed openness to exploring more opportunities for cooperative research, indicating a collaborative approach to addressing future needs.

Additionally, the council addressed the Changing Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative (CFI), raising concerns about its continuation due to its connection to IRA funding. This topic underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the council in securing necessary resources for effective fisheries management.

In conclusion, the first day of the PFMC meeting underscored the need for strategic alignment between the council and NOAA amidst ongoing capacity challenges. The discussions set the stage for continued collaboration and prioritization of research and management efforts in the coming months.