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False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team Meeting

The False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team is meeting March 28-31, 2023, in Honolulu to discuss conservation measures for false killer whales in Hawaiʻi.

Meeting |
Pacific Islands

About

Image
3872x2592_Three_False_killer-whales_PIFSC..jpg
Three false killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

The False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team will meet in person in Honolulu to discuss draft recommendations on the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan. The meeting will take place over four days. The meeting is open to the public and time will be provided for public comment.

The False Killer Whale Take Reduction plan was finalized in November 2012. The plan identifies protective measures to address incidental mortality and serious injury of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Hawaii-based deep-set and shallow-set longline fisheries.

Meeting Information

  • Tuesday, March 28, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. HST
  • Wednesday, March 29, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. HST
  • Thursday, March 30, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. HST
  • Friday, March 31, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. HST

Questions?

If you have questions about this meeting, please email Elena Duke (elena.duke@noaa.gov). We strive to host inclusive, accessible meetings where all individuals can participate fully. To request an accommodation, please contact Ms. Duke by March 14, 2023.

Schedule

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

8:30  Welcome and meeting overview

  • Introductions
  • Agenda and ground rules  

8:40  Informational presentations

  • Fishery-area abundance
  • Enforcement 

9:40  Agency charge to Team

  • Meeting objectives—Dawn Golden, Assistant Regional Administrator
    • Opportunity for Team clarifying questions and comments

9:50  Break

10:00  Discussion: What makes an effective Take Reduction Plan (TRP)?

  • Opportunity for the Team to discuss the characteristics/criteria of a wise TRP (e.g., meets MMPA goals, implementable, enforceable, etc.)?

10:30  Discussion (plenary): Understanding the range of potential TRP amendments

  • Brief review of current TRP measures
  • Overview of range of measures considered to date by Team
  • Updates related to potential measures
    • Fighting Line Device development
      • Fishery report on design, effectiveness, handling needs, and video
      • Report back from Science Center on potential impact to mortality and serious injury
      • Update on camera development
    • Other related items
  • Brief discussion: Do any of these updates suggest other measures that should be considered this week?

11:45  Lunch

1:00  Initial discussion: framing elements to consider in a potential package

  • Initial plenary discussion: What measures will need to be in the mix to affect mortality and serious injury rates and help us achieve MMPA goals? 
  • Cross-caucus breakout discussion: small group discussions to share perspectives on needed measures (includes 15-minute break)
    • Identify additional measures that may reduce mortality and serious injury
    • Identify pros and cons and any immediate (as in this week) information needs; consider ability to meet criteria identified in morning session
    • Gauge areas with potential for cross-caucus support
  • Plenary discussion to hear from breakouts 
    • Report back from each group; identify common measures and info needs
    • Consider overnight tasks and implications for Day Two discussion

5:00  Public comment

5:15  Review key discussion points and preview Day Two

5:30  Team no-host happy hour, Prince Waikīkī

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Goal: Continue framing potential package recommendations

8:30  Welcome and agenda review

  • Agenda Review
  • Invite report back from any overnight drafting, deliberations, or analyses

8:45  Identify potential Amendments to TRP

  • Continue discussions in both plenary and breakouts to build out potential Team recommendations. Regulatory and non-regulatory topics to cover include:
    • Gear modifications, closures, electronic monitoring, handling guidelines, deterrents, enforcement, Observer Program needs, etc.

10:15  Break

10:30  Continue discussing potential Amendments to TRP

  • Continue building out potential Team recommendations
  • Mix of plenary and cross-caucus discussions

12:00  Lunch

1:15  Continue discussions on potential Amendments to TRP

  • Continue building out potential Team recommendations
  • Mix of plenary and cross-caucus discussions

2:45  Break

3:00  Continue discussions on potential Amendments to TRP

  • Continue building out potential Team recommendations; begin identifying elements to include in possible consensus packages; highlight areas needing additional discussion
  • Mix of plenary and cross-caucus discussions

5:00  Public comment

5:15  Review key discussion points and preview Day Three

  • Discuss strategy for drafting summary document outlining emerging Team recommendations and outstanding questions
  • Identify any overnight drafting needs

5:30  Adjourn

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Goal: Continue fleshing out one or more packages of potential recommendations and discuss research needs

8:30  Welcome and agenda review

  • Invite report back from any overnight deliberations or analyses

8:4  Continue discussions on potential TRP Amendments and refining draft package(s)

  • Continue building out potential Team recommendations and refining draft packages
  • Mix of plenary and cross-caucus discussions

10:15  Break

10:30  Sharpening outlines of 1–2 draft package(s)

  • Do initial test for consensus on emerging package(s); learn what areas require more discussion
  • Review/refine package of recommendations and any associated write-ups
  • Mix of plenary and cross-caucus discussions

12:00  Lunch

1:15  Refining draft package

  • Review/refine package of recommendations
  • Mix of plenary and cross-caucus discussions

2:45  Break

3:00  Draft final package for Team consideration

  • Test again for consensus; make additional revisions as needed and re-test for consensus
  • Mix of plenary and cross-caucus discussions

5:00  Public comment

5:15  Review key discussion points and preview Day Four

  • Confirm strategy for drafting summary document outlining emerging Team recommendations and outstanding questions
  • Identify any overnight needs

5:30  Adjourn

Friday, March 31, 2023

Goal: Agree on a short summary that synthesizes the Team’s key considerations and describes one or more packages of recommendations that reflect the Team’s best thinking; frame approach to longer-term issues (research needs, shortline fishery)

8:30  Welcome and agenda review

8:45  Finalize package for Team consideration

  • Take stock of any overnight deliberations
  • Review/refine package of recommendations and any associated write-ups

9:45  Documenting package and state of play

  • Summarize rationale on areas of agreement and divergent views (majority and minority perspectives)

10:05  Break

10:25  TRP Amendment next steps

  • NOAA Fisheries shares where Team input/recommendations go from here for TRP Amendment, outlines plan for further check-ins with Team as rule development occurs

10:40  Discussions: research needs

  • Science Center presentation on possible research needs
  • Breakouts to identify additional research needs and suggest priority areas
  • Report back from each breakout group; identify common research needs and priorities; discuss and resolve any divergent views
  • Identify strategy for drafting research needs and priorities

11:40  Discussions: shortline fishery

  • Team perspectives on merits of including shortline fishery within scope of FKW TRP

12:10  Discuss next steps

  • NOAA Fisheries outlines plan for further check-ins with Team on TRP Amendment and related items
  • Meeting summary

12:30  Public comment

12:45  Wrap up

1:00  Adjourn

Last updated by Pacific Islands Regional Office on 03/27/2023

Take Reduction