When reviewing potential rule changes, the Council draws upon the services of knowledgeable people from state and federal agencies, universities, and the public, who serve on panels and committees. Advisory bodies include an Advisory Panel (AP), the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Plan Teams, and other committees. The Council will hear reports from the advisory bodies, and hear in-person public testimony, at the Council meetings.
The Council meets five times each year, usually in February, April, June, October, and December, with three of the meetings held in Anchorage, one in a fishing community in Alaska and one either in Portland or Seattle. Most Council meetings take seven days, with the AP and SSC usually following the same agenda and meeting two days earlier. All meetings are open to the public, except for an occasional short, closed session in which the Council deals with personnel, administrative, or litigation issues. Minutes are taken for each Council meeting and are available to the public along with a comprehensive newsletter that outlines important background and details, and well as the outcome of that agenda item.For more information on the Council process, contact us or check out one of the publications on the topic.