Advisory Panel Recommends Abolishing Newfoundland's LIFO Shrimp Policy, Adopt Proportional Quotas  An advisory panel formed by federal Canadian fishery officials recommended abolishing the Last In, First Out (LIFO) Northern shrimp management policy. The Panel also suggested an alternative allocation regime that would include permanent, proportional quota sharing between Newfoundland's offshore and inshore harvesters in all shrimp fishing areas (SFA). The formation of the Panel and its proposal is a response to findings of a sharply lower shrimp stock biomass and the threat of crippling cuts to Newfoundland's inshore shrimp fishery under the LIFO policy. “LIFO is not a sustainable instrument of public policy," the Panel's report said. "It is unrealistic to expect that Government can indefinitely reserve the option to remove dependent and adjacent interests from a fishery to support those that had the privilege to enter the fishery first, no matter how long ago that occurred." Thailand will be upgraded from its Tier 3 ranking on the US State Department's list of worst human trafficking offenders. Thailand will move up to a Tier 2 ranking, which puts the country on the Watch List and means that the US acknowledges the steps Thai authorities have taken to combat human trafficking and labor abuse in its seafood industry. "Even though we will be moved to Tier 2, we need to keep solving this problem," said Thai Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. In other news, Peggy Parker writes about the recent resignation of Jeff Kauffman as the Alaska Commissioner for the International Pacific Halibut Commission and why the matter raises questions about NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, the appointment and removal process of U.S. Commissioners, and the roles of the State and Commerce Departments on both issues. Recent media reports suggested Kauffman's resignation was the result of violations related to exceeding his halibut fishing quota and fishing in an area where he did not own quota. However, Kauffman's violation was incredibly technical and actually considered a low-tier administrative action by all parties involved. The offense still cost Kauffman far more than the fine he agreed to pay. Meanwhile, sockeye salmon are starting to show up in the Nushagak and Egigik Districts, major watersheds in Bristol Bay. Fishermen and processors are expecting a more traditional timing of the peak return closer to July 4. Additionally, the latest Port Moller Stock Composition Summary shows run sizes are at mid-range levels in most districts. The total Bristol Bay pre-season forecast is 46.55 million run for a harvest of 29.52 million sockeye. Finally, PEI's lobster fishermen have to show they are making attempts to reduce the amount of mackerel they are using for bait or risk losing certification against the MSC standard. The requirement was added to the MSC certification standard last year after an assessment of Canada's mackerel fishery raised concerns over the health of the stock. The region's lobster fishery is audited every year against the standard and will be subject to full recertification in 2019.