Amendment 16 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to implement Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands Groundfish and Amendment 21 to the FMP for the Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fishery. These regulations address the following management problems in both the BSAI and GOA:

1. Prohibited species bycatch management
2. procedures for specifying total allowable catch
3. gear restrictions.

Regulations specific to GOA address management of demersal shelf rockfish. Definitions of overfishing to amend both FMPs, while not codified, are referenced. In addition, the reapportionment procedures for BSAI groundfish are clarified. These actions are necessary to promote management and conservation of groundfish and other fish resources. They are intended to further the goals and objectives contained in both fishery management plans that govern these fisheries.