Amendment 22 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries issues regulations to establish two trawl test areas in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and one trawl test area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) area where pelagic and bottom trawl fishermen could test their trawl fishing gear when the GOA or BSAI otherwise would be closed to trawling. This rule is necessary to reduce lost fishing time from gear problems, thereby reducing economic costs. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) with respect to groundfish management off Alaska.