Amendment 31 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to implement Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, Amendment 35 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and a regulatory amendment affecting the fishery for Pacific halibut in and off the State of Alaska. This action implements the Modified Block Proposal, which is necessary to prevent excessive consolidation of the halibut and sablefish fisheries. This action also clarifies the transfer process for the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program.