Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Maximum Retainable Bycatch Amounts

NMFS proposes revised regulations for directed fishing standards in the groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). The proposed rule would simplify and clarify the regulations. In place of directed fishing standards, the proposed rule would specify retainable percentages from which the maximum amounts of fish that may be retained as bycatch in fisheries that are closed to directed fishing can be derived. The proposed changes are expected to promote compliance with groundfish regulations and to facilitate enforcement efforts. This action is intended to further the objectives of the fishery management plans (FMPs) for the groundfish fisheries off Alaska.

Agency Contact: Kaja Brix, 907-586-7228.