Amendment 114 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

Amendment 114 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI and Amendment 104 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA and this final rule integrate electronic monitoring into the North Pacific Observer Program. This final rule establishes a process for owners or operators of vessels using non-trawl gear to request to participate in the EM selection pool and the requirements for vessel owners or operators while in the EM selection pool. This action is necessary to improve the collection of data needed for the conservation, management, and scientific understanding of managed fisheries. Amendments 114/104 are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMPs, and other applicable laws.