Amendment 15 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to implement Amendment 15 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands area, Amendment 20 for the Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and a regulatory amendment affecting the fishery for Pacific halibut in and off the State of Alaska. These regulations establish an individual fishing quota limited access system in fixed gear fisheries for Pacific halibut and sablefish in and off Alaska. In addition, this action implements a Western Alaska Community Development Quota program for halibut and sablefish fixed gear fisheries.