Amendment 17 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries proposes regulations to implement Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Amendment 17 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Area. These regulations implement FMP amendment measures, which:

1. establish a new management subarea in the BSAI
2. establish area closures around walrus haulout sites in the BSAI
3. remove Statistical Area 68 in the GOA
4. authorize the Regional Director, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region, to issue experimental fishing permits in the GOA and/or BSAI

Certain technical changes to existing regulations are implemented. Two technical amendments to directed fishing standards for BSAI rockfish and GOA flatfish also are implemented. These actions are necessary to promote management and conservation of groundfish and other living marine resources. They are intended to further the goals and objectives contained in the FMPs that govern these fisheries.