Amendment 18 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to implement a revision of Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the-Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). Revised Amendment 18 to the FMP established allocations of pollock in the BSAI between inshore and offshore components during the years 1993 through 1995. Also, these regulations revise the catcher vessel operational area established in the BSAI to allow only catcher vessels and motherships to operate during the non-roe season (June 1-December 31). In addition, this rule clarifies regulations that implement portions of Amendment 18 and Amendment 23 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

These actions are intended to promote management and conservation of groundfish and other fish resources and to further the goals and objectives contained in the FMP that governs these fisheries.