Amendment 24 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries proposes regulations to implement Amendment 24 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area that would allocate the Pacific cod total allowable catch among vessels using trawl, hook-and-line or pot gear, and jig gear. Proposed regulations also would authorize seasonal apportionments of the portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or jig gear. Pending approval of Amendment 24 by the Secretary of Commerce and consistent with the regulations proposed to implement the amendment, NOAA Fisheries also proposes seasonal apportionments of the amount of the proposed 1994 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear.

This action is necessary to allocate Pacific cod among specified gear groups to respond to socioeconomic needs of the fishing industry that have been identified by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. It is intended to promote management and conservation of groundfish and other fish resources and to further the goals and objectives contained in the FMP.