Amendment 42 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to implement Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, and a regulatory amendment to the Individual Fishing Quota Program for fixed gear Pacific halibut and sablefish fisheries in and off Alaska. These FMP and regulatory amendments will allow quota shares and their associated IFQ assigned to vessels in larger size categories to be used on smaller vessels. This action is necessary to increase the flexibility of QS use and transfer while maintaining the management goals of the IFQ Program. It is intended to relieve certain restrictions in the IFQ Program.