Amendment 44 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries announces the approval of Amendments 44/44 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area. These amendments revise definitions of acceptable biological catch and overfishing levels for groundfish species or species groups. This action is necessary to ensure that conservation and management measures continue to be based upon the best scientific information available. It is intended to advance the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's ability to achieve, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from fisheries under its authority.