Amendment 64 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Management Area
Summary
NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to implement Amendment 72 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area and Amendment 64 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. This action will revise certain recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the Individual Fishing Quota Program for fixed gear Pacific halibut and sablefish fisheries and the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program for the Pacific halibut fishery. This action is necessary to:
- improve IFQ fishing operations, while complying with IFQ Program requirements
- improve NOAA Fisheries' ability to efficiently administer the program
- improve the clarity and consistency of IFQ Program regulations
This action is intended to meet the conservation and management requirements of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 with respect to halibut and of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) with respect to sablefish and to further the goals and objectives of the groundfish Fishery Management Plans.