Amendment 71 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to revise regulations governing the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. These regulatory amendments will simplify the processes for making quota transfers, for authorizing vessels as eligible to participate in the CDQ fisheries, and for obtaining approval of alternative fishing plans. This action is necessary to improve NOAA Fisheries' ability to effectively administer the CDQ Program. It is intended to further the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.