Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Halibut Abundance-Based Management
Amendment 123 balances interests of two largest halibut user groups in the Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Area.
The Council recommended NMFS implement Amendment 123 during its December 2021 meeting.
NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule to implement Amendment 123 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Management Area (BSAI FMP). The final rule amended the regulations governing limits on Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) (halibut) prohibited species catch (PSC) to link the halibut PSC limit for the Amendment 80 commercial groundfish trawl fleet in the BSAI groundfish fisheries to halibut abundance. The final rule is necessary to comply with the obligation in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) that FMPs minimize bycatch to the extent practicable. It is also consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act’s National Standards. The final rule is expected to minimize halibut mortality, and it may result in additional harvest opportunities in the commercial halibut fishery, as well as to the subsistence and recreational fisheries. The final rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, other applicable laws, and Amendment 123 to the BSAI FMP.
This Small Entity Compliance Guide satisfies the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 that requires a plain language guide to assist small entities. If you are required to comply with the regulations, you should consult and rely on the actual regulatory text. We cite the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) throughout this document and provide citations for specific regulations for your reference. These regulations are available online at the electronic CFR (eCFR), which is frequently updated.
FMP Amendment and Rulemaking
Final Rule to implement Amendment 123 to the BSAI Fishery Management Plan. This final rule is effective 1/1/24.
Proposed Rule to implement Amendment 123 to the BSAI Fishery Management Plan. End of comment period is 1/23/23.
Notice of availability of proposed Amendment 123 to the BSAI Fishery Management Plan.
Notice of Extension to the comment period of proposed Amendment 123 to the BSAI Fishery Management Plan. End of comment period is 2/7/23.
Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fishery Management Plan Amendment 123
NEPA Analysis
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Halibut Abundance-Based Management (ABM) of Amendment 80 Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limit
- Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Halibut Abundance-Based Management (ABM) of Amendment 80 Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limit
Fisheries Information
- Bycatch and Prohibited Species Catch in Groundfish and Shellfish Fisheries in Alaska
- Catch, Landings, and Prohibited Species Catch Reports
- North Pacific Fishery Management Council Halibut Bycatch Information
- Amendment 80 Groundfish Trawl Fishery
- IFQ Halibut
- Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program
- Sport Halibut
- Subsistence Halibut
- Guided Angler Fish (GAF) Program
- Stock Assessments