NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to implement measures to minimize incidental take of Endangered Species Act-listed salmon by vessels in the Pacific coast groundfish fishery. The proposed rule will publish tomorrow, October 20, 2020, in the Federal Register. The pre-publication version of the proposed rule is available for public inspection. When the proposed rule publishes, it will be available at the same link. Public comments on the proposed rule must be received by November 19, 2020.
The proposed rule would:
- Establish additional management tools to minimize incidental Chinook and coho salmon bycatch to keep fishery sectors within guidelines;
- Establish rules to allow industry to access the Chinook salmon bycatch reserve; and
- Create Chinook salmon bycatch closure thresholds for the trawl fishery.
This proposed rule fulfills the terms and conditions of a 2017 NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion. This proposed rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, and other applicable laws, including the Endangered Species Act.
Please see the NOAA Fisheries webpage for additional details and other supporting information.
