Environmental Assessment of the 2005 and 2006 Final Harvest Specifications for the Bering Sea and Aleutian islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries
The implementation of the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications is necessary for the management of the groundfish fisheries and the conservation of marine resources, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
The harvest specifications provide the limits, seasonal apportionments and fishing sector allocations for target species and prohibited species. NOAA Fisheries uses the harvest specifications to control fishing activities in the exclusive economic zone off Alaska. The harvest specifications are renewed annually, based on the latest stock assessment information. This ensures the fisheries are managed on the best available scientific information.