Environmental Assessment of Amendment 34 to the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Plan

Amendment 34 would authorize the allocation of up to two percent of the annual specification of the total allowable catch of Atka mackerel in Eastern Aleutian Islands District/Bering Sea subarea to vessels using jig gear. The purpose of the amendment is to provide an opportunity for a local small-vessel jig gear fleet to fish for Atka mackerel to supply a bait fishery and a fresh fish market for this species without direct competition from the trawl fleet.