Environmental Assessment for Amendment 51 to the FMP's for Groundfish of the BSAI and GOA

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) selected their preferred alternatives for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands at the June Council meeting in Dutch Harbor. The current allocation in the GOA was rolled over for three more years. This means that 100% of the GOA pollock and 90% of the GOA Pacific cod will be allocated to the inshore sector. The offshore sector is allocated the remaining 100% of the GOA Pacific cod total allowable catch. This allocation will be in effect through December 31, 2001. If further action is not taken by the Council, the inshore-offshore allocation will expire before the 2002 fishing season.