Environmental Assessment/ Regulatory Impact Review/ Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Amendment 89 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Area Closures for Tanner Crab Protection  in Gulf of Alaska

Based on the Council’s recommendation, NOAA Fisheries determined that increased observer coverage in specific areas of the Central Gulf of Alaska would interfere with the goals and objectives of the restructured observer program and is not necessary.  The intent to improve Tanner crab bycatch information is addressed in the restructured observer program, which was implemented in 2013. The Council’s preferred alternative is to close a portion of Marmot Bay northeast of Kodiak Island to the use of trawl gear, except for the use of pelagic trawl gear to target pollock. The Council’s preferred alternative for the Marmot Bay Protection Area trawl closure will be combined with the Council's preferred alternative requiring modified nonpelagic trawl gear to be used when targeting flatfish in the Central Gulf of Alaska Regulatory Area. This will form a suite of management measures for the protection and conservation of Tanner crab while reducing the potential for adverse impacts by nonpelagic gear on benthic habitat.