Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications for 2016–2017: Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

This document contains an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for the groundfish harvest specifications in the Gulf of Alaska for the years 2016 and 2017. This IRFA identifies the small entities that may be directly regulated by this action and describes the significant alternatives to the action that meet the objectives of the action and their relative economic impacts on directly regulated small entities. This IRFA addresses the statutory requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 601-612).

The proposed action is the implementation of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council’s (Council) 2006 harvest strategy choice for the federally managed groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) management area in 2016 and 2017. This strategy determines annual harvest specifications in compliance with Federal regulations, the GOA Fishery Management Plan, and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Secretary approves the harvest specifications based on the recommendations of the Council.