Regulatory Impact Review and Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed Amendment 68 to the Gulf of Alaska Fishery Management Plan: Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Demonstration Program
August 20, 2006
In Section 802 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004, the U.S. Congress included a directive to the Secretary of Commerce to establish a pilot program for management of three rockfish fisheries in the Central Gulf of Alaska.
Using the industry proposal and public input and staff discussion papers, the Council developed alternatives for the pilot program management of the rockfish fisheries at its June 2004, October 2004, December 2004, and February 2005 meetings. The Council conducted an initial review of the analysis of alternatives at its April 2005 meeting. After making suggested revisions for final review at its June 2005 meeting, the council directed staff to release the document.
To address its problem statement the Council has adopted two pilot program alternatives each for the catcher vessel sector and for the catcher processor sector for analysis. These alternatives are in addition to the status quo.