Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Trawl Closure to Protect Red King Crab

Zusammenfassung

NMFS implements Amendment 37 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP). The implementing regulations for Amendment 37 close portions of Bristol Bay, make adjustments to the prohibited species catch limit for red king crab in Zone 1 of the Bering Sea, and increase observer coverage in specified areas related to the trawl closures. These measures are necessary to protect the red king crab stocks in Bristol Bay, which have declined to a level that presents a serious conservation problem for this stock. They are intended to accomplish the objectives of the FMP.