Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Description and Identification of Essential Fish Habitat

Resumo

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 55 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Amendment 55 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Amendment 8 to the FMP for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs; Amendment 5 to the FMP for Scallop Fisheries off Alaska; and Amendment 5 to the FMP for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off the Coast of Alaska. These amendments would describe and identify essential fish habitat in Alaska, and risks to that habitat, for groundfish, scallops, salmon, and king and Tanner crabs. This action is intended to strengthen the ability of the Council to protect and conserve habitat used by these species at crucial stages of their life cycles.