Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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NMFS has determined that an emergency exists in groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). Management measures must be implemented to prevent overfishing of GOA thornyhead rockfish and Pacific ocean perch (POP) and to limit unnecessarily high bycatch amounts of these rockfish species and Pacific halibut in the GOA trawl fisheries in a manner that will reduce the likelihood of premature fishery closures. These measures include revising regulations applicable to the management and monitoring of the GOA halibut bycatch limit established for trawl gear fisheries, revising directed fishing standards, and adjustment of BSAI flatfish seasons to provide for additional fishing opportunities in the BSAI early in the fishing year. This action is necessary to respond to new information applicable to the management of GOA halibut and rockfish species and to avoid premature fishery closures. This action is intended to further the goals and objectives contained in the fishery management plans for the groundfish fisheries off Alaska.