Search Results for keywords:"Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has published the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These specifications, which include catch limits and prohibitions on certain species' catch, are set to ensure sustainable fishing practices according to the Fishery Management Plan. The rules aim to conserve and manage marine resources in alignment with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The document also details the U.S. Department of Commerce's approach to balancing environmental, social, and economic factors in these fisheries management decisions.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule reallocating some unused Pacific cod quota from jig gear vessels to smaller catcher vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This adjustment, effective from January 2, 2025, through December 31, 2025, is necessary to ensure the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod is fully utilized. The reallocation is based on recent data showing that jig vessels cannot harvest their full share. This regulation falls under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and is exempt from public comment or a 30-day delay due to the immediacy of the data and need for action.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing a rule to change how squids and sculpins caught in Alaskan waters are processed. Currently, they can only be processed into fishmeal, but the new rule would allow them to be processed into other products like bait or food. This is to prevent waste and give fishery businesses more flexibility. The public is invited to comment on this proposed rule until March 29, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a temporary closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This decision aims to prevent surpassing the allowed quota, known as the "A season apportionment," for the year 2021. The closure is effective from January 16, 2021, to September 1, 2021, to ensure sustainable fishing practices. The rule is implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, exempt from public notice and comment due to the urgent nature of the recent data, which required a prompt response.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced the final rules for the 2025 and 2026 groundfish fishing seasons in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These rules set the limits for how much fish can be caught, based on scientific assessments to ensure sustainable fishing practices. They aim to balance the fishing industry needs with conservation efforts, taking into account environmental factors and fish stock health. Public comments were considered during the process, and these rules follow the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act's requirements.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule that closes the Pacific cod fishing season for catcher vessels 60 feet or longer using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This closure, effective from March 10, 2025, to September 1, 2025, is intended to prevent these vessels from exceeding their allowed catch limit for the season. The decision was made quickly to respond to recent data indicating the fishery was reaching its allowable catch limits and therefore bypassed the usual public comment and notice procedures.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed harvest specifications for the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands for the years 2025 and 2026. This proposal outlines catch limits, apportionments, and prohibited species catch allowances necessary to manage groundfish resources sustainably, aligning with regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Public comments are invited until January 3, 2025, and these regulations include measures to protect species such as Pacific cod, halibut, and salmon, while ensuring fishing operations do not exceed scientific recommendations for conservation.