Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Amendment 48 to the Fishery Management Plans for the Groundfish of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska

This Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis provides an analysis of alternative administrative procedures. These procedures are necessary to support the harvest specifications process for setting total allowable catch and other management measures for the Alaska groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area and the Gulf of Alaska.

This Federal action would amend the process for establishing annual harvest specifications. It would also update the fishery management plan language to reflect current conditions and practices of Alaska’s groundfish fisheries management. Objectives for the revised process include managing the Alaska groundfish fisheries based on the best available scientific information and providing meaningful opportunity for useful public comment.

The action is not expected to have significant environmental, social, or economic impacts. Harvest specifications would continue to be assessed under separate EA/RIR/IRFAs prior to agency approval of final harvest specifications.