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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BF29 Publication ID: Spring 2016 
Title: Implementing Regulations for Amendment 111 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Management Area 
Abstract: This action would reduce Pacific halibut bycatch limits in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish fisheries for four groundfish fishery sectors: the Amendment 80 sector (non-pollock trawl catcher/processors), the trawl limited access sector (all non-Amendment 80 trawl participants), the non-trawl sector (primarily hook-and-line catcher/processors), and the Community Development Quota sector (trawl and non-trawl participants). Pacific halibut is fully utilized in Alaska as a direct target species in subsistence, recreational and commercial halibut fisheries, and also as a bycatch species in the groundfish fisheries. In recent years, catch limits for the directed halibut fisheries in have declined in response to changing halibut stock conditions while bycatch limits in the groundfish fisheries have remained constant. This action will balance acceptable minimization of bycatch of Pacific halibut to the extent practicable in the groundfish fisheries in order to continue allowing for the directed halibut fishery that many Alaskan coastal communities rely on. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Notice  10/29/2015  80 FR 66486   
NPRM  11/16/2015  80 FR 71649   
NPRM Comment Period End  12/16/2015 
Final Action  07/00/2016 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
James Balsiger
Regional Administrator, Alaska Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
709 West Ninth Street,
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone:907 586-7221
Email: jim.balsiger@noaa.gov