The Council reviewed the initial review draft of a Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) considering processing restrictions on squids and sculpins as part of the Ecosystem Component (EC) Category in the BSAI and GOA Groundfish FMPs. The Council approved the analysis for public review and selected Alternative 2, the action alternative that will remove processing restrictions… Read More →
Sculpins as Ecosystem Component Species
The Council reviewed a Public Review Draft of an Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR) and concluded that sculpins meet the requirements for classification as an ecosystem component species in both the BSAI and GOA FMPs. The analysis included alternatives for classifying sculpins as target species or ecosystem component species in the Bering Sea… Read More →
Classification of Sculpins in the BSAI and GOA FMPs
The Council reviewed the Initial Review Draft of an Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR) to evaluate alternatives for classifying sculpins as target species or ecosystem component species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Fishery Management Plans (FMPs). The Initial Review concluded that sculpins meet the requirements… Read More →
Sculpins as an Ecosystem Component Species
The Council reviewed a discussion paper evaluating the appropriate level of conservation and management required for sculpins in the BSAI and GOA consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and National Standard guidelines. After review and public testimony, the Council initiated an analysis to designate sculpins in the BSAI and GOA as non-target ecosystem component species. The… Read More →