Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, Trawl Closure to Protect Red King Crab

NMFS has determined that an interim closure to all trawling is necessary in a part of the Bristol Bay area of the Bering Sea and Aleutians Islands (BSAI) management area. Results of the 1995 bottom trawl survey conducted by NMFS in Bristol Bay indicate that the red king crab stock in Bristol Bay continues to be severely depressed. NMFS anticipates that the condition of this stock could worsen if vessels fishing for groundfish with trawl gear were allowed to conduct operations in a particular part of Bristol Bay that is important to red king crab during a period after they have molted and are in a softshell condition. NMFS is closing part of Bristol Bay to trawling for groundfish for purposes of protecting red king crab from anticipated adverse impacts due to trawl operations. This measure is necessary to respond to the continued decline of red king crab stocks in the BSAI management area. It is intended to accomplish the objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) with respect to management of red king crab stocks.