Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska License Limitation Program

NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 86 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. This action adds a Pacific cod endorsement on licenses issued under the License Limitation Program (LLP) in specific management areas if those licenses have been used on vessels that met minimum recent landing requirements using non-trawl gear, commonly known as fixed gear. This action exempts vessels that use jig gear from the requirement to hold an LLP license, modifies the maximum length designation on a specific set of fixed gear licenses, and allows entities representing specific communities to receive a limited number of fixed-gear licenses with Pacific cod endorsements. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan, and other applicable law.