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 portion of the Bristol Bay area of the Bering Sea. The number of female red king crab in Bristol Bay has declined to a level that presents a serious conservation problem for this stock. To prevent excessive bycatch rates of Bristol Bay area red king crab, NMFS is implementing an interim closure in an area of Bristol Bay to vessels using trawl gear. This management measure is intended to accomplish the objectives of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council with respect to fishery management in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI).