Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Extension of Allocations to Inshore and Offshore Components

NMFS is implementing Amendment 38 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (BSAI) and Amendment 40 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Amendment 38 implements an allocation of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components in the BSAI management area from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 1998. Amendment 40 implements an allocation of Pacific cod for processing by the inshore and offshore components, and an allocation of pollock for processing by the inshore component in the GOA from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1998. It also continues the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program for pollock for the same period of time. This action is necessary to continue the management measures that were contained in Amendments 18 and 23 to the BSAI and GOA FMPs, respectively. The intended effect of this final rule is to promote management and conservation of groundfish, enhance the stability in the fisheries, and further the goals and objectives contained in the FMPs that govern these fisheries.