Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific Halibut Bycatch

NMFS issues a final rule to revise the management of seasonal Pacific halibut bycatch allowances annually specified for nontrawl fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This final rule also provides NMFS the authority to determine annually whether to apportion a halibut bycatch allowance to the BSAI jig gear fishery or the BSAI or Gulf of Alaska (GOA) hook-and-line gear fisheries for sablefish or to exempt these fisheries from halibut bycatch restrictions. Final 1995 halibut bycatch allowances for the GOA hook-and-line gear fisheries and the BSAI nontrawl fisheries, seasonal apportionments thereof, and the manner in which these seasonal apportionments will be managed under the final rule are specified. This action is necessary to manage halibut bycatch allowances consistent with seasonal apportionments of groundfish total allowable catch (TAC) amounts, prevent preemption of the BSAI jig gear fisheries by the attainment of halibut bycatch allowances apportioned to other nontrawl fisheries, and support the implementation of the sablefish/halibut individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. This action is intended to promote management and conservation of groundfish and other fish resources and to further the objectives contained in the fishery management plans for Alaska groundfish fisheries.