Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Prohibited Species Catch Limits for Tanner Crab

NMFS implements Amendment 41 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP) as recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council). The implementing regulations of Amendment 41 adjust the prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) in Zones 1 and 2 of the Bering Sea and change the 1997 C. bairdi PSC allowances for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) trawl fisheries to reflect the adjustment to the C. bairdi PSC limits. These measures are necessary to protect the C. bairdi stock in the Bering Sea, which has declined to a level that presents a serious conservation problem. They are intended to accomplish the objectives of the FMP with respect to the management of the BSAI groundfish fishery.