Dan Hull, Chairman
Chris Oliver, Executive Director
SUBJECT:title
Squid to Ecosystem Component Category - Final action
end
STAFF CONTACT: Diana Stram
ACTION REQUIRED:recommended action
Review analysis and take final action.
BACKGROUND:
At this meeting, the Council will take final action on an EA/RIR/IRFA which analyzes alternatives pertaining to an action that could move all species of squid in the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) from being ‘in the fishery’ to ‘non-target’ species status or to the ‘ecosystem component’ (EC). Options are included for a range of maximum retainable amount (MRA) of squid per target groundfish catch should squid management be modified to non-target status or be moved to the EC in both FMPs. There are no significant (beneficial or adverse) impacts on squid stocks, salmon or herring PSC or significant (beneficial or adverse) socio-economic impacts on the groundfish fisheries. The Council last took initial review of this document in February 2017.