NMFS Extends Comment Period on Proposed Fishing Restrictions in Far Western Aleutian Islands

Comment Period for Western Steller Sea Lions Protection Measure Rule Pushed Back 45 Days

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is extending the comment period for the interim final rule to reduce commercial fishing for groundfish stocks in the far western Aleutian Islands. The original public comment period for the interim final rule ends tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011). Today, NMFS filed a notice with the Federal Register to extend the public comment period for an additional 45 days to February 28, 2011.

NMFS claims the fishing restrictions in the far western Aleutian Islands are necessary to protect food sources for endangered Steller sea lions. However, Governor Parnell and a number of commercial fishing groups say NOAA's response is too drastic and that the agency's conclusion isn't supported by the best available scientific information. The State of Alaska filed a lawsuit last month in an attempt to stop NMFS from implementing the restrictions. Earlier this month, several commercial fishing groups also filed suit.

The original comment period occurred over the holiday season, limiting the number of work days available to the public for developing a response to this action. Various stakeholders and members of the public requested more time, so NOAA's Fisheries Service filed for the extension.

For more details, click on the headline of this post to see the press release.

NMFS Releases Draft 2010 Biological Opinion: Greatest concern - Area 543 - Western and Central Aleutians

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released the long-awaited draft 2010 Groundfish Biological Opinion. It is available online (see link below). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council plans to discuss it during the August 16 - 19, 2010 special meeting at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.

The agency found jeopardy in the western and central Aleutian Islands reporting areas. The document includes a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative, a portion of which includes:

• Area 543: closure of the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod fishery.

• Area 542: 3-mile closure at Kanaga Island/Ship Rock for groundfish;
10-mile closure from critical habitat for fixed gear Pacific cod from January 1 to June 10; 20-mile closure from critical habitat for trawl cod year-round; no fishing in the area for Pacific cod between Nov. 1 - Dec. 31 by anyone.
20-mile closure from critical habitat year-round for Atka mackerel; Atka mackerel total allowable catch set at 47 %; eliminate HLA platoon system; change Atka mackerel seasons from January 20 - June 10 for A season and June 10 - November 1 for B season.

• Area 541: 10-mile closure for Pacific cod year round; 10 - 20-mile closure for fixed gear Pacific cod from January 1 - June 10; 10 - 20-mile closure for Pacific cod by trawl gear between June 10 - November 1; prohibit all Pacific cod harvest between November 1 - December 31.