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Harvest specifications and management measures for 2015-2016 and biennial periods thereafter : includes the reorganization of groundfish stock complexes, designation of ecosystem component species and amendment 24 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to Establish a Process for Determining Default Harvest Specifications, Final Environmental Impact Statement
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2015
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[PDF-20.76 MB]
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Alternative Title:Groundfish Harvest Specifications FEIS, January 2015
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Description:Harvest specifications and management measures for the 2015-2016 biennial period are based on the "best available scientific information." Every 2 years harvest specifications, including the overfishing limits (OFLs), acceptable biological catches (ABCs), and annual catch limits (ACLs) are considered for each management unit consistent with the policies and procedures established in the Groundfish FMP and in compliance with other applicable law. For overfished species, the ACLs are based on the rebuilding plans intended to rebuild the stock in a time period that is as short as possible taking into account the status and biology of the stock, the needs of fishing communities, and the interaction of the overfished stock with the marine ecosystem. Accountability measures are proposed to prevent catch from exceeding the annual limits set for management units. The accountability measures include ACL reductions (set asides), allocations, and adjustments to management measures. The restructuring of stock complexes for Minor Slope Rockfish and "Other Fish" stock complexes are considered for consistency with National Standard 1 Guidelines at 50 CFR 6060.310(d)(8). Most groundfish species managed within stock complexe22154s are data-poor stocks without full stock assessments. The proposed action considers the impacts of management actions on individual stocks within the complexes given the differences in vulnerability, life history, and distribution. The proposed action considers designating "ecosystem component species" (EC species), which, under the National Standard 1 Guidelines, are non-targeted stocks that are not subject to overfishing and have not been determined to be overfished, or approaching the overfished threshold; and that are not generally retained for sale or personal use. EC species are monitored, but ACLs are not set for them. For conservation purposes, the proposed action considers designating several species not managed under any FMP as EC species under the Groundfish FMP as these are species caught during fishing activity managed under the Groundfish FMP. Amendment 24 to the Groundfish FMP proposes to establish procedures for deriving harvest specifications in the absence of Council action and defining the scope of management actions that may occur along with the harvest specifications. Harvest specification values based on default harvest control rules would be defined for stocks and stock complexes but would not change the Council's ability to use discretion to modify the harvest control rule in future biennial cycles. The proposed action is intended to reduce the number of decision points needed during Council deliberations on the biennial harvest specifications and management measures.
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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Compliance:Submitted
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