This Record of Decision documents the decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to select the preferred alternatives identified in the April 2005 Final Environmental Impact Statement for Essential Fish Habitat Identification and Conservation in Alaska (EIS) and to proceed with associated fishery management plan (FMP) amendments and rulemaking. The purpose of this action is to determine whether and how to amend the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s FMPs pursuant to Section 303(a)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which requires NMFS and the Council to describe and identify Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for the fishery, minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Alaska