This Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis analyzes Amendment 94 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) and gear modification for nonpelagic trawl vessels targeting flatfish in the Bering Sea subarea. The regulations require elevating devices on trawl sweeps to raise them off the seafloor and to reduce the potential impact on bottom habitat. The action follows from Amendment 89, Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Measures. This analysis also evaluates changes to the southern boundary of the Northern Bering Sea Research Area to create an area (Modified Gear Trawl Zone), wherein anyone fishing with nonpelagic trawl gear must use modified trawl sweeps and evaluates changes to the eastern boundary of the Saint Matthew Island Habitat Conservation Area to be consistent with the Council’s intent to protect blue king crab habitat. Finally, the document addresses certain housekeeping amendments to the FMP, which are required to correct typographical and non-substantive errors and to ensure consistency with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)