G27 Establish Trawl Gear Test Zones
Purpose and Need
The purpose of the Amendment 27 (BSAI Amendment 22) was to provide trawl fishermen an opportunity to test their trawl fishing gear when the GOA or BSAI is otherwise closed to trawling. Until 1992, the GOA and BSAI were open to trawling for most of the year, and fishermen were able to test gear in preparation for a season opening. However, in 1992, new regulations delayed the opening of the trawl season from January 1 to January 20 to reduce the bycatch rates of Chinook salmon and Pacific halibut. The purpose of this amendment was to allow fishermen to test their gear and begin fishing efficiently at the beginning of a season, reducing lost fishing time that might result from gear problems.
Analysis
A 13-page EA/RIR/IRFA (final draft dated September 1, 1992) was prepared for this amendment. The status quo and one action alternative were analyzed. The analysis noted that the action alternative would have some physical and biological impacts due to the establishment of trawl test areas. The physical effects would be primarily due to increased bottom trawl activity in the trawl test areas when they are in use. Trawl testing would disturb the sea floor sediment, creating some turbidity. Biological effects included disruption of benthic communities and incidental catch.
Regulation Summary
Amendment 27 allows the Secretary to promulgate regulations establishing areas where specific types of fishing gear may be tested, to be available for use when the fishing grounds are closed to that gear type. Specific gear test areas contained in regulations that implement the FMP were allowed by regulatory amendment. These gear test areas would be established in order to provide fishermen the opportunity to ensure that their gear is in proper working order prior to a directed fishery opening. The test areas must conform to the following conditions:
(1) Depth and bottom type must be suitable for testing the particular gear type.
(2) Must be outside State waters.
(3) Must be in areas not normally closed to fishing with that gear type.
(4) Must be in areas that are not usually fished heavily by that gear type.
(5) Must not be within a designated Steller sea lion protection area at any time of the year.
The rule implementing this amendment established three trawl test areas: Dutch Harbor (54o 40' to 55o 00' N; 166o 00' to 167o 00' W), Sand Point (54o35' to 54o 50' N; 160o 30' to 161o 00' W ), and Kodiak (57o 23' to 57o 37'N; 151o 25' to 152o 02'W). The regulation further required that the trawl cod end must be left unzipped so as not to retain fish, that groundfish may not be onboard, and that the time used to test gear would not contribute to observer coverage requirements.
Results
Since the amendment was approved, fishermen have been able to test their gear when trawl fishing is otherwise prohibited and no subsequent changes to the areas have been made.