Purpose and Need

A groundfish species or species group may be apportioned to the entire BSAI, or to smaller areas defined in the FMP or implementing regulations, provided that sufficient biological information exists with which to establish acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for the areas of interest.  Prior to this amendment, the Aleutian Islands area was not subdivided under the FMP.  Therefore, groundfish ABCs and catch limits could not be apportioned to smaller areas within the Aleutian Islands (AI) region.  For some species, particularly Atka mackerel, fishing effort had traditionally occurred in the eastern end of the AI, nearest Dutch Harbor.  This situation can result in undesirable effects of highly concentrated effort, such as the potential for localized depletion of groundfish, intensified competition with marine predators for fishery resources, and greater possibility of habitat degradation.  The purpose of this amendment was to allow ABCs and TACs to be allocated into smaller areas in the AI region, thereby spreading out fishing effort over a larger area.

Analysis

A 93-page EA/RIR (final draft dated June 8, 1993) was prepared for this amendment.  Three alternatives including the status quo were considered.  Besides the status quo, the other alternative that was not chosen would have split the AI into only two districts with the dividing line at 177o E longitude.  The alternative chosen was more conservative in that defining smaller areas for ABC and TAC allocation may reduce the potential for localized depletion and competition with marine mammals.

Regulation Summary

Under Amendment 28, the Aleutian Islands region was split into three management districts at 177 W longitude and 177 E longitude.  The eastern, central, and western AI districts are shown in the adjacent figure and are denoted as statistical areas 541, 542, and 543.

Results

Since the amendment was approved, ABCs and TACs for Atka mackerel and Pacific Ocean Perch have been allocated among the three AI districts based on biomass distribution.