Groundfish Past, Current, and Future Season Management

The Pacific Fishery Management Council develops and recommends harvest specifications and management measures to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). If approved by NMFS, these specifications and management measures typically become effective on January 1 of any given year (the beginning of the management cycle). This allows more time to conduct research and develop management specifications.

The last few years have brought several major changes to groundfish management. This web page provides links to information on management measures for preseason and current management, inseason adjustments, information on how groundfish are managed, and other background information.

• Current Management Cycle (2007-2008)
• Next Management Cycle (2009-2010)
• Future Management Cycle (2011-2012)
• Past Management Cycles
• Trawl Rationalization and Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs)

Current Management Cycle (2007-2008)

Check the NMFS Northwest Regional Office website for current regulatory changes. To sign up to receive Pacific Coast Groundfish public notices via e-mail, please visit the NMFS Website for Groundfish Fishery Management Website.

Additionally, please check with state agencies for regulatory changes in state managed fisheries.

• Maps of Groundfish Closed Areas
• Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Proposed ABC/OY Specifications and Management Measures for the 2007-2008 Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery / Amendment 16-4 to the Groundfish FMP
• 2005-2006 Groundfish Stock Assessments, STAR Panel Reports, and Rebuilding Analyses (Which were used to set ABCs/OYs for the 2007-2008 management period)
• Link to NOAA Fisheries Groundfish Management Page Seasons, gear and area restrictions, etc. Look under “public notices” for the most up-to-date regulations.
• NMFS Public Notices for Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Commercial and Recreational Management Measures
• Newsletter archives. More background on groundfish decisions.
• Council decision document. A summary of the decisions from the last Council meeting.
• NMFS groundfish observer data. Provides bycatch information collected by NMFS observers.
• Experimental Fishing Permits (EFPs).
• State and Federal regulations.

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Next management period (2009-2010)

• 2007-2008 Groundfish Stock Assessments, STAR Panel Reports, and Rebuilding Analyses (to be used for Next Management Period 2009-2010)

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Future management period (2011-2012)

Please check back for future updates.

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Other information

• Basic background on groundfish
• Fishery management plan and amendments
• Stock assessments
• Current issues
• Library

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