The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has been deliberating on the development of a rationalization program for the West Coast groundfish trawl fishery (Amendment 20 to the groundfish fishery management plan) since November 2003. At its November 2008 meeting the Council selected a preferred alternative for recommendation to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Information and analysis of the action, in support of the Council decision, is contained in the decision document and appendices available for download on this page. The documents provided to the Council include a preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This preliminary document will be updated and submitted as a draft when the Council submits its final recommendations to NMFS. Other information provided to the Council prior to its November 2008 decision is available from the Council November briefing book materials. A description of the November 2008 Council recommendations on trawl rationalization is also available.
