Groundfish FMP Amendment 27: Changes related to the 2017-2018 biennial management process

FMP changes related to the biennial management process Amendment 27 to the Groundfish FMP was developed as part of the 2017-2018 harvest specifications and management measures process. It reclassified big skate from an ecosystem component species to “in the fishery,” listed deacon rockfish as a management unit species, and added a description of a new […]

Groundfish FMP Amendment 25: Unfished and unmanaged forage fish protections

In September 2015, the Council approved new protections for forage fish species that are currently unfished and unmanaged. The purpose of the action is to prohibit new directed commercial fishing in Federal waters on unmanaged, unfished forage fish species until the Council has had an adequate opportunity to both assess the scientific information relating to […]

Amendment 19: Unfished and unmanaged forage fish protections

In September 2015, the Council approved new protections for forage fish species that are currently unfished and unmanaged. The purpose of the action is to prohibit new directed commercial fishing in Federal waters on unmanaged, unfished forage fish species until the Council has had an adequate opportunity to both assess the scientific information relating to […]

CPS FMP Amendment 15: Unfished and unmanaged forage fish protections

Amendment 15 was approved in 2015 and added a suite of lower trophic level species to the FMP’s list of ecosystem component (EC) species. Consistent with the objectives of the Council’s FMPs and its Fishery Ecosystem Plan.  Amendment 15 prohibits future development of commercial fisheries for the suite of EC species shared between all four […]

HMS FMP Amendment 3: Unfished and unmanaged forage fish protections

HMS FMP Amendment 3 resulted from the Council’s ecosystem initiative protecting unfished and unmanaged forage fish species. Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 1 (CEBA 1) amends the Council’s four FMP amendments (Amendment 15 to the Coastal Pelagic Species FMP, Amendment 25 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, Amendment 3 to the Highly Migratory Species FMP, and Amendment 19 […]

CPS FMP Amendment 14: MSY for the northern subpopulation of northern anchovy

Amendment 14 was developed in order to establish a MSY for the northern subpopulation of northern anchovy. Although two options were considered during the amendment process, neither was subsequently adopted by the Council. The Council took action in November 2014, approving the MSY, and the Amendment was approved by NMFS on March 23, 2015. The […]

Groundfish FMP Amendment 24: Default harvest control rules

Amendment 24 established default harvest control rules that, unless modified by the Council, are used to establish biennial harvest specifications for stocks and stock complexes. Amendment 24 also added new stocks to the fishery management plan (FMP) and designed some FMP species as ecosystem component species. Amendment 24 also implements minor changes to the FMP. […]

Amendment 18: Revise the description and identification of essential fish habitat, designate habitat areas of particular concern

Amendment 18 revises the description and identification of essential fish habitat (EFH) for Pacific salmon, designates habitat areas of particular concern, modifies information on fishing activities and measures to minimize their effects on EFH, and updates the list of fishing and non-fishing related activities that may adversely affect EFH and potential conservation and enhancement measures […]

Amendment 17: Status determination criteria and minor updates

Amendment 17 specifies the maximum fishing mortality threshold for Quillayute fall coho and updates a number of items to meet current practices, technology, regulatory protocol, or to correct inconsistencies between Council final action under Amendment 16 and the final published fishery management plan. Final rule (effective March 18, 2013) Download Amendment 17: Status Determination Criteria and Minor […]

Amendment 16: Stock classification, status determination criteria, annual catch limits and accountability measures, and de minimis fishing provisions

Amendment 16 provides a framework for specifying biological and management reference points and accountability measures that will meet the requirements of the revised Magnuson-Stevens Act and National Standard 1 Guidelines to account for uncertainty in the fishery management process, reduce the probability of overfishing, and include clear and objective status determination criteria while integrating with […]