The Council recommended changes to the FMP during the development of the 2017-2018 harvest specifications and management measures. Amendment 27 FMP reclassified big skate from an ecosystem component species to “in the fishery,” list deacon rockfish in Table 3-1, and revised Chapter 5.5 to describe a new inseason process in California. The new inseason process for California fisheries would occur outside of a Council meeting and allow NMFS to take action based upon attainment or projected attainment of Federal harvest limits of black rockfish (commercial and recreational), canary rockfish (recreational), and yelloweye rockfish (recreational). Additionally, updates to the FMP were made to clarify matters from Amendment 23 and acknowledge the successful rebuilding of canary rockfish and petrale sole. In June 2016, the Council adopted Amendment 27, which was transmitted to NMFS in the fall of 2016 for implementation on January 1, 2017. The final rule for the 2017-2018 harvest specifications and management measures was published on February 7, 2017.
Download the:
Final rule ( 83 FR 63970, February 7, 2017), implementing the 2017-2018 harvest specifications and management measures, including Amendment 27
Council recommendation to NMFS to correct the sablefish annual catch limit apportionment in the proposed rule (transmittal letter to Mr. Barry Thom dated November 23, 2016)
Proposed Rule ( 81 FR 75266 , October 28, 2016)
Overfished species rebuilding plans, as revised (Groundfish FMP Appendix F, August 2016)
2017-18 Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures Analytical Document (Revised)
2017-18 Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures Analytical Document Analytical Document Appendix A: Catch Projection Models
2017-18 Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures Analytical Document Appendix B: Additional Management Measure Analysis and New Management Measures Analysis